Press

AUGUST 31, 2016

By TANIESHA PARKER.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a teen actor?
Well, I had the chance to talk to 16-year-old actress Celia Macdonald from the new web series on 3NOW, Lucy Lewis Can’t Lose, about what it’s like to be an actress at such a young age.

How did you get into acting?

I grew up doing a lot of musical theatre. When I was 6 I did something called Musical Stars…  singing, dancing, acting and we did little shows at the end of the year. It was so much fun! I’ve always been into dancing – I did ballet for about nine years. In 2014 I saw Miranda Harcourt’s Rata Studios drama courseand I just loved it.

What is it like at the Rata Studios drama school?

At Rata we do different things each term. One term we did Shakespeare, then we did things with poetry and things with auditions, it’s all very interesting. Miranda brings in all these different directors and all these amazing actors.

What was your first acting job and how did you get it?

This was actually through Rata. My first film job was last year. I was cast in the short film called Slice of Happiness, with Natalie Medlock. We did a self tape at this class and I got an email saying I got the role! Robyn Malcolm, the mother in the film… out of the last two auditions, [Natalie] told Robyn to pick one and she chose me, which was pretty awesome!

How does it feel to be a part of the first ever content made exclusively for 3NOW?

I think it’s so awesome! There should be more stuff like this. It was just really cool because I have seen other web series on YouTube before, like one that Thomasin [McKenzie] was in. But having this one on 3NOW is really awesome and it helps promote the channel as well. I really enjoyed making it and having all these quirky connections, because we also had the writer, Amanda, on set; she [played] the school secretary. Paul, the director, was in it a bit, so we had all this quirky TV3 stuff everywhere.

Do you think that you’re similar to your character Ruby in any way?

I definitely don’t wear as outgoing clothes as she does. I don’t have dyed hair in any way, it was just hair extensions which I got to keep, so I was very happy. Ruby is quite a rebel. I guess I can say I’m quite a rebel myself, but I also have many different sides to myself, as Ruby does. She can’t bring food to school, which is the main issue in the series and she is the quirky friend, so she’s is all about getting this plan to the principal. She’s really determined to do something about it because of the issue she’s going through. I’m the kind of person who would stand up for other people because usually I don’t do it for myself. She’s an awesome character to play, she’s so funny.

What is it like to act alongside ex-Shortland Street star Thomasin McKenzie?

I’ve known Thomasin for a very long time already. We did the audition together and that was a lot of fun… We were told that we have a really nice connection but it’s just because we’ve known each other for a very long time. I supported her all the way through when she was on Shortland Street so it’s really amazing seeing her up there and now getting to work with her. It’s amazing because she’s such a great teen actor and I’ve definitely learnt a lot from her. She has a very good energy and I thought she played Lucy very well.

Has there been anything that has surprised you about the acting industry?

Well, I’m surprised I even get the roles to be honest. When I got Slice of Happiness I didn’t know who the name Robyn Malcolm was until I searched it up and then I was like, “OMG I know her!” I’d seen her on TV and my mum was ecstatic about it… that really surprised me, how she actually chose me for that role. For Lucy Lewis I was actually up against Thomasin’s best friend, so I was a bit surprised that I got cast, especially for a comedy, because in real life I’m actually not that funny.

Do you have any advice for young teens trying to get into the acting industry?

Just be you in front of the camera! Don’t completely alienate the camera, just think of it as another person in the room, another friend. At Rata we call our camera ‘Wall-E.’ When you are doing an audition, the casting director just wants to get the best out of you. They don’t want you to do badly, they want to help you do the best you can. When you just be you in front of the camera, it’s really interesting to watch you think. It doesn’t always matter about the lines [because] the scene goes on even after the text has ended. Don’t be afraid to touch your hair!

Why should everyone watch Lucy Lewis Can’t Lose?

Because it’s so funny! Also because you might recognise someone from it… we used a lot of teenagers that you will see in the background. Rāhiri, who played Dave, and I were very unknown, so it would be amazing for him to get recognition because he is incredibly funny and such a sweet guy. To be honest I was bullied a lot in primary school. I was told “no one wants a fat actress,” so by doing this, I can prove them wrong.