I recently got the chance to talk to Raquel Werner about her role in ’21 And Over’. Here, Raquel talks about how she got involved in the project and what it was like working with the cast and crew on-set…
Hey Raquel. Thanks for taking the time out to talk to me about your new film, ’21 And Over’.
No, Thank You!! I am very excited to help out on your blog.
What’s the general plotline surrounding the film?
I will try not to tell too much because I don’t want to spoil the movie. There are three college buddies that haven’t seen each other in a while and one of the guys is turning 21, so his best friends decide to make it a birthday never to forget. Lets just say they know how to have a good time, but kinda get into some trouble on the way.
Tell us a bit about the character you play in the movie…
I play a Latina sorority sister and my character is all about her sisterhood and she will do anything to protect her sisters. There is some revenge for sure though.
How did you get involved in the project in the first place?
Funny story actually… I was hired just for one day behind the scenes as a production assistant. Well there was this woman who was looking for a scanner to print some paper I had no idea who she was because it was the first day on set, anyways she was the script supervisor and she was so happy that I helped her. The next day I get a call from the 2nd AD and she said, “Did you help a woman last night with the scanner?” Well I guess she liked me so much that I got hired for the whole movie! As I was on set everyday one of the producers was like, “Hey Raquel, you look Latina – want to be in the movie?” and of course I said, “YES!”
How would you say this film is different and unique?
Well, from the movie trailer it might just look like another college movie but it’s not just about that. It’s about friendship and how to have a good time once in a while, don’t let people control your career, do what you want to do basically. It’s about not living your life for others.
The film stars Miles Teller, Skylar Astin, Justin Chon, Sarah Wright, Jonathan Keltz, Francois Chau, Russell Hodgkinson, Daniel Booko and Russell Mercado – with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore onboard as directors – what was it like working with the cast and crew on-set? Any good anecdotes?
This was the first time that Jon and Scott directed a movie and it was hilarious the whole time on set. They were really understanding for new actors and extras. They treated the crew great! I love the Seattle crew, they are my close friends. I think they did an awesome job as well. Miles (Teller) was so funny; it was so hard not to laugh when the cameras were rolling. Skyler (Astin) was always singing on set. Justin (Chon) was such a sweetheart and also funny. Sarah (Wright) is definitely a sweetheart in person and her character. I really had a great experience on this movie. I also met amazing people on this movie. It was exciting working next to the stunt crew. The action scenes were just so amazing and fun!
Let’s talk a bit about you Raquel. What made you want to get into the acting industry in the first place?
Well, as long as I can remember any time my parents were video taping us kids I wanted to be in front of the camera all the time. I hardy would ever let anybody get in front of the camera. When my parents asked me want I wanted to be when I grew up, it was always something different. So I decided that I was going to be an actress because you can be someone different all the time. When I got out of high school I was working a really good job at a cell phone company and I quit my job to work behind the scenes because I wanted to learn everything about the movie industry. But deep down in my heart I wanted to be in front of the camera. Not to get rich and famous, but I want people to come up to me one day and say that movie changed my life and to know I was part of that feeling. It just motivates me to try to be a better actress.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to pursue a career in the industry?
One of my favourite actors Tyler Perry once said, “If there isn’t a day that goes by that you don’t think about acting then it’s meant for you”. Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you can’t do something because you can. You have to have faith and believe in yourself because if you don’t believe in yourself then who is? Nothing is impossible period. You have to work on your craft. I think if it’s in your heart do it! That’s what my heart tells me. You have to really want it and you have to stay positive. Positive attracts positive. It’s like a magnet.
What’s currently on your I-Pod right now?
Wow, I listen to all kinds of music from classical, jazz, country, pop, oldies, Motown. I have been in a phase with Louis Armstrong lately. I listen to him like everyday. I listen to Mumford and Sons, Maroon 5, Adele, Carrie Underwood, Lady Gaga. Katy Perry, No Doubt, The Killers, Muse, Ne-Yo, Usher, Beethoven, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Deadmau5, Cold Play , The Fray and Kings of Leon. The list just goes on and on. I’m very open when it comes to music.
If you could have dinner with three guests – (living or dead), who would you choose and why?
This is an easy question to answer. All three are my inspiration for wanting to pursue this career as an actress and keeping grounded. I never want to lose who I am inside.
First I would say Tyler Perry because I would love to work with him as he has motivated me in so many ways. I’ve been through very similar things as Tyler. There is a video of him that really got to me and in the video he said, “Its nothing but the grace of God, all you can do is plant your seed”. That’s what I am doing now is working on my craft and planting my seed. I really look up to him in the movie industry. I would really like to learn from him and I would want to tell him how much he has helped me to my faith in this industry.
My second choice would be Will Smith. I watch all of his Words Of Wisdom videos. I really admire when he talks because he is such a smart and intelligent man outside of his acting. I watch his videos because it motivates me to be a better actress. He once said you might be talented but you have to work on your craft everyday. I think I can learn a lot from him and I would want to pick his brain to ask him how does he get into character. I love that he can be so versatile in his movies from comedy to drama and action.
And my third choice would be Tim Tebow and to be quite honest I didn’t know too much about Tim at first, all I knew was that he was a quarterback in the NFL who everyone was talking about and he was a man of faith. I came across some charity foundations that I wanted to get involved with, then I found out that Tim has five foundations for children. I was so amazed it blew me away. I was so impressed by the kind of foundations he started. So I did some research about him, (even started reading his biography) and I love that he is so involved with children. He really loves helping and visiting sick children and making a difference in their lives and spreading the word of God. He is definitely a role model. I look up to him. I hope one day I can start a charity foundation of my own.
Which film was your favourite of 2012 and why?
This is a hard one but I’m going to have to say ‘Lawless’. I think they picked such an amazing cast. I love the story line and the time frame. I admire movies that are based on a true story it has more meaning to it. Shia LaBeouf is such a phenomenal actor I like all his movies. Tom Hardy really surprised me with his southern accent, he did a great job. Jessica Chastain is my new favourite actress right now. I think that she has come far and I really admire her work.
What’s coming up for you in 2013?
Right now I’m just promoting my new movie, ‘Nothing Against Life’. It’s a story based in Seattle and about four strangers that don’t know each other but they are struggling with life and want to end it all. I play a character that loves to have a good time, super loud and doesn’t care what people think about her.
I am just trying to take as many acting classes as I can right now and just working on my craft.
Thanks for the interview!
Matt J. Horn 