Australian actor Paul Ashton recently wrapped filming on the movie “Serial Buddies,” an indie comedy labeled “the first serial killer buddy movie of all time,” produced by Maria Menounos and directed by Keven Undergaro. In it he plays one of the two leading roles and acted alongside characters such as Christopher Lloyd, Christopher McDonald and David Proval. It was an experience and an opportunity that seems a long way from Wagga Wagga, the small town in Australia where Paul grew up.
Ashton began acting at the young age of seven performing with the Louise Blackett Theater Workshop. She was just naturally inclined at the time, and she had no idea what a big role acting would play in her life in the future.
He comes from a creative group, though his parents are doctors (one orthodox, one alternative, one lively mix, he assures me), all three of his brothers are also artists. One of her sisters, Alexa Ashton, is also a successful actress. She starred in ‘Home and Away’ and, like Paul, has worked for the prestigious Bell Shakespeare Company.
Asked about her family’s thoughts on her career choice, Ashton was quick to say, “My family is very supportive. I think my dad would have preferred me to have finished my law degree before going to drama school.” , but never once did my parents try to stop me from doing what I love to do. They’ve been there supporting me and giving me 100% and they’re proud of the paths we’ve all chosen.”
After his family moved to Canberra when he was 12, Ashton saw a school production of Tom Stoppard’s ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’. He fueled his love of acting on stage, and soon after he saw the Bell Shakespeare Company’s first production of ‘Hamlet’, and knew this was what he was destined to do.
EARLY INFLUENCES
Discussing early influences, Paul mentions Rob Sitch, the Australian actor/director who was part of “The Late Show” and who, along with his colleagues, produced some of Australia’s most beloved films, most notably “The Castle “.
Other early influences included Baz Lurhmann, Kenneth Branagh, Anthony Hopkins, John Cleese, Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Michael Winterbottom, Ben Kingsley, and Kate Winslet. He trained at the VCA Drama School in Melbourne, where teachers such as Lindy Davies, Tanya Gerstle and Leisa Shelton, and directors Peter Evans and Brian Lipson also had a huge impact on him during those formative years.
But he cites John Bell, who created the renowned Bell Shakespeare Company, as making a great impression on him. Paul recalls, “Seeing his productions every year in Canberra and meeting him and some of the other actors as a teenager was really inspiring to me. I was a drama nerd in its purest form – I used to get his autographs. It was a my I dream of working for them.”
In a truly career-defining moment, John Bell came by and saw Ashton play Orlando in As You Like It in his final year of drama school (Paul had written him a letter inviting him to tag along and was surprised when he got a call from the Bell’s assistant). confirming the dates). He worked for the Bell company a year later, a dream come true.
Earlier that year, Paul had been cast as Ben on the award-winning Australian show “The Secret Life of Us.”
They would spend four years living and working in Sydney before Hollywood called. During this time, Ashton was also the frontman for the popular local indie rock act, Minder.
He reflects on that time: “I moved to Los Angeles, like so many of my compatriots because it is the center of the global entertainment industry and offers the most diverse range of opportunities possible. That diversity appeals to me and I think it is a better fit for me as a actor”.
In an interview at The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Ashton shared with me his thoughts on his new life in the mecca of the entertainment business.
SIT DOWN:
Bobbi -Q: Paul, what is one of the main differences between being an actor in Los Angeles and in Australia?
Paul -A: Without a doubt, the first thing you discover when you arrive is the scale of it. The size of the city itself is a good indicator, it is very crowded and very competitive. It can be hard to know where to start. You go from knowing most of the people in the industry and most of the people know you, to not knowing anyone and kind of starting over.
But there is a real sense of possibility and that anyone has a chance. There’s a ‘yes’ attitude that underpins much of the American psyche, and I really respond to that.
Bobbi- Q: How did you get the part in “Serial Buddies?”
Paul-A: I got the part by auditioning. The casting director, Jen Cooper, had seen some of my work last year and called me in to read the part. At first they didn’t think it was right for Gregory, but luckily I won them over.
Bobbi-Q: Was it easy for you to play the character?
Paul-A: There were certain parts of Gregory that I had to work very hard on: He has a very dark past and was damaged by years of abuse and neglect.
But his quirkiness and physicality were a lot of fun to take on, and in that sense, it was easier. But he was demanding at all times and I had to stretch myself as an actor to get there.
Bobbi-Q: What acting technique do you use? Are there elements that are essential for success?
Paul-A: I don’t work with any specific technique. Without a doubt, my training had a great influence on the way I approach my work and, over the years, I have adapted the principles I learned into something more of my own.
Elements that I consider essential? Nothing new: research and analysis of scripts, using your imagination and understanding your character’s point of view. And then, most importantly, play the moment.
Bobbi-Q: What was it like working with the cast of “Serial Buddies”?
Paul-A: I felt extremely privileged to work with such a long list of well-established and very talented actors.
We had a core group of guys who were a joy to spend time with on set. The other 3 guys have a background in comedy and improvisation, so there was always a lot of laughter, a lot of innovation and creativity when the cameras were rolling.
Working with an iconic actor like Christopher Lloyd. Playing my dad! It was wild, and a career highlight for sure. He was a gentleman and a pleasure to work with. And Chris McDonald too? No way. Comic genius right there. We had a lot of fun doing our scene together.
And to top it off, having Hal Rudnick as Gary, perfect for my Gregory.
Bobbi-Q: What characters or roles would you like to see yourself playing?
Paul-A: I love both comedy and drama, and I never want to restrict myself to just one genre or form.
Bobbi-Q: What are you currently doing?
Paul-A: I’m currently in post-production on a short film I made prior to filming “Serial Buddies.” It’s called “Champion” and I plan on participating in Tropfest in Australia early next year. It was a script that I wrote, directed and produced.
Other than that, auditioning and entertaining many friends from Australia!
Bobbi-Q: What is your goal for this coming year?
Paul-A: Keep challenging myself to be better. Of course, I’d love to see “Serial Buddies” hit the submission deadline for Sundance and then of course get in, though that’s out of my league now. That would make it a good year. And I want to start working on my next self-created project. I’m not sure what it’s going to be yet.
Bobbi-Q: How do you have fun and relax?
Paul-A: Spending time with friends, going to the movies, working out, playing music, doing yoga, and when I can, skiing.
Bobbi-Q: Are you married, single or dating?
Paul-A: Single, but open to meeting someone.
Bobbi -Q: What city did you live in before here?
Paul-A: I lived in Sydney before I moved here, but my family lives in Canberra, so that’s really home. Mom and Dad have a beautiful house there, a big garden in the back, and the place is full of amazing organic and biodynamic food and life-affirming healthy stuff. My mom is an alternative medicine practitioner and my dad is a doctor, so it’s always interesting.
Bobbi-Q: Tell us about your music.
Paul-A: I played music since I was 5 years old. I started with the piano and then I also played the viola and the guitar. I played in my school orchestras and sang in my school choirs. Music has always been there as something I did. But it wasn’t until I learned to play the guitar at the age of 18 that I started writing and playing a bit on my own. Before I moved to Los Angeles, I was actually part of an indie rock band in Sydney. I had written a bunch of songs for a few years and a colleague suggested we form a band together so we did.
In fact, I’m doing my first concert in Los Angeles in a month. Just some low key acoustic originals. It should be fun.
Bobbi -Q: What ‘original music’ are you providing for the movie “Serial Buddies”?
Paul-A: There is a song in the movie that Gregory sings to his father. He was trying to find a melody for it, so he knew what he was doing when we shot it. It became a little more than what was on the page. I liked the way it sounded so I recorded it and felt it to Keven. He loved it so we arranged it and recorded it with the genius musician Giulio Carmassi. He should be in the movie now, which is great.
Bobbi-Q: Tell me about these YouTube vlogs you posted while filming “Serial Buddies.” That was original, why did you do it?
Paul-A: They were just a way of documenting/blogging about the time on set so there would be a fun record and so anyone including my friends and family could get a behind the scenes look. And try to make the name of the movie known a little bit. With independent films, everything helps.
Bobbi -Q: Do you have any special thanks to give someone in your life?
Paul-A: Where do I start? First of all my parents. They are the most generous and caring people I know. Even outside the care of our family. And my brothers too, simply wonderful people who have helped me shape who I am. I also have an amazing group of friends dating back to my early days at Wagga Wagga. They know who they are, and we’re still in regular contact, and they’ve always believed in me and that’s a weird feeling.
Oh, and of course Steven Waugh, the greatest Australian cricket captain of all time. The greatest inspiration of my life.
Paul Ashton lives in Los Angeles, CA and is a writer, director, actor, musician, and stage actor.
It is run by the Prodigy Talent Group.