Rachel Boudwin discusses leading “Boot Camp”

by

Rachel Boudwin discusses leading "Boot Camp"

As I delve into Rachel Boudwin‘s journey, I am thoroughly impressed by her resilience and determination. Starting from her childhood fascination with Shirley Temple and evolving into a fan of modern-day powerhouses like Jennifer Lawrence and Timothée Chalamet, it’s clear that Rachel has always been captivated by the world of acting.

In her debut as a leading actress, Rachel Boudwin will star in the upcoming movie “Boot Camp,” which is based on the popular Wattpad novel of the same name. The story centers around Whitney Carmichael, an unassuming young woman who develops feelings for her off-limits trainer, Axel Tanner. “Boot Camp” is a film that emphasizes self-acceptance and body positivity, and Rachel Boudwin shares her thoughts on the significance of this theme in the movie and her approach to portraying the beloved character.

Rachel Boudwin: From as far back as I can recall, I’ve been drawn to performing. At just five years old, I was quite expressive and often found myself dancing or singing. My parents felt that enrolling me in musical theatre would be a suitable channel for this, and they were correct. Growing up in a small town, it momentarily deterred me from pursuing it due to its unconventionality and impracticality there. However, during high school, I discovered an intense passion for filmmaking, which became the only path I wished to follow in life. Consequently, I was determined to make it happen.

As an enthusiastic fan, let me share my favorite tale of Rachel Boudwin’s journey. Around two months after securing my first agent, the unexpected happened – I landed a role that came out of nowhere for me! It was more than a year since my initial audition, and I had a strong feeling about this project right from the start, even though it was only my fifth audition with my agent.

Rachel Boudwin expresses that Whitney, the character she portrays, resonates deeply with many people due to her initial self-consciousness, which mirrors the experiences of numerous individuals during high school and beyond. As Rachel herself was quite introverted in high school and self-conscious about her body, this role felt particularly relatable. In fact, Whitney’s journey within the story struck a personal chord with Rachel, making her feel deeply connected to the character. The first time she read the character description, Rachel admits that she had never before related to a character in such a profound way. Upon reading the script prior to her callback, Rachel recalls shedding tears and feeling as if she was reading about herself on paper – if she could write a script, this would be it.

Rachel Boudwin: Fortunately, Drew provided a chemistry test for us. From the moment he appeared on screen during our Zoom meeting, I sensed it. He possessed the enigmatic quality that Axel required, and an endearing charm that came naturally to him. Both of us were thrilled about being part of this film. For us, it was a significant opportunity. We had dinners before filming began. My stay was brief, just a few days before shooting started. So it was quite quick. However, one night Drew gathered the entire cast, and we went to watch a movie together, followed by dinner and ice cream. Later, he took us on a tour of Vancouver. Nevertheless, most of the time we were filming on location, so our bond grew rapidly. I believe we clicked from the get-go, and it was an incredible experience overall.

Rachel Boudwin: There’s a significant difference between the two for me. As a child, I was deeply enamored with the thrill of performing on stage, and that passion hasn’t waned. In fact, I can envision myself returning to the stage someday. However, an inherent love for cinema has always been present within me. Growing up, my brother and I would spend our weekends immersed in movies, repeatedly watching VHS tapes. This fondness has persisted throughout my life. In filmmaking, I appreciate the collaborative aspect of it, where everyone works together towards a common goal. On stage, it’s more of an individual pursuit. But on a movie set, there’s a sense of unity and camaraderie as everyone contributes to one project. This shared experience fosters strong connections among the team members, which I find genuinely appealing.

Rachel Boudwin: To be honest, I was quite terrified at the beginning. You see, before this, I had mainly worked on student films. Although I had been acting for four or five years prior, this felt monumental. When I received the call, I felt a bit of anxiety wash over me. Fortunately, my dad was in town, and I believe it was fate that brought him there at that moment because I was petrified. I remember telling my dad that I’d dreamt of this since I was five, but now that it was here, I feared I might not be ready for the task. My dad reassured me, saying he knew I performed well under pressure, so he had faith I would either sink or swim, and he believed I would swim. It’s those situations where you don’t realize your capabilities until they’re right in front of you. For most of the shoot, my adrenaline was pumping. I’ve never been as tired as I was during that time, but it was all worth it in the end, and I’m grateful I didn’t give up.

In my youth, Rachel Boudwin fondly remembers being captivated by Shirley Temple movies. She amassed nearly all of her films on VHS tapes, often pretending to be a tap dancer, even though she lacked the skill. Reflecting now, she acknowledges that she absorbed much from this iconic actress. As a child of four or five, Temple’s ability to headline numerous films left a lasting impression.

Rachel Boudwin expresses her deep appreciation for being involved in a film addressing an urgent topic that resonates with many. She was particularly moved when reading the script because it mirrored her own struggles with self-consciousness about her body and self-confidence, experiences shared by numerous young girls and adults alike. A poignant moment for her was her father’s reaction to the script, emphasizing its potential impact on everyone who has ever felt insecure. This film, she hopes, will allow viewers to identify with Whitney, the character, and convey a message of self-acceptance and confidence.

As a fan myself, I admit I hadn’t realized the series was adapted from a book until I landed the role. Interestingly, this ignorance might have worked to my advantage during auditions since there wasn’t the immense pressure of portraying a character from such a widely-read Wattpad novel. If I had known about its twenty-seven million reads and the love people had for Whitney, I might have been even more anxious than I already was! But I’m grateful that it did have a dedicated fanbase, and I could resonate with Gina Musa’s book. It wasn’t difficult for me to understand why so many others related to Whitney as a character and saw similarities in myself. Knowing that twenty-seven million others had read it was a heartwarming feeling, knowing they felt the same way about this character. I hope the film can evoke a similar emotional response in viewers.

Rachel Boudwin: One key lesson I’ve picked up from finding myself in unfamiliar territory and taking on a leading role is understanding the power of shaping the environment, especially when it comes to film sets. It’s truly a gift to have the ability to lift people’s spirits, whether they’re having a tough day or not, by making them laugh or smile. I hope to carry this quality with me throughout my career and simply aim to be a positive presence on set. This was an invaluable lesson learned during my first project.

The romantic comedy “Boot Camp” will make its debut on August 2, 2024. You can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, or catch it on demand.

Read More

2024-08-02 17:15