Photo by K.C. Bailey. © 2007 Picturehouse
Carly Schroeder as "Gracie"
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You’ve just finished catching the latest blockbuster with your friends. And now you’re all talking about what a great movie it is. Beyond that, though, you’re thinking, “Wow, what would it be like to act in a movie?” And you realize you’ve been wondering that a lot lately – and not just after catching a matinee, but when you’re watching television, too.
So, you want to be a movie star? Well, you’re in luck. In this new feature, we’ll be taking a look at some super cool jobs. We’ll talk to the people involved and find out just what it takes to make it in their line of work. For this issue, we had a chance to talk to Carly Schroeder about her life as an actor. Before you hear what Carly has to say, here’s her “back-story” – yep, we’re using some movie language…
Carly Schroeder always liked playing dress up as a little girl. Actually, she told us she still likes playing dress up. That’s a good thing because she does a lot of that as an actor. Schroeder, who recently starred in the summer release, “Gracie,” started acting at the age of 6 years old. Although she’s never taken any acting classes – save for a theater in the park class at age 5 – Carly has been acting for 11 years. She started out on a soap opera (“General Hospital” – and later, “Port Charles”) and since has done commercials, other television shows and movies.
Express: You’ve worked on commercials, television shows and movies – is the acting experience the same no matter what medium you’re working in?
Carly Schroeder: I would have to say that acting in movies, TV shows, and soap operas -- really doing any type of acting -- it is important to do three things: (1) Know your lines, (2) Listen to the director and (3) Have fun doing it. (And I know it sounds LAME but it is totally true.)
Express: Do you employ any particular types of techniques when developing a character?
Carly Schroeder: No, I just make the character as realistic as possible. I think of a person I know who is similar to a character and take characteristics from them, and mix it with my own to develop a character. I also think of how the character evolves throughout the script. Subtle things make all the difference.
Express: How do make-up and costume affect your acting process and the development of your character?
Carly Schroeder: When I put on costumes, I am automatically the character. With make-up not so much. But costumes are really important to me. Like in “Gracie” -- when I put on my soccer shorts and jerseys, I walked like a guy, stood differently and could only think of soccer.
Express: How do you learn your lines?
Carly Schroeder: I read through the script three to four times and know it. I visualize it. Then the day I do a scene, I will just say the scene over-and-over while I am getting my make-up done. I learn my lines and everyone else’s lines. The more you say the lines, the more comfortable you are with them, and then they come out more natural.
Express: Can you walk us through an average workday while working on a television show?
Carly Schroeder: On a TV show, you get up and drive to work (my mom drives me -- ha-ha don’t be jealous) and go straight to your dressing room, get your wardrobe on, then go to hair and then make-up. Get a bite to eat (a doughnut and a big glass of milk) and head to set to start filming, or go back to your trailer and work on schoolwork. You will walk through a scene with the director and run lines. Then you wait for them to begin filming. In between takes, you go to school while the lighting people, producers and director decide if they like the take, or if they want to shoot it a different way. After about eight hours of on-and-off the set, you’re done for the day. Then I go home and work on [more] schoolwork.
Photo by K.C. Bailey. © 2007 Picturehouse
Carly with "Gracie" co-stars, Elisabeth Shue and Dermot Mulroney
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Express: Can you walk us through an average workday on a movie set (“Gracie,” for example)?
Carly Schroeder: “Gracie” was a little different because I was in almost every scene. In the morning, as soon as I got there, [director] Davis [Guggenheim] and I would walk through the scenes for that day. Then I would be run through the works (hair, make-up, costume). Then we would begin shooting. Our schedule was so tight because I was a minor (minors can only be in front of a camera for a certain number of hours) that we had very little down time. The crew was very efficient and would be there very early to set everything up -- camera, lighting, props, etc. So that when it was time to shoot, it was all go. Davis and I would talk before a scene, shoot the scene, replay the scene, talk and tweak the scene – then start all over again. He allowed me to have input, which propelled each day forward; we worked well together. We would do many different takes of each scene so that editing would be easier. At certain times during the day, I would take a rest. That means I would have a 20-minute period where I would rest or [do] school[work]. Most days I would take lunch in my trailer, so I could nap. Then right back at it after lunch. We would work until I hit my working hour limit. Back at the hotel, I would go work out at the gym while my mom made dinner, then have a shower and go to bed. Acting requires a good nights’ rest and nutrition to think clearly and keep the energy level high during a 50-day shoot.
Express: What has been your most challenging/exciting role so far?
Carly Schroeder: I think that Gracie was the most challenging role so far for me because of the intensity of the soccer. I trained so hard for this movie, and I had cuts and bruises to show for it. I am exceedingly proud of them; it shows how hard I worked. I am a girly girl and a tomboy so this movie was a nice for me to be both. I got to go out on a date with a guy and be the girly girl, then go up against the boys and be a tough girl.
Express: What is more difficult – working up tears for a dramatic scene or being funny?
Carly Schroeder: Crying for me is not very difficult. I grew up on a soap opera where I was kidnapped three times and blind for a year. Tears are not new to me. As for being funny, well I have a very dry sense of humor so, umm, not a lot of people really get it. Bridget Moynahan--now that girl is funny (she’s my girl). I think being funny is hard.
Express: What people or events have affected your development as an actor?
Carly Schroeder: Reese Witherspoon is my role model. She is intelligent, classy, charming, polite, gorgeous, an amazing actress, and she keeps her personal life private.
Express: Who are your favorite actors? Why?
Carly Schroeder: Matt Damon I think is an excellent actor. I loved the movie “Good Will Hunting” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” Oh and he is way cute -- that helps. Audrey Hepburn because she is classy. Lucy Ball because she was the master of comedy.
Photo by K.C. Bailey. © 2007 Picturehouse
Carly playing soccer as "Gracie."
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Express: Describe your ideal job as an actor – whether it’s a TV show, a movie or a stage play. Who would star? Who would direct? Who else would be involved?
Carly Schroeder: My ideal movie would be with Reese Witherspoon playing my mom. Director would be Davis Guggenheim. It would be set on a farm in Indiana (where I am from) and the rest doesn’t really matter to me. I would totally not want to be a lead. Supporting is perfect for me as long as the story has a good heart.
Express: Is acting the career you hope to pursue for your whole life? If not, what are your other interests?
Carly Schroeder: Well as I am only 16 ½ (and yes the half does matter), I am not sure. I will do acting as long as it is fun for me. But I do want to go to college. You always need a back-up plan in Hollywood. I like the sciences.
Express: What advice do you have for our readers who want to pursue acting as a career?
Carly Schroeder: I would say DREAM BIG because when you put your mind to something you can do anything. Yes, there will be days when you wake up and say, “I don’t want to do this anymore.” But when you achieve your goal, it will be worth it. Find something that is inspiring or motivating -- cut it out of a magazine or paper and put it where you will see it every day. The more you believe and the harder you try, the more successful you will become. GOOD LUCK!
