BEYOND THE ONIROS FILM AWARDS®
Interview with Summer-Rose Churchhouse, lead actress in the short film ‘Betrayal’
by OFA Team
1. Hi Summer-Rose! You recently won ‘Best Young Actress’ for your role as Jo in the short film ‘Betrayal’ at the Oniros Film Awards. Could you tell us more about this project?
Hi! Yes I was absolutely thrilled when I heard I had won ‘Best Young Actress’ for my role in ‘Betrayal’ It really was a huge surprise and honour. I filmed ‘Betrayal’ with my friend Rumer who I met in L.A whilst we were on a brilliant acting course.
The synopsis is about a girl who comes from a disadvantaged background and arrives at a new school for a fresh start following an incident of theft and makes a new friend (Jo) my character. Jo betrays her and the stoyline is based on their relationship and forgiveness.
It was so much fun working with Rumer Bowyer and Jane Lumino (Director) Lumino Films who has many projects and films in the pipeline.
2. Tell us a bit about your background. When did you decide you wanted to be an actress?
I have grown up listening and learning a lot about the industry in general as most of my family have been in the industry for over 50 years. My Grandma, Mum, auntie and eldest sister all trained at The Arts Educational School in London. My grandma played Clara in The Nutcracker at The Royal Festival Hall and was a successful Ballet Dancer and my mum and Auntie were both actors. My older sister Scarlet is also an actress and has worked on numerous projects in the industry since she was 10 years old and has been in West End Musicals and has also worked in films and television. She played ‘Pickle’ in Holmes and Watson alongside Will Ferrell and John C Reilly and also Truth Seekers with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and lots of other amazing projects. I really look up to my sister and have loved watching her perform over the years. When i was 5 years old I started auditioning for various television and film roles and my sister always helps me a lot with tapes and castings and is a huge support. I also attend a performing arts school as a day pupil and get to do what I love every day.
3. How was it to work with the director Jane Sanger and with your co-star Rumer Bowyer? Was this your first time working with them?
I had the best time working with both Rumer and Jane. Rumer and I are really close and we train a lot together in screen acting workshops in London and we love spending time together and working as partners in our acting sessions. She’s really fun and hardworking and we work well together. We were together in L.A last October taking workshops, meeting Casting Directors and also filming another short film out there which is really exciting and I can’t wait to see it soon!
Summer-Rose Churchhouse and the official poster of ‘Betrayal’
4. What did you enjoy the most about the filming, and what did you find more challenging?
To be honest I love all aspects of filming especially going to new locations and meeting new people. It was the first time I had worked with Jane the director and I’ve seen a lot of her work and was excited to have the opportunity to spend time with her. There wasn’t anything i found particularly challenging however we did have a constant battle with the rain stopping and starting and planes flying overhead in between takes.
5. Do you have any on set stories you would like to share?
I recently played the role of Daisy in the film ‘Jodie’ for Park Pictures. My scenes were filmed with Deba Hekmat who is such an incredibile actress and Ricci Harnett and our scenes were set in a flat in East London where my dad (Ricci) was passed out on the sofa behind me after his drink was spiked and I come back from school to find him passed out unconcious on the sofa. Ricci had to lay in the same position for a very long time haha whilst Deba and I had our conversations and I had to keep eating cold baked beans during the takes! We had such a laugh and i really enjoyed working with both of them. It was great to see them again at the Premier in London.
6. What keeps you inspired to continue working as an actor?
I take as many acting classes as I can and 1:1 sessions with casting directors in London who I love working with on new scripts, developing characters and gaining invaluable feedback. I also have regular accent coaching. I’ve recently been lucky enough to get to the final in some pretty amazing castings that would life changing and just to get that far gives me the drive and willpower to keep learning skills and working as hard as I can.
7. Do you have a dream project or someone you would like to work with one day?
I have a few dream projects! I would love to book a role in a period drama! or to be cast in a series like Wednesday with Jenna Ortega who i am a huge fan of! That would be a dream come true 🙂 I would also love to book a lead role in a film in the U.S!
8. What’s next for you? What are you working on right now?
I’m waiting to hear on a few amazing projects right now which I’m keeping everything crossed for! So watch this space! I’m also rehearsing for a week show that’s taking place in June!
