How I Became - An Actress.
How I Became - an actress w/ Rebecca Randell
Welcome to the ‘How I Became’ series where Billie talks to girls across New Zealand who are killing it in their chosen career and see how they got there!
Trying to decide what you ‘want to be when you grow up’ is hard enough as it is and your careers counsellor probably won’t have all the answers you need.
HIB aims to give you a bit of insight into different career paths and what it takes to get there.
Name: Rebekah Randell
Age: 28
Job title: Actress
Current job: Dawn on Shortland Street
Firstly, what drew you to acting?
When I was four years old I started dance classes and by the age of 7 I had found a love of being on stage and performing for an audience. I still remember Mum and Dad sending me along to my first “Drama Class” and I came home and had just LOVED IT! From that day forward all I ever wanted to do was be an actor. There was never a backup career - Always just acting for me. It took me five years out of acting school to really “crack it” and I pinch myself every day that I get to do a job that I love.
What subjects did you take in high school that you think helped?
English, Drama and Dance were my three main subjects (which got me though NCEA). I was lucky in that although my school was small I had a super passionate English and Drama teachers who really nurtured my love of performance. As for dance, my school didn’t actually offer it as a subject so after persuading the principal to take a change on me, I taught myself the NCEA curriculum and sent my work to another school (that did offer it as a subject) to be marked.
What did your pathway towards starting your career look like?
After graduating film school I was lucky enough to land my dream agent and the auditions starting coming though – I got my first role I auditioned for which was a lead in a small budget NZ feature film. I couldn’t believe it and in a way expected acting life to be easy after that.. However, in this game you win some and lose some. I didn’t get my next role or the following, or the following. So I worked as many “contracting” jobs as I could which allowed me to audition at a drop of a hat. Roles were far and few between but I never gave up. I always gave an audition 110% and finally when the role of Dawn came along I actually really felt ready for it.
What did you study/where/how long did it take?
I moved to Auckland from Whangamata at 18 years old and did a one-year diploma in onscreen acting at South Seas Film and Television school. Once I graduated I did another two years of a one night a week night class studying the Meisner technique.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Although we work hard, actors are often full or spirit and naughtiness. When on set “playing” there is often a lot of laughter. When we are doing more comedy based scenes sometimes it hard to keep a straight face during takes and we end the scene in a fit of laughter. There are days I go home and talk about all the fun we’ve had on set and my husband will say “are you sure you did any work today”. But that’s how it should be right?
What’s the hardest part?
The hours can be really long and you have to be super disciplined to ensure you know your lines. On a fast turnaround drama like Shortland Street you can shoot all day for 12 hours and then have to come home and learn lines for the following day. It can be relentless and your brain can get quite fatigued learning all that dialogue. Most of us actors work at home for a few hours on a Sunday too to ensure we are all over the week ahead and we are up to date with our scripts.
What surprised you most about your job once you started working?
How nice everyone was! Shortland Street is like a huge, crazy family. We all work so closely together it often feels like everyone knows what’s going on in everyone else's lives and milestones get celebrated.
What does an average day look like for you?
Our days change every day, every week depending on how many scenes we have and what we are required for shooting wise. A big day will start at 6:30am in the make-up chair and end at 6:30pm on wrap. In between scenes you’ll find me in my dressing room learning lines, or if I have a gap in my shooting day I’ll try and pop out for a walk to get some fresh air.
What advice would you give to those looking to follow a similar career path?
Dream big and don’t give up - If this small town girl can have a dream at the age of seven and achieve it, so can you! Whatever that dream may look like, be driven and dedicated and you’ll get there. Of course there may be hardships and setbacks along the way, but if you want it enough you’ll succeed.
What are the biggest challenges in your opinion to getting into acting?
Getting cast - You can do all the training in the world but the right role may not come up for you. It took me five years of hustling to get the role of Dawn. That was my third big Shortland Street Audition. There were many other auditions too and yeah, a small handful I got, but there was a huge bucket load that I didn’t. In getting cast there are so many variables are out of your control you can’t take it personality - Its like the lottery, if you play it enough, you're bound to win at some point.
What kind of skills does your job require?
Discipline, good work ethic and a lot of energy.
What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?
When I meet fans who resonate with my character or have maybe been though something that my character has. It blows me away when I meet strangers and they have a similar story to Dawn and they share their story with me. Makes a real impact knowing that the work I do can touch other people’s lives.
What has been an absolute highlight of your career?
Shortland Street open day - The most incredible, humbling day of my life. You can hear that you have “so many viewers” watching your show, but when thousands and thousands of people turn out to meet the cast and you physically see that many faces it really makes you realise how loved the show is. I hardly have words to describe that day - It was something I never thought I'd experience in my life and a day I will never forget.
What’s an unexpected element to your job that people don’t realise you have to do?
Well, when in level 3 of Covid - We do our own hair and make-up! Becoming your character is such a process its kind of strange when you have to do it yourself! None of us are trained to do hair and make-up either so can be trickier that you would think!
Describe your job in three words
Dream. Come. True.
