Q&A with Aimee Teegarden-Disney's PROM

Disney’s PROM comes out on Blu-ray and DVD August 30th. You don’t want to miss the chance to own the ultimate 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack that is exclusively packaged with bonus features including a hilarious, laugh out loud short “Last Chance Lloyd,” deleted scenes, music videos and more. PROM will be available for purchase at retail as a 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) or aHigh Definition Movie Download for the suggested price of $39.99 in the U.S. and $46.99 in Canada; as well as a 1-Disc DVD or a Standard Definition Movie Download for the suggested price of $29.99 in the U.S. and $35.99 in Canada. For more information on this release, please visit www.Disney.com/Prom.

Here is a Q&A with PROM star Aimee Teegarden:

What was life like on the set of Prom?
Life on set was amazing! We filmed the movie in various schools around Los Angeles, so it felt like we were all going to class together every day. There were a lot of giggles on the set, and a lot of laughs.
What were you like in high school?
I worked really hard in high school. I graduated when I was 16 years old, so I guess I was a bit of a nerd because I worked hard to finish early. I was already working in the entertainment business and I knew I wanted to be an actor, so I focused and I got on with my schoolwork.
Did you have any time for fun at school?
I loved playing sports back then. That was a lot of fun for me. And I was also involved in many different organizations like Girl Scouts and the choir. I loved it.
Did you find it easy to make friends back then?
Yes and no. I was a bit of a tomboy and I always had strange clothes. I love thrift store shopping, so my clothes were always mismatched and I never had the right labels or the perfect pair of shoes, so I was a little different to everybody else.
Did that bother you?
Not really. The friends that I had when I was a kid are still my friends today. I’ve got a good group of friends that have stuck by me no matter what. They appreciate me for who I am, which is wonderful.
What advice do you have for kids who are struggling to make friends at school?
I think the easiest way to make friends is to get involved in something you’re passionate about, whether it’s working at an animal shelter, going to choir practice or getting involved with sports. I know it’s very, very hard to go up to somebody and invite them to go shopping or whatever – but it’s easier if you have a common interest.
So get involved in school clubs?
Exactly! Find somebody who shares the same passions as you because it’s a lot easier to connect with people if you have something in common. Plus, you already have something to talk about. Join the drama club, the sports club or even the chess club. Get involved!
Talking of drama… What advice would you give to youngsters who want to follow in your footsteps and act?
The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone is to finish high school. And after high school, look into college with a great drama program or get involved in community theater. Make sure you study first because you never know where this industry will take you.
What other tips have you got for wannabe actors?
Practice your skills, learn about acting and get involved! There are so many different aspects of acting and there are so many amazing books out there that look into different techniques and things like that. Head to the library and read up.
Can you recommend any good books?
There are way too many to mention, but see what you can find. Read up on movies, too. Look into the transition of black and white to color movies, from silent film to talking movies. Knowing all about the history of cinema and acting will be very beneficial further down the road. Watching movies also helps. Read plays, go online and look up directors and actors that you like. Just do anything you can to learn more about the world of movies.
What is the best way to handle all the rejection?
It’s difficult. You’ll get about 500 people saying ‘no’ to you before you get a single ‘yes’ – but you’ve just got to persevere. Look at auditions as a learning opportunity. It’s all about getting your face out there and getting experience. You’ll get there if you try hard and persevere.
Do you enjoy acting?
I love what I get to do. I get to play different characters every day and I get to pretend to do different jobs all the time – but it’s a lot of hard work and it can take forever to get that lucky break. If you’re serious about acting, join the school drama club and get involved in acting classes to see if you like it first. It’s not a career for everyone.
Were you in school plays when you were younger?
I did loads of school plays. In high school, we did The Wizard Of Oz and I played the role of a munchkin. I had a whole song and dance number – and it was really great!
Prom is a cute romantic movie… What kind of guys do you fall for, Aimee?
I’m into normal guys like Joe Schmoe.
What does Joe Schmoe look like?
I don’t think about what he looks like or where he’s from. I just look to see whether his heart is in the right place. I like guys who are nice human beings. Oh, and being humorous helps too!
Have you ever had your heart broken?
It’s happened to me a few times…
How did you cope?
There was lots of crying, of course. Crying, sleeping and food seems to help. I’ve always had a great set of girlfriends that have always picked me up and shown me that I’m young and life goes on. It’s not like I’ve had a great tragedy in my life. Everybody experiences heartbreak. I think it’s just part of the whole human experience. We all deal with it and we all get over it. Eventually.
Is heartbreak tough?
Of course it is! But it helps you grow and mature. If you don’t experience heartbreak, I don’t feel like you would ever understand a lot of things in life. It’s awful, but you’re going to get through it. Keep your chin up, girls. It’s going to get better!