ARTIST ON ARTIST / JAMIE WEEDER

In early August of 2010, Michigan Actress Jamie Weeder and I did an interview.  We talked about her recent role in “Patty Hearst: The Musical” and being an actress in Michigan.  PeeP This.

Jus Buckingham: Where are you from?

Jamie Weeder: I’m originally from Westland, Michigan, but I’ve lived in Ypsilanti Michigan for so long that it’s starting to feel like home.  That perfect mix of poverty level and charm with a pinch of irony.  Kinda like me.

Jus: How did you get into acting?

Jamie: I was the title role in “The Littlest Christmas Tree” in grade school.  I was given the role primarily due to my height.  Ever since than it’s been a focus for me.  I take it seriously, but not too seriously.  Actors who talk about their “craft” as a gift given to them from above and how it’s their responsibility to share it with the rest of the world… that shit bothers me.  Who knows, maybe I just don’t get it.  All I know is that I do it ’cause it’s fun.

Jus: What is your back-ground as an actress?

Jamie: All throughout my schooling I was involved in theatre I was never, EVER, the ingenue.  Always the character actor… at first I found it bothersome and let it hurt my ego, but soon enough I realized it was more my preference anyhow.  A challenge.  Who wants to play the girl next door?  I am the girl next door. So yes throughout high school, college (Eastern Michigan University).  And when I graduated I auditioned around, locally and professionally in Michigan.  Been incredibly lucky to have been constantly involved in a project.

Jus: Do you prefer Theatre?  If not what is your favorite medium as an actress?

Jamie: I love theatre, but I can’t say I prefer it above, say, film… I haven’t enough experience with film. I would love to audition more (since I’ve graduated I became signed with both The I Group and the Talent shop, the two Michigan SAG affiliated agents) but haven’t gotten much opportunity to audition due to my 9am-5pm job. To be a full-time actor is a full-time job. These agents call you and want you to come to an audition in an hour. When you have a 9 to 5, you just can’t. I have a 9 to 5 to support my PM theatre commitments.  It’s tit for tat, I suppose. Maybe one day…

Jus: Who are your main influences as an actress?

Jamie: Peter Sarsgaard, Robert DeNiro. Charlie Chaplin! Parker Posey, Catherine O’Hara. Laura Linney, Mary-Louise Parker.  Comedy is hard and women are rarely funny.  Comedic actresses are my heroes.

Jus: Do you have any strange audition stories?

Jamie: I’ve been auditioning a lot lately and auditioning is always strange for me.  One in particular comes to mind, however.  It was at a callback for the role of “Lula” in Dutchman by Amiri Baraka.  The director had some highly sexual things going on at the callback, which if you know the script, you know that it is inevitable.  I found it very difficult to keep my composure, however, when the actor opposite my lap-dance developed a raging boner that he thought he might be able to hide by tenderly pushing it down with two fingers every few seconds.

Jus: What are a few things you are enjoying about the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor scene as an actress?

Jamie: It’s a small community!  This is good and bad.  I have a lot of pals out here. Everyone knows everyone and everyone’s business. There is a pretty distinct Detroit scene also.  There are a handful of actors that work both.  I’m trying to break into more of the Detroit scene.

Jus: What was the best/most rewarding show you’ve done to date?

Jamie: That’s hard to say.  I think every show is rewarding in their own way.   When I think back at shows that really REALLY changed me, it was always a while ago.  That’s when I realized I was “in deep” as it were.  That I have been doing this for so long, that it’s the only thing I feel as if I have any authority with knowing anything about.  Short of being as asshole and saying “it would be a disservice to the community for me not to act”, I do think it would be illogical to start a new career path now.  Plus, I’m not even thinking linearly enough to answer your questions.  How could I be a pharmacist?  So yes, probably “Lula” in Dutchman.

Jus: Tell me about your latest musical “Patty Hearst.”

Jamie: It was crazy good times.  A musical, written, composed and directed by local artistic director and playwright Barton Bund with the Blackbird Theatre. He’s been a mentor of mine since I met him.  He really took me under his wing and provided me with such great outlets.  We really vibe together as artists as well.  The musical was about Patricia Hearst and her “misadventures” with the SLA the real-life story.  Her kidnapping, her eventual joining of the SLA and ensuing bank robberies, legal battles.  It was crazy difficult.  Playing a real life person.  But such good times great cast, great choreographer Brian Carbine.

Jus: What music are you listening to?

Jamie: JUS BUCKINGHAM! Not even kidding. My iPod is chock full. Also lyaz “Replay” has been stuck in my mind for almost a year.

Jus: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Jamie: Hopefully I’m still alive! Maybe saw/seeing a bit more of the world. Maybe have an MFA and a little less debt!

Jus: When it’s all said and done, what would you have liked to accomplish?

Jamie: I’d like to do something different. Something  no one else has really done.  But most of all, just want to be happy.  I think to be able to do what you love to do, is reason enough to celebrate.  As long as I’m moving forward, I’m happy.

Jus: Is there anything you want to plug?  Upcoming shows or shout-outs?

Jamie: I’m going to plug myself.  I’m looking for work next year!  Looking to move forward!  Hit me up with opportunities, y’all!

Contact Jamie At:

jameiweeder@gmail.com

ARTIST ON ARTIST / BENNY JAMES

In early July actor Benny James allowed me to interview him.  We talk about life, inspiration and his most recent work in the play “SOIL.”  PeeP this!

Jus Buckingham: Where are you from?

Benny: I was born and bred in the infamous Rochester aka ROC-CITY, New York

Jus: What do you do?

Benny: Presently I am working at Clear doing Tech Support. Not my job of choice but is providing the financial means for me to pursue my Acting and other True Career endeavors. If all goes according to plan though I’ll be On-Air and doing Voice-Over Work for Power 88 (Heart & Soul/ People’s Station of Las Vegas) within the next month. Keep your prayers up and fingers crossed. Thankfully there is a shift happening in my life where I’ll soon be able to go All in and just really be making my income doing what I love

Jus: When did you decide to become an actor?

Benny: The day I decided to become an Actor is ironically the day I tried to shrug off Acting and put my Acting Dreams under a Rug. I began dreaming and thinking about it everyday vividly I might add. My serious pursuit began at age 20, Now  there is no more tugging because I’ve embraced what I’m supposed to be doing.

Jus: What is your background as an actor?

Benny: I started acting in church doing small plays. I remember being afraid to act in high school so I shied away from it. Came out here to Vegas and after tussling with self-doubt got into the theatre program at UNLV, I’ve done a few short films like “After Sex Sandwich”, and “Meeting People” but first major shot came with SOIL. I’ve got a role as actor and writer in the full length feature “Travesty” which is forthcoming

Jus: How did you end up in Las Vegas?

Benny: Going back to the year 04 which is when I graduated. I intended to go to Cornell.  A phenomenal Ivy League school I fell in love with at first sight. I was planning to study Culinary Arts, Broadcast Journalism and Theatre. They declined my admission and I was accepted to Morgan State with a scholarship for their Honors program, out-of-state tuition though was too high. My Rock, My foundation aka My mother said she was moving to Vegas to get into real estate. I at the last-minute peep some schools out here and came across UNLV which had everything I was looking at a much cheaper cost than Morgan lol thus the rest is history.

Jus: Do you prefer Film, TV, or Theater?

Benny: Film is where I shall be, TV occasionally but Like Denzel Washington I will stay active in theatre to maintain my craft and keep my knife sharp. I’ve got to do Top Dog Under Dog someday along with Othello. There is nothing like the Theatre High…NOTHING.

Jus: Who are your main influences as an artist?

Benny: Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise & Salvador Dali. Yes Salvador Dali. His Surrealism to me is the ultimate form of Art & Creativity. I’m going to say Sade and Erykah Badu as well for being in “Their Own LANE” All of my influences are Hard Working, Highly Successful, Highly Creative and Brilliant as well as in a League of their own.

Jus: Tell me about your experience in the play “SOIL”

Benny: SOIL has been an awesome experience. I’ve worked with a great group of people and been able to form a brotherhood with them. Even the Female Warden played by Sherida Devine lol. The whole journey, the spiritual journey I took with my character Keith was powerful and is still on going haha We both went through an uncomfortable period of Refinement. But I’ve seen new strength maturity and growth as a result. Being in front of that stage and feeling the energy is an amazing High that you gotta be a performer to understand. My character Keith wanted a rebirth and his wings but when all was said and done realized he didn’t “have it” in him. I get chills thinking about what the future holds for SOIL, we are taking this world-wide and plan on further destroying the negative stereotypical views of inmates. I want to see a thousand new Meditation programs in prisons nation wide. Thank you to the Dhamma Brothers whom are story is based upon. Full Length version of SOIL is coming  Fall/Winter of 2010. Gets ready to Fly Back to Africa with Us.

Jus: Tell me a little about the F’n artist movement.

Benny: FN ARTIST Movement is a collective of a young and upcoming crop of Actors, Film Makers and Artists who are set to Take Hollywood by storm within the next 5 years. Our First Project is Travesty which is presently being made into a Full Length feature, the short film found on YouTube and Facebook is getting a lot of Love. We are Coming y’all!!!! FNARTIST ENTERTAINMENT ~Where Brilliant Art Meets Brilliant Entertainment~

Jus: Who are your favorite actors?

Benny: Denzel, Clifton Powell, Will Smith, Tom Cruise and Wesley Snipes

Jus: Favorite Movie?

Benny: Jus I have too many, it usually changes every 3 years. I’m going to give you my top 3 which presently is Mo Betta Blues, Dark Knight, Brown Sugar

Jus: What music are you listening to?

Benny: Jus we will be here forever talking about music haha. One song I am playing on repeat right now is Swizz Beatz “Part of the Plan” which features Chris Martin. The record is sampled from ColdPlay’s “X & Y”. I love old school Harlem Renaissance Jazz like the Duke and Ella, gospel music. Hip hop like Rakim. 80′s Rnb like Alexander O’Neal & Cherelle, Patrice Rushen. My iPod has Nickleback and Goo Goo Dolls so I’m into almost everything. I also love new school rap like Kanye and Jay-Z. I love Maxwell, Eryka Badu and Sade. Slap me if Left out MJ and Prince.

Jus: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Benny: Aaah lets look into the crystal ball. A decade from now I see an Oscar for Best Actor and one for Supporting Actor. I see myself regarded as one of the best actors in the game. I see My self married to the love of my life, a son a daughter. Ive got a clothing line entitled “So Suave So Dapper”, A Soul Food Restaurant, Jazz Lounge and Performing Arts Center entitled “Milk and Honey Soul Spot” and of course FNARTIST ENTERTAINMENT  Running Hollywood. That is all but the tip of iceberg though …AMEN!

Jus: When it’s all said and done what would you like for people to have said about you?

Benny: I want people to say that I overcame all my demons including myself and made it…MADE IT. The boy who was a slave became a Man and King after finally taking hold of his Most Wildest Dreams & Destiny. I want to be known as someone who used all their God-Given Gifts and abilities to the up most and Fullest Potential and was a blessing and inspiration to others. Lastly although presented with shortcuts, I chose the hard way, the baptism through fire and although it may not have been a quick process made it and was better for having done so.

Jus: Is there anything you want to plug?  Any shout outs?

Benny: Thank You to the Most High for where I’ve come from and where I’m going. My mission and journey are still ongoing. Be on the lookout for me in the play “Mendacity” which is coming this fall. Thank you to my acting coach and director of “SOIL”, Lalanya Abner. Shoutout to FNARTIST Entertainment and Absolute Theatre Compant. Much Love to all those that support me and special thanks to my haters. I owe my present and future success to you. Haha Mom I’m retiring you in the next 1-3 years!!!! Special Thank you to you Jus for the support and love brother, I appreciate it. Im down for your movement for life sir. ~Peace and 1 Love~

ARTIST ON ARTIST / VICTORIA WEEBER

In early June, Victoria Weeber allowed me to interview her.  I let her know that I was a huge fan of her photography.  I was interested to see what her influences were and what she looked for when she shot photos.  Peep the interview as well as some of her work!

Jus Buckingham: Where are you from?

Victoria Weeber: A small town without a stoplight – Palmyra, Michigan

Jus: What is your back-round?

Victoria: I grew up as I said, in the small town of Palmyra, Michigan near a railroad track between soybean and corn fields.  I miss the rural lifestyle, it definitely shaped the way I see my surroundings.

Jus: How did you get your start in photography?

Victoria: I first started taking photographs when I received a camera for Christmas in high school.  I think I got it because it would give me something to do besides sing in front of the mirror pretending I was Stevie Nicks.  I was pretty awesome.

Jus: Who are some of your favorite photographers?

Victoria: There’s a person on flickr called “neon.tambourine” who shoots very striking, sometimes uncomfortable fashion photographs.  A lot of photos I see come from tumblr accounts, which are usually uncredited, which is a bummer.  More famous photographers include Sally Mann and Arno Rafael Minkkinen.  There’s not a specific style I’m interested in, but more of a feel, a mysterious quality I look for I suppose.

Jus: What would you say catches your eye?

Victoria: Lighting that cuts the subject, simple symmetry, bright colors, people with their own personal style, interesting shadows…

Jus: What is your favorite thing to shoot?

Victoria: Nature prevailing over man.

Jus: What would you say your specialty is?

Victoria: Specialty?  Gee wiz…I suppose I like to look over the overlooked.

Jus: What is your favorite thing about being a photographer?

Victoria: I am obsessive compulsive about saving things.  I save letters, their envelopes, bottle caps, even receipts as a way of recalling memories later in life.  Looking through old journals and boxes of these “keepsakes”, I find hundreds of little keys that unlock memories that would be otherwise forgotten.  I see photography as another way to unlock memories, to save people, places and events unchanged for later in my life and also for those who live after me.  I have a fear of being forgotten.

Jus: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Victoria: Cats are in my future.

Jus: What are you listening to these days?

Victoria: Sounds that remind me of childhood, of home.  Fleetwood Mac, The Chiffons, Dion, Sam Cooke, Jeff Mangum, The Pixies.  The Books.   Also my very talented friend, Jim Cherewick.

Jus: What are you watching these days?

Victoria: Arrested Development, I’m a little late.  Other than that I love Food Network, but I don’t own a TV so rarely get the chance to watch anything.  Though I think growing up I watched enough television for a lifetime.

Jus: When it is all said and done, what would you like people to say about you professionally or personally?

Victoria: She’s an interesting lady, that one.

Catch up with Victoria Weeber at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toryweeber

http://victoriaweeber.tumblr.com/

http://auntbeast.tumblr.com/

ARTIST ON ARTIST / GEORGIE CALDWELL

In early May of 2010, the lovely and super talented actress Georgie Caldwell allowed me to interview her.  We talked about movies, theater, and living in New York City.  Be on the look out for her starring in Le Chat Noir’s “Werewolf” coming soon!

Jus Buckingham: Where are you from and what do you do?

Georgie Caldwell: I’m from the suburbs of Detroit. I am an actress. As well as a baker, culinary enthusiast, friend, and artist.

Jus: How long have you been in New York and how did you get there?

Georgie: I’ve been in New York for five years. I got here by plane to study acting at the Atlantic Acting School through New York University.

Jus: How has your experience been as an actress in New York?

Georgie: Fun. Every project I work on, everything I read, and every day in the city inspires me. I’ve been fortunate enough to originate theater roles (Jane in “Disillusioned”) and had a film role or two written specifically for me (Felice in Le Chat Noir’s “Werewolf” and Monique in LCN’s “Cut”). When I’m working on a project – film or theater- I’m happiest and most fulfilled. It’s an uphill battle to get auditions, let alone book a job, but when I do, I go into the room put my best foot forward and work. A great person once said that luck is when preparedness meets opportunity. I try to live my life by that. I’m constantly going to classes to stay sharp, reading the casting calls and endless amounts of scripts/books/newspapers, submitting myself and working with my fantastic manager, Jeffery Patterson, to get out there and do some good work.

Jus: What do you think New York offers you as opposed to LA?

Georgie: I haven’t spent any time in LA so I can’t say anything about what is there for me, professionally.

New York has so much to offer. I can walk down the street and run into someone I know or someone who I know through two other people. This is a great city to just happen into people. New York also has so much art to see and participate in. Museums – modern artists and work that has inspired modern artists – have been what I have been into lately. I like being able to go see an exhibit and have an experience with whatever I am seeing. Also, I like to know a bit about the artists before I go. This winter I had a subscription to the New York City Opera and was able to see three beautiful performances. Their production of Madame Butterfly by Puccini (my favorite opera) was so heart wrenchingly gorgeous.

Aside from the art and culture New York has, there are also ample ways to work. A great way to be able to crossover between theater, TV, and film is to be in New York. Tons of shows shoot here (“30 Rock”. “Damages”, “Gossip Girl”, “White Collar”, “Rescue Me”, and the show to get a career started on, almost a right of passage job – “Law and Order”). Tons of movies are made in New York City about New York City (“Wall Street 1 & 2”, “Two Lovers”, “Sex and the City”, “The Royal Tenenbaums”, “Annie Hall”, “The Muppets Take Manhattan”, etc). Many of the actors, directors, and writers whom I admire who are or have worked on those projects live and work in New York.  The really good ones are known to pop up at smaller shows to see what’s new and fresh, whether it be performing or enjoying the show.

I’m working to be one of those actors who gets to work on TV, film, and theater.

My work has shown some progress in the crossover between theater and film. Last summer, my performance in “Disillusioned” at the Midtown International Theater work helped showcase my work and abilities as an actress. From that production, my dear friend and director, Matthew D’Abate of Le Chat Noir Productions, knew how to challenge me and have fun when we went to work on “Werewolf” last fall. These projects lead to more work. Working on Broadway or Off Broadway, can get me out there to book more work with a legitimate performance to get me noticed and working in TV and film.

And, in New York, I don’t need a car.

Jus: Would you ever consider a move to LA or any where else?

Georgie: When LA calls for work, of course I will go. It would be a wonderful new adventure. But I’d request a Katherine Hepburn clause – wherever I am living to work I would get to keep my New York apartment.  New York has my heart and will be home for a good long while but I can live just about anywhere.

Jus: What do you prefer more film or theater?

Georgie: They offer different things and require different skills. They are different mediums of storytelling. From my training at Atlantic and application on set and in rehearsal, acting in theater or film it’s about knowing where the audience is. If the camera is close up, I am going to work to the very close lens. If I am doing a play at the Imperial Theater, which has about 1400 seats, my work has to land not only with my colleagues on stage but also to Mr. and Mrs. McGillicutty in the rear mezzanine. Regardless of medium, the basics of acting stay the same – tell the story, be truthful in the moment, and be ready for anything.  I am having fun doing both. I’d like to keep my options open. The actors who I admire the most get to do both (Marissa Tomei, John Tuturro, Cynthia Nixon, Meryl Streep, John Goodman, Jeff Daniels, America Ferrera,). Both make me feel alive.

Jus: Where would you like to be professionally in 10 years?

Georgie: Doing good work in the art that I love – storytelling. Making good movies, doing theater, and television (or webvision, however it evolves). I ‘d like to be working with people who inspire and challenge me as an actress.  I would also like to host Saturday Night Live. The projects I’m working on now will help get me into the playing field.

Jus: Who’s your favorite actor/actress?

Georgie: This one has had me stumped since I read the question! I can’t pin down just one. There are performances that jump right up in my mind and make me gush, so here goes. Deanna Dunagan in Tracy Letts “August: Osage County”, which I saw 3 times on Broadway. Ms. Dunagan was electric and wild. Watching her performance of Violet Weston sent shivers down my spine and I loved it. Meryl Streep in “Angels in America”. All the characters she plays – Ethel Rosenberg, the Rabbi, Hannah Pitt, The Angel Australia – are performed with such ease of finesse, I can’t help but be inspired, by her performance and the story. Kate Winslet in “Romance and Cigarettes”. Ms. Winslet plays a bawdy lewd loose woman with such veracity and freedom that is loquaciously delicious. Rosalind Russel in “The Women” gave such spot on, whippingly charming, bold performance. Tina Fey on “30 Rock” makes me want to move to Chicago, eat donuts until I can come back to New York and be funny. Marissa Tomei in “The Wrestler”. All of these actresses inspire me and I want to do work like them.

Jus: What’s your favorite film?

Georgie: Such a hard question! There are so many movies that I wish I could talk to the filmmakers about what and how they made them. I love Casablanca. It’s so iconic and brilliant. I watch it all the time. Movies that take risks inspire me like Romance and Cigarettes, a film director John Tuturro personally distributed. I love “Amelie” because it’s such a simple story that is told so beautifully. “The Fall”, “Pan’s Labrynth”, “Annie Hall”. I also love movies that follow the journey of the Hero: “Toy Story”, “Star Wars”,“Pleasantville”.

Jus: What are you listening to right now?

Georgie: Monsters of Folk, Lady Gaga, The Miseducation of Lauryn HIll

Catch up with Georgie Caldwell:

www.georgiecaldwell.com

Watch the trailer for Georgie’s new movie “Werewolf”

All photos courtesy of Simon McDermott-Johnson

ARTIST ON ARTIST / SARAH MORRISON

On March 20 2010 the beautiful and hilariously funny Sarah Morrison allowed me to interview her.  We went back and forward through email for a while and this is what we came up with.  PeeP son!

Jus Buckingham: Where are you from?

Sarah Morrison: Boston, Massachusetts

Jus: Being from Boston how did you end up in NYC?  Then onto LA?

Sarah: I lived in LA first. I moved out here after college. I spent a few years out here working at clubs and throwing parties and then moved to New York. I worked at a girl’s streetwear magazine in Brooklyn called Missbehave. I moved back to LA after that ended.

Jus: What is it that you do?

Sarah: I am a writer. I also have a really great grasp of marketing and people hire me to do that too. I freelance doing both things from my home office.

Jus: How did you get your start?

Sarah: I wrote a personal blog every week called Sarah Morrison’s Best Week Ever. It detailed funny things people said, did, stuff that happened in my week. People enjoyed it and enjoyed reading about my life. That lead to my writing getting tighter and me getting paid to do so.

Jus: Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

Sara: 5 years ago I would have said as the editor of my own magazine. Now that magazines are done, I have no idea. It’s a waiting game right now with the internet. I don’t know how things will continue to evolve in regards to professional writers.

Jus: Now let’s get down to business… Nas or Jay-Z?

Sarah: Jay Z. That Kelis shit really pissed me off, in regards to Nas.

Jus: NYC or LA?

Sarah: LA

Jus: Rolling Stones or The Beatles?

Sarah: The Beatles I guess. Neither of them really appeal to me

Jus: Twitter or Facebook?

Sarah: Twitter

Jus: Mac or PC?

Sarah: Mac

Jus: In retrospect… was Kanye right about Taylor Swift?

Sarah: Kanye is right about everything.

My kinda chick…

Catch up with Sarah Morrison at:

http://thesarahmorrison.com/

ARTIST ON ARTIST / BRIANA KENNEDY-COKER

On January 18, 2010 I sat down with multi-talented Actress/Director/Everything else Briana Kennedy-Coker.  At a coffee shop in Vegas.  This is what we came up with.  PeeP it!

Jus Buckingham:  Briana, where are you from originally?

Briana Kennedy-Coker: (In a Minnesota Accent) Well I hail from St. Paul, Minnesota.  Was born June 8th 1984.  In Mid-Way Hospital.  Next question please.

Jus: (Laughing) Ok Briana.  Well we are both from the mid-west.  Ehh… I don’t have anything cool to say about the mid-west.  Where did you get your start performing?

Briana: Umm good question.  I started performing… well the first play I got was “To Kill A Mockingbird,” at the “Great American History Theater with  Ron Peluso,  I was seven years old.  And from there, I just did tons of theater.  Park Square Theater, Children’s Theater, Stepping Stone Theater, Guthrie Theater. All in the mid-west.  And I probably did Theater from seven to eight-teen.  Non stop.  And then I left Minnesota and moved to Vegas.  I’m now starting to get into film.

Jus: Well that’s interesting.  Now, how did you end up in Las Vegas of all places?

Briana: I ended up here, because my mom wanted to move here.  I’ve always had the dream to move to LA, but I wasn’t ready at eight-teen.  So I actually stopped U of M (University of Minnesota) midway through my junior year.  I studied Film Theory, but nothing was hands on.  I wasn’t learning anything, but I was learning how to critique and write about film.  I wanted to do more so she proposed moving here, and I said OK.  Left everybody.  Left all my family and moved here, and transferred to UNLV.  I then tried to build my life here, which is kind of hard, but I got hands on with the film program.  I graduate in May.  So that’s kind of what brought me here and the next stop is LA.

Jus: What do you think Las Vegas has to offer as opposed to other markets in our industry?

Briana: Well, I think the coolest thing about Vegas is most people come from a different place.  For me, this was kind of a stopping place, to gather the tools I needed to move to LA.  So you end up meeting tons of people from all over, that have all these quirky things.  You have a lot of people that want to contribute artistically.  I’ve met the coolest people in my film program.  Young people that are talented who are looking to go to New York, LA or bigger markets.  But we all come from different back-rounds, and we all just come to create.  That’s the biggest blessing that I’ve found moving here as opposed to Minnesota.

Jus: In ten years or so.  What do you see yourself doing?

Briana: All I want to do is just create.  Create.  More specifically, I want to goto LA and be a working actress.  And like we’ve talked about before, anytime you tell people you want to act.  Especially when you want to goto LA, they’re like: “Do you know how many thousands of actors and actresses are there?”  And that for me has never been what it’s about.  It’s just about working, creating the stuff that makes me happy.  And you know being twenty-five, life is boring, mundane, and depressing.  So if you can find that one thing that makes you happy.  That one thing that makes you want to get up every day, and you can get paid for it.  Pay your bills, you’re good.  And that’s really all I want to do when I do go out to LA.  To be a working actress in film and in television.  And then eventually have my own production company.  And be able to create projects and cast people that are forgotten or people don’t want to see or think they fit in a certain box.  I just want to be a well rounded entertainer, and hopefully a good business woman.  At the end of the day, that’s what I want to do… and win an Oscar! (clears throat) Just throwing that in their real quick.

Jus: Ok speed round.  Favorite movie?

Briana: Oooo!  Well I have two!  “Apocolypto” and “A Bitter Sweet Life.”  I think I told you about this.  It’s a Japanese horror film starring the beautiful Lee Beyung-hun.  His American debut was GI Joe.  (Laughs) I never saw him in that.  But what happens is your so brilliant in your own country, and often times you come here.  Your put in like the “Cheesy Hollywood Films.”

Jus: Like Le Femme Nikita

Briana: Yeah!  Well I saw the other one that they did.  They did an Americanized version.

Jus: Oh, well I just saw the original, and that’s a good example.  Because the dude that plays the bad guy in “Bad Boys” is phenomenal in the Le Femme Nikita.  And I totally wrote him off as a “fly by night douche bag” bad guy from “Bad Boys.”

Briana: And it totally was not the case.  Yeah I think this year will have to be “A Bitter Sweet Life.”  Those are my top two.

Jus: OK.  Favorite Actor / Actress.  Go!

Briana: ooooo!  You Bastard!  Ok, Sean Penn.

Jus: Yuck!

Briana: Don’t look at me crazy!  And of course there is only one queen of film!  Meryl Streep!  (pauses)  You ain’t got nothing to say!  I can’t believe you.  Well, who are your favorites?

Jus: Robert Downey Jr. And actress, probably Meryl Streep.

Briana: Ok, well we agree!

Jus: Lets see.  What else can I ask you?  I don’t know maybe that will conclude it.  Any final words.  Anything you want to promote?

Briana: Well, parting is such sweet sorrow, but I’m working on a Blackexplotation film.  With the awesome people of UNLV.  Drew Mixon and Devon Byers.  We start that in Febuary.  And I’m super exited.  We’re going to channel Pam Grier!

Jus: Pam Greir!  I like the Pam Greir!

Briana: Yeah, that’s going to be a tough one!  But that’s what I am working on.

Catch up with Briana:

www.brianaonline.com

http://vimeo.com/drknowitall