Brianna Roberts
She played in Jacob Ewing‘s The Man Who Loved Flowers Dollar Baby film as Other Norma.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Brianna Roberts: My name is Brianna Roberts. I like whiskey, cheese, pasta, pizza… oh and chocolate. But dark chocolate, not a huge fan of milk chocolate. Unless it has peanuts. I like cats, not that I’m not a dog person or anything, I just like cats more. I have a cat named Tonks, she’s a character. I accidentally dried her in the dryer once, she wasn’t traumatized too long but she didn’t like it much.
My number one job is I am a mom. I have a son named Ares who is about as big as I am, that’s not really saying much. He’s a smart kid, loves gaming and technology which helps me because I’m technologically challenged. I am also a nurse. That’s pretty cool sometimes. I love to act and work on different projects. It’s more of a hobby right now. Bills need payin if you know what I mean, but I try to make myself available for projects every chance I get.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?
Brianna Roberts: I never really “wanted to become an actress”, it just sort of happened and that was pretty cool. I was in drama for a bit in high school and always had a blast. I randomly was asked by a friend many years ago if I wanted to audition for a project he was working on. I was looking for something fun to do and decided, why not? I didn’t really put much though about it and the process always felt natural and fun. The Tucson film community is fairly small and that project turned into another and so on and so forth.
SKSM: How did you become involved in The man who loved flowers Dollar Baby film?
Brianna Roberts: Very similarly to how I usually become involved in most projects. A friend of a friend. Like I said, the film community here in Tucson is pretty small. Usually either someone has seen a project I was a part of and gives me a ring or messages me on FB hoping I don’t think they’re a total creeper or someone who is setting up a project and looking for actors winds up working with someone I’ve worked with in the past who recommends me. In this situation, I was recommended to Jacob by Avai who I have worked with on a few different project. He’s good peeps. I enjoy working with Avai, and I know if he’s involved in a project at the very least he’s going to make me look good. The kid is great with lighting.
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Brianna Roberts: Probably the fact that it’s a new adaptation of a Stephen King short. Anytime you hear Stephen King you know who that is. I had never read this initial short but I know who Stephen King is. I enjoyed the original short and looked forward to reading Jacob’s modern day telling of it. After reading it, I was excited to be involved in it.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Brianna Roberts: Neither. Like I stated earlier, recommended by a buddy I’ve worked with previously. I’d like to think I am so awesome that Tucsonans know the name Brianna Roberts and go “Yes, I want her” but lesbehonest, you’ve never heard of me have you?
SKSM: You worked with Jacob Ewing on this film, how was that?
Brianna Roberts: Man Jacob Ewing, now that’s a stand up guy. Working in Tucson can be challenging. The projects are few and far between and a lot of people don’t really take care of their actors. I do this for fun, not everyone does. I can’t tell you about how many projects I’ve dedicated time to and nothing comes of it. Now I don’t expect everything to wind up on Netflix or even be shown at the Loft but it’d be nice to at least receive footage or something for my hard work, something I can add to a reel or be able to show Friends and family “I did this”. Hell there’s been some work that I have been very proud of my performance and I never even get to see that.
Not Jacob, like I said this kid is stand up. He’s new to town, getting the feel for the place and the people and the film community The first time I met him he was asking the actors about Tucson, what we like, what we don’t like. I essentially gave him the same rant I just gave you and he listened. He sent us our footage so we had actual tangible work to look at. He thanked us profusely, made sure to add it to our IMDB. Just a classy fellow.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Brianna Roberts: To be honest it was quick. I had a fairly small part in it and Jacob is great with time management and organization. Plus we filmed during a pandemic so the goal was to have as little people there as posible, schedule people during film times so that we could make the best of the time provided and maintain a safe distance while filming. I was actually pretty impressed. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t fun. I always have fun and this group was a great group to work with. I don’t really have very many specifics. Although I do love akward moments. The main character has some pretty intense scenes and it’s always fun watcing those. He’s a few inches from my face having a “realization freak out moment” which is literally written to make him look like a psychopath. Although it’s only a few seconds in the film, those moments last for like 2 solid minutes, which feels like 5. And he gets to do it over and over again. I love being a part of those moments. That probably makes me an akward human being.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Brianna Roberts: I’ve met the other Brianna before, or is it Briana? She worked on another project with Avai. Avai I still maintain contact with. We always wind up working on projects together, probably because he recommends me for a lot of the ones I’ve worked on. Another stand up guy, Avai. And his wife is adorable. I suppose Jacob and I are still in contact as he emailed me this interview to do… and I’m sure we will wind up working on something later on.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Brianna Roberts: That’s a good question. Today I am working on filling out an interview questionnaire thing. Tomorrow I am helping a buddy of mine pick out some color schemes to paint his new house. This weekend I might head up to Bisbee, they have a great brewery up there. Have you been? Easy to find, it’s called Bisbee Brewery Company and it’s in downtown Bisbee. Cute spot.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Brianna Roberts: I’m the tallest female in my family. I mean, unless you count my twin, she’s the same height as me. 5’4. Five foot, four inches, can you believe that is the tallest woman in my family??? Good thing my son doesn’t share those genes. He is already 5’3 and he’s only 12.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Brianna Roberts: We have fans? That’s cool.
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Brianna Roberts: I heard when you cut an onion, if you put moist paper towels next to the onion you are cutting the fumes attract to the moist paper towels and not your tear ducts, keeping your eyes from stinging and watering. I haven’t tried it yet so I can’t really vouch for it but it’s worth a try if you suffer from crying while cutting onions.
Also I didn’t proof read this after typing it out so there may be many gramatical errors.
