Amy Smart co-stars in the movie Outside Providence, an indie film made prior to her success in Varsity Blues. At twenty-three, she looks eighteen with her floating blonde hair and fresh-faced looks. She told me, "I enjoy playing in high school films like Outside Providence and Varsity Blues." She paused, and then laughed. "I wouldn't mind moving on to college films soon, though."

She hooked up with Outside Providence during an ordinary audition. "I read three to five scripts a week. I really liked the Outside Providence script by the Farrelly brothers (There's Something About Mary). The story drew me in, especially Jane's influence over Dunph (the male lead), and the relationships between characters, like Dunph and his dad's. I was going to lots of auditions then, some back to back. I felt lucky to get the role of Jane."

Unlike the prep-schooled yet unaffected Jane, Smart attended public schools, but she found common ground with Jane's character. "Jane was so down to earth. She did what she wanted, which I like to do too. We both like adventures, trying new things, taking risks."

I asked, "So what risks have you taken?"

She thought for a moment, then her voice grew more animated. "When I was sixteen I snuck away to San Diego with my best girlfriend. It was fun! Both Jane and I have limits to the risks we'll take, though. She thinks about what she's doing. I like that she's strong and how she helps transform Dunph."

"Dunph (Shawn Hatosy of The Faculty) was pretty cute. How did it feel seeing him adore you?" I asked.

"It was great. He played Dunph very sweet and sincere, very likeable."

To research her 70's role, Smart studied books, old magazines, and interviewed her parents. Listening to 70's classic music also helped. "I think the 70's was the best decade for rock music," Smart said. "Music really helped me get into character."

Smart tried to portray Jane's diverse sides, smart, sweet, and strong. She also talked to friends that had attended prep schools, getting a feel for that lifestyle.

She enjoyed making the movie, which was shot in Providence, Rhode Island. Smart had never before traveled for a film. "Providence is beautiful. The film was shot close to where the Farrelly brothers grew up. Because we were on location, the actors really bonded. We couldn't quit for the day, then run home. Also, because Outside Providence was originally an indie film, we had a tight budget. This helped us to be creative, like with costumes. Many scenes were shot without much rehearsal, at the director's request. This kept the performances fresh."

She admits to biting her fingernails waiting for the movie's release. She's hoping that the complex characters and film's original look will appeal to many age groups, drawing in more than just high school audiences.

Growing up, Smart watched her best friend act in films. She felt drawn to acting, but wasn't sure if she had the confidence that the profession demanded. At the age of sixteen, she took acting classes, fascinated with people's differences and how to portray their complexities. Two years later she started auditioning. She soon landed her first role as a stoned model trying to get a break on MTV's Rock the Vote. Later she starred in the film High Voltage.

"Seeing that film on the screen was a shock," Smart laughed. "I played my part real, trying for an artistic style. High Voltage ended up looking like a fast-paced video. It went straight to cable."

"So your life isn't all glamour?" I asked.

"Day to day life is difficult before you hit it. The competition is tough and so are the auditions that go nowhere."

"How did you cope with that?"

"I tried not to take rejections personally. I still don't, knowing that it could be as simple as I don't look the part or there might be politics involved."

Smart recently filmed a pilot that she hoped would be picked up by NBC, but it was deemed too real and edgy. "So, now it's back to auditions," she sighed, but her voice remained upbeat. "No matter what comes into life, always be humble."

Her attitude is refreshing, no false bravado, just the belief that hard work leads to success and success should be savored and not gloated over. Moviegoers have only to watch her performance in Outside Providence to see that Smart plays it real.

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