Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Katie Johnson
Aspen Martinez is making her film debut in A24’s Opus, which follows Ariel (Ayo Edibiri), a young writer who travels to the remote compound of a legendary pop star. Martinez talked to NYOTA about getting into character as Maude, improvising lines, and working with director Mark Anthony Green.
What were your early experiences with acting that made you want to pursue it professionally?
My sister was a big influence. As soon as I could walk and talk, my sister and I were dressing up and singing for our friends and family. My mom started taking my sister and me to musical theater and ballet shows when I was three or four. The first time I was on a film set was when I was four, and my sister was working. I liked watching my sister act and do auditions. I really liked the stories and the characters. Finally, when I was six or seven, I told my mom I wanted to try it.
Who are some actors that inspire you that you’d love to work with one day?
I would really like to work with Margot Robbie, Zendaya, and Zoe Saldana, and I would love to work with Ayo Edebiri again. They are all amazing actors who have played strong roles.
You’re making your film debut as Maude in the A24 film Opus. Tell our readers about your character and how you prepared for the role.
My character, Maude, is outgoing and friendly. She is also cute and sweet, but she has another side to her that is manipulative and surprising. Preparing for the role for me is memorizing my lines and understanding my character’s emotions.
Maude is a precocious child who immediately takes a liking to Ayo Edibiri’s character, Ariel. Did you often bounce ideas off of each other for how you wanted scenes to play out?
Ayo and I ran lines together. She gave me great advice on memorizing lines. We would try different things when we were running lines or filming a scene.
Take us through that first dinner scene, where all the characters come together to break bread and hear from Moretti. In the moment, do you remember thinking through how to balance Maude, not immediately coming off as manipulative or deceptive?
I really liked filming that scene. The dining room set was amazing. I didn’t think about not coming off as manipulative. I focused more on Maude being friendly and drawing Ariel (Ayo) in.
The film is full of eccentric characters. Did you feel encouraged to improvise or try new things while filming?
Yes, one of my favorite moments on set was when Mark Anthony added some lines to my character last minute. That was exciting and fun for me. I had to learn the lines quickly, but it was rewarding when the scene came together.
Do you feel you grew as an actor after working with Mark Anthony Green?
Definitely, Mark Anthony was so great to work with. He knew how to guide me and give me direction. He also let me do my thing. I felt comfortable just becoming Maude and who I felt she was.
What advice do you have for others your age who want to pursue acting?
Part of acting is you do a lot of auditions you don’t get. So, I think of those auditions as practice. I do my best at the audition, but then I forget about it and let it go. If I get a callback, that’s great. If I don’t, it wasn’t for nothing because I practiced and learned from the audition.