20 Questions with Rory Uphold!

It's my belief that Rory Uphold has the potential to rapidly become a household name.

Don't know who she is? - You're about to!
Rory is the wonderful creative mind behind (and face in front of) the viral video series, Only in HelLA. 

With hundreds of thousands of views and an Immortal status on Funny or Die, the web series - shorts about the unique challenges of living in Los Angeles, is gaining momentum and popularity. 

I was so excited when Rory agreed to do this interview with me, and I'm stoked for all of you to read what she has to say!

T: What first inspired the HelLA series?

I felt like it got suuuuper trendy to hate on LA. Not that it's ever not trendy to hate on us, but I felt like there was a surge on sites like buzzfeed and LA Weekly (see link). And simultaneously, I realized that all of the shows I was watching, both on TV and the web, (Girls, Louie, Broad City, Srsly, Curbed, The Mindy Project, etc.) were all based in NYC... I wanted to show LA from my own POV. Plus, HelLA is a pretty sick title, so I had to do something with it. 

T: How many episodes are there total, and how long did it take to write, shoot, edit and basically put them all together?

I have 12, maybe 13. I shot the first 10 episodes in 3 days and then I shot another two a couple of weeks ago... I’m toying with an idea for a 13th, but we’ll see, time is a huge factor. Filming and post are easy - I shoot and edit multiple episodes a day because I work with amazing people. The pre-production part of coordinating schedules and locations is the hardest, and it’s very time consuming. 

T: You worked with a lot of different and interesting people on this. What was the process of getting funding and putting together a team like?

Well, the team is tiny, so that made things relatively easy. I usually send out an email to Jason (our DP) and JP (our sound guy) and say, “whats next week looking like” or “what’s your availability in April” and then go from there. As soon as I know when I’m shooting, I hit up Matt, my editor and set up editing time. Generally I edit the day after I shoot, so everything is ready to go 24 hours after shooting. I hate having things unfinished, it’s all I can think about. Like I said before, the hardest part was scheduling because I had to balance location availability with cast/crew availability. 

T: Are you thinking of doing a second season? Do you have any sort of dream end-goals for the project?

Yeah, I would love to make a second season of HelLA... that’s why I launched a Kickstarter campaign, to raise money for another season. As many people know, filming is expensive, and even though I work with people who are very generous with their time, I need help covering costs. Ideally, I’d either like to make HelLA a self- sufficient web show, where it pays for itself, or I’d like to turn it into a TV show. Both lofty goals! 

T: Before creating the series, you wrote, directed and starred in (wow) the short film Safety which did the festival circuit and won a handful of awards (Congrats!!). How was the experience of making a film different from making a series? (Also is there anywhere online we can see the film?)

Safety is, believe it or not, still playing in festivals... but when I put it up, it will be at www.Youtube.com/rorymusic. I’ll probably put it online at the end of May. Safety is a 12 minute dark comedy loosely based on a break up I had, whereas HelLA is a series of short, comedic, moments based on my day-to-day life in LA. The biggest difference between the two is format- what works for a short film doesn’t necessarily work online and visa versa. Plus the scope of HelLA is a lot greater. Every episode is a new location and new cast members. Safety was two locations and two cast members plus my best friend who did voice over, and HelLA has about 12 different locations and 50 cast members, if you include background. 

T: What have you learned about comedy throughout both of these processes?

Don’t move on a joke. Be specific. Stay true to what you think is funny. A good editor can make or break your jokes... These are probably very obvious things, but they’re some of the things that stick out to me. 

T: What have you learned about being in charge of a set? 

Assemble the best team possible and try to be as organized and as prepared as possible, that way, when something inevitably goes array, it’s not the end of the world. Lead by example, if you’re angry and stressed, others will be too. 

T: The internet has allowed a lot of people to gain exposure that they wouldn't have ever been able to get say 10 years ago, but it's also so huge and fast that a lot of things can get swallowed up. How do you feel about the internet as a vehicle and the success you've gained through it? 

It’s a lot of work... that’s basically it, hah. Yes, you can reach a lot of people on the internet, but you also have to have a strategy for cutting through the other billion web series’ that are released each day. 

T: There are so many other elements that go into projects like these apart from the creative side (Promotion, Fundraising, Submissions, Websites, you've even done merchandise!), have you found that to be difficult or less exciting than the artistic end? (And where can I get a HelLA hat?!)

I would be lying if I said I loved press/promotion/fundraising... I do not. But it’s a part of the job. I want people to see the show, so I need to put in the effort. Ideally, I want to bring on people for Season 2 who are interested in learning about New Media and PR and some of the other aspects that go into making a web series. It’s not that it’s not interesting, it’s just not my area of focus. I will say this, for people interested in learning about those businesses, a web series is a great place to start.
You can get a hat via our Kickstarter! 

T: Being a woman in the industry is an ever-evolving course. What are some of the challenges as well as benefits you've encountered as a woman?

Truthfully, it has less to do with the industry and more to do with life. I have boobs, sometimes this works against me and sometimes this works for me. 

T: Along the lines of being a woman in the business, you wrote This Article for XO Jane about your experiences with misogyny. What has the response to the article been like, and did it further shade your experience? 

The response has been very positive. Like most things I do, I do them for me and hope that people like it, but as long as I’m okay with what I’ve created, other people’s opinions don’t really matter. I was proud of that article, so I didn’t really care about the response, and then I was pleasantly surprised when it was positive. 

T: You were originally a musician, is that correct? What made you make the leap to what you're doing now? 

A series of shitty events and the realization that I did not, in fact, want to be a pop singer. I love music, I’m just not into the music business. I still write and sing, but it’s very different from what I used to be doing. 

T: What's next on the horizon for you? Anything else you'd like to discuss?

Finishing the Kickstarter for Season 2 of HelLA. Making Season 2. And hopefully shooting another short film. 

T: And, I have to ask - as someone about to move to HelLA itself, any tips? 

Ummm, it gets better... LA is a hard beast to tame, and it just takes time. Beverly blvd turns into Silverlake Blvd, that’s a great thing to know. 

T: And now for my Five Fundamental Questions:

- What is your favorite cocktail?

A drink my friend Terence made up, the BLT: Bulleit Whiskey, Lemon juice, and Tonic. It sounds disgusting, but it's amazing. 

- What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Be yourself. 

- What 3 items, other than food and water, would you take to a deserted island?

This stresses me out... 2 Navy Seals and my mom? A plane, fuel, and a pilot? I mean, I saw Cast Away, I really don’t want to be on a deserted island! 

- What's your biggest Pet Peeve?

Apathy. I'm so over people not giving a shit. 

- If you could befriend one fictional character, who would it be?

Rainbow Brite. 

Thank you so much, Rory! 
Can't wait to see what happens with all your exciting projects! 
Be SURE to check out OnlyinHelLA at their Website, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook! 
And of course, hop on over to their KickStarter to send them some love!

20 Questions with Caroline Thompson!

Movie-Maker Caroline Thompson has been igniting the imaginations of viewers young and old for over two fascinating decades. Able to jump between genres, make magic come alive, and create characters of true impact, her work makes her an enchanting artist.

Her unique style of writing, direction and more has resulted in modern classics including Edward Scissorhands, Homeward Bound: An Incredible Journey, The Secret Garden, Black Beauty, Buddy, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, The Addams Family, and others!

Having the pleasure of knowing her personally, I was lucky enough to snag an interview with this talented and inspiring woman. 


T: At what age did you know you wanted to make movies and why?

First of all, I want to say what a privilege it is to be invited into Tarreyn Land.  It is a beautiful place.

Okay… to answer the question.  Movies actually scared the shit out of me when I was a kid.  I was four years old when I went to my first movie.  It was my brother's 8th  birthday party.   We were late.  My mother shepherded God-knows-how-many kids to the only available seats left in the theater -- in the front.  In the chaos, I wound up separated from my mom and had to sit between two sneaker-smelly boys I'd never met.  The movie was THE TIME MACHINE.  It was so scary to me I couldn't cry out; I couldn't close my eyes; I couldn't move.  I didn't go back again to the movies for many years.  To me, they are not entertainment.  They are powerful visions that invade your brain.  Who wouldn't want to invade peoples' brains???

T: What films influenced you growing up?

THE TIME MACHINE scared me.  MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, which I saw on tv, enchanted me.  Still does.  In college, CARRIE struck me as the perfect movie.  Still does.  Later, THE ELEPHANT MAN made me bawl like a baby.  Still does.

T: What draws you to specific stories?

I love to laugh… then I love to cry my eyes out.  Those are the stories I want to read, watch and make.

T: How would you describe the difference between adapting a story and creating an original?

In adapting a story, you need to do everything you can to honor the intentions of the original author.  Doing your own story, you are accountable to no one but your muses.

T: What are some of your favorite things about writing? Directing?

I love writing.  Words are libidinous to me.  Directing, I hate.  I don't like so many people looking at me.

T: You work in so many different tones, how would you describe your style of writing?

Actually, I work in one tone.  Whimsical.

T: Do you have any specific rituals for writing, or a particular process?

I go to my office -- a shed outside of the house -- first thing in the morning.  I write five pages, rain or shine.  More pages are too much and throw off my rhythm for the next few days.  Fewer pages doesn't feel right either.

T: Any tips for writer's block?

Write.  Ray Bradbury had a ritual of 1000 words a day.  Do that and you'll discover your voice and your obsessions.

T: Your scripts always have such powerful characters and relationships. - What do you think the key is for writing strong characters?

My best characters have been based on creatures I've loved.  The character of Edward Scissorhands was based on my beloved dog, Ariel, who has been gone for a long time now.  She was so present she could practically speak.  I miss her every day.

T: What made you want to write scripts as opposed to something like prose/novels?

To me, writing scripts is like writing sonnets.  The formal constraints somehow liberate me.

T: What artists inspire or influence you?

All true artists turn me on.

T: You've had such an interesting course professionally, what has been one of your biggest challenges in navigating your career? Any major lessons you've learned or AHA moments?

I am sometimes considered 'difficult.'  But I stick to my guns and fight for the work, not for myself, not for my ego -- for the work.

T: What advice do you have for people aspiring to succeed in your line of work?

Be stubborn… but also be smart.  Know yourself.  Know when you're right.  But also know when you're wrong.

T: After years of working on more "mainstream" projects, you anticipated the major shift towards shorts, independent projects and internet features early on. How do you feel about the different ways movies are being made and distributed today?

The technology has made making and distributing movies accessible to everyone.  That is ridiculously exciting.

T: Anything else you'd like to mention?

Did I mention that Tarreyn Land is a beautiful place?


T: And now for my Five Fundamental Questions:

- What is your favorite cocktail?
I don't drink cocktails.  I drink whiskey.  Irish whiskey.  Bushmills.  Neat.

- What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Ummm… no one came forward to give me much advice.  I had to make it up as I went along.

- What 3 items, other than food and water, would you take to a deserted island?
My beloved husband, Steve; my horse, Chester; my favorite book, TO THE LIGHTHOUSE.

- What's your biggest Pet Peeve?
I hate lumps in oatmeal.

- If you could befriend one fictional character, who would it be?
Please don't say just one.  I want to be friends with too many!

Thank you, Caroline for your sweet words, excellent advice, intriguing feedback and more! 

20 Questions With SIRSY

Indie Band SIRSY has just debuted their 5th album entitled "Coming Into Frame." Made of two members - Melanie Krahmer and Rich Libutti, the band has been compared to The White Stripes, and the Boston Globe described them as "Little Band, Big Sound."

Recently I was contacted by the band's PR rep about covering this "inventive" and "energetic" band.  I was lucky enough to continue my 20 Questions series and get to know a little more about them! Check it out!

T: First off, where does your band name come from?

Melanie: SIRSY is the nickname that my sister used to call me when we were kids (instead of "sissy" or "sister").

T: How would you describe your style of music?

Indie pop rock chock full of soul and sincerity with just the right amount of sass. Or so some have said.

T: What artists inspire you? What non-music related things inspire you?

Everyone we've ever heard has offered a bit of inspiration. However, the Beatles are our biggest inspiration. We often find ourselves asking "what would the Beatles do?".  But really, what songwriter or rock band hasn't had that thought?

We are a sci-fi loving band.  We met because of a Star Trek movie and a Star Wars tee shirt.

We're also inspired by our fans who support us through every crazy adventure.  It's inspiring when someone believes in you that much.  We're a lucky band.

T: Listening to your first album and your new one, your sound seems to have changed a lot. Do you agree? Can you say what's motivated your evolution sound-wise?

Growing up, life experience, and (we hope) getting better at songwriting and playing.

T: Rich - I saw in a questionnaire on your website that you own Tom Jones' greatest hits (One of my all time favorite CD's. Seriously.) and that your first concert was Franki Valli and the Four Seasons (Jealous!) - Do you find yourself inspired by retro music and vocalists?

Rich: Yes! I love the sense of melody that a lot of the rock acts had in the 60s and 70s. So many songs you just can't help but sing along with.  

T: Melanie - Drums, Flute, Vocals, and more! You are certainly a renaissance woman - What women in music (or other arenas) inspire you?

Melaine: Musically, I've always been a fan of big voices with lots of soul.  Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, just to name a few.  I also like strong women.  So, Miss Piggy, Captain Janeway, and Wonder Woman are some of my favorite bad ass females. And pretty much everything Eleanor Roosevelt has ever said is genius.

T: How would you describe your live performances?

We put our all into every live show.  So, the passion and energy we radiate on stage is sincere. Music critics and audience members have also said that if you close your eyes, you'll swear there are more people on stage than just two.  We guess we make quite a racket.

T: What do you like about performing? What about Recording?

Our favorite thing to do is to perform live because it allows you to be in the moment and not worry about what that moment means... it's just a moment that you're sharing with the people who are listening. And that's a beautiful thing. 

T: You guys have also done a Christmas cd (which is so fun, by the way!). What inspired doing something traditional like that?

We both love Christmas and the feeling you get when you hear a Christmas song. So, it was a lot of fun to record those songs and think that we can give people that feeling when they listen.

T: You guys tour like crazy and this is your fifth album in a very short period of time! How do you stay energized and inspired?

Coffee. And lots of it. :) And again, we need to say that our fans keep us going.  There's nothing like their love and support. They give us the strength and energy to keep going-- even on the dark days.

T: Your latest album, "Coming Into Frame," was produced by some pretty big hitters who have worked with bands like Radiohead and The Pixies - What have you learned from this experience?

So much! Paul and Sean taught us to not overthink things in the studio. we did very few takes of each of the songs, recorded many songs without a click track, and really kept things raw and real (no autotune, etc).  Other folks we've worked with in the past had "rules" to follow that were very limiting to the creative process. Paul and Sean kept things moving but also free so you felt like you could be your best.

T: You put out a lot of sound for having only two members, what do you enjoy about keeping the band so small?

It's easier to create music with just the two of us because we really are on the same page most of the time, musically.  It's also fun to see the initial reaction folks have to us.  They don't expect our sound to be so big. 

T: What challenges have you faced as a band so far?

The van's been robbed, we've driven over 5,000 miles, and we've been inspected by border patrol 3 times, and that's just on this particular leg of the tour! 


T: What advice do you have for people working in music?

Make sure you're doing it for the right reason.  If you're doing it for your love of music, you'll be okay. It's a lot of hard work and sometimes there's very little payoff.  But as long as you love it, then it's all worth it.  If you're doing it only for the big payoff, you won't survive for long.

T: Anything else you'd like to mention?

We'd love it if the readers out there followed us on facebook, youtube, twitter, instagram, and joined our mailing list.  You can find links to all this stuff at www.sirsy.com. Thanks!


T: And now for my Five Fundamental Questions:

- What is your favorite cocktail?
Rich: Beer.  Rich, creamy porters to be specific.
Melanie: Lindeman's Framboise

- What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Rich: Never pet a burning dog.
Mealnie: Live life. You'll never remember the nights that you got a good night's sleep.

- What 3 items, other than food and water, would you take to a deserted island?
Rich: A boat, a satellite phone, and a vintage Darth Vader action figure still sealed in the package.
Melanie: Rich (since he'd have a boat and a satellite phone), my drum kit, and all the Beatles records on my ipod.

- What's your biggest Pet Peeve?
Rich: Driving the speed limit.
Melanie: People who watch live bands with their heads buried in their cell phones.

- If you could befriend one fictional character, who would it be?
Rich: Luke Skywalker, because I would go into Tosche Station with him to help him pick up some power converters.
Melanie: Gonzo the Great because he gets me.

Thanks, you guys! Best of Luck!

Be sure to check out the Band's new album on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and more.

20 Questions With All Boy/All Girl!

Hey Guys!
Exciting stuff - I was hanging out with a friend of mine recently, and he put on the EP of the band All Boy/All Girl. In less than two full songs, I was hooked! They're wonderful! 

Here's how they describe themselves:

All Boy/All Girl at seven members is lead by two strong female vocals and supported by an eccentric string section. They draw influence from electronic music, 20th century classical, early jazz, and american pop music.

With their unique and intricate blend of strings, haunting vocals and alluring melodies, I had to learn more about the Brooklyn-Based group!
I contacted their lead vocalist, Danielle Lovier and asked if I could interview her and members of the band and she said yes! 

The questions below were answered by Danielle Lovier (Lead Vocals/Ukulele), Nick Rahn (Double Bass), and Jessie Rogowski (Vocals/Guitar). 

T: How would you describe your style of music?

Nick: This is always a difficult question for us. The arrangements of the songs and instrumentation lean slightly towards chamber music, and vocally there is a theatrical edge. I think the music is kind of flirty and shimmery. 

Danielle: We like to imagine each song as it's own genre that we make up of various fantasized genres. We are always just trying to find the sounds and feels that we like.

T:What artists influence you?

Nick: The palate of influence is always changing for me. I'm really into the beach boys album "pet sounds" Also I love Sam Cooke. I think the recordings he made sound really great. Some more modern stuff I check out includes the dirty projectors, deerhunter, neutral milk hotel. I also love more abstract contemporary classical music.

T: What non-music related things inspires you?

Nick: I'm really into science, also reading poetry or going to see some art can be really inspiring. I think people watching is really creatively stimulating as well.

Jessie: Walking in prospect park

T: What would you say your live performances are like?

Danielle: I think dynamic is a good word for it. We have some really mellow sections, and also some really intense sections. I'd say our shows are also engaging. 

Nick: Danielle and Jessie do a great job of engaging the audience, and if two pretty girls singing to you isn't enough we've got 5 other instrumentalists to pay attention to.

T: What is your favorite thing about performing live? How about recording?

Nick: Live performance is all about energy. With recording I really love experimenting with sounds. And listening deeply at the nuances of the instruments

Jessie: The adrenaline and rush of performing a new song. The audience's reaction. Looking around at the band and seeing each member deep in their element.

T: What has been your biggest challenge as a band?

Nick: Aside from getting 7 people in a room together in NYC to rehearse haha, the hardest part is just navigating the over saturated New York music scene. The booking process can be painful at times. 

Danielle: Also just standing out from the sea of thousands of other bands here that are all trying to do the same thing.

T: What advice do you have for people working in music?

Nick: I wish I had some, we are still trying to figure it out ourselves

Jessie: The more you work together as a team, the better and more confident you will feel as a band .

T: Anything else you'd like to mention?

Look out for our debut full length album to release some time this summer!

T: And now for my Five Fundamental Questions:

- What's your favorite cocktail?

Danielle: Grapefruit mimosas and practically anything with gin.

- What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Danielle: "It's not who you know, it's who you blow" - my mother

- What 3 items other than food & water would you take to a deserted island?

Danielle: a really comfy mattress, a knife, a flint

- What's Your biggest pet peeve?

Danielle: Bad grammar

- If you could befriend one fictional character who would it be?

Danielle: Totoro

Thanks for the interview guys! 

You ALL should check out their music and more on their website: Allboyallgirl.net AND find them on Facebook HERE!! You can also listen to their stuff for free HERE on sound cloud!

AND!!! Watch their brand new fun music video for their song "Water"!!!