Paola Dubrule
She played in Joshua Lozano‘s Rest Stop Dollar Baby film as Helen.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Paola Dubrule: Hello Oscar and everyone reading this! My name is Paola Dubrule, I studied Theatre Arts with a concentration in Performance at the University of Texas at El Paso and am currently pursuing a certification in acting for film at a film school called Kinematica in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua. I’m a Mexican-American actress who is also interested in learning more about the production side of filmmaking, so I will probably look into that once the new year hits! I have quite a few ideas for some films as well. I’m currently working as an admissions counselor while I save some money up to do the “big move” as everyone calls it! I love sharing ideas and I love the film community, I appreciate all the talent people have to offer and it is incredible when people you know leave you in awe.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?
Paola Dubrule: I knew I wanted to be an actress since I was 11 years old. In fact, funny story! One day small 11-year-old me was riding in the car with my mom when I heard on the radio that they were casting people to be on Nickelodeon, Disney, and all that good stuff. I was super excited and begged my mom to take me to that casting. It ended up being a total scam, but it was the first time I “auditioned” for someone and from there it was something that stayed within me forever.
SKSM: How did you become involved in Rest Stop Dollar Baby film?
Paola Dubrule: I met Josh Lozano and Luis Moreno while working on another short film called “The Tram” in 2018. Since then, we’ve become quite good friends and Josh usually shared his ideas and scripts with me, which I enjoy so much because I believe he is really talented. When they started working on Rest Stop, they initially had another person in mind, but that person flaked on them and then they reached out to me. I was honored that they’d consider me, so I absolutely said yes. I’m so happy I did because it was an incredible experience I had with people I cherish, and nothing beats that feeling, you know?
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Paola Dubrule: Honestly, I wouldn’t know about other people, but for myself personally, it’s the fight that Dykstra has with himself. It’s incredibly interesting how a person feels the need to have an alter-ego and runs to that alter-ego when in need. I believe many of us can relate to Dykstra in some level.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Paola Dubrule: I did not have to audition for the part. Josh offered me the role, and of course I was going to say yes!
SKSM: You worked with Joshua Lozano on this film, how was that?
Paola Dubrule: Josh is an incredibly talented person. I always find myself reminding him of the talent that he has, because sometimes people just need to be reminded that what they create is worth it and is wonderful. He worries a lot about everything, especially with this film, so of course he was trying to be supportive while having a million other things running through his mind. However, that didn’t take away from the fact that I had so much fun while filming. Josh is incredible and he really believes in the people he collaborates with, so that really makes everyone bring out their best potential.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Paola Dubrule: Definitely! I believe we’ve all talked about this, and I can’t help but laugh, but it was just such a sweet moment. After filming, I was just really really hungry. It was like 3am or 4am, but hey, the night is young, right? So I asked them if they’d want to go grab a bite, and they did! After that, we went to go see the sunrise, and it’s one of those moments you never forget. It was almost cinematic in its own way, you know? There we are, a bunch of kids with incredibly high hopes for the future, with big dreams and obviously huge anxieties about their dreams and their future, who just decided to live in the moment for a little while and just go watch the sunrise. That moment definitely made me try and appreciate the little things in life a lot more.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Paola Dubrule: The ones I have the most contact with are Josh, Luis and Adi, which was the make up artist. We have become incredibly close, and I honestly don’t even quite know how that happened, I’m just so glad it did. They are people you can always count on, and when you’re feeling down, they are people who understand what you are going through because our hopes and dreams are incredibly similar. It’s nice having that support. Most of all, they are amazing, fun and wonderful people.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Paola Dubrule: Honestly, with the unfortunate events the pandemic has placed us under, there isn’t much work to do. However, I am currently working on a short film together with my film school. I’m working on the script, and once the script is ready I will hand it over to the director of my school so we can go ahead and start with pre-production! I’m incredibly excited because I have a lot of faith in this short film, and not only because I’m the one making it (haha), I just think it has great potential.
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Paola Dubrule: To be honest, I haven’t quite gotten into reading a lot of Stephen King’s work. One book that I did read that stayed with me because it was just so visceral and dark was The Dead Zone. Also, The Green Mile is a great way to break your heart time and time again. And while it’s not the same thing, I’ve obviously watched the IT movies, which I adore.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Paola Dubrule: I was actually going to study psychiatry. My mom was really against me studying acting, so me wanting to make her happy decided that I was going to go into psychiatry instead. I do find it really similar, in a way, to acting, because in acting you dig deep into your character’s brain, their feelings, why they act the way they do, so I don’t feel like I missed out on much. Of course I probably did, but it was the best decision of my life. Also, my family was ALSO against me studying psychiatry because I’m an incredibly empathetic person, so I feel people’s problems on a deeper level than normal.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Paola Dubrule: Honestly, thank you so much for your interest and for reading what I had to say. I honestly don’t know what your situation may be, but I do feel the need to say that you should absolutely pursue your dreams. It is terrifying, it is incredibly anxiety-inducing, but it’s also one of the best decisions you could make. I’d rather be anxious and terrified while pursuing what I want than being anxious and terrified about living my whole life doing something that just leaves you empty. Please don’t give up on whatever you actually want to do. It is cheesy and it is cliché, but I will never stop encouraging people to do that.
Also, I want to thank all of you that make the film community such an amazing community. I truly feel welcome and valued, and it’s because of all of you. Thank you for making me feel like I finally belong somewhere.
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Paola Dubrule: I saw this on Josh’s interview and I thought it was SO funny, so I will go ahead and copy it. If there are any agents out there, my lines are definitely open as well.
To everyone creating art, never ever stop. The world needs you. If you need encouragement, because we all do, my lines are open too.
