How did you get comfortable with this character and know whom he/she was?
DAN SHIREY
The environment was extremely creative. From the moment we walked on the set to home cooked meals. Djamel has a way of making his actors feel at ease, and has enormous insight on the characters. Where we can play around with ideas and improve. Sherman is a very quiet, but rude character. So for me it was about confrontation. Confront as many people as you possibly can. Episode 6 is by far my favortite as because it sets the tone for next season. There is more to Sherman.
NATHAN MARLOW
Fernando was an interesting character that I felt could have a lot of different sides and layers to him. When Djamel first approached me with him I was wondering how I could bring to life a guy that pretends about so much, but still has to be likeable and able to come across somewhat a serious guy. So it was a bit challenging to say the least. I just finished a movie where I was a completely different character and it was a challenge to find Fernando in such a quick time…I did some research on some actors that I liked and got some style ideas but I didn’t want to recreate anybody again. So I felt Fernando should come to life organically and I felt throughout the shoot he did. So needless to say it was a work in progress! (laughter)
KARA CHAPUT
Living in L.A. for the past 6 years I already felt like I knew Beverly. It was important that I understood her vulnerabilities and why she acted the way she did. Like most things in life, there is always more than meets the eye...
SHERRY ROMITO
Well I am an actress so I do know a little bit about where she is coming from. So although I am not too much like her, I do know what she goes through.
OWEN WILLIAMS
I’ve been pursuing acting with the intention of being a good actor in LA for a few years now, so I know what it’s like to wait tables.
GARY EDWARD
For me, it was pretty much in the writing, and collaboration with the director. The encouragement from him to constantly experiment and to try different things with the character helped me immensely.
... on working on 'The Great L.A. Pretenders':
DAN SHIREY
KARA CHAPUT
Living in L.A. for the past 6 years I already felt like I knew Beverly. It was important that I understood her vulnerabilities and why she acted the way she did. Like most things in life, there is always more than meets the eye...
SHERRY ROMITO
Well I am an actress so I do know a little bit about where she is coming from. So although I am not too much like her, I do know what she goes through.
OWEN WILLIAMS
I’ve been pursuing acting with the intention of being a good actor in LA for a few years now, so I know what it’s like to wait tables.
GARY EDWARD
For me, it was pretty much in the writing, and collaboration with the director. The encouragement from him to constantly experiment and to try different things with the character helped me immensely.
... on working on 'The Great L.A. Pretenders':
DAN SHIREY
Only Fernando and Sherman saw it through to the end! It was tough at times, memorizing the dialogues and getting thrown with surprises. But we are actors and that’s what we do and I think Djamel did an excellent job of understanding where we were coming from and his approach was very clear of to what he wanted from each character.
NATHAN MARLOW
NATHAN MARLOW
I had a great time working on The Great L.A Pretenders. I felt we had a few set backs in the beginning, but I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. The cast was amazing and the little budget we had and the style of the shoot, I felt the acting had to be great and it was! Everyone on set were professionals and amazing, so I felt it made everyone step up their game. It's fun to see the webisodes come out now because we had such a quick time to shoot them because of everyone’s schedules and at times I think the biggest concern was wondering if we got the shot, typical actor in all of us! (laughter)
KARA CHAPUT
Was a great experience…a lot of fun and freedom to explore the characters relationships.
SHERRY ROMITO
The cast was great so it made it easy to come to set.
OWEN WILLIAMS
The comfort level was already there for me when I arrived on set. Everyone was extremely nice and professional.
GARY EDWARD
It was an interesting concept from the beginning. And the script being what it was. The story. It made me take a hard look at what it was that I was really trying to accomplish in this town. Overall, the experience was nothing short of enlightening.
NATHAN MARLOW
I love working with Djamel. He is a very actor friendly director. I really enjoy shooting these types of projects! Djamel allows us as actors to improve if were in the moment and he lets us have freedom with the lines, which is always an actors dream come true. He approached me with this idea last year and about how the Internet and the content could reach a global market and there wasn’t really any webisodes out there at the time, and we bounced this idea off one another and a few months later he emailed me the script I really enjoyed these characters and how funny it was. He did a great job coming up with the different characters and how they interact with one another and there different background, etc…
KARA CHAPUT
Djamel was great to work with because he gave us a freedom to experiment with different ideas. But he also is a very honest director and if something did not work, you could tell but a simple look on his face!
SHERRY ROMITO
He was very helpful. Djamel was fun to work with he was easy going but was there for when you needed him.
OWEN WILLIAMS
Djamel is very easy to be around and has a clear idea of what he wants. He’s a fun director with a flexible mind.
GARY EDWARD
As I mentioned earlier, being able to have access to Djamel while he was still doing re-writes and last minute touch-ups on the script was priceless. It usually never works that way. He was all about making it as painless as possible for the actor. If I came up with a new idea for the character at the last minute, he would always encourage me to try it. He was like that with everyone. Very personable. I had the opportunity to work with him on a previous project, so I feel very fortunate to have had that advantage coming into this one. Everyone told me that I should never work with a French director. Too arrogant, they told me! But it really wasn't that bad. I hope I get the chance to collaborate with him on future projects!
... on Working with 'The Great L.A. Pretenders' Cast/What was the atmosphere on the set?
DAN SHIREY
DAN SHIREY
KARA CHAPUT
Was a great experience…a lot of fun and freedom to explore the characters relationships.
SHERRY ROMITO
The cast was great so it made it easy to come to set.
OWEN WILLIAMS
The comfort level was already there for me when I arrived on set. Everyone was extremely nice and professional.
GARY EDWARD
It was an interesting concept from the beginning. And the script being what it was. The story. It made me take a hard look at what it was that I was really trying to accomplish in this town. Overall, the experience was nothing short of enlightening.
... on Working with Writer/Director Djamel Bennecib:
NATHAN MARLOW
I love working with Djamel. He is a very actor friendly director. I really enjoy shooting these types of projects! Djamel allows us as actors to improve if were in the moment and he lets us have freedom with the lines, which is always an actors dream come true. He approached me with this idea last year and about how the Internet and the content could reach a global market and there wasn’t really any webisodes out there at the time, and we bounced this idea off one another and a few months later he emailed me the script I really enjoyed these characters and how funny it was. He did a great job coming up with the different characters and how they interact with one another and there different background, etc…
KARA CHAPUT
Djamel was great to work with because he gave us a freedom to experiment with different ideas. But he also is a very honest director and if something did not work, you could tell but a simple look on his face!
SHERRY ROMITO
He was very helpful. Djamel was fun to work with he was easy going but was there for when you needed him.
OWEN WILLIAMS
Djamel is very easy to be around and has a clear idea of what he wants. He’s a fun director with a flexible mind.
GARY EDWARD
As I mentioned earlier, being able to have access to Djamel while he was still doing re-writes and last minute touch-ups on the script was priceless. It usually never works that way. He was all about making it as painless as possible for the actor. If I came up with a new idea for the character at the last minute, he would always encourage me to try it. He was like that with everyone. Very personable. I had the opportunity to work with him on a previous project, so I feel very fortunate to have had that advantage coming into this one. Everyone told me that I should never work with a French director. Too arrogant, they told me! But it really wasn't that bad. I hope I get the chance to collaborate with him on future projects!
... on Working with 'The Great L.A. Pretenders' Cast/What was the atmosphere on the set?
DAN SHIREY
It was fun and sexy. Sherman and Beverly definitely had a connection on the set, who knows what happened off set...
NATHAN MARLOW
The atmosphere for the most part was pretty relaxed! I felt once Djamel had the right actors in place the project finally came together. Most of the show took place in the house so by the end of the shoot I don’t think I ever want to go back to the house ever again. Also I must add and everyone on set could account for this I’ve never seen cats that weight 100 pounds! I swear I thought these things ate a few kids or something who knows, and I don’t know how many times we had to cut because of this damn rooster! I thought we might have to shoot the thing just give it some screen time so it would shut up! (laughter)
KARA CHAPUT
Everyone got along really well on set, most of us coincidentally already knew each other so it made for a very comfortable place to play.
SHERRY ROMITO
Joyous.
OWEN WILLIAMS
Atmosphere on set was loose and professional. People were having fun but taking the project seriously. It was nice.
GARY EDWARD
I had minimal shooting days, so I didn't get to spend any consistent time with the cast. While I was there, the atmosphere seemed to be pretty relaxed.
Sticking to the Script: NATHAN MARLOW
The atmosphere for the most part was pretty relaxed! I felt once Djamel had the right actors in place the project finally came together. Most of the show took place in the house so by the end of the shoot I don’t think I ever want to go back to the house ever again. Also I must add and everyone on set could account for this I’ve never seen cats that weight 100 pounds! I swear I thought these things ate a few kids or something who knows, and I don’t know how many times we had to cut because of this damn rooster! I thought we might have to shoot the thing just give it some screen time so it would shut up! (laughter)
KARA CHAPUT
Everyone got along really well on set, most of us coincidentally already knew each other so it made for a very comfortable place to play.
SHERRY ROMITO
Joyous.
OWEN WILLIAMS
Atmosphere on set was loose and professional. People were having fun but taking the project seriously. It was nice.
GARY EDWARD
I had minimal shooting days, so I didn't get to spend any consistent time with the cast. While I was there, the atmosphere seemed to be pretty relaxed.
DAN SHIREY
Boy, where the hell do I fucking start!? I didn’t change a fucking word, period or explanation point. When the time to improve was there, of course I did it but. I can say that Sherman was all book, so for me as an actor I try to find the character through the writing and mix it with my homework (HOURS) and a lot of work and focus.
NATHAN MARLOW
Well like I was previously stating for the most part I felt everyone stayed pretty close to the script. Djamel did let us improve a little but still using the script as an outline. Which I’m a huge fan of, I love living in the moment and just being true to what your saying!
SHERRY ROMITO
Not difficult at all...
OWEN WILLIAMS
Sticking to the script is always a little difficult for me, because I like to improvise. But for the most part, we did stick to the script and it was fine.
GARY EDWARD
I think some writer/directors are very specific about that- sticking to the script. Which I can truly appreciate and respect. It takes alot of time and hard work to put a script together. Other writer/directors allow you to deviate from the written text to make it more "real" or make it your own. The same with actors.. some like to go word for word. Others like to improvise and keep it loose. It was nice to be able to have the best of both worlds. I always try to stick to the script, but if the director and fellow actors are comfortable with a little improvisation, then I would usually prefer that.
Could you possibly be one of the pretenders?
DAN SHIREY
NATHAN MARLOW
Well like I was previously stating for the most part I felt everyone stayed pretty close to the script. Djamel did let us improve a little but still using the script as an outline. Which I’m a huge fan of, I love living in the moment and just being true to what your saying!
SHERRY ROMITO
Not difficult at all...
OWEN WILLIAMS
Sticking to the script is always a little difficult for me, because I like to improvise. But for the most part, we did stick to the script and it was fine.
GARY EDWARD
I think some writer/directors are very specific about that- sticking to the script. Which I can truly appreciate and respect. It takes alot of time and hard work to put a script together. Other writer/directors allow you to deviate from the written text to make it more "real" or make it your own. The same with actors.. some like to go word for word. Others like to improvise and keep it loose. It was nice to be able to have the best of both worlds. I always try to stick to the script, but if the director and fellow actors are comfortable with a little improvisation, then I would usually prefer that.
Could you possibly be one of the pretenders?
DAN SHIREY
Fuck no.
NATHAN MARLOW
(laughter) I was joking with Djamel about this, why everyone was so good maybe we all have a little pretender in us! Just kidding! But on a serious note I really enjoyed working with everyone. The professionalism on set was a relief, cause I've worked on a few sets where it was a nightmare! So I would love to work with everyone again.
KARA CHAPUT
I could in no way be one of the pretenders…none of them...not even Glen!
SHERRY ROMITO
Maybe but it would be a bit of a stretch.
OWEN WILLIAMS
No sir. I’m one of the good guys.
GARY EDWARD
There's a little "pretender" in all of us. Especially in this town.
NATHAN MARLOW
(laughter) I was joking with Djamel about this, why everyone was so good maybe we all have a little pretender in us! Just kidding! But on a serious note I really enjoyed working with everyone. The professionalism on set was a relief, cause I've worked on a few sets where it was a nightmare! So I would love to work with everyone again.
KARA CHAPUT
I could in no way be one of the pretenders…none of them...not even Glen!
SHERRY ROMITO
Maybe but it would be a bit of a stretch.
OWEN WILLIAMS
No sir. I’m one of the good guys.
GARY EDWARD
There's a little "pretender" in all of us. Especially in this town.
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