August 2017

Welcome to the first installment of our MYSTIC COSMIC PATROL WEEK ongoing feature!

Debuting Thursday at Funny or Die, “Mystic Cosmic Patrol” is a nostalgic sitcom romp of mystical proportions. Created as an homage to kid-friendly shows like “Power Rangers” and “Ultraman,” the fast-paced webisodes combine monsters and comedic mayhem to create a parody worth every bingeable minute.

We recently sat down with “Mystic Cosmic Patrol” creator and star Gavin Hignight to discuss the inspiration for the series, fighting rubber monsters in cardboard cities, and the power of the word “kaiju.”

TrunkSpace: Is “Mystic Cosmic Patrol” for young adults who watch shows like “Power Rangers” or is it for the parents who are now forced to watch those shows with their kids?
Hignight: Well you know, I think for me, the idea of the show really came from seeing stuff like “Big Bang Theory.” The characters in that were labeled nerds, and there was this expectation that, “Oh, this is a show for nerds.” I never felt like that. I was like, “No, this is what the mainstream thinks nerd culture is like.”

I wanted to make a show that really was like a sitcom for the Comic-Con crowd and I’ve always loved stuff like “Ultraman,” “Power Rangers,” and “Kamen Rider.” All the good Tokusatsu stuff.

TrunkSpace: So it comes from a genuine place of love for the source material?
Hignight: I’m an especially big fan of “Ultraman.” I thought, let’s make something for all these people who are our age now who grew up on two plus decades of “Power Rangers” kind of stuff. Let’s make something that’s funny to them now when they’re in their thirties and forties, but at the same time, let’s not alienate the kids. I wanted to be clever with our humor so Mom and Dad can enjoy the sitcom of it, while kids can enjoy robots beating up monsters and vomiting on each other.

TrunkSpace: You mentioned the monsters. We would have to imagine creating those for the show would be one of the more genuinely exciting parts of the gig?
Hignight: Oh, totally. Laura Monaco, my co-producer and I, there was a point when we were just kind of day dreaming when I was starting to write this. We looked around and we said, “You know, there’s people in this town that have fun and get paid for it. Let’s be those people.”

And that evolved into us thinking that the best kind of day would involve fighting rubber monsters in a cardboard city and calling it work, so we started putting it together. Resources are always slim when you’re starting something out and I didn’t know where to go for our monsters. Through a friend we found Cig Neutron, who had just come off of his first run on “Face Off.” And I was just thinking, we can’t afford this guy. He’s on this show, he’s really talented, and he’s working. And I just said the word, “Kaiju,” and that was it. He was like, “I’m on board.”

So he sculpted the head of our robot hero and he sculpted and worked on arguably our favorite monster, which is Potty Mouth. And it was exactly what you’re talking about. It was hard to call it work because we were having so much fun.

TrunkSpace: When you see Potty Mouth come together, are you all fighting over who gets to give the suit a test run?
Hignight: (Laughter) Well, I wanted to find somebody who could actually fight in the monster costume, so that costume was very custom tailored to my friend, Stewart. I have known him for years through the martial arts community. We want to make more, but we also want to have Potty Mouth make a return, so I was like, “Stewart, don’t put on any more muscle, dude. I don’t know if the costume will still fit!”

TrunkSpace: (Laughter) So what can people expect from the episode run that they’ll find on Funny or Die?
Hignight: What we’ve done is, we’ve crafted them as webisodes. With the resources we had, we were able to make four of them. And then we have another two or three down the line, which are a probably a few months off. We hope to maybe release them as a Thanksgiving Special or something really stupid that doesn’t match. So the initial rollout is just four weeks of episodes and each storyline is two episodes long. The first one is “Potty Mouth” and then “Potty Mouth Part 2”, and then “Time Crisis.” And we did that for a reason, because in an online Funny or Die type platform, people just want to get in and have some laughs and move on four or five minutes later.

TrunkSpace: So is the relationship with Funny or Die a permanent home for “Mystic Cosmic Patrol” or are you hoping it is a springboard to another platform?
Hignight: We’ll see. Their format is really cool. Sometimes they embrace stuff, and you know, take it under their wing. It all comes down to the rights, which you still own.

TrunkSpace: And that’s extremely rare.
Hignight: Yeah, which is super rare and very cool because if it’s not for them, it doesn’t exclude you if it’s for somebody else. And our hope with doing this little micro-season is to find someone who’s excited and wants to see us make more monsters and fight in more cardboard cities.

TrunkSpace: You can’t beat a cardboard city!
Hignight: Totally! We made a very conscious effort to emulate the quality of those kids shows. Technology has changed and we very easily could have gone the extra mile on some of it, but we made a very conscious decision to say, “No, let’s emulate the kind of effects that we saw in those.” It’s purposely low budget in some ways. There’s a scene in one episode where they’re fighting Time Bats and when you see those fishing lines, it was not an accident that those were left in. (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: That gives it a great nostalgic look and helps the audience feel like they’re in on the joke.
Hignight: I hope so. And it saves a little money while we’re at it. (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: One of the most difficult things in the world to create is a hella catchy opening theme song. You guys nailed it. That song is gold.
Hignight: Thank you! I wish I could take credit for it. I guess I can take credit for finding and sweet talking Wordburglar, who performed it. He is interesting. He’s, as you can tell, just an insanely talented musician. I discovered him because he made an entire concept album and the whole album is about G.I. Joe. He’s known as The Rap Viper. Every song on the EP are just these incredible rap songs and then if you dig in and really start listening to the lyrics, it’s like, “Oh, wait, he’s talking about Cobra Commander and G.I. Joe!” I knew he was the one for us. I swear I said the magic word “Kaiju” and he was like, “Japanese monsters? I’m in!”

TrunkSpace: It sounds like “Kaiju” can open any doors in Hollywood.
Hignight: It’s like our secret handshake.

TrunkSpace: Well, we can say one thing is for certain and that is that we hope to one day have a Potty Mouth figure sitting on our desks here at TrunkSpace.
Hignight: You and me both, my friend! If I can hold a Potty Mouth vinyl figure or action figure, I think that would be a true measure of success.

“Mystic Cosmic Patrol” debuts Thursday at Funny or Die.

Jack Cooper of Ultimate Painting may have embarked on the journey to create his debut solo album “Sandgrown” for himself, but the end result is for the listener. Written as a low-fi libation to his hometown of Blackpool, England’s “Las Vegas of the North,” the record is a collection of songs about a singular community, but make no mistake, the message speaks to anybody who has ever called a small town their home. Perspective is everything in music, and when listening to “Sandgrown,” you can’t help but be reminded that we’re all from the same larger community known as humanity.

We recently sat down with Cooper to discuss his creative goals, the freedom of producing an album without expectations, and how being a self-taught musician helped shape his songwriting approach.

TrunkSpace: Music is meant to elicit feeling and emotion. Your album “Sandgrown” does that better than most. What were the artistic goals when you decided to put the album together?
Cooper: That’s nice of you to say. I started amassing some songs that really didn’t fit in with Ultimate Painting. Because there’s two of us who write for that band, I… well, they were much slower songs and I don’t really pursue those as a band because there’s a certain style of song we write and sometimes I do things that don’t fit in with that. So over the last couple of years I’ve been amassing songs. I have this thing where pretty much every album I’ve done, there’s usually one song that’s kind of… not necessarily about my home town or growing up, but it fits in with those themes. I wanted to do something around that, that was almost like a frame for me to work within… the frame being my hometown. I like working with limitation and I figured that writing about Blackpool was an interesting springboard for me to work within.

TrunkSpace: Was part of the idea to focus on a theme to sort of help give your creative brain a specific focus?
Cooper: Yeah, I guess so. I was thinking about how albums work and how they became very popular in the 60s. An album in pop music or rock music, a lot of the time is like nothing else in art, whether it’s cinema or literature. It’s very rare to see a movie that is made of short stories that doesn’t tie together. I was thinking about that and how albums do that.

People keep talking about how albums are going out of fashion with playlists and things like that. There are themes and there are sounds that run through Ultimate Painting records and records I’ve done before those, but I felt that to do something on my own and to have complete control over it, I wanted to do something that was very focused.

TrunkSpace: You mentioned playlists are making albums sort of obsolete, but in a way, “Sandgrown” is kind of a playlist of Blackpool, right?
Cooper: Yeah, I suppose so. I guess it’s pretentious and it’s kind of an intangible thing to even think about, but the sounds used on the record and the guitar tones and frequencies, I tried to make it sound like the feeling of being in my hometown or being a kid there. It’s hard to even… I guess it’s hard to…

Explaining music is a very difficult thing.

TrunkSpace: Yes and no. Sometimes the music is the only explanation needed, which is the case with “Sandgrown.”
Cooper: Doing something on my own allowed me to do something completely without having any expectations… even with having anyone put it out. I made it, it was really for me, but when I finished it and I played it for people without talking too much about the concept of it, initially no one really seemed to pick up on the fact that it was very focused on this one thing.

TrunkSpace: The beauty of music is that it can be interpreted differently by different people. That’s what makes it so special.
Cooper: Yeah. I’m always kind of reluctant to talk about what the songs are about too much because it should be whatever you want it to be about. But, when you release a record, people want a story or they want an angle on it. This obviously had a very specific one. Now that I’ve actually got it coming out, I hope no one would go, “Well, I don’t know where that is.” Or, “Why would I be interested in listening to a record about that?” But that logic doesn’t really scan because you would watch a movie about Blackpool or a seaside town, so I’m probably just second-guessing myself.

TrunkSpace: Is that the only place that you second-guess yourself or are you hard on yourself in other areas as well?
Cooper: Well, I think sometimes in the past I’ve been a little bit lazy as far as writing lyrics is concerned, because it’s not something I’m particularly interested in. There have been songs of mine where I’ve been pleased with the lyrics and then sometimes I’ve been guilty of throwing them away. Writing lyrics is way more exposed than playing guitar. I think the continuation of that is singing. This record was fun for me, because I was just doing it on my own in my flat. I could sing really quiet and sing how I would sing if I was around the house or something. I guess I’m kind of hard on myself with that.

TrunkSpace: You’re a self-taught musician. Do you think that has benefited you because you have approached songwriting without any set thoughts or having to stay within any margins?
Cooper: Yeah, I guess so. I got as far as I think I could on my own and I was confronted with limitations as far as how fast I could play guitar. This is a while ago. I think I’ve gotten better as a guitarist over the last five or six years, but I have all these weird habits. There’s boring stuff that I do that… no one I’ve ever seen plays some chords the way I play chords. It’s not in a good way like, “Oh, this has a certain individual style to it.” It’s very limiting.

I’ve never really thought about it too much. James (Hoare) in Ultimate Painting, I think he had lessons and he knows how to do things right. I think I add a weird element to the guitar. You know, the way that we play together works very well. Every couple of years I’ll be like, “I should try and learn more things.” I just can’t do it. I’m dyslexic as well, and I just find it very hard to learn things in that way.

TrunkSpace: You mentioned not having any expectations in making the album, but now with it set for release, do you have expectations of how “Sandgrown” will be received?
Cooper: I kind of hope that people are open to an album like this, because there’s no top single on it. It is quite low-fi, even compared to stuff I’ve done before. I don’t really have any expectations for it. I’m really pleased with it. It’s very satisfying to set yourself a goal and have a very strict framework to work within and then to achieve what you wanted to do. I feel like this album came out exactly how I wanted it to and nothing I’ve ever done before has come out like that.

I really want people to buy it and I’m looking forward to playing shows. More than anything I’ve done before, I’ve achieved what I wanted to achieve before it came out, or before it was played to anyone. Whereas with Ultimate Painting, I think we release an album and we think about what people want from us or where it lies and what might get played on the radio and stuff. There’s probably a bit more of thought that goes into it like that, whereas this was really just for me.

“Sandgrown” is available August 25 from Trouble In Mind.

Welcome to the fifth and final installment of our LYCAN WEEK ongoing feature!

Opening today in select theaters, “Lycan” tells the story of six college kids who revisit an old Georgia legend, the strange and puzzling story of Emily Burt, the Talbot County werewolf. Based upon true historical events, the film features Vanessa Angel (“Kingpin,” “Weird Science”) as a professor who inadvertently thrusts her students into the adventure of their young lives.

We recently sat down with Angel to discuss being on the forefront of the cable television revolution, breaking preconceived casting notions, and why she was so happy to step into the classroom for “Lycan.”

TrunkSpace: You starred in the series adaptation of “Weird Science,” which in a lot of ways was on the forefront of scripted television branching out beyond the major networks. Do you think of it as a pioneer series in that regard?
Angel: Yes, and actually, “Weird Science” was USA Network’s first scripted show. I think they did “Weird Science” and “Duckman” at the same time. So, yes, it was definitely a pioneer show and now there are so many scripted cable shows as well as on Amazon and Netflix. Everybody’s doing it, so yeah, that was sort of new back then.

TrunkSpace: But as you were working on it, was acting in cable viewed differently than it is now?
Angel: Yeah, people were a little bit skeptical. Agents and managers would prefer you to go into a regular network show, but it was just such a different show that I was willing to jump in and take a chance. And actually, because John Landis was the executive producer, it got picked up for 13 episodes right off the bat. So, it wasn’t like a pilot and then, “Let’s see what happens.” That was another incentive to do it. And I hadn’t really done that much comedy and I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn how to do that on the fly. It was a great experience and we ended up doing 88 episodes. It was really a good time in my life.

TrunkSpace: You mentioned not really doing comedy before “Weird Science,” but in a lot of ways you became synonymous with comedy after that.
Angel: I know! My very first film was “Spies Like Us,” even though I was sort of window dressing in that movie.

That’s the thing, you do one thing that you get known for and that opens a lot of similar doors. Not that I’m complaining because I got the chance to shoot “Kingpin” during a hiatus of “Weird Science” at that same time. It can be a little frustrating getting sort of put in a certain box at a certain point in your career, but I’ve actually, over the years, done a really diverse amount of work. A lot of people don’t know some of the stuff that I’ve done. Before I did “Weird Science” I was actually on a drama called “Reasonable Doubts” were I played a police officer with Mark Harmon and Marlee Matlin. People just don’t ever think that I would’ve played a cop on an American TV show.

TrunkSpace: Do you think it’s more difficult for a woman in Hollywood, particularly when you were starting out, to not be pigeonholed?
Angel: Yes, it’s really hard, especially because I had done “Baywatch” and I had done some things that really do sort of put you in that category. And plus I was a model, so I had that kind of “package” as well. Perception is so much in this business. They see your resume and that you’ve done a certain amount of certain things and they definitely think that you have limited range and then they’re not even willing to give you a chance to come in and show them otherwise. So it’s super frustrating and it’s still like that to a certain degree. There’s some roles that come up that I feel I’m right for and then you hear from your agent, “Oh, well they don’t think that you’re right or a good fit.” And I’m like, “No, but I’m where I am now in my life and I’m so different to the girl that was on ‘Weird Science’ and ‘Kingpin.’” And sometimes they just don’t see it.

The good thing nowadays is that you can self-tape, which means that if they’re not willing to see you for something, and you’re really passionate about it, you can put yourself on tape and send it to them in hopes that you might change their mind. It doesn’t often work, but there’s that opportunity.

TrunkSpace: There seems to be a whole new aspect to the casting process nowadays as well and that’s how many followers you have on social media. We’ve heard stories of people losing out on parts because someone else had a bigger following, which adds a new layer of frustration to the rejection process.
Angel: I know, right!? I’ve heard the same thing. I don’t even have an Instagram account. I’m really old-school. I’m not a young girl anymore. I think that’s more a priority for younger actors. But yes, there’s literally YouTube sensations and people with massive Instagram followings who get opportunities over really experienced, well-trained actors because, like you said, they have more followers, which is insane. I mean, I have a Facebook fan page, but that’s about it. And I can’t kind of wrap my head around that new way of thinking. But again, at my point in my career, in my life, it probably wouldn’t particularly effect me if I had a massive amount of followers. I’m not really sure. I think it’s more of the sort of 20-something crowd.

The business has definitely changed a lot since I started.

TrunkSpace: Some of those business changes are certainly good for creative people, notably that it’s more accessible for individuals to make content on their own now. Your film “Lycan” is a great example of that.
Angel: Yes, I think there are more avenues now. Dania and her husband, Bev, it’s amazing that they put this thing together. They literally did it on their own. I just play a cameo in it, but it was not an easy shoot for the rest of the cast because they were literally in the woods in Atlanta. It was sort of like gorilla film-making. Dania, she was literally booking everybody’s flights. She was starring in the movie, producing the movie… she was pretty much in every frame of the movie. She is a remarkable woman. I adore her. She’s like my soul sister.

TrunkSpace: How did “Lycan” first come into your life?
Angel: Well, I knew Dania. She’s a friend of mine, so she sent me the script and said, “How would you feel about playing the professor?” It’s the kind of role that I wouldn’t normally get to play because people don’t think of me as a professor. And I really like the script and I like the fact that my character sort of opens up the movie and gives the kids the assignment to rediscover a moment in history, which leads into this adventure.

TrunkSpace: The film is about a local Georgia legend, but every town seems to have its own folklore. Do you think that makes the film relateable to people across the board?
Angel: Yeah, I think so. For me, it definitely made it more interesting that it was based on a true story. I think sometimes these kinds of films can get a little fantastical, but when they’re based in some kind of reality, it makes it much more compelling.

TrunkSpace: You mentioned that people wouldn’t normally cast you as a professor, but if someone gave you a blank check to develop any kind of starring vehicle for yourself, what kind of role would it be?
Angel: Oh gosh, that’s such a good question! I would just like to play something that’s multi-layered, something like a lawyer or just somebody that’s got a lot of issues to deal with. I feel now, in my life at this point, I’m a mom and trying to navigate my career still. Just dealing with the issues that you sort of come to at mid-life, I think that it’s just very different than I thought it would be. I would just like to be able to sort of use some of the things I’m going through in my own life in a role.

I would also love to be back on a TV show. That would be incredible.

“Lycan” arrives in theaters today!

Relative newcomer Chloe Levine is about to see her career fly higher than a caped crusader. Playing Lexi Raymond in the new Netflix supergroup superhero series “The Defenders,” the actress and filmmaker is demanding your attention by delivering captivating performances. Case in point, the thriller “The Transfiguration,” which is also now available on Netflix and pairs nicely with “The Defenders” upon completion of the eight-hour binge you’ve probably already started.

We recently sat down with Levine to discuss performing opposite Krysten Ritter, getting to play in the superhero sandbox, and how she first became involved in the industry.

TrunkSpace: As you gear up for what are some pretty high profile project releases that will be in the pop culture zeitgeist, what’s going through your mind?
Levine: Well, I’m so completely excited to be part of such amazing projects, especially “The Defenders.” It’s so cool to be a part of the superhero saga.

TrunkSpace: They say that work begets work. Are you looking forward to seeing where some of these high profile projects take your career?
Levine: Yeah, for sure. I feel like I’ve been really lucky to be a part of some higher profile things.

TrunkSpace: You mentioned “The Defenders,” but another one of those projects that is locked and loaded is the HBO series “The Deuce,” which seems stacked as far as the cast goes.
Levine: “The Deuce” is going to be really fantastic, yeah. They have some really incredible people working on it like James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal. It should be really fantastic, which is something that HBO is kind of known for.

TrunkSpace: “The Defenders” hits Netflix today. Can you paint us a picture of where your character Lexi falls into things?
Levine: Well, I’m sure you know I can’t say a lot. (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: If you do, the black helicopters will swoop in and take you away.
Levine: Exactly. (Laughter) But my character, Lexi Raymond, is sort of a troubled teenager who has some difficulty dealing with her emotions and I can say that Jessica Jones sort of sees a younger version of herself in my character.

TrunkSpace: Does Lexi serve as a catalyst for aspects of the storytelling?
Levine: You’ll have to watch it. (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: The ensemble cast is filled with industry icons and incredible actors. Aside from being involved in what is a cool superhero project, did you go in thinking, “Okay, I’m going to absorb as much as I can from these people because they’ve been around and have done so much?”
Levine: Yeah, definitely. I got to work with Krysten Ritter for a lot of my scenes. She’s just such a pro. Just watching her on set, I feel like I learned so much about being a professional. She’s just so good at what she does and it was really just fantastic to watch her. I hope that she rubbed off on me.

TrunkSpace: Do you feel that because you’re tapping into this world, it’s going to open you up the overall Marvel/comics fandoms?
Levine: I’d certainly hope so. I think that the whole fan aspect of anything with Marvel is just so intense and people are really passionate about it. I would love to be a part of something like that for sure.

TrunkSpace: And what’s great about the Marvel universe in particular is that they are not afraid to bring characters back to further build out their world.
Levine: Exactly. It’s really incredible the way that they tell stories and the way that they intertwine characters. I mean, I would love to see Lexi back for more.

TrunkSpace: Easy! We hear the black helicopters swooping in!
Levine: (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: Another aspect of what Marvel is doing with their Netflix shows that works so well with fans is that they’re rolled out like movies. Because you can binge them all at once, it feeds that fan frenzy.
Levine: Right. I think that’s what’s kind of incredible about this whole binge watching movement that’s happening. You don’t really have a TV series. You have like an eight-hour movie.

TrunkSpace: And in terms of people being able to find more of your work, people can watch “The Defenders” on Netflix and then instantly fire up “The Transfiguration,” which is a film you starred in and is now available for streaming as well.
Levine: Yeah. it is now on Netflix, and iTunes and Amazon, so I hope more people will watch “The Transfiguration” too.

TrunkSpace: As a filmmaker yourself, is the idea of projects living in that streaming world exciting because it seems like it extends the shelf life of everything?
Levine: Yeah, I think that’s one of the things I really love about movies and just filmmaking in general. You tell the story and then it’s there forever. And now with things like Netflix, it’s so accessible.

TrunkSpace: Is the filmmaking aspect something you hope to spend more time focusing on in your career?
Levine: Oh, definitely. I would love to do more directing and writing. It’s something I’m really passionate about for sure.

TrunkSpace: Can you see yourself directing a project that you’re also starring in and being able to wear those multiple hats at the same time?
Levine: Yeah, that’s a goal, for sure. I can’t even imagine the amount of work and how difficult that must be. I’ve watched people do that, but I would love to be able to do that at some point. It’s an intense amount of focus needed.

TrunkSpace: So what was it that first drew you into this world? Was it acting or was it filmmaking?
Levine: Well, my older sister was an actress. She’s eight years older than me and I would always go on auditions with her when I was a little kid and help her with her lines and stuff. I would always be in her manager’s office. Then one day when I was maybe five or six, I went into my now manager’s office and was like, “When is it my turn?” (Laughter) Apparently, it was very cute.

So that’s when it started. That’s when it initially started and then I kind of did it on and off for a while. So it’s just been one of those things that’s always been there and that I’ve always just really loved doing.

TrunkSpace: And you have a new horror film due up as well, right?
Levine: I just wrapped on this movie called “The Ranger,” which is going to be a horror movie about a killer park ranger.

TrunkSpace: That sounds AMAZING.
Levine: (Laughter) Yeah, it’s something that I’m really excited about. It was really incredible shooting it and it was such really talented people and really good people to work with. So that should be fun, for sure!

“The Defenders” is available now on Netflix.

“The Transfiguration” is available now on Netflix.

Before the summer draws to a close, we’re going to be taking some time to visit the shores… “Chesapeake Shores.” The Hallmark Channel original series recently returned for season 2 and with it, even more critical acclaim.

We sat down with O’Brien family member Brendan Penny to discuss the pressures of creative praise, the scene that stretched him the most as an actor, and how he knew “Supernatural” was destined for greatness when he guested on it in season 1.

TrunkSpace: As far as your character Kevin is concerned, did you spend time with Sherryl Woods’ books or did you want there to be separation between the television world and the literary world that already existed?
Penny: Honestly, I didn’t have much time before accepting the role and shooting to read the books. Also, I knew that the character and the storyline were going to be slightly different, so I thought it best to work with the material that I was being provided for the show.

TrunkSpace: Where is Kevin’s personal journey taking him in season 2 and what part will he play in the overall storyline?
Penny: Kevin’s personal journey takes him to a point of reflection. He really finds out who he is and what he wants to accomplish.

TrunkSpace: You’re working alongside some incredible actors within the series, many of whom have had long, storied careers. What have you taken from them, either from personal advice or through osmosis, that you’ll carry with you throughout your career?
Penny: You know, whether it’s been people with long careers, or not, we all respect each other and trust in each other’s abilities. Everyone on the show has been at it for a good amount of time. I’ve been working for 15 years, and been very fortunate for that.

TrunkSpace: “Chesapeake Shores” was met with both critical acclaim and viewer acclaim upon its premiere in 2016. Does that put pressure on everyone involved to deliver on expectations in season 2?
Penny: I think it puts more pressure on the writers and the producers. (Laughter) As actors, we can only work with the material given, and I believe we have a very talented cast.

TrunkSpace: Does working on a series with such great things said about it make the job itself easier? In that we mean, does the recognition of great content/material make for a happy set?
Penny: When the content is good, it makes everything easier. People are excited to show up and play.

TrunkSpace: As you look over the first two seasons of “Chesapeake Shores,” what is the one scene or episode where you felt you really got to stretch as an actor and why?
Penny: The scene between Mick (Treat Williams) and Kevin in episode 8 of season 2. It’s where Kevin finally lets go and shares what he’s been through and where he is presently.

TrunkSpace: Where are you hardest on yourself as an actor?
Penny: I’m not. There’s enough people out there to be hard on you, so why do it to yourself?

TrunkSpace: As you look over your career, what job did you learn the most from in terms of how the industry works and how to navigate it moving forward?
Penny: A show called “Whistler.” It was my first series regular role, and I had many mentors on the show. It was still the best experience I’ve had, and will most likely remain that way. It was very special.

TrunkSpace: We’re suckers for the series “Supernatural” here. You appeared in the very first season. Having been involved with it at that time, could you have ever imagined that a show where you got stalked by a killer scarecrow would still be going strong in its 13^th season?
Penny: I could. Jared and Jensen were so kind and knew they had something special on their hands. They were smart about how to keep it going and turn it into the success it has become.

TrunkSpace: That show has one of the most rabid fanbases. Do you still get recognized for playing a small part in that very expansive universe?
Penny: Unfortunately… no. The odd time, but I should get recognized for it. It was such a small part, so long ago.

TrunkSpace: With the new season of “Chesapeake Shores” now reaching viewers, what do you hope fans will walk away with when the season finishes up?
Penny: A closer relationship to the family, and a closer relationship to theirs.

“Chesapeake Shores” airs Sundays on Hallmark Channel.

Name: Kristen Leigh (McCusker)

Hometown: Westford, MA

Current Location: Los Angeles, CA

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Leigh: My earliest experiences with acting involved my three siblings and one of those giant VHS camcorders that you had to balance on your shoulder. We made lots of silly movies, like spoofs of “Star Wars” and James Bond. I started performing in musicals in middle school and by the 8th grade had decided that I wanted a career in theater. I went on to become very involved in musical and dramatic productions in our public high school’s theater program, at Westford Academy in Westford, MA. This program was (and is) top notch and it gave me a solid foundation. My decision to study acting was solidified my junior year of high school when I played Maureen in “RENT.”

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Leigh: As a young kid I looked up to Jim Carrey and Mike Meyers. I remember dreaming about being a female Jim Carrey. When I grew into my teens and young adulthood, I began looking up to strong women actors like Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Viola Davis.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Leigh: I was accepted into NYU’s Tisch School of the Performing Arts and spent the first half of my time there studying Musical Theater at their New Studio on Broadway. But I knew that I wanted to do all types of acting. I wanted to make sure that I received training in TV, film, and commercial acting, as well as voiceover. So halfway through my time in college I made the move to a Tisch partner program, Stonestreet Studios. I stayed in NYC for a couple of years after graduation and then decided to move to LA. Before I moved to LA I came up with a game plan of certain steps I needed to take and certain tasks I needed to accomplish before I arrived and for when I arrived in LA. There are so many different ways to get a foot in the door, you just have to be prepared for when that opportunity comes, and also put yourself out there and be open. And I never want to stop learning! I am currently enrolled in an animation voiceover class and I’m loving every minute of it.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Leigh: I moved away to Muhlenberg College when I was 18, and it was six hours away from my home, which was far for me. I then transferred to NYU the following year. I lived in NYC after graduation for a couple of years, auditioning, doing regional theater, student films, an independent TV pilot and voiceover work. Then I decided to move to LA in September 2016 to focus more on TV/Film/VO.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Leigh: Moving from a rural area of Massachusetts where I grew up to NYC was a drastic transition. But it was exciting and I was soon too busy with college classes and rehearsals to focus on adjusting. You just do what you have to do to get things done! I miss NYC sometimes. LA is a whole other beast, because it is a completely different environment. I don’t have school or a set schedule. I have to make sure that I set aside time to focus on my career. I get support from my older brother, who is also an actor in LA and from the great friends I’ve made, many of whom are co-workers at the restaurant I work at. It took about three months to feel comfortable and at home, and it’s still a work in progress, but that is to be expected… it still hasn’t been a year!

TrunkSpace: What has been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Leigh: I’m still waiting for that big break! I guess I would say my big break was being involved in a short film soon after arriving in LA that made me SAG-Eligible. Since I’ve been in LA I’ve done several short films and a pilot for a web series that they want to pitch to networks. Right now I am focusing on obtaining representation and getting into the voice acting world out here.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Leigh: I would love to land a super heroine role, something involving action and combat. I have some experience with shooting (rifle, shotgun, and pistol), as well as bow and arrow. I have also done some boxing and kickboxing. I hope to take a stage combat course. I also love indie, fantasy, sci-fi.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Leigh: Experiencing life to the fullest and allowing yourself to experience all of the emotions that come with that. And, of course, taking those you care about with you on that ride. Exposure and connections with people and situations have helped me become a better actor with regards to emotional empathy. You have a better understanding of characters when you experience all that life has to offer. As an actor, you need to draw from experiences and emotions.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Leigh: I would love to be on a long-running sitcom, because I love comedy and being around energy and fun. Also, you’d get to develop relationships with the cast and crew and really develop your character over many seasons. Comedy is my favorite. However, to play a superhero in a film is another huge dream of mine! Marvel, here’s looking at you!

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Leigh: Do it. Take the plunge. You’ll gain self-confidence, learn so much about yourself and other people, see places you wouldn’t have otherwise, and you’ll be going outside your comfort zone, which is most important. Do what’s best for you and the dreams you want to pursue. Take the risk, but be smart about it. Before you make the move, do your research, reach out to people and make contacts. Make sure that you have some money saved up. I moved back home for three months before my move to LA, in order to work full-time and save every dime. You don’t want to worry about where your next meal is coming from while you are trying to focus on establishing your acting career. In the end, you will find good people to surround yourself with and opportunity wherever you go, as long as you remain open to exploring and working hard to achieve your goals.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Leigh:
My website: www.kristenleigh.net
My IMDb: www.imdb.me/kristenleigh
My Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kristenleighmccusker
ActorsAccess: http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/kristenleigh

Welcome to the fourth installment of our LYCAN WEEK ongoing feature!

Opening Friday in select theaters, “Lycan” tells the story of six college kids who revisit an old Georgia legend, the strange and puzzling story of Emily Burt, the Talbot County werewolf. Based upon true historical events, the film stars relative newcomer Rebekah Graf (“Hawaii Five-0,” “Fat Camp”) as a spoiled Southern debutante who is not only unhappy about not getting her way, but we assume, werewolves!

We recently sat down with Graf to discuss showing up early for her audition, Texas ghost stories, and finding inspiration in other creative people.

TrunkSpace: How did “Lycan” and the character Blair first come into your life?
Graf: I got the audition from my manager and he was really excited about it. He loves Dania, so he was a really big fan and he loved the script. I went in and read for the casting director and Bev Land, and I loved Bev right away. I was really able to tap into the character.

I actually… funny story… I went the wrong day for the audition. (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: (Laughter) Nice!
Graf: (Laughter) I was sitting outside, and it was all guys, and I was really confused. I was there for about an hour and a half, and no one was taking me in, so I went and knocked on the door and asked the casting director. She told me I was supposed to be there the next day. (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: At least you were there a day early instead of a day late!
Graf: (Laughter) Yep. It could have been the day after and that would have been way worse.

So, Bev let me audition that day. We got to talk about Blair a lot, and then the next time I came in, he talked about Georgia and told me how excited he was and how wonderful it was. Dania was there and I got to meet her and really work on the character. When I got the phone call that said that I was going to be playing Blair, I was so excited. I’d never been to Georgia and I just loved Bev and Dania right off the bat.

TrunkSpace: And where you shot in Georgia was really set away from any major population centers, right?
Graf: Yes. It was really, really beautiful. I mean, unbelievably beautiful. Just gorgeous green, wide open fields. So it was kind of the perfect setting for a group of people who didn’t know each other to become really close over the course of a couple of days because there was nothing to do but talk to each other.

TrunkSpace: It sounds like even just getting away from the set to get supplies required a journey.
Graf: Yeah, exactly. It was very much a camp setting. There were days where I wasn’t working and I would just go on set and hang out anyway. It was a blast and everyone involved was just really great.

TrunkSpace: So where does Blair fall into things in terms of the story?
Graf: Blair is a very spoiled Southern debutante. She is in college with the rest of the cast, and Blair’s very entitled. I think everything has always come pretty easily to her in life. She’s not getting what she wants when we meet Blair, for probably the first time in her life, and she is not thrilled about that. (Laughter) Dania’s character is taking something away from her, and that’s probably all I can say. She does not handle it very well.

TrunkSpace: And what’s so great about the eerie factor of “Lycan” is that it is actually based upon historical events.
Graf: Yeah, which is so cool. I told people about it and they had no idea that this existed at all. The cast and crew had no idea that this was a true story and that it was something that could actually happen. We were pretty amazed.

TrunkSpace: Did you have any local legends like that of Emily Burt where you grew up?
Graf: Yes! I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, so it’s somewhat of a small town. Not too small, but there are definitely a lot of legends. There’s a train track in San Antonio, I think, where apparently if you stop, there are children that will push you off of the train track to save you. There’s a ranch that we used to go to, and there is the Lady in the White Dress who would come out at night.

TrunkSpace: Yikes! And that’s what’s so great about the movie is that everyone who grew up in a small town can relate to the local legend angle.
Graf: Definitely. I remember us staying up really late to try to see the Lady in the White Dress. It was a rite of passage. (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: What did your journey look like in terms of going from dreaming of being an actress as a child to where you are today starring in “Lycan” and in other projects?
Graf: Well, I started acting when I was probably five or six years old. I had a ton of energy and my parents didn’t know what to do with me, so they put me in local theater and I loved it. I just fell in love with it and I kind of knew from that point on that it was what I wanted to do. But of course, as you grow up you try to reason with yourself. “What can I do?” Your parents try to reason with you because they want you to do well in life. Maybe they suggest being a doctor, which was never going to work out, because I faint when I see blood.

TrunkSpace: (Laughter) Well, good thing you’re an actress then because now you can play a doctor on TV!
Graf: (Laughter) There you go!

So, then I went to the University of Texas where I was a theater major. After that I stayed in Austin for a little while, just kind of trying to do other things, and I finally realized that acting was really all I wanted to do. So I moved out to LA and found representation and kind of never looked back.

TrunkSpace: You went from a creative, hip community in Austin to another creative, hip community in Los Angeles. Does being around other creative people inspire you?
Graf: It definitely does. Austin has changed a lot since I left it. I think that it’s a lot more creative now. I think that there’s a lot more room and respect for artists and actors than when I was there. But yes, it is 100 percent inspiring to be surrounded by actors. My friends are all working actors and it’s incredible.

It was definitely a transition though. I mean, it’s a bigger city, but I think I was pretty lucky when I moved here. I fell into a group of amazing friends, a lot of them from Texas. It felt like home, probably, at the first year mark.

TrunkSpace: As you look forward in your career, what do you hope to achieve? Are there any items that you want to check off of your career bucket list?
Graf: Oh my goodness… I would love to do a comedy series. I really think that’s where my heart is. There are so many people that I would love to work with, I don’t even know where to begin. I just think that I have a long way to go. A lot of things to accomplish.

TrunkSpace: And you have a film called “Riptide” up next, correct?
Graf: I do. I have “Riptide” coming up, and I’m really excited about that. I think that will be a really, really wonderful cast. The director is a blast. The producers are amazing people. Yeah, that will be a really good time!

Then I recently did a Netflix original film called “#REALITYHIGH” playing Lana, a trophy wife. She’s a blast and very, very different than how I actually am in real life.

“Lycan” arrives in theaters this Friday.

Lovie Simone is mature beyond her 18 years. As the star of the family drama “Greenleaf,” which returned to OWN this week with a string of new episodes, the New York City native knows that her experience on the series is just as much an education as it is a job. She is learning and absorbing from her costars, including Lynn Whitfield and Keith David, and applying that acquired knowledge to what she hopes is a long and fruitful future in the industry as both an actress and content creator.

We recently sat down with Simone to discuss the emotional journey her character is set to go through, why it will be so relateable to viewers, and how her on-set life has changed since turning 18.

TrunkSpace: For you as a young actress, what’s it like returning to a series after a hiatus in production?
Simone: It feels different only because now that I know how things work, I’m going in with some knowledge of how things work and what I’m looking forward to doing. It’s fun, though. It’s like I’m working with my family. When I go back it’s like, “I missed all of you so much!”

TrunkSpace: “Greenleaf” was your first big acting job, but outside of the work itself, has it also felt like a classroom where you have been able to learn about the industry and the craft?
Simone: Yes, definitely. Every day there’s something new that I learned and it’s like I’m getting a firsthand tutoring.

TrunkSpace: Have you found yourself getting more and more comfortable in yourself as an actress and in the role of Zora throughout the process?
Simone: 100 percent, because now it’s like I’m growing with this character and I’m getting to know her more. I’m being taught by these great actors and actresses, like Lynn Whitfield and Keith David, who constantly show me with their acting how to do things and how to turn into this other character. It’s fun.

TrunkSpace: Being in film is great, but being on a series and being able to watch and experience your character grow as you do, that has to be an interesting dynamic?
Simone: It is. It’s amazing because you learn to love this character and you learn to love all the gray areas of your character. Right now in the show I’m not really a fan favorite. (Laughter) Nobody is a fan of me right now, but I love my character and I love her flaws and I love how she’s going through things. She’s me now.

TrunkSpace: Without giving away too much, can you tell us where we are going to see Zora go within the overall story this season?
Simone: You’re going to see her go through a lot of obstacles and you’ll see who she is based off of how she reacts to this because it’s going to be an eye opener. You would think something is one way and then when things get tough, she turns into this person that you’ll never even imagine. You gotta kind of see her go through these life events that are going to change everything.

TrunkSpace: But that’s totally a relatable life experience. We all go through rough patches and come out the other side a different person. At least, that’s the hope if you’re willing to grow as a person.
Simone: Yes, I feel like it is very relatable. That’s why I like that the show touches on certain things. We’re touching on homophobia. We’re touching on a lot of scandal. With my character, you’re seeing this strong, feisty teenager that everyone thinks she is, and then you’re going to see her weaknesses and you’re going to see how she’s used to being in a position of power. You’re going to see how everyone can have breakdowns and how she needs her parents and that she can’t be on her own.

TrunkSpace: As you build up for the release of the new season, is there still that same level of excitement for people to see it as there was when you were new to the industry and it was your first working experience?
Simone: Yes, it is, because I’m still relatively new to this business, so I’m still learning and I’m still wide-eyed and my mouth is open, like, “Oh my gosh! What is this? What is that?” I still have questions. I’m still going through that honeymoon phase.

TrunkSpace: (Laughter) That’s a great way to put it.
Simone: (Laughter) Yes. It’s a new love. We’re still going.

TrunkSpace: And what’s cool about your job is that each new project you start working on, there’s an additional honeymoon period because of new characters, new costars, and new experiences.
Simone: Exactly! You keep starting over and over again. It’s like you get a new-found love every time. Never fails.

TrunkSpace: Looking forward, you also have the film “Monster” due out soon, which stars some amazing, accomplished actors, including Jeffrey Wright and Jennifer Hudson. That sounds like another project where you could just sit back and absorb so much knowledge and skill from the people involved?
Simone: Exactly. It was a whole different kind of character so I like being able to go into people’s lives and create them. I’m blessed to work with these great people. I never get tired of it. It’s a blessing to work with such strong actors and such accomplished directors and writers. It’s really interesting and it’s really fun. I’m happy that I’m having fun and also being able to be in that creative space.

TrunkSpace: Does being around creative people inspire your own creativity?
Simone: Yes, because now that I know there are more people out there like me and that there are people who are willing to do everything and risk every single thing, it motivates me. Also seeing it every single day, it triggers this, “I will never settle.”

I’m constantly challenging myself when I have scenes that I’ve never done, especially now that I’m 18 and working the amount of hours that I’m working. It’s bringing out a whole bunch of new emotions that I’ve never seen before. I’m learning from people who are inspired and creative. It’s pushing my creativity. It’s amazing.

TrunkSpace: That’s an aspect that a lot of people don’t think about. Once you turn 18, it completely opens up how much you can work, right?
Simone: Yes. Now I can work longer hours and I have been working longer hours. (Laughter) I’m like, “Oh gosh, the 17 hour work days are crazy!” But it’s helping me with my work ethic. Now 17 hours is like nothing to me. Also no school on set, which is even more amazing. (Laughter)

It’s a big change. A lot of things are happening. Now I have more responsibility as an actress. I like that.

TrunkSpace: You mentioned how your character in “Greenleaf” was going to be going through some obstacles. What obstacles did you have to go through, especially being so young, when you were trying to break into the industry as an actress?
Simone: I doubted myself a lot because after a while it’s like, “How many no’s am I going to take?” Then it’s not about the no’s. It’s about the resilience. I gotta be like, “Okay, brush off the no’s, learn from them.” It’s kind of hard learning from stuff at such a young age when you’re just so closed-minded and you have this perception of how the world is and then for that to be shattered and for you to try and create that mirror again to see something.

It’s very humbling also. I feel like my mom keeps me grounded. I have a good support system with my family. I don’t have a lot of friends, so the friends that I do have, I’m very close to.

TrunkSpace: It seems like nowadays in the industry, more than ever, actors are diversifying to become content creators and control their own destiny in a way. Is that something that you hope to do in the future?
Simone: I definitely want to start creating my own films because I feel like there’s a lot of stories that need to be told that still aren’t being told. I do want to direct and I do want to cast the people that I want in my movies and my shows because I feel like there’s a problem in Hollywood. That problem is a lack of representation. When there’s a lack of representation, that leaves room for a whole lot of gray areas that people don’t know. I want younger girls that look like me to see themselves in the people that I cast. That’s when you get your sense of identity, from what you see. That’s what i want to do with acting. I want to be in the position to create.

Welcome to the third installment of our LYCAN WEEK ongoing feature!

Opening Friday in select theaters, “Lycan” tells the story of six college kids who revisit an old Georgia legend, the strange and puzzling story of Emily Burt, the Talbot County werewolf. Based upon true historical events, the film stars Parker Croft (“Big Little Lies,” “Once Upon a Time”) as a mischievous documentarian whose camera tells a portion of the thriller’s narrative.

We recently sat down with Croft to discuss how “Lycan” came into his life, the local legend embraced by his home state of Vermont, and how he’s transitioning into a new chapter of his career.

TrunkSpace: From an outside perspective, you seem to be on this great run of projects, both those that have already been released and a number that are currently in the works. Has the last few years felt a bit like a “pinch me” period in terms of where your career is going?
Croft: Yeah, this is a good time in my life, there’s no doubt about it. I’ve been really excited about directing lately. I started up a production company with my wife called Paper Horse Pictures and we’ve been directing a couple of projects and putting together a couple of projects.

We actually just got word that the first project that I directed with my wife is a semi-finalist at Los Angeles CineFest.

TrunkSpace: Congrats on that! It sounds like you’re really diversifying, which in this day and age, seems more important than ever for actors.
Croft: Yeah, it’s been very freeing to be able to make the work the way I envision it to be made, so that’s very cool.

TrunkSpace: Throughout your career as an actor, were you observing other directors and how they go about doing their job so that you could then apply that knowledge to your own directing future?
Croft: Definitely. One of my earliest projects was a project I actually put together, produced and wrote along with a director and that sort of got me rolling on the “make it yourself” style of filmmaking. And yeah, I would say I’ve been hurdling towards this in many ways for a long time, so I’m really excited to start this chapter.

TrunkSpace: There really is an exciting problem solving aspect of filmmaking that becomes addicting, right?
Croft: Yeah, it’s awesome. It’s totally, totally awesome. I absolutely love a lot of the jobs that go into making a film. I’m really interested in cinematography. I’ve been doing my own editing. I’ve been doing a lot of it and I’m really having a good time with it.

TrunkSpace: So how did “Lycan” come into your life?
Croft: It’s similar to how most of the acting projects that I’ve come across, which is that it was an audition. It went well and then the project came together and here we are.

TrunkSpace: It sounds like you and “Lycan” producers Crystal Hunt and Dania Ramirez are on a bit of a similar career trajectory because they are also transitioning to putting together their own projects and making the kind of films that they have always wanted to make.
Croft: Yeah, that’s cool. Certainly when you have a little bit more of a say in the process you can see some stranger and more risky things come to fruition in a way that maybe doesn’t happen when there’s a lot of money on the table.

TrunkSpace: And where does your character Kenny fall into things?
Croft: So Kenny plays the role of… I almost want to say he’s sort of a mischievous documentarian. A bit of the footage comes from a camera that Kenny is supposed to be shooting, so some of the narrative comes through Kenny’s camera, which is kind of cool. And he’s definitely a bit of a jokester, and a bit of a wiseguy, and a bit of a party animal.

TrunkSpace: The premise is steeped in the idea of local lore and it seems like every small town in America has its own legend. Do you think that makes the film relatable on a storytelling level?
Croft: Yeah, in the way that lore sort of connects us, for sure. That would be one of the ways in which it’s relatable. For me, at least horror movies, I don’t go on that ride to empathize my human experience. I like to be spooked. I like to see something jarring or scary. Not to say that horror movies can’t do that.

TrunkSpace: “Lycan” is described as more of a suspense thriller than a horror film. In your opinion, does it still deliver on those moments of jarring or scaring the audience?
Croft: Yeah, there is certainly a handful of moments that are really jarring, for sure. I think that’s something that people go to horror movies for. I think they like to get a little shock every now and then.

TrunkSpace: You grew up in Vermont. Did you have your own local legend?
Croft: In Vermont, the closest thing we have to something that’s lore is this Loch Ness Monster thing.

TrunkSpace: You’re talking Champy!
Croft: (Laughter) Yeah, I’m talking Champy. It’s not much, but it’s a mascot at the very least.

TrunkSpace: The people of Vermont really embrace Champy.
Croft: Oh yeah, Champ is all over the place. (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: “Lycan” shot on location in a very rural area of Georgia. Does shooting in seclusion… away from the big production hubs… does it help bring the cast together?
Croft: Yes, for sure, but you don’t necessarily need to be in a tent to come together. With the experience I’ve had on location, the cast bonds pretty quickly because everybody’s just got each other for the most part, and I wouldn’t say that “Lycan” was an exception. I love those guys. We got close quick.

TrunkSpace: When you’re shooting a film, particularly an indie, do you have to emotionally separate yourself from it after wrapping knowing that it could be a long time before it sees the light of day, if at all?
Croft: Oh yeah. I mean, I’ve had so many experiences where movies just didn’t even go and nothing happened. They imploded. If you’re not an integral player in every step of the process, you kind of just say goodbye to it once you finish your process. For me anyway, there are so many elements at play that I can’t control, so you think, “All right, it will come together or it won’t.” And it’s cool that this one came together, for sure. That’s no small feat for anything to come together.

TrunkSpace: As you’re now involving yourself more in the production side of things, how important is it for you to look at the ever-changing distribution landscape?
Croft: As I’ve begun the transition into making my own projects more and more, I’ve really been concentrating on different changing platforms and how they’re interacting with each other. The way that things are going, I’m actually really stoked because it seems that more and more people want original content and I’m in the business of making original content, so I have more buyers.

I think we’re entering a really cool new chapter of media because everyone can make it now.

“Lycan” arrives in theaters this Friday!

Artist/Band: Natalie Alexander

Website: www.nataliealexandermusic.com

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Latest Album/Release: Self-Titled EP/Single “Cruel”

TrunkSpace: As a genre, country music has gone through a lot of shifts and changes throughout its storied history. Where do you see your particular flavor of country music fitting into things? Do you hope to bring a bit of the past and the present to what you’re doing?
Alexander: Yes, exactly. There has been a shift toward introducing pop/electronic elements into country and I love that. I love listening to it and definitely want to experiment more with it myself. But with the songs I released after “Cruel,” the three others on my EP, I was drawn to them because they were a little more traditionally country than what is being released by young females in country music right now.

TrunkSpace: As a genre, country music is more mainstream than ever before. In many ways, country artists have become the pop stars of the time. Does that put extra pressure on an up and coming artist like yourself to pay extra attention on your overall look, brand, and public persona?
Alexander: My look and brand are definitely elements I’m conscious of, but at the end of the day, no matter how perfect those things are, the music has to stand for itself. That’s really my focus. I want the rest to just enhance what’s already there.

TrunkSpace: It seems like it could sometimes be difficult for young female musicians/artists to be recognized for their music alone and not have the focus be on their physical looks, either within the industry itself or in the media. Have you found this to be true for your own career… wanting people to recognize you for your creative talents alone, and if so, how do you navigate that?
Alexander: “My looks” have definitely been a topic of conversation when discussing my brand and my music because you’re right, people do want to talk about it. Despite that, it hasn’t been something that has really bothered me because it’s never been, “Oh, well at least she’s pretty.” It’s just been part of the package that comes with my music. I feel really lucky that the people I work with value my music and my personality and everything else that I bring to the table because at the end of the day that’s what lasts.

TrunkSpace: Your mother was a classically trained vocalist. How much of her is in you and your music, either through direct training/advice or through osmosis?
Alexander: People have said we sound similar, but I think if anything has resulted from her influence it’s just been that the bar is set really high. I’ve adopted proper vocal technique as a staple of my recording and performing, and that’s something I definitely learned to respect because of her.

TrunkSpace: Do you think you’d be a musician and pursuing a career in music if it wasn’t for music being such a big part of your upbringing?
Alexander: I’d like to think I would because I was the one who really wanted to start playing piano. I begged my mom to let me start lessons. I think she probably would have had me wait to be a little bit older just so I didn’t burn out. I was incredibly persistent and persuasive and finally she gave in. So I would say yes.

TrunkSpace: What is your earliest memory of picking up and instrument and thinking, “This feels right?”
Alexander: When I mastered my first difficult piece on the piano, it was such a great feeling of accomplishment and it was so fun. I think that was a huge turning point for me.

TrunkSpace: What emotions did you experience leading up to the release of your single “Cruel” and was its introduction to the world one of the biggest moments of your career thus far? It seems like it would be a pretty big milestone on what will hopefully be a long career with many more milestones.
Alexander: Nervous is definitely the first word to come to mind. Nervous and excited. It was exciting that I was going to be more public about it, but I was also extremely nervous since I didn’t know how people were going to react. You’re right, it was a huge milestone for me, and hopefully not my last!

TrunkSpace: In regard to your EP, what do you hope people take from it and what do you think the collection of songs say about you as an artist?
Alexander: I hope people take away four very different messages and can relate to at least one of them. I purposely chose those songs because they each provided a different piece to a story. “Wanted” tells the story of just wanting to be wanted by someone and wanting that passion. “I Don’t Want to Catch My Breath” is a ballad about being in love and not wanting to miss a second of it. “What Love Feels Like” showcases the sweetness and innocence of a new love and it’s just a feel good kind of song. “Cruel” doesn’t have that innocence and it’s really about being burned in a relationship and overcoming that by stopping the cycle of hurting someone else because of what’s been done to you. I think collectively the songs show that I have a lot to say and this EP is a taste of how I’m going to go about saying it.

TrunkSpace: Are the songs you chose for the EP personal in the lyrical content or are they told more from a storyteller’s standpoint?
Alexander: They are very personal lyrically. I wanted these songs to be intimate so I chose messages that I could share from my perspective.

TrunkSpace: Where are you hardest on yourself as an artist?
Alexander: I’m definitely a Type-A personality, a perfectionist, so I always think, “Oh I can do it better,” and so I’m hard on myself in that respect. So many times in the studio after the producer would tell me we got it, I would say, “Just let me do it one more time.” The majority of the time I would do it better, but it was always a competition with myself. I like to leave it all on the table so I know I gave it my best.

TrunkSpace: Artists’ music popping up in films and television shows is always a great boost to the brand and licensing is one of the best revenue streams going these days. Do you have any favorite shows or movie franchises that you’d be exceptionally psyched to hear your music turn up in?
Alexander: I’m honestly a huge fan of crime or legal shows. I swear I’ve seen every episode Dick Wolf has ever produced. For movies, I love action and drama. So I don’t really see my music fitting in to content that I watch religiously, although I do love a good Nicholas Sparks romance, so I would be excited to be featured in a project like that.

TrunkSpace: When you look at your career moving forward, what would you like to accomplish? Do you have bucket list items that you want to check off in your career?
Alexander: I have a few stages that are on my performance bucket list, but right now I’m really taking it one step at a time. To get performing more often and recording some originals are next on my list. I’m really excited for what’s ahead!