LEVEN RAMBIN ON 'THE BIG UGLY', ACTING AND HER MOST DEMANDING ROLE TO DATE

INTERVIEW BY VIOLETA NICOLA

From “Hunger Games”, “Percy Jackson and The Sea of Monsters” to her most recent project “The Big Ugly”, LEVEN RAMBIN has an extensive list of acting credits. Working in the industry for some time, Rambin had plenty of stories to share in this exclusive interview. Read more about what she has been up to this year, her most demanding role to date, and her plans for the future.

What is your background and how did you get involved in the acting world? Was it something you wanted from a young age?

I was born in Houston, Texas and I always wanted to sing, act, model, or do anything else that had to do with the entertainment industry. Because there were not many opportunities in Texas for me to pursue, I took acting classes which really helped me develop my acting skills and familiarize myself with the whole concept of acting in general. From then on, I started acting and haven’t looked back since.

You currently star in the film “The Big Ugly”. What can you tell us about your character, Kara, and her involvement in the story?

The story takes place in this small town where Kara, my character, is a bartender. She is the one who knows everyone and all of their secrets. She herself has overcome a lot in the past and she takes on a sort of guiding role in the story.

What first attracted you to Kara when you read the script?

The role of Kara was very understated and subtle. She was very calm, centered and I really liked how she moved through the story, in a strong, quiet way. I also admired that she didn’t feel like she needed to prove herself, which I find really refreshing.

What was the audition process like? How did you react when you got the role?

It was sort of interesting how it all unfolded. I did a tape for the audition and I hadn’t actually read the whole story until I started filming it. I didn’t really prepare for the role but it just felt like Kara flew out of me and I managed to bring her to life with a certain easiness. I feel like I was in a place in my life where I really connected to the story and felt for it so it was very natural to me in an incredible way. I think it was just meant to be. After I sent the tape, the director called me while I was in Mexico as he wanted to know more about me. I remember I felt really confident that I got the role when I got off the phone.

What is your best memory from set?

I have so many fond memories from the set of “The Big Ugly”. It was such an interesting shoot in Kentucky and we all stayed at this little motel. We shot the movies in a very quick manner as we were always on our feet. I definitely remember smoking cigarettes with the guys while we were filming the bar scenes. I had so much fun hanging out with the guys but sometimes I missed having women around. I truly had a lot of fun filming this movie.

You've done so many projects, from “Hunger Games” all the way to “The Big Ugly”. What has been your most demanding role to date?

One of the most demanding characters I had to portray would have to be Kit Lannigan on the show “Gone”. Kit was a woman who has been kidnapped and sex trafficked as a young girl so I had to do a lot of research in order for me to get properly into character and sympathize, understand her past. I feel like that character stuck with me the most for a long time after I finished filming.

Do you have a specific way you get into character?

It really depends on the role. Sometimes there are characters who have gone through extreme circumstances that are so far from my own experience that I really need to understand what it would be like to have lived through what they have gone through. Other characters are easier to bring to life, as maybe I see myself more in them. I think it varies from character to character but I really like to go as deep as I can because otherwise “what am I doing here?” I dedicated my life to acting so it's really important to authentically portray my characters the best I can.

What keeps you occupied these days besides acting?

I just got back from Nashville with my cousin where we actually recorded an EP together. We wrote 4 songs in 10 days. The EP is about my life during this time and life in general. The album was solely done for the purpose of having fun, not expecting anything from it. I love engaging in projects such as this, and generally taking care of myself while I’m off work.

What would be your dream project in the future?

Honestly, at this point, any project would be my dream project. I miss acting so much and I feel like I have a new appreciation for the process of filmmaking since I've been able to take a step back during this time. I kinda feel like would have a really good time doing anything at this point.

Growing up, who are some artists, and what are some films that made you fall in love with acting?

I loved “Grease” when I was a kid. I just wanted to be Sandy so badly. I love “The Brady Bunch”. As for artists, Rachel Evan Wood and Dakota Fanning were two women I looked up to a lot. I thought that if they could do it, maybe I could have a career as an actress too.