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1. What is your favourite medium to work in Film/TV or theatre and why?
As an actor I love working across all mediums as they present very different challenges but film is my favourite because of the way you can lose yourself in it as an actor and also as an audience. I love film because you get to tell beautiful and inspiring stories that will remain in history forever.
2. What has been the most challenging of the roles you have played so far and why?
Every role I have played has been a true challenge. To embody a character completely takes time, focus and a lot of research. Playing Germaine Greer has been the highlight so far for me though - to play someone who is so acutely and actively in the public eye is daunting and challenging but ultimately a true gift for any actor.
3. When did you know that Performing Art was the path you wanted to follow?
Acting has been in my blood for as long as I remember - I was always putting on plays for my family and friends! It seemed a natural progression for me to end up doing it for my career. It’s the one thing in life that inspires me and completes me and I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else in life.
4. What has been the most real/confronting/challenging moment in your acting career?
The most confronting thing about acting for me is the relocation of my life on a constant basis. I have to make sure I have a support system around me of friends, family and work mates. In saying that, I wouldn’t trade it for the world because I love the excitement of not knowing where I’m going to end up next and what lies around the corner for me.
5. What are your thoughts in working in directing and other areas of production?
I would be up for anything in this industry, although I would like to wait a good few years before I took up that challenge for myself. At the moment I am focusing on being the best I can and taking on new challenges in performing as an actor first.
6. How do you do to prepare for a role?
When I prepare for a role, I tend to develop my back-story first. I trace the characters footsteps right back to when they were born and work my way up - this gives me a good canvas to start with then I start layering on to that. I will read a lot and also try to put myself in their shoes physically , emotionally and mentally.
7. What advice has been the most helpful for you on set?
I tend to observe more than get advice off people. I watch a lot of actors and directors work and learn from how they behave to their process as an actor. Good working ethics is imperative to have and you have to remember that we are all just one big team all working together to make the best project possible.
8. What women in history would you love to play if you were given the chance and why?
I would love to play Sylvia Plath. I am always so moved by her poetry and writing and her complexity as a woman - I think it would be a true challenge but a welcoming one on my part.
9. What do you think the importance is of film/TV/theatre is in today’s society?
Any form of creative arts have an important role in every society and have done since man began, Film / Theatre and TV are just forms of storytelling whether that story’s intent is to educate, entertain or challenge perspectives.
10. What is your favourite thing to do after a long day on set/in rehearsals?
As I said before the most challenging part of my job is the constant relocation so when I go home, whether it’s to a hotel room or my actual home, I like to do the simple things like watch movies, have dinner parties with my friends… and hot baths! Generally I just like to switch off for a moment and relax.
Find out more about Emma- http://www.yenmag.net/ywya/finalists_profile.php?name_id=14
Interview By Rhiannon Bulley
