Check out our interview with multi-hyphenate entertainment industry pro Actress, Filmmaker, Producer, and Casting Director Rebecca Lamarche.
On the acting-front, Rebecca stars in the new movie, “Sappy Holiday” on UPtv! The movie is also premiered in Canada on Super Channel Heart and Home! The new project comes after her Hallmark Channel rom-com “Fit for a Prince.”
Follow Rebecca @RebeccaLamarche
Hi Rebecca, please tell us a little about you?
Yes, I’m an Actor, Producer, and Casting Director. I love to travel, practice yoga, go for long walks and compete in pistol shooting! I’m a romantic, ambitious, and adventure-longing person.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Caring, friendly and adventurous.
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
The best is exploring a character I really connect with and lock into. Sometimes an audition or scene work can be very fulfilling but the best, of course, is doing it on set with a great team.
I think most people would agree that the hardest part of being an actor is the volatility. The ebbs and flows and how trivial casting can be at times. It’s hard to accept that a lot of the metrics which go into something you care so deeply about are largely out of your control.
How do you prepare for a role?
I start by learning the lines to the point that they’re almost on autopilot, that way I don’t have to worry about the words and can just engage at the moment.
Tell us about your work in the movie “Sappy Holiday?”
I play a sweet and loving mother who gave up her dreams of interior design when she got pregnant with her first child in college. She has no regrets and lives a full and happy life but, that life is threatened when she’s at risk of losing the family home that houses all of those special memories. It turns out, her long-shelved skills might just help save it.
And about the success of your previous projects like Hallmark Channel rom-com “Fit for a Prince,” and Super Channel’s romance “My Boss’ Wedding?”
Well, I did hear that one of those movies is likely getting a sequel, so that will be exciting if it pans out! They were both very fun! I had a lot of fun characterizing my girl in My Boss’ Wedding outside of what was written. Fit for a Prince was lots of fun, filming on location in a beautiful Chateau in Ottawa, in gorgeous costumes with great people. I made quite a few friends on that shoot.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
So many it’s hard to narrow down. The three front runners, in this order, are: full on dramas – bonus points if they’re period; action movies that test my stamina and skillset; and finally, Fantasy. I’d particularly love to play a vampire, a witch, or maybe a Valkyrie.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Connecting with a character where the work feels personal. That’s when the magic starts to happen.
What’s your advice for the newer actors?
Careers take time – longer than we want. Enjoy the work and the process. Know very clearly why you’re pursuing this career and that it’s for the right-for-you reasons. Believe in yourself.
If you have to pick in order, what goes first, Actress, Filmmaker, Producer or Casting Director?
The easy part of this answer is which is number one, and that’s acting. The craft itself is so rewarding and the work is fun. But that doesn’t diminish my love for the others. I’m not sure which I love more, between Producing and Casting because they’re so rewarding in different ways. Day-to-day, right now it’s Casting. I get a thrill from it and love championing people and making competitive deals. I think that as my career continues to evolve this will shift places with Producing as I have more and more of a steering hand in the stories I want to tell and how.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
Be true to yourself and your instincts. Be wary of big promises or people who present to have all of the answers. This industry is beautifully collaborative, make use of that.
How would your best friend describe you?
I’m not sure! Probably fun, loyal, and kind.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
Hahaha, God, I hope this changes in about a week but today I’d say, “The 48-hour day – stories from an optimistic, sleep-deprived, dream maker”.
What’s next for Rebecca Lamarche in 2023?
Bigger deals, bigger roles, and more adventures! Of this, I’m sure
What is your favorite healthy food?
Soups! I probably make soup every other week year-round. My go-to is Turkey-Vegetable and rice.
And your favorite cheat food?
I don’t label anything as “cheat food”. But I love pizzas and burgers. I make some amazing burgers on gourmet buns with home-baked fries, and I love treating myself to bakery-style pizzas. Food should be a pleasure in life.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Doing things that make you feel fulfilled or happy with people you love.
Best advice ever given?
Treat others the way you would want to be treated – my mother hounded that into my siblings and I growing up and I genuinely feel it’s a major part of who I am as a person.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
Producing and acting in my very own dream projects.
What do you think of Social Media?
It’s a double-edged sword. Along with the fun side of it, it is a powerful tool for shaping your own image and connecting with people. However, I do think that it takes a toll on many people’s mental health in terms of self-esteem and sense of self-worth. I think it’s also damaging in a lot of romantic relationships. Not that it has to be of course! I’m encouraged to see more and more people talking about this mirage online and revealing how highly constructed these “slice of life” accounts truly are. I wish I remembered her handle right now but one of my favorite accounts really reveals a lot of these things in a positive and empowering way.
Where we can follow you?
On Instagram @RebeccaLamarche where I’m answering industry questions, and sharing tips and insights along with my projects and daily life.
Favorite:
Book: I’ve always loved reading! I have no one favorite, right now I’m into a lot of murder mysteries and am particularly enjoying Lucy Foley’s work.
Movie: Two of my favorite movies are Zero Dark Thirty and Moulin Rouge. My favorite Rom-Com is, My Best Friend’s Wedding and my favorite Christmas movie is, The Holiday. I also still love a lot of the animated Disney movies I grew up watching and Fox’s Anastasia.
TV Series: So, the thing is, I go hard with the series. I binge them, re-watch them, and get overly emotionally invested in the characters. I can think of so many series that have lit me up and that I have shamelessly spent hours of my life watching – SO HAPPILY. So, I don’t have any one favorite because they’re all consuming when I’m in it haha. The one that I have always revisited, time and time again, is the BBC Miniseries, Pride and Prejudice. Frankly, it’s a masterpiece.
Favorite Food: Roasted lamb with lemon.
Travel Destination: Probably Paris but I caught the London vibe on my most recent visit with my sister and Italy is calling my name now. I haven’t been yet!
