Megan Park, who starred as Grace in the ABC Family series The Secret Life of an American Teenager, was chosen as one of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Rising Stars this year. She plays a role in The F Word with Daniel Radcliffe, which is screening at the festival. She spoke to Tribute by phone from Los Angeles, where she’s playing a teenage alien on the TV series The Neighbors.
How did you feel when you found out you’d been named a TIFF Rising Star?
I was really excited because I’ve never been a part of TIFF before—The F Word is my first film to screen there. Also, I think it’s such an amazing program for young Canadian actors not only to be a part of the festival, but to learn something as well.
Will you be going to TIFF?
Absolutely. The TIFF Rising Star program sets up a bunch of things for us to be a part of throughout the festival and on top of that we get passes to see films, which is so cool because what inspires us as artists to continue making stuff is to see other people’s art.
Where did you film The F Word?
In Toronto and it was amazing because I hadn’t shot anything in Toronto in years because I’ve been working on The Secret Life of an American Teenager in Los Angeles. So not only was it amazing to be back and get to experience the city again but we had such an amazing time filming it—it didn’t feel like work.
Can you tell us about the film?
I would be such a fan of this movie, regardless if I was in it or not—it’s totally my vibe. It’s about these young people, played by Zoe Kazan and Daniel Radcliffe, who are in relationships, but they meet each other and there’s this undeniable chemistry, so they fall into the “Friend zone,” which is what the title—The F Word—is a reference to. I play Zoe’s younger sister, Dalia, who’s dry and sarcastic and she’s like, “If you guys are just going to be friends, I want to date him.” Ultimately, it’s a story of love and friendship and what to do when you’re stuck in the friend zone but you want it to be more.
What was it like working with Daniel?
Working with Daniel was literally such a pleasure. No ego—he’s so dedicated and takes acting very seriously, but he’s also playful and we got to improv a lot—he’s very funny. I’d never seen him do a comedy before and he absolutely shines in this movie.
How did you get started?
I grew up in London, Ontario, where my family still lives. I started doing local theatre and I fell in love with it. Then I got an agent when I was in high school and worked in Canadian movies and TV shows and then I came to L.A. to audition for The Secret Life of the American Teenager. The show ran for five seasons and we just finished in December. Right now I’m working on an ABC TV show called The Neighbors and I have a couple of films coming up—I’ve been consistently busy ever since I found myself down here.
Is there anyone you’d like to work with?
So many people! I’d like to work with Sarah Polley, Sophia Coppola and Bradley Rust Gray—those are three directors I really want to work with.
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