The Young Actors of Ramona at Midlife
Like Whitney sang, the children are our future…
NOTE: the Ramona team sends all of our love to our friends, family and readers in L.A. Ramona’s producer, Kristen Vaganos, is based there along with actors Robert Beitzel and Zarah Mahler. Yvonne, Brian, Gordon and I all used to live there and have deep ties. We watch the pictures, the newscasts, the reports and we read your text messages with horror and concern. I almost didn’t publish today’s newsletter, but am moving ahead with it. For no good reason except, these young women are really stellar. If you want to help, here is a link to a centralized Go Fund Me dedicated to victims of this week’s fires and, if you are in L.A and displaced by the fires, Airbnb is offering temporary housing.
And now, our regular programming…
By Lexi Arenberg
Ramona at Midlife was blessed with an assistant this fall courtesy of the incredible network at Film Fatales. Meet Lexi Arenberg, a senior at NYU’s Gallatin School. Lexi has been working with me behind the scenes to make this Substack possible. I am so grateful to her for helping get this thing on its feet.
Before she leaves us next month, this week’s Substack features interviews Lexi did with the three young actresses who were part of our movie, Scarlett Sher (Kiki), Ava Hyl (Frances) and Nevaeh Haughton (playground kid).
How long have you been acting?
SCARLETT SHER: I have been acting for 6 years now—my acting career started when I was four years old!
AVA HYL: I started acting when I was 6. I remember watching my sister and always wanting to do what she did, but I was very shy so my mom let me try it, and I haven’t stopped since. That was 6 years ago.
NEVAEH HAUGHTON: My grandpa was an actor, so I always wanted to follow his footsteps. He put me into Abrons Art Center when I was six, and ever since that I loved acting and thought, this is what I want to be.
What is it like being a working kid?
SCARLETT SHER: It's really fun and special being on set. It's great being able to play different characters and getting to meet a range of different artists. It can be tough balancing school with acting and sometimes auditioning on the weekends can be a challenge.
AVA HYL: I love being a working kid actor! Juggling everything and maintaining good grades is a lot sometimes, but I don’t mind because I truly love what I do. I love meeting and working with other actors and being on set. That’s definitely my happy place.
What was it like working on Ramona at Midlife? What's one thing you remember about our set?
SCARLETT SHER: Playing Kiki was so enjoyable because I was given a lot of freedom by Brooke in playing her. I love sassy characters and she definitely had an edge to her. Ramona at Midlife was so memorable because everyone was so chill and enjoyable to work with. I was allowed to make a bunch of origami animals which formed part of the set which was awesome.
AVA HYL: From the moment I stepped on set for Ramona everyone was so welcoming and kind. Brooke was always so appreciative to everyone who was there.
One thing I don’t think I will ever forget about the last day on set of Ramona is the rainbow!! It was a rainy day, which kinda bummed us out since the rain wasn’t part of the plan. But we got through it, and by the time we wrapped the sun had come out and a beautiful rainbow appeared. It was the perfect way to end filming, it was so special.
[I saw the rainbow and cried.—BB]
NEVAEH HAUGHTON: It was amazing working on Ramona at Midlife even though I didn’t talk. I felt a part of something, and everyone was so nice. Also they had breakfast; it was just so welcoming.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
SCARLETT SHER: I hope to be able to continue professionally acting and singing and build a successful career out of it. Most of all—to have fun no matter what!
AVA HYL: My immediate hopes and dreams are to continue acting and hopefully get roles that require me to travel that would be cool. My hopes and dreams for the distant future would be to go to NYU to study writing and directing.
NEVAEH HAUGHTON: My hopes and dreams for the future is to be one of the best actresses in the world. I want people to know my name when they see me, but I also want people to know that [future me] helps people in need and is humble despite all the money she has.
What kinds of roles do you want to play?
SCARLETT SHER: I would love to be a lead in an action film one day. I have been learning Taekwondo and would love to kick butt and do my own stunts. Whether it's the villain or the superhero—count me in!
AVA HYL: I would love to work on an action packed film that would allow me to do my own stunts. I am a huge Percy Jackson fan so any role on that series would be amazing.
NEVAEH HAUGHTON: I love playing roles that are funny main character or like on a family show like Full House. I wouldn’t want anything scary or like, demonic because I am a Christian, and I wouldn’t want to be exposed to anything like that.
Lexi Arenberg had been working on Ramona At Midlife since July and she is so excited for the film’s release in February. Lexi is a writer, actress, and senior at NYU studying Cinema, History, and Film Production. Previously, she has worked for Film Fatales and Straight Shot Studios, as well as independent films.
Ramona At Midlife is now available for pre-orders in the I-Tunes store!
I’m dreaming up some swell events for people who pre-order including a Menopause/Perimenopause Info Zoom with CNM/MSN Anastasia Hallisey (full disclosure, she’s my high school bestie and has always been the girl with the best hair.) Also in the works, an IRL party and maybe screening (!!) here in NYC. So pre-order now and send me screenshots of the receipt for incentives, gifts, etc….
Love,
Brooke