Krawshuk with lead actor Evan Sneider from Girlfriend.
It’s no secret that Hollywood is youth obsessed. While Hollywood East is a long way from LALA Land, we aren’t necessarily immune to the trend. At seven years old, Nate Krawshuk is already well on his way to becoming a seasoned actor. Currently starring in a locally produced indie-flick entitled Girlfriend, starring Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction), Jackson Rathbone (Twilight), Shannon Woodward (“Boston Public”), and Evan Sneider. The film was shot in Wayland, MA in the fall of 2009. The writer and director, Justin Lerner, grew up in Wayland. In addition to its more well-known actors the film also marks the debut of Evan Sneider, who is the first actor with Down Syndrome to have the lead role in a North American film. His performance has received phenomenal reviews. The movie is doing the festival circuit and getting good reviews. Earlier this month, the film closed the Woods Hole Film Festival in Cape Cod.
We got to talk to Nate and his mother, Kim Krawshuk, about the journey into becoming a young actor, what it means for their family life, and his plans for the future.
HEC: How did you help Nate prepare for being in the movie?
Kim: Being that this was our first real acting experience, we really didn’t know what to expect. I basically gave him pep talks on being polite, following directions etc. I reminded him that it was an honor to be chosen to play this role, and to do his very best. He was only 5 at the time, but I think he “got it.”
HEC: What is the hardest thing about having a child that works in entertainment?
Kim: By far the biggest challenge for me is the “last minute” aspect of the business, and the resulting juggling of our schedule to accommodate auditions, callbacks and filming sessions. I have another child, and it is a challenge to meet all of her needs when we are called away for a next day audition. I also have volunteer obligations I don’t like to cancel if possible. I am lucky to have a very supportive family and group of friends that help out in these situations.
HEC: What has been the most rewarding experience you have shared as a parent and child throughout the process of becoming involved in acting?
Kim: A momentous experience was seeing Nate called down to take part in the Q&A session after the screening of Girlfriend at the Woods Hole Film Festival. After two years of waiting to see the film on the big screen, it was finally here. He smiled through the whole film, then ran down for the Q&A, even leaving one of his shoes back at his seat. I don’t think he was even aware that he had one bare foot. He grabbed the microphone to answer the questions, but was very honest when he admitted to not remembering much about the filming….”because I was only 5 at the time”. He seemed so proud, and we, in turn, were so proud of him.
Also…..
It is so rewarding to see Nate share his “personality” with his audience. Ever since he was a baby, he has liked being the center of attention. He struggled to talk as a toddler, but still managed to find ways to “perform” and people have always been drawn to that. He never knew his grandfather (my father, who died in 1998), but they are very much alike. It is so rewarding to see Nate having success at such a young age with something that seems to be a real passion.
~~
HEC: When did you first become interested in being an actor?
Nate: I took a class after school called “Showstoppers” where I got to sing karaoke and put on plays. I really liked talking into the microphone, and I liked being in the plays too.
HEC: How did you get the role in Girlfriend?
Nate: My friend’s mom told my mom that I should go to the audition at the high school. I went and met Justin (the writer/director) and Evan (the lead actor). They were both really really nice, and I think they liked me too.
HEC: What was the most surprising thing you learned about working on a movie set?
Nate: That you have to do lots and lots of “takes” to get one scene done.
HEC: What was your most memorable experience working on the film?
Nate: There was one scene where I got to eat lots of licorice and watch a movie….that was awesome! I didn’t like it when I had to do the scene where I lay in cold mud on my back!
HEC: Would you like to work on more movies in the future?
Nate: I would like to do more movies. I’d really like to do action movies!
To find out more on Girlfriend, and Nate’s involvement in it, check out their website.
Read also
