My first introduction into the world of performance was modeling in a runway show for Sears, when I was 10 years old. I was terribly shy, but enamored by this world and wanted to learn all I could. I continued modeling, learning how to create characters and how to bring those characters, or emotions, into my work!
When I was 19, my agent wanted me to move to Paris and begin working in commercials, but my parents convinced me to finish college and get a “real job”! I remained in the fashion industry and eventually found my way back to the creative side where I directed and produced my own fashion shows and shoots. It was in 2011 that a production company, Gurney Productions out of LA found me online and contacted me about being a part of their docu-drama for Shark Week on Discovery.
I hadn’t done any real acting at this point, but hey, Hollywood called, so of course I did it! The production in South Florida was 5 days in the grueling heat, but it all clicked for me. When we wrapped, the director approached me and said, “I heard you don’t normally do this…well, you should.” That’s all it took. The bug bit, and I had confirmation! I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, so I went home and spoke to my then boyfriend (and now husband!) and he fully supported this new, yet slightly old, dream! I’ve never looked back!
indieactivity : How did you become an actor?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : I’ve studied with some amazing coaches in South Florida as well as Skype sessions and online Masterclasses and workshops. Since, I didn’t study acting or theater in School, I had a lot of making up to do! We are so fortunate today to be able to access this type of training online! AND, honestly, I don’t believe that as an actor, you can ever stop learning.
Some of my favorite coaching has been centered on truly “letting go”. Coming into this game fairly late, this was probably my hardest lesson. Alyn Darnay, who is not just a great coach but also an award-winning director, talks a lot about this and being “character motivated action“. I’ve learned so much from him! I would find myself being very free in a performance UNTIL my character did or said something that was completely contrary to my own standards! For example, cussing. My personal coach, Bob Cady, caught this immediately, even though I didn’t (this is why we need coaches!). Apparently, I would come to a cuss word and unknowingly lower my voice ever so slightly! Very few people had ever caught it! To overcome and prepare for a scene, he had me yelling and screaming that specific word over and over, even with offices all around! I kept waiting for someone to come barging in thinking I needed help! But they didn’t and I got to where I could “own” the word and say it truthfully, for my character!
So every character we take on is different. Each character requires a different approach. That being said, I love taking bits and pieces from everyone that I study with and make it a part of my own process. My “own” way of getting there, into that character and emotion.
indieactivity : What acting technique to you use?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : The main thing I want to do is to learn my character. I ask questions, a lot of them! I’ve learned so much from Michael Shurtleff’s Guidepost and Loren Chadima’s Intentional Acting. The more I know about my character and about the scene, the more I can fill in the gaps. I even go so far to figure my character’s favorite color and most wanted Christmas present! I want to know what makes her tick. From there, yeah, there’s definitely a lot of myself going into it with sense memory.
I also study strangers, family, friends…I watch how they respond to different events in their lives. AND I also love the idea of “improving” my response in a scene, not necessarily the script, but HOW I respond. I try to hold off making too many choices until I am actually in the throws of the conversation with my scene partner. I have to be able to have an element of truth in the way I respond or react in the situation ~ or else it becomes acting, which we never want!
indieactivity : Describe wrong impressions actors hold about acting?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : Getting “stuck” in their choices. Acting is a dance with many partners and each partner is getting to this same place via a different path. You have to be flexible and be able to flow. Even if they mess up their lines, you can’t miss a beat. You have to carry on the conversation as though that is how it was meant to be! Or if they go “up” …even though you rehearsed it opposite, you can’t be surprised and stuck with your original choice! If the director wants it changed, he/she will call it out. But it’s their choice, not the actor’s.
Also that acting is a team effort.. There is no “I” in team. If I want to truly shine, it’s my job to make everyone else look good! While this doesn’t always show up on camera, it does off-camera! People decide quickly if they like you and want to work with you again. It’s really a small industry and your reputation quickly spreads!
indieactivity : Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : I love working privately with my coaches, really digging into specific roles. Other than that, when a great workshop comes around, you’ll most likely find me there! I also jump on every quality online class I can get, simply for their convenience and the experience of the names who are putting them on! For example, I love the Master Classes! I just finished Ron Howard and now I’m starting one with Werner Herzog, so I can learn more about the film-making process and be of greater service to my directors AND to learn for my own productions.
indieactivity : What acting books do you read?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : Currently, I’m reading FreePlay, by Stephen Nachmanovitch, which talks about improvisation in performance as well as in life. It’s a great read and has helped me to look differently at the way I go into a scene (or even an auditon) and waiting to make choices, so they are more “real”. I like how Stephen talks about the art of galumphing and how we tend to lose that quality as we get older. So now, my husband and I intentionally “play” during during our days and truly love every minute filled with laughter! I recommend this book to all of my actor friends!
My other “go-to” Self Management for Actors by Bonnie Gillespie. It’s an amazing resource book and really gives an amazing guide to navigate this industry. I love Bonnie, she’s an amazing mentor!
indieactivity : How do you keep fit as an actor: mentally, physically?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : Wow, such an important question that many people don’t think of! Mentally, as an actor, we’re rejected constantly! We get critiqued by everyone…casting, agents, managers, friends, foes and even strangers! We’re pulled in many directions, all at once, and then asked to carry another’s burden (in the script) as our very own. Then, on the flip side, we’re applauded for doing everyday things. Everyone wants to know you and gives you accolades just for posting a cool instagram photo! I even get marriage proposals quite regularly!
With all this, I think it’s essential to be grounded. For me, it’s about priorities and keeping them straight. I keep God as my very top priority and spend time daily in prayer and meditation. And then my husband, Louis, is next in line. Nothing separates that relationship or if it attempts to, I remove it from in front of me. Health is also a top priority. Without my health, I can be of no use to anyone! Physically, I love fitness and always have! I practice yoga and Pilates as well as walking daily. I’ve recently started doing light jogging with my dogs for our morning walk! Louis and I are very active with bicycling, hiking or anything that gets us outdoors (I am a nature freak!). I want to try circus training this summer!
indieactivity : How do you prepare for a role, after you get it and create a character from a script into a person?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : When I first get the script, I’ll read over and over and over again, just so I can get a good feel for the story, my character and the different relationships. After that, it’s all about breaking down my character and really getting to know her, this is where those questions come in that I spoke about earlier. If she has certain habits, ticks or even hobbies that I’m not familiar with, it’s all about the research and learning all I can! YouTube, of course, is a great place to start, but sometimes it’s getting in with various coaches who can help me to lock down specifics.
indieactivity : How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : Being able to stay in character and jump in and out really goes back to how well I know my character, what she’s thinking and feeling at any given time. For the most part, it’s like a muscle that gets used and becomes easier the more you do it. For heavy emotions, I will try to separate myself from other people, on that day, so I can “stay” in that thought process, but I don’t want to do that long term…there have been way too many actors who have gone there and have had a difficult time finding their way back! I’m happy to learn from their experience.
Working 12 hour days can sometimes be exhausting. it is imperative, for me, to have a discipline of self care, including eating right and exercise…and of course good sleep habits!
indieactivity : What do you want most from a director?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : Directors have a tough job, no doubt, but when they understand the process of an actor and know how to lead their talent, the results are amazing. David O. Russell is a great example and one that I would love to work with. He’s noted for being an “actor’s director”. He once said, “I have a great passion and love for the words and characters. And I love each character as I would my own son, for better or worse. That means you hate them sometimes a little bit, but I can take the view of any character in the movie and see the whole movie from their point of view.” That’s amazing for a director to take that process into the making of every scene.
indieactivity : What actor do you long to work with?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : That’s a hard one, there are so many! Probably at the top of my list would be two: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.
indieactivity : Why?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : I think Sandra is such an amazing person and actress for starters. And, ever since Speed, I’ve been mistaken for her time and time again. We were even in the same small town of Andrews, NC at the same time, with no knowledge to me. Let’s just say, I got a small glimpse of what it’s like to be her! Our lives seem to hold so many parallels, it’s kinda weird actually! But I would LOVE to do a project where we are sisters. I think the chemistry would be seamless!
Nicole Kidman is such a dynamic talent, she completely disappears into her character while pulling the audience in, I find myself actually getting involved, it feels, in many of her scenes!
indieactivity : What advice would you give actors around the world?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : First, don’t ever give up on your dream! Set your intention, learn from the best and remember it’s NOT about you! Second, you have to learn the business side, social media trends, marketing, and industry standards. Sure, there are people who get “discovered” every day, but let’s be honest…it’s not likely! Do the work, lean into the discomfort, figure out your brand and never, ever give up!
indieactivity : Would you be willing to address a group of actors in an interview, to answer their questions?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : Of course! So much of what I’ve learned has been from the teachings of others, so it’s only natural for me to want to turn around and give my experience to someone else!
indieactivity : What does the future hold for you?
Robynn Lin Fredericks : I’m excited about what’s next as I am now throwing my hat into the production arena and beginning to learn the art of direction! My heart is all about film and I’m excitedly looking for my next story, featuring a strong, juicy mid-life female character with a story to tell! In the meantime, I’m having fun putting together some talk show type interviews to help build a fan base that will follow future projects. This also allows me the ability to work with talented crew that I will be able to pull into larger film projects.
I recently completed a short film titled You’re Never Alone (watch it below), for which we won a Silver Award from Spotlight Short Film Festival as well as several merit awards!
But in all of this, I really hope to inspire people to not give up on those things that they thought were lost. Everyone who knows me, knows my thoughts on aging and how it’s just a number to me. I celebrate those years, but I will never let a number define who I am or what I can or can’t do. I really want to spread that message and see people all around achieving the greatness of their destiny!
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