For those who religiously follow my interviews, you are more than likely aware of the fact that I adore highlighting young people in the film and television industry. And it just so happens that Ella Greenwood is one of those aspiring young actresses who is about to make a veritable splash into this entertainment universe. Recently, I was able to briefly chat with her about her career thus far, as well as her ambitions and goals for the future. It is my joy and honor to share that conversation with my readers today.
RH: What inspired you to pursue a career as an actress?
EG: I’ve always loved films, TV, and theatre. I’d find myself immersed with anything that I saw and wanted to be a part of the process. I love the idea of getting to tell different stories and to experience many different situations, settings, and even worlds.
Please tell us a little about your training? Why do you think stage training is so important, even in today’s world where film and TV seem to be the big thing?
I’ve trained at various theatre courses and youth theatres, and I think stage training is important as it teaches you to become your character more and to work for a longer length of time. When shooting films and TV, you can film scenes for as little as a minute and then as soon as “cut” is called, you’re back to being yourself. But with theatre, you have to work for longer. You have to be able to adapt to whatever happens–whether it’s forgetting your lines or dropping something on stage. And so it definitely gives you tools that you can use in all forms of acting.
Please tell us a little bit about your offered a place as a member of the prestigious National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.
I auditioned at the beginning of the year along with over five thousand other young actors from across Britain, and I found out several weeks ago that I got offered a place. The National Youth Theatre has been an amazing company for decades now and has produced some incredible alumni, and so I can’t wait to be a part of it!
Tell us a little bit about your first on-screen role and what that experience was like.
I’ve had experience with minor roles in short films, but the first time that I played a lead character was in the upcoming horror In Front of You. It was such a great experience from start to finish! I had to have a blue wig specially made for my character, and we shot in a house and a few other locations in London. I loved how everything worked on set and the crew and cast were wonderful. I also got on so well with the actress who played my mum, Sarah Eastwood, who I still keep in contact with.
In Front Of You
I understand you will be in your first TV role in a show called Moriarty. What can you tell us about your character and how it fits into the show?
I play the character of Simpson, who is one of the Baker Street Kids. She has a way of finding out information to give to Holmes, which makes her useful and important to someone.
Any other upcoming roles you can mention?
I’m currently in the process of signing onto a really cool American Voice-over project as well as a new film project. I’ve got some intensive training coming up with the National Youth Theatre this summer and I’ve also had some exciting auditions recently, so I’m hoping to hear back from one of them!
As a young person in the industry, how have you been able to remain grounded and away from the negativity that often plagues people in this business?
I think it’s important to not let acting influence every part of your life–which is a lot harder to do than you’d think–but it’s making sure that sometimes you prioritise other things. It’s also important to not focus on the rejection and to try as best as you can to forget about an audition once you’ve done it. A way of staying positive is to not compare yourself to other actors as everyone works at their own pace in the industry and it’s so unpredictable, so there’s no set route for you to follow.
Do you have aspirations to come to the U.S. and continue to pursue your work here, or do you plan to stay mainly in the UK and only come over if offered a role?
The UK industry is amazing, but I definitely have my sights set on the US for the future as there’s so many more opportunities available. Quite a lot of the auditions I’ve had recently have been for American productions, and so I’d be ready to make the move whenever the right opportunity came along!
When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun?
I love to go to the cinema and to get something to eat with friends. My favourite things to do include going to theme parks and doing escape rooms. I also love to sketch and to travel whenever I can.
Isn’t it simply delightful to observe that Ella is not so caught up in the world of acting to the exclusion of all else? She is a talented young person who is steadfastly pursuing her dreams, but at the same time, she still makes time to be a normal, down-to-earth youngster. To be honest, I literally fell in love with this girl after perusing her IMDb profile, and I would challenge all of my readers to do the exact same thing. Consider visiting her links below and following her where applicable. In truth, I have a strong suspicion that within the next few years, Ella Greenwood is going to become one of those “up-and-comers” to watch circumspectly. While nothing is guaranteed (especially in this business), there is no doubt that Ella possesses all the necessary attributes to build a viable, compelling career where she can be offered opportunities to portray a wide variety of roles that connect with the viewers on profound, diverse levels. I hope that everyone will encourage this young lady in all of her endeavors, and I tend to believe that the sky’s the limit (or maybe it’s not!) for this gifted starlet!
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