Feature: Australian Actress Aimee Duroux Chats “Thor Ragnorok,” “Hoges”, and Working in the US

We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Australian Actress Aimee Duroux. Check out the interview below.

Hi, Aimee! We can’t wait to speak with you about your projects! Let’s start with how you played an Asgardian in “Thor: Ragnorok.” That must have been exciting. Tell us more.

Hello! Being a part of Thor: Ragnarok was a really valuable experience. I had one day on set, call time of 3:45 am and didn’t wrap until about 5:30 pm. Several hours were spent on hair & make-up. At the time, I had hair down to my waist and they added a massive, almost two-meter-long plaited hair extension onto that! We were given a selection of medieval meets futuristic kind of costumes to choose from. The day was long but so rewarding. It was interesting to see how long certain shots can take and the attention to detail taken by the crew. I was on set with a few friends I’ve met within the industry along the way, so it was really special to share that experience with them.

You also appeared in several short films. What makes a short film special?

I LOVE short films. Especially when it’s a gritty story that can be told completely and honestly in say, 20 minutes. I think there’s a similar amount of preparation that goes into producing a short film as there is a feature film, a feature just tends to have a longer filming period and more avenues for distribution. My first paid role as an actor was on a short called “Home Invasion,” so short films do have a special place in my heart. I think what makes them special, is that you have a shorter amount of time to tell a story, but that can also mean it’s easier to engage an audience. If you have the right narrative to share, it can make just as much as an impression as a feature but in about a fifth of the time.

What are your career aspirations?

I want to earn a living as an actor. I’m positive the day will come when I no longer have to support myself with three other jobs to pursue the thing I love. I’d love to have a regular series role on a television series. I think there’s a lot of roles for people like me on Freeform, Netflix, HBO, and CW. That would be absolutely surreal to work on one of their productions. I want to make movies too. I’m passionate about creating work that creates conversation impacts the audience. Whether it’s through comedy, drama or something else, I want to always make work of meaning. I see myself working internationally. I love living in Australia, especially the people and security. But I do want to eventually expand over international waters because the opportunity available in Canada and the US is so much greater than here in Oz. I hope that I can be based in Australia and work and live overseas when I need to. That’s the ideal, perfect scenario.

To date, what has been your favorite production?

Such a tricky question to answer! As I mentioned, my first paid role with “Home Invasion” was something special. I liked working on “Hoges,” an Australian mini-series. It was pretty cool to see myself on the silver screen. But then I loved working on a short film, “Emporium” and of course, “Thor: Ragnarok” too! Not possible to have a favorite. I learn something new from each one.

How do you prepare for a role?

I think the biggest thing an actor can do to prepare, is to give yourself time. Time to read the script, understand what’s happening and then start analyzing your character and making deeper sense of everything. I like to read the dialogue in different ways, finding different interpretations of the words. I like being able to bring interesting, not obvious choices to the director. Learning the lines is super important, but unless it is very wordy or perhaps from a different era, it’s the last thing I do. I need to understand what I’m talking about and why I’m saying it before I start speaking it out loud. I like to think about how my character sounds too. How they speak, why they use the language they do, those kinds of things.

Is there a role would you love to play?

It’s one of those things where there are so many roles I want to play and yet I don’t know how to specifically define them or give a specific name. I like dark, twisted meaty roles just as much as I love comedic, quirky ones. I think what I would like for my career, is that it’s versatile. I want to play the quirky girl-next-door characters like Zooey Deschanel and Mai Whitman portray but also want to delve into the depths of insanity, compelling and sophisticated characters like Natalie Portman and Saoirse Ronan. Oh! I would LOVE to play Meryl Streep in her eventual biopic. That role will probably go to her actor daughter, but I’d love to be in contention!

You continuously hone your craft. What keeps you inspired?

Thank you, I do try! It’s important to do classes and train whenever you can. I’m actually an Acting Teacher at a performing arts center, so while I’m teaching my students, I’m actually learning new things myself too. I love how young people don’t have many inhibitions and make choices because they just think it would work or it makes sense. I am baffled by the talented kids I teach and hope that I’m teaching them just as much as what they’re giving me.

I was lucky enough to win a scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and studied acting there. It was the most intense, rewarding and valuable training I’ve ever had. I’ve also earned a Bachelor of Creative Industries, majoring in Drama from University and have lost count of the number of short courses and casting director workshops I’ve attended.

The belief that what I’m doing matters and that failure isn’t an option is what keeps me going. I wholeheartedly believe that there is no way I won’t be successful with the amount of passion, drive, skill, and love of acting I have developed. It’s of course also humbling and motivating to have the support of loved ones in this field. They believe in me and will always help in any way they can to assist in me reaching my goals. I’m very lucky.

Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the industry?

I really don’t know if there is a highlight. I genuinely value every opportunity I have to act. It has been very exciting that in the last few years, most of the work I’m doing is paid. As an actor, most people go so long doing jobs for the love of the craft. I think that’s important to do, but it’s nice to be reaching a point where my skill and time are being financially valued and I’m able to support myself a bit more through doing what I love.

Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?

I’m currently in pre-production for a short thriller called “Tales From The Beyond.” It’s set in the 70’s and I play the lead, Suzy Strange, a medium and psychic. I’m so excited about this project because I’ve never been a part of something set in this era and the story is haunting. I’m not someone who can really watch thriller or horror films because I get too scared! So maybe being a part of the production process for one will change my mind.

I’m soon filming a music video for a local band which will be cool. I’ve never actually been in a film clip so I’m really happy to have the opportunity!

I am also co-director for a performance company called, Two Braids Collective. We have a theatre show coming up in the second half of the year that I’ve written and am co-producing. Pre-production has already started so I’m busy working on that!

I’m hoping this year to find US or Canadian representation, so I’m also filming material and creating content to market myself as the type of actor I am and think I can be. 

Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I wanted, I would ___________.

Move to New York or Los Angeles, bring my family, my closest friends and my partner and chase the acting dream in the entertainment capitals of the world.

But realistically, I like what I’m doing and where I am right now. I am learning new things, networking and brainstorming every day. I’m sharing my knowledge and love of acting with others, I’m creating my own work and opportunities and am doing my best to stack the building blocks that form a formidable career. I want to keep going on this upward trajectory and know success is imminent if I keep working hard, thinking innovatively and maintain a humble yet ambitious attitude.

Connect with Aimee:

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5934380
Web: http://www.aimeeduroux.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aay_me
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AimeeDurouxActor
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user10314233

 

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