Tracey Birdsall just won the prestigious 2014 Maverick Award from the 10th Annual Action On Film International Film Festival. The star of Dawn of the Crescent Moon talks to us while basking in the afterglow of a major indie acting award.
How would you say the independent film world and the large studio film differs?
Independent film is all about creating without the confines of larger studio budgets and massive amounts of people providing input. There’s a wide array of independent film from somewhat missable to over-the-top amazing. Studio films are usually well-thought-out markets with large budgets following a proven formula with top talent. That said, although the studio films are oftentimes better produced and exciting to watch, the independent film can be surprisingly superior in it’s raw story-telling form and undiscovered or well-known talent. Many actors who previously would only do big budget studio pictures have ventured into the indie market for the availability of deep, rich characters to play and lives to live.
All the big actors started out in independent films. Do you think they’re the best way to not only polish your skills but showcase yourself?
I think that we, as actors, need to keep working and keep honing our skills. I think that if time allows in the schedule, we should be simply working. Find good projects, network, and live the lives. A working actor is always more desirable than one who’s waiting to work. Unless you’re Meryl Streep or George Clooney, it’s best to keep up the momentum and work. Work begets work.
What can you tell us about the films of yours that are premiering at the Action on Film Film Festival this year?
“Do You Like Your Balls?” is one of the most hilarious scripts I've ever seen, and thus the finished project is even more so. Seeing as most of the actors are well-known stand up comedians, the hilarity that ensued was immeasurable on set. I like to call it a cross between Hangover, Seinfeld, and a cluster f*ck of hilarity. The timing, the actors (Gerry Bednob from 40-year old Virgin played my controlling older husband) and my part (truly a fave for me) of Francesca - an uncontrollable oversexed and frustrated trophy wife who lost her control in the end (you’ll have to see it to know more!).
“Dawn of the Crescent Moon” is being hailed as an instant horror classic and it follows the mystery involving the Legend of Blood Lake. Barry Corbin plays Cyrus, the only bartender in town, who brilliantly weaves the story opposite my character Tracey and my partner in the film Will (played by Alan Pietruszewski) as the young adults venture out to the lake… the story unfolds both at the lake, and in the bar.
How important are film festivals for independent film? Is that where or how they usually pick up distribution?
If you make an independent film and nobody knows it exists, then what is the point? Most independent films need viewings, critiques, press and “buzz” in order to even get the distributors attention. If a film already has distribution then they quite often can use the festivals as a limited theatrical run that they might otherwise not have had, and a win-win situation with premieres and awards and press for both the filmmakers and the festival director.
How important, do you think, is the internet as a marketing tool for independent films like the ones you’re in?
My opinion is that it’s extremely important - almost undeniably important. It’s not called the world wide web for nothing, and independent films don’t have the same marketing budgets to get out there in front of their audience. Marketing and advertising and working towards production and distribution starts before pre-production so that you can get that buzz going, get your audience excited, get your critics critiquing, and then be realized by mainstream distribution. That said, a truly terrific movie can break all of the above rules… every now and then. It’s the exception rather than the rule.
Unless you’re Angelina Jolie or Susan Sarandon, most actresses have had to have ‘another job’ (something less glamorous) to support their acting career. Can you tell us about some of the work you’ve had to do over the years?
Well, since I started working at 15 in commercials, I always had an income stream; however, it was never enough as I was a single mom by the age of 20. I grew up working for my dad who ran the largest Power Electronics Convention in the world, so I knew about work ethic and how to make money. I sang in clubs on Friday and Saturday nights because I could make the ends meet that way. I loved singing, but looking back at it… I slept so little and worked so hard that I didn't really realize it. I didn't hang out like most young people in their 20’s. I went on auditions, filmed things, juggled who was going to help me with my daughter and prepared meals, sang in clubs, did print work where I could and even did catalog modeling (which is not glamorous) when I just needed to pay bills. I struggled but I persevered. I came up with ideas constantly to make money while staying within my industry. I had so many commercials running at one time that my mother used to say I would wake her up at night if she fell asleep with the TV on! At one time, I had five running consecutively. The funny thing is that commercials were looked down upon by other actors and industry professionals. I remember kind of sliding down in my chair when fellow actors would make fun of actors who did commercials during acting classes. It just never made sense to me why someone would make themselves unavailable in those days by working in a restaurant or a store, when they could be doing commercials, training, and auditioning between jobs. Luckily it finally became cool to do… so my Stamps.com commercials that have been running for several years now are not tainted by that opinion! Finally :)
I want to thank Tracey Birdsall for taking the time out of her day and doing this interview and make sure to give her a Follow and a LIKE.
Official web site: http://www.traceybirdsall.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TraceyBirdsall3
Twitter: @TraceyBirdsall1
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