Sailey WilliamsEvery season unexpected fresh and familiar faces climb the ranks to celebrity & super stardom. Sometimes it’s easy to predict who will land among the year’s most popular and successful.Other times a person pops up almost out of nowhere. Who will be the newest members of the exclsive club in the year to come? While we don’t know for sure, our Editor in Chief has found 6 talents that we are betting on.
Photography:
MARC CARTWRIGHT . KALIE JOHNSTON . KATE ROMERO . BEN MILLER . RUSSELL BAER . WES KLAIN
You are currently starring as Jenn in the horror/comedy film ZOMBEAVERS. What was the filming experience like?
Yes! As you can imagine, filming Zombeavers was SO much fun and everyday on set was absolutely hilarious. It was my first job I ever booked so it was all definitely very new to me, but I’m so happy that this film was my first. I got to really experience basically everything in one with Zombeavers. It really has a bit of everything in it, not only is it a horror film but it also has some comedy to it as well. A lot of us on the film actually come from a comedy background, so we got to improve a lot on set; my training from Second City definitely came into play! My character Jenn also had the “full” beaver transformation so I also got to experience firsthand what it is like to be in prosthetics!! Also, John Mayor and Bill Burr made a cameo in the film so that was super exciting to get to work with them! The film all together was such a thrilling experience and I’m so blessed to be a part of it.
You have a supporting role in much anticipated TED 2 opposite Mark Wahlberg. Tell us about your character.
I can’t say too much without spoiling, but I got to play the waitress at the diner scene. One of the scenes that I have, I got to work with Mark, Amanda, and Ted all in one, which was super exciting! I kept having to pinch myself! I’ve been the biggest fan of Amanda since Mean girls! Mark and Seth Macfarlane are obviously SO talented but to see them work in person AND get to work with them was just beyond crazy to me! I’m really really excited for it to finally be released and I think it will definitely be the movie of the year!
In addition to your film projects you have a recurring on The CW’s brand new show “The Messengers”. What can you tell us about the series?
The Messengers is my first TV show I’ve been able to work, on so I’m even more excited about it finally airing! The plot of the story starts out with a mysterious object that crashes on earth and a group of unconnected strangers die from an energy pulse that it emits. Those strangers all then re-awaken to find out that they have been deemed responsible for preventing the impending Apocalypse!
What influences your personal style, any favorite designers?
It’s honestly hard to know my personal style because I’m always changing… Literally. On an average day I change about 5 times! From modeling castings, to acting auditions, I’m always changing and playing different roles. So usually I’m living in work out gear because I’m always running around or when I have time off I’m running to the gym! When I do have time to dress up I think my style is very chic with a hint of edginess. I love Rag and Bone, Iro, and Current Elliott. But when it comes to major designers, I think Balmain can do no wrong……. Well besides their prices 😉
What was one of the defining moments that set you on your career path?
I think the defining moment that set me on my path was finally making the move to LA. I’ve always known what I wanted to act ever since I was a little girl but was never really able to take any steps since there is not many acting opportunities from the town I grew up in Illinois. Once I finally turned 18, and my parents let me make the big move, I’ve been working ever since! So moving was definitely the start of my career path!
You return as the star of highly anticipated TV movie “Teen Beach Movie 2” which will premiere in late June. What can fans expect from the sequel?
Well, first off, the dance numbers and songs are way more intense! Dance rehearsals this time around were SO HARD! The character arcs for all of us are also much more drastic than in the first Teen Beach Movie. Without giving away too much, I can say that Tanner alone deals with a huge identity crisis.
You are also starring in the upcoming film Don’t Hang Up. What can you tell us about your character?
Don’t Hang Up is an indie thriller. My character’s name is Brady Mannion. He is a huge extravert who deals with dominance issues most of the time. He’s always trying to prove something to anyone who is around. The movie, in my opinion, starts out as a buddy comedy and turns into a slasher. The comedy/horror of the film and way the characters handle the situations is to me reminiscent of “Scream”.
What influences your fashion choices, any favorite designers?
I’m influenced a lot by Old Hollywood or “The Golden Age”. I try usually to go for that look while always bringing something new to the table. It’s harder for guys to step out of the box with clothes. We have very limited options: T-shirt, suit, leather jacket, sweater… So standing out is important to me, while trying to stay true to my interests.
What can our readers expect from you in the next year?
With Teen Beach 2 later this summer, followed by Don’t Hang Up. I just got cast in the new Nickelodeon show “100 Things to do Before High School”, I’m in talks to partner with a company I have supported for a couple years now too, which is very exciting! Also, there are some other things going on I’m not able to say yet… But I cannot wait to share!
Your latest project My First Christmas is currently in production in NYC. What can you tell us about the film.
We recently wrapped and I am very pleased with how the shoot went, and the footage I have seen thus far. The film is an inspiring story of a girl’s battle with cancer, her wish to live a normal teen life, and finding her first true love before it’s too late. It is a beautiful story, similar to , with great performances from Sean Patrick Flannery, Matthew Rauch, Valerie Cruz, Quinton Aaron and more. The type of cancer that our lead girl has in the film (played by Katya Martin) is called Myelodysplasia Syndrome. MDS is a group of diverse bone marrow disorders in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells. Besides being entertaining, I am glad that we are raising awareness about a rare form of cancer. The film is currently in post-production, and we are shooting for a Christmas 2015 release.
Recently your company, Yale Productions, adapted a screenplay from the highly reviewed play called “Scared of Sarah.” What about that project caught your attention?
I really enjoyed the contemporary story, characters, and message. Like My First Christmas, Scared of Sarah raises awareness about a serious condition, autism. Many people assume everyone with autism is alike, but the spectrum is broad. Scared of Sarah follows Lily as she struggles to become a better sister to Sarah, a high functioning autistic woman, before she becomes a mother. Lily and her husband Sam confront their feelings about parenthood, money and ruined plans in a story about personal growth and the ties that bind siblings. Aya Cash from Fx’s hit show You’re The Worst is starring as Lily, and Annette Haywood Carter (Savannah) is directing. I believe this can be a great festival piece.
For first five years of your career you executive produced a number of films such as “Tooth & Nail” with Michael Madsen, and “Wreckage” with Aaron Paul. What would you attribute your early and consistent success too?
I was very motivated to produce my own material, but at 19 years old, I thought it was a good idea to build my resume prior to trying to raise financing for my own films. I did this by raising funds and/or assisting with distribution deals for projects that already had accomplished filmmakers and actors attached. After five or so years, I transitioned into producing, which is my passion. I still executive produce films from time to time, but my main focus is producing projects through my production company.
What was one of the defining moments that set you on your career path?
Initially, it was my love for film in general that attracted me to the business and my career. I would say a defining moment that set me on my current path was producing a film a few years back titled Petunia. I always knew I wanted to produce, and it was this experience that allowed me to fully embark on the film’s journey from start to finish. Being involved in the not only the business side, but also the creative was a terrific experience, and how I always envisioned my ideal participation would be. The film also turned out great, which starred Brittany Snow, Christine Lahti, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Thora Birch, and Michael Urie. It was released theatrically in NYC, before going to VOD, DVD, and is still currently on Netflix. Since Petunia, I have made sure to only produce films with the same type of involvement.
What else can our readers expect from you in the next year?
Besides the release of , I have two other films slated for a 2015 release. The first is a crime/thriller based on a true story, Dynamite: A Cautionary Tale starring Ian Harding, Evanna Lynch, and Carol Kane. The second is a comedy titled Love on the Run, which stars Frances Fisher, Steve Howey, and Annaleigh Ashford. In regards to new projects, besides Scared of Sarah, I will be producing a basketball biopic with the talented filmmaker, Christine Crokos.