Interview: Camilla Luddington – Her advice on how to stand out in a crowd.
Journalists in America were lucky enough to have the opportunity to be able to sit down with Camilla Luddington.
In this interview they discussed her fast growing career. See what she has to say:
“What is your personal background and what in your own history drew you to acting?”
Camilla Luddington: I grew up in the UK and starting training with the Italia Conti School of Dramatic Arts when I was just 11 years old. The movie The Wizard of Oz was what initially drew me to acting. At five years old I was able to understand that Judy Garland was an actress playing a character and that I wanted to do the very same thing. Perhaps it was an even greater extension of “make believe” that I wanted to pursue.
“As a cast member of Grey’s Anatomy, you work with an eclectic and accomplished group of actors. How has being part of an ensemble cast helped you to develop as an actress? Are there any particular guest actors you would enjoy having as a patient on Grey’s Anatomy?”
CL: Every member of the cast has such a good work ethic. It’s been great to watch their process for breaking down material and bringing life to it week after week. They are also so encouraging to new cast members which I think can be rare. They invite you to “play” in scenes and push you beyond your comfort zone. As for a guest star, I am a huge fan of Orange Is the New Black and Uzo Aduba. I would love to work with her.
“What acting skills does your work as Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider video game series particularly draw upon? What advice would you give other aspiring actresses looking to break into video games?”
CL: Motion capture feels “freeing” to me as an actor. It’s not like theatre where you have to play to an audience, or like TV where you have to be aware of a camera because it’s literally attached to you. It’s essentially just you in a giant room they call the “volume” and you are left with your imagination to create the world around you. The process is fascinating. To anyone aspiring to break into games I would say submit to a voice over agent. Oftentimes they deal with auditions for video games. Also it helps to have martial arts experience. Take some classes for fun. It’s definitely a bonus when you are up for a role as so much work is physical.
“As part of Grey’s Anatomy, you’ve gotten to work with arguably one of the most successful players in television, Shonda Rhimes. What is the most important or influential thing you’ve learned from working with her?”
CL: Shonda has a way of keeping her audience on edge time and time again. She produces the kind of shows that people are talking about at the water cooler the next day. She doesn’t give in to what the audience want… And always… ALWAYS it serves for a more captivating story line. That’s what I like about her. She’s just paving the way for females in the industry. She’s showing what a power house women can be…
“When you first started out in acting, what was your dream gig? Have you landed it yet and if so, what is another dream role of yours?”
CL: I would love to do a period piece. Or a fantasy piece like Game of Thrones. The closest I’ve come to it is playing a fairy on True Blood. But I’m crossing my fingers for more opportunities.
“Having played Kate Middleton in William & Kate, are there any other iconic historical roles that you would love to be cast for?”
I would love to play Elizabeth Taylor. She was such a big presence on and off screen. Perhaps one of the last iconic old Hollywood movie stars- and of course a fellow Brit who also moved to the US early in her life.
“Do you have any parting words of advice for actresses realising their goals in such a competitive industry? What do you feel helped you stand out as an actress?”
CL: We are always told the same things over and over. Work hard, stay in class and study. All those things are so important, of course, but one thing I learnt that was so simple (but in the beginning I never felt) was to realize that time in an audition room is mine. I used to be scared to ask to do my audition scenes again- or to start over thinking that that was a sign of incompetence. But it’s so important to feel your voice in the few minutes you have in that room. Make those minutes count. Own it. If you feel like your first read wasn’t your best work, ask to read again. It’s so easy to just race through auditions and want to get out of the room but don’t.