Actress Kerry Frances chatted about starring in “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” on Netflix, and being a part of the digital age.
What did you like most about your character?
Tammy is no-nonsense. She’s there to get her job done, enjoy her granola bars, and doesn’t care much about the fancy detective visiting her workplace.
I have a sneaking suspicion she doesn’t care much for people based on the job she chose. She knows she’s great at her work and isn’t easily impressed.
She is always observing everyone around her but seems like she doesn’t care. I wouldn’t take Tammy for granted, for sure, she’s sharp.
How does it feel to be an actress in the digital age?
It’s been really interesting to go from working professionally in the theatre world just as social media was taking off, to how it is now.
I’m glad I didn’t have to deal with that when starting my career or that silly moments on my Broadway tour weren’t posted on the internet to live there forever.
Now with the explosion of social media, influencers, content, and my having moved more toward focusing on TV and film, it’s different in many ways.
The pressure to grow an audience and hit certain follower numbers is intense.
Influencers with no acting training are being cast and becoming show creators instead of exceptional talent.
From a producer and business mindset, I understand the logic of a built in audience and am growing mine as fast as possible (follow me on Instagram) but I try to constantly bring myself back to the work, the text, studying, scripts, singing, and the love and calling I have for this work.
The followers will come but if I get too focused on it, I’m out of alignment.
What do your plans for the future include?
I plan to release more music and continue to place songs into TV and film. I’m working on writing a musical, and have my pilots and features in meetings.
My first short, MAMA MAMA, which I wrote, directed, produced, and starred in, is on the film festival circuit where I just won “Best Actor” at our East Coast premiere.
I’ve optioned 10 books from some of my favorite authors over the past two years and am understanding I’m not just a singer and actress but a filmmaker with vision and an important voice.
I’m looking forward to finding my next acting roles, and hope to head to Broadway in addition to more TV and film.
I’d love to make a Christmas movie, movie musical of a Broadway adaptation, do a long term TV series in a major role, and find an animated show to voice an original character on.
I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the same team as this movie. I’m excited to sell my own shows and movies and create opportunities and entertainment for others.
Were there any moments that helped define you?
Right after we filmed the first season of “Poker Face,” my dog died. My dog was my best friend and buddy in life.
While on the set of “Poker Face,” the incredible female showrunners and executive producers took me under their wing and taught me so much, generously offering me advice, insight, and precious free time. They saw something in me and helped something click in my mind.
These two things back to back created the catalyst for me to write my short and start showing people what I was capable of, and ultimately has changed my entire life.
I’m planning a dog-themed short film fest to benefit rescues as a way to honor my dog, Henry Bear, and give back.
Another defining moment was when I got up at the crack of dawn to go to an open call for “Fiddler On The Roof.”
I was so exhausted, I was crying but I knew I had to go. I was the only person that booked that Broadway tour out of over 800 people who went to that open call.
I can trace nearly everything in my career back to that tour, including this movie. I’m so glad I went.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors?
Take the work and craft seriously but don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t listen to many people, practice trusting yourself because you’re the only one with this vision for your life. Get on sets as soon as humanly possible, I’d say this is more important than getting in class or doing local theatre.
Meet every person you possibly can because this industry is all relationships. Be smart and find good people, and be a good person. Do not let anyone take advantage of you in any way, know your worth and value.
What did this screenplay teach you about yourself?
I learned I could do my first “stunt” and how to navigate those rehearsals. I’m lucky to go through the whole writing process with this writer and this script helped me realize how valuable my feedback and friendship are, and vice versa.
It also showed me how solid I am in my faith. Daniel generously offered me more than what was in my primary scene which taught me I can keep up and stay present enough to create and play in the moment.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Success means staying committed to my authentic self, not abandoning myself in favor of what others want, and realizing that’s a superpower not only in this industry but in life.
Success is living out the exact days I used to visualize and still marveling over it.
Success, and my constant goal, is to make really incredible shows, movies, music, and theatre with good people, with my friends.
Success is making time for those I love even while having this career, and going to bed so exhausted from doing what I love.
What would you like to tell our readers about ” Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
I hope they examine their own faith, and ask themselves what they believe in. I hope it encourages them to be truly honest with themselves and their loved ones, that’s one of my favorite themes in all of these movies.
I hope when they see me on their screens in this or any of my projects, they remember anything is possible and they’re watching my dream come true so they should chase down their biggest dreams, too.
