Actress
Ashley Park is fresh off of winning a Miss Asia USA pageant and sits
down to chat with Dan's Movie Report about her recent projects,
pageant win, and upcoming films in 2016.
I
read in your great interview in Search My Trash website that you were
very athletic when you were younger. What were some of the sports you
participated in?
Yes,
I was a competitive athlete for many years. I ran cross country and
track for my high school. I won multiple state championships and set
some records in both cross country and track. I was also on my high
school swim team. I went on to run cross country and track on a
scholarship at the University of Oklahoma before I transferred to the
University of Arkansas to compete as a Lady Razorback.
I
saw recently you have been doing beauty pageants. Perhaps share some
behind the scenes stories from the beauty pageant world.
Miss
Asia USA is actually my first pageant! I was scouted to apply for the
pageant, and seeing what a great opportunity it was, I decided to
accept the honor and challenge. I was then designated the title of
Miss Korea USA 2015, and I was fortunate enough to win the title of
Miss Asia USA this past Saturday. It was a great honor for me to have
represented Korea. I have to say that participating in this pageant
was one of the best experiences of my life, and I have made some
wonderful new friends in the process.
What
are some of the pressures you have being a contestant in a pageant?
Competing
in anything is going to demand a certain amount of determination,
discipline and dedication. There is more to competing in a pageant
than meets the eye. Being a contestant reminded me not only of my
previous athletic and academic competitions, but also the
ever-competitive Hollywood industry.
You
mentioned you are analytical about characters you play in films. Do
you ever read a script and adjust the character in your mind before
filming?
Yes,
I am a very analytical person, so naturally, that translates into
every area of my life. In order to take on a character truthfully,
every actor has to look for clues in the script that help define the
character. Then you have to make choices that work for you while
remaining true to the circumstances of the story. It’s important to
already have made your choices when you show up to set, but I think
it’s equally as important to be flexible so that you can react and
be present in each moment of every scene. And the director and other
actors may throw you a curveball at times! You have to be ready for
that.
Share
a story from the set of 'All American Bikini Car Wash'.
We
had such a great time on set! The chemistry of the cast was amazing,
and we all had a blast shooting this film in Las Vegas. Having the
opportunity to travel together was such a great bonding experience.
While the weather was generally mild and sunny, we had a rather
unfortunate day while shooting the car wash scenes outdoors. It was
incredibly cold that day, with no sun and a random thunderstorm that
blew through our set. In between takes, we were all huddled around a
tiny heater in the corner in a rather sad attempt to stay warm. When
it was time to shoot, we’d stay wrapped in robes and blankets until
the very moment the cameras turned on. Now that I look back on it, we
must have been quite a funny sight to behold!
What
are your thoughts on nudity in film, if given the chance to play a
complex character and as part of the story she had to disrobe, would
that be in tune with your ideas?
Nudity
can be a part of a complex character in a film, especially when it’s
included as an integral part of the story. As the reigning Miss Asia
USA and a proud representative of Korea, I take my responsibility as
a role model for young women seriously, so nudity is not in the cards
for me.
When
is Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter going to be released? Looks like a
cool project. Can you shed a bit more light on your character
Rhianna? Is she a fighter?
Rogue
Warrior: Robot Fighter will be released in early 2016. It stars
talented actress Tracey Birdsall, who is also the producer. Neil
Johnson is the director, and I was fortunate enough to be cast to
play the integral role of Rhianna. Yes, I would definitely say that
Rhianna is a fighter and a survivor, using every tool known to man
(and artificial intelligence!) to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic
world.
Back
to the beauty pageant world. Is there some camaraderie in the pageant
world or is it more everyone for themselves?
It’s
a competitive environment, for sure. However, I found that many of
the women I have met while participating in Miss Asia USA are not
only gorgeous, but also kindhearted, intelligent women who radiate
with beauty from the inside out. I have definitely made a few friends
for life.
How
about new projects after Rogue Warrior? What is on the horizon for
2016?
I
am preparing to shoot a new sci-fi film in late January. I am very
excited about this project, and will be taking on the role of Kat. As
soon as I read the script, I knew I had to get the part. The film is
called Trapdoor, and it’s a desert sci-fi that blends elements of
action, horror and adventure. Another feature film I was in is being
released in early 2016, called Day for Night. It’s a film noir
starring many wonderful actors, including Peter Bogdanovich, Lin
Shaye and Sally Kirkland. I am currently working on multiple
projects, and am preparing to shoot three web series in early 2016 as
well.
What
charitable organizations do you support?
I
worked alongside my mother for over a decade helping to hand out food
to the homeless every Saturday. It's an area that is very near and
dear to my heart. I am also a big fan of Mercy For Animals, and have
worked with them quite a few times over the years.
Wrapping up, what advice for young aspiring models and actresses, is there something you wish someone in the biz would have told you before you started that you can think of to tell people just getting started?
My advice for young people would be to study. Study everything, and become a master of your craft in every way. I was so anxious to get started before I was ready, and it really shows in some of my projects. So many people told me to go learn on set, and to take any project that comes along as a learning experience. I really don’t recommend that, because you have to live with that footage for the rest of your life. It won’t go away. I think that the classroom is the best place to hone your skills, and that actors should wait until they’re truly ready to step onto a set.
Check out Ashley on her IMDB page @ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3844430/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
