acting – Cinders Magazine

Daydream Believer – Interview with Dayeanne Hutton

For webseries and gaming fans Dayeanne Hutton‘s voice is no stranger to them. From starring in the Emmy award winning Emma Approved to voicing Kate in Life is Strange Dayeanne is a bright ray of sunshine in the web content world. We were lucky enough to chat with Dayeanne about voice acting, webseries and the wonder that is Harriet Smith.

1. What is your first memory of acting?

I’ve been surrounded by theatre for as long as I can remember due to both my parents’ involvement/enjoyment of it! My first memory of being in a show is from Kindergarten. I was about 5 and my school did Wizard of Oz. I played a Jitterbug as well as a member of the Lullaby League! My mom choreographed both pieces.

2. When did you know that acting was something that you wanted to pursue?

I’ve always enjoyed books and fantasies and the idea of playing around in a life that is different than mine. I began to take acting more seriously around age 12 or 13. I had to choose between acting classes and soccer (which I’d been doing poorly for years). I chose acting and began expanding from just theatre to also submitting for film projects! There was never a moment I even considered not having acting in my life somehow.

3. What was the experience of Emma Approved like for you? Were you familiar with the novel beforehand?

Emma Approved was an incredible and joyous experience! We all worked together for a whole year, and the cast and crew are all phenomenal people. I was also thrilled to be bringing a Jane Austen character to life. Pride and Prejudice has been a favorite book of mine since school. I read all of Emma before my audition so that I would have a good grasp of the original piece!

I continue to do my best to create a safe and positive space on the internet during my own Twitch streams.

4. Did you enjoy translating Harriet’s story into a fresh medium?

Absolutely!! I’m so honored to be among the handful of actresses that have brought Harriet Smith to life. And I really connected on a special level with her. There is definitely a piece of her in me all the time, and I brought real aspects of myself to my portrayal as well.

5. We assume you can’t tell us anything about the current hints of a revival, however can you tell us if you’re excited by the activity happening on Twitter and the moments App?

Ah yes, spoilers… I’m quite excited over the characters renewed social media activities!

6. Since Emma Approved you’ve moved into voice acting – how was the experience different from traditional acting? What are the aspects that you enjoy?

Voiceover is so much fun, but a very different experience. You’re not being filmed, so you don’t need to focus on how you look, or where the camera is. You just have to connect with the characters and feel what they’re feeling; so you can breath life into them. It’s so much fun providing different voices to animated characters. I’m a big nerd, so being in a video game is a dream, I can’t wait to do more!

7. What are the challenges you face when voice acting, particularly voice acting for a game?

Sometimes roles can be very vocally demanding, however my experience with Life is Strange didn’t involve much screaming or yelling.

8. What was the best part of voicing Kate Marsh in Life is Strange?

The best part is being a part of the beautiful Life is Strange community. The fans are amazing; supportive and kind, they really love this game and appreciate the actors involved. Kate’s storyline in particular has helped many people come to terms/deal with their own depression and struggles. I’m honored to be even a small part of that. I continue to do my best to create a safe and positive space on the internet during my own Twitch streams.

9. Can you tell us about any upcoming projects that you have?

I’m currently focused on the growth of my Twitch channel and some Approved secrets!

We Love Lucy – An appreciation of the Timeless leading lady

Timeless - Season 2 — TIMELESS — “Darlington” Episode 202 — Pictured: Abigail Spencer as Lucy Preston — (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC)

For Co-editor Grainne Coyne Timeless protagonist, Lucy Preston, has been one of the best feminist characters to hit our screens in years. In the wake of the series cancellation announcement we decided to sing our praises for the wonder that is Lucy.

We’ve discussed how fantastic this show is in past issues of Cinders, but season two of Timeless somehow managed to surpass season one, which was not easy, given they only had ten episodes. Timeless is a show of total perfection for so many reasons. It’s received 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, it has nuanced looks at parts of history that are often ignored, and raises stories of feminism, LGBTQ stories and racism to the forefront. It is really up there with one of the best fun and moving fantasy, drama shows at the moment. So much so, I am totally dumbfounded that it hasn’t been renewed for season three.

There are so many things I could discuss about what I loved about this season, but there is one person who stands out to me consistently, and that is Lucy Preston. Lucy is literally having the worst time during season two.

(Spoilers ahead for those who have not caught up). Not only has she learnt that her parents are both high up in the chain in an evil organization known as Rittenhouse, but as a result of this, it makes her “Rittenhouse royalty”.

From this she has lost her sister as a result of time travel, lost her mother because she chose not to become a part of Rittenhouse and lost her once close relationship to Wyatt, because Rittenhouse decided to bring his wife, Jessica back from the dead, and he decided it would be a great idea to have her move in the bunker with them all.

So she really doesn’t start off season two great. Despite all of this, she still carries a strength and resolve to do the right thing, even if she hurts herself as a result.

So, you refuse to confess to being something you’re not. That’s brave, and I’m proud to be in your company

This was evident in season one where despite being constant life threatening situations, she isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right, and stand up to villains be it Rittenhouse, and even tries on many occasions to get through to their then “enemy”, Flynn. But in season two there is a lot more vulnerability and pain from Lucy that we witness from the get go. Lucy is hurting(understandably so) and I am so glad that we got to see that this season in a realistic manner. I love that Lucy is a historian, who uses her smarts when it comes to meeting these amazing historical icons, but she always manages to connect to them on a personal level. From Irene Curie, Grace Humiston to even a young Denise Christopher, they all eventually open up to Lucy and she to them, and helping each other as a result. Lucy puts herself on the line for others, but all too often, doesn’t seem to do it for herself. This is evident, when we see her on her own in the bunker that we realise this is a woman who has been through a lot and is still going through a lot.

Perhaps she isn’t handling it the right way but that’s what makes her more human to me, more real.

My favourite episodes are definitely the Salem Witch Trials and Suffragette Movement episodes. For what sticks out to me in these the most, is how Lucy again stands and defends women(a constant theme throughout their time travelling adventures). In the Salem episode, despite having an opportunity to escape, Lucy chooses to stay with the women who are accused of being witches.

“You don’t have to defend your reputation to me. You’re not like the other women, and that makes people uncomfortable. So, they mock you and they tell you you’re stupid. But you refuse to change, and then that makes people mad. So, they attack you, call you evil. I know that none of that is true. So, you talk to birds, or you like dolls. So, you refuse to confess to being something you’re not. That’s brave, and I’m proud to be in your company.”

Every day that you get to do your job, another woman out there is making sacrifices, so that you can keep doing it. If you’re not gonna help, then just get the hell out of the way

That speech beautifully delivered by the amazing Abigail Spencer, who plays Lucy, moves me to tears every time.

And again Abigail delivers a powerful performance as Lucy in the suffragette episode. While it is probably not completely historically accurate, its sentiment is very clear. The suffrage movement is clearly important to Lucy as it is to many women. So when it is put at risk, because of again “Rittenhouse” who at this point is just a really, evil, misogynistic organisation. Lucy is willing to fight for women’s right to vote and women’s rights in general. There are many moments that hit me to the core in this episode, but my favourite had to be when Lucy lectures Grace about the importance of the suffrage and the importance of well, feminism.

It’s a speech that is not only necessary in that moment, but given everything that is happening in the world definitely can be applied to today.

“…you really have no idea what all of this is about, do you? You think because you are smart enough or tough enough to make it into the boys’ club that everybody else should be able to do that too, is that it? So you’re under no obligation to help other women. You think that Alice wanted to be beaten by police, sent to prison, force-fed. She would have spent the next fifty years living the same hell over and over again, so women like you could ride her coattails. Every day that you get to do your job, another woman out there is making sacrifices, so that you can keep doing it. If you’re not gonna help, then just get the hell out of the way.”

It’s wonderful to see a female heroine like Lucy expressing traits of empathy, love, understanding and, femininity.

From there, Lucy chooses to take it upon herself to make the important speech directed at President Woodrow Wilson knowing full well, her life would be at risk if she chooses to do so. Fortunately Grace was so horrified by the women being beaten at the march, that she took it upon herself to do speech directed at President Wilson. I reckon though Lucy’s passion and fury helped too.

While there are so many shows that are putting female characters to the forefront, Lucy stands out to me not just for her clear feminist objectives, her affirmative beliefs and her big passion for history, but mostly for her determination to constantly do the right thing and is probably why I love her as much as I do.

While with most sci-fi shows, when it comes to depicting a “strong female lead”, they seem to follow a narrative that a woman is deemed often to be only “strong”, if she appears tough, Timeless is different. While there is nothing wrong with that in some senses, in this era of post Wonder Woman, it’s wonderful to see a female heroine like Lucy expressing traits of empathy, love, understanding and, femininity. She also unapologetically stands up for herself emotionally throughout, which I think is very important for young women to see and realise that their emotional needs to be valued by themselves and others too. I only hope somehow get more of Timeless, so we can explore this from Lucy’s prospective and for Lucy to realise just how amazing and capable she really is.

Follow Grainne at @grainnenewsie on Twitter

The lady behind the curtain – an interview with Ashley Clements

Ashley Clements has had a career that has travelled back and forth from past to present to future, Charlotte Brontë to a modern day Lizzie Bennet. Five years on from her award-winning performance as Lizzie in the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Cinders caught up with Ashley about her memories of the show, her advice to actors and what she has lined up next.

Charlotte (full)

1. Can you remember the first moment you realised you wanted to perform?

I was 6 years old the first time I did a play, and it was around then. My parents didn’t believe me because my career goals up until then had gone something like princess, lawyer, first female president of the United States, actor. I think they expected 10 or 20 more before I decided, but I stuck with the decision that 6 year old made. When I was 7 I wrote a very compelling story about horses and decided I would be a writer AND an actor. And that’s still pretty much the dream.

2. If you could play/ have played any role what would it be?

There’s still some great Shakespeare roles on my list that I need to grow into, like Lady Macbeth and Paulina in The Winter’s Tale. But I’ve got a lot of time for those.

3. Who are the actors who inspire you?

I’m super inspired by people who create their own work, like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling, and really transformative actors like Tatiana Maslany.

4. We’ve been having fun re-living The Lizzie Bennet Diaries through the 5 year re-watch – what are some of your best memories from the diaries?

Working with the cast, many of whom became dear friends, was definitely a highlight.

We went through so much together, including traveling to conventions and sleeping on each other’s shoulder on airplanes, that they’ll always be my LBD family in some ways.

At first when the videos started showing up in my Facebook feed I skipped over

them, thinking I’ve seen these all so many times. But then I started watching them, and enough time has passed that it feels like a sort of window into my life 5 years ago, because I remember so much of what was going on when we shot episodes.

So I’ve actually really started enjoying the rewatch myself.

“At first when the videos started showing up in my Facebook feed I skipped over them, thinking I’ve seen these all so many times. But then I started watching them, and enough time has passed that it feels like a sort of window into my life 5 years ago”

5. Lizzie Bennet was such an iconic role – what did you learn from playing her?

I learned a lot from Lizzie. She came along at just the right time in my life and forced me to face my own judgmental nature. I can genuinely say I’m a better person for having gone on Lizzie’s journey.

6. Where do you think Lizzie is now?

I have a lot of thoughts on where Lizzie is now, and I hope some day soon I get to share them with everyone.

7. You really got to exercise your comedy chops as Charlotte Bronte in Poe Party – what did you enjoy most about bringing her to life?

Playing Charlotte was such a dream. I got to wear a gorgeous gown, speak in a British accent, and run around a haunted house pretending to be mean to some of the people I enjoy the most. Every day was so much fun. I only spent 9 days on set, but I could have happily spent years making more Poe Party.

8. Having been involved in both The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and more recently, Non-Transferable – do you have a favourite romantic comedy?

I’m a huge sucker for a great rom com. Some of my favorites are When Harry Met Sally, Notting Hill, Four Weddings and Funeral, Clueless, and Bridget Jones’ Diary. (I don’t think it’s a coincidence that two of those are inspired by Jane Austen.)

9. Non-Transferable looked like it was so much fun to film – what was it like to shoot in such incredible locations?

The whole experience was sort of surreal. We were traveling so much and shooting so fast and incredibly jet lagged, but then we’d stop in the most incredible places. Our very first day we woke up and realized in daylight that we were just steps away from the Aegean Sea.

We saw small towns and big cities and incredible countryside. History like the ruins in Ephesus, and natural phenomena like the calcium travertines in Pamukkale, and a combination of both in the fairy chimneys and underground cities in Cappadocia. It was truly the trip of a lifetime.

10. Did you enjoy teaming up with some of the Poe Party and Pemberley alums?

Always! That’s the dream for content creators – to get to make things with your friends! It’s so much fun to keep working with beloved people and meeting new ones through all the connections we make.

11. Is there any advice you would give to aspiring actors?

You’ve got to learn how to live a fulfilling life that isn’t dependent on anyone else’s approval or permission. And you’ve got to work really, really hard.

12. What can fans look forward to seeing you in next?

Since it was successfully funded I’ll be shooting The Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye with my friends the Tin Can Brothers! You can check us out at wayward.guide.com

Clements

Shooting Star – An Interview with Mary Kate Wiles

What with her incredible resume, you’d be forgiven for thinking that actress, producer and web vlog host, Mary Kate Wiles, never sleeps. Since receiving acclaim as Lydia Bennet in the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Mary Kate has gone on to star in – and produce – content with the best of the best in web video. Méabh McDonnell chatted to Mary Kate about the development of web video, her advice to actors and which of her characters she would take for coffee.

1. How do you feel that webvideo and webseries have changed the landscape of media production? Are there more opportunities out there for actors?

Absolutely! There’s so much original work being made, and it’s wonderful. And it’s easier to get your own work out into the world and seen by people, which is really fantastic. I’ve done six full-length independent feature films, but the work I’ve done online has gotten me more acclaim than anything, and in a lot of ways has been more fulfilling because you have a direct connection to the people watching it. You can see the impact it’s making on people and get that instant gratification of knowing your work is being enjoyed. That’s really cool.

Continue reading Shooting Star – An Interview with Mary Kate Wiles