What’s it like to star in a short film that’s completed in only 8 days?

We rounded up a talented bunch of thespians – Lee Shorten, Alex Barima, Jerome Yoo, Lorne Cardinal, Brad Duffy, Denise Jones, Lee Majdoub, Scott McGrath, Brendan Taylor, Darien Provost, and Peter New – to talk to us about their experiences in this year’s Crazy8s films.

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Lee Shorten of Anh Hung

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

I’m Lee Shorten. I’m a former lawyer from Australia and I’m playing Tuan in Anh Hung. Anh Hung is this great coming of age story that centers on a Vietnamese Canadian family. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s inspired by actual events and offers a snapshot of the Vietnamese Canadian immigrant experience. 

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

I read as much as I could about Vietnamese culture. I also looked into Taoism and researched Vietnamese gang life and gang culture. I managed to track down some old interviews with Vietnamese Canadian immigrants and gang members which was really helpful in rounding out my understanding of that experience, books can be a little clinical sometimes. I was insanely lucky in that I got to grab dinner with the guy my character is based on and he was incredibly generous with his time and insight. I also worked with him on the accent and learnt a little Vietnamese as well. I tried to prep as much as possible, but sadly 8 days is not a lot of time.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

No one thing per se. But it was Athena Ho’s, who plays Jenny (my character’s sister), first role. So just watching her grow over the 3 days was really wonderful and I’m honoured to be a small part of her journey.

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future? 

Accept the nature of the challenge. You only have 3 days to shoot, so do as much prep as you can and come to set with as many ideas as you can. But when you get there, be willing to compromise and be willing to play. The pace is fast and the work is challenging for all involved. You might only get a single take, just roll with it.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

If (and only if) you have done the work, then trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. You’re not always going to be right but some of the best moments are born from conflict and compromise. The director should have the best grasp of the overall story but you should have the most in depth understanding of your character. But again, I can’t stress enough, you might not always be right but it’s usually worth a conversation. 

Recommended Reading You Can Act On Camera Click a cover for more details The Art of Voice Acting Secrets of Screen Acting Recommended Reading You Can Act On Camera Click a cover for more details The Art of Voice Acting Secrets of Screen Acting

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career? 

Oh man, tough question, there have been so many! The Art of Acting by Stella Adler, True and False by David Mamet, Stanley Kubrick: Interviews by Laurence Knapp, A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston and The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film by Michael Ondaatje.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

You can catch me as Sergeant Yoshida on Ridley Scott’s The Man in the High Castle and sometimes I hang out with Crowley on The CW’s Supernatural as well. If you really want to find out more about me, I guess you could follow me on Twitter @lcshorten.

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Alex Barima and Jerome Yoo of Cypher

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

Alex Barima: My name is Alex Barima. I’m originally from Montreal, and I’ve been acting in Vancouver for the last 5 years. In Cypher, I play the role of Thello, the young rival of protagonist Jay. Our two characters resolve their personal issues through their connection to hip hop in the late 90’s.

Jerome Yoo: My name is Jerome Yoo and I’m an actor/writer. Prior, I was a Science student at UBC before I decided to pursue acting full-time. I’m a part of this year’s Crazy8s film Cypher and play the role of Jay, the timid Korean high schooler trying to deal with the lingering tensions between the Korean and African-Americans, 5 years after the LA riots. Entranced by the rap legends of his day, he finds himself drawn to LA’s underground rap scene where he must find the resolve to step up and confront his past to hopefully bridge the misunderstandings between the two communities.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role? 

Alex Barima: We had a few rehearsals before the shoot with Lawrence, our director, to build and explore each character.

Jerome Yoo: Rapping. A lot of rapping. I watched an unhealthy amount of battle videos on Youtube, and spent hours in front of a mirror rapping along to Hip Hop greats. I also tried to write a verse everyday. Here’s one: Yo, I’m a savant, working in a restaurant. Here’s your croissant, so can I have your number, nonchalant? Worst pick-up line ever, haha…

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

Alex Barima: Filming the last scene was an experience I’ll never forget; it happened to be the last scene of the shoot, and everyone there gave it everything they had. 

Jerome Yoo: So many! I think I shed some manly tears when our DP, Leo Harim, pulled me aside and told me the entire crew had my back on the first day. It meant a lot to me. Our director Lawrence Le Lam announcing that I booked the role of Jay at our first production meeting was also a pretty sweet moment. 

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Alex Barima: Bring a lot of care and dedication to your work because it’s all that holds these projects together, and they are definitely worth it. 

Jerome Yoo: Do another hour of table work and analysis! I wish I had another hour…

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Alex Barima: To never take for granted what I accomplish in this business, and always keep looking ahead. 

Jerome Yoo: Don’t eat chili on set and use the restroom while your lav mic is on.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

Alex Barima: Unfortunately I’m not much of a reader. 

Jerome Yoo: One Piece. 

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Alex Barima: I’m currently doing Voice Over work for an animated Netflix series. You can follow me on Facebook or IMDB.

Jerome Yoo: Back to the drawing board for me! Find me on social media @jeromeoyoo.

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Lorne Cardinal, Brad Duffy, and Denise Jones of No Reservations

Lorne Cardinal’s Photo Credit: Shimon

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

Lorne Cardinal: No Reservations is a comedic spin on the pipeline issues happening across the country today. A what if…story.

Brad Duffy: I’m a Vancouver-based actor who moved here from Alberta about six years ago to transition my acting career into more of a film focus. I’ve seen Trevor Carroll (the director) in the casting room for years but this is the first time I’ve been able to work with him personally.  He’s a pretty cool dude, for the record. I also do a lot of improv around the city.  No Reservations is a satirical take on the pipeline issues we’ve been having in BC, but has broader relevance.  I’d say it’s funny enough to be entertaining, while true enough to be poignant.

Denise Jones: My name is Denise Jones. I am a stage and film performer in Vancouver and the current Artistic Director of Vancouver TheatreSports League. I play the role of Marilyn Whiteman in No Reservations. It’s a fun satirical take on current pipeline protests.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

Lorne Cardinal: Just read the script a lot, looking for rhythms & places where setups and payoffs can happen. Also being familiar with the story to allow for spontaneity and improvisation to happen.

Brad Duffy: The preparation was pretty standard: memorize the lines, look up what the material was referencing, and try to figure out the tone it’s going for.  We had a meeting where Trevor talked us through some of the beats where he needed something specific.

Denise Jones: I had been an avid watcher of the coverage of the protests at Standing Rock, so was pretty in the loop on the material. As far as prep for the role, I showed up ready to play. The cast assembled was so funny and talented it was so fun and easy to step into.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

Lorne Cardinal: Seeing people I’ve worked with before and feeling welcomed into a highly dedicated group of creative beings. All I had to do was not screw up.

Brad Duffy: The most memorable moment was probably hitting Lorne Cardinal in the face with a beach ball; there he is being so professional, and my mind is just saying, “please beach ball, don’t make this guy get hit in the face 17 times, fly true.”  I’ll also remember Denise Jones cracking me up all weekend.

Denise Jones: We were shooting an idyllic look at the main married couple’s lives when out of nowhere a massive rainbow appeared and the whole cast hustled to move the entire camera set-up and video village to  accommodate it. It was insane.

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Lorne Cardinal: Don’t stray too far from set, save your energy when not working and nap when you can.

Brad Duffy: Just come ready to work, and to enjoy the work.

Denise Jones: Come prepared for anything. Know your lines backwards and forwards as time is VERY VERY limited. Know that it’s going to be a great time as awesome things happen under pressure.

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Lorne Cardinal: Always be learning from everyone and respectful to who you’re working with, especially crew members.

Brad Duffy: “The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating — in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around like rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life.” – Anne Morris

This quote really helped me.  I’ve also learned how to let go after auditions better than I used to, which is largely due to repetition, (and maybe that Bryan Cranston on acting video you should look up).

Denise Jones: Don’t be an asshole.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

Lorne Cardinal: The works of William Shakespeare. He shows what the power of words can do.

Brad Duffy: Impro for Storytellers by Keith Johnstone first ignited my passion for improv which has heavily influenced my career.  You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney helped me get ahold of my ego.  Books and graphic novels by Neil Gaiman have also been instrumental in keeping me filled with a sense of wonder and possibility: a necessary tool for any actor I would say.

Denise Jones: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Lorne Cardinal: Currently working on Corner Gas animated series, the never-ending auditions and looking forward to the releasing of a few projects I’ve been working on, should happen very soon. Find our more at facebook.com/lornecardinal or lornecardinal.com.

Brad Duffy: Right now you can regularly see me performing in various improv shows throughout the city, primarily with Instant Theatre, the Rookie League at Vancouver Theatresports, and Sin Peaks the Improvised Soap Opera opening up at the Revue Stage on March 7th.  I have a fan page on Facebook, “Bradley Duffy”, where I regularly post about my film and TV projects, but should probably work on a website.  Thanks for reminding me!

Denise Jones: I am currently directing an improvised stage production called Western World at Vancouver TheatreSports League. Check me out at www.vtsl.com or IMDB!

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Lee Majdoub, Scott McGrath, and Brendan Taylor of The Prince

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

Lee Majdoub: Hi, my name is Lee Majdoub, and I play Amir in The Prince. The film tackles Islamophobia and what it means to be Middle Eastern-Canadian.

Scott McGrath: The film I’m in is titled The Prince, and it’s about a young dancer and her Uncle dealing with what it’s like to be Middle Eastern post 9/11.  It struck a cord with me as an actor because I feel as an actor it’s important to be truly connected with yourself and the characters we play.  It’s my job as an actor to affect change and push if necessary current issues to the front line even if these issues are difficult to discuss or view.   Films and events like Crazy 8’s allow us to stop and reflect on the choices, opinions we have currently and hopefully create an outlet to make things better.

Brendan Taylor: The Prince deals with a young Muslim man and his dream of being actor, but facing challenges of racial and religious stereotypes in this modern world. He and his family have an encounter on a bus with an intolerant person and he has to decide how to react to him.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

Scott McGrath: Well, because of the serious nature of the film it was hard not to feel compassion for the lead but the important thing for my scene was to be light natural and not think anything I was saying was offensive or inappropriate . Just everyday set talk between costumer and actor.

Brendan Taylor: I play the role of the instigator on the bus. It’s important to try to understand the perspective of someone who is intolerant or openly racist, that it comes from a place of fear or ignorance. Then, we as humans portray all kinds of behaviour to cover that up, often resulting in anger and frustration. I explored the many ways this person could have acted towards this family.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

Lee Majdoub: It’s hard to whittle down this project into one most memorable moment. So many people came together and volunteered their time to tell a story they believed in… that they felt needed to be told. That, to me, is most memorable as a whole. So much work was put into The Prince, from all sides of film-making. It was inspiring.

Scott McGrath: The joy I felt in the trailer prior to our scene where everyone of many different ethnicities were laughing and truly enjoying each other’s company.  Non-competitive,  non-judgemental, a genuine spirit of love and support.  This support was across the board from the producers Danielle Stott-Roy and Robin Nielsen, the Director Kyra Zagorsky (who I learned much from) and all the cast from make to wardrobe and everyone I encountered that day on set.

Brendan Taylor: Well, to be honest, amidst the seriousness of the storyline, there were many lighter moments, that were necessary to break the tension: one of them being, I was sitting in my seat on the bus drinking water, and I went to get up, and being a taller man I often bump my head (I don’t fit on buses to begin with), and I bumped my head on the roof handrail, with a mouthful of water. It squirted out like a super-soaker on an unlucky background actor! 

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Scott McGrath: Savor every moment and realize your part of something magical. Be grateful and enjoy the ride!

Brendan Taylor: Follow the Crazy8s, get involved, go to readings, contact the filmmakers, and even submit a pitch yourself! 

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Lee Majdoub: A valuable lesson I’ve learned in my career so far? That’s a tough one to answer. There are so many. I would say learning to let go of control is a huge lesson. There are so many things I’m not in control of in life… and career. All I can do is work hard and be ready for every opportunity that comes my way.

Scott McGrath: I believe it’s important to have wonderful, harmonious relationships with the people we encounter, where on both sides there is caring and mutual respect.  I believe it’s important to let my heart be open so that. Have space within me to grow learn and give back unconditionally.

Brendan Taylor: Definitely persistence. I’m fortunate to say this is my main source of income right now, but it was not a smooth road. So many reasons to give up along the way. But I always train, or do a play, or do something to keep my art alive. But it’s what I love doing, and that’s a good test. You have to love it undeniably. 

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

Lee Majdoub: I’ve found a lot of books that have nothing to do with acting have helped me on this journey. I think living life and learning as much about oneself as possible is the greatest thing you can do for your acting. I’ll list a few that have helped along the way and no two are similar.

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna

Notes to an Actor by Ron Marasco – I really recommend this one if you want a book on acting. It’s very different from other acting books.

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova – personally, a tearjerker. 

Scott McGrath: By far the greatest tool I have used is a marvelous toolbook titled AuditionCraft For Film & TV – The Craft, The Mastery, The Reality By Linda Darlow.

Best advice … “Keep stretching and growing, and remember to always be willing to learn, no matter how often you work, or how long you’ve been in the business”.

Brendan Taylor: Uta Hagen’s Respect for Acting, Sanford Meisner’s On Acting. Learn from the greats. Start there. And watch, read, or listen to interviews and biographies to be inspired.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Lee Majdoub: I’ll be appearing in a few episodes of the new season of Prison Break, which begins airing in April.

And, I start work on the third season of Zoo very soon.

Scott McGrath: Other projects I am part of is the new web series “Inconceivable” where I get to play the Step Dad Terry in a wonderful new comedy.  Check it out – http://www.facebook.com/thisisaspoon/

I also have been fortunate enough to be part of some fun Music Videos:

Check out Hey Ocean’s “Make a new Dance Up”

A Wallace – “Shake it Out”

And lastly, my website where I get to play my favourite character… SANTA with my Elf Spandy Andy: www.hireanelf.com

Brendan Taylor: Currently about to shoot another short film called Pearly Nights, and I have an episode of The Magicians airing March 29th! You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram check out brendan-taylor.com for past work! 

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Darien Provost of The Undertaker’s Son

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in? 

My name is Darien Provost, I’m sixteen years old. I have been acting since I was four years old. I have done various TV shows and Movies but my role as Christopher in The Undertaker’s Son is one of my favourites. The cast and crew were amazing. The set and script made my job much easier due to the realism.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role? 

I would talk to my fellow actors and rehearse lines. I’ve always found it useful to listen to music and read over the script. It helps me get into character.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

The most memorable moment for me was on the last day when we shot the opening scene for the film. I loved watching all the components of the set come together to make for an amazing scene.

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

My advice for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film is to show up with your lines fully prepared and practice being able to get into character quickly. There is not much time to spare on these shoots so it is important that everything moves smoothly.

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

The most valuable lesson I have learnt in my career so far is don’t pretend to be the character. You must become the character and add your own personal twist.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

The most important book I have read so far is No Acting Please by Eric Morris. The book teaches you to be present in the moment rather than mechanically act.

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Peter New of Woodman

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

My name is Peter New and I played the Woodman in the film Woodman.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

I had a 3.5 hour long makeup application in the morning which was a useful time to gradually purge my silliness. The more our talented makeup team applied layers, the more trapped I felt, which is exactly the state the character lives in. By the time they were done I felt transformed.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

There are so many memorable moments to choose from! I think I’ll never forget being on set, with my prosthetic nose being supported by three people, prop shears, fishing line  and a great deal of hope that it won’t collapse into its three component pieces between ‘frame’ and ‘action.’

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Don’t write yourself into a part that traps you under a heavy typewriter while attaching your face to a 600ft tube thus pinning you to a chair and restricting your movement for hours and then drink many coffees because your makeup call is at 5:30 am. It’s a smidge uncomfortable (but 100% worth it).

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Keep moving, keep doing. There’s no value in fame, only in work.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

True and False: A Practical Handbook for the Actor by David Mamet.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

I’m a voice on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Find me on Twitter @actorpeternew and on Facebook and Instagram.

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Thanks to Lee Shorten, Alex Barima, Jerome Yoo, Lorne Cardinal, Brad Duffy, Denise Jones, Lee Majdoub, Scott McGrath, Brendan Taylor, Darien Provost, and Peter New.

You can see all them on screen at the Crazy8s 2017 Gala on Saturday, Feb 25^th. For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

The post The Biz Interview: Crazy8s 2017 Actors appeared first on Biz Books.

Earlier this week, we spoke with the filmmakers of this year’s Crazy8s films. Now it’s time to highlight a few of the actors involved. Joining us for a discussion about their on-set experiences are Danny Mac (Evan in Patrick Currie’s film, Meet Cute), Kacey Rohl (Abigail in Shannon Kohli’s film, A Family of Ghosts), Chris Wilson (Alex in Matthew Campbell’s film Grocery Store Action Movie), Alex Duncan (Vivian in Joel Ashton McCarthy’s film, I Love You So Much It’s Killing Them), Christina Sicoli (Ellie in Shauna Johannesen’s film, Trying) and Katharine Isabelle (Anna in Jesse Lupini’s film, Iteration 1).

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Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

Danny Mac: I’m an actor and writer originally from Edmonton. I moved to Vancouver in 2011 where I’ve been working on a variety of projects from writing for TV and video games to producing my own feature film. The first gig I ever booked here was for a Crazy8s production, a quirky film called Stewing, written by Patrick Currie. Now, four years later, I’m starring in his second Crazy8s production, Meet Cute, playing the romantically-conflicted lead, Evan. The film keeps a light, comedic tone throughout while questioning the need for labels in the LGBT community. It’s a wonderful script that attracted a really talented group of filmmakers.

Kacey Rohl: I’m a local film & TV actor. This year I’m a part of a film called A Family of Ghosts. I’ve worked with Shannon Kohli a couple of times in the past and when she asked me to be a part of her Crazy8s film, I jumped at the chance. I’m a big fan of hers.

Christina Sicoli: I’m an award winning actress, writer, character-driven comedienne and co-owner of Rare Little Bird Pictures Inc. I’m acting in Trying, a rom-com about a couple in their mid-thirties who’ve been trying to get pregnant for over a year with no luck. While they endure fertility clinics and injections, they are surrounded by friends who seem to be popping out babies like no tomorrow. Sex isn’t just sex any more – it’s scheduling their encounters while losing a sense of their fun-loving relationship. They need to come to terms with what they really want and accept the circumstances given. In turn, be open to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Chris Wilson: The film is about a man in the check-out line at a grocery store who realizes he’s forgotten an item and has to rush back to get it. The stakes are high, because he and his girlfriend are throwing a dinner party in a half hour.

Alex Duncan: I was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C. I studied theatre at Bishop’s University and Circle in the Square. I love walking my dogs in the forest and am particularly passionate about yam burritos. The Crazy8s film I am acting in is about the drastic things we do for love.

Katharine Isabelle: I’m Katharine Isabelle, born and raised BC filmy.

Recommended Reading You Can Act On Camera Click a cover for more details The Art of Voice Acting Secrets of Screen Acting Recommended Reading You Can Act On Camera Click a cover for more details The Art of Voice Acting Secrets of Screen Acting

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

Danny Mac: Early on, I did my usual prep work – finding personal similarities between myself and my character, trying to bring truth to any of Evan’s experiences that were foreign to my own, etc. I was also able to get a hold of the full script before my audition, which was a great help in finding how to justify Evan’s internal struggle. He changed as I studied him, his voice eventually becoming equal parts neurotic and sweet. Leading up to production, our co-writer/director, Patrick Currie and I had dozens of conversations about the character that I found very useful, right up until we shot the last scene. It was refreshing as an actor to have the inspiration for the character so readily available for backstory or motivational clarity, while simultaneously being given the freedom to make him my own. The result is a character with a degree of depth that one might hope to meet in a feature-length film, but in an 15-minute short.

Kacey Rohl: I always try to approach anything I do from as truthful a place as I can. It’s a period film, so I spent some time thinking about how young women fit in to society at that time and what was expected of them. How if I, at that time, was part of a slightly more liberal generation, I would feel some frustrations… And I think love and heartbreak are pretty timeless themes, so those came free of too many historical trappings for me.

Christina Sicoli: Some of my closest friends in their 30s have shared their experiences with me. The successes, the heartbreaks, whether it be miscarriage, stillbirth, or the fertility route. I examined my own life, being in a place where having a baby is the next step but naively thinking I have all the time in the world (often forgetting that no matter how healthy, energetic and youthful I feel…my eggs may not feel the same). A lot of factors and thoughts come into play, so taking any fear or hesitation and accessing those emotions with other’s experiences helped me.

Chris Wilson: I wrote it (with comedy partner Peter Carlone), so there wasn’t much needed in the way of acting preparation, because I knew the tone and what the character wanted and needed. But what we did have to do was practice and choreograph all the fight scenes that are in the film. We practiced for several hours the day before shooting, coming up with a routine and moves that would look good with the stunt coordinator. Lots of fun, and work I hadn’t really done before.

Alex Duncan: I watched American Psycho (because I instantly thought of Christian Bale’s character after reading the script) and watched some interviews online. I tried to put myself in Vivian’s shoes as much as possible, thinking of times in my life where love has driven me to madness. Working on Vivian felt like an opportunity to really sink into any intense or dark thought that I have ever had surrounding love, lust or relationships and just go to the most extreme depths.

Katharine Isabelle: The film Iteration 1 is an exercise in the existential. It’s a short film exploring the futility of existence and the human experience while displaying the roller coaster of life and emotions that make this futile human existence worth it after all. I think… ?

Preparations for the film on my end were brief and limited to a quick chat and a stunt rehearsal. I like it that way. The experience this character goes through is not something you need to overthink. It just needs to happen to you.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

Danny Mac: There were a few. Watching the extras get wrapped on the first day of production stands out. To me, it cemented how special the script was, to see 50 or so people give up their weekend for the project, especially seeing as how the Crazy8s’ process is a true labour of love beyond what conventional filmmaking already is.

That same day, our Meet Cute mentor, Amanda Tapping, showed up on set, and the energy she brought with her touched the entire cast and crew. I had worked with Amanda last summer and was delighted to hear she would be overseeing this film. She’s a born leader who offered seasoned advice, while never overshadowing a single aspect of the shoot.

My third memory, and perhaps the one I’ll remember most vividly, was when I got a back rub from Patrick for 5 minutes.

Kacey Rohl: Galloping through the rain — shout out to Jerry the most wonderful horse — while wearing a floor length cape was one for the books… Also, when my skirt dropped to the ground out of nowhere and was absolutely caught on camera! We’ll see if that sweet clip rolls out after the credits…

Christina Sicoli: Walking away and thinking “Damn! Look what accomplished in 3 days!” Being surrounded by such a talented group of people (cast and crew) made it easy to work and play. Everyone brought their A-game and watching Shauna Johannesen in her element and see her project come to life put a smile on my face. Everyone comes together to make the best possible product in a short amount of time because they believe in it and that’s what’s amazing. This is what excites me! And the “car scene.” It’s surprising how stiff one’s entire body can be from a “sex scene” in a car!

Chris Wilson: Probably watching my stunt double push a shopping cart down the aisle, jump into it, crash into a shopping cart that was blocking the aisle, and jumping over it. All on purpose.

Alex Duncan: The bathtub scene. I’ve never done anything like that before! There were so many moving parts.

Katharine Isabelle: What I found memorable was the crew – all young, fresh film students, incredibly enthusiastic. Really worked together as best they could toward a common goal we can all be proud of. Hopefully they all stay that way. Hahaha.

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Danny Mac: The same advice I would give to any actor on any set: don’t forget that it’s an honour to be there in any capacity. And what’s especially unique to Crazy8s is that everyone is there because they want to be. Nobody’s paying rent off their Crazy8s shoot. That means that everyone around you will be passionate. Find a way to absorb some of that passion and emit as much as you can too. Be flexible, be helpful, be happy you’re exhausted.

Kacey Rohl: I’d say do your best to be of service to the director. Know that this is a fast process, but there aren’t a ton of people to move all the pieces of the machine around, so be patient. Show up ready to do your best. Bring a book. Bring a warm jacket. Be kind.

Christina Sicoli: There’s not a lot of time, so do the work, come prepared, let it go and PLAY!

Chris Wilson: Do as much personal preparation beforehand, whatever that means to you – to deliver when the cameras are rolling. There’s just not a lot of time to do lots of takes and take your time with shooting it. Which is great.

Alex Duncan: When my agent initially sent me this script, I felt like it was a stretch and questioned whether I was right for the part. My instinct was that if I was going to be believable for the part, I had to be pretty still, grounded and stark – somewhere between Wednesday Adams and Jeffrey Dahmer with a quirky twist. I made a choice that felt appropriate for me and stuck to it and it ended up being what Joel was looking for! So, my advice: make a strong choice and stick to it; don’t do what you think they want, do what feels right for you.

Katharine Isabelle: Advice to future Crazy 8s actors would be do it. It’s a great adventure. And bring sandwiches. Also don’t show up to the screening an entire week early like I did.

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Danny Mac: Collaborate and play nice with other people. They’ll make up 100% of who you work with.

Kacey Rohl: Cultivate gratitude. Avoid comparison. Being early is being on time. Self-care is your best friend. Don’t be afraid to call yourself an artist. Ask questions if you don’t know something.

Christina Sicoli: Creating original material. It keeps me sane and allows me to have control over my career. Having many projects on the back burner so there’s always something “cooking” is valuable to me. Being an “individual,” really embracing my own unique gifts and talents. I can’t trade myself in for anyone else so focusing on my strengths and weaknesses makes me more in tune to what I need in a certain moment or time. Play. Saying “Yes” will open doors. Saying “No” will often save your sanity. Focus on the work, and do it because you’re passionate about it. Buy some shoes along the way, for your “character’s” sake, of course!

Chris Wilson: As a writer, the final part of the writing process is in the editing room. So be there for it.  You’re rewriting constantly, and making endless tweaks.

Alex Duncan: Work hard and stay humble.

Katharine Isabelle: Always make friends with the teamsters. And stealing socks and underwear from set is perfectly acceptable.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

Danny Mac: I enjoyed How to Stop Acting by Harold Guskin, but I really found The Audition Bible: Secrets Every Actor Needs To Know by Holly Powell to be the most informative thing I’ve read. It’s just packed with invaluable tips for being more comfortable with your choices in the room (especially if you live in your own head too much like me).

Kacey Rohl: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, The Waves, and I’ve been meaning to get back to The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.

Christina Sicoli: An Improvised Life by Alan Arkin, biographies of actors, musicians, designers, Where Did I Go Right? by Bernie Brillstein, The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck, Respect for the Actor / A Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagan, Bunny Bunny by Gilda Radner, plays (from Shakespeare to Neil Simon), Impro for Storytellers by Keith Johnstone … just to name a few.

Chris Wilson: Save the Cat by Blake Snyder is a great book on scriptwriting. I’m sure everyone says that. I also love Steve Martin’s biography, Born Standing Up. It’s very inspirational and I think about it and quote it in my comedy career often.

Alex Duncan: Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger and Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke.

Katharine Isabelle: Books that have been important to me are the thick old Russian novels that I haul around to every set to beat AD’s with. And they’re also good stories. Love me some Dostoevsky. I’d like to play Raskolnikov one day.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Danny Mac: I’m currently writing two video games with my long-time writing partner, Cooper Bibaud, as well as polishing off two feature scripts I’ve recently finished. But what you should really watch out for is my feature comedy, HEEL KICK!, which will premiere some time this year. I wrote, produced, directed and star as a backyard wrestler who tries to go pro. It’ll be the most fun you have watching a movie where people get hit in the head with folding chairs this year. Follow me everywhere at @mactwelve for HEEL KICK! updates and photographs of things I eat.

Kacey Rohl: I’m about to pop over to Wayward Pines as new regular for this coming season. Don’t know what’s in store yet, but I’m very excited. You can find out more about me by following me on Twitter @kaceykadoodles!

Christina Sicoli: I’m currently in the last few stages of developing “small cop,” a comedy feature film that I wrote. Aside from a few other projects I’m creating, you can find me in a few digital series and a film release in spring 2016. In the meantime check out ChristinaSicoli.ca.

Chris Wilson: Peter N Chris, my three-time Canadian Comedy Award-winning sketch duo with Peter Carlone, are always performing live. We will be performing a Christmas Show we are working on this summer (I know), and filming a documentary style webseries in March. We will be in Toronto for the Fringe in the summer as well as at the Winnipeg Fringe in July.

Alex Duncan: I have a reoccurring role on a new show called DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, playing the wife of Rip Hunter. I have popped up a little but am awaiting episode 7, which features me quite a bit – eeeek! You can find me on IMDB.com.

I am in the process of self-publishing a children’s book, called An Army of Hearts, which will be coming out this spring.  It has been a huge focus for me over the past two year and I am so excited to share it with the world. Other than that, I am auditioning for new things all the time, so anything is possible! Vancouver is so busy right now, which is amazing.

Katharine Isabelle: Currently awaiting the release of How To Plan An Orgy In A Small Town and The Girl In The Photographs, and shooting Origami in Ireland soon. Working on staying working. And training my dog not to bite me whenever he sees The Dog from the 16th Floor.

You can learn more about me by following me on Twitter @katie_isabelle. Putting me in your movie or TV show. Or going through my garbage.

—

Thanks to the actors for speaking with us!

You can see all of these actors at the Crazy8s 2016 Gala on Saturday, February 27^th. For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

The post The Biz Interview: Crazy8s 2016 Actors appeared first on Biz Books.

We had to know more about what goes into creating an improvised musical, so we tracked down three members of the show – Sam Mitchell, Byron Abando, and Jamieson McCormack – to tell us more about the process and share some of their improv expertise and insights with our audience.

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What is your involvement with Love Musically and how did that get started?

Sam Mitchell: I’ve been in Off Key Improv ever since the group emerged out of a weekly practice night where we would get together and improvise songs.  When the idea for this show was proposed, I jumped at the opportunity because there just aren’t that many two-act musical improv shows to be a part of in Vancouver.

Byron Abando: I am one of the band members. I provide rhythm, percussion and sound effects. I got invited to play one of Off Key Improv shows and I got hooked.

Jamieson McCormack: Personally, I am a main stage payer as well as Off Key Improv’s Social Media Manager.

We got started 4 years ago, under Jennifer Pielak’s initiative, to challenge our comedy skills and workshop something new. However we all fell in love with building shows like Love Musically and now here we are, 4 years later and still together. Life is just a little better when you’re Off Key!

Love Musically is an improvised musical based on the film Love Actually. Can you explain how that works?

Sam Mitchell: The show will start with our host casting parts for each of the eight principal cast members based on who our audience is that night.  The audience members choose what information to give us, and they spark the direction for the show to go.  The improvisers play those roles for the entire show, exploring the stories that emerge between them without ever leaving the stage.  There is no plan, so as for what happens next, your guess is as good as mine.

Byron Abando: We are taking the core concept of Love Actually which is connection and relationships between people as our main driving plot. Love Actually is beloved because people can relate to those characters and see bits of themselves in the difference roles.

Jamieson McCormack: The way we improvise is very unstructured – we like to let the energy of the night, our audience and their suggestions inspire how our characters and story develop. For Love Musically, the movie Love Actually will kind of be like an unseen player, always on stage with us giving us direction to play off of. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know it is all about the relationships, so we will be gathering real relationships from our audiences and improvising with truth on how hard, rewarding, silly and insane love can really be.

What are the creative challenges and rewards associated with creating an improvised musical?

Sam Mitchell: There are a lot of people in this show, and so coordinating that many minds when there’s no plan can be a challenge.  But, somehow that challenge makes it all the more rewarding in the end.  When you’re in the audience watching and something surprises or delights you, you can bet that we are surprised and delighted too.  We’ve never seen the show either.

Byron Abando: The challenge is that it is somewhat like a high wire circus act without the net to catch you if you fall. On a scripted show you are not creating a new work, you are following another person’s creation. You can memorize your part, develop a muscle memory of sorts, and perform the show. But you did not create the show. The reward is the freedom of not being restricted by a script. It challenges your own knowledge of character and plot development. We all contribute to not only performing the show but creating it as well.

Jamieson McCormack: Creating improvised musicals still makes my palms sweaty and my heart race. I have been waiting for this to get easy for 4 whole years, and I have come to the realization it just never will. Improv has no safety net, so the challenges come when you’re doubting yourself or if you doubt another one of your fellow players. That energy breeds uncertainty and disconnects you from the moment you are in.

This being said, there is no bigger reward than getting over this doubt and learning to trust the process. When you get on stage with another player and you feel so connected, it’s like you both know where things are going without really knowing at all. It’s like magic… I have no other way of describing what it feels like. That’s why improvisors walk onto empty stages with nothing but a word of inspiration. For the raw, prickling, set-your-soul-on-fire, magic. 

What can audiences expect when they see it?

Sam Mitchell: Since it’s all improvised you can expect to see an entirely new show every night.  What remains the same is that you’ll see a cast improvising scenes and songs, supported by an incredible four-piece band, creating a musical before your eyes.  If you love the spirit of the season, the fond memories and traditions, the challenges and emotions,  you’ll see it all in this show.

Byron Abando: They can expect something new every night. It is the beauty of the show because it is never the same show. As it is a musical there will be singing, dancing, and dramatic moments. But how they will be presented will be new for every show. Be prepared to laugh and to cry.

Jamieson McCormack: With Love Musically you have to expect the unexpected. We are comedy improvisors, however above this we play to the truth. If a moment calls for something serious we will honour it. So much so that you could be laughing one moment and then crying in the next. The best jokes happen when we least expect them. When you’re with your family or best friends and something random happens that just splits your sides! These are always the funny moments we remember. Playing to the truth allows us to create these memorable moments naturally.

What are three things that every improv production needs in order to be successful?

Sam Mitchell: The desire to do an improv show,fearlessness, and an audience. I joke, but it’s true.  You really don’t need all that much.

Byron Abando: Creativity, Knowledge, Practice.

Jamieson McCormack: Trust, a humble attitude and maybe one chair… though if you don’t have a chair you can always improvise one!

Why does the world need musicals and improv (and both together)?

Sam Mitchell: For musicals: to see the world as a more magical place. For improv: to realize that everything we do in our daily lives is actually improvised. Together: to experience the joy of spontaneously created music.

Byron Abando: Musicals and improv provide joy and art to the world. When Winston Churchill was asked to cut arts funding in favour of the war effort, he simply replied “then what are we fighting for?” Why not put both together? Musical improv bridges multiple skills together and allows it’s players to showcase all of them including their own creative mind.

Jamieson McCormack: We are always looking to connect. Especially in this day and age, where some of our most intimate relationships are with a screen of some sort! People go to the theatre to feel something, be it laughter, sadness, joy… our emotions are what make us so human and connection to others is what nourishes these emotions. Music is audible emotion, and musicals are an expression of the overflow of these feelings.

Improv is created within every moment, and relies on connection, to both the players and the audience, to thrive. When you bring the two together what you get is a crashing of raw emotion channeled through undoubted connection. The world needs this to remember that it is possible. That hope, love and magic do exist. Not trying to wax poetics about a comedy show or anything, though if you come join our audience you’ll get what I’m talking about.

What are some of your favourite musicals?

Sam Mitchell: The Book of Mormon, The Last Five Years, Title of Show

Byron Abando: Once, Les Miserables, Hamilton

Jamieson McCormack: Two of my favourite screen musicals are both Joss Whedon creations: Once More With Feeling (The Buffy Musical) and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. They’re both a little bit goofy, however Joss just gets it. Whatever “it” is, he gets.

For stage it would have to be Once: The Musical. It will stop your heart (*not literally).

What are your favourite holiday movies – besides Love Actually?

Sam Mitchell: I’m a big fan of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Byron Abando: Miracle on 34th Street and The Holiday.

Jamieson McCormack: It’s A Wonderful Life for its sweet nostalgia and hopeful optimism and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the stop motion version, for allowing me to feel okay with being a weirdo misfit growing up. I feel like the island of misfit toys may very well be where improvisers come from! 

Who are your improv influences?

Sam Mitchell: Before I started doing improv I watched a lot of improv.  And every week my friends and I would go watch a group called Table 23 at a coffee shop—they did a great show, and their audiences were frequently at capacity.  That group happened to feature Jennifer Pielak, who is now our director now in Off Key Improv, and Graham Myers, who later came to be the artistic director of Second Storey Theatre.  I joined Graham’s theatre in 2011, performing in the resident cast in weekly shows.  Those years formed the core of my experience as an improviser.

Byron Abando: The Second City and Second Storey Theatre.

Jamieson McCormack: Doug Widick from North Coast (NYC) and Kory Mathewson from Rapid Fire Theatre (Edmonton). I’ve taken workshops from both of them and have watched them in shows. They’re incredibly talented humans and good people.

What’s the most important lesson you have learned so far in your career?

Sam Mitchell: Surround yourself with creative people.  There is nothing better than hearing new, exciting ideas from your friends and just being able to say: Yes, let’s do that.

Byron Abando: To keep learning and take educated risks.

Jamieson McCormack: When you want to do something, you have to commit to it. You will get no where doing things half a**. You’ve got to go all in, FULL A**!

What books and authors have been influential to you?

Sam Mitchell: There is a wealth of literature on improv, so I’ll mention only a few.

Improvisation for the Theatre by Viola Spolin – because you can’t go wrong with reading foundational texts.

Impro by Keith Johnstone – because of the impact he has had on improv in Canada

Process by Mary Scruggs and Michael Gellman – for their ingenuity in pursuing a similar improv form to what we are pursuing.

Homo Ludens by Johan Huizing – for his trailblazing anthropological study of play (after all, improv is primarily an expression of play).

The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter by Vivian Paley – for her insight into how play develops in the child and how teachers ought to support that development.

Byron Abando: A Case of Need by Michael Crichton. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.

Jamieson McCormack: The Harry Potter series is responsible for re-sparking my childish belief in magic, and I will always come back to it when I feel myself growing up too much for a dose of fantastical faith.

What other projects do you have in the works and where can we find out more about you?

Sam Mitchell: Aside from this work with Off Key Improv, I teach improv at two Coquitlam high schools.  I also occasionally perform with Second Storey Theatre in Port Coquitlam.

Byron Abando: offkeyimprov.com

Jamieson McCormack: When I’m not with Off Key, I work in Social Media Marketing and I am also a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram under @JamiesonEileen if you like food photos or 140 characters or less of random thoughts.

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Our thanks to Sam Mitchell, Byron Abando, and Jamieson McCormack for speaking with us!

Love Musically plays December 16th to 20th at Studio 1398 on Granville Island (1398 Cartwright Street). Shows are 8pm Wednesday to Sunday with 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $18 and are available at lovemusically.brownpapertickets.com.

For more information about Off Key Improv, please visit OffKeyImprov.com.

The post The Biz Interview: Love Musically Spotlight appeared first on Biz Books.

What inspired you to take on this production?

Alison Chisholm: I’ve been wanting to write a musical for a while now but I put that dream aside once I came to the conclusion that I had no ability to pull it off on my own. But when I started doing musical improv with Jen and Peter I realized that there was a chance for that dream to come true after all. So after one of our workshops I threw the idea out to them, and like any good improvisers they accepted the offer and we went from there.

Peter Abando: When Alison suggested we create and present an original musical, it was exactly the sort of wild and crazy idea that gets us musicians and improvisors excited. While I have composed for musicals before, the chance to write a new work with Jennifer Pielak and Alison Chisholm isn’t something that comes along every day.

Jennifer Pielak: I’m crazy? Writing an original musical has always been a dream of mine. I’ve been doing musical improv for the past 5 years, and knew that the timing was right to use the skills I’ve learned to put toward writing. Combine that with the musical genius of Peter Abando and the messed up comedic writing style of Alison Chisholm and I knew we’d have a stellar team.

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Can you briefly walk us through your creative process for this production, from the early stages all the way to opening night?

Alison: It began with weekly meetings to discuss what kind of a show we wanted to do. We knew we wanted it to be a more character-based project but we thought it would take the form of a song-cycle. But after we started talking about ideas our theme of connections came all the more clear and around the time we started meeting a lot of articles were coming out that were saying that Vancouver was a lonely city and that people lacked connection. So we took that idea and some of the other quirky ideas we came up with and the general story of Connected: The Musical was born. We knew as soon the story was created that we wanted to bring on fellow improvisers and castmates Richard Meen and Brad Rossington, and fortunately they said yes. Then we pulled the rest of the creative team together and since having everyone together its been so great to have this be a true collaborative process. The three writers may have come up with the basic story and songs, but we’ve made a lot of edits since our first read through and those edits have been at the suggestions of the collective. It’s pretty great knowing that on opening we won’t just be putting up the show that Jen, Peter, and I wrote, but something that we created collectively. That’s a pretty awesome feeling!

Peter: We started simply by brainstorming ideas based on the idea of connection, and all that may imply. Once we had some concepts down, Alison created a story structure, which we used as a base for improvisation to create scenes and song sketches. I created musical motifs for characters and based song ideas on their drives and emotions at particular plot points. Then it was catering the songs to our cast and fleshing out arrangements with the musicians. There was lots of editing to be done, with changes in script and character development, but it was a fantastic process.

Jennifer: It all started one day after a musical improv workshop that Peter, Alison and I are a part of. Alison came up to Peter and I and asked if we’d like to write a musical, and we simply said, “Yes”. So we started meeting weekly at 8am on Friday mornings to brainstorm ideas. We originally thought it would be more of a comedic song cycle featuring a variety of characters. But as we continued brainstorming we ended up finding a deeper story that we felt people could relate to today in a city like Vancouver. We used a variety of techniques, sometimes we would individually take the script and work with it for a little while and bring it back to the group. Other times we would write or work scenes and songs together. We used improv a lot to hash out ideas and made new discoveries through musical improvisation and free association. In May we brought in the two other actors in the show (Brad Rossington and Richard Meen) and put the scenes on their feet to see if they played out well. We also brought in Chris Lam our director to do some dramaturgy so we could get the best story possible. As many know, a work may never ever be finished, and so we have been re-writing and adding things to the script even up to today, and it’s a week before opening night! As of June, we have a great production team now. Our stage manager, set designer, choreographer, lighting designer, director, musical director, musicians – all including the actors are putting their stamp into this show. This is the first time it’s going up, so everyone is responsible for a piece of it in a way. It’s has been collaborative from the start, and I feel very lucky that it’s been with such an amazing team.

What can audiences expect from Connected: The Musical that will make for a unique stage experience?

Alison: I think the best thing about this show is that our improv backgrounds really shine through in the story-telling. It’s a fun quirky show, featuring some highly relatable characters who can be both over-the-top and extremely grounded all in the same scene. And that’s where this show lives. It’s silly, serious, sexy with songs that will break your heart and make you want to get up and dance.

Peter: It’s a show that people will be able to relate to, given how we explore relationships and their issues in many ways. The music isn’t fixed to a specific genre, and there’s both touching and ridiculous moments, often in the same scene. Maybe a little like looking through a series of similar profiles on an online dating site – things you know, with a twist of things you didn’t expect to find there.

Jennifer: It’s relatable. It’s comedic with some very poignant moments. Without giving too much away, there is a little bit of everything in this musical – love, sass, fights, comedy and awesome songs. Plus the cast is super sexy.

What were your reasons for getting involved with acting, writing, and producing/directing?

Alison: I realized at fairly young age that theatre is what I wanted to do. I started off as an improviser and then took a break from improv as I pursued my BFA in Theatre. I realized through my degree that I actually really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes work in putting up a show which is why I pursued a career in theatre administration. But I do get the urge to do those things like write, act and improvise. I love being behind the desk, but it means a lot to me to be able to get back up on stage.

Peter: I got into theatre after high school, as a rehearsal and performance pianist. I began composing music shortly after that, when working with youth on play building, crafting original musical theatre productions.

Jennifer: This creative field chose me. I don’t feel like I have a choice. I have to do it or I will not be whole. It is my way to connect with people in the strongest way possible. Ha ha, see what I did?

Are there any books or specific authors that have been influential to you so far in your creative journey?

Alison: There are a number of playwrights who inspire me including Christopher Durang, and local playwright Morris Panych. Their knack for comedy even in dark situations is something I really appreciate and look up to.

Peter: There were definitely composers who have been influential over the years. Stephen Sondheim, Jonathan Larson, Jason Robert Brown, Igor Stravinsky, Marvin Hamlisch, Robert Lopez, Duncan Sheik, Marc Shaiman, John Kander and Fred Ebb… the list could keep going!

Jennifer: The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell. Kierkegaard. Keith Johnstone, Del Close and Charna Halpern. Musical Improv Comedy by Michael Pollock.

What were the biggest challenges for you in your respective roles in developing this production and how did you deal with them?

Alison: The biggest challenge has been balancing a full-time job, with the various roles I’ve taken on in this production, including writer, performer, producer, production manager, and others. There have been a lot of long days at Pacific Theatre, but fortunately I can’t think of anywhere else I’d want to spend so much time. Especially when I’m surrounded by an amazing group of people every time I’m there. If it wasn’t for the people I’ve had the privilege to work with, this process would have been a whole lot harder.

Peter: Toughest part? Getting all the music written and scored in time for the actors and musicians to learn and perform it. So, I managed to find a few days when no one could interrupt me, and focused in on writing and composing – some much needed alone time.

Jennifer: Having to wear multiple hats – writer, producer and actor and keep a balance without going crazy. I am dealing with it by breathing and taking things day by day and enjoying the moment. Eating. Sleeping. Exercise. Listening to myself. It’s stressful, but in the best possible way!

What advice do you have for other performers who want to develop or act in their own musical?

Alison: Do it. Don’t let your doubts or insecurities get in the way. There were a number of opportunities for us when it might have been easier to give up, but we got through it and now we have a show we can all be proud of. I’d say surround yourself with people you trust who will encourage you and hold you accountable, but who will also understand that life gets in the way and that sometimes deadlines need to shift and that’s okay. If it’s something you really want, you’ll find a way to make it work.

Peter: Don’t give up on your idea, and schedule time to work, even if you’re not feeling up to it. Jennifer, Alison, and I are all very busy people individually, let alone as a team, but we met regularly to discuss ideas and try things out.

Jennifer: Just jump into the deep end. Don’t think about it. Be open to possibility. Take everything as an opportunity. Stick to a regular schedule, and you’ll be surprised with how much you can get done. Alison, Peter and I are some of the busiest people, and we managed to write a musical in a year, just because we met up every week no matter what.

What can you share about any future projects that are in development?

Alison: Well fortunately our regular improv shows at Second Storey Theatre and our Off Key Musical Improv shows are ongoing. It’s a relief knowing that I’ll still be creating with Jen and Peter on a regular basis. But as for another project of this scale – time will tell. All I can say is that I look forward to more.

Peter: Future projects? Is someone planning a sequel? We might be too busy with improvised musicals, teaching, and other theatrical commitments at the moment. But who knows?

Jennifer: We have created a monster. There will be more. Muah ha!

Connected: The Musical is now on at Pacific Theatre. For tickets, please visit BrownPaperTickets.com.

The post The Biz Interview: Alison Chisholm, Peter Abando, and Jennifer Pielak of “Connected: The Musical” appeared first on Biz Books.