The Verge: Ashley Springer

zach_ashley.jpg

When Hollywood casting directors have to cast the school nerd, they'll usually pick an actor who was the jock in real life and slap a pair of glasses on him. Ashley Springer is much closer to the real deal: though initially shy and self-effacing, he's thoughtful, quick, and possessed of an interesting backstory once you get to know him (as a teen, he was a professional magician). Springer first gained notice as one of Jess Weixler's victims in the Sundance-minted horror comedy Teeth, but he has his largest role to date in the new film Dare, where his geeky Ben comes alive when both he and best friend Alexa (Emmy Rossum) pursue the sexually confused Johnny (Zach Gilford).

On the verge of Dare's release this week, I talked to Springer about the film's adventurous nature, the unique way he snagged the role, and his magical past.

In Dare, the centerpiece scene for your character is pulled almost entirely from the short film the movie is based on. That short has been out there for several years, and you can find it online. Did you take a look at it before you went in for your audition?

No, I avoided it on purpose, actually. Emmy had seen it and she told me a little bit about it -- she was a big fan of it. I tried not to watch it, though.

There was no temptation? You didn't think it might give you an idea of what the writer and director were looking for?

I just imagined myself playing the scene and having someone else's lines in my head. I remember in acting school, sometimes we would try doing movie scenes, and it was a much different challenge than doing a play because you'd have a performance in mind. Even if you were trying not to recreate the performance, you'd have the specific rhythms of how people would say things or the characteristics of the original actor. I just didn't want to be battling that.

So you had already talked to Emmy before you went in...had she been cast, or were you two friends?

The thing was, I did a reading of the movie before they started casting anything because Kerry Barden cast Teeth as well, so he's cast me in a number of things. Kerry was doing the movie and they put together a reading early on so they could hear it, and he put me in the reading. They liked me from there and that's how I got the job more than anything, because I think if I had not gotten that, the audition probably would not have gotten me the job.

You didn't feel like you did as good a job in the actual audition?

I thought it was fine, but it was lucky for me that they were able to see me do the entire thing. Auditions are tricky! When you do a reading -- even more so than when you do the film -- you have a plan that you can ride this arc of the character from scene to scene. You obviously can't do that in an audition, so I was lucky that I was able to audition that way. It's not like anybody has any idea who I am. They had Emmy and Zach, who obviously had careers and have done things that people have seen, and I think that had they wanted to, they could have gotten somebody like that for Ben. They saw me before anyone else, though, so I got to do my own thing.

zach_ashley.jpg

Ben's arc is very interesting -- he seems so timid when the movie begins, but by the end, he's practically the movie's most confident, sexually assertive character.

I think that's totally right-on. He does start out with very little confidence, especially in the romantic arena. Alexa is his only real friend, and she doesn't exactly have a lot of high status socially in their high school. When he decides to go after Johnny, that's a huge risk for him, and one that he's never taken before in his life, so there's a major change in him. I tend to be more like early Ben in my life -- I have a hard time being assertive and standing up for myself -- so it was fun to discover how assertive he was as we went along.

When I talked to Zach Gilford, he told me that he didn't think Johnny was gay, and that Ben was almost exploiting Johnny's desire for friendship and intimacy by coaxing him into this relationship.

I think that that is the more interesting take on Johnny, right? But I think from Ben's perspective, it's sort of moot. He's not even thinking about it -- any opening that Johnny gives him, he's so hoping that something is going to be there that I don't think he actually steps back and analyzes whether Johnny actually wants it or not. It's like he's trying to sell him on the idea the whole time, and any positive feedback he gets outweighs all the negatives for him.

Pages: 1 2



Comments

  • Why visitors still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world everything is available on net?

  • This advanced product combined with the physician’s own artistic vision and caliber ensures the success of the liposculpture technique.
    It was invented and introduced in Bogota, Columbia
    by Dr. There are a very few choices to choose from, so if you
    are open to this form of method, you have know what your possibilities are.
    The process has an superb safety profile, it is tolerated without
    any have to have for an anesthetic, and the patient can return to his or her day-to-day routine without delay.

  • Good day I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by accident,
    while I was looking on Bing for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to
    say many thanks for a fantastic post and a all
    round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
    to read a great deal more, Please do keep up
    the awesome jo.

  • This text is worth everyone's attention. When can I find out more?

  • ulthera says:

    Most people report their spots disappearing after two or three treatments, though many doctors will have you
    come in for four or more procedures. The patient reported
    feeling nothing at all during the procedure, and although
    her results were not immediately apparent, Dr. To enter, leave a comment in the section below, and tell us why you should win.
    When we get older, the Collagen in our body starts to become less active
    and weaker.

  • Whether you are looking for easy everyday lip color or avant-garde
    selfie ready lacquer, Gerard's Color Your Smile will definitely perfect your pout.

    Discover how topline brands square up in the sustainability stakes.
    Healthy people have reddish, averaged moist and shiny lips.
    Discover what to look for when searching for greener cosmetic
    options.

  • Some Moms have found that breastmilk will help soothe and heal a cough better
    than any other drink. The urge to pull out lip balm and apply it all day long is a common habit that is evident
    with the strategic stash of lip treatments scattered across
    every piece of daily life. Sodium can make you retain water,
    ( or causes swelling, including your ankles), and drinking more water will help you from
    retaining it as well. Now-a-days many brides want to keep things simple and do their own make up.

  • Here is when the problem can become exacerbated with a higher pronunciation in texture and color.
    Keep this upon eyelids for 15 to 20 minutes and softly wash it off.

    You can sustain that shaped by tweezing the strays only.
    Of course, the exact ingredients and formulation of the product is top secret.

  • This is because each procedure is unique in its own ways just like each individual has specific features that
    are different from those of another individual.
    People who have black skin can certainly be efficiently handled.
    Cucumbers are cool and refreshing, and not just in salads.

    Just when you think you have everything "in order"
    or that you have found the plan that works, something happens and in a moment everything
    can be turned upside down.

  • In this point big amount will not make the process faster.
    Make use of synthetic eyelash to the edges to be able to raise your eye
    area and aid in making them be seen very much more open up and also
    broad. This is an alternative to expensive and invasive cosmetic procedures, such as
    Botox. Do pluck those strays to keep your brow
    line where you want it.

  • Article Source: Agerfeld Dyreklinik if you are
    seeking treatment for your pets. She was a protective dog even to us kids and she worked the sheep and cattle like a pro.
    One summer day, Duke crawled to the back porch door,
    whimpering. Avoid alcohol: Alcohol poisons your liver
    and can cause even more harm to the cells that are already
    fighting the liver organ.

  • Do not rub your face with the towel and never use the
    same towel twice without it being clean. While most essential oils can be used for
    cleaning your home, some oils are especially useful not only for their scent but for their cleansing properties.

    Present brand-new definitely avoided which chosen t-shirt
    with yours and then cover people reddish bumps as well as scars onto the skin.
    This will not only moisturize the pores and skin but will also act as a scrub for
    the entire body.