Interview with creators Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward
Teen Drama Forums were recently lucky enough to grab an interview with the creators of Anyone But Me, Tina Cesa Ward and Susan Miller. In the interview, they discuss the creation and production of the show, the casting of Rachel and Nicole and the possibility of taking it to television.
I've quoted the interview below, but please pay the forums a visit - they have a dedicated board just for discussing this amazing and ground breaking show.
What are the different challenges you face writing/producing/directing a web series as opposed to a television series?
SM: The best, most freeing thing about doing a web series is that we don’t have to write by committee; we don’t answer to anyone but ourselves. We can allow our creative impulses to fly. The downside is that unlike a TV series, we don’t have the financial backing or the advantage of a huge network of people working with us to help put on a show. But, like television, we still have to build an audience. Numbers count. So it’s up to us to make the calls, find the contacts, do the press, never stop reaching out. The result is that our connection to our fans is more direct and more fulfilling.
TCW: What Susan says is very true. We have great freedom and that’s a luxury that you don’t have when big budgets are on the line. On the other hand, it would be nice to have a budget to explore things as a director I would love to explore. As the director, I always wish we could do more but we do a great job with what we have.
Did you always intend to take the show online or did you try and get the show on Television first?
SM: Anyone But Me was conceived as a web series. We never pitched it to television. We love the web. It’s a wild card. Though there is, for me, since I’ve written for television, a model in the best of shows like “Thirtysomething” and “Six Feet Under” and “The Wire.” So if we were presented with the opportunity to take our show to television, we wouldn’t say no. As long as we could keep it honest.
TCW: This is a great time to do a web series. It’s so exciting to be a part of something that you know in the future is really going to be the way people watch a lot of their entertainment. There are many great shows on television so would we be a part of that? Sure. But I’m very happy on the web.
One of the most refreshing things about this series was the way in which the lesbian relationship was presented. Was there a conscious decision to present it in a much healthier, more comfortable way than it has been in teen dramas in the past?
SM: We try to depict all of our characters realistically with all the complications and struggles of being human. That has to take into account how society is changing and how young people relate to the times they live in. The central story here is the couple - two people in a relationship. It is more about that than it is about being gay, really. And we’re fortunate because of a growing acceptance that we don’t have to focus on the fact that they’re two girls, but rather that they are in love, have difficulties and differences in the way they deal with them.
TCW: As Susan mentioned, our approach is to talk about the human struggle. We don’t ever talk about issues, we talk about people and the ups and downs of life. I think that focus is what connects all audiences to it and allows them to see themselves in these situations, good or bad.
Rachel Hip-Flores and Nicole Pacent are incredibly talented actresses who who've come almost from nowhere to be in this show. Where did you find them and what was the casting process like?
SM: They are break out wonders, these two. We had open casting calls and they walked through the door. Just out of college. I’m not sure they even knew what a web series was. Well, to be fair, I didn’t know until we started actually making it. The chemistry between Rachael and Nicole was there from the start. And each of them was appealing in a different way, mostly because they kept it real.
TCW: They’re amazing to have in our cast. We knew from the moment each walked in that they were special. That they had amazing chemistry and that they would bring something to the characters that would really connect with the audience and they’ve done just that. I don’t think as many Producers get as lucky as we got with our cast. You never know when people get out of school if they really have what it takes to really succeed as an actor but our cast certainly does. They’re all growing into serious actors to watch out for and it’s been really gratifying to watch.
http://teendramaforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board =anyonebutme&thread=239
--
Help make the world's first indy teen drama: http://www.indiegogo.com/Holland-Park share