Fall in love with Harlow Jane, star of ‘I Love Us’

The talent on display from young actors these days is absolutely astounding. Harlow Jane can count herself among the cohort of young actors who consistently blow audiences away. She stars as Audrey Fenton in the 2021 romantic crime drama I Love Us by Danny A. Abeckaser.

I Love Us is a story of family, internal struggle, and tragedy. It is Harlow Jane’s debut feature film role, but it certainly won’t be her last. She’ll be seen next in K. Asher Levin’s Dig. We were lucky enough to speak with Jane about her love of acting, her hopes for the future, and her role in I Love Us.

What was the moment you knew you wanted to be an actor?

It was never something that was ‘pushed upon me’ during my childhood, and while I’d always had inklings that I wanted to get involved in film, I think I’d sort of rebelled against it because I felt like it was expected against me. But, when I was around 16 I decided that there wasn’t really any point in fighting it any longer.

Tell us about your history in the industry. How did you get your start? How old were you?

Well, like I’d said earlier, I had sort of rebelled against my desire to become an actress- but I’d go through phases of really wanting to do it and then being like, “actually, no, I’m gonna do something normal like become a lawyer.” But I always knew deep down I’d want to do this. My first project I was around eight, and then my second I think I was around eleven? Little stuff. Nothing super serious. I didn’t really know what I was doing.

Are you involved in any acting communities?

I’m about to start at the Lee Strasberg Institute, and that’s incredibly exciting to me. My father and my grandfather both audited classes there when they were young and starting out.

Who are your current influences?

That depends if you’re asking me in the general sense, or just in the film world. I find myself really inspired by women like Anya Taylor Joy, Helena Bonham Carter, Cate Blanchett, Stevie Nicks, Saoirse Ronan- I’m seriously in love with her- and Florence Pugh. I’m also in one of those phases where I’m going through a big musical shift, and listening to new stuff. Ethel Cain is really cool.

Your current project is I Love Us. Tell us about how you got involved in that production?

It was a little funny, actually. I got a call from my manager one day asking if I knew Danny, and at the time I didn’t so I said no, and she told me that he had sent an offer for a film, and that the script was in my inbox. I was a little perplexed, honestly, but I read it and thought it could be a fun experience, so I said yes. I love working, honestly, so I’m always ecstatic going into something. (Her uncle, David Arquette, has done many movies with Danny to date.)

What was your favorite part about working on I Love Us?

The people, absolutely. I met some true friends for life, and some incredibly talented people. I bonded really heavily with Jasper Polish and Katie Cassidy who were playing my sister and mother, Gabriella and Trace, who did our makeup, and of course, Danny. They were awesome, and I’m lucky to have met them.

What was it like working with Director Danny A. Abeckaser?

I hadn’t done any work for a really long time because my parents and I decided that school should be my number one priority, and so to have my first project getting back into things be with Danny was a great blessing. He was super open and friendly, answered all my questions, and was just overall a joy to be around.

What do you hope audiences take away from the film?

Honestly, this is always a hard question to answer. Something I love about cinema is how subjective it is to everyone. My favorite thing about going into a movie is seeing what I take away from it that’s special to me and only me, so I hope that someone finds something like that in this for them.

How do you go about choosing a new project?

I read it front to back once or twice. If there’s something in there that really speaks to some facet of me, then I’ll go for it. I like it when things feel right.

Can you talk us through your creative process when you get a new script?

First and foremost, I think about the character, read up on her. I like to be really well versed on everything going on with a project. I make moodboards a lot, make playlists, just try to get into the ‘vibe’ of what’s going on in the story. But I love reading, so every time I get to read something it excites me because I can put myself into a world of my own for however long it takes me to get through it. It’s awesome.

What part of acting do you love the most?

I think, because I’m still pretty new on my journey, I get really entranced by the idea of being able to delve into interesting parts of myself that I rarely get to see the light of day. I know with Audrey I got to sort of regress into a younger version of myself, and got to experience a lot of the emotions that come with that sort of experience, which was really cool. I love the metamorphosis of acting.

You come from an incredible family of actors. Have you worked with either of your parents yet on a movie? Cousins, aunts or uncles?

I’ve worked with my dad on a few occasions, most recently on our new movie Dig, which I’m super excited about. That was a really interesting shoot. My mom and I have plans to do things together in the future, but we’re both pretty picky about what we want, haha. I’d love to work with the rest of my family, really. I love them to death. Especially my cousins. I think we’d make some gnarly stuff together.

What has been the biggest success of your career?

I don’t really think I can answer this, yet. How do you even quantify success, anyhow? I enjoy little successes a lot. I think if you appreciate those then you’re training yourself to be a grateful person in general. I think the biggest success of my life and of my career thus far- I’m only eighteen, anyhow- is the day I made the choice to pursue what I wanted in life.

Do you have any advice for other new actors?

Tough question. It’s hard to get out of your own head, when you’re starting out in the industry. Listen to the rational voice in your head, it normally knows best. Take your time. Things don’t need to be instantaneous. Opportunity doesn’t work on a set schedule. Keep yourself stimulated, engaged, and learning.

Which indie actors should be on our radar?

Right now, I honestly have no idea. Most of the ‘indie actors’ I used to watch have become shot into superstardom, and I’m honestly so happy about it. I get to see the people I used to fangirl over get what they deserve out of life and that’s really cool.

Can you tell us about your next project?

I wrapped on Dig a little while back, and it’s super kick ass. I can’t wait to see what Asher does with it. He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and some really awesome ideas. I’m not sure what I can and can’t say, and I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s a super cool story with lots of really awesome moments and performances. Emile Hirsch is, I think, every actor’s favorite actor.

What’s on your acting bucket list?

I’d love to play a part where I can just truly go through the metamorphosis of becoming someone else. I’m not sure if I’m ready for that entirely, but I know that I really want to do that one day. I know I want to be able to portray a little bit of every color of the rainbow of characters. I’m a pretty big sci-fi and fantasy geek, so I’d jump at the chance to be in something like that. Historical, too.

If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I think I’m still looking for this movie. The movie that feels like it speaks directly to my soul. I’m still on the quest to find it, but you’ll be the first to know when I do.

What’s a movie you’re excited to see this year?

I recently watched The Green Knight, and I just always die over anything A24 makes, so that was a really fun experience. I’m super curious to see Dune. I’ve never read it but I’ve heard a lot about it and want to see what Villeneuve does with the story. The French Dispatch, too.