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Learning Curve
Holland Gedney gets on-the-job training
At a Glance:
Occupation: Student
Location: Virginia
REVELATIONS role: Raux Anwar, a woman whose visions set friends and enemies on a collision course
RTOF: How did you get involved with REVELATIONS?
HOLLAND:My friend Chris actually told me about REVELATIONS. It was sort of a grapevine type thing, but in short: He knew Dawn (Cowings, producer), and when she said she needed a new person for the part of Raux, he was like, "well, I know this girl who acts and really likes Star Wars" and it took off from there.
RTOF: Had you done any performing before this film?
HOLLAND:I hadn't done much acting before REVELATIONS, just a middle school play where I was Morgan La Fay. Other than that, I mostly performed opera in choruses at the Washington Opera in D.C.
RTOF: When you agreed to this film you didn't know anyone on it or what they were like. Why did you decide to do it?
HOLLAND: I wanted to sign onto REVELATIONS because everyone I met seemed so nice, it was STAR WARS! and I thought it would be fun. I could tell that it was going to be an excellent experience and that I would learn a lot in a good environment. It was also a chance to act, which I always enjoy doing. Not to mention that I could add it to my resume.
RTOF: What was the first day on set like?
HOLLAND:Cold, rocky, awkward, tiring, exciting... I was definitely nervous. I knew I was going to have to work with a saber and I had only worked with it once before...sort of. I had no idea what to do on a movie set, the protocol and such. I didn't know anyone and I'm shy around people, particularly new people, and there was a lot of new people! And overall I'm not very confident in my acting ability so I was afraid of letting everyone down. But it was also pretty awesome to be in a rock quarry; I'd always looked at them and wondered what it was like to be inside one, and I got the chance to find out! The process was also a lot of fun, and though I was tired, and very, very bruised (because I had to fall on rock eighteen-million times) by the end of the first shoot I was more excited than ever to be a part of REVELATIONS.
RTOF: What were your thoughts when you were told about the fight training you would undergo?
HOLLAND:Sweet deal! I thought it was pretty cool that I was getting a bit of free training, but again, I was also pretty nervous because I know how very, very limited I am at sporty type things.
RTOF: What was it like going to the fight choreographer's dojo for training?
HOLLAND:Ha ha! Well, the fun part was getting lost with Frank and Gina on the way to the dojo; that was quite amusing. But I'm sure the question is about the dojo itself. I don't know if I can really describe what it was like going to for training. It was a beautiful spot, and it was interesting to learn the customs and manners, like bowing to icons before stepping onto the training area. The dojo was a learning experience in many ways: I learned Japanese sword art, dojo customs, and what to do when you're lost in D.C. (oh, AND how bad Jersey drivers are - Frank!)
RTOF: What was your best shoot? Your worst?
HOLLAND:I'm not sure if I have the right perspective to answer this question. This would be a question I would direct to someone else; they'd know better than me.
Editor's Note: Be sure to check out her good-bye scene with Gina Hernandez (Taryn). Gina says she was moved to tears by Holland's performance.
RTOF: What do you like about your character?
HOLLAND:I like Raux in general, but I particularly like her calm and collected nature which is directly connected to another thing I like about her, her seer powers.
RTOF: What do you think about seeing the performances of your fellow actors?
HOLLAND:I'm in good company.
RTOF: Originally your commitment was for a few months. The movie took nearly a year to shoot. What were the challenges you had to face as a result with you being a full-time student?
HOLLAND:Well, now that I'm at William and Mary and try to involve myself in the theatre there I know what a challenging schedule really is. I remember complaining about exams a bit during some practices, but otherwise I don't think I had much problem with handling both the film and school. I remember most of my large time commitments occurring during off-time anyway. Besides, I was a slacker - I never did my homework and LFCC! And REVELATIONS was such a joy, I probably didn't even notice the time passing.
RTOF: How has this experience affected your life?
HOLLAND:My new friends at school can now look up my name on-line and find out what a geek I actually am. Then they can hassle me about it. But who cares? They don't, yay for geeks! Besides that, I had such a good time during filming, I have no doubt that film is where my heart lies. I would love to continue to be an actress - for a living.
RTOF: What type of advice would you give to someone looking to be in an independent film?
HOLLAND:Be committed and enjoy!
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