HEADLINE: THE ACTING BUG!
Calling all wannabe actors! With the Blu-ray and DVD of Disney’s film Prom coming out soon, we got some career advice from Aimee Teegarden. Read on to discover her top tips on finding fame…
What was life like on the set of Prom?
Life on set was amazing! We filmed the movie in various schools around Los Angeles, so it felt like we were all going to class together every day. There were a lot of giggles on the set, and a lot of laughs.
What were you like in high school?
I worked really hard in high school. I graduated when I was 16 years old, so I guess I was a bit of a nerd because I worked hard to finish early. I was already working in the entertainment business and I knew I wanted to be an actor, so I focused and I got on with my schoolwork.
Did you have any time for fun at school?
I loved playing sports back then. That was a lot of fun for me. And I was also involved in many different organizations like Girl Scouts and the choir. I loved it.
Did you find it easy to make friends back then?
Yes and no. I was a bit of a tomboy and I always had strange clothes. I love thrift store shopping, so my clothes were always mismatched and I never had the right labels or the perfect pair of shoes, so I was a little different to everybody else.
Did that bother you?
Not really. The friends that I had when I was a kid are still my friends today. I’ve got a good group of friends that have stuck by me no matter what. They appreciate me for who I am, which is wonderful.
What advice do you have for kids who are struggling to make friends at school?
I think the easiest way to make friends is to get involved in something you’re passionate about, whether it’s working at an animal shelter, going to choir practice or getting involved with sports. I know it’s very, very hard to go up to somebody and invite them to go shopping or whatever – but it’s easier if you have a common interest.
So get involved in school clubs?
Exactly! Find somebody who shares the same passions as you because it’s a lot easier to connect with people if you have something in common. Plus, you already have something to talk about. Join the drama club, the sports club or even the chess club. Get involved!
Talking of drama… What advice would you give to youngsters who want to follow in your footsteps and act?
The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone is to finish high school. And after high school, look into college with a great drama program or get involved in community theater. Make sure you study first because you never know where this industry will take you.
What other tips have you got for wannabe actors?
Practice your skills, learn about acting and get involved! There are so many different aspects of acting and there are so many amazing books out there that look into different techniques and things like that. Head to the library and read up.
Can you recommend any good books?
There are way too many to mention, but see what you can find. Read up on movies, too. Look into the transition of black and white to color movies, from silent film to talking movies. Knowing all about the history of cinema and acting will be very beneficial further down the road. Watching movies also helps. Read plays, go online and look up directors and actors that you like. Just do anything you can to learn more about the world of movies.
What is the best way to handle all the rejection?
It’s difficult. You’ll get about 500 people saying ‘no’ to you before you get a single ‘yes’ – but you’ve just got to persevere. Look at auditions as a learning opportunity. It’s all about getting your face out there and getting experience. You’ll get there if you try hard and persevere.
Do you enjoy acting?
I love what I get to do. I get to play different characters every day and I get to pretend to do different jobs all the time – but it’s a lot of hard work and it can take forever to get that lucky break. If you’re serious about acting, join the school drama club and get involved in acting classes to see if you like it first. It’s not a career for everyone.
Were you in school plays when you were younger?
I did loads of school plays. In high school, we did The Wizard Of Oz and I played the role of a munchkin. I had a whole song and dance number – and it was really great!
Prom is a cute romantic movie… What kind of guys do you fall for, Aimee?
I’m into normal guys like Joe Schmoe.
What does Joe Schmoe look like?
I don’t think about what he looks like or where he’s from. I just look to see whether his heart is in the right place. I like guys who are nice human beings. Oh, and being humorous helps too!
Have you ever had your heart broken?
It’s happened to me a few times…
How did you cope?
There was lots of crying, of course. Crying, sleeping and food seems to help. I’ve always had a great set of girlfriends that have always picked me up and shown me that I’m young and life goes on. It’s not like I’ve had a great tragedy in my life. Everybody experiences heartbreak. I think it’s just part of the whole human experience. We all deal with it and we all get over it. Eventually.
Is heartbreak tough?
Of course it is! But it helps you grow and mature. If you don’t experience heartbreak, I don’t feel like you would ever understand a lot of things in life. It’s awful, but you’re going to get through it. Keep your chin up, girls. It’s going to get better!
HEADLINE: PROM KING!
With Blu-ray and DVD of Disney’s film Prom about to be released, we catch up with star Nolan Sotillo to find out about life behind the camera…
How much fun did you have shooting Prom?
Prom was the best experience in my entire life! Everybody on the set bonded together and we had a blast working on the movie. We worked hard, but there was also a lot of time for fun.
What did you get up to when the cameras stopped rolling?
We would play basketball together, we’d write songs together… We’d do anything and everything!
What songs did you write on the set?
I would take my guitar to the set most days, so Jared Kusnitz and I ended up writing a track called The Prom Song. The inspiration of the song was the plot of the movie. It was really cool.
What else did you get up to behind the scenes?
One day, the entire cast ended up having a mini sports day on the set. We were kicking soccer balls, throwing Frisbees, as well as playing football and baseball. Everyone from the cast was out on the field having a blast. It was awesome!
Who is the sportiest person in the cast?
De’Vaughn Nixon is amazing at a lot of sports. He was the person to beat that day, although Danielle was very good, too.
Who was your best friend on set?
I worked on so many scenes with Cameron Monaghan that we became really close during the film shoot – but I would also hang out with loads of the other people in the cast. Jared Kusnitz was great fun. De’Vaughn Nixon is an awesome guy. I was close to everyone really.
What was your funniest moment on set?
There were a lot of funny moments on the set, but my biggest blooper happened on the first day. I was so nervous that I completely forgot my lines! It was really embarrassing because I was trying really hard – but eventually I got it right.
What brings a smile to your face?
A lot of the time, music is my escape. Music will always bring a smile to my face.
What kind of music?
Anything will work. I’m not into corny pop, but I like happy songs and love songs. I am also a big fan of country music as well.
What musical artists do you listen to at home?
When it comes to country music, Rascal Flatts is my favorite band – but I also like Taylor Swift. She’s beautiful, too!
Would Taylor Swift be your ultimate celebrity prom date?
Some days, I’d love to take Taylor Swift to a prom. Other days, I’d like to take Selena Gomez. I love them both.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Cartoons make me laugh, as well as Disney Channel shows like Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up and The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody. Television shows like that always bring a smile to my face!
What are your other hobbies?
I’m a huge athlete and I’m really into sports – but I’ve also started to get into dance recently. I’ve been taking hip-hop dance lessons and I really enjoy them.
So you know how to get a party started on the dance floor?
Well, as long as there is another person dancing with me. It’s pretty hard to dance on your own, but you can start a party with two or three people.
Can you play any musical instruments?
I can play the guitar and the piano, and I’ve just started to learn the drums as well. I love creating music and eventually I’d like to be able to play every instrument on my tracks. That’s my dream, but I know it won’t happen for a number of years.
What’s your favorite instrument?
The guitar is probably my favorite instrument. I have written a lot of songs on the guitar, although I also write a lot of ballads on the piano.
How many songs have you written?
I have written countless songs and I’m trying to get an album together at the moment. I have about 11 or 12 tracks that I’m set on using in the album right now, but I’m trying to come up with a couple more. It’s a huge dream of mine to release a CD because music is such a big part of my life. I love it.
How would you describe the sound of your album?
It has a Jason Mraz vibe, but it also has a definite country style to it. The way that I write my songs is like I’m telling a story, so they all have a lot of meaning. They all have a beginning, a middle and an end.
What inspires you to write music?
Girls inspire me, as well as nature. Last night, I went outside and I looked up at the stars. It was incredible and so beautiful. It was just me and nature – and that definitely inspired me.
Who would you most like to duet with?
I would love to do a duet with Taylor Swift. I went to her concert a while ago and I feel like we’re very similar. She writes about boys, and I write about girls – and they are all great stories in our music.
What are your three favorite songs right now?
I like a track called Easy from Rascal Flatts’ new album. It’s a duet with Natasha Bedingfield – and she’s incredible! I also like the country song, Don’t You Wanna Stay by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson. That’s really cool. Oh, and Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae is another favorite.
Are you a party animal with all this great music around you?
To be honest, I’m not that much of a party animal; I’m very laid back. I like to have it in the background when I’m chilling. Music clears my mind and it helps me relax. I love that.
PROM IS RELEASED ON DVD 26TH SEPTEMBER 2011