Leo Award-winning Canadian actress Leah Gibson chatted about starring in the new heist movie “Risqué,” directed by Tony Dean Smith, which was released on August 1st.
How was your experience in “Risqué?”
A lot of fun! The crew was incredible, and our cast leads were a group of five kick-ass women, and it was such an adventure preparing our dances, physically training on the pole, and spending every waking hour together.
I’ve never had an experience like this on set before and it was so much fun.
I convinced the producers to let me have a pole installed in my hotel room so that we could all practice our dance routines together, as we had a limited amount of time to look like pros – and we had non-stop dance parties working on our techniques and tricks together.
It felt like we were in it together the whole way through, and I loved that.
What did I like most about my character?
I like that Jess was level-headed and tried her best to do the right thing, even in some pretty crazy circumstances. She’s a straight-shooter with good morals but takes no shit.
Even when events turn upside-down, she still believes she can do what she feels is the right thing. Which ultimately is what leads to the comedy of the film, I hope.
What did this screenplay teach me about myself?
That in 4 days of physical training, I could develop the muscular capacity to flip myself upside down on the pole! That was our first day of the shoot.
I told Tony that I hoped I could pull that move off but would only be able to do it once, because its so tiring.
So he let me start with a solo set up of just that move. I was so excited that I nailed that move, as soon as we cut I jumped in the air and squealed.
How does it feel to be an actor in the digital age?
I love it, personally. I love being able to self-tape auditions from wherever I am, and I enjoy the process of it as well, being able to work in my own environment.
I also feel it has highlighted the need for actors to connect more intentionally with community, as so much of our work is now offered through a digital medium.
I am always my most creative when I have a healthy connection with other creatives, and the freedom to and time to devote my best efforts to my work.
The digital age has been able to provide actors with more autonomy in our work process and this is something I personally value for myself.
What do my plans for the future include?
I’m an absolute workaholic, I never stop, and I am my best when I am spending my time learning, growing and creating.
I am starting to wind down from a very busy summer working on three different projects, so there has been a lot of work travel for me the last two months.
I’m also currently in school part-time, studying psychology – which I have always had a deep interest in, and is very supplementary to my work as an actor.
I plan to expand a digital platform devoted to spiritual psychology, in line with meditation, psychosomatic therapy and emotional healing, as I hold an advanced level of certification in Kundalini yoga. I plan to develop my own film projects.
What is my advice for young and emerging actors?
Train train train! Find an acting teacher that resonates with you and a community that is supportive, collaborative and healthy, and engage in the world of it all by continuing to grow in your craft.
Follow everything you love in life – study anything and everything, embrace everything that seems interesting to you.
Learn what you love, find more things that you love, learn more about them, master them, teach them, let them lead you to the next.
Develop a commitment to living your life honestly and for telling the truth. Practice this in all your relationships.
Lean into vulnerable conversations, honor yourself and others with sensitivity. Wonderful acting is about having a divine love for all of life. It will all play in your work.
What does success mean to me?
Living an authentic life on my own terms.
What would I like the audience to get out of ‘Risqué’?
A handful of my closest friends have watched the film on their own time and I’ve gotten texts from each of them, all saying – “it was fun!” That’s all I could ask for, and sums it up for me.
To learn more about Leah Gibson, follow her on Instagram.
