Interview by Paul Salfen
Young actor Kue Lawrence sat down with Paul Salfen of AMFM Magazine to talk about his latest adventure, SKETCH. The film, a vibrant and fantastical tale, follows a young girl whose sketchbook, filled with wild and wondrous creatures, falls into a mysterious pond, bringing her drawings to chaotic life. As the town spirals into disorder, she and her brother—played by Lawrence—race to wrangle the unpredictable monsters before they wreak havoc. Their father, caught in the midst of a community unraveling, must find a way to reunite his family and stop the disaster they unwittingly unleashed.
Lawrence, still buzzing from the film’s premiere, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. “It’s taken three years to finally get made,” he shared, his voice brimming with pride. “I’m really excited, especially because the world is finally going to be able to see it.” For a project that began as words on a page, the journey from script to screen was a leap of imagination. “When I read it before the callback, I was like, ‘Wow, this looks really cool,’” Lawrence recalled. “I was wondering what the monsters would look like.”
And oh, what monsters they are. From the mischievous Dave to the quirky Ideas, the creatures of SKETCH are as vivid as a child’s daydream. “On paper, Dave’s my favorite,” Lawrence admitted with a grin, “but I had an Idea on my shoulder at the premiere, so that’s a close second.” The premiere itself was a spectacle, with colorful monster displays and a festive after-party that brought the film’s magic to life. “The whole premiere was amazing,” he said. “All the little monsters they had outside—it was just so cool.”
The set of SKETCH was a playground of creativity, and Lawrence’s favorite memory came from stepping onto the pond set for the first time. “It was an actual pond, but after the monsters came out, they let us walk around,” he explained. “All the colorful stuff, the foam coming out of the pond, the things wrapping up the trees—it was really cool to see.” The vivid, tactile world of the film left a lasting impression, as did his onscreen parents, whom he described as “the best.”
At just a young age, Lawrence is already a seasoned performer, but his path to acting was anything but predictable. “My sister, Cage Colter, started acting first,” he shared. “We moved to California for her career, and I was super shy—hiding behind my mom’s leg when anyone talked to me.” But something shifted when he turned five. “I was like, ‘Mom, I’m five, I can act!’” he laughed. Despite her skepticism, Lawrence persisted, and now he’s carving out his own space in Hollywood, inspired by his sister’s trailblazing.
For aspiring young actors, Lawrence’s advice is simple yet profound: “Give 100%, whether it’s your first audition or arriving on set for those early mornings and late nights. It gets hard, but keep pushing through, and it’s going to come out amazing.” That mindset carried him through SKETCH, a project he sees as a pivotal moment in his career. “It was my first of three movies I did after,” he said. “It was pretty good for me to be a part of.”
Beyond the fun and chaos of SKETCH, the film carries a deeper message that resonates with Lawrence. “It’s okay for men to cry,” he emphasized. “This movie pushes forward that it’s okay to admit you have emotions. Previous generations were all about ‘be a man, take the pain,’ but I love that this film challenges that.” It’s a message he hopes audiences will carry with them, alongside the thrill of the story.
As for what’s next, Lawrence is already diving into new projects. “You can see me in Marshmallow, a horror film on Apple,” he said, adding that another project, School Duel, is making waves at festivals as it seeks distribution. “It’s a pretty powerful film. I think everyone should see it.”
But Lawrence’s dreams extend beyond the screen. “I’m sick of bullying, of judging each other for the weirdest things,” he said with conviction. “My whole generation is about, ‘Oh, that kid’s favorite color is green, what a weirdo.’ I’m sick of it. It needs to stop.” For Lawrence, storytelling is a way to challenge those divisions, to weave narratives that bring people together rather than tear them apart.
As SKETCH hits theaters, with a special program letting parents see it for free, Lawrence’s infectious energy and heartfelt perspective make one thing clear: this is just the beginning for a young actor with a big vision. “Check out this movie,” he urged with a smile. “It’s so much fun, it’s so cool.” And with Kue Lawrence in the mix, it’s bound to be unforgettable.
