The Breakthrough of Ashleigh Sumner

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By Nicole Holland

Ashleigh Sumner’s lead breakthrough role occurs in the new indie lesbian romantic comedy “And Then Came Lola,” which is loosely inspired by German arthouse classic “Run Lola Run.” Her performance in the independent film has received much attention including Advocate Magazine’s “One to Watch” honor at the 2009 OutFest Film Festival.

Ashleigh’s film work includes a lead role in the AFI short, “Mother,” which received awards at the Cannes Film Festival, Seattle International, and Florida Film Festival, along with being an official selection at AFI Fest, and receiving a New York Times Critic’s Pick. Her performance earned a Best Actress Nomination at LA’s Method Fest. Additional work includes appearances in the indie film, “The Hammer” and a lead role in Film Independents Directors Lab project, “Directed by Dorothy Arzner.” Ashleigh’s television credits include appearances on “Criminal Minds,” “CSI,” “Crossing Jordan” and a supporting role in the CBS television movie “The Locket” starring Vanessa Redgrave.

IFQ recently spoke with Ashleigh as she wrapped the 2009 film festival circuit with her indie gem “And Then Came Lola,” which recently inked a distribution deal and will be released by Wolfe Video in Spring 2010.

IFQ: How did you come on board “And Then Came Lola?” More specifically, how did you land the leading role of Lola, which happens to be your major breakthrough role?

Ashleigh Sumner (AS): I was recommended to the directors to read for the film by actress, Jill Bennett who plays, “Casey,” my girlfriend in the film.  So then directors, Megan Siler and Ellen Seidler, contacted me and sent a script.  They asked I audition for a character that I felt was a good fit for me.  Ironically, I didn’t choose to read for Lola.  I thought I wasn’t the right physical type for the character. Plus, I thought I was too young.  I actually read for the role of Jen, Lola’s ex-girlfriend.  I thought Jen was a great, interesting role.  However, Megan and Ellen didn’t see me as Jen. They saw me as Lola and asked if I would be interested in playing the lead of the film. It’s the only lead role I’ve landed that I never actually read for.

IFQ: Can you briefly discuss your role?

AS: My character, Lola, is a comedic role, which was very exciting for me because I never get a chance to stretch my comedy chops. It was also physically demanding role, which was a blast to play because those types of characters are usually reserved for the boys.

Lola is a playful, San Francisco photographer with a heart of gold, but tends to be on the flighty side, especially when it comes to relationships. Lola is easily distracted by beautiful women, and she never has been the kind of gal to fully commit to a relationship until she meets THE girl, Casey.  So throughout the story, Lola has quite the journey, geographically and emotionally, to the realization that she can’t let Casey get away.  She realizes she is ready for a committed relationship that this is the right relationship, and finally for the first time in her life, she jumps into love with both feet.

IFQ: How did you prepare for your first leading role in a feature film? What or who inspired your portrayal of Lola?

AS: I prepared for the role by doing a lot of script analysis. I really tried to carve out an arc for Lola by pin pointing very specific moments in the script and knowing my personalizations for those moments before we ever started shooting.   I had the luxury of working on the character in my acting class for a couple of months before we started shooting. Lola also has a great, charming playfulness about her that’s electric.  She always finds the humor in things and never takes herself too seriously. In my opinion, the person who exemplifies those qualities to perfection is George Clooney. I know this sounds funny, but during the shoot I carried in my back pocket a picture of George to help myself tap into that playful, flirty energy. I guess you could say George Clooney was my inspiration for Lola.

IFQ: What are your personal thoughts on your character? Do you identify with her? Which of your own qualities did you bring to the table in this particular role, if any?

AS: My main thought on Lola is she’s a young woman who is trying her best in love – she just doesn’t comprehend what her best can be.  I think most of us can relate to that.  We don’t really know what we’re capable of in love until we meet the one who makes our “best” want to be even better.

Yes, there’s a lot I can personally relate to with Lola. I think we both try to walk through life seeing the humor in any given situation. I can also identify with the challenges of balancing a career and being a girlfriend. I totally understand Lola’s struggle with her fear around a committed relationship, and striving for the courage to jump in with both feet. Lola and I definitely don’t bring any U Hauls to a second date. I definitely tried to bring my own struggles with commitment to my performance.

IFQ: This film can accurately be described as “The L Word” meets German arthouse film “Run Lola Run.” Are you a fan of “Run Lola Run?” Did Franka Potente’s portrayal of Lola influence you in any way in your own portrayal of Lola? If so, then how?

AS: I am a huge fan of “Run Lola Run.”  I remember seeing it in college and was just absolutely blown away.  I had never seen anything like it before.  Our film is very influenced by it but is much lighter. Franka Potente’s work is amazing, but her performance didn’t have too much of an influence on me simply because our characters are very different from one another.  However, I did remember the urgency she ran with in the film – I definitely was influenced by that and tried to bring that same physical, urgency to my role that she did to hers.

There’s no denying the influence “The L Word” has had in the entertainment world in breaking down mainstream barriers. I believe “The L Word’s” influence over seven seasons will help allow more projects with gay characters filter into the mainstream. Where “And Then Came Lola” differs from “L Word” is that all the lead characters are beautiful lesbians, but all the lead actors in it are out, gay or bisexual, which is special. Megan and Ellen felt very strongly about that when they were casting.  That’s an element about “And Then Came Lola” I am very proud to be a part of.

IFQ: The audience can feel the on-screen chemistry between Jill Bennett and yourself.  What was it like on-set with both Jill and Cathy DeBuono? Also, did you feel any pressure as the lead, especially because Jill and Cathy have a huge following in the lesbian community?

AS: No, I felt no pressure, and you know it’s funny.  My very first gig out of college, when I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, was a supporting role in a movie with Vanessa Redgrave.  I mean, I was a theatre major – I had never heard of “hitting a mark” before and here I am shooting a week on a movie starring one the most iconic actresses in film history. I mean, once you work under those circumstances with Vanessa Redgrave, anyone one else is a walk in the park.

But seriously, I was excited to finally have the opportunity to carry a film.  My attitude about it was whether you have a lead in a theatre piece that three people are going to see, or when you work your ass off in a scene for class that no one will see, or play the lead in a film where you will have a large audience, it all feels the same.  Meaning, the amount of work ethic I try to bring to the process, no matter what kind of venue it will be playing in, feels exactly the same.  I don’t think about an audience when I’m working.

IFQ: How did you go about filming a movie that has three different versions of the story but with various techniques and outcomes? Was this more of a challenge than filming a linear movie?

AS: I think, as an actor, when you film a movie that plays with time, like “Run Lola Run” or “Groundhog Day,” you really have to be extremely specific about intentions, understanding what’s at stake in each scene, and really understanding what was happening moment to moment, and the moment before. Even though the scenes repeat themselves three times, those acting elements were shifting and changing so the character and the story have an arc.  Otherwise, it would be just flat and repetitious. So I was constantly referring to my script notes between setups in a way I normally might not with a linear story.

IFQ: The film features live action, still photography and animation. Can you talk about your animated sequences and how they fit into the film overall?

AS: The photo and animated sequences are completely inspired by “Run Lola Run.” Because the directors were making a film as a kind of homage to the German classic, we wanted to stay true to certain cinematic elements “Run Lola Run” used – the photography and animation.  We really lucked out with the photography talents of Mollie McClure and Sophia Wallace. Not to mention Jett Atwood’s animation steals the show.

IFQ: Like your character Lola, have you ever had a life-changing incident where time sequence affected your future? Can you discuss?

AS: I actually have.  Six years ago, I was living in North Carolina and I was auditioning for an episode of “Dawson’s Creek.”  In the waiting room with me was another actor, Steven Griffith. He and I ended up chatting and really hitting it off.  He gave me his card and we kept in touch.  A few months later, he moved back to Los Angeles.  He called me up one day and said, “I’ve got a place you can stay.  Come out West and really pursue an acting career.” So I up and moved. Had I not had that Dawson’s Creek audition, I wouldn’t have met Steven. Had I not met Steven, I don’t know if or when I would have made the move out West.  I wouldn’t have known anyone or where to go.  He gave me the little push to make the move and gave me a safe place to land.  I didn’t book the Dawson’s Creek job that day, but I did gain a friend who helped change my life.

IFQ: Music is an important element and sets the mood, especially during Lola’s running scenes. What music inspired you or helped you get into character while making the film? Also, what music are you currently listening to?

AS: Oh, man.  Music is a huge part of my process whether I’m acting or painting.  During the shoot, I was listening constantly to Radiohead’s album “In Rainbows,” and to Alicia Keys’ “As I Am.” In the morning, I would warm up to Ray LaMontagne, Patti Smith and Eminem.  I would also mix it up with some Bob Dylan and Brandi Carlile.

Currently, I can’t get enough of rappers Brother Ali and Atmosphere. Not to mention, Jay-Z’s new album is constantly playing on my iPod.  I’m also listening to Florence and the Machine, Cold War Kids, Miike Snow, Q-Tip, Neko Case and Little Dragon. A friend of mine has really turned me on to Fleet Foxes as well.  And of course, I’m jamming with the talented girls from Saucy Monky who helped contribute to the “And Then Came Lola” soundtrack.  When it comes to music, I can go on and on.

IFQ: The film has been well-received on the film festival circuit. As an actress in independent film, what’s your opinion on independent film festivals, in general? In addition, what’s your opinion on film festivals that specialize in gay and lesbian films?

AS: I love independent film festivals.  The energy is incredible.  It’s awesome to be around so many creative people sharing their work. Being thrown in with such good company has really been humbling. This year’s circuit has been an experience I cherish.

I have such love and respect for gay and lesbian film festivals.  I think they’re so important and have historically served as an incredible platform for gay writers, filmmakers and actors during a time when gay stories would never have been supported in any other venue. Even today, it’s so powerful to see queer audiences come out in droves to support the telling of their stories on the big screen and to support and nurture the talent within our own community.

IFQ: Congratulations on your solo art show at DCAC Gallery in Fresno, CA.  You are a self-taught artist and you said that your art is “abstract expression through urban inspiration.” At what age did you start painting? Can you elaborate more on your inspiration, considering that you are originally from Durham, NC and now in LA? What or who constantly inspires you?

AS: Thanks for the congrats! I’ve been drawing and painting since I can remember. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a comic book artist.   Growing up in North Carolina, large urban areas really fascinated me. There’s something about a city’s energy that I love.  I love the architecture and all the lines.  I love the gritty texture of certain urban areas.  I try to incorporate all that into my paintings.

There are so many people who inspire me on a daily basis. I think people who are passionate about their purpose in life inspire the hell out of me.   As far as artists go, Ed Moses really inspires me.  He’s the man.  He was a huge part of the art movement in Venice Beach back in the day, and he is still picking up his brushes and going to work at the age of 82. That’s inspiring. Hillary Clinton inspires me to achieve. Frances McDormand and Cherry Jones inspire me as a performer. My mom inspires me to be a better person.

IFQ: Any upcoming projects (films/art shows)?

AS: Yes! I have a handful of art shows coming up in LA, San Francisco and Palm Springs. I’m very excited about them. I’m going to pimp my website now – www.sumnerartstudio.com – you can view my work and find gallery details there.

“And Then Came Lola” will be released by Wolfe Video in the Spring of 2010 so I’m looking forward to the opportunities on the horizon from that. Plus, I have a few of my own irons in the fire as well. I’ve got a feeling 2010 is going to be a good year.