'Black Beauty' star Sascha Nastasi says she 'watched movies with great mean girl performances to get in zone'
Actor Sascha Nastasi played the role of Jennifer who rides at the barn where Jo (Mackenzie Foy) and John live (Iain Glen) and work. She is jealous of Jo's quick success with the arrogant black horse that has just been brought to the barn by her uncle John and continues to credit everyone except Jo for her success when it comes to bonding with Beauty. She is not as mean as your typical high school mean girls trope requires young girls to be, but then again, that is partly thanks to a fellow rider Jasmine who puts Jennifer in place by pointing out what is obviously right in front of Jennifer. Like the fact that it is not beginner's luck that Jo was able to ride or walk Beauty. In this exclusive interview with MEAWW, actor Nastasi who plays Jennifer breaks down her role for us.
Speaking about Jennifer's jealousy, Nastasi said, "Jennifer is always seen with her best friend, Jasmine (Alex Jeavan) and they often snicker about Jo, who I believe also goes to their school. Jennifer is quite jealous of Jo and they come head to head at points." She added further about preparing for the role and said, "It was so much fun, just a joy, really. I especially loved improvising with Alex. I prepared by watching a lot of Equestrian YouTube videos and learning about horses. One of my best friends is a former competitive equestrian, so I was very lucky to have her as a resource and asked her a lot of questions. I also watched some movies I love with great 'mean girl' performances just to get in the zone and tone a bit (and because the movies are great and fun -- and great fun)."
Jennifer is not a role that was originally present in either the book by Anna Sewell or the earlier film adaptations, so the only source regarding her character came from Ashley Avis's screenplay. So does Nastasi believe that this reimagination of a classic was necessary and essential? She believes yes and said, "I think all good stories are relevant for today, that more stories have universality than do not, and with 'Black Beauty', the aforementioned core of the story is timeless. The plot and setting has also been updated which I feel adds a fresh energy. This 'Black Beauty' iteration is set in the present day and both Beauty and Jo are now female. That change is lovely, I think. I love thinking about all the young girls who will be able to find a role model in Jo or see themselves in her in some way. Ashley Avis, the wonderful writer and director, has also retained Anna Sewell’s original want to bring attention to the injustices horses face."
Nastasi also spoke about one lesson that she took away from working on the film and said, "The one that comes to mind immediately is to dive in and really emphatically 'say yes' improv-wise when playing a character like Jennifer. I sometimes find myself holding back in that regard, not wanting to look silly, but I had so much fun improvising while playing her. I think it boils down to being as present and out of my thinking mind as possible. That lesson -- on the importance of presence and going for it -- was cemented for me by playing Jennifer."
Speaking of her future projects Nastasi revealed, "I am currently working on adapting a memoir into a TV show with its author. We are co-writing the pilot. I’ve also been writing a few stories and auditioning."
'Black Beauty', also voiced by Kate Winslet, can be streamed on Disney+.