2016 - Stephanie Martini from RADA to the Emerald City - 1883 magazine interview

As soon as I meet Stefanie Martini, I can’t help but notice her incredible energy – enthusiastic, open and incredibly sincere. I can only imagine what the young actress is like to watch on screen, which this year we will be seeing a lot of.

This weekend, ITV will premiere Doctor Thorne, an adaptation of the novel of the same title.

Martini stars in it as Mary Thorne - a girl blessed with every gift - apart from money. When I ask Martini what it was like to play Mary, she tells me that she was a fantastic woman to play because she is so strong even with the restrictions placed on her as an eighteen century woman.

By the end of our conversation, I am well aware of the characters Martini wants to play and take on – the one’s that will challenge her. In the later part of 2016, she will star in Emerald City, a modern re-imagination of the Wizard of Oz, directed by Tarsem Singh.  

The first question I want to ask you about is your time at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, how was that?

First of all, I had the best time, I thought it was incredible and I couldn’t fault it. It was perfect for me, it kind of pushed me and I had so much help, the tutors were wonderful and they pay a lot of attention to you as a person - so that you push and grow and they know where you need to develop and where you are playing it safe and how to get you out of that.

Did you always want to be an actress, I know you said about illustration…

No, I didn’t…. Well I am rusty at illustration now, secretly I always wanted to be an actress.

Did you have to find the confidence to say, I want to be an actress?

Yes! I am from the middle of nowhere in Somerset and because you don’t see anyone and there are no plays it seemed difficult. There was the Bristol Vic, but you don’t have the same kind of culture around you, as you would have if you grew up in London or Manchester. Acting seemed like a far away and unattainable goal.

You were in Endeavour? Tell me about that and your character?

I was still in my third year at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and it was my first show - it was lovely, the cast were really supportive. It was an Inspector Morse style show – set in the 60s, kind of a ‘who dunnit.’ My character was quite weird. Georgina May was very wealthy and she and her family lived in a big house in the country – they were very privileged. They were like wild animals. A rich family, the children didn’t do anything and mummy and daddy left them to their own devices - for me personally I would have been so bored.

Have you had any favourite actors that you’ve worked with?

Sean Evans who was in Endeavour. I can’t speak highly enough of him, he is so hard working and was so nice to me because I had a lot of crying scenes. That was hard and I had to let all my tears go in one rehearsal, and I had to cry in the middle of a scene so it is not like I could have faked it.

How did the role come around for Doctor Thorne?

I had two auditions and I didn’t expect to get much of a role. I was so broke at the time, my card was declined when buying coffee and I had to pay my rent in a week and I was in tears. And then, I got a call, saying they wanted me for Doctor Thorne. It is such a beautiful story, the director was great. I was so happy.

Can you talk to me about the character you play - Mary Thorne? She sounds like the opposite to your endeavour character - Georgina Mortmaigne.

She is poor compared to her extended family, which was a big deal when there was so much importance on your social status. That would be the main difference. Her uncle was a doctor, and they had enough to live on but they certainly weren’t rich. She couldn’t afford the dresses to go to all the wealthy parties. She was practical, sensible and economic – due to having no mother figure. She is very down to earth and naturally a humble person.

Are you like Mary as a person?

She is much nicer than I am, she is much more down the centre than me, we have strength in common, I care about people in my life and she is the same. And she sees the good in people, which I do but she is also more practical and sensible than I am. I mean, I could be her, if I was born then. She was nice to play. She has got restraints in her life due to the time and her thoughts are always on other people.

We ask everyone we feature to do to a quick sketch, can you give us a drawing of you in character in Doctor Thorne?

Are there any characters you’re drawn to play? 
I want to play real parts, I hate the girlfriend parts in films, I am bored by them. Mary is not a girlfriend part, she is her own entity. I love that, I want to be challenged, I want to do all the accents, wear loads of wigs and everything. I want to do as much as possible.

Is it Harvey Weinstein who produced it?

Yes, he is amazing! I didn’t meet him but I know he had a big part in casting me.

Which is an incredible honour and it is so amazing that I know it is going to be on in America.

They love sort of period drama things too don’t they?

Yes.

It airs in March?

On Mother’s Day, I will watch it with my mum I think, my family watched Endeavour before me, so they will watch this together. It would be nice to watch Dr Thorne with my mum. It spans for three episodes, one a week on a Sunday.

You’ve done quite a lot of TV series, is that a strength? Is theatre something you want to do?

I love theatre. I had a lot of training in it and if you talk to any actor about the theatre, it is as though you go on a journey with the audience. What is phenomenal to actors is the nerves of opening night - they measured the adrenaline levels of one of the actors on opening night and it is the same adrenaline as when someone walks in front of a car. I love theatre, you have rehearsals, and try things out and make mistakes and organically the character progresses.

This leads me on to you next project for later this year, the TV series Emerald City, billed as a dark and sexy Wizard of Oz. I know you are still filming and plot is being kept under wraps for now but what can you reveal about the show?

Yes it’s all very secret but I can reveal that Mirror Mirror director Tarsem Singh is directing it. He is incredible. The sets for this series are visually stunning, so striking. What I love about this production is that there are different types of worlds within the worlds. You really feel like you are in a real environment. The costumes, hair and makeup are all beautiful.

Have you received any advice on the set of Emerald City? Is it intimidating being around such experienced actors?

I really admire Sean Evans from Endeavour and Vincent D’Onofrio who plays The Wizard in Emerald City. They have both been so incredible and supportive, they know that I am young and this is all new to me, they’ve given me many tips. For example, I was filming this tough scene with Vincent for Emerald City where I was rushing my lines, he told me just to slow things down and take time to breathe – it really helped. No doubt though it can be intimidating watching the more experienced actors, they are so precise.

What TV series are you watching at the moment?

Breaking Bad, How To Get Away With Murder, The Affair and Friends, obviously.

Emma Watson makes the point there aren’t enough empowered female characters to play such as her role as Hermione in Harry Potter, what’s your take on this?

I feel lucky because the roles I have played, the women have all been strong but I would have to agree with Emma. Female roles shouldn’t just be strong though, it’s about increasing the number of different types of characters women can play. Women don’t centre their lives around men, yet, there are so many films like that, where you see an amazing actress looking incredible who just say a few lines. But I do believe you can make a part your own, it’s getting better, slowly but surely.

I am a massive Harry Potter fan and what was great about Hermione is that love didn’t come into it until the end, she was there being badass and the cleverest of the trio. I love the TV show Girls too and the female comedy element to it. I watched Sisters with Tina Fey and Amy Poeler and there was no mention at all about a husband or a boyfriend, it didn’t matter to the story or the characters identity. There still needs to be more variety in roles for women, films generally are still white men focused.

Very true, the Oscars race debate highlights that once again…

I think that is a huge subject but I do believe it lies in the work being offered. I believe there will be changes though. It is such a complex argument.

So what to do you have planned next?


To sleep, to chill out before work starts again this April. It was good to have time off in middle of Emerald City, but it still drove me crazy.

Catch Stefanie in Doctor Thorne on ITV at 9pm on 6th March.

Interview by Laurie Truman
www.laurietrueman.co.uk

Photography Joupin Ghamsari
www.joupinghamsari.viewbook.com

MUA Jason Crozier @ Soho Management
www.sohomanagement.co.uk

Shot at Lights of Soho
www.lightsofsoho.com

Zoe Saldana Cover Shoot - Behind the Scenes and photoshoot -1883 magazine

Zoe Saldana Cover Shoot - Behind the Scene

We go behind the scenes on the cover of The Odyssey issue with Zoe Saldana.  On the roof tops over looking NYC at the Dream Downtown Hotel Directed by Rhys Frampton Camera operator Dean Alexander Production by Two wheel trike  Edited by Adam Fitch Cheers Rhys

Published on 12 Jun 2013

We go behind the scenes on the cover of The Odyssey issue with Zoe Saldana. On the roof tops over looking NYC at the Dream Downtown Hotel
Directed by Rhys Frampton
Camera operator Dean Alexander
Production by Two wheel trike
Edited by Adam Fitch Cheers Rhys

The Odyssey Issue It’s time to go boldly into unknown and exciting territories as 1883 takes you on a voyage with some of the biggest names around. Gracing our cover this issue is the unstoppable Zoe Saldana who has recently made her return to outer space in Star Trek Into Darkness. We hung out with the fiery lady in NYC to talk about her skyrocketing career and her constant evolution as one of Hollywood’s hottest names.  The Odyssey Issue is in store and available to buy online here. Directed by Rhys Frampton Camera operator Dean Alexander Production by Two wheel trike  Edited by Dean Alexander

Jenna Coleman is the actress of the moment - interview and photos with 1883 magazine

Jenna Coleman is the actress of the moment – in demand, in the papers and about to burst back onto our screens in a brand new series of Doctor Who. Treading the boards since she was 19, she bagged her first TV role before even auditioning for drama school, and hasn’t looked back since with leading roles in Emmerdale and Doctor Who, plus a Hollywood superhero film to boot. With a brand new TV project playing the 18-year-old Queen Victoria about to go into production, I grabbed her during a rare break from work to chat about new skills, Matt Smith’s funny walk and why if Jenna has her way HRH Queen Victoria may well be a paragliding monarch… Doctor Who is a bit of a British institution isn’t it? Has playing Clara totally changed your life? Yes, in ways you wouldn’t expect. My personal life has changed, but it’s what you end up doing on a day-to-day basis that’s really different. The imaginative nature of the storytelling becomes your reality – green screens, running away from monsters and being put on wires and hung upside down. I’ve kind of entered an alternative universe, every time I come back to London I’m hit by reality! So how did you get started as an actress? I did loads of plays at school, and started to dance when I was really young – but I gave that up when I was about 16 as I realised I wanted to act. I was involved with a theatre company, and we used to travel up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and put on loads of plays and perform as much as we could. Did you have a plan B? When I was younger I thought I might like to be a casting director because I love to read and imagine who would be good playing each role. Plus I’d get to watch loads of films and theatre and use it as research. I think now as a plan B I’d like to do something that you can be commissioned to do – like a painter, photographer or writer. Something you can do in your own space and time. Although I don’t know if I can paint really – I’ve never really tried… You’re not going to have time for a while, but you should try painting, you might discover you have a hidden talent. Yeah – I should buy an easel and a brush and start off with stick people. I’ve just bought a camera and I’m going to do some courses for that. Is it true you were snapped up for a TV role before you went to drama school? I got offered a job as I was auditioning, so I never actually went. When I finished the job I re-applied at RADA and LAMDA but then I got other jobs. I thought if I went to drama school for three years there would be certain parts in my younger repertoire that I’d never get to play, so I decided to just role with it instead. So does that mean you’ve escaped all the weird and wonderful drama school warm up routines and rituals? Oh no, I did them all at auditions. I remember one where I had to be an octopus. And one where you had to do these lines, as if you were a tree, but then you had to play someone whose dog had just died. I guess they were exercises supposed to stop you being self-conscious and see how you apply your imagination. I once had to express the colour blue through the medium of mime – not easily done. It makes your octopus sound quite sensible… Ha – yes! So you’ve worked with two Doctors – Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi – how different are their Time Lord management styles? It’s funny really – I’d love to see them together as actors because they are both surreal and inventive and have a real fierceness. What I love about them is that they’ll take the scene a certain way, but not be afraid to abandon it and go in a completely different direction just for the hell of it. It makes the work really spontaneous and it makes you a better actor. But saying that, their Doctors are completely different – Matt is like a tornado who dances round the room, whereas Peter makes the room come to him. Peter has something mythical about him – you could believe he’s 2000 years old – no offence Peter! Tell me one thing about Peter Capaldi I don’t know? He used to be in a punk band called The Dreamboys - he can sing and play guitar. He also went to art school and is a really good drawer. And Matt Smith? He’s got a hilarious walk like he’s imitating a horse - you can spot him a mile off. Clara gets stuck into the action – but was it irritating to be a side kick rather than the one in charge? The writing makes it feel like The Doctor and Clara are very much a team – it’s a partnership. And Peter never made me feel like I was just a support – he enabled me all the time – and gave me confidence. I mean don’t get me wrong, I’d love my own tardis… Peter and I are such an unlikely pairing, but it really works, and I love that. We’re both on the same wavelength and have the same sense of humour and get each other totally. Think we’ll ever see a female Doctor Who? The casting’s always unexpected – casting Peter after Matt was about going in a different direction so who knows. I know Peter’s going to be around for a while longer but I’m sure it could happen – I don’t see why not. Heck – why not a transgender Doctor Who – he could travel through time, space and gender! That’s the thing most people forget – The Doctor is actually an alien! Someone was asking me about the age difference between me and Peter, but he’s gone from being technically 1800 to 2000 years old so our human age gap is nothing! The show has lots of monsters - did it give you nightmares? Not really, but you’re always running away from something or towards something so you feel a bit like you’re on a treadmill. Once I go to bed I’m out like a light, I’ve never slept better than I have working on the show. You are used to time travel, but if you could only wear fashion from one era which one would it be and why? The 1940s going into the 1950s I think. I did a drama set in the 1940s and we wore gorgeous shirts, and bits of fur and berets. I love the shapes and styles. Your next project is all over the papers – you’re going to be leaving Doctor Who to play Queen Victoria. That’s a pretty big step up in rank from companion to the Queen of England. Are you daunted or excited? I’ve never actually played a real person before – my characters have always been fictional. Queen Victoria was loved by so many people and has such a big legacy. I’m just going to try to tell the story of her life which is fascinating. She wrote over a million words in her own hand so I’m reading that to capture her voice. I’m going to visit the palace, and see her bedroom and the dresses she wore, and I’m reading the history of her family. It’s just amazing seeing this 90 year old woman in the 1800s sat in parliament with all these men. I’m in very early stages of prep of the moment – I’m learning to ride a horse and play the piano! She was a talented artist too and could draw really well. Wow – all those new skills to add to your CV! You should say that to get into character you need some art lessons, and that can fulfil your painting ambition! Great idea, I could ask for everything that’s on my bucket list – you know – I just really feel Queen Victoria would have wanted to paraglide. If you can just arrange that..! Yeah – put it on your rider! You’ve obviously done your royal research, but there was a bit of a media frenzy recently with sightings of you hanging out with Prince Harry, was that part of your homework too? No, just co-incidence – he’s just my friend. Fair enough. If you were Queen for the day, what would kind of laws would we see suddenly pop up? Oh, so much to choose from. Three day weekends for everyone, and maybe getting everyone out on bikes. Like Boris Bikes but Jenna Bikes? Yes, exactly. Who’s influenced you most in your life so far? My parents – I talk to them every day and have learnt most things from them. I’ve always loved Sofia Coppola too – she’s witty, and intelligent and graceful. Are you a morning jogger or a late night dancer? Neither currently – but attempting to be a morning jogger. Full fat milk, skimmed or soya? Almond – I’m a maverick. You used to be Head Girl at your school – would you say you are a rule follower or a rule breaker? It depends on my instincts – generally I’m more of a rule follower, unless it’s against my instinct in which case I’ll stick to my guns – I can be stubborn. And I think if you generally follow the rules you have to break them sometimes otherwise life would be a bit dull. You come from Blackpool originally – can anything ever live up to living by the sea? I come from a place that was the pleasure beach, the bright lights and illuminations. My best friend’s parents owned a rock factory and we used to hang out and play amongst the crates of candy. It was a colourful place to grow up. Very filmic. Yes – in fact Tim Burton’s just shot a film there. So TV, film and theatre – you’ve done all three successfully – but which is your first love? That’s really hard - they all are in different ways. I love the photography in film; in television you get to invest more – 10 hours to develop a character in a series; and theatre - there’s nothing like that live experience. Do you ever watch yourself back on TV? I know I should. I find it hard with Doctor Who because I feel like I’m more myself in the character, but with programmes like Death Comes To Pemberley where I’m further away from myself I find that a lot easier. You’ve just got to try not to be neurotic, and learn and watch other people instead and you’ll be alright! Is there a quote or ethos you live by? You can’t control what happens in your life but you can control what your reaction is to the things that happen. Realising that is a really powerful thing - it’s about what it is to be human and your power through your choices. Jenna will next be seen in Doctor Who, Saturday 26th September on BBC One. Interview by Bethany Minelle www.journalisted.com/bethany-minelle Photography Yakub Merchant behance.net/yakubmerchant

Beautiful Leigh-Anne Pinnock from @LittleMix photoshoot and chats personal fashion style with 1883 magazine

Little Mix have soared to success in their own right since starring on the X-factor in 2011, but fame and fashion go hand in hand. With screaming fans in the background, it seems almost impossible that being in one of the most popular girl bands around at the moment, Leigh-Anne would get a moments peace to get to talk to us about her personal style and the latest news from the band’s tour. Where do you get your major style influences from? It’s generally down to what I like and what I feel comfortable in, I love looking at what the latest trends are on the runway and incorporating that into my style. To be honest, my boyfriend is really into fashion as well and he’s the one that really got me into it but I’ve always been interested. He introduced me to different brands and different designers, he’s got a good eye for things. I think a lot of things I’ve worn in the past he’s had a lot of input in. How would you describe your style? Quite chic, with an edge but at the same time I will literally wear anything! I love trying new things, that’s what it’s all about and I don’t think you should put a label on it. Wear what you want, whenever you want and what you feel good in. So tell us about your blog Leigh Loves, when did you start blogging and where did the inspiration to blog come from? I started over a year ago, I’ve always been into fashion but it’s not just about that, it’s a lifestyle blog too, because me and my boyfriend love to travel and see new things and try new food so I thought why not try and blog about it and tell everybody what I’m doing. I started off with the fashion and went onto the travel side but I really enjoy doing it. I used to do creative writing and English for my A-levels and I love writing so I thought I’ll have a crack at it! Do you find it difficult to keep up with it when you’re busy on the road? Yeah, it’s really hard. I might not post for a couple of months because I literally have no time. It’s a hobby for me, it’s there for when I can do it, my fans love it as well so it’s not regimented. There was one time when we finished a long day’s work in America where we had a photographer who was with us all day and I said to him, “Do you mind just taking some blog shots for me?” and we found this really cool alleyway and took shots of my denim outfit from Marques Almeida and Jess was saying to me “What are you doing you’re crazy! Go to bed!” ‘cause we’d had such a long day but I have a passion for it. Who’s your favourite designer and why? It’s so hard to choose one! And I always come across new designers that I love but who I would say at the moment, I really like Acne, it’s not always just the same that’s what I like about it. Is it better to be bold and brave with your fashion choices or do you prefer more understated looks? Y’know my boyfriend is quite understated with his but I love to be bold, so he helps me find a middle ground but at the same time if something’s really cool that stands out and is really bold then I’ll just wear it because I’m not afraid to try new things. Do you think body shape matters when it comes to fashion choices? I think you need to choose whatever you feel comfortable in, so if you want to accentuate a part of your body then choose something that will flatter yourself but you should just wear whatever you want. It’s all about taking risks and feeling free. That’s what I’ve found for me in the group, fashion is a way of standing out. You’ve already got your own fragrance and Little Mix have just become the global ambassadors for the sports brand USA Pro, would you ever be inspired to produce your own fashion line? That is the absolute dream. I would love for us to do it as a group so fingers crossed we’ll be able to do that, but even like ten years down the line I would love to have my own, that would be amazing so you never know what could happen! You’ve just finished the UK leg of the Get Weird tour, what’s your favourite part of being on tour? This tour I think has been the hardest ever because…have you been to see us? Yeah I came to Newcastle, it was flawless! Oh amazing! Well you’ve seen how full on it is? In comparison to the last tour definitely. To be honest we’ve all been exhausted, usually we’ll be out and going to parties but this tour has been a bit more regimented, we can’t really go out as much, we have to look after our bodies and be on top form more than ever before. The best bit is having the nice lay ins and not having to wake up at 4 for hair and makeup! I think personally you had the best outfits for each outfit change in the show! Do you have much input in the designs? I have complete say in what I wanna wear, we all do. I think I was a bit more daring this time, I had quite a lot of skin on show! Well in the first one was pink with glitter and orange that was my favourite! What was yours? I think I have to agree with you. At first when we all got told about the pink & red I was like nuhuh not gonna do that, I hate that because they clash! But when I saw it on stage I thought that’s sick! And obviously with the sparkles as well, You’ve got to have sparkles. The tour’s headed to Australia next, do you ever feel like you have to switch up your fashion choices across the pond? I love a lot of Australian designers, there’s one Constantina and Louise, a lot of beachwear I love it so I think I’ll look into it while I’m over there. I think they’ve got a really good fashion scene over there! What’s the worst costume you’ve ever had to wear on stage? Er…probably our X-factor days! We would literally wear anything, we didn’t care we just wanted to get on stage and get through. Have you ever looked at older photos of yourself and thought “Oh my God what was I thinking!” or “Why didn’t someone tell me what I looked like?!” I went through a stage of wearing Rihanna jumpers all the time, I’m obsessed with Rihanna but I would wear a jumper with her face on everyday. So random! That’s why I think merchandise is a bit risky now because you don’t wanna walk around with someone’s face on you all day. I’m all for the appreciation but it was literally everyday! Have you had any wardrobe malfunctions? Yeah! My gladiator sandals get caught up in my tights every time I go to the loo my legs keep getting stuck together! When I came, I did see Jessie’s tights and thought oh dear! If you had your time again do you think you’d still do X-factor? 100%, definitely. What an incredible experience to go through, it’s such an amazing platform and we’ve done so well from it. Had it not worked out would you have considered a career in fashion? Definitely, I’m so into it and you don’t know what the road will lead to but I’d love it I love how you Jessie, Perry and Jade compliment each other so well and have the ultimate girl band look, do you ever feel like there’s competition about who looks the best? No not at all because we all have different styles, completely different. So it’s not like we’re stealing each other’s clothes. We’ve all got our own thing going on and that’s what I love about us. There’s so much variety and that’s why people can say oh I like that one and I like that one, I want to dress like her. I think that’s what works about us. If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? The dress that I wore to the Mojos, it was designed for me so it was one of a kind and I think it’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever worn in my life. I felt like a million bucks. Are you still stylish at home in your pyjamas or do you just let your hair down and not care? When you’re home on your own no one’s there to judge you! I mean I’ll go to Primark and buy pyjamas! Are your sisters as fashionable as you? I think I probably cared about it more than them. I was more worried about it and wanted to dress to impress . Double denim, yay or nay? Yay! There’s a double denim look on my blog and on the new pictures there’s a bit going on there. I don’t know why people have a problem with it! What’s next for Little Mix? Tell us about your upcoming single, and what kind of style can we expect to see in the video? We haven’t announced it yet, but it’s definitely fun. We’re really excited for it! For more info on Leigh’s blog head to www.leighloves.co.uk and for the latest new on Little Mix visitwww.little-mix.com Interview by Lucy Jane Henry @juicylucy25 Hair @elleclancyx Styling @kellyhidge Photographer @kariskennedy1 Make up @AdamBurrell