HELLO AMERICA!—Get use to seeing the name Ceri Bethan! She’s a young, beautiful British actress who is being noticed by some of the most important producers and directors in the industry. If you loved Jean Simmons and Audrey Hepburn, you will be overwhelmed by
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MSJ: Ceri, did you always have a dream of coming to Hollywood in pursuit of a career? And as a youngster, when watching films or actors on stage how did it effect you?
CB: I always had a knowing inside me that I would move toAmericato pursue acting. I thought at first of New York, but once I came to LA I knew this was where I needed to be.
When I was a child, I used to sit and watch films and get lost in their world. I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. And my sister will tell you I’ve always been a drama queen!
MSJ: Where did your raw passion rest, was it performing in the theatre or was it motion pictures? What actors impacted you most and why?
CB: I have always loved the theatre; it was where I got my start. I feel alive on stage and there is nothing like the energy from an audience. I shot my first feature when I was 16 and since then I was hooked! Working in film is a completely different experience and pace, and it was exciting to me in a new way. But, I will always return home to the theatre.
Audrey Hepburn is a huge inspiration to me; so chic and classic. Meryl Streep is my other love. Just watching a movie of hers is like taking an acting class. Her attention to detail is flawless. I saw her in theatre whilst in New York and it was a dream come true! We queued up all night in central park to see her in “Mother Courage” and when she came on stage I cried! I respect the way she has carved out her career, without chasing the limelight.
MSJ: What was the major difference between English and American actors? Has it been difficult adapting especially when dealing with accents and attitudes?
CB: This is a difficult question as I am sure everyone’s experience is different. But for me, I have had more traditional training for the theatre, which was highly theory based. We studied the history of the theatre, Shakespeare was King, and I learned more by the book. My experience of training in America has been a broader one. There are many teachers who have their own method so you can find a technique that fits you. I have learnt a lot from American actors, and my time spent at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York has been invaluable. Other than the training, I haven’t found much of a difference when we come together for the love of acting. This passion is universal.
Speaking with an American accent was tough at first. My confidence was knocked and where I thought I nailed it back in England, everyone here actually has an American accent so the slightest flaw showed. The biggest challenge was the small differences like remembering not to call the trash the bin, or the trunk the boot and to drive on the right side of the road!
MSJ: When first arriving in Hollywood, what was the major impression of the place as well as the industry?
CB: The weather! I’m sure every Brit will say that, but it’s so nice to see the sun.Hollywoodseems to have a can-do attitude. The coffee shops are filled with people talking about a project, working on a project, planning the next project. There is a positive energy that is infectious. It gives off a feeling that any day your life could change (with the right combination of hard work and luck!).
MSJ: What was your first acting assignment as an actress in Hollywood? How did it make you feel?
CB: My first acting assignment when I moved here was a student short film. It was so much fun. I felt alive and at home and very happy that I had made the decision to move. This feeling has never left me.
MSJ: Generally, has it been a tough go in getting recognized as a credible actress especially when so many actors are coming to show their wares as well?
CB: It’s definitely not easy! Moving to LA was like starting again. Making great connections is a huge part of it and I have been fortunate enough to meet some fantastic people. I do feel that if you are honest, hard working and believe in yourself, it will pay off. I am a stubborn Taurus and very persistent, and nothing worth having comes easy.
MSJ: Have you a set plan to follow to make opportunity happen for you faster than the norm? For example, do you write, compose music or even act as producer?
CB: Just to keep going! My plan is to never give up. Making opportunities for yourself is key. You can’t sit at home and wait for the phone to ring. Taking “Double Bind” to the Hollywood Fringe Festival was my first producing role and I have loved it. It has opened up a lot of doors and I definitely plan to do more with our production company, Right Mistake.
I have also always had a passion for documentary film making, and I definitely plan on pursuing that at some point in the future.
MSJ: Since being inHollywoodwhat have you learned most about yourself and the realities of the industry as well?
CB: The biggest wake up call for me about the industry is that it never gets easier. You need to really want this more than anything because it can get tough and it can get you down. You have to be prepared to work and most importantly believe. For myself, I have learned that I am more determined and a lot stronger than I thought. And I have learned that there is truly nothing else I would rather be doing. Being an actress, becoming someone else, is when I feel the most like me.
By Michael St. John
