Torquay actress Amy Price tells JOHN VAN KLAVEREN about her role in new independent Hollywood film Turnpike Gypsies and her burgeoning collaboration with master producer David Faigenblum.
WHERE DID THE PERFORMING BUG COME FROM?
It must have been early because a little while ago my mum found where I had written ‘I want to be an actress’ in grade five.
But it was at 16 when I saw Sunset Boulevard with Hugh Jackman and it opened my eyes to what I could do. I recalled it one day when I was driving past Paramount Studios where it was originally set.
It felt a bit weird because I never thought I’d be driving past Paramount Studios.
HAS YOUR FAMILY EMBRACED YOUR ACTING DREAM?
Mum was into music and when I was young I performed in church cabarets and school concerts. It was just part of family life.
I’ve been on stage from a young age, so I never suffered stage fright. I never lacked confidence at school – I was always playing the funny girl.
I consider myself a comedic actor, that’s my strength. It comes from my dad, he likes physical comedy, pulling faces and poses, mucking around.
My mum and older brother Leigh and younger sister Jacqueline have a drier sense of humour.
I always liked doing improv at school. I like making people laugh, being stupid, I have no fear of looking silly.
WHAT OTHER JOBS HAVE YOU HAD?
I lived in Japan for two years working as a translator. I wanted to work for the United Nations but when my contract was up I had to decide whether to stay on or come home. I knew I wanted to do acting so I bit the bullet and came home.
I worked as a PA at West Carr and Harvey. They were great. I’d waltz in and say, ‘I can’t work tomorrow because I have an audition’. I was always running up to Melbourne for auditions.
I worked as a court reporter or stenographer for a private contractor, which was interesting.
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