Laura Mitchell started acting and performing at a young age. Even as a shy child she always loved singing and dancing and creating characters to play. Laura used to watch Annie and Pollyanna and all these old musicals and films and just dreamed of being in them and becoming these characters she watched over and over again.
Laura Mitchell believe the moment that she knew she wanted to be an actress was when she was watching Little Women (1994) There’s a scene where Claire Danes knows she is dying and is saying goodbye to her sister (Wynona Rider) She’s telling her she’s not afraid of death and trying to be strong for her sister even though she is terrified. Even thinking of that scene still makes Laura emotional to this day. She thinks it triggered something in her (Laura was 10 years old at the time) that allowed her to think about her own death and the fragility of life.
Laura Mitchell had just seen life on screen and it was so powerful and so moving she knew right then and there that she wanted to be a part of that world.
True passion you can never give up on #followyourdreams pic.twitter.com/4ZEyHZWzmJ
— Laura Mitchell (@LauraMitchy) March 28, 2017
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Laura: At the beginning of my acting journey I studied Meisner Technique in Montreal with the amazing teacher Jacqueline McClintock. Meisner became a very powerful experience for me and it helped to develop the tools I needed to go into the acting world.
I believe there are many different methods that can help actors grow in their craft and for me Meisner made sense. It was all about the study of behaviour and allowing yourself to listen and react truthfully. it was a wonderful foundation for me as a young actor just starting out and discovering how to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Laura: I don’t necessarily use one technique. I think as an actor the discovery of your craft never stops. You are always growing and learning and that’s really the beauty of it. I definitely believe that the story comes first and that script analysis is very important. Once you understand the story and how your character fits into it, you can break down what you character wants, why they want it, how you are going to go about getting it and all the obstacles in the way.
Once you put that homework in and develop your own emotional connection to the scene you are able to forget about it all and let it go and just sink into the scene and connect truthfully.
indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Laura: Yes I absolutely do. I think that training is very important and I’ve worked with some wonderful teachers that have helped me discover new ways to connect to the work. I would love to work with Larry Moss and my next goal is to go to a city where he is teaching and enrol in one of his intensives. I audited a workshop of his a few years ago and it was so inspiring. All I wanted was to be on stage doing the work with him.
indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Laura: Right now I am re-reading Larry Moss’s book “the intent to Live” which I recommend any actor read. I’m also reading Bryan Cranston’s biography “ My life in Parts,” “Story” by Robert Mckee and “Save The Cat” by Blake Snyder. My next book I plan to read is “Audition” by Michael Shurtleff
indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Laura: I think its very important to take care of your body as an actor, I love to stay physically active and try new activities. Getting out into nature really makes me feel grounded and connected to my body and my surroundings.
For the last few years I have also been working out at Oxygen Fitness in Yaletown in Vancouver. It is a high intensity workout class in and infrared sauna. You leave there dripping in sweat and feeling so satisfied. The instructors are really amazing and they really motivate you to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. I have also recently began to write a gratitude journal daily. It really helps keep my mind clear and in a positive state. As someone who has struggled with depression my whole life, taking time to write down these things and take notice of how lucking I am has really changed the way I view the world.
indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role, when you get it?
Laura: I prepare for a role by reading the script. and then reading it again and again and again. Each time I read it I discover new things about my character and her motivations and what is her super objective or driving force in her life. Script analysis always comes first and researching what the writer has given me to work with. All character builds from there.
indieactivity: How do you create a character from a script into a person?
Laura: In Order to create character I have to examine the lives of the person. what motivates her, how she sees the world, her relationships, her behaviours, her motives.
Once I find out what drives her I am able to build a character from there. You always have to take into account their surroundings and the life they were raised in. It’s much like being a detective and delving into all the elements that make a person who they are. I find ways I can lend myself to the character and how the character lends herself to me.
indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Laura: Every set is different and every role is different. Some roles are harder for me so when I’m on set I might be more internal in between takes and focusing on what I need to do in the next scene. On other sets in between takes its easy to break character and have fun with my co-stars. It really depends what the role is and the surrounding I am placed in. I love that this job is always a new adventure and you just have to roll with whatever comes your way and adapt.
indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Laura: I think what I want most from a director is communication. I think any director should have a good outline and know what they want out of a particular scene and know how it all fits together in the story as a whole. I love a director who can communicate what they need from me in a way that speaks to my characters desires and motivations. A great director serves the story. I think having appreciation and respect for the other crew and cast is also something that really makes set a very enjoyable place to be.
indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Laura: There’s so many to choose from ! but if i had to pick one I would say Frances McDormand.
indieactivity: Why?
Laura: I think I could learn so much from her. I’d love to see how she works, what her process is, what she’s like on set. I think it would be a huge challenge to work with someone of her caliber and It would be such an honour and creative learning experience. I think you have to raise the bar of your own work when you are working with someone that comes from that much strength and power as an actor and I would relish the opportunity.
indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Laura: My Advice would be to do the work and don’t give up. It is an honour to be an actor, to explore what it means to be human and to tell stories that matter. If you feel this is what you were meant to do, don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way.
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Laura: Steadily starting, always growing.
Follow Laura Mitchell on Social Media
Website: www.lauramitchellacto
Imdb: http://www.imdb.me/laura
Twitter: @LauraMitchy
Facebook: @Lauramitchell
Instagram: @Laura.janemitchell
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