In an exclusive interview, Flickering Myth sat down with Kiera Milward to talk about working with Carrie Fisher and her seven year journey as Violet in the new movie Wonderwell…
Hi, Kiera Milward welcome to Flickering Myth! Before we dig deep, was it always your dream to be an actor?
Hi, thank you for having me! Yes, both before and after Wonderwell, it has always been my dream to act. From a very young age, I was drawn to the stage, singing and dancing on any occasion. My mum tells me the story of when I was 5, in a school parents meeting, I saw an empty stage and started dancing in-front of the whole room. Growing up, I felt at my resonant frequency singing, dancing, and acting. So, I did it all, I pestered my parents to take me to stagecoach, ballet lessons, singing lessons, every after-school dance class and more. To this day, that’s why I feel I have loved acting or any branch of the creative arts, as I feel the most connected to myself, my imagination, my body, my creativity.
Congrats on your leading role in Wonderwell, a role that has taken seven years to get to release day. Can you tell us about the first time you read the script?
Thank you so much! I am so grateful to have been a part of Wonderwell. To me, it’s all been worth the wait. At 12, I hadn’t worked in film or on screen ever before, my only experience was performing in Musicals. Reading the script for me was an incredibly eye-opening experience. I remember printing out the script at home and being shocked at how big it was! By this point, I still don’t think it felt real I would be in a movie. When first reading the script, I vividly remember being pretty blown away by the dialogue and how realistic it felt. I shouted to my mum whilst reading my lines ‘I would say that!” The main thing I took away from the first reading of the script, was my deep affinity for Violet.
When you auditioned did you know who else was cast?
Throughout the audition process, I didn’t really know who else was cast. All I remember was walking into the call back auditions in London and seeing Nico Besio walk out of his audition, of whom plays Enrico in the film.
Tell us about your character Violet and at the time, do you feel you were anything like her?
I love this question. I think Violet is awesome. I remember being in my car with my family, when my agent sent me an email with the audition breakdown for Wonderwell. This was the third ever audition I’d had. When I read the character description for Violet all I could think was that sounds like me! Violet was described to want to be grown up and be able to do what her older sister could. She was also described to have a mischievous and eye-catching smile. I resonated with Violet wanting to be older, all I wanted at 12 was to be able to do what the older kids could/ what my older brother could. Because I felt mature enough, I just wasn’t able to. I’d always hang out with the older kids in attempts to be treated like they would. I had also been told in my school report that I had a habit of trying to cover up not doing my homework or giving excuses by using my smile. Of which I still very much use, never fully dressed without your smile right? Violet sat with me from the first time I read about her. In the audition process, I styled my hair in how I thought Violet would have it, half up half down, with two plaits from the front of my hair. Vlad ended up using this hair style in the film! It was incredible being cast as Violet, Vlad worked so collaboratively with me to connect his vision of Violet with mine (although secretly I sort of felt like I was Violet). I felt a strong connection with Violet before going to the other side when I was twelve and after watching the film 7 years later, I feel at 19 years old I understand Violet on the other side more now than I did filming. The idea that I could resonate with Violet (pre-well) as a 12 year old girl and I can resonate with Violet (post-well) as a 19 year old now just shows how universally powerful the character of Violet is for any girl. Now looking back at the meaning of Violet after she has gone to the other side and grown up has been a really special experience for me. As now I have grown up and experienced the other side. Violet still lives in me.
The movie is a coming of age story, now that you are older, do you feel life imitates art?
I would say life imitates art. Growing up is an artwork. Being able to watch Wonderwell back after 7 years has truly made me reflect on my life and where I was at 12 and where I am now at 19. At first, I was overwhelmed by how emotional that journey has made me. Wonderwell felt like a secret experience or magical dream I’d had, until now. Wonderwell has allowed me to be able to see my growth as an artwork, the good, the bad, the lessons. I feel very lucky to be able to say that. I can see life as art once you put a mirror up to it and view it. I would also say, fundamentally, art imitates life.
What was it like to work with the late and great Carrie Fisher?
It was an honour to work alongside the great Carrie Fisher. The first time I met Carrie was unforgettable. I remember feeling as if I’d known Carrie my whole life (even me a 12 year old, whom she’d never met before). Carrie had this magic that changed the air of a room when she walked in, creating a calmer, at ease and more personal atmosphere. When I first read through one of our scenes with Carrie at the beginning of the filming process, I was fixated by her warm, honey filled eyes that literally sparkled, I couldn’t break eye contact with her. She was enchanting. To me, her magic was in her eyes and what she would say. That day, the first words I could muster to to great Carrie Fisher were compliments on her full Fendi outfit. The first day of filming together, Carrie called me into her trailer. She had bought me a purple Fendi jacket in the most beautiful Fendi box of which I still have. She said on this day ‘from the old to the new.’ I was blown away by this gesture. Reflecting on this now, this is just one example of how Carrie’s grace on set. To me, Carrie was the epitome of womanhood. She was warm, caring and electrically witty. She was unapologetically herself. I whole heartedly admired her. I filmed with Carrie for two weeks, in which we shared some magical moments. In the middle of the Italian forest Carrie, my mum and I would sing ‘Mad World’ whilst eating lunch together, Carrie taught me how to sing ‘There’s no business-like show business.’ Of which she told me her mum would sing to her. And on 31st October 2016, I asked Carrie ‘who will you be dressing up as for Halloween?’ And Carrie iconically responded ‘I am a Halloween Costume.’ Carrie blessed the set with her magic, and I will forever be grateful to have met Carrie. For the past 7 years I have remembered her magic and I will try to sprinkle it for the rest of my life. My thoughts go out to her family.
Did she give you any acting tips on set?
Working with Carrie was one of the greatest acting lessons I have experienced. One of the greatest lessons in human connection too. Learning most significantly the first time I met Carrie and read through one of our scenes together. Carrie taught me that day that acting isn’t about oneself. I thought acting asked to look internally to find and conjure up emotions to portray. Carrie taught me that day that acting is about others, and putting your focus onto someone or something else. The way Carrie looked at me when we first read the scene, I could read everything in her eye contact. As the scene progressed, I stopped looking around and inward for my acting answers and I just looked back at Carrie and focused on her. In this moment, I felt electricity. The electricity of Carrie’s gaze really struck a chord in me. A power I feel I have tried to learn from when acting and when talking with others in my life. When Carrie acted beside me, I felt she truly saw everything. Working alongside Carrie’s wisdom felt hugely encouraging and motivating. I hope to one day be able to have the affect Carrie had on me, to someone else. Reflecting back on working with Carrie, I would thank her for treating me as if I was equal. She made me feel ageless, which at the time was all I’d ever wanted (alongside Violet).
What is one piece of advice you remember from filming Wonderwell?
I was given so much advice when filming Wonderwell. I have boiled it down to three. My mum, telling me to sprinkle my fairy dust, and director Vlad’s consistent, kind, and gentle advice on how to act for camera. I remember him explaining to me of the many muscles we have in our face and how you can read each of them. He helped me understand the subtleties of screen acting.
As young actor, did you have a specific creative process when preparing for the movie, and has this changed in the last few years?
I think my creative process was significantly influenced from Vlad and working alongside actors like Bash (Sebastian Croft). I was lucky to have a very instinctual relationship with Violet’s character building. I understand a lot of her words and thoughts and actions. Part of my creative process at 12 therefore, was sort of trusting my instincts and being able to take on board the initial feedback and direction from Vlad. In the first stages, Vlad helped me create a backstory for Violet, filling in her life before where we meet her in the movie. This filled out Violet for me and brought her even closer to me. I also greatly remember being impacted by the artwork of Wonderwell. Specifically, Violet’s hair, costume, superpower (CGI effects), and the artwork of the world of Wonderwell (monster, flowers). I was able to take these tangible elements creatively with me. Wearing Violet’s clothes and her flower bracelet gave me an immediate sense of her. I have taken these processes with me.
From Wonderwell, I have always created a backstory before diving into a role. I also recognized how reactive I was to the abstract and magical artwork of Wonderwell. I have been able to find specific items of clothing to help me connect to a certain role I have had to play. However, in the last few years I feel my creative process has significantly changed. Training for the last year at Mountview has given me an incredible tool set to use for my creative process. Over the past few years specifically, I have been passionate to widen my knowledge on acting theories and practitioners such as Meisner, Stanislavski, Brecht, Chechov, Laban, Declan Donnellan’s book The Actor and The Target kickstarting my deep dive. I feel my creative process would be directly driven by the type of character or role I would be playing, and I would use tools such as research, music, art, objects and more to guide me.
What message would you give a young actor starting out?
I would want to encourage a young actor to do it for themselves. Audition for that rock band, or school play or after school acting club. Be curious and learn about what you love. Try not to worry about what others think of you or compare yourself to anyone else’s journey. You are on your own path and that is okay. Fill your path with as many sidewalks, turns and corners as possible.
How can people find and follow your journey?
I am currently most active on my Instagram account @kieramilwarddd. I am training in London at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. I have big dreams to share my music and continue to dance and sing and act. I will be posting my music and my life on my TikTok.
Thanks to Kiera Milward for taking the time for this interview.
