Norwegian actor/filmmaker Espen Alknes started his acting career doing stage performances in theaters, one of which includes the National Theater in Oslo. He has contributed to multiple TV series and films. He is known for “Stardust” (2020) and “What's on Your Mind?” (2014) and Camping in Paradise (2023).

Can you speak about your background in acting first? 

ESPEN: I went to acting school in Oslo and have been working as an actor for about twenty years. There is a strong theatre scene here in Norway, so I have spent most of my career on stage. Especially at the National Theatre here in Oslo. And I have done everything, from Shakespeare, Ibsen and Miller to small independent plays in obscure locations. But I have also worked in TV and film along the way. I didn't really know I wanted to be an actor until my late teens. I stumbled into a school play in high school, mostly because I heard the parties there were the best, hehe. But then I ended up getting the lead in the play and I just loved it. And after that I auditioned for some acting schools and got in, and I never looked back. 

You've worked on films and TV. Is there a medium you like the most? 

ESPEN: I have worked in both films and TV, and I don't think I prefer one over the other really. Except maybe in TV, you get to work for a longer period sometimes and develop stronger relationships both with actors and crew. That sense of togetherness and bond can sometimes give some benefits when it comes to performances. 

What do you find most challenging about being an actor? 

ESPEN: What I find challenging about acting sometimes is making choices, committing to them and not second guessing myself. You want to be truthful and genuine in a scene and sometimes you get stuck in your head thinking about how you prepared or planned stuff instead of just listening and reacting. And you can feel the scene slipping away between your fingers. 

Being based in Norway, do you mainly work with co-production systems? Or private? Or both?

ESPEN: Norway has a national film institute that funds many of the films that are made here each year. Both features and shorts. 

Why is indie filmmaking so difficult and what advice do you have for young filmmakers out there?

ESPEN: Obviously, funding is a big part of it, I think. Working on small, or no budgets, with tight deadlines on a project that you maybe feel no one else believes in is difficult. I think you really must love to tell stories. If you start in the film industry to try to make it or be rich and famous, it will chew you up and spit you out. I think your best chance to try and get an audience for your work is to really care for the stories you tell together with the people you tell them with. Tell stories that move you, try to make yourself proud and be uncompromising with your idea.  

You have many credits under your belt. Do you have a favorite project you have worked on that you are most proud of? Your recent film has traveled to film festivals around the world. Can you tell us about it?

ESPEN: I think my latest project has a special place in my heart, “Camping in paradise”. It was a low budget film that we had high hopes for but couldn't imagine the places it has taken us to in Europe and the US. And it has received a couple of nice accolades along the way as well. Latest it won the best short, Oscar qualifying award at Santa Fe international film festival. So, we are really thrilled about that, and I'm so happy for everyone involved, especially the director Eirik Tveiten who was nominated for an Oscar in 2023 for his previous short “Nightride”.  

Can you talk about the film industry in Norway and what sets it apart from the rest of Europe? 

ESPEN: I don't really know that much about the film industry here in Norway compared to the rest of Europe except we have a state funded system that allows filmmakers to get almost fully funded for projects.

Why is it so important for filmmakers to attend film festivals? 

ESPEN: The festivals I have gone to have been mostly good. I think it's important that the festivals are facilitated so that filmmakers get to hang out and share experiences and ideas and be supportive of each other. Not only trying to punch through to the next level in the industry. So, you should go, have fun and support other filmmakers and their journey. 

What will you be working on next? 

ESPEN: I'm currently working on a feature version of “Camping in Paradise” together with Eirik so we are writing on that. Hopefully we´ll be able to finish that soon and start trying to get some interest for it. We´ll see, it´s exciting times. 

Actor/Filmmaker Espen Alknes 

Interview by Vanessa McMahon