Interview with Christina Lewall

(photos via Promotion People)

1. I know you, but some people may not.
So could you please introduce yourself to the world?

"Hey, nice to share with you all. I'm Christina Lewall and I play the role of Sienna in Torn: Dark Bullets."

2. What was your first job in the entertainment industry?
Also, what did you do before that?
 
"My first, beyond dipping my toe in the water with student films? I was a calisthenics instructor on season 2 of Man in the High Castle. I had to think about that, it wasn't long ago, but so much has happened since then. In my previous life I was a professional opera singer. Right? I had a whole career which came to sudden halt when I damaged my voice with over use. I had to restart my life and I found myself returning back to the stories and the characters. I had nothing to lose if I chased after a dream and a passion. So I did."

3. Did you study acting before getting into the industry?

"I began studying acting with Karen Holness back in 2015 and she helped me take my first steps the same year into the industry. Never stop learning is my policy and I am presently training with Deb Podowski. It's been amazing to have so many talented influences on my career."

4. If you could work with anyone you'd want,
who would that person be and why?

"This is such a hard question. There are of course big names like Tarantino and Del Toro. But Torn, Dan Rizzuto and what we all created, showed me that what I want can be found with the right people. I want to work with whomever has an incredible story, fire in their gut and a will to collaborate. Werner Herzog could be a dream though." 

5. What does a normal day in your life looks like?

"A lot of fitness, meditation, a rehearsal, an audition and work. Though in the last year there has been far less hours on shift than hours on set. A normal day is always planned out to be some kind of movement in the direction I want to go."

6. Where is your favorite place to be and why?

"Nothing beats these West Coast mountains. I grew up a bit wild and in nature, so going back to peaks is the ultimate recharge for me. Up in the fresh air and away from the city, thats where I can make sense of life."

7. If you could, what would be the one advice
you would want to give to your younger self?

"You are enough. Don't just believe it, know it. No matter how many legitimate voices told me I was good enough, I didn't truly know it. You are enough. I say it to my inner child every morning. Took awhile, but she finally believes me."

8. What is one of the best advice that you've got?
Who was the person that gave it to you?

"<Leave a room, a person or a moment better off than when you walked into them. Our lives are so heartbreakingly short; and you, are I, are we>. I've gotten to live when other people I know, did not. So I will live as hard and as beautifully as I can. The person who told me that is one of those people, long gone and always loved. Love you Allie."

9. What is your biggest accomplishment so far?

"Can I keep reiterating how grateful I am to this project? Good! Torn has been the greatest achievement. I wanted to be on set with Dexter, Karen, Sam, William and Dan more than I needed air. I've gone on now to do large projects with major studios. Shhh NDA, but the fire burst out of me here, hands down my number 1."

10. If you could book any role in the next years to come,
what would that dream role be?

"Grace O'Malley. If you don't know who that is, I highly recommend reading up on this woman. It would be epic! A woman, her clan and the Queen of England."

11. Is there anything you can disclose about Torn: Dark Bullets?

"What I can tell you is that, it's intense. This is the kind of story, the kind of art, that every artist dreams about making. This movie makes the audience think about their perspective. It made me think about my own. Who is in the right? Who is wrong? Where does the structure of our culture fail us and help to drive us further apart? The character of Sienna to me symbolises the new and hopeful attitude. Love. The love between her and Dom is what is fresh beautiful and vulnerable in this world. There is an old way of thinking that would destroy it, accidentally or not."

12. What is the best part about life on set?

"The best thing is the people! Everyone is so interesting and bringing their own spin. It constantly moves and can't stay still! I love it. You create this beautiful little family together, there’s nothing like it."

13. In the end, is there anything you'd like to say to the people who support you?

"Do I ever. Karen, this all started with you, mother of my craft. Dexter, you made me feel safe and free to be the artist I didn't know was in me. the continuing support of Big Sleeps and Sam, changes everything, with advice that has changed the game for me. Having a raging fire like Dan Rizzuto believing in me, means the possibilities are endless. This journey and career is built with a team and a family. I'm lucky to be given a view of the future off the shoulders of giants."