Interviewing actress and filmmaker Jane Elizabeth Dillon
1-. How was your childhood?
My childhood was not the most normal. My mum was a Spanish Speaking Tourist guide, and my dad was a Grip in the Film Business. My dad worked behind the camera and my mums speaks fluent Spanish. They were both freelancers and I was also close to my uncle who used to come over to the house, and he was very comical.
He was a funny character. We lived on the outskirts of London in the suburbs a town called Ruislip.
We were happy but not an average family.
2. - From what age did you decide to be an actress and how did you know you had theskills to go on TV?
My mother said that when I was a child, they asked me to do a play at school, and I did not want to do it. I was defiant because my best friend was not gonna be in the play, so I was unhappy and I was sulking throughout the whole stage.
I was little, I must have been about three or four but then after that, I found my love for acting.
I got cast in the school play when I was like five years old. I got the main character princess in this story, which I was over the moon that like I got this role, that began the real bug for acting.
I just naturally love entertaining people love being on set and centre of attention and all the drama, so they are all the main skill sets that you need to be an actor.
3. - Did your parents support you in the decision you made to be an actress?
Yes, as my dad was a grip my dad knew all about the industry and acting.
My dad worked with the likes of Madonna and Dame Judy Dench and met right Robbie Williams, he even worked on James Bond and the Crystal maze. So, my dad was all about that life. He really respected actors because he just saw how hard it was on actors, working as a crew member. My mum was a bit of a performer naturally with her Spanish Speaking Tours. They both supported me as much as they could.
We were not a wealthy family. I could not afford to go to stage school But, my mother paid for all my drama lessons and my dad would put me forward for roles when he could. Both did their best to support me.
4. - What was your first appearance on the screens?
My first appearance was working with my dad, when I was eight years old, and my line was, "Daddy said the F word." My dad was the grip, and I was saying that line to another Actor (my brother) and my dad originally was not sure about me doing it because he did not want me to hear him swear.I was eight years old, and I did not know what it meant. So, I did not really care. I just really wanted to do it.
I have still got the picture of me and my dad at the Film premiere. It was a weird indie Film.
I do not even know what the concept was, but I just remember my scene, and I was just really excited to star in it. That was my beginning.
5. - What was the role you liked the most?
I think the role that I did recently, not because of the character, I did not like the character she is not nice in my eyes, but I loved playing her because of the emotional lengths that I went to. It was an incredibly challenging role. I had to cry naked in a bathtub. I was wet.
I was cold. It was it was intense.
I wrote that script so I could really push myself as an actress and reach levels that I had not reached before.
It really gave me an opportunity to showcase my acting ability. So far, the recent role I love doing was Hannah Jones because it was hard, challenging but worth it.
6.- What do you think led you to fame?
I do not think I am near Fame yet, unfortunately. I believe it shall take me a little longer till I reach commercial success. However, I am receiving recognition within the Film Industry and I think that's that for me is the most important thing, I really respect the the art of filmmaking and acting and it's really hard, challenging and a privilege.
However, as an actress, you're always intoxicated by the idea of being famous, celebrated and adored.
Having your name on the Hollywood star, I think it’s appealing because it’s glamorous, luxurious and colourful.
From working in the industry though you come to the understanding that nothing is as glamorous as its looks and it's all a bit of an illusion. I know that sounds disappointing, but it’s very true.
Ive filmed so many things that at the time did not feel glamorous, sexy or even beautiful, but then the image/footage ends up looking incredible.
The idea of fame is appealing and a fantastic goal to pursue, but my career is not about just becoming famous, it's about leaving a mark in the industry and creating work that I am proud of.
7-. What types of characters you would like to interpret?
I would love to play a villain, that is my dream.
I began on the filmmaking journey because I started off acting and would go to auditions that I never connected with.
No opportunities were at the level of acting I wants to be at.
It just was not my path, and I knew that if I was gonna come into this industry as the actress I wanted to be, I was gonna have to create my path. So I began writing hoping to path the way for me and my Acting Career.
That's the path.
I want to be the the next big villain, female villain.
8-. What actresses and actors do you feel comfortable working with?
I am not concerned with what level of Actor you are. I could work with someone who’s never acted before to Leonardo DiCaprio, for me, it’s all about your presence, enthusiasm & commitment to the role, scene, and character.
It is all about working with another colleague who has that same level of intensity, hunger, and passion to create some real magic in screen.
9-. In what other genres of art would you like to participate? (Works of theater, music, among others)
I love Modelling which I have been doing for a while now and I get to express myself creatively in Modelling.
I used to dance as-well, so I used to do dancing. I'd love to do like a dance concept project and make it a bit gritty.
That would be another one of my goals.
I would get on the theatre now. Now I've got a bit of a control over my acting / filmmaking career, I am open to any other opportunities that may arise and different paths for to me to go down.
10.- Do you have any anecdotes that have marked you in your life and as a person?
I use them as inspiration to write with. Any things that would have marked me. in my life, I end up using as some form of creative outlet.
I'll be brutally honest with you. The acting industry when I was younger, was traumatic.
I had an agent at the time, who was just brutal. She was savage, extremely critical.
It was in the era when everybody was size zero, which was hard as like a young girl trying to break into the industry.
The experience made me back off, which I am glad it did, because that is when I started writing films, developing myself as a filmmaker and I became a business owner.
I think if I would have carried on, just trying to battle through the film industry it could have made me bitter.
There was a lot of barriers with women, especially women filmmakers, unknown actors and actresses over size 10.
It was hard and did affect me, but you learn, you grow and you comeback stronger.
Which is what I am hoping, I will do.
11.- What has been your greatest achievement?
my greatest achievement, I think, was doing the film. I shot that film in lockdown in 2020.
It was absolute hell.
It was so hard, I had minimal crew, no money and just used all my resources at the time.
I have been writing for a long time, and I knew how to write a script.
I knew the foundations of how to bring a script together. It was just my first time of me actively doing it. I did everything. I produced it, I wrote it, I starred in it.
I even did catering, it was a challenge, emotionally draining and incredibly stressful.
However, I learned so much in the process and I’m hoping this begins bigger projects.
I also ran a party business that was an achievement and a brilliant learning opportunity to enhance my skills as producing / creating and bringing people together.
12.- What projects will you make next and which ones do you have in mind?
I've actually got quite a few projects in mind.
I have another little, short film that I was thinking about doing about a failed pop star.
I have two projects after that, and I do not know which one to begin first. One of them is a dark fantasy and the other one is a dark revenge film.
They are both set in London.
But I was contemplating whether to shoot parts of one in NYC. I have spent some time over in NYC.
I love New York. The people are amazing, they are incredibly supportive of creative people and they understand the hustle.
So, I wanted to see if I could get them involved and do like a joint venture, I am in development stage at the moment until I’m sure which path to walk down on my next film project.
13.- Would you like to make a movie in Spain?
As my mum speaks fluent Spanish and I have been to Spain quite a few times. I would love to shoot a film in Spain.
One of my development projects would be in Ibiza, but I think that would be further down the line. I will see what happens and what opportunities line up.
14.- you like spanish cinema?
I have not seen too much Spanish cinema, but, my mum whatches Spanish TV, so u should start watching more some myself.
I only know Poco Español, but I really would love to expand on my Spanish, maybe if I begin watching Spanish films it shall assist with my Spanish language.
Thank you so much for your time and for these questions and I feel really privileged to have done this interview with yourself and just wanted to say thank you so much.
Filmfreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/JaneElizabethDillon
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