Many of my readers are aware of the fact that the film project I have been supporting for over a year now is Nick Belial’s upcoming independent thriller entitled To Avenge. Recently, it was announced that actress Julie Kline has joined the cast in the role of Taarna. I was pleased to have the opportunity to chat with Julie about her journey within the world of entertainment, and I’m thrilled to feature her today.
RH: Julie, it’s great to get to chat with you! Welcome to the film To Avenge.
JK: Thank you, Ruth. Nice to chat with you too. I’m very happy to be a part of To Avenge.
So how did you get started in acting?
When I was in middle school and high school, I did what was called forensics. This is kind of like a team where people do speeches or dramatic monologues or duos. I kind of fell in love with doing these kinds of performances in front of people. Then I realized the difference between that and theater and film. I had always been very intrigued by film. I met one of my best friends in high school when I was a senior, and he did short films. We started doing short films together, and it kind of spiraled from there.
Where exactly are you based?
I’m in Lake Orion, Michigan, which is close to Detroit.
Really? I’ve been chatting mostly with people from the New York/New Jersey area or out in LA. So what’s the film/TV scene like in your area?
Well, there’s not a lot going on. We’re the only state that doesn’t have a film office, and the incentives got shut down a couple of years ago. So there’s not a lot going on that’s big filmwise. There’s some commercial stuff. But there is an amazing independent film community, and a lot of the people who belong to this community are friends with each other. It’s truly special that we have this pool of independent filmmakers here in our area. Michigan also has a unique landscape. and that’s something else that’s great about it. But there’s rarely any big things that come in, and when they do come, they don’t hire local actors most of the time.
What a shame. No tax credits to entice filmmakers, huh?
Right, at least as far as I know.
That really is too bad. I have lots of friends who film up in Vancouver or down in Georgia or even Florida thanks to tax credits that are provided to filmmakers. I have been happy to see films and shows shooting in other areas of the U.S. But when there are no tax credits, expansion often doesn’t happen in those parts of the country.
Unfortunately, that is the case. But I’m very glad we have a great independent film community here.
I’ve never talked with an actor from Michigan. So that makes this interview quite interesting for me. After high school, did you go to film school?
Well, mostly I did a ton of short films. Then I have taken independent acting classes with different teachers. So mainly, I try to explore a little bit, but I’ve never gone to a university or anything like that specifically for film or acting.
I always like to ask because it’s a good reminder that there’s not just one way to make it in this business. Many people think that the only way you make it is to go to school for acting or film or whatever. But there are so many actors, especially nowadays, who don’t do that. Many are able to chart their own way.
I agree. It’s really all who you know and creating relationships. If you’re able to audition for independent films and keep going, you create this pool of friendships, which is just great.
What was your first on-screen role?
It was a short film I did with my good friend, and I was so awful! I know I’m my own worst critic, but this was when I was seventeen. I didn’t really know how to act. I mean, I acted, but it was really bad, and I’m glad it’s not on the internet anymore. {laughs}
To be honest, that sounds very much like what I’ve heard from other actors, even ones who have gone through film or acting school. They’ll often tell me about their first credit, and they will say, “I was horrible! I didn’t know what I was doing.” Even those who have graduated with a degree in acting or film say that quite often. No matter what, there’s nothing quite like on-set experience. It’s kind of like teaching. You can study all the theories and methods, but nothing can really prepare you for what it will be like in the classroom.
There is so much truth in what you say, Ruth.
What do you consider your most significant role to date?
Well, as you know, I haven’t been in anything really huge as of yet. But what I think is pretty significant is something I really connected to. I did a film called Broken with my same friend, Jonathan D’Ambrosio. We both wrote and produced that film together. We also built the set together. It’s a personal story. That project was like a beast, and it was amazing. It was such a great experience.
Then something more recent that I did was The 404 Diner, which hasn’t come out yet. It’s a short film that Cole Seger directed. That was a lot of fun, and we did that last year. It has a Twilight Zone feel to it. We’ll see what happens with that one.
Those two things are what come to mind first when I think of projects that really have stood out to me.
Since these are indie films, I’m assuming they have been shown in film festivals or maybe they’ve been uploaded to YouTube.
Yeah, most of the directors have submitted them, and they’ve gotten into local film festivals. Some have even made it to bigger film festivals. There are a lot of them where I was really young, and we just made the film for school, and that was it.
So how did you get cast in To Avenge?
Well, I admit that I wasn’t familiar with To Avenge at first. It was actually one of my friends who alerted me to the project. He’s actually a paramedic, and he’s just so awesome. He regularly sends me opportunities when he sees people looking on Facebook for actors to fill certain roles in their productions. Lots of times, these roles have to do with stunts because I do stunts too. So often, the roles that are sent my way aren’t the right fit for me, but this one stood out to me for whatever reason. This one put a twinkle in my eye, and I did all the research I could about it. Then I submitted for the role, and here we are.
So you didn’t know Nick Belial previously?
That’s right. I had never met him and I didn’t even know who he was.
How did you audition for this role?
I did a self-tape audition. But even before I submitted my audition, Nick talked with me on the phone for like thirty or forty minutes. I think he wanted to make sure that I might be the right kind of person he was looking for, and I think my talking with him helped him make that decision. And really, he gave me all this information about the movie and about the role of Taarna. Lots of time, you don’t get that kind of information before you audition for a role. After I submitted my first audition, I did a second one as well. And then I guess he decided I was the right person, and now I am playing Taarna.
You still haven’t met Nick Belial in person?
No, I have not. I look forward to meeting him soon. Honestly, it’s great that he is so invested in this production. I’ve worked with many directors who don’t seem to care as much as Nick does. It’s heartbreaking when you as an actor put your soul into a role and you want someone to guide you and be with you who also has their soul in it. It’s so refreshing. And I really get the sense that Nick is like that.
I am with you there, Julie. Nick definitely cares, and he is very hands-on. Even as a journalist on this project, I can say that I am amazed at how invested he has been every step along the way. This is a passion project for him, and not everyone would be willing to see it through to the end in the way he has. What are you looking forward to the most with playing the role of Taarna?
That’s a good question. I think what I’m looking forward to the most is just being on set and having the experience of being her. You never know exactly what might happen on set or what may come up in the filming process, and you just get there and do it. Then along the way, all these surprises often come up, and that’s what I’m excited about. Just getting to explore the role on set with the other actors and the crew. I’m glad there’s some time before we start filming because oftentimes, I don’t get the script that far in advance. I love the fact that I have a lot of time to explore her thinking. She definitely has some kind of web of thoughts in her mind that have led her to particular decisions that are very strong. And I just want to get on set and really explore her character and just deliver the kind of performance that will resonate with others.
I think it’s going to be exciting to get this cast together. The talent attached to this project is incredible.
I’m looking forward to connecting with everyone else on set. I think it’s going to be so much fun.
I tend to think that you and Taylor Hay are going to hit it off really well once you meet. I don’t know why, but I just can feel it.
That’s cool, Ruth. I’m excited to meet her and everyone else.
Speaking of the content of the film, have you come in contact with situations where men were trying to take advantage of girls like in this story? Or maybe men who were biased against you because you are a woman?
You know, I’ve thought about this very thing. I actually had a conversation with some of my friends about this topic a few months ago. I haven’t really had any experiences with that situation. And if I have, I think I’m the kind of person that brushes it away. Not in the way that I’m afraid to deal with it because I think that’s why things haven’t come to a head with me. I’m kind of like Taarna in that way. I have something inside of me–not where I am going to be violent or anything like that–but I’m not afraid to stand up for myself or anyone around me. Now even though that is the case, of course, things could always happen to me. I’ve just been lucky that things haven’t happened to me in that way. But I’ve definitely had friends and people close to me that have been in situations like that. Now, I have been sexually harassed, but honestly, I’m not afraid to take that and deal with it to an extent. Since I’m a woman, I hear the jokes every now and then, but I don’t take that stuff to heart. Thankfully, it’s never been something too serious.
I get where you’re coming from, Julie, and I think it’s great that you’re coming into the business at a point where this kind of stuff is coming out in the open and people are not tolerating it any longer. It’s great that you stand up for yourself and for those you love, and I think you’re one who may never experience this kind of situation. You don’t have a victim mentality, and if anything ever happened to you, you would let everyone know and not sit around and feel like it was your fault.
You’ve got that right. I will not let anyone treat me that way, and I will continue to be strong enough to stand up for myself.
Thank you so much, Julie, for being willing to share your experience and perspective today. I can hardly wait to see you in the role of Taarna!
Ruth, thank you so much for chatting with me. It was so much fun. And I can hardly wait to get on set and get to work on this amazing project, To Avenge, by Nick Belial!
Julie is sincerely everything a director could want from an actress portraying a vital role like Taarna. While her experience may be somewhat limited when compared to her peers in the business, Julie has taken advantage of every experience she has had while being humble enough to glean valuable lessons from every set on which she has been privileged to work. As she undertakes the role of Taarna in To Avenge, I have no doubt that she is going to continue to rise to the occasion and ascend to even greater heights both personally and professionally. Julie’s close association with the independent film community has given her a “team player” mentality, and I have no doubt that she will be an absolute delight to have on set as she explores every nuance of her character and how she fits into the overall narrative. While we await the exhilarating film, To Avenge, be sure to visit all of the links below (Julie, To Avenge, and Nick Belial) and consider following each one where applicable. It boggles the imagination to envision the unbelievable talent that will soon be assembling for this production, and the fact that Julie has joined the ranks thrills me to no end!
FOLLOW JULIE
FOLLOW TO AVENGE
