Autumn Best
in
Film
Women of the Hour
Photography | Christian Anwander
Creative Director | Deborah Ferguson
Interview by Deborah Ferguson
Autumn Best delivers an award worthy, groundbreaking, supporting role performance in Netflix Film: Woman of the Hour. Her character is based on a true story of an actual hero who saved women’s lives. By portraying the runaway teenager, (Monique Hoyt) is both pivotal and inspirational to the film’s story, directed by Anna Kendrick. While she is blazing a fierce trail to future poignant acting roles, she is also a trailblazer role model for performers with disabilities, who like her don’t want their disability to define who they are. Chatting with Autumn during our cover shoot I was able to experience a humble, very focused actress, who understood a creative vision and embraced it with her added authentic touch. I see this is like her acting, Advocacy and her new path in film producing.
Jacket & Skirt : Patou, Leather Bandeau bra top : Ashton Michael, Heels: Maile ,Pantyhose: Calzedonia, Blush: Valentino Beauty
DF How was your acting training achieved on your journey starting as a very young 4-year-old actress?
AB I took comprehensive acting classes in middle and high school, that’s where I was introduced to the classics. When I moved to NYC, I started looking for studios that specialized in their own techniques because I am really interested in learning straight from the source. I most recently took classes at the Atlantic because practical aesthetics as a technique was so interesting to me and unlike anything I’d ever tried. I think each unique approach to acting can come in handy for different projects, so I am always looking for new ideas and tools.
DF Please share what the auditioning process was like for your role in Woman of the Hour?
AB I was doing a lot of self-taping after wrapping my first big job working for The CW. I was in talks to play one of my dream roles in a musical and still waiting to hear about that when I got the breakdown for Amy. When my team told me that Anna wanted to Zoom with me after seeing my tape, I was looking at it as an opportunity to meet her and learn from her notes. I thought there was no way she would cast me to play a real girl who didn’t have a limb difference in real life. A few days after my callback with Anna, I found out from an Instagram post that I didn’t book the musical that I had wanted so bad. So, when I saw my team calling, I braced myself for bad news about Woman of the Hour and instead I was doing a literal happy dance in the middle of the street. I think as actors, we deal with rejection so much that when something actually goes through it’s like a waking dream. I ended up learning and growing so much on Woman of the Hour that I can’t even imagine an alternate timeline where I had gone and done that musical instead. As an actor, it’s hard to see what’s just around the corner but sometimes the right “no” really does take you one step closer to where you need to be.
DF What was the hardest scene in the film to shoot for you personally?
AB The real kicker was process trailer day, they put the car on a trailer, and you basically just drive in a circle for hours. I get carsick normally and I have definitely learned my lesson to take a Dramamine before driving days.
DF Your role was that of a true heroine and incredibly pivotal to the overall story, how did you apply facts of her true story to your character?
AB I knew that Monique was an incredibly wise girl, that’s what I held on to the most. She was also a young girl who was bullied and shamed by the media surrounding the trial for allegedly putting herself in danger. I felt like we were setting the record straight for her by showing the world that she was a victim and in absolutely no way responsible for the horror that she experienced as a child. I just felt so much love and care for her story and tried to bring as much of myself to the table as possible for her.
Bathing Suit: Zadig & Voltaire, Pantyhose: Calzedonia, Heels: Maile, Bracelet: Patou, Eyeshadow & lipstick: Prada Beauty
DF What was the hardest scene in the film to shoot for you personally?
AB The real kicker was process trailer day, they put the car on a trailer, and you basically just drive in a circle for hours. I get carsick normally and I have definitely learned my lesson to take a Dramamine before driving days.
DF Your role was that of a true heroine and incredibly pivotal to the overall story, how did you apply facts of her true story to your character?
AB I knew that Monique was an incredibly wise girl, that’s what I held on to the most. She was also a young girl who was bullied and shamed by the media surrounding the trial for allegedly putting herself in danger. I felt like we were setting the record straight for her by showing the world that she was a victim and in absolutely no way responsible for the horror that she experienced as a child. I just felt so much love and care for her story and tried to bring as much of myself to the table as possible for her.
Blouse & Shorts: Patou, Pantyhose: Calzedonia, Heels: Maile, Bag: NDG, Sunglasses: Dezi
DF Is there an example of a challenging scene when you felt Anna Kendrick as the director was intuitive and supportive to ensure you were able to deliver your best performance?
AB Anna came into my trailer the night before we filmed the scene where I wake up in the sand and prepared me for a tough day to act through both in subject matter and the freezing cold. She thanked me for putting myself through it and made sure I knew to communicate if I needed anything. They dug a pit in the sand under me and buried a heating blanket and her and Tracy (our producer) were coming over to throw jackets on top of me between takes. Even just her acknowledging that it was going to be difficult made it so much easier for me to do my best because I wasn’t out there pretending like I wasn’t freezing or tired, I could just do my job and trust that I was being taken care of.
DF What was your takeaway working with such an amazing costar Daniel Zovatto?
AB On our last day, he told me to trust myself. I really think about that conversation all the time and it has changed the way I work completely. If you don’t trust yourself as an actor, nobody else will.
DF And how did you both navigate the distressing scenes together?
AB I think we both made it through those scenes by allowing ourselves to come out of character between takes and spend the bulk of our days laughing and having fun. Neither one of us were interested in carrying the characters with us on set and it gave me the stamina to keep shooting.
DF How did you evolve your career while embracing your limb difference?
AB I have always loved acting above anything else and I have learned to trust that regardless of anything else about me, whether it be my disability or whatever else makes me unique, I know how to do this job well and the right people will see that in my work.
Dress: Stella McCartney, Heels: Maile, Earring: SVRN, Pantyhose: Calzedonia, Lipstick & Blush: Valentino Beauty
DF What do you want actors to know from your experience of how to stay empowered, positive and focused if have a disability of any type?
AB You truly never know what role is going to be right for you. Never turn down an audition because you think you’re a bad fit. Trust that if you do your best work, the right people will support you.
DF Is there a foundation or charity you advocate for?
AB The Ronald McDonald House is an important organization to me, my parents stayed there when I was going through medical treatment for Gastroschisis as a baby and I have such a special place in my heart for them.
DF What do you hope to achieve by being such an amazing advocate for this charity?
AB I would hope that people consider fulfilling a Wishlist item for their local chapter or donating to help families going through what my parents had to.
DF What is your ideal day of self-care when not working?
AB I absolutely love sitting in a coffee shop all day, just reading or writing. That’s how I know it’s been a good day-off.
Dress & Boots : 3.1 Phillip Lim, Hat : Yueqiqi
DF Can you share some of your favorite skincare products?
- I am obsessed with the Nudestix skincare line. I also keep pimple patches on me because if I don’t cover a blemish, I will pick at it and make it a thousand times worse. I used to have a lot of skin problems and I think the best thing I ever did for my acne was cutting out dairy, I always tell people that’s my real skincare secret.
- DF And what’s in your makeup bag?
AB The Tower 28 Sunny Days tinted sunscreen and their brown mascara. I’ve been using the blush sticks from Milk since I was in high school, huge fan. I’m a real lazy girl when it comes to makeup, but I have always at least five different lip-glosses on me, my favorite right now is from Tower 28 in the shade Fire.