Exclusive interview with Anna Sargeant

Foto: Anna Sargeant
Anna Sargeant

April 3, 2015 | In this interview young actress Anna Sargeant gives us an insight into the world of acting especially when you're at the beginning of your career. She landed two parts recently you may have caught her in, one on the new FOX show "Backstrom" and one in the global phenomenon "Fifty Shades of Grey". We talked to her about working on a huge movie project like that and also about the casting for a new pilot.

German translation of the interview.

1. How did you get into acting and what would be your advice to aspiring actors?

My first acting experience came in Elementary school. I was a shy kid; so whenever drama class rolled around I would usually go into my shell. However, one day I remember just making the decision to not be that shy girl anymore and I think my teacher nearly fainted. I got up on stage, and at the top of my lungs started yelling, I guess it was my way of getting over my fear, but probably not my greatest performance. After that, I realized that if I wanted to, I had the power to change.

Acting became my tool of self-expression and growing up I could not get enough of it. Even though I was always nervous before every class, or performance. I think looking back, it was a good lesson, learning to fight my fears and just do it anyway! My advice to aspiring actors is to just keep doing it. The audition process can be tiresome and, yes, it sucks to hear the word ‘no' more than you hear ‘yes'! But, if you love acting just keep doing it, ‘you have gotta be in it to win it' really rings true in the industry!

2. You played a grad student in "Fifty Shades of Grey". What was the casting process for a big movie project like that like?

I first found out about my audition while on set for a commercial I was shooting. My agent called and said it was for a book series, which was being made into a movie, but she couldn't say any more. At that time, everyone involved in the film's production were using code names, to keep it all very secretive. It wasn't until I got the sides (my audition lines) that I realized what it could be… as the two other characters in my scene were "Christian" and "Ana."

I went to the audition and read for the roles of "Female Grad "one and two. It was just like any other audition, and I thought it went well. I was aware that there were probably hundreds of other girls auditioning for those two parts, and so I didn't think much more about it. Two or three weeks went by and I'd completely forgotten about the audition. Then one morning I woke up to my phone ringing, I answered and it was my agent who said, "You've booked 50 Shades of Grey!" I was still half asleep and so it probably didn't sink in right away. It's not a call that you get everyday, but I am really grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of the project, and am proud of its success internationally.

3. You were part of the scene in which Christian Grey gives a speech at Ana's graduation. Can you talk a little bit about what a scene like that involves?

The graduation scene was shot over the course of a full day; which just goes to show you how long the filming process can take. If I remember correctly, there were three cameras being used to capture the scene from a range of different angles. We had a huge crowd of extras filling seats to make it look like a real graduation ceremony and at the end we all got to throw our hats in the air too, which was fun. I remember having this giant camera that was attached to a huge crane inches from my face and thinking, "Yep, this is so freaking cool." It's moments like that on set, when I find myself looking around and thinking "wow I am actually doing this" and I realize, all the auditions and all of the hard work is worth it.

Foto: Copyright: 2015 Universal Pictures
© 2015 Universal Pictures

4. Did you have the chance to meet Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson behind the scenes? If so, how do they compare to the characters they portray in the movie?

Yes, I was able to meet both Jamie and Dakota. The morning of the shoot, Dakota, Meghan Danso (the other graduate), Eloise Mumford (Kate) and I all sat in the makeup trailer together and ate breakfast. Given our positioning within the scene, I spoke more with Dakota behind the scenes than I did with Jamie. However, everyone on the 50 Shades set was a pleasure to work with and both Dakota and Jamie, as you would expect, were lovely, genuine people.

5. Did you read the books and watch the movie? Are there any parts of the story you liked better in the movie adaption?

No, I had not read the books so when I saw the movie I didn't know what to expect. I think that any time you have a movie adaptation of a book it can be hard to please everyone. When you read a book, you picture the characters and the scenes in a certain way and these impressions are unique to every single reader. For that reason I'm glad I was able to watch the movie without any preconceived idea of what it might be like.

6. On "Backstrom" you played Alyson's girlfriend, who we only see in photos with Alyson. Is a part like that rather like a photo shooting or were there maybe scenes cut?

Whenever the pilot episode (first episode) of a series is shot there is the possibility for every character that appears to return later on in the series. So, as an actor, you're always hopeful for that.

My scene did originally have more to it, which was cut in post-production. Backstrom investigates Alyson's character for the murder of her ex-boyfriend. The investigators of the case find a "revenge" video on her laptop, which shows Alyson and I after the breakup, giggling, messing around and basically teasing Archie (the boyfriend/murder victim). The Director of Photography (DOP) then had us pose for photographs that were to be found later on in the episode. Being a part of scenes that get cut during the editing process is just part of the business. It's never anything personal and so you just have to roll with the punches, or in this case the edits.

7. If you could hang out with one person in character from your favorite show for a day, who would it be and what would you do?

Oooohhh, that is a good question... I think if I had to pick only one it would be Abi Jacobson or Ilana Glazer (or both) from Broad City. I think I would honestly just follow them around all day and listen to them talk, because they are both comic geniuses…ohh and perhaps we would visit a Bed Bath and Beyond too. If anyone reading this is a fan of the show you will get that reference…if not, you should definitely check it out.

I know you said one but I love this question and if I could pick another character, it would be Rick Grimes from "The Walking Dead". I'd want him to teach me everything he knows about surviving a Zombie Apocalypse, including zombie target practice.

8. Since myFanbase is an online magazine about U.S. television shows, we would like to know what your favorite shows are?

Well as a teenager, I have to admit that I was obsessed with the show "O.C., California". I mean, show me a teenage girl who wasn't…I may or may not have cried when Seth sailed away at the end of the first season…I did cry. I'm a big fan of the comedic series, "Workaholics" (I have a bit of a crush on Blake Henderson), "Broad City" and "The Mindy Project", as well as the fantasy/ SCIFI series; "The 100", "The Walking Dead", "Hemlock Grove" and "Game of Thrones". I can't wait for the new season of "Game of Thrones" to start. "Suits" is also a great one but I'm currently a few seasons behind so I will probably save that one for my next long plane ride.

Thank you for the interview, Anna, we wish you all the best for your future!

Nicole Oebel - myFanbase

Note: © myFanbase 2014 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first two questions (up to 180 words) if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the link to this site.

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