Annie Briggs Discusses New Projects at LoveCon’

At LoveCon’, Annie Briggs had a few minutes to talk to me. I was able to ask her some of my questions and some fan questions. As a result, we laughed about toilet paper, she learned about a Carmilla petition, and I heard about her new projects. Below is a part of the interview. You can find the rest in my video, which is embedded under this image.

LoveCon’

Me: “How is LoveCon’ so far and how does it differ from ClexaCon London?”

Annie Briggs: “It has been great. There have been some repeat faces, which is great, to see people again and obviously meeting new people is wonderful too.

I’m not fluent in French. The language thing is the biggest difference, but it hasn’t been problematic at all because there have been translators and we sort of make it through on either side.”

CarmillaCon

Me: “CarmillaCon is coming.”

Annie Briggs: “Yes, it’s coming. We’re all so excited. I can’t believe there’s a con that is exclusively for Carmilla. It’s going to be great.”

Me: “And it has been created by fans.”

Annie: “Yeah, it’s amazing!”

Me: “Does it feel extra special that it’s in Toronto?”

Annie: “Oh yeah, I think it makes so much sense. It is sort of the home base. Well, it’s interesting, because they say it’s the home base of Carmilla. It is where the creators and cast are based.

But I don’t know, Carmilla and especially the fandom is so global to me. It feels like a global family in a sense.

But I think it’s going to be really great to have that happening in Toronto. I think it speaks to the power of when fans get together and decide that this is what they want to have and make it happen.”

Luvvie – a short film by Annie Briggs

Me: “A while back I saw Luvvie, and I thought it was brilliant. I was wondering while watching, how much of it is true for an actor, not the working kind.”

Annie: “Man, it’s so funny. That was definitely my life at that time. Careers develop in different ways for different people. There’s no sort of formula for how an actor navigates their own career and work experience.

I will say that it’s a pretty universal experience for young actors. You spend the bulk of your time auditioning as opposed to working.

Audiences only see the actors that make it on to the stage or on to the screen. To get there, they have been up to hundreds of other actors who have had to put in the work to go through the auditions multiple times and don’t end up booking it.

There’s this funny thing where I think most people don’t realize that the bulk of actors, the jobs that we do is this completely behind the scenes thing.”

Me: “I thought the toilet paper was a nice touch. I could have used that tip when I was a student.”

Annie: “I am almost ashamed to admit that that definitely comes from personal experience.”

Clairevoyant

Me: “On your panel, you said something about Clairevoyant season 2 and not getting some funding. Is there any way we can help?”

Annie: “Honestly, if you’ve seen the show and you like it, share it with as many people. Still, on our season 1, getting as many views and shares and traction on it as possible only helps us show people that there’s an audience for this and that people want more. If you communicate that, it does help us to generate the finances to get the second season going.

What Natasha was referring to was yes, there was one funding body that we applied for but didn’t end up receiving. But that’s ok because we are applying to other ones and that’s sort of how this kind of stuff works in Canada. It’s through public funding; we do have great systems for that. It does mean that you have to go through the process of applying against so many other people. It’s a bit of a Hunger Games situation.”

Annie Briggs answered fan questions

We were running out of time, but I did manage to stretch the interview a minute or two and sneak in two fan questions. Make sure to watch the video to hear those questions and answers as well as some other questions that I’ve asked. Also, watch her new short film Ruth.

PS Have you read and watched my LoveCon’ interview with Kaitlyn Alexander?

Kaitlyn Alexander Discusses Their New Projects at LoveCon’

At LoveCon, Kaitlyn Alexander was kind enough to talk to me for about ten minutes. What a ray of sunshine they are! We talked about LoveCon’, CarmillaCon, Slo Pitch series, and Show and Tell. Below, you will find a part of the interview. If you want to watch the full interview, please watch the video on my YouTube channel.

LoveCon’ is Kaitlyn Alexander’s first con

Me: “You haven’t been at a con yet. You’ve been dying to come to one and we’ve been dying to see you at a con. So, how’s LoveCon’ so far?”

Kaitlyn: “It’s like the best experience, honestly. People keep saying that they came here to meet me and I’m like: “No, I came here to meet you!” This is so incredible. Putting names to all the usernames and the faces is the best feeling in the world. I love this; it’s so incredible. I’m so happy I got to be here.”

CarmillaCon created by fans

Me: “CarmillaCon is coming up. How amazing is that?”

Kaitlyn: “It’s like the coolest thing in the world.”

Me: “Did you ever expect that would happen?”

Kaitlyn: “Honestly, when we did season one, I was like: “That was a great season of the show.” And I never thought we would ever get season 2 or 3 or a 0 or a movie. So, the fact that there is a con now is like out of this world. I have no idea what is happening, but it’s great.”

Me: “And it’s created by fans.”

Kaitlyn: “Yeah! Which is like amazing; that dedication and that love for the show is incredible. I’m so happy to be a part of it.”

Me: “And it’s in Toronto, so that’s a bit easier with the jetlag. Does that make it more special?”

Kaitlyn: “I think it is special because it’s the place where Carmilla was born. It’s the city that we’ve been all over filming and LaF, in my head, lives in Toronto, so it’s nice.”

Music

Me: “On your YouTube channel, you have been uploading music videos for a while now. Now, you have an album out. Can you tell us a bit about that process?”

Kaitlyn: “I have a five-song EP, which is fun. It’s funny; one of those songs is eight years old. It’s Show and Tell; the video starred my girlfriend.

It was actually written for my girlfriend back when we were only friends in university. That entire album is just songs that I wrote about her. She’s embarrassed about it [ laughs].

It took almost two years to make. Erik Solarski is the best producer. He was like “I love your music. Can we make an album?” It was an incredible experience. I hope I get to make more music.”

Spotify and Bandcamp

Me: “How does it feel to have the finished product out?”

Kaitlyn: “Weird. I searched myself on Spotify the other day and I actually popped up. I was like: “Whoa!”

Me: “You said somewhere that it is better to buy your music on Bandcamp than to stream it. Can you explain why?”

Kaitlyn: “Streaming services pay artists a couple of cents every time we play a song. With Bandcamp, the money goes directly to the artist.

Basically, I paid every musician who is part of the album but the money that I make off the album is going to pay them more. I could not afford their full fee but I do want to make sure everybody gets paid.

If people buy the album on Bandcamp, I have more money to give to the artists who helped make the album possible.”

Slo Pitch series

Me: “I saw some videos and images on Instagram that I wanted to talk to you about.”

Kaitlyn: “Slo Pitch?”

Me: “Yes! Could you tell us a bit more about it?”

Kaitlyn: “Yes. Slo Pitch is a new series that is created by Gwenlyn Cumyn, Justine Nelson, Erin Carter, and Karen Knox. It’s a really cool, funny new series. We shot a trailer. It’s like The Office mixed with baseball; it’s great.

I am a character on the Toronto Blue Gays, which is the villain squad. I really hope it gets made because I have always wanted to play a villain and I’ve never gotten to. Watch the trailer!”

Me: “Is there any way we can support it? Will there be a crowdfunding campaign?”

Kaitlyn: “It’s an IPF thing, which is a funding thing in Canada. Watching the trailer and leaving comments can be the key to us getting a season. So, please watch it because I would love to play a villain.”

Watch the trailer to support this new show!

Kaitlyn Alexander answered fan questions

Kaitlyn Alexander and I talked about more things and they answered three fan questions, so make sure to check out the video if you want to watch the full interview. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channels if you haven’t already!

Also, did you know that two days after LoveCon’, a crowdfunding campaign was created to get me to ClexaCon? It was fully funded in a week. I want to show my gratitude here once again. It feels amazing. Thank you so very much! I will be blogging and vlogging in Las Vegas for you in four weeks!

Tag: LoveCon 2018