Interviewing actress Harlie Madison



1-. How was your childhood?

I was raised by extremely supportive parents. No matter what we had or didn’t have, they’d find a way for me and my sister to thrive in whatever we wanted to do. I didn’t always have the most encouraging teachers nor peers, but my family definitely made up for all the times I’ve been told I wasn’t capable of something.

2-.From what age did you decide to be an actress and how did you know you had the skills to go on TV?

My parents wanted me to test all the waters. I tried karate, choir, cheerleading, dance, painting, gymnastics, etc. but nothing seemed to keep me interested. One day my mom told me that as a baby she tried getting me into movie auditions but because I was so young and had no concept of what was going on, I refused. This story planted a strange feeling of regret in me, so I decided I’d give it a try. After falling in love with performing in plays, I began looking into film acting at the age of 15.
I don’t think I knew I had the skills to work in film until I just jumped in and did it. I auditioned many times and even lost a role before I was inspired to just write myself one. After that, doors began to open and I knew I had the forte to continue.

3-.Did your parents support you in the decision you made to be an actress?

My parents were used to me getting bored of things quickly. When I told them I felt a commitment for acting, they couldn’t have been more approving. They work so hard to help give me and my sister the lives we’re chasing and for that I am forever grateful.

4-.What was your first appearance on the screens?

My very first appearance on the screen was a restaurant commercial way back in the early 2000’s at around 2-4 years old. My aunt had taken me to Rocky and Carlo’s where the guys filming had spontaneously asked if I could be in it. My mom turned on the TV to see me just enjoying my lunch.

5-.What was the role you liked the most?

I enjoyed portraying Liberty Applewhite in “The Cramps: A Period Piece” the most. The film hasn’t been released yet, however it takes place in the same universe as the award winning short film “Violet Butterfield: Makeup Artist for the Dead” with the same writer, Brooke H. Cellars. Liberty was my first role I booked at the age of 18. She’s very emotionally complex and it was a heartbreakingly beautiful experience to live in her world. I can’t wait for everyone else to meet her.

6.- What do you think led you to fame?

While I’m not (yet) well established in the industry, I believe I have the drive and passion that will get me where I’m meant to be. Though recognition would be wonderful, fame isn’t necessarily the goal. I want to enjoy what I do and have a purpose, which I’m achieving now. At 19, I completed my first short film that I have written, directed, casted, and costume designed over the course of a few months, whilst also undergoing multiple medical surgeries and booking feature films in between. I’m most proud that through all of it, many other young local actors have been given an opportunity for first time experience on a fun, family oriented set.

7-. What types of characters would you like to interpret?

I would very much enjoy representing a final girl or a “scream queen”. Actresses like Vera Farmiga, Samara Weaving, Shelly Duvall, and many others have inspired me numerous times with their ability to display the different levels of both fear and tenacity simultaneously.

8-. What actresses and actors do you feel comfortable working with?

As of now I have not worked with any “well-known” actors however, that doesn’t make the performers I have had the thrill of working with any less amazing. Everyone I have had the privilege of meeting and creating with in this community so far has not only made work comfortable, but exciting. I take pleasure in knowing I’ve gotten the chance to collaborate with such great talents before the world has discovered them.

9-. In what other genres of art would you like to participate? (Works of theater, music, among others)

I’d love to play a role in an emotional music video. Pairing lyrics and a melody with visual storytelling is overwhelmingly compelling and it would be a dream to be captured in such a way. I also enjoy the challenge of portraying deep emotions while using little to no dialogue, which I often find myself captivated by in other actors.
Writing, directing, and designing for a music video are also major fantasies of mine.

10.- Do you have any anecdotes that have marked you in your life and as a person?

On the ride home from my first dance recital at 3 years old, my mom says I couldn’t stop talking about getting back on stage. Never mind having any choreography to follow, that was the last thing I was worried about. I just wanted to be on a stage again.

11.- What has been your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement without a doubt is overcoming the tribulations that came with a birth defect called pancreas divisum. The defect causes spontaneous, severely painful, and debilitating week-long pancreatitis attacks, which eventually cost me my very first role in a feature film, having been replaced the day of filming. I was told I should no longer continue in this business if this problem could not be fixed, and at the time it was seemingly hopeless. On the verge of giving up, I confided in my acting coach who encouraged me to write myself a role. Having one special person put so much faith in me (who wasn’t inclined by relation), changed my life. Now, not only am I a healthy working actress, but I am a writer and director as well.

12.- What projects will you make next and which ones do you have in mind?

There are a few passion projects that I am currently preparing for, one being a feature I have been writing for over a year now.

13.- Would you like to make a movie in Spain?

Making a movie in Spain would be an enthralling accomplishment. Observing different
cultural storytelling techniques serves great value in cinematic production.

14.- Do you like Spanish cinema?

While I haven’t been exposed to many pieces of Spanish cinema, the series and films I’ve had the joy to consume have been both charming and intense. I’d definitely like to discover more in the future.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interviewing actress Melanie Gillott

Image
1-. How was your childhood? Coming from a musically inclined family, from an early age I knew I was passionate about music and the arts. My childhood was really defined by my creativity. I spent countless hours singing, diving into books, and writing my own short stories in the sanctuary of my room. Those were the activities that brought me joy and helped shape who I am today. 2. - From what age did you decide to be an actress and how did you know you had the skills to go on TV? When I was around five years old, my mother took me into a local music store one day, and while we were there, I saw a voice lesson in progress. It looked like so much fun to me and they were singing songs that I loved. My mother told me that I wouldn’t stop talking about the music store or the voice lesson for weeks. My parents saw how passionate I was about pursuing singing so they decided to get me lessons and I haven’t stopped singing since. My dedication to the craft of music, became the foun...
Read more

Interviewing actress Melany Hill

Image
1-. How was your childhood? My childhood was a whole journey on its own. A big rollercoaster with big highs and very low lows. When I was born I used to live with my mum, my grandparents, my aunt, and my uncle. And honestly, it was the best period of my childhood. I have fond memories that helped me build amazing relationships with my family. I was the only great-grandchild who met my great-grandmother and I love to be that one. Amazing warm Christmases, laughs and karaoke, playing in the backyard, enriching myself with our backgrounds. Everything we did seemed like a long-lasting warm hug. But you see I was born an actress, I just didn’t know what I was doing. I would spend hours and hours creating incredible worlds. I would save Antarctica, come back from the 18th hundreds, have 10 children, and need to save them from chaos or a princess who saved herself. I would memorize my favourite movies, go through my wardrobe to get matching outfits, and recreate whole movies ...
Read more

New interview with actress Sarah French

Image
1.- Hi Sarah!!!! A pleasure to interview again. How has it been for you during this time? Hello! Thank you so much for having me again. It’s been a year since we spoke last time which is crazy! Time goes by so fast. I’ve been doing well, grinding away like always! A lot has happened since we spoke last year. My partners Dir Marcel Walz, Writer Joe Knetter, and I have completed 2 new features under our production company KWF Productions, formally Neon Noir, which we’re super excited about! The first one we shot last year is a film called, “Garden of Eden”. It’s a very A24/secret society style film that is beautiful, gory, fucked up and we like to call it our religious horror film. Its centers around this religious family that is very well off and they have garden parties to give back to society where you can make your most wished for dreams come true. But some dreams are nightmares for others. The second film we made we just completed and recently had an industry screenin...
Read more