The Rise of Amelia Salazar: Becoming a Teenage Actress
Meet Amelia Salazar, a rising star in the world of acting. In this exclusive interview, we dive into the inspiring journey of how a young theater enthusiast transformed into the talented actress we see today. From her humble beginnings in North Carolina to the pivotal moments that reignited her passion for acting, Amelia shares her insights, challenges, and advice for aspiring young actors.
Early Influences and Breaking Into the Industry
Amelia’s journey into acting began at a young age, fueled by her early exposure to theater as a child. After years of theater camps and dance lessons, a family friend reached out when she was 10 years old and recommended that Amelia give acting a try. What initially piqued her interest into the world of acting was that she liked the idea of being able to convey a story with more subtle facial expressions. She did not need to be as over the top with TV acting as you do in theater, and this came naturally to her.
Amelia’s first audition for MacGyver marked the beginning of her acting career. Despite being a newcomer, she impressed with her performance and earned a callback, but her first job ended up being on the set of a short film in Georgia. This experience was eye-opening, showcasing the intricate workings of the film industry both in front of and behind the camera. Her experience working on a short film also made her realize that she could pursue a path in this industry.
“I never realized that a kid from North Carolina could wake up and decide to do it, I always thought you needed an in with the industry.”
Having now been an actress for six years, Amelia has prepared for a variety of roles. When asked how she prepares to play a new character, she emphasized the balance between preparation and spontaneity. When auditioning for a role, her non-negotiable to prepare is reading the script out loud, however, she doesn’t like to write things down so that it doesn’t feel too rehearsed. This tactic also leaves her open to receiving feedback without setting the portrayal of the character completely in stone.
Once booking the role of Lefty on The Grand Strand, Amelia read through the script once more to make sure she understood how her character fit into the overall plot of the film. She also created a playlist of songs that her character Lefty would listen to, which included a lot of Taylor Swift and Zach Bryan. When asked how she furthered prepared for this role, Amelia revealed, “It was easy to adapt to the role with Lefty because I really related to her. For those big scenes where I maybe didn’t have the life experience of what she went through, I had to find an alternative of something I experienced in my life that would convey those same emotions.”
Overcoming Struggles: Almost Leaving Acting
While Amelia related to the role of Lefty, it was almost a role she didn’t audition for. Amelia shared that earlier this year, she faced several struggles that almost caused her to leave behind acting. Being only sixteen years old, the demands of high school became a lot for her to deal with on top of the acting career she has been building over the last six years. Between schoolwork and those staple high school moments, Amelia felt like she was spreading herself thin, becoming extremely burnt out. She felt like she was losing her passion for acting. Amelia shared that acting began to feel forced, and her heart was no longer in it.
“I was excited to have booked the role, but nervous to start filming because I was doubting myself. I’m usually not a big doubter, but I couldn’t help but wonder if I deserved to be there and to be a part of a project with such passionate people when I didn’t have that same drive. ”
One day in early May, Amelia got a phone call that one of her best friends Charlie Hitt was driving down to Myrtle Beach for his callback on a role he had auditioned for on The Grand Strand. Jenny Hitt (Charlie’s mom) suggested that Amelia come with. Amelia, still feeling defeated was drawn in by the potential to work on a project with one of her good friends. The two drove down, had their auditions, and got invited back for a chemistry read with co-star Wilds Clemmons. The three booked the role on the spot.
Prior to the beginning of filming, Amelia described her emotions saying, “I was excited to have booked the role, but nervous to start filming because I was doubting myself. I’m usually not a big doubter, but I couldn’t help but wonder if I deserved to be there and to be a part of a project with such passionate people when I didn’t have that same drive. I then pulled up at Coastal Carolina [University], and talking to everyone I first met, I could tell that we were going to have fun because everyone was so excited.” One of the first things Amelia did upon arrival was attend her fitting where she met costume designer Tony Toney. “Boy was happy,” Amelia laughed, her worries finally disappearing. “We all became a close-knit family. This is the closest I’ve ever been with a film, not only with the castmates, but also the crew. These people know things about me that not even my friends know,” she shared.
Working with Charlie Hitt, her long-time friend, on this film also really helped Amelia find that spark for acting once again. When asked what brought her back, she gushed, “Working on a project with my best friend. He pushed me more than anyone could have, and I don’t even think he knows that.”
What truly reignited Amelia’s passion for acting though, was working with Director Luke Lowder. Amelia expressed, “He made me feel appreciated on set every day and that I deserved to be there as much as anyone else. Luke really made me feel like no one else could play the role of Lefty, and he made all the little moments matter.” In addition to being her biggest cheerleader, Amelia also appreciated “the way he handled things. He prioritized my comfort before having to do a job and that made me love him even more.”
Lessons to Pursue Your Passion
The environment, people and community cultivated on the set of The Grand Strand ultimately reminded Amelia why she chose this path, and why she started acting in the first place. Amelia was asked to share some of her advice for both pursuing acting and dealing with burnout. Amelia listed out the following advice for someone wanting to get into acting:
Do your research: look at agents and the classes your state provides
If it’s your dream just do it, and don’t let intimidation get in the way of your dreams
Make your regularly taking classes or workshops to sharpen your skills, but make sure they’re reliable
“As for my advice on burnout, make sure you tell someone you love. When you don’t, you explode and it’s not fun. You need to communicate what’s going on with you and be able to acknowledge that you’re burnt out. Just know that it’s okay to take things off your plate and that you don’t need to be balancing 15 things at once. I took a month off from acting to focus on school and myself and it was the best decision I could have made.”
Amelia’s journey throughout the last six years is a testament to her resilience, growth, and passion for her craft. As she continues to navigate the world of acting, her experiences and insights serve as valuable lessons for aspiring performers, reminding us all that dreams can be achieved with dedication and authenticity.
