Plainfield Teen Snags First Movie Role

What did you do this summer?

Unless you spent it filming your first movie role, it probably wasn’t as exciting as Ashley Hall’s.

The 13-year-old, an eighth-grader at , snagged a role in independent filmmaker Trevor Morgan’s short film “Sweet 16.”

The flick, which runs about half an hour, features actors and extras from the Chicago suburbs and was filmed largely in St. Charles, Addison and Barrington, according to Ashley.

“It was an amazing experience,” the teen said. “It’s about three popular girls who run the school, and me and four other girls crash their party and basically ruin their day.”

The film marks the movie debut of the teen, who got her start in the business with “beautiful baby” pageants as a tot.

After being part of school plays, Ashley said she was offered the movie role by her manager’s son.

“It was absolutely amazing,” she said of her time on set. “I got to meet new people and I learned a lot of behind-the-scenes things.”

Last weekend, the movie made its premiere at the iPic Theater in South Barrington, complete with a pre-screening meet-and-greet and an afterparty with the cast and crew.

Ashley said she took her mom, dad and a friend as her guests to the red-carpet event.

“They said it was phenomenal and I just rocked it,” she said.

The teen, who said she aspires to be a Hollywood actress, said she plans to film another movie with Morgan this winter.

While there are currently no plans to release “Sweet 16” in theaters, the film is in the running for a spot at the Chicago International Film Festival, set for Oct. 11 to 25. Ashley’s mom, Kim, said the teen will find out Sept. 14 if the movie is chosen.

“I hope I get to do it again,” Ashley said. “Agents could be out there watching it. This just helps with my background.”