Logansport native Amber Layne is a finalist in a Web-based contest that might land her a role in a movie next year.

Layne is competing in “America’s Next Hot Movie Star,” and fans can vote for her on the contest Web site. She is one of the top contenders with over 3,700 votes. More than 200 people are competing.

The competition is searching nationwide for aspiring actors, who are competing for a role in the horror film “Last Chance Grill.”

The final 24 contestants, who will be determined in October, will compete in a reality show to be broadcast online at NextHotMovieStar.com.

Layne grew up in Logansport, but is now living in Tuscan, Ariz., with her mother, Samantha. Her father, Tim Layne, lives in Logansport.

Layne said what motivated her to become an actress was participating in Logansport Junior Civic Theater. When she was 4, she played a munchkin in the “Wizard of Oz.”

“Being in that first play inspired me,” she said. “As soon as I walked onto the stage that first time, I knew I wanted to entertain people that way for the rest of my life.”

Layne said the experience taught her a lot about acting.

“Being part of that play helped me to learn about teamwork,” she said. “It takes everyone, both on stage and behind the scenes to put it all together. I loved watching the experienced actors, thinking to myself, I will be as good as them someday. It was all very magical.”

She said the experience also helped her feel confident in front of an audience.

Her grandmother, Logansport resident Eloise Berry, said she recognized Layne’s talent even before the “Wizard of Oz” performance.

“They always used to do home performances,” Berry said. “She was just so darn good.”

Layne attended Little Children’s Ministry, Landis and Columbia Elementary schools, before moving to Florida in 2001.

She was in Anita Rozzi’s first grade class at Landis.

Rozzi said she wasn’t surprised that Layne was now pursuing acting.

“She wasn’t shy,” she said. “She was very outgoing and very friendly. She made friends easily.”

The family moved to Tucson in 2006.

Layne is already getting some experience in thriller films, as she had recently been cast in an extra role in Shadowbox Entertainment’s independent thriller, “Survive.”

Director Wade Stai out of Tucson said they couldn’t cast Layne in a major role because of her age.

“She came in and did a good job in her audition,” Stai said.

He said the experience was a stepping-stone for the aspiring actress.

“The more experience she gets, the better,” he said.

Jones said the contest was important because it could give her daughter a chance to be a part of the Screen Actors Guild.

“There are a lot of actors trying to become part of SAG,” she said. “It’s difficult to achieve.”

Layne said being on stage was her passion.

“Acting is my everything,” she said. “It’s not a hobby, a pastime or a time-waster. To me, it is a way of life.”

Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or via e-mail at melissa.soria@pharostribune.com



On the Web

NextHotMovieStar.com