| Australian actor Paul Ashton recently wrapped | | | | Bobbi-Q: What acting technique do you use? Are |
| shooting the feature film "Serial Buddies," an indie | | | | there elements that are essential to success? |
| comedy labeled as "the first serial killer-buddy film | | | | Paul-A: I don't work with any specific technique. |
| of all time," produced by Maria Menounos and | | | | Certainly my training had a big influence on how I |
| directed by Keven Undergaro. In it he plays one | | | | approach my work, and over the years I have |
| of the two starring roles, and performed opposite | | | | adapted the principles I learned into more of my |
| the likes of Christopher Lloyd, Christopher | | | | own thing. |
| McDonald and David Proval. It was an experience | | | | Elements that I think are essential? Nothing new - |
| and opportunity that seems a far cry from | | | | research and script analysis, using the imagination |
| Wagga Wagga, the small town in Australia where | | | | and understanding the point of view of your |
| Paul grew up. | | | | character. And then, most importantly playing the |
| Ashton started acting at the young age of seven | | | | moment. |
| performing with Louise Blackett's Theatre | | | | Bobbi-Q: What was it like working with the cast of |
| Workshop. It was simply a natural inclination at | | | | "Serial Buddies?" |
| the time, and he had no idea of the huge role | | | | Paul-A: I felt extremely privileged to work with a |
| acting would play in his life in the future. | | | | long list of well established and very talented |
| He hails from a creative lot - though his parents | | | | actors. |
| are both in medicine (one orthodox, one | | | | We had core group of guys that were a joy to |
| alternative - a lively combination he assures me) | | | | spend time with on set. The other 3 guys all have |
| his three siblings are all artists too. One of his | | | | comedy and improv backgrounds, so there were |
| sisters, Alexa Ashton, is also a successful actor. | | | | always plenty of laughs, with lots of innovation |
| She starred in 'Home and Away' and like Paul has | | | | and creativity when the cameras were rolling. |
| worked for the prestigious Bell Shakespeare | | | | To work with an iconic actor like Christopher |
| Company . | | | | Lloyd. Playing my dad! It was wild, and a career |
| In asking him about his family's thoughts on his | | | | highlight for sure. He was a gentleman and a joy |
| career choice, Ashton was quick to state: "My | | | | to work with. And Chris McDonald too? No way. |
| family is extremely supportive. I think my Dad | | | | Comic genius right there. We had a lot of fun |
| would've preferred it if I'd finished my law degree | | | | doing our scene together. |
| before heading to drama school, but never once | | | | And to top it off - to have Hal Rudnick as Gary, |
| have my parents tried to stop me from doing | | | | to my Gregory-perfect. |
| what I love to do. They've been there supporting | | | | Bobbi-Q: What characters or roles do you want to |
| and providing 100% and are proud of the paths | | | | see yourself playing? |
| we've all chosen." | | | | Paul-A: I love both comedy and drama, and never |
| After his family moved to Canberra when he was | | | | want to restrict myself to just one genre or |
| 12 years old, Ashton saw a school production of | | | | form. |
| 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' by Tom | | | | Bobbi-Q: What are you currently doing? |
| Stoppard. It galvanized his love for performing on | | | | Paul-A: I'm currently in post-production with a |
| stage, and shortly after he saw the first ever Bell | | | | short film I made before I shot "Serial Buddies." |
| Shakespeare Company production - it was | | | | It's called "Champion" and I'm planning on entering |
| 'Hamlet' - and he knew this was what he was | | | | it into Tropfest in Australia early next year. It |
| destined to do. | | | | was a script I wrote, directed and produced. |
| EARLY INFLUENCES | | | | Other than that, auditioning and entertaining lots of |
| In speaking of early influences, Paul notes Rob | | | | friends from Australia! |
| Sitch, the Australian actor/director who was part | | | | Bobbi-Q: What is your goal for this upcoming |
| of "The Late Show" and who with his colleagues, | | | | year? |
| went on to produce some of Australia's | | | | Paul-A: To continue to challenge myself to be |
| best-loved films, most notably "The Castle." | | | | better. Of course, I'd love to see " Serial Buddies" |
| Other early influences included Baz Lurhmann, | | | | make the submission deadline for Sundance and |
| Kenneth Branagh, Anthony Hopkins, John Cleese, | | | | then of course get in - though that's now out of |
| Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Michael Winterbottom, | | | | my hands. That would make it a good year |
| Ben Kingsley and Kate Winslet. He trained at VCA | | | | straight up. And I want to start working on my |
| Drama School in Melbourne, where teachers such | | | | next self-devised project. I'm just not sure what |
| as Lindy Davies, Tanya Gerstle and Leisa Shelton, | | | | it's going to be yet. |
| and directors Peter Evans and Brian Lipson also | | | | Bobbi-Q: How do you have fun and relax? |
| had a big impact on him during those formative | | | | Paul-A: Spending time with friends, going to the |
| years. | | | | movies, exercising, playing music, yoga, and when |
| But he sites John Bell - who created the | | | | I can- skiing. |
| renowned Bell Shakespeare Company - as making | | | | Bobbi -Q: Are you married, single, or dating? |
| a particularly large impression on him. Paul recalls: | | | | Paul-A: Single, but open to meeting someone. |
| "Watching their productions every year in | | | | Bobbi -Q: What city did you live in before here? |
| Canberra, and meeting him and some of the | | | | Paul-A: I lived in Sydney before I moved here, but |
| other actors as a teenager was really inspiring for | | | | my family is based in Canberra, so that's home |
| me. I was a drama nerd in its purest form - I | | | | really. Mum and Dad have a beautiful house there, |
| used to get their autographs. It was a dream of | | | | big garden out the back, and the place is full of |
| mine to work for them." | | | | amazing organic and biodynamic food and |
| In a true career defining moment, John Bell came | | | | life-affirming healthy things. My mum is an |
| and watched Ashton play Orlando in As You Like | | | | alternative medicine practitioner, and Dad's a |
| It in his final year of drama school (Paul had | | | | doctor, so it's always interesting. |
| written a letter inviting him to come along, and | | | | Bobbi -Q: Tell us about your music. |
| was shocked when he received a call from Bell's | | | | Paul-A: I played music since I was 5. I started on |
| assistant confirming the dates). He worked for | | | | the piano, and then later also played the Viola and |
| Bell's company a year later - a dream come true. | | | | guitar. I played in my school orchestras and sang |
| Earlier that same year, Paul had been cast as the | | | | in my school choirs, Music's just always been |
| role of Ben on the award winning Australian show | | | | there as something I did. But it wasn't till I taught |
| "The Secret Life of Us." | | | | myself the guitar at the age of 18 that I started |
| It would be four years of living and working in | | | | writing and playing on my own a bit. Before |
| Sydney before Hollywood called. During this time, | | | | moving to LA I actually was part of an indie rock |
| Ashton also was the frontman for popular local | | | | band in Sydney. I'd written a bunch of songs over |
| indie rock act, Minder. | | | | a few years and a mate suggested we start a |
| He reflects back to that time, "I made the move | | | | band together so we did. |
| to Los Angeles, like so many other of my | | | | I'm actually playing my first gig in LA in a month's |
| compatriots because it is the centre of the global | | | | time. Just some low key acoustic originals. Should |
| entertainment industry and provides the most | | | | be fun. |
| diverse range of opportunities possible. That | | | | Bobbi -Q: What 'original music' are you providing |
| diversity appeals to me, and I think is a better fit | | | | for the film "Serial Buddies?" |
| for me as an actor." | | | | Paul-A: There's a song in the film that Gregory |
| In a sit-down interview at The Four Seasons | | | | sings to his father. I was trying to come up with |
| Hotel in Beverly Hills, Ashton shared his thoughts | | | | a tune for it - so I knew what I was doing when |
| with me about his new life in the mecca of the | | | | we shot it. It developed into a little more than |
| entertainment business. | | | | what was on the page. I liked the sound of it, so |
| SIT DOWN: | | | | recorded and sent it to Keven. He loved it and so |
| Bobbi -Q: Paul, what is one of the main | | | | we arranged and recorded it with genius musician, |
| differences between being an actor in Los | | | | Giulio Carmassi. It should appear in the film now, |
| Angeles versus Australia? | | | | which is great. |
| Paul -A: Undoubtedly the first thing you discover | | | | Bobbi-Q: Tell me about these YouTube video |
| when you arrive is the scale of it. The sheer size | | | | blogs you posted while filming "Serial Buddies". |
| of the city itself is a good indicator, there are just | | | | That was original, why did you do it? |
| so many people and it's so competitive. It can be | | | | Paul-A: They were just a way to document/blog |
| hard to know where to start. You go from | | | | about the time on set so that there was a fun |
| knowing most people in the industry and most | | | | record of it, and so that anyone , including my |
| people knowing you, to knowing no one and in a | | | | friends and family, could have a peak behind the |
| way, starting again. | | | | scenes. And to try and get the name of the film |
| But there's a real sense of possibility and that | | | | out there a bit. With indie films, every little bit |
| anyone's got a shot. There's a 'yes' attitude that | | | | helps. |
| underpins much of the American psyche, and I | | | | Bobbi -Q: Do you have any special thanks to give |
| really respond to that. | | | | anyone in your life? |
| Bobbi- Q: How did you get the role in "Serial | | | | Paul-A: Where do I start? First and foremost my |
| Buddies?" | | | | parents. They're the most generous and |
| Paul- A: I got the role by auditioning. Casting | | | | unconditionally supportive people I know. Even |
| Director Jen Cooper had seen some of my work | | | | outside of looking after our family. And my siblings |
| last year and she called me in to read for the role. | | | | too - just wonderful people who've helped shape |
| At first they didn't think I was right for Gregory, | | | | who I am. I also have an extraordinary group of |
| but fortunately I won them over. | | | | friends stretching right back to my early days in |
| Bobbi -Q: Was the character easy to play for | | | | Wagga Wagga. They know who they are, and |
| you? | | | | we're still in touch regularly, and they've always |
| Paul -A: There were certain parts of Gregory I | | | | believed in me and that's a rare feeling. |
| had to work very hard on - he has a very dark | | | | Oh, and of course, Steven Waugh - the greatest |
| past and was damaged from years of abuse and | | | | Australian cricket captain of all time. The ultimate |
| neglect. | | | | inspiration of my life. |
| But his flamboyance and physicality were a huge | | | | Paul Ashton lives in Los Angeles, CA and is a |
| amount of fun to take on, and in that sense, | | | | writer, director, actor, musician and stage |
| came more easily. But he was demanding at all | | | | performer. |
| times and I had to stretch as an actor to get | | | | He is managed by Prodigy Talent Group. |
| there. | | | | |