Evie Templeton shares her experience working on horror film ‘Return to Silent Hill’, plus her top tips for dealing with nerves on set and how to stay disciplined with your schoolwork.
At just 15, young performer Evie Templeton already has a career spanning across theatre, television and film and was a finalist in the first-ever Spotlight Young Performer Monologue Competition in 2023.
Following her success in the feature film Lord of Misrule and as she prepares for her latest venture, Return to Silent Hill, we sat down with Evie and her mum, Jayne, to discuss being on the set of a horror film as a young performer, safeguarding on set and how Jayne supports her daughter’s career and schoolwork. Here’s what they shared:
Hi Evie! What first made you want to pursue a career in the performing arts?
Evie: I’ve always really loved the arts and going to watch productions, singing, acting, dancing – things like that. But I think what really sparked this path for me was when I was about 10. I auditioned for Matilda (the musical) and I got down to the last few and ended up not getting that role.
However, soon after that, I was cast in Les Miserables, which was incredible. I remember how excited I was for that and I just felt so lucky to be able to perform in the West End at the Sondheim Theatre. I think it was that show that really got me hooked, and all of the amazing cast. I was really inspired by all the talented people that I got to work with on that.
How do you balance school with your acting work?
Evie: It can be quite tricky, but I think the main thing is you’ve got to be quite disciplined and very organised timewise. I am very grateful that I have very supportive teachers at school who always send me the work, which is lovely.
Sometimes there are times when you have to make sacrifices and you have to prioritise. For example, I might miss out on going to meet up with friends because I have an essay due on Friday, or I have a couple of self-tapes I need to send in, but I think focus on your goal and it’ll be fine.
You’re going to be in the latest of the ‘Silent Hill’ films, ‘Return to Silent Hill’. What was the self-tape process like for that role?
Evie: I got sent the self-tape from my agent and I looked through the script and I remember thinking it was such a cool character. I remember thinking she’s got such great emotional range; she’s got all of these different layers and characteristics.
After that, I had a couple of recalls and I got some notes from the director to re-do the self-tape with his notes, which I did and sent off. We did a couple recalls and then I found out that I got the job, which is incredible.
You’ve also worked on ‘Lord of Misrule’, which deals with darker topics. What safeguarding was in place on the set of ‘Return to Silent Hill’ and ‘Lord of Misrule’?
Evie: Anything that was scary looking set wise or props, prosthetics, make-up looks anything like that, I was shown in advance and the crew would talk me through it and make sure that I felt comfortable with it before the filming day came. Then on the day, there wasn’t anything new or anything I hadn’t already seen or that hadn’t been explained to me beforehand.
Obviously, safeguarding-wise, most of my scenes in Return to Silent Hill didn’t really include anything that was too scary that made me feel uncomfortable, but any scenes that were more frightening were done with the adult cast separately, so I was never exposed to any of those things. Everyone was just super friendly and there were members of the crew that were there to ensure my wellbeing when I was on set, which was always great and always made me feel comfortable.
Jayne: And I got lots of cups of tea! Mostly, [when self-taping] they just send you a little scene, but if you get quite far in a process then sometimes, they will send you the script, especially if it’s an adult thriller, horror or a darker subject. I always read the script and if there’s anything I’m uncomfortable with I will go back to Evie’s agent and say, “What about this?”
But, to be honest, they are very good at keeping any minors separate from that, so even if you’re in a scene which may become scary one way or another, Evie will do her part in it separately and then the adults will continue, so I think it’s very good. I don’t know how it was a long time ago, but certainly for us, I never felt that Evie has been in an awkward situation. It’s been explained to both of us in advance, so you don’t walk in and it’s a surprise.
Evie: It’s always been a positive experience. I’ve never felt uncomfortable or scared or unsafe on set. I’m very grateful for that. I’ve seen little snippets [of the finished scenes] and mostly it just looks super cool. The effects and everything – it all looks great and it’s nice to see it all come together.
Jayne: Interestingly, when you see how they put it together, now I see it in a little bit of a different light because you see that it’s obviously fake, the scars are fake and the blood is fake. But I do still hide behind the cushion!
Being your first time in that kind of environment, how did you manage your nerves on set?
Evie: I just had to remind myself that everyone gets nerves, everyone’s in the same boat, and it’s just how you channel those nerves so that they work for you and not against you.
If you’re ever feeling nervous, one thing that I do is take deep breaths. I use triangle breathing, where you breathe in for three and then hold and then release – it really calms you down. I also use music. I like listening to music before I go on set and I think it helps you get into the right headspace and helps calm your nerves and cool you down. But if you’re prepared, just trust yourself.
What does a typical day look like for you when you’re accompanying Evie to an audition or filming?
Jayne: I like to feel prepared, like I said before. The children always joke because I’m always really early for everything.
Evie: Four hours early for everything!
Jayne: I like to know where and when it is. If it’s a TV or film project, those days are planned out in advance for you and everything is scheduled, so you might be collected from home or a hotel. It’ll be mapped out with your scenes, your hair, your make-up, your breaks, so that’s quite easy to plan.
However, if it’s for an audition or recall at Spotlight, I like to work out the travel arrangements, where the venue is if it’s different, the timings, if I need a hotel the night before and appropriate clothing. Always have a change of clothes just in case there’s an incident.
We had an incident when Evie was younger with a hot chocolate, and two minutes before Evie’s recall I was in a store buying leggings and a t-shirt, so if you have it with you, it just takes the pressure away. Lastly, making sure all the lines are learned in advance so you’re confident and I really just make sure that Evie’s happy and confident.
It might be off-putting when there’s loads of children and you think that one’s got this on and that one’s doing this and that one looks prepared. Try not to look at that, just put on your blinkers and think about what you’re doing.
Can you tell us about being chaperoned at rehearsals and on set?
Evie: My mum tends to come with me, which is lovely because obviously it’s an established relationship. We normally just do little check-ins, little thumbs-ups every now and again just to make sure that I am comfortable and I feel safe when I’m working, but there will normally be a chaperone who works through appropriate breaks and rest periods and sorts out tutoring with my school and just makes sure that everything’s in order so that you can do your best when you’re on set.
Jayne: As a parent, you shouldn’t feel like you can’t say, “Oh, I’m not sure about that.”
Obviously, these people are very important, but so is your child. If you go to something and think, ‘I’m not sure about that’ or, ‘I think that’s not quite right’, then you can just say, “Excuse me, is this the right place to sit and discuss?” etc.
There is an element of you feeling grateful and lucky to be there, however, she’s still my child, so I’ve got to take that into consideration. If she’s not happy or comfortable I have to say, “Is there any chance we can change whatever it is?”
Evie: In my experience, they’ve always been more than happy to make the adjustment, because the more comfortable you feel, the better job you’re going to do, and at the end of the day that’s the goal.
Jayne: There was a time on set and it was quite chilly. They gave Evie things for her feet, hand warmers, and hot water bottles. They want to make their actors and actresses comfortable and ready to do their scenes, so it works for everyone.
What is the secret to a good relationship between a parent and agent?
Jayne: Your agent is someone you can ask questions if you’re unsure or worried about something and you need to also appreciate and respect that they are working hard to find your child opportunities. Sometimes you might get a handful of self-tapes…
Evie: And sometimes you might not get anything for ages, but you just have to wait for the one that suits your brief and your agent will sort that for you.
Jayne: If it is really quiet and you’re concerned, maybe discuss with the agent what more you can do. For example, update your headshots, look at your Spotlight profile. Ask yourself, “Is there anything that I can make a bit more current?” like an updated showreel or headshot.
You can put lots of lovely things on your Spotlight profile about yourself, and there’s even an ‘About Me’ section. You won’t fit every role, but if you get the self-tapes then give it your best shot. Also, get it in on time, because your agent can give you the opportunity, but the rest is on you.
How do you deal with your social media presence?
Evie: I don’t post too much and when I do I make sure it’s not anything too private or personal, something that I would be unhappy if the whole world were to see. Generally, I just post everyday events, special moments and achievements.
I think social media is great because it’s fantastic to be able to connect with all these people in the creative industry and to meet like-minded people. I think it’s really important to not let social media consume you or affect you in a negative way. It should only be a positive thing and if it is having a negative influence on you, then I would just say take a step back, enjoy the real world and you can come back to it when you have a healthier relationship with it.
It’s difficult not to compare yourself to how other people are doing, especially in this industry. You should just appreciate all the good stuff going on in your life and congratulate other people for their successes.
Jayne: Don’t take too much notice of things, for example, you see someone who’s had twelve self-tapes before breakfast and you haven’t done any in three months. They say comparison is the thief of all joy, and it’s very difficult not to compare when you see wonderful things, but you have to focus on what you’re doing.
As a mum of two girls, I just think if it gets to a stage where whatever you’re saying out there and whatever platform is affecting you, just come off it. The world’s not going to stop rotating and you not being there isn’t going to change anything. If someone really wants to contact you, they’ll send you an email.
What are your top tips for self-taping at home?
Jayne: Firstly, learn your lines. Be very familiar, and if you have a self-tape that comes through in the afternoon, for example, then I would collect Evie from school and start reading it straight away because that’s time in the car for you to learn it and get an understanding of the character.
Evie: If you don’t read the information thoroughly and you miss a step when uploading your self-tape and it doesn’t actually end up being sent off correctly or in the right format, then your tape won’t get seen and all the hard work and effort you put into it is going to go to waste.
Jayne: Just make sure you understand exactly what they’re requesting from you. Read the brief a couple of times, and then after that really set up the area with good lighting, a clean backdrop with no noise, no dad’s walking in the background and no dogs barking – we had a bumblebee once which we couldn’t get rid of.
You can invest in lighting and backdrops, but really if you’ve got a plane wall at home and natural light, that’s all you need. You probably will have to get some kind of equipment for the winter months, as by the time you get home from school it’s already dark. Do a few run-throughs and try not to do too many takes.
Once it’s done, like Evie said, double-check check you’ve got everything right and provided what they’ve asked for and then send it off. The hard bit is trying to forget about it, which is easier said than done. If it’s gone, it’s done – forget about it.
What are your top tips for young performers who are just starting out and their parents?
Evie: I would say work hard because hard work does pay off, and just absorb all of the opportunities you can get and tips and knowledge from classes, workshops and anything you might do. Try to enjoy every step of the way – the self-tape process, the auditions, the classes and workshops and experiences on set, if you get the chance. It can be a very difficult industry and it does have a lot of disappointment but keep going and you’ll be fine.
Jayne: Try to be organised in advance, however, sometimes it can be a bit tricky. If you find yourself with a few self-tapes on top of your regular week, if it becomes a bit too much, try and pull the reins in a bit. I prioritise the tapes, so sometimes we have to skip other things like dancing that night or whatever it is so we get that done.
There also has to be some downtime as well. You’ve got to work hard, but you also have to take a little bit of a break, otherwise you get worn out. So we take the dog for a walk and get some fresh air, and that just relieves a bit of pressure and gives you time to think.
Finally, what would be your dream role?
Evie: I would love to be in a fantasy or dystopian project or a period drama because another passion of mine is horse riding, so I’d love to have a project where I could incorporate that into it. Fingers crossed!
A massive thanks to Evie and Jayne for sharing their amazing experience with us!
Take a look at our website for tips and advice for young performers and parents and more interviews and casting stories.
