Jake Short

This week we’re taking an extended look at the new movie, “#Roxy,” a modern romcom-reimagining of “Cyrano de Bergerac” starring Jake Short, Booboo Stewart, Sarah Fisher and Danny Trejo. The adaptation with a cyber age twist arrives on digital HD today.

Next up we’re chatting with Booboo Stewart to discuss finding comfort in the heartthrob, being drawn to the immortal Eric Draven, and what his ultimate creative passion is.

TrunkSpace: You’re playing the class heartthrob, Christian Newville, in “#Roxy.” Is that a role you’re comfortable with – the object of affection – or is that outside of your comfort zone? We would imagine that it is something you experienced personally in your own life, particularly after “The Twilight Saga” was released into the world?
Stewart: Through the years I’ve learned to be comfortable playing roles like that. Yes, “Twilight” played a big part of it.

TrunkSpace: Christian is also a high school student. You’re currently in your mid-20s. Is that a gift for an actor, getting to be able to play outside of your own demo? Does it allow for more opportunities when it comes to available roles?
Stewart: Sure, it’s great to still be able to play a teenager.

TrunkSpace: “#Roxy” is a classic story with a very modern spin. Did you go back and look at any of the previous takes on the story or was your focus on “#Roxy” and what this particular script had to offer?
Stewart: I did both – watched the original along with the Steve Martin version. Of course, the script was the main influence.

TrunkSpace: Digital communication plays a big role in the plot of the film. What is your own personal relationship with social media? You have a digital presence, but is it more a necessary evil than a passion?
Stewart: Yes, I thought it was sweet and funny. It was a great new look at the classic and a good standalone film.

TrunkSpace: The thing that interests us most about the world of independent cinema right now is that it seems like the only place where original stories are being told in the medium. Big studio films are all massive franchises and superhero installments and that leaves very little room for new POVs. As an actor, is that part of the draw in working on a film like “#Roxy,” that while a reimagining of a classic, it’s still original?
Stewart: I love doing both studio and independent films. They both have a lot to offer.

TrunkSpace: As much as we love the indie world, we also love superheroes. We grew up on them and getting to see them in a live action setting remains a great way to spend a few hours. You got to play Warpath of the X-Men back in 2014, and you recently voiced the villain Jack O’ Lantern in the “Spider-Man” animated series. Are there any other heroes or villains you’d like to bring to the big or small screens?
Stewart: Yes… THE CROW!!!

TrunkSpace: You’ve been working professionally from a very early age. Have your professional goals changed over the course of the years or do you feel like you’ve always been on the same path?
Stewart: I just love creating. The older I get, the more I see and want to experience. But ultimately, films are my passion.

TrunkSpace: “Descendants 3” is due next year. Does the popularity of that project continue to surprise you, and while we know you can’t say much, what’s on tap for your character Jay in the upcoming installment?
Stewart: I was a little surprised. It always catches you a little off guard how popular something can be.

Yes, I can’t say much, but…

TrunkSpace: Art as a whole seems to be a very important aspect of your life. Outside of getting to express yourself through the various platforms that you channel your creativity, what does art do for you personally and emotionally that keeps you putting your thoughts and feelings out into the world?
Stewart: I’m now getting back into music. It’s a great way to express myself…That Band Honey.

“#Roxy” is available today on digital HD.

This week we’re taking an extended look at the new movie, “#Roxy,” a modern romcom-reimagining of “Cyrano de Bergerac” starring Jake Short, Booboo Stewart, Sarah Fisher and Danny Trejo. The adaptation with a cyber age twist arrives on digital HD today.

Next up we’re chatting with Sarah Fisher to discuss the immediate connection she felt to her character Roxy, her real-world relationship to social media, and why she is going to continue to scare herself throughout the course of her career.

TrunkSpace: “#Roxy” is a classic story with a very modern spin. Did you go back and look at any of the previous takes on the story or was your focus on “#Roxy” and what this particular script had to offer?
Fisher: I did watch the Steve Martin film, “Roxanne,” and was so excited to be telling a more modern-day version of such a great love story!

TrunkSpace: With that said, what did you take away from your first read of the “#Roxy” script? Was it something that you instantly identified with and could see yourself being a part of?
Fisher: I connected with the script right away! I also felt connected to Roxy – she has this fun quirk in her that I discovered while doing my audition and immediately wanted to be a part in telling her story!

TrunkSpace: In terms of your career as a whole, where does Roxy fit in? Did you see something in her that would allow you to showcase a side of yourself as a performer that you have yet to experience with previous projects?
Fisher: I am very proud of this movie. I think when you have such a great cast and crew who all care about the project, that is when you create “movie magic.” With every role I play, I get to rediscover parts of myself. Roxy was a lot of fun because I see a lot of myself in her.

TrunkSpace: Digital communication plays a big role in the plot of the film. What is your own personal relationship with social media? You have a digital presence, but is it more a necessary evil than a passion?
Fisher: My relationship with social media is definitely a little bit of both! The most important thing about social media for me is that it gives me an opportunity to talk with my followers and get to know them. I feel very lucky to have so much love and support and I never want to take that for granted! So, I like to be as active as I can be in that regard. There’s a part of me that finds it very fun in terms of creativity! There is also a part of me that sees how toxic it can be – I find myself obsessing over it sometimes or getting anxious if a picture doesn’t do well, but I think it’s important to remind yourself that the amount of comments, followers or likes you have does not determine your self-worth. YOU do!

TrunkSpace: For the audience, the most enjoyable part of a movie is the movie itself, but for those involved in the project, we would imagine it is the experience. For you, what will you take away from the production that will stay with you?
Fisher: How lucky I am to be so in love with what I do. I am so fortunate to have a job where I wake up EXCITED to go to work!

TrunkSpace: You are also a singer/songwriter. Do you view your acting career and musical career as two separate avenues or do they converge to form one larger highway that leads to your creative end goals?
Fisher: I am so completely obsessed with both the acting and the music world. So far in my career it has been a very interesting combo of BOTH, being two very separate paths and then randomly the paths connect for a second. I think in the long run they will eventually come together.

TrunkSpace: While we’re at it, what are your creative end goals? What bucket list items do you want to check off your list throughout the course of your career?
Fisher: I believe things happen for a reason, so yes, I have a million goals in terms of roles I’m dying to play, and yes, I would like to be more involved in the production and music side than I currently am in my career, but I believe that will come when it’s meant to. My biggest end goal is that I always continue to learn. I believe you will never be your best at something, but you can be great, so continue to do what you love, to scare yourself and to take risks that help you grow, because then you know no matter what happens in your career, you’re doing something right.

TrunkSpace: What has been the biggest highlight of your career thus far, the “pinch me” moment that still makes you pinch yourself?
Fisher: I was the lead actress and associate producer for a feature film called “Kiss and Cry” that is currently on Netflix, worldwide. Every day on set felt like magic and I am blown away by the outpouring of love and support and the reaction we have gotten worldwide.

TrunkSpace: You spent more than 75 episodes playing Becky Baker on the series “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” What was it like getting to spend that much time with one character and would you welcome an opportunity like that again, to work on a series for an extended number of years?
Fisher: Degrassi will always be home to me, and everyone involved in that remarkable show will always be family to me. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been a part of such a powerful movement for young people. I loved spending so much time with one character and really getting to know her and love her and root for her and get mad at her. It was truly an unforgettable experience. I would ABSOLUTELY welcome an opportunity to dive into another character and fall in love with another world.

TrunkSpace: Time machine question. If you could jump ahead 10 years and get a glimpse of what your career looks like a decade from now, would you take that journey? If not, why?
Fisher: I would not! I am not always great at it, but I like to live in the NOW as much as I possibly can. All I know is if I work hard and continue to scare myself the right thing will happen, and part of the fun of it all is the surprise of what that right thing will be!

“#Roxy” is available today on digital HD.

This week we’re taking an extended look at the new movie, “#Roxy,” a modern romcom-reimagining of “Cyrano de Bergerac” starring Jake Short, Booboo Stewart, Sarah Fisher and Danny Trejo. The adaptation with a cyber age twist arrives on digital HD tomorrow.

First up we’re chatting with Jake Short to discuss tackling a historical great, the complexity that exists within the character’s motivation, and why he loves acting more now than he did when he first started.

TrunkSpace: “#Roxy” is a classic story with a very modern take. Lots of fantastic actors have played their own version of Cyrano de Bergerac over the years. Did you go back and look at any of them or did you want to go into the film with a completely fresh mindset?
Short: I read “Cyrano de Bergerac” and watched Steve Martin’s take in “Roxanne,” but applied my own little twist to the character of Cyrus.

TrunkSpace: Is there pressure – the kind you put on yourself – inhabiting a character that has such an incredible history in the performing arts, even if your Cyrus is only loosely based on the original?
Short: With little theater background, it’s really new to tackle a historical character, but I try not to put more pressure on myself than what already exists. Since it’s such a modern retelling of a classic story, I concerned myself with having fun and grounding the character in the new world.

TrunkSpace: In terms of becoming Cyrus for the course of the production, what was the most difficult aspect of your character discovery? What part of him required extra work or focus?
Short: The complexity behind wanting to be loved by someone through another person never crossed my mind. Trying to understand his longing to be loved without the willingness to love himself presented a new, useful challenge.

TrunkSpace: Digital communication plays a big role in the plot of the film. What is your own personal relationship with social media? You have a digital presence, but is it more a necessary evil than a passion?
Short: Social media started picking up before I was even a teenager, a part of my growing years. I enjoy social media for laughs and connecting with people, but not when it takes us out of the real world. I try as much as possible to keep my phone in my pocket when I’m out in the world or around people. It’s necessary, but not evil – certainly not a passion. However, it’s really useful to connect with fans and people who want to see you thrive. THAT is brand new and super special.

TrunkSpace: For the audience, the most enjoyable part of a movie is the movie itself, but for those involved in the project, we would imagine it is the experience. For you, what will you take away from the production that will stay with you?
Short: We had some unforgettable nights out with the cast and crew. Those will never escape me. Also, I spent an hour in makeup every morning. Will NEVER forget that.

TrunkSpace: You have been acting professionally since you were a young kid. Do you still love it as much today as you did the first time you set foot on a set?
Short: I think I love it even more now. There’s a new appreciation you find for things as the years run on and I know so much more about my industry now. I learn something new every time I put myself around fellow thespians. Being on set makes me fall in love all over again.

TrunkSpace: As you’ve gotten older and have lived more life, do you view the craft differently now? Does your approach to performing and discovering a character look very different than it did 10 years ago?
Short: Absolutely. You start to understand why people choose words, what makes them tick, how people react to those words. More English also helps. As time progresses you understand other people and yourself, which remains one of the most useful tools in acting.

TrunkSpace: What has been the biggest highlight of your career thus far, the “pinch me” moment that still makes you pinch yourself?
Short: Probably the first movie I was cast in, “Shorts” directed by Robert Rodriguez.

TrunkSpace: It was announced back in May that Jimmy Kimmel would be playing the older version of you in the ABC series “Man Of The House,” which sounded like a really fun show with a stellar cast and incredible creative team behind it. We have since not heard anything, so we have to ask, is that still moving forward?
Short: We did not get picked up for a season order, but it was a great team of producers and a wonderful cast.

TrunkSpace: Time machine question. If you could jump ahead 10 years and get a glimpse of what your career looks like a decade from now, would you take that journey? If not, why?
Short: No. As much as it would be nice to know what happens, as much as I would want to take the shortcut, I wouldn’t. The journey to get there, you learn so much. Would you watch the first scene of a movie and then the climax? You don’t see what the character learns, what brought them to that peak.

“#Roxy” is available on digital HD November 6.