April 1, 2025 • 39 mins
Chloe talks about beng an actor, what it takes, what it means and how you do it.
My favourite quote of this episode is "I guess in sharing my story, I can encourage young people to dream big and pursue their passions. I don't feel society encourages that enough, but it's about creating a ripple effect. When one person rises, they can lift others along the way."
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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(00:05):
Welcome to Forrest.Chat, where wetalk about individual endeavor in
Western Australia, what it takes,what it means, and how you do it.
I'm your host, Paul van der Mey, andin today's episode we are talking
with Chloe-Jean Vincent about acting.
Chloe started acting when she was about10 years old, and has since completed
(00:27):
a Bachelor of Performing Arts at WAAPA.
And is now preparingfor her next production.
Welcome to Forrest.Chat, Chloe-Jean.
Thank you so much.
I'm so excited to be here.
It's great to have you here Chloe-Jean.
Chloe-Jean.
People think about all actorsbeing up on the TV in the big
(00:48):
screen and that sort of thing.
What is the acting that you do?
I guess I would classify myselfas a keeper of forgotten stories.
I work in a variety ofdifferent creative disciplines.
I mean, I'm an actor, butI'm also a budding author, a
performance maker and a singer.
But for me, these disciplinesdo share a commonality.
(01:10):
They're all vessels of story.
So I guess above all else, Iconsider myself a storyteller.
And for me, that's what it reallymeans to be an actor is a storyteller.
I've always been really interested inunearthing and sharing the narratives
that history often overlooks and shining alight on themes and topics that have been
(01:31):
neglected due to bias or circumstance.
Through my work, I strive to give a voiceto those who cannot speak for themselves
and to illuminate their experiencesand emotions through performance.
Every story matters, and I think thatsharing these tales can foster empathy
and understanding and connection among us.
(01:52):
So my creative practice as an actor isreally grounded in the philosophy of
honoring these voices and perspectives,using art as a bridge to illuminate the
richness of our shared humanity, whichis both a privilege and a responsibility.
I'm really committed to inspiring othersto engage with these important narratives,
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you know, sparking conversations, andhopefully a greater appreciation for the
diverse tapestry of human experience.
I'm particularly interested in Holocaustnarratives, especially through the
lens of Anne Frank's remarkable story.
Currently, I'm, I'm so honoredto be playing the role of Anne
(02:34):
In WA's first ever productionof The Diary of Anne Frank.
It's truely is literallya dream come true for me.
My whole life I havedreamed about playing Anne.
I never thought it would happen fromthe moment I picked up her diary.
I've just felt this reallypeculiar connection to her.
I've always felt that we sharea lot of striking similarities.
(02:56):
Reading the diary was in many ways,like looking in a mirror and seeing
parts of myself reflected back.
In other ways, it was like havinga friend, the kind of friend I'd
always imagined, someone thoughtfuland curious and passionate.
For a lonely young girl,this was invaluable.
Anne's word showed me that I.
wasn't alone, and she constantlyinspired me with her hope and positivity.
(03:21):
Her self reflexivity her immense courage.
So I think because of that, I've reallydedicated myself to preserving her legacy.
And for the past few years I've beenworking on a manuscript that reconstructs
the last seven months of her life.
So to have the opportunity toembody her on stage, it's an
incredible blessing, but it also isso weirdly serendipitous as well.
(03:46):
Even though I'm a bit of a Jack ofArts doing, you know, writing and
singing and performance making, I'vealways, always wanted to be an actor.
What acting are you doing?
I do a bit of everything really.
I.
am predominantly a film actress.
That's where I've done the majorityof my training and experience,
but right now I am currently.
in a theater production of the diaryof Anne Frank, so I do guess I mix
(04:09):
up my genres a little bit there.
there's plenty of different avenuesfor somebody who wants to be an
actor Can you describe some of thoseavenues that people might go into?
so there's, I guess, your traditionalcommercial route where you can do,
commercially viable films that areproduced by production companies,
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funded by production companies.
They're the things that you'llsee at the cinemas or the things
that you see on tv, for example.
You can also do a kind ofsemi-professional film route
where you are working withkind of independent filmmakers.
That's usually on a moreof like a local level.
You're kind of working with localindie film producers and directors to
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create products that are shown at filmfestivals and kind of in indie cinemas.
Similarly, in theater, you've got yourcommercial theatrical productions, which
are shown at all at the major theaters.
Across the country.
Like for example, in Perth, the CrownTheater, Sydney Theater Company.
And then you've got a step below thatyou kind of independent, um, pro amateur,
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we call them theater productions, whichare paid, so you're still earning money
from it, which is always nice whenyou're a starving artist, but it's
just not quite at the same, I guesscommercial level as the other projects.
You can also just decideto do TV commercials.
You see a lot of actors that go intojust making television commercials and
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advertisements on social media and stuff.
That's quite a lot of money in that.
So that's quite, a good route for somepeople that draws a lot of people in.
you can do role playing whereyou help groups like the Defence
Force or the Police Academy orPsychologist Association to help train.
(06:02):
Their recruits and everything.
That's a really fun kind of
way to be an actor.
And still kind of keep a diverse set ofother interests going at the same time.
So there's lots of differentavenues really, when you start
to think about it, it's not justwhat you'd typically associate,
like, Ooh, Hollywood movie stars.
There's lots of different kindof little avenues and pockets
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that you can find yourself in.
And there's also the element of,roles that actually suit who you are.
Exactly.
It all depends on who you are
as a unique individual.
What you bring to the table.
Some people are character actors,some people are dramatic actors.
Some people are lucky enoughand they can do everything.
It all depends on your ownuniqueness, I think, as to
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where you fit within the market.
Character actors.
They tend to be like you larger than life.
Like if you've ever seen LesMiserables the Madame Thénardier
kind of roles, I think comedic funnyones, and then your dramatic actors
tend to be a bit more serious.
Shakespeare, that kind of vibe.
(07:08):
Oh, like your police shows on TV orsomething like that where they're,
they're much more like cool anddeliberate and directed more serious.
Is
that Is that the sortof thing you're thinking
Yeah.
And then those are also genres as well.
So it's, it's a whole verydiverse kind of concept.
(07:29):
Acting really like when youthink about it in those terms.
It's interesting.
and is there also a amateur,range of things that you can do?
Yeah, for certain WA in particular has areally great level of amateur performance.
There's some really great theatercompanies where if you just feel
like doing it for fun or as a hobby,that's a completely viable option.
(07:52):
I know we down at our local seniorcitizens, which gives away my age, they
do two theatrical productions a year.
that's the members putting that on.
Fantastic.
I think it's a great opportunity forsenior citizens and for children and
everything, the amateur spectrum.
'cause you can still fulfillother interests and objectives
(08:14):
outside of performing, but youare getting to kind of tickle that
performance bug at the same time.
You mentioned the performance bug.
We might go on to the next question, whichis, what does it take you to be an actor?
I think for me, being an actor requiresan incredible amount of resilience
and a deep well of emotional strength.
(08:36):
It's an art form where youwill inevitably face rejection.
I. Often hearing a countless number ofnos that can feel really disheartening.
But what many might not realize isthat these rejections are seldom a
reflection of your talent or hard work.
Sometimes it's simply a matterof being the right fit or not.
Maybe your hair is the wrongcolor or you're too short, or you
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remind the director of their scaryex-girlfriend, so on, so on, so on.
Whilst it's not a reflection of yourtalent, it is really hard not to
take these rejections personally.
I think because being an actor?
is so closely tied with not only howyou identify yourself, but often your
physical appearance and characteristics.
So rejection can feel like anattack on your personal self and
(09:19):
leads you to wonder if there'ssomething inherently wrong with you.
If in some way you are not enough.
Those beliefs are so limiting.
You've gotta trust the words of theacclaimed director, Jane Campion, and
know that you are enough just as you are.
So then resilience in this context isknowing that each effort you invest
in contributes to your journey.
(09:40):
Perhaps you just weren't the right matchfor a specific role, but that doesn't
diminish your abilities or your passion.
It's essential to recognizethat the next opportunity could
be just around the corner.
So if you just dust yourself offwith determination and keep faith
in your craft, That's vital.
I also find emotional availabilityis crucial in this field.
(10:00):
Whilst it might be tempting to hardenyourself to the pain of rejection,
it's actually really beneficial toallow yourself to feel that hurt.
Acceptance of those emotionsis part of the process.
There's a quote from Zendayathat really resonates with me.
She shares that the roles you miss out onare just simply not meant for you, and if
you just trust in the universe to bringthe right opportunities your way, that
(10:21):
can provide a lot of comfort and guidance.
When I reflect on my journey,I mean, I've experienced some
really tough rejections last year.
Um, roles I wanted more than anythingslipped through my fingers and it was,
honestly, it was quite heartbreaking.
But then right when I was ready togive up, I landed the role of Anne
Frank, and I realized that thisopportunity was always intended for me.
(10:47):
It's moments like these that remindme that the beauty of perseverance
and the importance of trustingthe path laid out before you.
Each step, whether it leads tosuccess or disappointment, is
just a part of your story and aninvaluable experience on this journey.
So to really thrive as an actor, ittakes an unwavering commitment to your
craft, a wellspring of discipline, and aninsatiable curiosity about life itself.
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Every day is a new opportunity torefine your skills and deepen your
understanding of the human experience.
The journey is definitelynot marked by shortcuts.
It requires consistent training and thedetermination to push through challenges
and your personal characteristics andstrength will be your light whether it's
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a knack for creativity or a keen sense ofempathy or ability to think critically.
These are the qualities that willfuel your artistic expression.
So if you brace, embrace the idea thatnothing worth having comes easily and
that you bring something unique, somethingdistinctly you to each role you embody.
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Your distinctive "you-ness"basically is what makes you special.
Each audition, each practice session,and every moment spent observing
the world around you will then, asa result, contribute to your growth.
So if you just, just be gratefulthese opportunities as well.
I mean, it's not every day thatyou get to act being an actor, it's
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like 50% survival job, 40% training,and only really 10% actual acting.
So if you take hold of everyopportunity you get to act and you
start to approach auditions withthis mindset of gratitude like.
How lucky am I to that I get to be thischaracter, even if, just for a moment.
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I think that takes someof the pressure off.
Also, be curious, you know, likeimmerse yourself in books, explore
various forms of art and let the storiesof others ignite your imagination.
By studying different perspectives,experiences, you unlock new
layers of understanding thatcan enhance your performances.
Like the cafe, that that becomes yourstage where you draw experience from
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all the lives unfolding around you.
You know, acting, it's morethan just memorizing lines.
It's about connecting with theworld and the people in it.
So if you just keep honing thesecreative tools and if you stay dedicated
and embrace the lessons along theway, you let the challenges you face,
strengthen your resolve, guiding youtowards the journey that can await you.
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I believe with passion andperseverance, the horizon is bright.
Your dreams, they're there.
They're there within reach.
And although that path may not belinear or easy or maybe sometimes
not even as grand as you imaginedit in your head, it's still possible
That's amazing.
there's a whole suite of thingsin there that are going on.
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Which
is.
you, find the easiest to achieve?
None of them, it's, it's a lifelongcommitment to working on these things.
You know, every rejection willsend you back down that path of
self doubt, and you just gotta pickyourself back up again and constantly
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remind yourself of these lessons.
I think that's just an inherentpart of being an artist, as well
as being a little bit neurotic.
And you just gotta remind yourself.
'cause these are all things that peoplemuch wiser and much further along than
me have come up with and figured out.
And even they themselves don'talways listen to these ideas.
(14:30):
So it, it's a journey, it's a process.
One that I'm still working on.
Is there an element of being comfortablein your own skin in all of that?
Definitely, you've gotta be verysecure in who you are as a person, even
if you have, you know, insecuritiesor self doubts as we all do.
I think at least if you know yourself,know your own taste, know your own mind,
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know your own beliefs, I think thatcan really contribute to a sense of.
Knowing yourself as a holisticperson outside of acting as well.
You gotta know who you are outside ofthe industry 'cause it's so easy to
get lost in this rabbit hole of mess.
It's a messy industry,but if you know who?
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you are, then you know your worth.
That's interesting that youdescribe it as a messy industry.
What is it about theindustry that makes it messy
There's so many.
factors at play that are so outside ofthe actual craft, like it's a business.
So you've got the producers that arelooking to get their money's worth.
(15:36):
Uh, they've invested into it.
You've got the directors thathave these certain stakeholders
that they have to appease.
You've got the production companiesthat have certain standards that
they have to meet, and then allthe while trying to appeal to the
audiences and what they're wanting.
And along the way, I thinkthe actual artistry of that
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gets a little bit forgotten.
But that's the actor's role.
The actor's role is to be theartist and the artistry, but.
That we quite often don't get to dothat because there's all these other
considerations from all these externalforces trying to fit us into these
boxes where we don't always fit ordon't want to fit, because that's
not the creative juicy bit, you know.
(16:18):
And as you were saying, that creativejuicy bit is in the, in the end, it's
a relatively small amount of the timethat you're actually dealing with this.
It is, which is sadwhen you think about it.
That's why.
Getting to embrace everypossible moment to act.
Even if it's a self tape where you'rereading against yourself or an in room
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audition for a role that you don'treally want, you just embrace it.
You just go with it because hey,at least you're not, you know,
working your retail survival job.
You're getting to do what you love.
That's a big payoff compared to.
taking the steps
It's, you know, you only get one life.
Be brave.
Take the steps
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and be brave and do what brings you joy.
on your way through, you startedat 10, did you have something
going on that was leading youinto being an actor at that point?
Mom always says, I wasborn to be an actor.
I came out of the wombsinging before I could talk.
Basically, I would hummyself to sleep as a baby.
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but I've always acted always.
I think the moment it was most clearwas when I was four years old and
I had my first ever ballet concert.
I just refused to get off thestage and mom was in the audience.
She must have been just absolutelymortified because I'm just sitting
there standing on the stage just doingmy little curtsies and waving at all
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the people and she's in the audiencegoing Chloe-Jean get off the stage!
Off the stage now!
I think it was pretty clear from therethat that's what I was meant to be doing.
That feels like you inherently livedand breathed that performance component.
Very much so.
It's been an inherent part of whoI am for as long as I can remember.
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I mean, I've always embodied charactersas well, like I remember as a kid
pretending to be boldy the dog.
I was very method over it too.
Like I ate out of abowl, the whole shebang.
And then I moved on to characters frombooks and TV shows that I admired, like
Misty from Pokemon or Guitar from Avatar,the last Airbender, Hermione Granger.
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And I would dress as them.
I would copy theirmannerisms, their accents.
And then I got a little bit older andI started to film little mini movies
just on my little handheld camera.
And so then when I was 10and I kind of figured out.
Roughly kind of what that what I wasdoing was actually a real thing and
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not just me being a very strange childthat it was a thing called acting.
So I, I begged my mom to put me intoacting classes and then from that very
first class, I just fell in love with it.
In spite of anything that was going on inmy real life, you know, in spite of the
bullying going on at school or whatever,I could just get up on stage or on screen
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and I could be whoever I wanted to be.
I could live a thousand different lives.
I think it's been my dream ever since.
That's an amazing dream to have.
We'll have a little break , andwhen we come back from the break.
We will have a talk about what it means.
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We've had a look at what it takes,Chloe-Jean to actually be an actor.
Now let's have a look at what it means.
Chloe-Jean, what does it mean toyou, your family or the community
that you are able to be an actor?
I grew up in an environment wherepursuing a career in the arts
wasn't really the norm at school.
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The message was really clear.
You focus on practical careersor you start a family early, a
possible path,but it wasn't my dream.
I wanted to study at the WestAustralind Academy of Performing Arts.
I wanted to be an actor.
So every afternoon after school, my familymade countless sacrifices to drive me to
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acting classes, singing classes, pianolessons, music theory lessons, you name
it, and there unwavering support it.
It fueled my determination to chasemy dreams despite the obstacles.
I guess I want my journey to serve asa beacon of hope for others, especially
those from underprivileged backgrounds.
And I believe our circumstances,they don't define our potential.
(20:41):
By pursuing my passion, I really hope Ican inspire others to follow their dreams
regardless of where they come from.
I got into WAAPA straight from school,and I've been very, very fortunate to
have had some amazing opportunities since.
This isn't just a personal achievement,but it's proof that perseverance can
lead to incredible opportunities.
If I can break through thebarriers, others can too.
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I guess in sharing my story, I canencourage young people to dream
big and pursue their passions.
I don't feel society encouragesthat enough, but it's about
creating a ripple effect.
When one person rises, theycan lift others along the way.
You only get one life, sowhy not spend it doing it?
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What sets your heart on fire?
You know, what's the point in living?
If we insist upon mundanity,I'd love to see a world where
creativity is celebrated, showingeveryone that dreams can come
true, no matter the starting point.
So.
Every time I step on stage oron set, I'm just so grateful.
I remember all of the sacrifices madeto get there, and I just strive to
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make a positive impact through my art.
I also think about people like AnneFrank, whose dreams were stolen from them.
I really carry her spirit withme as a constant reminder to
cherish my opportunities andto make the most of my voice.
In that way, each step, I take is notjust for myself, but it's for all of
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those whose stories deserve to be told.
I really do try toalways honor her memory.
That's always been a focus with mymanuscript, and now that's something
that's constantly at the forefrontof my mind as I start the rehearsal
process for the play, which at thispoint in history, I guess it feels
more important than ever to show thedevastating impacts a state can have.
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This production is for all ages, andit's been chosen to coincide with
the first week of the school holidayso that families can attend, which
it's really vital from a pedagogicalperspective as the numbers of
Holocaust survivors fade each year.
It, it's basically up to us, thisnew generation of creatives to keep
the stories of the Holocaust and thelegacy of those that impacted alive.
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Anne's father, Otto frank was convincedthat young people needed to be persuaded,
That contributing to a better worldis both necessary and possible.
I mean, He answered thousands ofletters from young people who read
his daughter's diary and he alwaysended his letters with the words.
I hope that Anne's book will havean effect on the rest of your life,
so that insofar as it is possiblein your own circumstances, you
(23:15):
will work for unity and peace.
We cannot change what happened anymore,but we can learn from the past and
realize what discrimination andpersecution of innocent people means.
So that's, that's how the diary is,not just this vital pedagogical tool,
but I guess it also ensures Anne'sstory continues to be told so that
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she may live on after death, just asshe wished, not just A Holocaust story
that's such a common misconception.
Anne teaches us how to live.
Personally, I'm reminded about how luckyI am to live freely, experience life.
I mean, there are so many thingsthat Anne would've loved to do
that she never got the chance.
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I'm determined to live them for her.
You leave Anne's diary witha renewed sense of hope.
This place for anyone feeling lost orlonely or down or stuck, you'll come out
of it thinking not of all the misery,but of the beauty that still remains.
It's amazing how.
one person's story can driveso much good in the world.
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She's a remarkable, shewas a remarkable writer.
It was such a waste.
For people who want to act,there's an ability to do good.
How do people connect with that?
It's not an obligation I suppose.
I don't want people to feel that that'sthe kind of actor that they have to be.
(24:42):
But I think that it's a beautifulthing that we have the opportunity
to do to affect change in the world,or to tell people's stories that
they never got to tell themselves.
So I think it's just a matter of findthe stories that resonate with you.
Find what.
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You are passionate about what you feelis worth telling what you believe, in.
and I think if you'retelling things from that.
honest place, then you're gonna affectchange anyway, because we all have a
story inside of us that's worth telling.
And if you show up as your authenticself and just tell that story,
(25:24):
you're already, you're doing good.
It is so important to use your voice.
It is.
We've been given one for a reason.
We need to stand up andremember how to speak.
You mentioned earlier about thesacrifices that your family put in.
How has your ability to act,impacted on your family?
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I just have the most supportive family?
you could possibly imagine.
I grew up with a singlemother who, herself.
She used to act and she was inmusical theater and she did Johnny
Young and she was on telethon.
She's an amazing performer herself.
She stopped pursuing it,unfortunately, it's a
(26:05):
shame 'cause she's probably alot more talented than I am.
but her whole drive is just to support me.
She doesn't ask for anything in return.
She doesn't want anything inreturn other than my happiness.
And I think that's such a beautiful.
Selfless thing.
You don't see that with a lot of families.
I'm so blessed.
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Basically, her and nanny, my grandmother,who's the other member of my family
that have, has really helped me.
They only care about my happiness mywellbeing, me following my dreams.
They've always encouraged me to follow my
dreams between myself.
They've really instilled that in me.
So I don't think I've necessarily.
Helped them with my acting assuch, I wish, I'd love to be one
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of those success stories that
makes it really big in Hollywoodand can buy their mom a house or
a car or something as a thank you.
Maybe one day.
Maybe that's something to strivefor, some way to repay them.
Although I don't think there isany way to repay them because
they've just done so much for me.
But I'd love to try.
that's a, a worthy thing to aim for.
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I like to think so.
What does the community getout of people who are actors?
Communities should be filled withdiverse people from all walks of life.
I think having secular communities, likeall with people that are the same in them.
It's boring.
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You don't learn anything from that.
You don't.
What's the point in living witheveryone who's just the same as you?
You know, if we have diversity, if we havepeople that pursue different things to us
or have different interests or differentlife experiences, we become a better,
more rounded human beingjust by knowing them.
(27:54):
I think it's all about, I guess,contributing to people's own
internal landscape of experiences.
And we're great.
We're funny to be around as well.
Now we can.
We're like the life of the party.
Invite us do an accent.
You'll have a laugh.
It'll be great.
(28:14):
So you can bring so much joy to the world.
joy and hope and humor andwarmth, and can teach people about
themselves, help people reflect onthemselves and their experiences.
You can help people heal.
They can help people feel seen.
I think that's really important as well.
We don't.
(28:35):
We sometimes feel so alone, but if anactor's there conveying something that
you've experienced on stage or on screen,you go, Hey, I, I've experienced that.
That's like me.
I'm not just a void alone in this scaryworld that that's a person that's like me.
I think that's important.
(28:55):
Yes.
humans are creatures that reallyneed to have a community around them.
It's
a tribal thing almost, whereif you are kicked out of the
tribe, probably didn't survive
back
in the day.
How boring.
Would that tribe be as well?
If everyone wanted to hunt and noone wanted to tell stories, or no
(29:18):
one wanted to look after the trees,you've gotta have someone doing a bit
of everything in order to be a fullyfunctioning, fully thriving community.
Absolutely.
We've had a good look atwhat it means to be an actor.
Let's have a break now, and after thebreak we'll have a look at how you do it.
(29:44):
We've had a look at what it meansfor Chloe-Jean to be an actor.
Now let's have a look at how you do it.
Chloe-Jean, how would someonebecome an actor these days?
I would love to say that there isa magic wand that you can pick up.
And you can wave it and you can go,I wish I could be a famous actor in
(30:06):
Hollywood in all of the movies andthat that dream would come true.
I really wish because Iwould wave that wand myself.
Currently, there is no one formula or paththat guarantees you success as an actor.
And I'm still learning and figuringthings out for myself, but I guess
I. These are some of the things thatI've learned from my journey thus
(30:27):
far, and gleaned from my much moreexperienced mentors over the years.
So if you wanna be an actor, definitelyconsider formal training and acting.
Know.
Look, look for your local actingclasses, workshops, drama schools,
learn from experienced teachers.
If you learn from experienced teachers,this can provide you with valuable
(30:47):
techniques and insights, which.
I know nowadays in the culture ofTikTok and having people be discovered
off social media and casting directorsprivileging, casting like real people
with real experiences that this oftengoes kind of undervalued in the industry.
But I think if you're treating itas a craft and as a discipline and
(31:08):
something that you want longevityin or something that you respect,
you should definitely train.
You are not gonna be a doctor overnight.
You go to medical school and you learn howto be a doctor, I think the same gravitas
should be given to acting as well.
From that same vein, just practice,practice, practice, practice, practice.
(31:32):
Like any art form, like any skill.
Acting improves with practice.
So, I mean, there's somany ways you can do this.
You can join local theater groupsor do community productions.
You can participate in student films.
You can film self tapes at home,that's a really great way to do it
'cause that's, you know, nice andcomfy in your comfort zone at home.
(31:53):
You don't even have to leavethe house and watch them back.
Watching yourself is invaluable.
You can see, particularly on camera,'cause cameras, it's so close in
your face and it very much focuseson that really uber realistic genre.
You can see where you're doing weirdthings, where you've forgotten how to
be a human, because I promise you, assoon as the camera goes in your face,
(32:15):
you will forget how to be a human.
It just happens.
But this, it will hone your skills.
It will build your resume and alsobuild your confidence, which is really
important because a confident actor isan actor that can make exciting choices.
Interesting choices, bold choices.
The kind of choices that are gonna get younoticed when you go into an audition room.
(32:38):
You've gotta surround yourselfwith aspiring actors, filmmakers,
creatives, artists, just anyonein the creative industry.
You know, attend acting workshops, goto film festivals, industry events,
building community is really important.
It's a very isolating industry.
You can feel very alone, particularlywhen you're working a survival job and.
(33:00):
Their lives are so different to yoursand you feel like a failure because
they've bought their big house andyou are still trying to be an actor.
You need to have your friends that arealso just trying to be an actor that
you can commiserate with and celebrate
with.
Plus, you learn so much from studyingand talking to people around you.
(33:21):
They're your best resources,like Glean every little nugget
that you can from them possible.
Audition and audition fearlessly.
I, I know auditions feel reallyintimidating, but they're a
crucial part of the journey.
So prepare as best as you canand remember that each audition
is just a learning experience.
Just be bold, be brave, befearless, and be authentic.
(33:45):
Always be authentic.
Bring yourself yourtrue self to every role.
Authenticity will alwaysresonate with audiences.
Just stay grounded in who youare while exploring your diverse
characters, because your uniqueperspective is your most powerful tool.
And celebrate.
Celebrate every step.
Appreciate your progress no matterhow small, teeny, tiny infantisimal
(34:10):
little progress, oh, I said thatword in a German accent today.
Great.
Celebrate that because that's a big deal.
Each role, each practicesession, every audition counts.
If you celebrate your growth and thejoy that acting brings into your life,
you can't ask anything more of yourself.
You would do all thesethings and you're an actor.
(34:31):
You don't have to beworking to be an actor.
You just have to bepracticing to be an actor.
That's what I would take away from this.
I think actors, we feel like I'mnot a real actor because I'm not
on Home and Away, or I've notdone a TVC or I've not been paid.
Are you auditioning?
(34:51):
Are you rehearsing?
Are you going to class?
Are you absorbing the world aroundyou and being creative and how
you're looking at the world?
Are you putting on differentskins while you're out and about
if you're doing those things?
Congratulations, you're an actor.
That's all it takes, and I.
guess if you're interested in beinglike me and becoming a keeper of
(35:15):
forgotten stories, there's notmuch you have to do for that.
All you have to really do is be ready andlisten when they reveal themselves to you.
So forgotten story.
So the story of Anne Frank is one thatyou're working with at the moment.
Are there others that you'vebeen involved in as well?
A couple of, similar productions in thesense I did another Holocaust movie a
(35:37):
few years ago, fading Numbers, which hasbeen used by the education department
to promote better Holocaust education.
I'd argue probably that anyHolocaust story is a forgotten story.
I did another feature film Heretics, whichfocused on, one of the pilgrims in the
early eighth century, I believe it was.
(36:00):
that was really interesting.
You don't hear a lot about howfar back antisemitism goes, and
that was really interesting tosee how the crusades affected the
native Jewish people at the time.
And then there's our Australind ChildMigrants, that's another piece that I'm
kind of got puttering on in the backgroundmyself at the moment that I'm writing.
(36:24):
The forgotten stories and every littlecrack and crevice, particularly in
Australia, you just have to find them.
They're hidden, so like they'reright out there in your face.
I guess some of them are, AnneFrank's pretty in your face.
Not many people really know her full storymind, which is sad, but I think that's
(36:46):
gonna be one of the great things aboutthis production being the first time that
it's shown to West Australian audiencesis it's gonna educate a lot of people.
They're gonna come out of it andthey're gonna know Anne Frank's story.
They're gonna know Why the Holocaustwas so horrendous, what a waste it
was to kill an innocent 15-year-oldgirl, and why we need to stop
(37:09):
these atrocities happening again.
I'm really excited for that.
We've just started rehearsals yesterday,I think it was, yeah, yesterday, go
on in a couple of weeks, April 15 to19 at the State Theater Center, which
I've never performed in before, soI'm really excited about that too.
Congratulations on landing that role.
(37:29):
That's, an amazingly wellaligned role for you.
Thank you.
I honestly couldn'tbelieve it when it came up.
Mom sent it to me and I literallyjust typed her message back straight
away going, this is my role.
I just knew it was, it was right,and it was the right timing as well.
And I'm just so grateful to DrewAnthony, who's our director for
(37:52):
giving me this opportunity andfor trusting me with Ann's story.
He's honestly amazing.
Like if anyone comes and seesthe show, like he is the absolute
heart of this production, and mycast members as well are just.
It is so insanely talented, like crazy,crazy talented, and the nicest human
beings as well, who are really, theyhave so much care for this story.
(38:16):
I was really taken aback at our tableread yesterday by the responsibility
that they all feel in telling thisstory as authentically as possible.
So I'm, I'm just so lucky.
I'm so lucky.
What an opportunity.
It's beautiful.
It really is.
Thank you very much for beingon Forrest.Chat, Chloe-Jean,
I loved, thank you.
(38:36):
Having me.
Such a fun opportunity.
All Forrest.Chat listeners, wish youall the best with your future endeavors.
Thank you and come see the show!
You've been listening to Forrest Chat.
Where we talk about individual endeavorin Western Australia, what it takes,
what it means, and how you do it.
(38:58):
I'm your host, Paul van der Mey, and intoday's episode we've been talking with
Chloe-Jean Vincent about being an actor.
Remember, there are four ways toget involved with Forrest.Chat,
Share the domain Forrest.Chat with yourfriends and family and people you meet.
You get advanced notice of the episodeswhen you subscribe to the email list.
(39:20):
Listen to the episodes atForrest.Chat slash episodes.
If you or someone you knowdoes something interesting.
Book an interview atForrest.Chat slash interview.
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at Forrest.Chat slash advert.
I'm looking forward to joiningyou with our next guest.
(39:41):
Until then, enjoy making it happen.
Welcome to Forrest.Chat, where wetalk about individual endeavor in
Western Australia, what it takes,what it means, and how you do it.
I'm your host, Paul van der Mey, andin today's episode we are talking
with Chloe-Jean Vincent about acting.
Chloe started acting when she was about10 years old, and has since completed
(00:27):
a Bachelor of Performing Arts at WAAPA.
And is now preparingfor her next production.
Welcome to Forrest.Chat, Chloe-Jean.
Thank you so much.
I'm so excited to be here.
It's great to have you here Chloe-Jean.
Chloe-Jean.
People think about all actorsbeing up on the TV in the big
(00:48):
screen and that sort of thing.
What is the acting that you do?
I guess I would classify myselfas a keeper of forgotten stories.
I work in a variety ofdifferent creative disciplines.
I mean, I'm an actor, butI'm also a budding author, a
performance maker and a singer.
But for me, these disciplinesdo share a commonality.
(01:10):
They're all vessels of story.
So I guess above all else, Iconsider myself a storyteller.
And for me, that's what it reallymeans to be an actor is a storyteller.
I've always been really interested inunearthing and sharing the narratives
that history often overlooks and shining alight on themes and topics that have been
(01:31):
neglected due to bias or circumstance.
Through my work, I strive to give a voiceto those who cannot speak for themselves
and to illuminate their experiencesand emotions through performance.
Every story matters, and I think thatsharing these tales can foster empathy
and understanding and connection among us.
(01:52):
So my creative practice as an actor isreally grounded in the philosophy of
honoring these voices and perspectives,using art as a bridge to illuminate the
richness of our shared humanity, whichis both a privilege and a responsibility.
I'm really committed to inspiring othersto engage with these important narratives,
(02:14):
you know, sparking conversations, andhopefully a greater appreciation for the
diverse tapestry of human experience.
I'm particularly interested in Holocaustnarratives, especially through the
lens of Anne Frank's remarkable story.
Currently, I'm, I'm so honoredto be playing the role of Anne
(02:34):
In WA's first ever productionof The Diary of Anne Frank.
It's truely is literallya dream come true for me.
My whole life I havedreamed about playing Anne.
I never thought it would happen fromthe moment I picked up her diary.
I've just felt this reallypeculiar connection to her.
I've always felt that we sharea lot of striking similarities.
(02:56):
Reading the diary was in many ways,like looking in a mirror and seeing
parts of myself reflected back.
In other ways, it was like havinga friend, the kind of friend I'd
always imagined, someone thoughtfuland curious and passionate.
For a lonely young girl,this was invaluable.
Anne's word showed me that I.
wasn't alone, and she constantlyinspired me with her hope and positivity.
(03:21):
Her self reflexivity her immense courage.
So I think because of that, I've reallydedicated myself to preserving her legacy.
And for the past few years I've beenworking on a manuscript that reconstructs
the last seven months of her life.
So to have the opportunity toembody her on stage, it's an
incredible blessing, but it also isso weirdly serendipitous as well.
(03:46):
Even though I'm a bit of a Jack ofArts doing, you know, writing and
singing and performance making, I'vealways, always wanted to be an actor.
What acting are you doing?
I do a bit of everything really.
I.
am predominantly a film actress.
That's where I've done the majorityof my training and experience,
but right now I am currently.
in a theater production of the diaryof Anne Frank, so I do guess I mix
(04:09):
up my genres a little bit there.
there's plenty of different avenuesfor somebody who wants to be an
actor Can you describe some of thoseavenues that people might go into?
so there's, I guess, your traditionalcommercial route where you can do,
commercially viable films that areproduced by production companies,
(04:31):
funded by production companies.
They're the things that you'llsee at the cinemas or the things
that you see on tv, for example.
You can also do a kind ofsemi-professional film route
where you are working withkind of independent filmmakers.
That's usually on a moreof like a local level.
You're kind of working with localindie film producers and directors to
(04:54):
create products that are shown at filmfestivals and kind of in indie cinemas.
Similarly, in theater, you've got yourcommercial theatrical productions, which
are shown at all at the major theaters.
Across the country.
Like for example, in Perth, the CrownTheater, Sydney Theater Company.
And then you've got a step below thatyou kind of independent, um, pro amateur,
(05:18):
we call them theater productions, whichare paid, so you're still earning money
from it, which is always nice whenyou're a starving artist, but it's
just not quite at the same, I guesscommercial level as the other projects.
You can also just decideto do TV commercials.
You see a lot of actors that go intojust making television commercials and
(05:42):
advertisements on social media and stuff.
That's quite a lot of money in that.
So that's quite, a good route for somepeople that draws a lot of people in.
you can do role playing whereyou help groups like the Defence
Force or the Police Academy orPsychologist Association to help train.
(06:02):
Their recruits and everything.
That's a really fun kind of
way to be an actor.
And still kind of keep a diverse set ofother interests going at the same time.
So there's lots of differentavenues really, when you start
to think about it, it's not justwhat you'd typically associate,
like, Ooh, Hollywood movie stars.
There's lots of different kindof little avenues and pockets
(06:25):
that you can find yourself in.
And there's also the element of,roles that actually suit who you are.
Exactly.
It all depends on who you are
as a unique individual.
What you bring to the table.
Some people are character actors,some people are dramatic actors.
Some people are lucky enoughand they can do everything.
It all depends on your ownuniqueness, I think, as to
(06:47):
where you fit within the market.
Character actors.
They tend to be like you larger than life.
Like if you've ever seen LesMiserables the Madame Thénardier
kind of roles, I think comedic funnyones, and then your dramatic actors
tend to be a bit more serious.
Shakespeare, that kind of vibe.
(07:08):
Oh, like your police shows on TV orsomething like that where they're,
they're much more like cool anddeliberate and directed more serious.
Is
that Is that the sortof thing you're thinking
Yeah.
And then those are also genres as well.
So it's, it's a whole verydiverse kind of concept.
(07:29):
Acting really like when youthink about it in those terms.
It's interesting.
and is there also a amateur,range of things that you can do?
Yeah, for certain WA in particular has areally great level of amateur performance.
There's some really great theatercompanies where if you just feel
like doing it for fun or as a hobby,that's a completely viable option.
(07:52):
I know we down at our local seniorcitizens, which gives away my age, they
do two theatrical productions a year.
that's the members putting that on.
Fantastic.
I think it's a great opportunity forsenior citizens and for children and
everything, the amateur spectrum.
'cause you can still fulfillother interests and objectives
(08:14):
outside of performing, but youare getting to kind of tickle that
performance bug at the same time.
You mentioned the performance bug.
We might go on to the next question, whichis, what does it take you to be an actor?
I think for me, being an actor requiresan incredible amount of resilience
and a deep well of emotional strength.
(08:36):
It's an art form where youwill inevitably face rejection.
I. Often hearing a countless number ofnos that can feel really disheartening.
But what many might not realize isthat these rejections are seldom a
reflection of your talent or hard work.
Sometimes it's simply a matterof being the right fit or not.
Maybe your hair is the wrongcolor or you're too short, or you
(08:56):
remind the director of their scaryex-girlfriend, so on, so on, so on.
Whilst it's not a reflection of yourtalent, it is really hard not to
take these rejections personally.
I think because being an actor?
is so closely tied with not only howyou identify yourself, but often your
physical appearance and characteristics.
So rejection can feel like anattack on your personal self and
(09:19):
leads you to wonder if there'ssomething inherently wrong with you.
If in some way you are not enough.
Those beliefs are so limiting.
You've gotta trust the words of theacclaimed director, Jane Campion, and
know that you are enough just as you are.
So then resilience in this context isknowing that each effort you invest
in contributes to your journey.
(09:40):
Perhaps you just weren't the right matchfor a specific role, but that doesn't
diminish your abilities or your passion.
It's essential to recognizethat the next opportunity could
be just around the corner.
So if you just dust yourself offwith determination and keep faith
in your craft, That's vital.
I also find emotional availabilityis crucial in this field.
(10:00):
Whilst it might be tempting to hardenyourself to the pain of rejection,
it's actually really beneficial toallow yourself to feel that hurt.
Acceptance of those emotionsis part of the process.
There's a quote from Zendayathat really resonates with me.
She shares that the roles you miss out onare just simply not meant for you, and if
you just trust in the universe to bringthe right opportunities your way, that
(10:21):
can provide a lot of comfort and guidance.
When I reflect on my journey,I mean, I've experienced some
really tough rejections last year.
Um, roles I wanted more than anythingslipped through my fingers and it was,
honestly, it was quite heartbreaking.
But then right when I was ready togive up, I landed the role of Anne
Frank, and I realized that thisopportunity was always intended for me.
(10:47):
It's moments like these that remindme that the beauty of perseverance
and the importance of trustingthe path laid out before you.
Each step, whether it leads tosuccess or disappointment, is
just a part of your story and aninvaluable experience on this journey.
So to really thrive as an actor, ittakes an unwavering commitment to your
craft, a wellspring of discipline, and aninsatiable curiosity about life itself.
(11:12):
Every day is a new opportunity torefine your skills and deepen your
understanding of the human experience.
The journey is definitelynot marked by shortcuts.
It requires consistent training and thedetermination to push through challenges
and your personal characteristics andstrength will be your light whether it's
(11:33):
a knack for creativity or a keen sense ofempathy or ability to think critically.
These are the qualities that willfuel your artistic expression.
So if you brace, embrace the idea thatnothing worth having comes easily and
that you bring something unique, somethingdistinctly you to each role you embody.
(11:54):
Your distinctive "you-ness"basically is what makes you special.
Each audition, each practice session,and every moment spent observing
the world around you will then, asa result, contribute to your growth.
So if you just, just be gratefulthese opportunities as well.
I mean, it's not every day thatyou get to act being an actor, it's
(12:15):
like 50% survival job, 40% training,and only really 10% actual acting.
So if you take hold of everyopportunity you get to act and you
start to approach auditions withthis mindset of gratitude like.
How lucky am I to that I get to be thischaracter, even if, just for a moment.
(12:36):
I think that takes someof the pressure off.
Also, be curious, you know, likeimmerse yourself in books, explore
various forms of art and let the storiesof others ignite your imagination.
By studying different perspectives,experiences, you unlock new
layers of understanding thatcan enhance your performances.
Like the cafe, that that becomes yourstage where you draw experience from
(13:01):
all the lives unfolding around you.
You know, acting, it's morethan just memorizing lines.
It's about connecting with theworld and the people in it.
So if you just keep honing thesecreative tools and if you stay dedicated
and embrace the lessons along theway, you let the challenges you face,
strengthen your resolve, guiding youtowards the journey that can await you.
(13:25):
I believe with passion andperseverance, the horizon is bright.
Your dreams, they're there.
They're there within reach.
And although that path may not belinear or easy or maybe sometimes
not even as grand as you imaginedit in your head, it's still possible
That's amazing.
there's a whole suite of thingsin there that are going on.
(13:48):
Which
is.
you, find the easiest to achieve?
None of them, it's, it's a lifelongcommitment to working on these things.
You know, every rejection willsend you back down that path of
self doubt, and you just gotta pickyourself back up again and constantly
(14:09):
remind yourself of these lessons.
I think that's just an inherentpart of being an artist, as well
as being a little bit neurotic.
And you just gotta remind yourself.
'cause these are all things that peoplemuch wiser and much further along than
me have come up with and figured out.
And even they themselves don'talways listen to these ideas.
(14:30):
So it, it's a journey, it's a process.
One that I'm still working on.
Is there an element of being comfortablein your own skin in all of that?
Definitely, you've gotta be verysecure in who you are as a person, even
if you have, you know, insecuritiesor self doubts as we all do.
I think at least if you know yourself,know your own taste, know your own mind,
(14:52):
know your own beliefs, I think thatcan really contribute to a sense of.
Knowing yourself as a holisticperson outside of acting as well.
You gotta know who you are outside ofthe industry 'cause it's so easy to
get lost in this rabbit hole of mess.
It's a messy industry,but if you know who?
(15:13):
you are, then you know your worth.
That's interesting that youdescribe it as a messy industry.
What is it about theindustry that makes it messy
There's so many.
factors at play that are so outside ofthe actual craft, like it's a business.
So you've got the producers that arelooking to get their money's worth.
(15:36):
Uh, they've invested into it.
You've got the directors thathave these certain stakeholders
that they have to appease.
You've got the production companiesthat have certain standards that
they have to meet, and then allthe while trying to appeal to the
audiences and what they're wanting.
And along the way, I thinkthe actual artistry of that
(15:56):
gets a little bit forgotten.
But that's the actor's role.
The actor's role is to be theartist and the artistry, but.
That we quite often don't get to dothat because there's all these other
considerations from all these externalforces trying to fit us into these
boxes where we don't always fit ordon't want to fit, because that's
not the creative juicy bit, you know.
(16:18):
And as you were saying, that creativejuicy bit is in the, in the end, it's
a relatively small amount of the timethat you're actually dealing with this.
It is, which is sadwhen you think about it.
That's why.
Getting to embrace everypossible moment to act.
Even if it's a self tape where you'rereading against yourself or an in room
(16:39):
audition for a role that you don'treally want, you just embrace it.
You just go with it because hey,at least you're not, you know,
working your retail survival job.
You're getting to do what you love.
That's a big payoff compared to.
taking the steps
It's, you know, you only get one life.
Be brave.
Take the steps
(17:00):
and be brave and do what brings you joy.
on your way through, you startedat 10, did you have something
going on that was leading youinto being an actor at that point?
Mom always says, I wasborn to be an actor.
I came out of the wombsinging before I could talk.
Basically, I would hummyself to sleep as a baby.
(17:23):
but I've always acted always.
I think the moment it was most clearwas when I was four years old and
I had my first ever ballet concert.
I just refused to get off thestage and mom was in the audience.
She must have been just absolutelymortified because I'm just sitting
there standing on the stage just doingmy little curtsies and waving at all
(17:47):
the people and she's in the audiencegoing Chloe-Jean get off the stage!
Off the stage now!
I think it was pretty clear from therethat that's what I was meant to be doing.
That feels like you inherently livedand breathed that performance component.
Very much so.
It's been an inherent part of whoI am for as long as I can remember.
(18:11):
I mean, I've always embodied charactersas well, like I remember as a kid
pretending to be boldy the dog.
I was very method over it too.
Like I ate out of abowl, the whole shebang.
And then I moved on to characters frombooks and TV shows that I admired, like
Misty from Pokemon or Guitar from Avatar,the last Airbender, Hermione Granger.
(18:34):
And I would dress as them.
I would copy theirmannerisms, their accents.
And then I got a little bit older andI started to film little mini movies
just on my little handheld camera.
And so then when I was 10and I kind of figured out.
Roughly kind of what that what I wasdoing was actually a real thing and
(18:54):
not just me being a very strange childthat it was a thing called acting.
So I, I begged my mom to put me intoacting classes and then from that very
first class, I just fell in love with it.
In spite of anything that was going on inmy real life, you know, in spite of the
bullying going on at school or whatever,I could just get up on stage or on screen
(19:15):
and I could be whoever I wanted to be.
I could live a thousand different lives.
I think it's been my dream ever since.
That's an amazing dream to have.
We'll have a little break , andwhen we come back from the break.
We will have a talk about what it means.
(19:36):
We've had a look at what it takes,Chloe-Jean to actually be an actor.
Now let's have a look at what it means.
Chloe-Jean, what does it mean toyou, your family or the community
that you are able to be an actor?
I grew up in an environment wherepursuing a career in the arts
wasn't really the norm at school.
(19:58):
The message was really clear.
You focus on practical careersor you start a family early, a
possible path,but it wasn't my dream.
I wanted to study at the WestAustralind Academy of Performing Arts.
I wanted to be an actor.
So every afternoon after school, my familymade countless sacrifices to drive me to
(20:18):
acting classes, singing classes, pianolessons, music theory lessons, you name
it, and there unwavering support it.
It fueled my determination to chasemy dreams despite the obstacles.
I guess I want my journey to serve asa beacon of hope for others, especially
those from underprivileged backgrounds.
And I believe our circumstances,they don't define our potential.
(20:41):
By pursuing my passion, I really hope Ican inspire others to follow their dreams
regardless of where they come from.
I got into WAAPA straight from school,and I've been very, very fortunate to
have had some amazing opportunities since.
This isn't just a personal achievement,but it's proof that perseverance can
lead to incredible opportunities.
If I can break through thebarriers, others can too.
(21:03):
I guess in sharing my story, I canencourage young people to dream
big and pursue their passions.
I don't feel society encouragesthat enough, but it's about
creating a ripple effect.
When one person rises, theycan lift others along the way.
You only get one life, sowhy not spend it doing it?
(21:24):
What sets your heart on fire?
You know, what's the point in living?
If we insist upon mundanity,I'd love to see a world where
creativity is celebrated, showingeveryone that dreams can come
true, no matter the starting point.
So.
Every time I step on stage oron set, I'm just so grateful.
I remember all of the sacrifices madeto get there, and I just strive to
(21:47):
make a positive impact through my art.
I also think about people like AnneFrank, whose dreams were stolen from them.
I really carry her spirit withme as a constant reminder to
cherish my opportunities andto make the most of my voice.
In that way, each step, I take is notjust for myself, but it's for all of
(22:08):
those whose stories deserve to be told.
I really do try toalways honor her memory.
That's always been a focus with mymanuscript, and now that's something
that's constantly at the forefrontof my mind as I start the rehearsal
process for the play, which at thispoint in history, I guess it feels
more important than ever to show thedevastating impacts a state can have.
(22:29):
This production is for all ages, andit's been chosen to coincide with
the first week of the school holidayso that families can attend, which
it's really vital from a pedagogicalperspective as the numbers of
Holocaust survivors fade each year.
It, it's basically up to us, thisnew generation of creatives to keep
the stories of the Holocaust and thelegacy of those that impacted alive.
(22:52):
Anne's father, Otto frank was convincedthat young people needed to be persuaded,
That contributing to a better worldis both necessary and possible.
I mean, He answered thousands ofletters from young people who read
his daughter's diary and he alwaysended his letters with the words.
I hope that Anne's book will havean effect on the rest of your life,
so that insofar as it is possiblein your own circumstances, you
(23:15):
will work for unity and peace.
We cannot change what happened anymore,but we can learn from the past and
realize what discrimination andpersecution of innocent people means.
So that's, that's how the diary is,not just this vital pedagogical tool,
but I guess it also ensures Anne'sstory continues to be told so that
(23:36):
she may live on after death, just asshe wished, not just A Holocaust story
that's such a common misconception.
Anne teaches us how to live.
Personally, I'm reminded about how luckyI am to live freely, experience life.
I mean, there are so many thingsthat Anne would've loved to do
that she never got the chance.
(23:57):
I'm determined to live them for her.
You leave Anne's diary witha renewed sense of hope.
This place for anyone feeling lost orlonely or down or stuck, you'll come out
of it thinking not of all the misery,but of the beauty that still remains.
It's amazing how.
one person's story can driveso much good in the world.
(24:20):
She's a remarkable, shewas a remarkable writer.
It was such a waste.
For people who want to act,there's an ability to do good.
How do people connect with that?
It's not an obligation I suppose.
I don't want people to feel that that'sthe kind of actor that they have to be.
(24:42):
But I think that it's a beautifulthing that we have the opportunity
to do to affect change in the world,or to tell people's stories that
they never got to tell themselves.
So I think it's just a matter of findthe stories that resonate with you.
Find what.
(25:03):
You are passionate about what you feelis worth telling what you believe, in.
and I think if you'retelling things from that.
honest place, then you're gonna affectchange anyway, because we all have a
story inside of us that's worth telling.
And if you show up as your authenticself and just tell that story,
(25:24):
you're already, you're doing good.
It is so important to use your voice.
It is.
We've been given one for a reason.
We need to stand up andremember how to speak.
You mentioned earlier about thesacrifices that your family put in.
How has your ability to act,impacted on your family?
(25:45):
I just have the most supportive family?
you could possibly imagine.
I grew up with a singlemother who, herself.
She used to act and she was inmusical theater and she did Johnny
Young and she was on telethon.
She's an amazing performer herself.
She stopped pursuing it,unfortunately, it's a
(26:05):
shame 'cause she's probably alot more talented than I am.
but her whole drive is just to support me.
She doesn't ask for anything in return.
She doesn't want anything inreturn other than my happiness.
And I think that's such a beautiful.
Selfless thing.
You don't see that with a lot of families.
I'm so blessed.
(26:27):
Basically, her and nanny, my grandmother,who's the other member of my family
that have, has really helped me.
They only care about my happiness mywellbeing, me following my dreams.
They've always encouraged me to follow my
dreams between myself.
They've really instilled that in me.
So I don't think I've necessarily.
Helped them with my acting assuch, I wish, I'd love to be one
(26:51):
of those success stories that
makes it really big in Hollywoodand can buy their mom a house or
a car or something as a thank you.
Maybe one day.
Maybe that's something to strivefor, some way to repay them.
Although I don't think there isany way to repay them because
they've just done so much for me.
But I'd love to try.
that's a, a worthy thing to aim for.
(27:12):
I like to think so.
What does the community getout of people who are actors?
Communities should be filled withdiverse people from all walks of life.
I think having secular communities, likeall with people that are the same in them.
It's boring.
(27:33):
You don't learn anything from that.
You don't.
What's the point in living witheveryone who's just the same as you?
You know, if we have diversity, if we havepeople that pursue different things to us
or have different interests or differentlife experiences, we become a better,
more rounded human beingjust by knowing them.
(27:54):
I think it's all about, I guess,contributing to people's own
internal landscape of experiences.
And we're great.
We're funny to be around as well.
Now we can.
We're like the life of the party.
Invite us do an accent.
You'll have a laugh.
It'll be great.
(28:14):
So you can bring so much joy to the world.
joy and hope and humor andwarmth, and can teach people about
themselves, help people reflect onthemselves and their experiences.
You can help people heal.
They can help people feel seen.
I think that's really important as well.
We don't.
(28:35):
We sometimes feel so alone, but if anactor's there conveying something that
you've experienced on stage or on screen,you go, Hey, I, I've experienced that.
That's like me.
I'm not just a void alone in this scaryworld that that's a person that's like me.
I think that's important.
(28:55):
Yes.
humans are creatures that reallyneed to have a community around them.
It's
a tribal thing almost, whereif you are kicked out of the
tribe, probably didn't survive
back
in the day.
How boring.
Would that tribe be as well?
If everyone wanted to hunt and noone wanted to tell stories, or no
(29:18):
one wanted to look after the trees,you've gotta have someone doing a bit
of everything in order to be a fullyfunctioning, fully thriving community.
Absolutely.
We've had a good look atwhat it means to be an actor.
Let's have a break now, and after thebreak we'll have a look at how you do it.
(29:44):
We've had a look at what it meansfor Chloe-Jean to be an actor.
Now let's have a look at how you do it.
Chloe-Jean, how would someonebecome an actor these days?
I would love to say that there isa magic wand that you can pick up.
And you can wave it and you can go,I wish I could be a famous actor in
(30:06):
Hollywood in all of the movies andthat that dream would come true.
I really wish because Iwould wave that wand myself.
Currently, there is no one formula or paththat guarantees you success as an actor.
And I'm still learning and figuringthings out for myself, but I guess
I. These are some of the things thatI've learned from my journey thus
(30:27):
far, and gleaned from my much moreexperienced mentors over the years.
So if you wanna be an actor, definitelyconsider formal training and acting.
Know.
Look, look for your local actingclasses, workshops, drama schools,
learn from experienced teachers.
If you learn from experienced teachers,this can provide you with valuable
(30:47):
techniques and insights, which.
I know nowadays in the culture ofTikTok and having people be discovered
off social media and casting directorsprivileging, casting like real people
with real experiences that this oftengoes kind of undervalued in the industry.
But I think if you're treating itas a craft and as a discipline and
(31:08):
something that you want longevityin or something that you respect,
you should definitely train.
You are not gonna be a doctor overnight.
You go to medical school and you learn howto be a doctor, I think the same gravitas
should be given to acting as well.
From that same vein, just practice,practice, practice, practice, practice.
(31:32):
Like any art form, like any skill.
Acting improves with practice.
So, I mean, there's somany ways you can do this.
You can join local theater groupsor do community productions.
You can participate in student films.
You can film self tapes at home,that's a really great way to do it
'cause that's, you know, nice andcomfy in your comfort zone at home.
(31:53):
You don't even have to leavethe house and watch them back.
Watching yourself is invaluable.
You can see, particularly on camera,'cause cameras, it's so close in
your face and it very much focuseson that really uber realistic genre.
You can see where you're doing weirdthings, where you've forgotten how to
be a human, because I promise you, assoon as the camera goes in your face,
(32:15):
you will forget how to be a human.
It just happens.
But this, it will hone your skills.
It will build your resume and alsobuild your confidence, which is really
important because a confident actor isan actor that can make exciting choices.
Interesting choices, bold choices.
The kind of choices that are gonna get younoticed when you go into an audition room.
(32:38):
You've gotta surround yourselfwith aspiring actors, filmmakers,
creatives, artists, just anyonein the creative industry.
You know, attend acting workshops, goto film festivals, industry events,
building community is really important.
It's a very isolating industry.
You can feel very alone, particularlywhen you're working a survival job and.
(33:00):
Their lives are so different to yoursand you feel like a failure because
they've bought their big house andyou are still trying to be an actor.
You need to have your friends that arealso just trying to be an actor that
you can commiserate with and celebrate
with.
Plus, you learn so much from studyingand talking to people around you.
(33:21):
They're your best resources,like Glean every little nugget
that you can from them possible.
Audition and audition fearlessly.
I, I know auditions feel reallyintimidating, but they're a
crucial part of the journey.
So prepare as best as you canand remember that each audition
is just a learning experience.
Just be bold, be brave, befearless, and be authentic.
(33:45):
Always be authentic.
Bring yourself yourtrue self to every role.
Authenticity will alwaysresonate with audiences.
Just stay grounded in who youare while exploring your diverse
characters, because your uniqueperspective is your most powerful tool.
And celebrate.
Celebrate every step.
Appreciate your progress no matterhow small, teeny, tiny infantisimal
(34:10):
little progress, oh, I said thatword in a German accent today.
Great.
Celebrate that because that's a big deal.
Each role, each practicesession, every audition counts.
If you celebrate your growth and thejoy that acting brings into your life,
you can't ask anything more of yourself.
You would do all thesethings and you're an actor.
(34:31):
You don't have to beworking to be an actor.
You just have to bepracticing to be an actor.
That's what I would take away from this.
I think actors, we feel like I'mnot a real actor because I'm not
on Home and Away, or I've notdone a TVC or I've not been paid.
Are you auditioning?
(34:51):
Are you rehearsing?
Are you going to class?
Are you absorbing the world aroundyou and being creative and how
you're looking at the world?
Are you putting on differentskins while you're out and about
if you're doing those things?
Congratulations, you're an actor.
That's all it takes, and I.
guess if you're interested in beinglike me and becoming a keeper of
(35:15):
forgotten stories, there's notmuch you have to do for that.
All you have to really do is be ready andlisten when they reveal themselves to you.
So forgotten story.
So the story of Anne Frank is one thatyou're working with at the moment.
Are there others that you'vebeen involved in as well?
A couple of, similar productions in thesense I did another Holocaust movie a
(35:37):
few years ago, fading Numbers, which hasbeen used by the education department
to promote better Holocaust education.
I'd argue probably that anyHolocaust story is a forgotten story.
I did another feature film Heretics, whichfocused on, one of the pilgrims in the
early eighth century, I believe it was.
(36:00):
that was really interesting.
You don't hear a lot about howfar back antisemitism goes, and
that was really interesting tosee how the crusades affected the
native Jewish people at the time.
And then there's our Australind ChildMigrants, that's another piece that I'm
kind of got puttering on in the backgroundmyself at the moment that I'm writing.
(36:24):
The forgotten stories and every littlecrack and crevice, particularly in
Australia, you just have to find them.
They're hidden, so like they'reright out there in your face.
I guess some of them are, AnneFrank's pretty in your face.
Not many people really know her full storymind, which is sad, but I think that's
(36:46):
gonna be one of the great things aboutthis production being the first time that
it's shown to West Australian audiencesis it's gonna educate a lot of people.
They're gonna come out of it andthey're gonna know Anne Frank's story.
They're gonna know Why the Holocaustwas so horrendous, what a waste it
was to kill an innocent 15-year-oldgirl, and why we need to stop
(37:09):
these atrocities happening again.
I'm really excited for that.
We've just started rehearsals yesterday,I think it was, yeah, yesterday, go
on in a couple of weeks, April 15 to19 at the State Theater Center, which
I've never performed in before, soI'm really excited about that too.
Congratulations on landing that role.
(37:29):
That's, an amazingly wellaligned role for you.
Thank you.
I honestly couldn'tbelieve it when it came up.
Mom sent it to me and I literallyjust typed her message back straight
away going, this is my role.
I just knew it was, it was right,and it was the right timing as well.
And I'm just so grateful to DrewAnthony, who's our director for
(37:52):
giving me this opportunity andfor trusting me with Ann's story.
He's honestly amazing.
Like if anyone comes and seesthe show, like he is the absolute
heart of this production, and mycast members as well are just.
It is so insanely talented, like crazy,crazy talented, and the nicest human
beings as well, who are really, theyhave so much care for this story.
(38:16):
I was really taken aback at our tableread yesterday by the responsibility
that they all feel in telling thisstory as authentically as possible.
So I'm, I'm just so lucky.
I'm so lucky.
What an opportunity.
It's beautiful.
It really is.
Thank you very much for beingon Forrest.Chat, Chloe-Jean,
I loved, thank you.
(38:36):
Having me.
Such a fun opportunity.
All Forrest.Chat listeners, wish youall the best with your future endeavors.
Thank you and come see the show!
You've been listening to Forrest Chat.
Where we talk about individual endeavorin Western Australia, what it takes,
what it means, and how you do it.
(38:58):
I'm your host, Paul van der Mey, and intoday's episode we've been talking with
Chloe-Jean Vincent about being an actor.
Remember, there are four ways toget involved with Forrest.Chat,
Share the domain Forrest.Chat with yourfriends and family and people you meet.
You get advanced notice of the episodeswhen you subscribe to the email list.
(39:20):
Listen to the episodes atForrest.Chat slash episodes.
If you or someone you knowdoes something interesting.
Book an interview atForrest.Chat slash interview.
If you'd like to support asmall business book an advert
at Forrest.Chat slash advert.
I'm looking forward to joiningyou with our next guest.
(39:41):
Until then, enjoy making it happen.
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