Kayla Mason enrolled at Pace University to study theater, but she didn’t expect to land her first film role while still on campus.
Mason plays a part in “When Harry Tries to Marry,” an independent film partially shot at Pace using some of the students at the New York City university.
The film, which uses the university as a backdrop, employed roughly 20 Pace students for speaking parts as well as professor Grant Kretchik - in three different roles, no less.
WWTW checked in with Mason about her first film experience and how the role helped convince her she’s on the right career path.
WWTW: Tell me a little bit about yourself and your acting aspirations.
KM: I grew up in Woodstock, NY with my very supportive parents and two younger sisters. I have spent the better part of my life in theater. From age 6, I attended the New York Conservatory for the Arts (NYCA) taking Tap Dancing, Jazz Dancing, Ballet, Pointe, Acting, and Voice lessons. I was in three or more productions a years with them and they helped me grow into a passionate performer.
As I said, I started in theater, but I have wanted to act in film for years and was just waiting for an opportunity to arise. Performing is the thing that keeps me going. Its like a drug, if you get hooked, that’s it. And baby, I got hooked.
WWTW: How did you get involved with the film … and what was the audition process like?
KM: One of my professors [Grant Kretchik] was involved with the film from an early stage, so when they started looking for people to play bit parts, he immediately looked to his students. He called me one day and asked if I could go in to read the next day and it just so happened I could!
I was the first person of several from my school to arrive and began conversing with the writer of the film, Ralph Stein. He was very laid back and excited about the project, not at all intimidating. I was in a show that night and told him I needed to leave soon-ish. He had me read for Stripper #1 with two different people and then had me do a second scene as the Stripper.
He kept asking me if I could stay longer and having me read again. Finally, he spoke to the director and decided to read me for the part of Jaklyn, the Sexy Ukrainian Exchange Student. He was very pleased with my impromptu accent and my take on the character.
The next day I got a call asking if I would take the role of Stripper #1 and I was ecstatic! I had been cast in a movie! Then, not two days later, I recieved a slew of text messages from Ralph telling me that I had been bumped up to the role of Jaklyn and trying to convince me that it was a better role! I was so excited to have been cast in a film that I would’ve been happy with the Stripper role, but this was amazing! I had a name!
WWTW: What can you share about your character, and how did you prepare for the role?
KM: Jaklyn is a sexy, red-hot, devilish, outgoing, beautiful temptress who knows how to use her assets to get what she wants. She is from the Ukraine and has a habit of preying on American boys. Jaklyn is very sexually driven and is not used to being turned down. To prepare for this role, I channeled my inner sex-kitten. When ever I was on set, I had to let all of my inhibitions go and just be as much of a tease as possible. It was really a lot of fun especially being that we live in a society where that kind of behavior is considered taboo. I put a lot of my own sexual self into her and when I added the Russuan accent and fluffy Slavic hat, she came to life.
WWTW: Was the experience what you anticipated … and what surprised you about the shoot?
KM: I have made a lot of my own films and I have been in my friends’ films - all of them VERY low budget and never refined, so boy, was I surprised when I discovered that this was a “real” movie. I figured I’d have to do my own make-up and hair and and find my own costumes, but they had a very talented make-up artist, hair stylist, and costume designer there every time they shot!
And if you needed something, someone would go and get it for you! I also had no idea that there would be so many people on set. The main thing I was worried about with film acting was not having an audience, but there is a huge audience right there! I could definitely get use to this.
WWTW: Did shooting a scene with your professor give you extra confidence … or was it nerve wracking to work alongside him?
KM: It definitely gave me extra confidence. He’s really talented and great to work with. At first I was afraid that it might be awkward because his character and mine had a bit of a flirtatious interaction, but it went well and he played right along with me! He’s one of those professors who really good at what he does, so you can hang out with as a friend and respect as a teacher.
WWTW: Did you emerge from the shoot with a greater passion for acting?
KM: Absolutely. I went away with a renewed sense of excitement. This is a whole new world of acting that I didn’t know I had the ability to pursue and I am so thankful that I was given this opportunity. I cant wait for my career in film to start!
(Photo: Pace University student and aspiring actress Kayla Mason)
Related posts:
I'm an award-winning journalist and film critic with more than a decade of experience in newspapers, magazines and the Web. I'm a member of both the Washington, DC Area Film Critics Association and the Denver Film Critics Society.
{ 0 comments… add one now }