Exclusive: Young Actress Molly Jackson Talks Grown Up Role in ‘Circle’

Actress Molly Jackson talks about growing up and growing into acting.

You may have heard her voice in Inside Out or “Thor: The Dark World.” Maybe you’ve seen her in TV’s “The Middle” or “About a Boy.” Now at only 14 years old, Actress Molly Jackson is clearing her path to more adult-oriented roles with films like Circle and a rising short film in the queue.

We had the chance to speak with Molly about her plans for the future, where she wants to be in Hollywood, and even what superhero she would want to be after her experience in “Thor: The Dark World.”

Film Fad:

How did you get started and find an interest in acting?

Molly Jackson:

I started with acting since I could walk and talk. I was always performing. I performed at my parents’ parties. I would sing, I would dance, I would put on little sketches. It was just watching TV and seeing people get a laugh out of an audience. I just loved the reaction that I’d get out of people. Then when I was five I started at a theater that was local in our hometown El Paso, Texas. And I started doing some plays there and eventually I decided that I wanted to come out to L.A. and give this a try.

Film Fad:

Of the work you’ve done, you’ve been the voice of animated characters and also had roles onscreen in some major films. Which is the most fun for you, voice work or live action parts?

Molly Jackson:

I think that voice work is really fun but being in front of the camera is such a richer experience sometimes because you get to really use your facial expressions and your body language to express the character. I love voice work and it’s really fun because the group of people that does voice work seems to be very close and you run into the same people a lot. And voice work is very fun because then you get to see your voice on someone that doesn’t even look like you. But being in front of the camera…that’s a treat.

Film Fad:

Being in a more suspenseful film like “Circle,” did it make you nervous or scared to play a role surrounded by a more frightening theme?

Molly Jackson:

It made me a little nervous at times because I was surrounded by all of these experienced and talented and successful adults. And they had so much experience and they were so professional and just so amazing that I got a little more nervous about that than I did about the intensity of the actual film. A lot of the actors were also comedy actors so it was very light and joking so they really made it so that I wouldn’t have to be scared about anything. That was fun. But I think what I got more nervous about was being around these very talented actors.

Film Fad:

Who were some people that coached or helped you when you were more uncertain or nervous in a role? How did they coach you?

Molly Jackson:

I would have to say that one of the actors on set Allegra Masters, she made it really fun and really relaxed and she made Vines with me. And she introduced me to Vine and to use that on the break. And she’d play games with me on the phone like Quiz Up and she really helped keep it calm and fun.

Film Fad:

Oh cool so she introduced you to a little bit of social media?

Molly Jackson:

Yes she did. Yes.

Film Fad:

You had a smaller part as an ADR actor in “Thor: The Dark World.” If you had the chance to be a superhero in a film, who would you be?

Molly Jackson:

A superhero in film…I kinda want to be something like Spider-Man. I guess you could call it Spider-Woman. I’ve always just loved Spider-Man. So I think that would be really fun to be a female version of Spider-Man.

Film Fad:

What appeals to you about Spider-Man? What do you like about him?

Molly Jackson:

I like that his powers are really unique. You hear about people having flying or invisibility or like laser rays. But I like Spider-Man because he has some animal in him too which is kind of cool. And he can shoot webs which is different from other superheroes.

Film Fad:

So you’ve done a lot of TV and you’ve done some film as well. Would you rather be a TV star or Movie star?

Molly Jackson:

I don’t really have a preference. Either would be such a blessing and such an amazing experience. I’ve had less experience working on movies than I have TV but I love when I get to work on a film. And when I do get to work on TV it’s really fun because I’ve done a lot of guest roles on TV so it’s fun getting close with a family aspect. But with movies you do it and then you’re done with it but with the sets everyone seems so close so it would still be a great experience.

Film Fad:

Oh so you build a stronger relationship with TV actors because you’re working with them so much?

Molly Jackson:

Well I haven’t worked on a show for a long period of time yet but I noticed the people on the show they seem so close together with all the other TV actors. So it would be great to have a relationship like that when if I land a show. And for movies it’s really fun. The sets are really interesting and they’re fun to be on. Everything is just fun.

Film Fad:

Do you want to continue in acting as you get older or would you like to do other things in film? If not film-related, what do you see yourself doing in the future?

Molly Jackson:

I would love to act a little bit throughout my whole life but I think that in the film industry is where I would still like to go but I would like to get into writing more. When I’m older I want to go to film school and become a writer for some sitcoms or some shows or kind of anything.

Film Fad:

Oh okay, so you’d like to be a TV writer?

Molly Jackson:

Yes, I would.

Film Fad:

Is there any particular genre like comedy or drama or something like that?

Molly Jackson:

I think for TV comedy would be really fun but for shorts and stuff, drama is really fun.

Film Fad:

What are some future projects that you’re excited about?

Molly Jackson:

I did a short film called “Shadow Guide” awhile back and it’s actually premiering this Thursday at the Hollywood Shorts Festival at the Chinese Theater. And that will be premiering there and hopefully we can get enough funding for that to make it into a feature. That’s the plan. So it’s a really great show and you can go check it out on YouTube under “Seraph Films The Shadow Guide Teaser” and you can see a little sneak peek of that short film.

Film Fad:

Well thank you so much for your time Molly. It was a pleasure to talk with you. And good luck with your future and getting that film moved into feature.

Molly Jackson:

Thank you so much. Thank you for spending the time to talk with me.

Check out the teaser for “The Shadow Guide” below!