Alexandra Jensen

Alexandra Jensen is an AACTA-nominated Australian actress who you may recognise from her television roles in ‘Talk To Me’, ‘Frayed’, ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘The Messenger’. In this chat, soon after her debut performance in a play in London play, she talks about learning on the job, navigating the highs and lows of acting, battling imposter syndrome, and the importance of asking questions when building a creative career.

Transcript

Emily McKnight [00:00:00]:
I would like to acknowledge that this podcast has been created on the lands of the
Gadigal people of the Eora nation. I pay my respects to elders, past and present,
and extend that respect to all First nations and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Listening today always was, always will be aboriginal land.

Alexandra Jensen [00:00:18]:
Just ask the question. Just ask if you don't know something. Ask and you will learn
and you'll be better.

Emily McKnight [00:00:37]:
Hi, my name is Emily McKnight and this is an actor survives. Join me as I chat with
some of Australia's most creative minds to discover how they navigate a career in
the arts and to get their top tips on how to survive in the industry. This episode was
recorded on Zoom, so please forgive the slightly dodgy sound quality and welcome
Alex Jensen to an actor survives. Hello, and finally, it's very exciting to have you as a
guest because we have been emailing back and forth and both have travelled the
world this year and we finally made our way here. So I'm very excited. I feel. Yeah, a
little bit in suspense, I think. No pressure, but yeah, it's really here.

Emily McKnight [00:01:29]:

It's very exciting to have you on board as a guest.

Alexandra Jensen [00:01:33]:
It's really nice to be here.

Emily McKnight [00:01:35]:
So, first of all, how long have you been an actor and when did you first feel
comfortable to call yourself an actor?

Alexandra Jensen [00:01:41]:
I've been working professionally as an actor for six years. Since 2018, maybe two
years ago, I actually started saying, like, I was an actor. I think I just got to a point
where I was like, you know what? Fuck it. It is what I do with most of my time. So I
might as well just say, yeah, I'm an actor.

Emily McKnight [00:02:04]:
But from the joke, because you were like, I. Yeah, that's cool. I like that answer. So
you're in a position where you feel like acting is what you do with the most of your
time?

Alexandra Jensen [00:02:16]:
Yeah, I guess, like. Like, I do lots of different things, but I guess acting is. Yeah,
probably when I work, it's. I mean, you know, it takes up so much of your time and
even when you're not, I mean, you're auditioning and you're working and you're
training and everything, but, yeah, I guess it just got to a point where I was like,
because 2018, I graduated high school and it never felt like I was working. The past
two years, I kind of matured a bit and went, okay, well, yeah, I would usually just say,
I don't know if I was in an Uber. I just make up something like, I was on a volleyball
team for a long time. That's cool. I was like, in the creative.

Alexandra Jensen [00:02:58]:
Or I just say, oh, yeah, I work in the creative industry, like, because I didn't know
what it. I don't know, I just. Yeah. So maybe the past two years I've been more
confident or a bit more mature to be like, yeah, that's what I do. Yeah.

Emily McKnight [00:03:12]:
Wait, were you on a professional volleyball team or was that the bit that you made
up?

Alexandra Jensen [00:03:15]:
No.

Emily McKnight [00:03:16]:
Okay.

Alexandra Jensen [00:03:16]:
No, I just made it up. Can you imagine right now you went.

Emily McKnight [00:03:21]:
From a professional volleyball team to being a professional actor. That is impressive.

Alexandra Jensen [00:03:26]:
That's crazy.

Emily McKnight [00:03:29]:
Yeah. I don't remember reading that when I read your cv, but wow. Yeah. Amazing.
So did you go to drama school or anything like that or you just kind of launched
straight into it post high school?

Alexandra Jensen [00:03:41]:
Yeah, I haven't yet. I haven't trained like done the three year bachelor or any like,
diploma yet. It's definitely something like I'm still looking into or as an option or going
to any of the drama schools and training, like, it's still something I'm looking into, but
it just hasn't worked out that way. When I was in Houston, how it's.

Emily McKnight [00:04:03]:
Just different for everybody. It's amazing. Amazing.

Alexandra Jensen [00:04:05]:
Yeah. Yeah, it's, it's so funny. And when I was in year twelve, I guess I did feel like I
kind of just sort of launched into it. Like I, when I was doing my HSC, I was filming
two tv series and I was like, oh, cool. And then like the whole next year I didn't work
and I didn't. I just, it was such a, like, oh, whiplash. Like, I just, there was so much
happening in the one year and then the next I was like, oh, I don't. This industry is so
random.

Alexandra Jensen [00:04:37]:
Like, it was such a weird introduction, but yeah, training is something like going and
doing the 3 year course. It's still something I look at if it's something I want to do
because I feel like a career is. It's longevity. So if you want to go train, why not, like, if
you're blessed with time to do it, like, go for it.

Emily McKnight [00:04:59]:
Do you go to classes or anything like that?

Alexandra Jensen [00:05:02]:
Yeah, here and there. Like, I'm more. I definitely have learned on the job. I haven't
really had an option. When you're like, oh my God, what do you mean? I better, like
that panic getting straight in. But I mean, I've done classes. I'm more. So, I love
when I'm working with other actors.

Alexandra Jensen [00:05:29]:
I just did a play in London and I, I hadn't done like I did a play in 2018 with ATYP and
that was my first, like, proper job theatre experience. And then I haven't done any
since. And this was my, like, lovely way back in to theatre, and I just loved it. But I
definitely was asking my two other actors so many questions. I was like, and what is
this? And when? And what is this? And I, when I'm on a job, I just like asking people,
I don't know what. What they've trained in. Like, one of the actresses, Maria Gale,
she's amazing at Shakespeare, so I've been learning a lot about Shakespeare from
her and just chatting to her and sort of learning that way, but, yeah.

Emily McKnight [00:06:15]:
Great. I think it is really the best way to learn. If you're, if you're lucky enough to be
doing those jobs, then, yeah, learning from your peers, because you can take it or
leave it, but you can also witness how it works for them. So it might not work for you,
but you can see how it works for them, but also it gives you the opportunity to try
different things and, like, kind of just gather. Ah, man. Okay. I can't not ask you. So
you just did a play in London. That is literally my dream.

Emily McKnight [00:06:45]:
That is so exciting and awesome. How did that happen? I'm not asking out of
jealousy, I swear. I'm asking because I'm amazed and impressed and excited to talk
to somebody that is doing the dream.

Alexandra Jensen [00:06:58]:
Oh, no, it's been my big, like, bucket list tick. Like, it was. It was so. Yeah, I. It doesn't
feel real. Like, it was. It was so cool. I, um, I just signed with an agency over there,
and I. I think you were there at the same time as me earlier this year.

Emily McKnight [00:07:19]:
Yeah, I also. I have an agent in London as well, so, um, I've not done a play there
yet, but I'm. I want to, um. But she's, uh, she's brilliant. I was there for other things,
but, yeah, met up with her and chatted and it was great. But I wasn't there when you
were in the play. How cool would it have been if I was, like, there? And then you
were like, hey, I can't do the podcast right now, but I'm in this play.

Alexandra Jensen [00:07:44]:
That would have been scary, but I went over in that period to meet her and meet
them, and while I was there for the two weeks, the audition popped up for it. And it's,
um, it's an australian play, funnily enough, called the Bleeding Tree by Angus Darini.

Emily McKnight [00:08:06]:
Yes. And they did that in Australia, I think a few years ago.

Alexandra Jensen [00:08:10]:
Yes, they have.

Emily McKnight [00:08:11]:
I heard about it. Yeah.

Alexandra Jensen [00:08:12]:
I haven't seen it. Another production, but this was the UK premiere.

Emily McKnight [00:08:16]:
Aha, great. So you, so you were, you happened to be in, in London and then an
audition came up and then you got the job and then did you just stay in London or
did you.

Alexandra Jensen [00:08:28]:
I went to Spain. So my. I said that way too.

Emily McKnight [00:09:19]:
Wow.

Alexandra Jensen [00:09:20]:
So it all worked out. But, um, yeah.

Emily McKnight [00:09:23]:
Had you originally planned, you know, go to London for two weeks, meet the agent,
and then come back to Australia?

Alexandra Jensen [00:09:30]:
Uh, yeah, I mean, do a bit of travel with my partner

Emily McKnight [00:09:33]:
So it was kind of just a, okay, now I'm. Now I'm here for a few months because I've
got to do a play.

Alexandra Jensen [00:09:37]:
Yeah, it kind of worked out. We were there much, much longer than we thought we
were going to be because we were like, I'd never been to London before, so it was
also my, as we were meeting and doing castings and stuff, I was like, oh, my God,
Buckingham Palace. Oh, my God, the bridge. Oh, the bridges.

Emily McKnight [00:09:59]:
I love this story so much. This is so good. I'm so glad we've got you on the podcast
now after you've had all these amazing experiences so you can share with us, but
also me, because I'm living vicariously through you. This is so good. Amazing. Okay.
And that was your little venture back into theater. So that means that most of your
work and or passion has been in film and tv, acting.

Alexandra Jensen [00:10:24]:
It's. I love film, and it's just sort of worked out that way. Yeah. Because when I was,
when I was younger and I was like, I think I want to do. I think I want to be an actor.
Like, you know, you say that I envisioned myself as more of a theater actress. That's
more so what I felt. I don't know why.

Alexandra Jensen [00:10:48]:
I think I just felt I wasn't suited for screen. I don't know what I got in my head about
as a teenager, but just sort of worked more in it. But I was so grateful to be back in
theater, like, I just think it's. They're both incredible mediums and yeah, the dream is
to be able to do both, like, all the time, I think. Yeah. Loved it.

Emily McKnight [00:11:18]:
Yeah. When you kind of decided you wanted to be an actor and you mentioned that
you already kind of were working as an actor while you were still at school. Did you
have an agent? Like, what was your kind of way into even doing it in the first place?

Alexandra Jensen [00:11:31]:
It was all very random. I feel like everyone's stories are very random and that's what
I love about it.

Emily McKnight [00:11:37]:
I know it's like, comforting because you can't follow anyone else's path. You have to
go on your own one.

Alexandra Jensen [00:11:43]:
Yeah.

Emily McKnight [00:11:43]:
It gets so tempting sometimes to be like, how did you do it? Tell me the ways. But I
think, I think for me, through doing this podcast but also through getting old, I really
feel just genuinely excited to hear how different people have done it because it feels
like therefore anything is possible. I can't try and copy your path. I can be excited
that your path is happening how it's happening, and then I can go, oh, maybe
something random will happen to me and it's fine.

Alexandra Jensen [00:12:14]:
I couldn't agree more.

Emily McKnight [00:12:16]:
Yeah, it's so good.

Alexandra Jensen [00:12:17]:
Yeah, that's a really, I respect that a lot. I think that's a really sick perspective to
have.

Emily McKnight [00:12:26]:
It's taken time to develop, but.

Alexandra Jensen [00:12:31]:
Holy moly. But like, yeah, I love that. I respect that heaps. I was having a really rough
time at school in my final years and I have the most incredible parents who have
nothing to do with the industry. They're just the best people ever. Dad's a welder, my
Mum works with my dad. Like, they are epic. And I'm definitely the weirdo in the
family and I was, you know, really struggling and I wasn't going to school.

Alexandra Jensen [00:13:07]:
And I just said to my mum, like, I just, I don't want to be doing this. I really, I would
love to just be acting like she's like, what do you want to do? Like, what's going to
make you happy? And she was amazing and she said, okay, well, why don't you
start going to ATYP? We'll get a special exemption from the school. And I lived in
Newcastle. So I was getting, I think it was three times a week, I was getting the train
to Sydney, doing the class and coming back and I was so grateful for it. Even though
I was doing my, like, final years at school, I was able to finish then, like, I had this
outlet that allowed me to do that and I'm so grateful for my parents that they believed
that I could do it all and supported me and, you know, said, no, no, no, we've got
you. And while I was in year twelve, they were like, why don't you. There's a play for
ATYP. Like, why don't you audition? Why don't you give it a go? And I was like, okay.

Alexandra Jensen [00:14:10]:
And I auditioned and I got the role and it was a play called "Impending Everyone". It
was really cool and it was, it was at the Griffin Stables and it was just the best
experience. And I was like, yeah. And then my mom, like, the incredible person she
is, found an audition on Facebook for a TV series Foxtel was doing. And my mum's
not a stage mum. Like, I hope this never comes off like that.

Alexandra Jensen [00:14:41]:
She's just very supportive and like, you know, you can do it, give it a go. And I'll
always be grateful for that. And I was like, okay, I self taped for this show and I
ended up getting, doing a few rounds and got to the final chemistry reads for this
particular show and I didn't end up getting it, but they were so lovely, the people at
Foxtel and the producers and everything that they were like, you don't have an
agent. I'm like, no, I don't know what's going on. And they set me up with my eight
agents now who are, who have been my agent since. And I'm so grateful for all those
little things aligning and all those things happening, like, and very, you know, even
grateful for the not very nice experiences that allowed me to, you know, push myself

and, and then very luckily got some TV gigs by the end of the year and then, yeah,
sort of got thrust into it.

Emily McKnight [00:15:42]:
Amazing. What a good story. Now that you've had that experience in London, do you
have plans to go back and do more and do more auditions, etcetera?

Alexandra Jensen [00:15:52]:
Yeah, 100%. I love London. I think it's such a cool city and I'd love to do more
theatre. I'd love to learn more about Shakespeare and I'd love to do a Shakespeare
over there. Like, I just, I have the mentality of just give everything a go once and,
yeah, 100%.

Emily McKnight [00:16:11]:
Before this experience of flying over and doing the show in London, had that been
something that you were working towards or were you more geared to the whole
America thing or not. Just growing in the industry in Australia?

Alexandra Jensen [00:16:26]:
I think my child self has just always been obsessed with the UK as a whole, I just
think. But I just. Yeah, I think there's just been some. I think there's just something
so, like, excuse the pun, but I do think there's something kind of magical about the
UK. I think. I think the theater over there is incredible. I think every something just so
elusive and I've always wanted to go over. So, I mean, I've definitely been more
drawn to that side of the industry that exists over there and the work that exists over
there.

Alexandra Jensen [00:17:03]:
But, I mean, America is definitely something I've thought about. I have a US
manager and it's something I'm exploring.

Emily McKnight [00:17:13]:
So you've got a US manager, a UK agent and an Australian agent.

Alexandra Jensen [00:17:17]:
Yes. This is a recent. Yeah, it's great. I love my, my team is. I'm very lucky. They're all
really great. No bullshit. Really good, solid people.

Emily McKnight [00:17:32]:
So when you. When in that position, that's freaking cool. Do you. You've called them
your team. Do they communicate with each other or.

Alexandra Jensen [00:17:43]:
Yeah, 100% great. It's all. Everything. Every audition, they all get put into the emails.
They all talk. If I talk to one, like, the information gets. Yeah. Because I guess that's
what they are and that's what I love is that we are a team. Like, you know, again, like
I said, like, it's that longevity. It's. I want to build a team of people around me that I'm
going to have when I'm. When I am much older. And I want them to be the same
people who I trust, who I. Yeah, I want that. I don't want to be jumping around. I want
to build a solid team.

Emily McKnight [00:18:27]:
You know, in all that, you mentioned that you have US management as well. Have
you worked in America?

Alexandra Jensen [00:18:36]:
I've done, like, American jobs, but filming in Australia, but I haven't. I was meant to
go over to do a press sort of tour, ComicCon for a film I've done called "Talk To Me"
which is like, it's Causeway and A24. They're really cool people and we're meant to
go over and, like, 24 hours before we were meant to fly out, the strike started and it
all just got paused, obviously, like, everything did during the strike. And, um. Yeah, it
was crazy. It was. I mean, obviously for the right reasons, and I fully agree, but, um,
yeah, it was just such a crazy experience being like, oh, shit. We literally just paused.

Alexandra Jensen [00:19:27]:
But it was really. The film still did amazing. Like, it was great watching it. It still did
amazing at the box office, but, yeah, it was. It was interesting being on that side of
history, I guess. And, yeah, being a part of it.

Emily McKnight [00:19:42]:
And being a different version of the highs and lows we were talking about before.
Yeah, because you're literally about to fly to the other side of the world.

Alexandra Jensen [00:19:49]:
Yeah.

Emily McKnight [00:19:50]:
For an acting related thing. And then suddenly it's canceled.

Alexandra Jensen [00:19:53]:
And it was funny, though. I wasn't upset about it at all, though. I was just like, no, like,
for sure if. I mean, obviously, I was like, oh, cool, we're not. Oh, okay, we're not
going. But it was. It was more like, no, like, cool. Okay, this is.

Alexandra Jensen [00:20:10]:
If this is what is happening in the world, like, 100%. But it was. Yeah, it was such a.
The timing. I fully am a big, like, not trying to sound wanky, but, like, I fully believe in
timing. And you don't get something for door closes if. If something doesn't happen,
I'm like, oh, cool. Wasn't meant to be there.

Alexandra Jensen [00:20:30]:
Great. Happy to. Happy to follow that. Happy to. All good. I just trust in that sort of. I
don't know what you'd call it. I just trust in the timing of things.

Emily McKnight [00:20:42]:
And it's amazing when you have to really. You legitimately have to kind of trust it. You
know? I did an audition for a job that had so many things pointing towards. Yes, I
was gonna get it. So many things and so many, like, things, manifesty things. Like, I
really, one of the actors in the show that was already cast, I really wanted to work
with. In terms of my diary, it fit perfectly into when I arrived back from overseas. It
was a role I'd always wanted to play.

Emily McKnight [00:21:14]:
You know, there were so many. There were so many things that I thought, like, oh,
great. I'm like, this feels so right. And I worked really hard on the audition as well.
Like, to be clear, I didn't just think, I can manifest this, and I'm sure worked really
hard on it. Didn't get it. Was sad, but. But was also like, oh, no. Like, what do you
mean? Like, wasn't I manifesting that? Weren't all the doors? Like, wasn't that the
door that was going to open? Because it.

Emily McKnight [00:21:45]:
And it. And it was a professional theater job as well. And, you know, there were so
many things I'm about to say, and then nothing happened, which doesn't mean that
nothing will happen. You know what I mean? Like, that door wasn't what I thought it
was going to be, but there have already been a few things come out of it, and a few
other things have happened in that time, and. And I'm also just going like, oh, okay,
cool. So that one wasn't meant to be the next professional show. So I guess I'll just
wait till the one that it's going to be is going to come up and there'll be a reason or
not, but it'll be okay. It'll be okay, everyone.

Alexandra Jensen [00:22:26]:
No, 100%. I also like to think about it as, like, in my tools, even if, like, nothing is a
follow up. Like, you don't know what experience you might have been saved from.
Mmm.

Emily McKnight [00:22:39]:
True that.

Alexandra Jensen [00:22:40]:
You know what I mean? Like, I don't know. There are jobs I haven't got. And then I've
spoken to a friend who maybe worked on the job and they were like, uh, uh, it was
interesting, you know, a nightmare because of this. And it's like, oh, actually, maybe
it wasn't. Maybe I just wasn't ready to cope with that. Or maybe I just got saved from
a really difficult experience that would have really hurt.

Emily McKnight [00:23:02]:
Like, or maybe it was awesome and it just wasn't your turn.

Alexandra Jensen [00:23:06]:
And that is, yeah, there's all the things.

Emily McKnight [00:23:09]:
All the things are true and real.

Alexandra Jensen [00:23:10]:
Oh.

Emily McKnight [00:23:11]:
And.

Alexandra Jensen [00:23:14]:
One of my other most important team is my emotional backbone team, which is like
a group of people I can't even count on one hand. And they are, because there are
so many highs and there are so many lows in this creative world, in this life, in
everything. And I was talking to a mate about it the other day and we were
discussing it and was saying, with acting, the highs are so high. You know, that and
quotations. A normal low feels kind of so much more low because you've just done
something so high. And it's, I don't know if we talk about that enough. Like, yeah,
why are we, it's why it's so important to have these solid groups around you to
support for the highs and the lows because you feel them so much more.

Emily McKnight [00:24:13]:
And there's different parts of your career where you feel the highs and the lows in a
different capacity. For instance, I was just talking to a friend about how the actors in
the industry who are auditioning all the time, the highs and lows they're experiencing
are, am I going to get the job? I didn't get the job. Or yes, I got the job. This is the
best thing ever. And that's the thing. Whereas where I'm kind of at, at the moment,
especially not having an agent at the moment. And I've, you know, I've been busy
with, with other exciting and creative things, but not acting is, I feel like I'm in this
weird space of I'm not even getting in the room for things, so I'm not really
experiencing the highs, but the lows I'm experiencing are very different. So it's like,
I'm going like, oh, I would.

Emily McKnight [00:25:08]:
I would experience the high to just be in the room right now. Because when I get in
the audition, I'm like, yes, I've got an audition. This is the best. And then not having
the audition is like, oh, no. Why oh, no? I applied for this, and I didn't get in the room.
Like, yeah, I think that's something I'm really. I'm experiencing myself at the moment,
but I'm really interested in terms of the conversations that we have with each other
and. And the different points that different people will be at in their career.

Alexandra Jensen [00:25:40]:
Yes.

Emily McKnight [00:25:41]:
Because sometimes it's about, did you get it? Didn't you get it? And sometimes it's
about, did you get in the room or not?

Alexandra Jensen [00:25:48]:
For sure. I mean, I appreciate you saying that, because that, like, sort of on topic
with that, I. When I first started, and I would get things, and I wouldn't get things, my
agent, she's amazing. She would say, like, she'd say things like, even though you
didn't get this one, someone else got. You know, but then she'd say, remember, like,
when I get it, she'd be like, and remember, someone else didn't get this. Like, she
would really try and explain that feeling that, and I really appreciate that. And I hope I
explained that, like, enough, because she really tried to describe what those highs
and lows are, and that it actually doesn't, you know, so dealing with rejection, it's a
bit more like, you can look at it and understand it a bit more when you get it. You can
be like, yes, but I also need to remember, and not in a bad way, just, okay.

Alexandra Jensen [00:26:50]:
And this is that feeling of when I didn't get it. Just remember that. So you've got to
hold on to that now because you know what that feels like. And. And I think that
comes in with those highs and lows and understanding when it is high. You've got to
remember. Remember that low part, and not in a bad way, just remember. Okay, so
I'm really gonna not grateful, but be grateful for this.

Alexandra Jensen [00:27:10]:
This part of my life that I'm in, you know, because.

Emily McKnight [00:27:14]:
Yeah,, I think that's true. And also knowing that maybe it's not your turn this time to
get in the room. Maybe it's not your turn this time to get the job. Maybe it is your turn
to this time to get the job, but maybe next time it will be different. And. And it's not
really anything to do with you as a person or you as an actor. It's just that that's the
way that.

Alexandra Jensen [00:27:36]:
It works a hundred percent. And, like, that's a hard thing to get to that point, to be
like, it's. And I love that you said that. It's not like you as a person.

Emily McKnight [00:27:45]:
Yeah.

Alexandra Jensen [00:27:46]:
Because it's so hard to separate, so hard to peel that layer off and be like, that is not
about me. They don't know me because it's also, like, in the same fact that the more
work you do and the more time, like, people see your face, it's like, oh, shit. You get
scared to fail. You get scared to. For not to be perfect.

Emily McKnight [00:28:10]:
It's like musicians releasing a second song after they've had a hit.

Alexandra Jensen [00:28:15]:
Absolutely. It's that pressure and we put it on ourselves and it's a hundred percent. I
think that's so valid. Like, oh, my God.

Emily McKnight [00:28:25]:

What's hilarious is we hardly think that about other people. I always remind myself of
that is I'm not actually looking at other people and judging them 99.999% of the time,
but yet I go, oh, gosh, well, they're all going to be thinking this, that and the other.

Alexandra Jensen [00:28:41]:
I know everyone's thinking about me.

Emily McKnight [00:28:44]:
And if anybody is in the audience for anything that I ever do, please don't judge me.
And secondly, come and talk to me in the foyer and be my friend. The end. Yes. But I
do. Yeah. It is funny how. How much we put on ourselves.

Emily McKnight [00:29:03]:
I think that's a really good point.

Alexandra Jensen [00:29:05]:
Also how much we don't, like, pat ourselves on the back. The fact that you even
getting out and doing that, you were just like, don't judge me. It's like, well, dude, no,
we're not. Like, people aren't getting up and doing that. The fact that you're showing
up, like, I don't think, and this is something I've definitely got to do for myself more, is
being like, do you know what? You did your best. You actually went in, like, you went
in the room or you tried to get in the room or you tried something. Oh, my God. You
did something really freaking scary.

Alexandra Jensen [00:29:40]:
Like, as amazing as all the, like, acting is incredible. And it's a, you know, we're all
here because we love acting. Fuck. It's scary sometimes.

Emily McKnight [00:29:50]:
Yeah, that's it.

Alexandra Jensen [00:29:51]:

Oh, my God. Like, no, you know, there's like 2 seconds when you're waiting side
stage and you're about to go out on stage and you haven't been out on, like, on a
stage in so long, and you're like, oh, my God, I'm gonna.

Emily McKnight [00:30:04]:
Well, it's part of the reason why I'm doing this, this, this little scene work thing,
because I haven't been on stage now in a little while. And so I'm. I'm already starting.
I'm feeling two things. I'm feeling, my gosh, I want to do it so badly. I just want to do
it. Please, please. I just want to do it.

Emily McKnight [00:30:23]:
And then secondly, oh, no, what if I don't know how to do it anymore? So it's a
mixture of excitement and terrified, but I know that I just have to do it. And it's the
same with doing self tapes. I'm trying to challenge myself at the moment to do more
self tapes for no reason other than to do them. I can't put the pressure on myself of, I
have to make this self tape good, because I can send it to a future agent or a future
audition or whatever. I'm just going, let's just do it. Because you really like acting, so
you get the fun out of it. Because it is so fun. And I really love it.

Emily McKnight [00:30:58]:
And every time I do it, I go, oh, cool, great. That's still a thing for me. I still love it.
That's important.

Alexandra Jensen [00:31:03]:
Yeah.

Emily McKnight [00:31:03]:
And then secondly, it's a skill that I want to keep developing. And so just, like, for me,
I'm a flute player. I know that if I practice flute, I tend to get better at it. If I don't
practice flute, I tend to stay at the same kind of level. I don't. I don't think with those
particular skills, I'm ever going to be so far backwards, but it's that maintenance thing
and it's also that improvement thing. And I actually genuinely, really want to improve.
I want to be a good actor, and I want to know how to be a better one.

Alexandra Jensen [00:31:35]:

I respect that so much because.

Emily McKnight [00:31:38]:
Thank you.

Alexandra Jensen [00:31:38]:
Like, no, I have so much respect to you for that. For you for saying that. Because,
like, we. It is scary. And sometimes I do have to remind myself that we just. We are
just doing our best. That's it. And the fact that you are showing up, you are putting
yourself out there for being vulnerable, to act, to show you even have a love for
something.

Alexandra Jensen [00:32:13]:
Do you know what I mean? That is so. Oh, just like, fuck, yes. Yes. Because that is
really hard. That's really hard. And, like, good on you. Like, absolutely fucking yes
and good on anyone who's, like, rocking up and being like, shit, ass scared. And I'm
just gonna just do it.

Alexandra Jensen [00:32:34]:
I'm just do it. Do you know what I mean? Because you surprise yourself.

Emily McKnight [00:32:39]:
Totally.

Alexandra Jensen [00:32:40]:
Mad respect.

Emily McKnight [00:32:41]:
On saying that. And with all of that still being true, if anyone listening wants to just
give me an acting job, I'm also happy to not just put myself out there constantly and
somebody please ring me up and put me in a play. Please. Okay, so this is an
interesting one. So because you've kind of been acting, having. Having a career as
an actor, have you ever had to have a Muggle job?

Alexandra Jensen [00:33:10]:
A Muggle job? Yes. I. When I have been very lucky that I have been able to work,
you know, at such, like, work so much at a young age. And I'm very lucky that I have
parents who are, when I'm not in different states or different countries. Like, you
know, if you just need to store your books and some clothes here, go for it. Like, you
know, I have amazing parents. But in that year where I did not work, I worked in a
mexican restaurant.

Emily McKnight [00:33:51]:
Excellent.

Alexandra Jensen [00:33:52]:
And that's where I got called Big Al. When I mentioned that before, it was so. Just so
strange. It's such a strange experience. It was amazing. And I learned so much
because you can learn from everything but rocking up to the workplace and they're
like, big Al.

Emily McKnight [00:34:11]:
So just to be clear, you're not normally called Big Al.

Alexandra Jensen [00:34:14]:
Never. Just for this one. One year of my life, I was.

Emily McKnight [00:34:19]:
Called Django in drama school. I don't remember if I've told this story on the podcast
before, probably, but. But, yeah, I was called Django because I was really good at
the game. Bang. Have you ever played that game? Yeah.

Alexandra Jensen [00:34:30]:
Have I played it.

Emily McKnight [00:34:32]:
I was so good at it randomly in first year in drama school. And so I literally got the
nickname Django and it stuck for the entirety of drama school. And it was so funny. I
mean, I think people found it extra funny because I look fairly harmless. And that is
quite a, you know, tough, cool kind of nickname. And maybe I secretly enjoyed it for
that reason because it upped my coolness levels. But, yeah, it's funny how
nicknames kind of come about and then. And then work or stick or don't.

Emily McKnight [00:35:05]:
Because I could never say, oh, yeah, hi, nice to meet you. Yeah, yeah, I'm Django.
Like, I can't even say that with any. Yeah, yeah. Look, my name's Emily, but call me
Django. I can't.

Alexandra Jensen [00:35:16]:
You know, can you imagine. Hi, I'll be a server tonight. My name is Big Al. And what
would you like?

Emily McKnight [00:35:25]:
I mean, bring it back, I say.

Alexandra Jensen [00:35:26]:
But, yeah, I think, yeah, I went. wrong with Jensen Big Al's where it's at.

Emily McKnight [00:35:34]:
Always been a kind of job for you in your, in your adult life, I guess. Do you get a
sense of imposter syndrome ever?

Alexandra Jensen [00:35:42]:
Oh, my God. Right now. What? Right now, legitimately. Oh, my God. Absolutely. No.
I don't know. I'm sitting here being, no, but, like, of course, like, I mean, I'm a 24 year
old being like

Emily McKnight [00:35:54]:

But you're like so I've just come back from doing a play in London.

Alexandra Jensen [00:35:59]:
Yeah. But, like, I don't know. Like, I feel like I've just, and I wonder if it'll ever go
away. But, like, I feel like it just started. Do you know what I mean? Like, I feel so
fresh. I feel yddeh.

Emily McKnight [00:36:12]:
Hmm.

Alexandra Jensen [00:36:12]:
So, like, I'm still like, what? You know? And that's why, you know, you can't compare
yourself to anyone because it's so hard. But absolutely, like, I think, I think imposter
syndrome is, it's funny. I, I feel it more so in scenarios when I'm acting, there's
definitely moments, I mean, the play I did when I walked in on the first day, I was the
only Australian. Everyone was british. Okay. Here's a great example of it. It's more so
when I'm myself or, you know, the version of myself that's not acting. Like, we had a
Q and A after one of the shows and the two other incredible.

Alexandra Jensen [00:36:58]:
I love these women so much. And both of them were trained. So one of them trained
at RADA and one of them trained at Guildhall. And they've worked in the theatre and
they're both from London. And I tell you what. I've never worked on a production
where I've just, you know, just admiration but also cleansed for life the love I have.
So it was such a random moment that I had this moment of imposter syndrome
because they made me feel so, I don't want to say we're beautiful, but, like, beautiful
for what I brought to the room. They did.

Alexandra Jensen [00:37:31]:
And we're halfway through the run, we had this Q and A and I was like, I hadn't
thought twice about it. I sat down on the stage and our producers interviewing us and
the whole audience was like, majority of them were people who were studying at
schools.

Emily McKnight [00:37:49]:

Yeah.

Alexandra Jensen [00:37:50]:
And I just had a moment where I was, like, sitting on the stage and was like, oh, oh, I
don't know. Oh, I feel. I feel really uncomfortable, like, and it wasn't that anyone did
anything. It just got in my head about it, and I was like, well, I haven't studied, and I
don't know what. I don't know what that means. And, oh, are they just thinking, look
at this bloody Australian up on stage, you know, walking around like she knows
anything about the theatre. And I was like, oh. And I just had this moment.

Alexandra Jensen [00:38:22]:
And the girls were wonderful because they. I think they could tell I had a little. Just,
like, an inner panic. I think they just picked up on it and, you know, we had a great
chat after, and they were so beautiful about it. But I think 100% I get nervous
because I haven't studied. There are patches that I'm, you know, I'm trying to fill from
I haven't studied yet. But also, like, I had to realize we were all in the same theater.
We're all in the same space, and.

Emily McKnight [00:38:53]:
You don't have to study. There are incredible, incredible actors with long, illustrious
careers that have never stepped foot in drama school in their lives, and there are
plenty of actors that go to drama school and then don't do any work.

Alexandra Jensen [00:39:08]:
100%.

Emily McKnight [00:39:09]:
Yeah. So, yeah, yeah, that's. I can see how that can become a thing for you, but I. I
wish that it wasn't because you. Because you're doing it, you're working, and sure,
it's happening.

Alexandra Jensen [00:39:26]:

Yeah. I think I've just come to terms with the way I learn will be again. Still always
open to going and studying, but I think when I did this play, I didn't know how to
warm up.

Emily McKnight [00:39:43]:
Yeah, right.

Alexandra Jensen [00:39:45]:
Like, I mean, the girls were doing stuff they'd learned from drama school, what they'd
learned through their theatre experience. They were doing, you know, the breath
work, and they were talking about. They were like, we're doing full physical
exercises. And I had to very much. Not that I was like, oh, I'm not gonna, like, I don't
need a warm up or anything, but I had to really, like, put myself aside, and I was like.
I just asked so many questions. I was like, why are you doing that? What does that
do? Can I just mimic you? Like, every day, every time we warmed up, I would just
copy. I just would copy what they were doing until I found my own thing that worked
and was like, oh, okay, cool.

Alexandra Jensen [00:40:26]:
I just learned how to warm up. It's the little things, right?

Emily McKnight [00:40:31]:
I didn't even think of that. Yeah, but that's great, because you're still getting that
education. And you're trying and, you know, it's trial and error. You're trying different
things and seeing what works. So that is awesome.

Alexandra Jensen [00:40:43]:
Yeah. And it made me better. Like, it makes me better when you ask questions. If
you do and I'm excited for what I go into next. Like, you know, or anything in life, it
makes me go, just ask the question. Just ask. If you don't know something, ask and
you will learn and you'll be better. Like, it's so simple.

Alexandra Jensen [00:41:06]:

But I think we get in our heads a bit. Like, I can't ask her about her process, about
that. It's like, no, just ask. She doesn't want to share. It's fine. At least you learn
something.

Emily McKnight [00:41:17]:
Totally. What does success mean to you?

Alexandra Jensen [00:41:21]:
At the moment, honestly, like, as corny as it does sound, I just want to be at the end
of my life with a smile on my face and no regrets. Like, I know that sounds corny.

Emily McKnight [00:41:34]:
That's not like, that's beautiful. But I do, I think, beautifully worded answer. I love that.

Alexandra Jensen [00:41:41]:
Yeah. I think we have so many goals and things we want to achieve and we push
ourselves and, you know, it's ambition and creative and we want to do so many
things and put so many things out there. But, like, at the end of the day, like a quote
and it's so, like, it's such a hectic quote, but I think about this all the time and I say it
a lot. It's like no one's going to know who we are in 100 years. Like, I think to myself,
I'm like, no one's going to know who you are in hundred years, Alex. Like, genuinely,
maybe they'll see a still of something or an old film if something goes really well. But
like, realistically, 100 years, what, what are you, so why, why are you stressing? Just,
you know, I love acting. I can't wait to see where my career, if it goes more behind
the scenes, if I go into producing forgotten anything, also, if I just end up being at the
end of my life and I own a, like a pottery shop, that's also a goal.

Alexandra Jensen [00:42:46]:
Cool.

Emily McKnight [00:42:47]:
You want to own a pottery shop?

Alexandra Jensen [00:42:48]:
If I'm smiling, I would love to have a pottery shop. I have so many. That's what I
mean. I think you've got to have things that have nothing to do with acting. Like,
wherever it takes you.

Emily McKnight [00:43:00]:
Do you, do you do pottery yourself? Is that like, a hobby of yours?

Alexandra Jensen [00:43:01]:
Yeah,

Emily McKnight [00:43:03]:
Wow!

Alexandra Jensen [00:43:03]:
I love pottery.

Emily McKnight [00:43:04]:
That's so cool.

Alexandra Jensen [00:43:06]:
But that's like, you know, that may, I may find in ten years. I'm like, do you know what
brings me real during life pottery. And that's what I'm gonna fight. You know, like,
there's no rules. You can do whatever the fuck you want. There's no rules here.

Emily McKnight [00:43:21]:
Totally.

Alexandra Jensen [00:43:22]:
I gotta remember that sometimes.

Emily McKnight [00:43:23]:
Yeah, I know. Me too. I'm like, okay, put that in there, Emily. Wow, that is. That is so.
That is so cool. Do you, in addition to owning a pottery shop, do you have ideas?
You kind of mentioned just then of producing and behind the scenes. Do you kind of
see yourself or want to be working in other behind the scenes creative ways?

Alexandra Jensen [00:43:49]:
For sure. I mean, at the moment, the stuff I'm looking into is about to go into
producing a documentary. But that's just like sort of what's. The ball is rolling at the
moment, but I mean, in other aspects. Like, again, I said, like, I want to try everything
at least once. I'd love to write something. I'd love to direct. I'd love to distribute films.

Alexandra Jensen [00:44:15]:
I'd love to like everything. We had such a short amount of time here, you know, why
not give it a crack? I love it. So, yeah, I. In my. In years to come, I see myself
probably more. More behind the scenes, which I'm excited about. But yeah, I think
that's the ideal for me is to be able to do everything plus a bit of pottery, maybe
another random skill on the side.

Emily McKnight [00:44:47]:
I think that's amazing.

Alexandra Jensen [00:44:49]:
But yeah.

Emily McKnight [00:44:50]:
So Alex Jensen, or should I say Big Al. It's coming back. I'm bringing it back.

Alexandra Jensen [00:45:01]:
Oh, God, no.

Emily McKnight [00:45:04]:
What are your top five survival tips for having a career in the arts? In Australia, but
also maybe in the world?

Alexandra Jensen [00:45:13]:
Okay. Well, I'd say my first one would be build a team that you trust and build trust
that, you know, have trust in that team. You want a group of people that are going to
support you in the highs and lows in work and who you can trust to be like, hey, I
want to do this crazy thing. And you want that support from your team because that's
what they are. They're your team and they're your teammates. I'd say my second
one would be, again, forming a good emotional backbone. Doesn't have to be many
people. Doesn't have to be multiple.

Alexandra Jensen [00:45:49]:
Multiple people. Just ride or die gang who can stick with you through everything.
Because the highs are high and the lows can be super low and it can be really
embarrassing and you just sometimes need some good mates. I'd say listen. And
that's not just in terms of, like, the scene partner. When a director yells, listen, you're
like, oh, I am. But no, it's like, actually listen and watch everything around you every
time you're on, every time you're at work or in the world. But, you know, when you're
at work and there are, you can learn from the good and the bad.

Alexandra Jensen [00:46:33]:
And I mean that with good behavior, bad behavior. You know, I've had instances
where I've met actors who probably act in a way that I was quite surprised by. And
you can learn from that and ask yourself, like, what kind of actor do I want to be?
How do I want to treat everyone? Then going into that, I'd say treat everyone equally.
Treat everyone with kindness. You don't know who is doing what. Just be nice to
everyone. It's really not hard. And I'd say, yeah, just, yeah, ask questions.

Alexandra Jensen [00:47:13]:
Ask. Ask as many questions as you can. Like, of everyone. You can learn from
everyone. Honestly, my God, the amount of stuff I learned from crew or stage, you
know, stage managers, from the people who did music, from the editing suite, people
I learned from other actors, people I learned from who aren't even in the industry, just
ask so many questions. If you don't know anything, that's fine. Just ask. Like, just
ask.

Alexandra Jensen [00:47:41]:
Yeah, I think that's five. I don't know. It's kind of a re blurb of what we said.

Emily McKnight [00:47:46]:
It was great. Yeah, it was a beautiful summary, plus some. Very good. Amazing.
Well, thank you so much. I really love chatting to you and yeah, what a way to get in
tonight.

Alexandra Jensen [00:48:00]:
Thank you. Thank you.

Emily McKnight [00:48:05]:
I hope you've enjoyed listening to this episode of an actor survives with me. Emily
McKnight I would absolutely love it if you could tell your friends. Follow us on
Instagram, sign up to my newsletter, and if it's within your means, I do have a page
on buymeacoffee.com where you can support the podcast financially. Thanks so
much for being part of this community. This podcast is produced and edited by
Nicola Denton. Kate Jirelle is our publicity manager, and the music is an excerpt from
Soar: A Marimba Concerto by Robert Oetomo.