Rachel Warren – The Snare

By starrymag | December 21, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) You star in the new film The Snare. Can you tell the fans what the film is about and how your character fits in?

 

A) The film is about the mindset and nature of human kind, in this case three friends and how they can be utterly unrecognizable when challenged with extreme circumstances, how they psychologically change under starvation, fear, claustrophobia and fight for survival. I play the role of Lizzy. She begins as the happy go lucky good time girl who loves life. Her character arc was huge in this story as she begins to deteriorate, decay and is forced to fight for her life… My role as Lizzy is somewhat the mediator of the story who quite literally transforms through the film.

 

Q) How did the role in The Snare come to you and what was your audition process like?

 

A) I found this casting myself… I was on LinkedIn and saw a short film Chris [Cooper] had directed. I knew I wanted to work with him!I then read his profile and saw he had a feature calledThe Snare in pre- I contacted him via social media and was invited to a casting. In my casting I was asked to perform a monologue… After hearing about what my character would have to go through I decided to write my very own monologue as I wanted to show I could reach all the different layers and emotions required to fulfil the role truthfully. There wasn’t a monologue out there which could be so extreme! [laughs]! I was so thrilled when I was cast as Lizzy and then was like, “Oh gosh, I have so many challenges, fears and emotions to tackle. I hope I can pull it off!”

 

Q) What did you find the most challenging aspect of filming the movie?

 

A) It would have to have been the scene where Lizzy was violently raped. At first I was nervous because I wanted it to look as real as possible and I was a bit concerned that I wouldn’t be able to pull off such a horrific scene. But I pulled my sleeves up and although unnerved, I threw myself into it and practically did the whole scene using method technique. It haunted me for months afterwards as I fully threw myself into it with the help of Chris and actually felt utterly petrified, violated and sickened by what happened. It took me a while after the shoot to shake Lizzy from me and a little longer to stop having nightmares about that day on set.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

 

A) I think we stuck to the script as much as possible; however, even though Chris is a perfectionist he encouraged us to improvise during some of the scenes which was so easy as we were practically in character for the whole duration of filming. There was a reveal scene of Lizzy’s face that I remember so clearly. It’s when she runs out of pills to prevent her acne… the emotions she went through in that scene of insecurity, disgust in herself and being paranoid were so powerful that I improvised the scene.

 

Q) Was there instant cast chemistry when everyone began working together?

 

A) Absolutely! To be honest, I felt like I had known the cast all my life and the relationships between us felt so natural and real. It was a perfect way to begin the film before the darker sides appeared and we were separated for the ghastly scenes waiting for us.

 

Q) What advice did director C.A. Cooper give you during shooting that you took to heart for your performance?

 

A) Oh it was so mean! This was during a pivotal scene around two thirds of the way through the film where Lizzy discovers Alice’s diary. Chris had worked out what our personal weakness were. Mine is so embarrassing and rather simple. I like to make sure everyone is happy. For this scene, Alice (Eaoifa Forward) and Lizzy had to circle each other and I’m warning her to keep away from me. Chris pulled me to the side and told me that he was so disappointed with my work and that he wasn’t going to put some of the scenes in. At this point, the crew were all looking really bored and annoyed at me… I felt SO BAD that I burst into tears… He then said, “Go now and do a take!” I ran into the room in floods of tears and had to hold back the sobbing emotions whilst delivering the scene! This scene did, in fact, make it into the final cut and everything he did was to pull the performance he wanted from me! Brutal, but so very I’m so glad he did that and was so proud of that scene when I watched it.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming The Snare?

 

A) Feeling hungry. Feeling exhausted yet having an excited and nervous energy. I knew I was putting myself through the works with someone I could trust who would get the right performance from me. There’s an early scene on a beach that’s very playful, which I really liked as the cast were able to bond and have a bit of fun with their characters’ relationships. The memorable moment I’d rather forget was during a climactic scene where Lizzy had to choke Carl (Dan Paton) and I was encouraged to do it for real… The take that made it into the film was the final one we did where Dan actually passed out. That was the worst feeling in the world and a moment I would love to forget, although it looked fantastic in the final film!

 

Q) Is there a moment you’re really excited or nervous about that you are looking forward to seeing fans reactions to?

 

A) Lizzy is a little irritating at first and giggles a lot… I personally dislike this side of her character. It will be nice to see fans reactions change towards her as the film plays out. As an actress, it was rather challenging beginning a film with a character you know will annoy the audience and then having to work hard to secure their empathy as the film unravels. It was quite a challenge! I hope it works!

 

Q)What is it about the movie that you think will make people want to see it?

 

A) Its raw, it’s bold and there is no stop sign! As an actress I actually felt like I was going through this for REAL and, therefore, I truly believe our audience will feel the same. Literally so much of what you see in this film was done for real, which I think is part of what makes it so horrific to watch. I also think that the tempo of the film is genius. It starts of slow, but by golly once the plot begins to unfold the pace is frightfully engaging!

 

Q) Did you always have an interest in acting or was that something that developed as you got older?

 

A) Oh yes, I still remember the day at junior school when I was cast as Alice in Alice In Wonderland! I took the role very, very seriously (for a 9 year old). I was totally off book at least two weeks before the show and watched the cartoon on repeat! After the play that was it, I knew where my passion was. By the time I’d completed my GCSE’s I realized I could make a career out of the thing I loved most….acting. At 16 years old, after being in numerous school plays and a show at the Edinburgh Festival, I decided that was it I need to convince my folks. I wrote a proposal to my dad as he was keen for me to get a degree. I explained that I could still get a degree, but could get it in acting. I was so determined to achieve this I researched the best colleges (The Henley College) to get me into drama school (Arts Ed), which taught me an enormous amount of skills and I secured my degree! Thirteen years on I’m still pursuing my acting career with love, passion and excitement and embrace the challenges it brings! It really is the best job in the whole world.

 

Q) Do you have any advice for our young readers who might be thinking about a career in acting? Anything you wish someone would have told you early on in your career?

 

A) YES! Go to acting classes, study the general public, study human relationships,push yourself into situations you are not comfortable with (as long as it’s safe) and readbiographies of actors who inspire you. I wish someone would have told me to find another job alongside acting which was not soul destroying, challenging and rejecting. I went from bar girl, to paper girl, to promotional modelling, to cold calling and to leafletting even dog walking!… It was grim and very hard. Bear in mind some people love the jobs I have mentioned so I do not mean to discredit them. It’s personally just areas I became very deflated in. This is actually the reality for most actors and if you have another interest you love, I advise you to snap up a job in that area whilst still pursuing your acting career. Live in the present moment and enjoy yourself day by day. Acting doesn’t happen overnight, so try and enjoy your life around your chosen career.

 

Q) Social media is very important in your line of work. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback to the movie that you will be receiving?

 

A) Yes, absolutely, there is nothing more rewarding than hearing peoples’ feedback on my work. I like to see it as a time I can reflect, learn from their comments and develop myself as an actress for my next projects.

 

Q) Is there anything else about your role or the film that you want to be sure to share with viewers?

 

A) We put our hearts and souls into the whole project from start to finish. It was the toughest role I have ever undertaken with the most challenges. I’m sure it will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but those who like shock factors, horrors and psychological thrillers are in for a special treat!

 

 

Q) Besides The Snare are there any other projects you have been working on that the fans should expect to look out for?

 

I’m thrilled to announce that I am cast in The Wilds to play the role of Andy Sohier who is tough and didactic.  The Wilds is a survival thriller that starts like The Blair Witch Project before veering into “The Vanishing” and ending in a way you could never imagine! My character Andy must keep charge of her crew while working with the director/her former boyfriend, Tim.  She tries her best to keep things moving forward in the complicated situation they are dealt.

 

The role offers the amazing opportunity for me to show a wide range of emotions in different environments.  Andy starts as angry and exasperated and becomes responsible, selfless and determined. We are shooting this movie in 2017. I seriously can’t wait!

 

I have just wrapped on the feature film thriller Host. I play the role of Eve, who is the central character to an unlikely and very strange love triangle that doesn’t end well. There are deaths and lots of blood at the end! Eve is an actress trying to make it in this very tough and competitive industry and she starts to wilt away with all the stress and rejection put on her. It was a very intense character to play as Eve goes through a mental breakdown. It’s very close to my own personal experiences and really struck a chord with me whilst shooting the scenes. I’m very excited to announce Host will be released in 2017!

 

I’ve been cast in the feature film Facility 31 where I play the lead role Rosie Hinton, a guilt ridden army officer who goes on a powerful journey. She is a very tough character with her head firmly screwed on. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into such a strong and well written role! I’m so excited to have the final draft of the script in my hands so I can begin developing her character and fine-tuning all her subtle characteristics! It’s such an amazing role and I’m still overwhelmed I have secured her. In prep, I will be put through a vigorous 2-3 week army training camp so I can truly identify with her and I have an extensive amount of research to do to guarantee I deliver a realistic performance.

 

I’ve also been cast in the feature film Past Due, which will be shooting in America, playing one of the leads called Carla Westbrook alongside Eric Roberts. This is another very, very challenging role that, again, is very different from the other films and I will have to tune into my vulnerability, helplessness and will be somewhat playing a victim. I can’t go into too much detail without revealing the story, but she has mega importance and a very big arc! It’s an intense and powerful film and I cannot wait to start working on it! I feel truly blessed.