ARIELLE RAYCENE TALKS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

You’ve spent your entire life in front of the cameras?

You're right! I have been in front of the camera as long as I can remember. I would say the camera was my first great love! My mom very much got me into it, she modeled in the past and got me signed with LA Models as a young tot and took me on all of my go sees.

You've been focusing more on acting for a long time?

Yes, I have been focusing on acting for a very long time now. Through modeling I did commercial work from time to time which contained some sort of acting and I think I found it more enjoyable.

You found acting after moving away from Los Angeles to Kansas, where there were less opportunities for modeling?

Yes, modeling jobs were scarce in Kansas as you can imagine and I found theater a great source of freedom and presence that you can’t get anywhere else besides being on the stage.

Be it as a model or actress a creative life will come with a lot of highs and lows, would you say having modeled since you were three, or was it two, made it any easier for you being in the acting space?

I think the self doubt thing will never leave. It's just the way this acting business goes, it seems. Definitely focusing on the good and working on your own creative outlet helps a lot. Knowing that this is a marathon and not a sprint for me helps a lot, that I'm here to stay through all the ups and downs.

What is it in the highs that makes all the lows worth it?

For me its one of the greatest highs. Nothing makes me happier than exploring a new person. I love the study of humans and self and to me this is the greatest way to do that.

Did you ever experience any preconceived notions about you or your acting because of having the modeling background that you do?

I think its easy to see the modeling work before my acting because we live in an image-obsessed society so I think people naturally will think whatever it is they want to. Its just how life goes, but to answer your question more directly the answer is yes, I've definitely have had judgments.

Ginger in 'Confidential Informant' is far from your sunny self, how did you prepare for this character?

Oh I started first by watching every documentary there was or movie out there about strippers and then I took pole classes by day and went to the strip clubs at night where I would pay for a chat rather than a lap dance. I came very close to auditioning for a strip club in New York but ran out of time. In all of that I found that Ginger was living more in the moment than I do in my day to day life and wasn’t looking months ahead but living for the day. To be honest, It was actually a little hard to let go of her.

Whether a role since this or another project, is there anything else we can look forward to seeing you in?

I was supposed to be in a Christmas movie but it has gotten pushed back until after the strike! In the meantime I'm working on stand-up and writing my own movie! Hopefully the strike gets resolved soon!