Read our exclusive interview with up-and-coming actress Nichole Bloom, who portrays JB’s girl, Nichole, in the new comedy ‘Project X.’ The movie, which became highly anticipated when popular filmmaker Todd Phillips signed on to produce and kept the details about the plot under wraps, follows three high school seniors who decide to throw a house party when their parents go out of town. While the teens are aiming to make a name for themselves before they graduate, the party quickly spirals out of control after word about it spreads on the Internet.
‘Project X’ also became anticipated when Phillips, the writer, director and producer of such hit films as ‘The Hangover’ and ‘Old School,’ decided to cast many un- or little-known actors for the main characters, to give up-and-comers the chance to appear in a movie. The film is also one of the first comedies to be shot through the point-of-view of the camera of one of the students filming the the party. Bloom discusses with us, among other things, why she decided to appear in ‘Project X,’ and what it was like working with first-time director Nima Nourizadeh.
ShockYa (SY): You’ll be making your feature film acting debut in the new comedy ‘Project X,’ as JB’s girl, Nichole. What was it about the film that convinced you to accept the role?
Nichole Bloom (NB): Honestly, it didn’t take much convincing, when I heard that Todd Phillips and Joel Silver were producing a film and casting unknown actors, I knew it would be an amazing opportunity for someone like me. So after auditioning seven times, there was no way I was gonna turn it down when they offered me the role.
SY: Jonathan Daniel Brown plays JB in ‘Project X.’ What was your working relationship with him like on the set?
NB: We really became good friends. I remember meeting him for the first time at the table read, and we just clicked. The great thing about JB is that he can make anyone feel comfortable, and it doesn’t matter if they’re an extra on set, or one of his leading co-stars, he is great at making friends and putting people at ease. Especially the ladies.
SY: Like you, ‘Project X’ is one of, if not the, first feature film of many of the main actors in the cast, including Jonathan, Oliver Cooper and Dax Flame. Did the fact that many of the actors were relatively new to acting help build your working relationships while you were filming?
NB: Yes I think that did have a part in us all becoming good friends, but even the more experienced actors like Thomas (Mann) and Miles (Teller) hung out and became friends with everyone. A lot of the core cast got really close by the end, and a lot of us still hang out and make home videos with each other!
SY: ‘Project X’ follows Jonathan, Oliver and Dax’s characters, three high school seniors who throw a birthday party to make a name for themselves amongst their classmates. As the night progresses, things spiral out of control as word of the party spreads, and everyone questions if they should partake in the bad behavior that’s escalating. Was the shoot a five-week-long party, or was it a good learning experience for your career, or both?
NB: Definitely both. Watching the movie I felt like I was back on set because even when the cameras weren’t rolling, the music didn’t stop and all the kids were so lively and fun. But the whole process from being cast to then filming was an invaluable learning experience.
SY: Filmmaker Nima Nourizadeh made his feature film directorial debut with ‘Project X.’ What was it like working with a new director? Was it a learning experience for the cast and Nima to be working on their first movie together?
NB: I never thought of Nima as being a “new” director because he carried as much authority and vision as you would expect from someone who’s worked on a bunch of features. He was really really wonderful to work with, not only because of his skills, but also he’s just a super nice guy and made all of us feel at home on set and valuable as actors. He was always open to our input and experimenting with any ideas we had which gave us the freedom to let go and give our best performances.
SY: Is ‘Project X’ modeled in the same male bonding/partying fashion as Todd’s previous films, only set in high school?
NB: You can definitely see how the films are similar, but I think because Nima directed this film, its very different from those. Visually it’s totally different, but also the character interaction is much more “off the cuff” and ultimately there’s a cute ending which really sets it apart from those other films.
SY: After ‘Project X,’ you’ll next be seen in the dramatic independent film ‘Model Minority,’ in the lead role of Kayla Tanaka, a low-income teen artist who becomes involved with a drug dealer. What was it about Kayla that convinced you to take on the role?
NB: I knew after reading that script it would be a huge challenge to take on the role because I haven’t had any experiences equal to what Kayla goes through. A lot of time I know I’ll good at something if I can relate it to my own life, but I’ve never been in the kind of trouble that Kayla gets into, so I had no idea how I would pull it off. My director, Lily Mariye, had so much faith in me and I think that’s a huge reason I was able to do it.
SY: Since Kayla is your first lead movie role, and is based on true events, did you feel any pressure to portray her in a particular way?
NB: I didn’t feel pressure to portray her in a particular way. I always put a lot of myself into my characters, so this was no different. Even though the story is based on true events and people, I made her my own character without thinking about how she “should” be portrayed.
SY: ‘Model Minority’ has been described as being emotionally demanding, and Kayla dramatically evolves throughout the course of the film. So how did you prepare for the role?
NB: I did not have a lot of time to prepare for the role between auditioning for it and when filming began, but I spent time trying to visualize what Kayla’s life was like. My upbringing was so different than hers, but then finally being on set, and being in her clothes and styling my hair like her’s, made it all come together.
SY: ‘Model Minority’ was written and directed by Lily. Did the fact that Lily wrote the script help in her directorial duties once you began shooting?
NB: I think Lilly would have directed this movie with all the same hard work and passion had she wrote it herself or not. It was a story she really wanted to tell, and she wrote it because of that.
SY: What advice do you have for teens and young adults looking to break into acting and the film industry?
NB: I would tell anyone looking to break into this industry to first of all, make sure its something you absolutely want to dedicate yourself to, and then do just that. Work hard and make it your biggest priority and it will pay off if you give it the time.
“Nichole Bloom; Photo Credit Betsey Newman”