Simi Valley Acorn
Young actress stars in family film
Simi Valley girl plays Hallie Benson in 'Summer Snow'
When 5-year-old Rachel Eggleston told her parents she wanted to become an actress when she grew up, they listened. Now, four years later, Rachel, the daughter of Jenny and Bobby Eggleston of Simi Valley, is the star of 'Summer Snow,' a film produced by American Family Studios. The movie made its television debut last month on the UP Channel. The next screening is Sun., Sept. 14 on the UP Channel.
Not so different from Hallie Benson, the character she plays in the film, Rachel at 9 is a pintsize girl with the ability to light up a room. Hallie's compassion for others is apparent throughout the movie, despite the messes she makes trying to do good deeds for a grumpy neighbor and a less fortunate girl at school.
'The character (of Hallie) was easy to play,' Rachel said. 'She was a really kind person.'
The importance of family in a child's life is a prominent theme in 'Summer Snow.' The father in the film struggles to maintain an orderly household after his wife dies, and through faith and love, the Benson family pulls through the difficult time.
Similar to Rachel's on-screen family, the Egglestons are a tight-knit, supportive bunch. The actress' parents and her two older brothers, Kyle and Adam, said they are all an integral part of Rachel's life. When Rachel flew for the first time-to Lexington, Ky., for film production of 'Summer Snow' in May 2012-her parents were right there with her.
She said she was awed when she saw fireflies for the first time during filming. After catching some, she and her mom put them into jars. 'We released them, of course,' Rachel said.
Rachel said she feels good adrenaline when she's about to go in front of the camera. She said that off the set she likes to goof off with co-workers, like 'Summer Snow' writer Kendra White. The two invented special handshakes and practiced them between takes.
Rachel's family stays involved in her acting career. One of her parents is always on set with her.
Besides being the star of 'Summer Snow,' Rachel has appeared on TV shows including 'How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life),' 'House M.D.,' 'Justified,' 'Austin & Ally,' 'Chuck' and 'The Mentalist.'
Jenny Eggleston said she was initially concerned about the amount of time her daughter would spend in the car on the way to auditions. But her fears were allayed. 'She reads on her iPad and goes over lines in the car. She keeps herself busy,' Eggleston said. She makes sure her daughter focuses on her homework and participates in regular activities like tennis, dance and gymnastics. She said she understands the importance of instilling good values in Rachel while she's still young. 'I want Rachel to keep balanced and stay grounded in life,' Eggleston said.
The young actress and her family live in a quiet neighborhood in Simi Valley with Georgia, their energetic golden retriever, and a chicken coop in the backyard.
On days when she's not working, Rachel said, she likes to swim in the pool and perform back flips off the trampoline with her best friend, Brooke. Over the summer, Rachel and her dad planted milkweed for monarch butterflies to lay eggs.
Rachel said she hopes to one day study film production at USC or another college close to home. There she can learn what it's like to work on 'both sides of the camera,' she said.