Emily Brownell is a rising actress who is determined to make quality lasting performances in top notch films and Broadway plays that fans will enjoy. She is already off to a great start with several hot performances in several successful indie films and projects. Emily is also a well grounded individual who has not forgotten her roots. She also graduated college Cum Laude with a BFA in Film from Syracuse University. In this spotlight with the beautiful young and talented actress, our Webzine gets familiar with what she hopes to achieve in the entertainment industry and what she believes she will bring to the industry. Here is what formulated.
Isaac: Hi Emily, How are you doing today? I wanted to first thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to complete this online interview with our Webzine. Let's get started. What prompted you to want to pursue an acting career?
Emily: Like many actors, artists, performers... I think you rarely have a choice when choosing this life. I had wanted to be an actor since I was four, and spent most of my life avoiding it by considering being a poet and finally deciding on film school, but then eventually like anything you suppress it comes back with a vengeance, and so I finally decided to invest my time into learning the craft. I write as well and one day dream of directing.
Isaac: What is the one aspect about acting that you enjoy the most and why?
Emily: What do I enjoy the most... that is a hard one!! To be perfectly honest, I enjoy the challenge; they say acting is easy and I think one day I will find that to be true but at the moment I am still learning and while at times it's frustrating. I find the challenge to be stimulating. Also, there is something very satisfying about sharing a great story with others. I once had a teacher say... "People say you are not performing Brain Surgery, and therefore not saving lives, but I say making art is saving the world." I must say I agree with her.
Isaac: What do you think you will offer to the entertainment industry that will set you apart from others?
Emily: Well I think what sets me apart from others is that there aren't a ton of young actors who are cute, bubbly, blonde, and petite and that have a real knack for comedy, but can also take on darker dramas. Not to mention, who despite looks, has a real sense of authority. I can be a real firecracker and intellect, and I must say people tend to find that surprising.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about your background and your upbringing.
Emily: Well, my upbringing was in the typical Upstate NY suburb. I have a great family and am still friends with a ton of people from high school that I see almost on a weekly basis. I was an Honor Student, captain of my gymnastics team, and an all around good kid for all appearances, but then again I had a wild streak and saw some shit I hope a lot of people can avoid in their life.
Isaac: You have been featured in many wonderful plays. What has been your favorite Theater role/performance and why?
Emily: Yes, I have done some theater in NY, but none of the roles have really knocked my sox off. Unfortunately, it's getting increasingly harder to land decent roles. Broadway has started to bank of film stars and off-Broadway is bringing in TV stars, so the unknowns get left with well... I can tell you the kind of stuff I would like to be working on; Coward, Simon, Pinter, Albee, McDonagh, Miller, Silver, Rebeck, Stoppard,... and I would love to be either in an all female cast of Waiting for Godot, Rosengrantz and Gilderstein are Dead, or Glengarry Glen Ross.
Isaac: How do you prepare for an audition?
Emily: Preparing for an audition really depends on the role, medium and some other factors. If it's just a small TV or film role, I make sure I know all the lines and get the look down. For theater, I read the play and make sure I know who the hell the character is. But all roles you must get down the fundamentals, who am I, why am I here, and what am I really doing? Then you just make sure you have fun.
Isaac: What advice do you have for others wanting to pursue an acting career?
Emily: Advice, well that's strange because I still think I need some, but my advice is simple, DON'T do this because you have a pretty face, want fame, or people told you you should. Do it because you wouldn't be happy doing anything else and because you are good at it. You don't go down on the trading floor down on Wall Street because you think maybe you can handle it; you have to know you can.
Also, do your homework; I was on a set recently in NYC reading a play and another actor asked me where I got it. If you are an actor in NYC and don't know about the Drama Bookshop or the performing arts library, I would say you should probably pick another career. Acting is acting and while you may prefer one medium over another doesn't mean you shouldn't be well versed in them all. And the opposite is true, you are auditioning for TV roles but don't watch any TV, well you are doing a great disservice to yourself.
Emily Brownell
Isaac: What are some future projects that you are working on now?
Emily: I am working on my own screenplay at the moment as well as planning to go to LA for a couple months. I hope to be auditioning like crazy and land something fun and juicy. If I do, I will make sure to share it with you.
Emily: In Five years, I hope I can tell you I have done some roles on Broadway that I am very proud of, I have been working continuously across mediums since this interview including a cable TV show, that I have been challenged by a film roles with a prominent directors, and that I am still in contact with all those high school buddies.
Isaac: Final thoughts from Emily Brownell...
Emily: Lastly remember... be grateful for all that you have... that the arts can heal and help humanity... and that nothing is worth it if you don't have a little fun on the way.
My website needs some serious updates, anyone out there want to help a struggling actor with it let me know... www.emilybrownell.com
