Some of you may recall my interview with Nicole Oliver earlier this summer, and what a surprise for me to discover that she has a talented son who is also an actor, William Ainscough. While in many ways, he is only in the early stages of his career, his roles have increasingly drawn the attention of viewers and critics alike. Not long ago, I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about how he got started in this profession, his most memorable on-set moments, and his most recent works.
RH: Why did you decide to become an actor?
WA: Well, I saw my Mom acting on a film set when I was eight years old, and I thought it was a pretty cool and interesting thing my Mom was doing. So I decided to give it a try. And I auditioned for my first gig, and I actually booked my first audition! And since then, my love for acting has only grown.
How was it helpful for you to grow up in the household of parents who are in the industry?
Since both my parents are in the industry, I got to see what it was like and how the industry really affects a person day to day. I knew there was fun stuff, and I knew there would be some tough stuff like rejection and trying to make things normal in a world that isn’t regular for a kid. My parents taught me to be patient, responsible but also that it was important for me to still be just a kid.
What was your first professional acting job?
My first acting job was on a production called Hidden, directed by the Duffer Brothers who have gone onto do Stranger Things on Netflix.
What was that experience like?
At first it was a little nerve-wracking knowing that over sixty people were staring at your every move on a monitor. But then I saw there were other kids, and I decided it was just best to relax and play. The crew and cast were awesome, and it was a great experience for a first-time actor.
Since Seed has been your longest-running role on a show so far, please tell us about how you got that role, what your experience was like, and what you like best about the show and your character.
Seed was my second audition of my career, and I booked it. I think the fact that I had curly hair like the lead really helped! I loved filming in Halifax, and the cast and crew quickly became like my second family. I loved Billy, my character, because he was really quirky and cool and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. One of my first days in Halifax had Billy dressing in a sparkly unitard and twirling a ribbon…and I was super impressed with myself that I actually did that in front of a group of strangers.
Since you play Milton in the recently released film Milton’s Secret, please tell us a little about the story and your character.
Milton’s Secret is about a boy named Milton, who is having trouble in his life. He is being bullied and his parents are stressing about work and money and this is putting a lot of stress onto Milton. Milton wants to save his family and make everything better. His Grandpa Howard comes for a visit, and helps to teach Milton about the power of NOW, living in the moment, finding joy in the small things and that sometimes a big deep breath can change everything.
How are you like Milton, and how are you different from him?
That’s a deep question! I think I am like Milton because I sometimes think too far ahead of myself and stress about the small stuff. I am different from Milton because I do take deep breaths, take a moment and can figure out what needs to be done. My Mom and Dad have given me room to grow, explore and be who I am.
What was it like working with Donald Sutherland?
He is a legendary actor, and it was really cool to watch him work and get some tips from him. He taught me about lenses and lighting and how it can affect you and your performance. He also taught me about an actor’s process and how you have to respect that, and for me, that meant really focusing and taking a minute before each take.
Had you seen him in Hunger Games before you got to work with him?
Yes, and I really enjoyed watching those movies. But I never saw President Snow when we were working together, only Grandpa Howard.
How was it working with the rest of the cast and crew?
The cast and crew were really generous, nice and fun to work with. I loved the camera department and all the special rigs they had.
Any special memories or behind-the-scenes moments?
Before we even started shooting, we all got together at Barnet’s house (director). It was fun getting to know each other before we walked on the crazy film set. It felt like we had known each other a long time, and I was super excited to get started!
Any other upcoming works you can mention ?
I am currently recording season two of Ready Jet Go for PBS. This animated series is about an alien named Jet who comes to Earth. He meets some kids from the neighbourhood, and pretty soon they all go off on a bunch of space adventures. I voice Jet’s friend Sean, who wants to be an astronaut when he grows up, but first he has to get over his fear of heights and space!
How does school work for you, especially when you’re filming?
When I’m filming, I get homework from my teachers and do that with a tutor on set. I’ve been able to stay in public school and feel that filming hasn’t really affected my school time or any of my friendships at school.
As a young person in the industry (who I think has pretty cool parents), how do you keep away from negative influences and remain positive and grounded?
My parents are pretty clear with the good and the bad about this industry. They have talked with me about the “dos and don’ts” and have really stressed that acting is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, and that I can stop whenever it gets too much. They don’t force me to do auditions or anything; they have said that acting has to be MY choice. And it is. 🙂
What do like to do in your free time?
I like to play video games like Battlefront, Destiny, and Unturned. I also drum, read, play rugby and I am a huge Dungeons and Dragons fan. I love hanging out with my friends, listening to music on my Dad’s record player, and jamming to cool tunes by Nirvana and Van Halen.
All too often, children of entertainers grow up in a difficult environment which will occasionally lead to negative and sometimes life-altering choices. Thankfully, William has two amazing parents who believe in him and his giftedness, and though definitely proactive when it comes to him, they have allowed him to make the decisions concerning his work. And there is no doubt that it is empowering to a youth like William, who has been reared in a loving and secure home. Although I am unsure what the future may hold for him, I am convinced that whatever he ultimately chooses to do in his life and career, he will undeniably and ultimately succeed. Perhaps he won’t be a millionaire who has no real money issues to speak of (but with William, don’t underestimate him!), or perhaps he will be a struggling artist. But no matter what path he chooses, he will walk that course with conviction, joy and a genuine sense of purpose of who he is in this world. I applaud William’s parents for raising such a well-adjusted, pragmatic son as William, and I can hardly wait to check out his past and upcoming works. Be sure to check out whether Milton’s Secret is playing in a theater near you, but in the event it is not, you can stream the film here. And please be sure to check William out at the links below so that you can follow his phenomenal journey every step of the way.
FOLLOW WILLIAM
