Ruby Skye P.I.

Over on the Clicker Blog, Josie writes:

“There are not enough good things I can say about Cheeatow or her two incredibly talented cohorts: younger sis Haley, played by Marlee Maslove, and long-suffering pal Griffen, played by Kevin Gutierrez. The kids are fresh and funny in a way that comes off as 100% authentic, and unlike many kid-centric shows (both on the Web and TV) “Ruby” showcases child actors utilizing their strong intellectual capabilities.”

Well deserved praise for our fabulous cast. And how lovely are these words:

“Overall, Ruby Skye P.I. is a treat for both the youngest and oldest Internet surfers, proving that the best shows are not always on TV.”

For more information, go to the auction website or check out their Facebook page.

Julia interviews Marlee Maslove who plays the sister we all love to hate, Hailey Skye, to find out what it’s like to play Ruby’s younger sister.

Julia: What made you interested in acting? How did you get started?

Marlee: My favourite movie has always been The Sound of Music. I think that’s what really got me interested in acting. Also, the fact that my mother is a screenwriter always played a big part in me wanting to act; I got a few parts as featured extras when I was younger and I really got a feel for the atmosphere and how acting professionally would feel.

Julia: Your performance in Ruby Skye is so believable! Do you relate with your character? How are you like Hailey?

Marlee: Well, I don’t think I relate to Hailey that much. Sometimes I pretend that I’m an expert with technology, but, really, I’m not. I’m not really into the whole starting a petition thing, but if it’s a good cause, I will sign it. I’m also not too fond of shopping.

Julia: Do you have any role models? Who inspires you?

Marlee: Yes. J.K. Rowling, Kristin Chenoweth and Julie Andrews. Three amazing women who I would really like to be like!

Julia: What was it like being on set?

Marlee: Being on set was tons of fun! Everyone was really nice!

Julia: What was your favourite scene to shoot?

Marlee: The closet scenes! It was definitely the one we all looked forward to shooting the most. The closet was very hot and cramped especially with the three actors, two camera men, lighting, sound and the stunt coordinator! However, the coke and mentos had a super cool effect! We also got a lot of free time to hang out between takes because they had to clean everything up and it was fun to have a bunch of long breaks.

There was this one time when we were all in the closet with Kevin, the stunt coordinator, to shoot just the coke stream and us running out. We were all waiting for action and Kevin was carefully poised to drop the mentos in to the coke bottles. We were standing there when, whoosh! Kevin’s hand had slipped and the mentos fell into the coke! The closet door was closed and coke was getting everywhere! That was probably the funniest thing that happened to me on set!

Julia: Any advice for young performers just starting out?

Marlee: Start out small to get some experience with acting. Do some school plays or community theatre, then try some auditions. Feeling nervous for auditions is completely normal. Just keep thinking of the audition as a positive experience to learn about acting and auditions instead of something intimidating.

Julia: Do you plan to pursue acting in the future?

Marlee: Absolutely!!

Three out of three actors agree that the coke-mentos scene was the most fun to shoot.  It’s also quite a lot of fun to watch, so for your foamy viewing pleasure, here once again is Chapter 10: Seven Minutes in Heaven.

Julia interviews Ruby Skye P.I.’s very own Kevin Gutierrez who plays Ruby’s bff and prime suspect, Griffin Lane.

Julia: What made you interested in acting? How did you get started?

Kevin: My older sister was already in acting which made it easier for me to get start but I decided I wanted to get into acting on my own. My friends have always suggested I get into it, but it wasn’t till after I started making my own videos with friends that I knew I wanted to act.

Julia: According to Ruby, Griffin is her “sidekick,” but she gets him in a lot of trouble. Do you relate to Griffin at all? How are you like your character?

Kevin: Yeah, I do think I can relate to Griffin. Although I don’t believe I am anyone’s “sidekick”, Griffin is laid-back, kept to himself, and scared of clowns, which is a lot like me.

Julia: Do you have any role models? Who inspires you?

Kevin: In terms of acting, Will Smith has always been a role model of mine. He’s amazing in everything he does and has the ability to play a wide range of different characters. He truly is an inspiration.

Julia:What was it like being on set?

Kevin: It was my first time on a set and it was an exciting and a fun experience for me. I enjoyed working with the cast and crew. They taught me a lot. Plus the food was good, which was a bonus.

Julia: What was your favourite scene to shoot? Why?

Kevin: My favourite scene to shoot had to have been the one where we escaped from the closet, because we got to shoot coke and mentos at the janitor. Although it was tons of fun, this scene was slightly challenging because we weren’t allowed to smile or laugh.

Julia: Any advice for young performers just starting out?

Kevin: I, myself, am just starting out as well, so all I can really say is stay positive. Don’t give up, don’t be hard on yourself, and try to have fun no matter what. Acting is very challenging, but if you love it, it’s rewarding in the end.

Julia: What next? Do you plan to pursue acting in the future?

Kevin:I am open to any possibilities that come my way. I also have hockey and soccer to consider but I hope that I always stay involved with acting no matter what.

If you read Julia’s interview with Madison Cheeatow (Ruby Skye) last week then you know that the filming the scene in the closet was her favourite scene too.  Why?  Because it was awesome!  Here’s a behind the scenes video of us shooting that scene so you see how awesome it really was.

Here’s an interview with Madison Cheeatow who plays Ruby.

Q. What made you interested in acting? How did you get started?

A. When I was 11 I started taking improv classes at my local community centre and I just had a lot of fun with it and it really just went from there. I then ventured into different kinds of theatre classes like musical theatre, and actually took part in few productions. The high school that I attend now has an arts program and I auditioned to major in drama. It wasn’t until grade 10 when I discovered film acting. I got started in film after I auditioned for an agency and they decided to take me on as a client.

Q. Your performance in Ruby Skye is so believable! Do you relate with your character? How are you like Ruby?

A. Thank you so much! I relate to Ruby in some ways. Ruby is very nosey and into everybody’s business. She is really quick to say whatever is on her mind without thinking it over too much. I mean, I’m not as extreme as she is, but I would say that I have nosey tendencies and there have been times that I have spoken without thinking. I think Ruby and I relate in the sense that we both like to lend a hand in finding a solution and being there for other people.

Q. Do you have any role models? Who inspires you?

A. Well there are a lot of roles models in my life, but the most imfluential I would have to say are my parents, and they have always inspired me to keep trying and to always do my best. They were always the ones bringing me to auditions and their dedication to me has always been an inspiration to work hard and make them proud. As for inspirations, I find that I usually get inspired by people that I am working with, take Ruby Skye for example. All the hard work from everyone on set, and I mean everyone, was such an inspiration for me. When I see people working hard, and really putting 100% into everything they do, it just makes me want to work that much harder in return.

Q. What was it like being on set?

A. The best. I love being on set, its just the greatest environment to work in, there are so many amazing people you get to meet, everybody is so friendly and nice. Its so cool to get to see all of these people working so many different jobs and tasks to create one piece. And it’s also a huge learning experience. I find being on set has taught me more than any acting class ever could.

Q. What was your favourite scene to shoot?

A. Definitely the closet scene where we shot Vinney with Coke. It was for sure one of the funniest moments when Kevin, the stunt director, accidentally dropped one of the mentos into the bottle too early and the coke sprayed everywhere inside the closet, drenching all of us. It was also awesome to be able to do such a messy stunt and the result was amazing.

Q. Any advice for young performers just starting out?

A. There is always something new, so never let not getting a role get you down. This is one of the most difficult businesses to be in, it took me a whole lot of auditions to finally land something and if you keep trying, and your really passionate about it, it will come. It might sound kind of cheesy, but if its really something you want to do, don’t ever give up on it.

Q. Do you plan to pursue acting in the future?

A. Yes. Acting is definitely something I would like to continue for as long as I can. Acting is something that I am passionate about and I am willing to be dedicated to it and to work hard to take it further. It would be amazing if I could make a career out of it as there are very few other occupations that I can see myself in as an adult.

If you looked carefully at the audition video we released, you’ll notice that one of the lead actors is missing from it.  Marlee Maslove who plays Hailey Skye was not at the audition that day.

That’s because Marlee was already cast in the role of Hailey.  In fact, we had already shot the teaser for the series with her.

The reason Ruby isn’t the teaser for the series is because we hadn’t cast Madison yet.  But we had Marlee because we’d worked with her on another web series, Hailey Hacks.  And we had created Ruby Skye P.I. with the idea that Hailey would be her little sister and would use her impressive web skills to help Ruby solve mysteries.

We’ve cut together the tapes from the auditions for Ruby Skye P.I.  Check this out.  Who auditioned for a different part than they ended up playing?  And who is missing from this video?

Your name has just been called. It’s time to go in!

When you enter the room, there will probably be quite in there. Some will be sitting behind a table — they are probably the writer, director, producer, showrunner and maybe the casting director.

There will probably be a camera and someone to operate it. That’s right, your audition will be filmed so they can watch it again later when they are making their decisions.  They may also want to show the tape to other people who aren’t in the room but will be helping to make the casting decisions.

Finally, there is a reader showrunner. You’ll also be introduced to the reader who will perform the scene with you. You’ll perform your character and the reader will perform all the other parts.

It’s great to come in with a big smile and shake everyone’s hand. You’ll be told everyone’s name. If you’re smart, you’ll have read over the names on the casting call and will remember who is the director, who’s the producer and so on.

Once you’ve met everyone and handed over your resume an headshot, it’s down to business.

They will show you your mark.  Your mark is the spot where you will stand or sit to be framed by the camera. Try not to move too far from your mark or you’ll go out of frame!

Sometimes, you’re asked to slate: say your name, age and the role you’re auditioning for into the camera.

Time to perform your scene. Wait for the director to cue to start then perform the scene the way you rehearsed it.

You might be asked to perform a second time, and they might want you to do the scene a different way. The director will ask you to change-it-up a bit. He might say to do it like you’re angry or as if the person you’re talking to is your best friend. They might even ask you to sing your lines. Whatever direction you’re given will change how you act in the scene. It’s a way for the director to find out how well you take direction.

Expect surprises. During the Ruby Skye P.I. auditions, Kirklynne Garrett came to audition for Ms Springer, but director Kelly Harms thought she  might make a great Mrs Gooje. Kelly gave Kirklynne the sides for Mrs Gooje and asked her to go out and learn them.  She only a few minutes to learn the scenes but what she brought to the part was what Kelly was looking for. Kirklynne didn’t get cast as Ms Springer, but she did get the role of Mrs. Gooje!

Remember to have fun – it’s okay if you mess up, just keep on going!

All About Auditions is a series of posts. Read them all: Casting Calls, Submitting Yourself, The Lingo, Thinking About Character, Getting Ready for the Big Day and The Audition. When you’re read all the posts, check out our Audition MashUp to see the actors audition for Ruby Skye P.I.: The Spam Scam.

You don’t usually have a lot of time to prepare for auditions.  Often, you’ll get your audition time and sides a day or two before the actual auditions.  Sometimes, you get the call the night before or even the day of.  It doesn’t give you a lot of time to prepare, but it doesn’t give you a lot of time to worry either.

There are a few things to remember to bring with you on the big day:

1. Your photo and resume

2. Your script

It’s great to dress the part – this will help you get into character. If you’re auditioning for Hailey’s classmate, dress in normal school clothes. If your character is a punk, spike up your hair a bit (nothing too crazy!). Dressing the part will help you get into character.

Tip of the Day: Arrive early. That way, you have time to fill out forms and go over your scene before you go in. Plus, you don’t want to be out-of-breath when you’re saying your lines.

Sometimes auditions can run late, and you have to wait a while before you can go in, so it’s best not to plan to go to soccer practice 30 minutes after your scheduled audition.

And you’re up!

All About Auditions is a series of posts. Read them all: Casting Calls, Submitting Yourself, The Lingo, Thinking About Character, Getting Ready for the Big Day and The Audition. When you’re read all the posts, check out our Audition MashUp to see the actors audition for Ruby Skye P.I.: The Spam Scam.

You found a casting call, submitting yourself and gotten a call; they want you to audition!  Yay!  They sent you sides — script pages — to learn.  Now what?

Acting is about more than just reading the lines on a page. When you’re saying your lines, you have to be in character.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when looking at a script:

Who is my character?

Think of ways to describe your character. Are you smart? Willful? Playful? How old are you? What kinds of things are you afraid of? What kinds of things does your character like to do?

We can get a lot of information about our characters from the Casting Breakdown. For example, we know from the Ruby Skye P.I. casting breakdownthat Ruby is a “hyper-curious and self-taught super-sleuth.” We know she’s a great detective! We also know that she’s not exactly the most popular girl in school. All these things give us clues as to who Ruby is.

TIP: Even with clues from the audition sides and the casting breakdown, you won’t always get a lot of information about your character. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination to bring your role to life!

What is my objective?

In every scene, characters have an “objective.” An objective is what the character wants.

Take a look at the audition scene for Ruby Skye. Remember how Ruby gets a lead on Ms. Springer in Chapter 2: Kay Eye Ess Ess? Ruby sees Ms. Springer writing on a piece of paper and notices that she’s uncharacteristically happy.

Ruby wants that piece of paper – it might have the answer she’s looking for. Get the paper! is Ruby’s objective.

What is my motivation?

Your motivation is why your character wants what they want.

Why does Ruby want the paper so much? She thinks Ms. Springer might be behind the scam! She’s worried about Ms. Gooje and her poor starving stuffed animals!

What are my tactics?

Tactics are how the character goes about getting what they want. Your lines will give you clues to what your tactics are.

Look at this dialogue between Ruby and Vinnie:

RUBY: I’m the class recycling monitor.

VINNIE: Vinnie, janitor.

RUBY: I have to check this bin. I may have been tainted with wax paper.

Ruby is lying to get the paper. Lying is Ruby’s tactic.

Tactics change throughout the scene when your previous tactics don’t work, or when another character says or does something that changes your action.

Vinnie challenges Ruby to a game of Rock Paper Scissors and Ruby accepts the challenge.

Play Rock Paper Scissors becomes Ruby’s tactic to get the paper out of the recycle bin.

Remember, who we are makes each of us think, act and feel in a unique way. Try to think, act and feel how your character would.

All About Auditions is a series of posts. Read them all: Casting Calls, Submitting Yourself, The Lingo, Thinking About Character, Getting Ready for the Big Day and The Audition. When you’re read all the posts, check out our Audition MashUp to see the actors audition for Ruby Skye P.I.: The Spam Scam.