Want to check out our sexay interview in French lesbian magazine La Dixième Muse? We scanned it! 'Cause we're cool like that!
Download La Dixième Muse interview pg 2 (1283.4K)
Don't speak French? That's okay. Here it is for the Anglos:
1) How did you have the idea of creating the amazing lesbian web series Seeking Simone ?
Rose - Well, Renée and I had been talking about working on "a project" together for a long time and last year we decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it. When we set out to create the show, we knew three things: we wanted it to be a lesbian show (because we're lesbians and there are never enough lesbian shows); we wanted it to be funny; we didn't want to wait around for someone to give us permission to make the show. Which meant we ended up funding it ourselves and distributing it via Al Gore's greatest invention - the internet.
In terms of the actual premise of the show - I'm a big believer in writing what you know. So naturally, we decided that the character of Simone should be an actor, like Renée. And then we decided Simone should try online dating, which I did a few years ago - like the character of Audrey, I met my wife online, so I'm always pushing my single friends to try it. Which I'm sure they really appreciate. The idea kind of took off from there and Seeking Simone was born.
In the end, Renée and I wanted to create a show that we would want to watch - something funny, entertaining and a little sexy. We've had an amazing time working on the show and we're thrilled with how it's turning out!
2) When directing Seeking Simone, did you notice some significant differences between a TV series and a web series (shooting, casting, freedom of speech, financing, etc.)? -
Renée - In a lot of ways there aren’t any major differences between shooting a web series versus shooting a TV series. We had to first write the show, then cast it, get a crew organized and scout locations, create scene breakdowns and shooting schedules and deal with all the everyday situations that arise on a set.
However, in other ways, shooting a web series is incredibly different and infinitely more challenging- it’s like trying to phone China using two tin cans and some string! Rosemary and I believed very strongly in our idea and ultimately didn’t want to wait around for someone to give us permission to create our show. So, one of the most fundamental differences is that we funded the show entirely on our own. In some ways this was a nerve-wracking experience - in other ways it was pretty amazing to see all the talented folks you have in your life agree to help you out for the glory and not the money!
We will forever be indebted to all the fabulous people who helped us make our dream a reality. We have said it before and I’m gonna say it again, the most valuable lesson we learned is that you always need to ask for help. Don’t just sit around making excuses for why something won’t work out- you will be surprised by how many folks are willing to lend a hand if you just ask them.
One of the great things about self-funding and creating the work yourself is that you don’t have to answer to anyone else. So, if we thought something was funny it stayed in the script. We didn’t have to get our ideas or scripts approved by legions of people or worry about censors. Which creatively really frees you up to do the show you want to do as opposed to the show you have to do.
3) What are your artistic influences? -
Rose - I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, especially when lesbians are involved. So writers like Sarah Waters and Emma Donaghue have definitely had a big influence on me. As for comedy - well, I grew up on a steady diet of Danny Kaye, Steve Martin and Ellen DeGeneres, back when she had a mullet. Naturally, I love the current, mullet-free Ellen and, of course, the lovely Tina Fey. I'm also an unabashed fan of the Joss Whedon oeuvre - often the perfect blend of comedy, drama, action and occasional lesbians. Call me, Joss! Anytime!
Renée- I have always greatly admired funny women and growing up I adored Carol Burnett- I remember watching reruns of her show and absolutely loved when they would crack up. It’s a style of TV that we will never really see again which is a shame because it was truly brilliant. I’m also in awe of Lily Tomlin and her amazing ability to transform into different characters right before your eyes. The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe is one of my all-time favorite pieces. If you can find it kicking around on DVD somewhere I recommend watching it because it’s pretty amazing. I don’t want to seem like I’m too unoriginal to come up with my own answer, but I’d also have to list Tina Fey and Joss Whedon as part of my Top Ten big influences.
4) How did you two meet each other (Rosemary and Renée)?-
Renée - I wish I could say that we met under dramatic circumstances like being cellmates in jail (wrongfully convicted of course!) or really tawdry circumstances like Rosemary having rescued me from my ill-conceived life as stripper, but the truth is that Rosemary and I met at University. Although the meeting may not have been under the most exciting of circumstances, it is however, one of the most important meetings of my life. Not to get really sappy, but Rosemary has been one of my dearest friends for many, many years and together, we have created one of the most artistically satisfying experiences of my life. Wow, who knew I was such a softy! So, in keeping with that sentiment, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Rosemary for being both a stellar friend and awesome partner-in-crime!
5) Among the scenes you've already shot (or played), which one do you prefer?-
Rose - Of course I love them all, but yes, I have a few particular favourites. Maybe it's because I'm a music fan, but Episode 3: Hammertoes contains some of my favourite scenes. Renée trying to keep it together while Gina (played brilliantly by Liz Pounsett) belts out the lyrics to the worst song ever makes me laugh every time. And the scene at the end, where Gina breaks up with Simone also kills me. If you watch really closely, you can see it's also killing Renée, who had a very tough time making it through that scene without laughing in Liz's face.
Renée - ARG! This is an almost impossible question to answer since I have had the great pleasure to play opposite some really fantastic actors. I do, however, have a special place in my heart for the scene in Episode 4 where I have the phone conversation with my agent. It was so much fun to shoot because Rose and I decided to just have a lot of fun with it and see what would happen. Clearly I was having too much fun and could barely keep it together… which I’ve just realized seems to be a theme with me!
6) About the shooting of Seeking Simone, do you have anecdotes for the Dixième Muse's readers?
Rose - For Episode 4, we originally intended to have snapshots of Simone meeting her date, Caramel Kiss, outside a club before going back to her place and having the sex. We took Renee and Kiran outside one night in the gayest neighbourhood in Toronto, Church Street, and tried to get some shots of their meeting. We figured that on Church Street people would be cool about two girls almost kissing on the sidewalk. But some drunk straight men wandered by as we were shooting and decided they wanted to make some artistic suggestions about the shots - mainly that there should be more kissing and the girls should be "more naked". Luckily for the men, they moved on before Renée had a chance to kick their asses! She has some pretty keen moves. And some pretty big boots.
It was all pretty funny in the end - but it also underscored the fact that when most straight men see girls kissing girls, they assume it's for their entertainment. Guys...trust me...this is not about you.
7) Do you know what is the audience (nowadays) of Seeking Simone (average number of spectators and sharing out in the world)?
Rose - We recently hit over 100,000 views of the show's trailer, so that was a pretty neat milestone! We have more and more viewers discovering the show every month thanks to all the amazing folks who've been helping us spread the word on their websites and blogs, on Facebook and on Twitter; last month we had nearly 7000 visits to the website from all over the world.
Thanks to the efforts of our fans and our awesome volunteer team of translators, we've been lucky to be able to share the show with a global audience. The show's first five episodes been translated into Spanish, German, French, Portuguese and most recently Polish - which we think is incredibly cool. And very educational as well!
8) How do you see the future of Seeking Simone ?
Renée - Internet fame followed by world domination! (Insert evil laugh here!) In truth, we are hoping to continue growing the audience of Seeking Simone. In the New Year we are going to go back into production and shoot 5 more episodes. Until then our plan is to continue releasing fun little segments like Ask Audrey so that fans of the show will continue to have new content to enjoy until the new episodes are ready. We really love that we have found such a loyal and ever-growing fan base on the internet but we certainly wouldn’t turn down a meeting with someone like… oh, I don’t know…off the top of my head… Joss Whedon! Seriously Joss… We love you. Call US.
9) Do you have another projects?
Rose - I am working on a couple of lesbian-themed plays (I'm primarily a theatre nerd, so most of my previous experience is writing for theatre) but I'd say my focus right now is definitely on Seeking Simone. Although in February all of my projects will be on hold while I volunteer at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. I can't wait to welcome the world with my bilingual skills. "Bienvenue à Vancouver! Les toilettes sont là-bas!"
Renée - Well, as an actor, you go where the wind takes you, which usually means a lot of auditioning and then a lot of crying… Haha! Ummm did I say that out loud?!? Aside from the projects that I audition for and work on here in Canada (none of which will likely air in France), my focus and my main passion is Seeking Simone. And although Rosemary doesn’t know this yet, in February I plan on being the annoying woman who keeps walking up to her and asking “Excusez-moi où sont les toilettes?”
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