Warren’s perfect preparation for Taken Too Far
Yes, success is where preparation and opportunity meet but this inspirational motto fails to include talent into the equation; that’s a major miscalculation. When the creative forces behind the film Taken Too Far needed a young actress who was also an exceptional dancer, the ever so talented Jenna Warren proved that all three ingredients made her a natural fit for one of the film’s lead roles. As Melanie Hoyson, Ms. Warren’s experience on the incredibly successful TV series The Next Step had honed her natural skills into the realm of exceptional. Transitioning into film took some adjustments but Jenna was happy to do so. Taken Too Far has given the actress an international presence while still in her early teens.
While domestic success is congratulated, international acceptance is what most productions aspire towards. In addition to US (Vision Films) and Canadian (Factory Film Studio) distribution, Taken Too Far was broadcast on France’s prime network TF1. Starring such familiar names as Gemini Award nominated actress Christina Cox (Elysium, The Chronicles of Riddick), Beverly Mitchell (7th Heaven, Saw), and Russel Yuen (Oscar Award winning film Arrival, BAFTA Award Winning film The Day After Tomorrow) the story centers on an overly zealous mother who is adamant about her daughter’s dancing success. Jenna Warren portrays the daughter’s best friend Melanie. The role necessitated an actress who was a highly trained dancer as the character is a dance prodigy. Fight choreography also demanded an extremely high level of physicality. Producer and DP Pasha Patriki confirms, “Melanie was an extremely demanding role, particularly for such a young actor. The dancing was essential but was only a starting point because the actress chosen would have to convey the innocence of this sweet girl while also capturing the passion and intensity needed for the dramatic scenes of the kidnapping and competition. We had a very difficult time with casting our Melanie. Jenna was unlike anyone else we saw for the role; she was perfect as Melanie.”
Melanie Hoyson is far from an entitled young artist. Living in a single family home which sustains itself only from paycheck to paycheck, she has a determination and work ethic that matches her talent. Warren enjoyed the complexity this role offered her. She informs, “I think it’s very common for people to minimize the depth a young person may have. It’s easier to think of them as just presenting one thing but many people my age deal with a lot and I really enjoyed putting layers into this role. I am a very empathetic person, I feel the pain of others and watching people you love lose someone in such a tragic way brings out so many uncontrollable emotions. Melanie lost her dad. She only has her mom and dance. My friends lost their mom and only have their dad. In their pain, their strengths shined through and they put everything they had into sports. Their sports helped them express how they felt without words. Melanie does that with her dance. No one really knows just how important dance is to her because she keeps such a positive attitude and smiling face.”
Jenna’s fans know her previously from the hit Canadian (CSA and BAFTA winning) TV series The Next Step. Her three seasons as Camille introduced her to a worldwide audience. As Melanie Hoyson in Taken Too Far, she communicates a depth and intensity not as deeply explored in her prior television work. This film is proof of the evolution we are witnessing as her acting rivals, possibly even overshadowing, her exceptional talent as a dancer.
