Paula Brancati

How did you get into acting?
I started out doing musical theatre because I loved that it involved all three aspects of the arts that I was interested in- dancing, singing and acting. After one of the performances, the owner of the theatre company (who is now my agent) approached me and asked if I would be interested in doing film and television (I was 10 at the time), and I’ve been in the business ever since!

Best parts/worst parts?
The best part about acting is exploring different characters and emotions every time you work on a different project, or even for an audition. You’re constantly trying new things and drawing from different parts of your life…different people you’ve met…to form new characters. Another part of the business that I love is meeting so many different people. While filming “Dark Oracle”, not only did the cast become really close, but the crew as well.
I guess the “worst” part would have to be the reeeeally early mornings sometimes! But in the end, it’s definitely worth it.

What future projects can we expect you in?
I filmed quite a few episodes of the YTV children’s series “Monster Warriors” this past winter where I play a really bubbly diner waitress, that was a lot of fun. I was also just cast in a reoccurring role on Degrassi: TNG (Season 7) and start filming in a couple of weeks, which I’m looking forward to!

Coolest celeb you’ve met?
Isabella Rossellini was great to work with. I played her daughter in a pilot for Showtime. She was just so gracious and so humble. Taye Diggs was also really cool (I worked with him on the drama “Kevin Hill”). Not only are they both extremely talented, but they both made everyone on set feel really relaxed and comfortable around them, despite their “star” status.

Person you want to work with?
I’d love to work with Al Pacino…I’m a huge fan his! I’d also love to work with Julia Roberts.

Who are your role models and why?
My parents- they are everything I strive to be in terms of giving love unconditionally, staying focused and determined, and being there for people you love. Role models of mine in the entertainment industry and some artists who inspired me from a young age are Elvis and Celine Dion. For different reasons, their music made me passionate about performing on stage, which eventually lead me to acting.

What message do you want to pass to people through acting?
It’s amazing how much of an impact celebrities can have on other people’s lives. People like Oprah and Jon Bon Jovi give their time and generously help out people in need. If I was lucky enough to have that kind of success, I would love to use it to give back to those less fortunate.

Nicest thing a fan has said?
Every fan who has ever said they love “Dark Oracle” and my character on the show is responsible for putting a perma- grin on my face! I’m always so pleasantly surprised to hear that our show was “that show” for some people…the show that they had to get home to watch or to tape. That’s really exciting for me.

Most embarrassing moment with a fan?
I can’t really think of one!

How do you balance your acting career and your regular life?
Hanging out with friends and family on weekends, and speaking to them on the phone regularly. I think I had the longest phone bill ever when I was filming in Hamilton for a few weeks! I love getting updates from my best friends on what’s going on while I’m away from school, and they like hearing about what’s going on with me. You definitely can’t go out as much if you’re working for 3 months on a series, but it’s still very possible to balance work and a social life- you just have to want to make it work. It’s important to have the best of both worlds.

Weird reactions from people about who you are?
I guess the “weirdest reactions” from people happen at school. They’ll be in my class for 4 months and then see me on TV for the first time and be totally freaked out the next day! It’s pretty funny.

Paula on Radio Free Roscoe

Have money and success changed you at all?
Because I’ve been involved with Canadian Television for most of my career, the level of “fame” is much less than it is in the U.S. Becoming an actor hasn’t changed me at all. I just consider myself very lucky to be able to have a career in this industry at a young age, and do something I truly love to do. That doesn’t change who I am as a person.

Ever wish you could disappear for a while?
No way! If I disappeared, I may miss out on a great memory or funny moment that would happen without me! :)

Do you get bothered if you read bad stuff about you in the media?
I haven’t experienced fame to the point where things are written about me in the media- good or bad.

Do you miss your family a lot when you’re away filming?
I have never been away for long periods of time filming, so it hasn’t been too bad- only a few days here and there. I miss them, but you’re also so busy during the day that you’re not actually feeling the void of your daily routine where you see them all day, everyday. BUT if I was away filming for a long time, I think I’d miss them a lot.

What’s your trailer like?
Some essential trailer/dressing room items: gum, a CD player + lots of CD’s, a keyboard (because I take vocal in school, I can practice in between scenes), vanilla body spray (my favourite), and a few pictures with my friends and family.

How does it feel to be a role model of so many people out there?
Wow, being called a role model in any shape or form is very flattering.

What advice would you give upcoming actors?
Don’t give up! It sounds cliché, but it is 100% true. It took me 3 years before I booked my first professional acting job. It’s not always easy, and rejection is a part of the job, but if you truly love and are passionate about what you’re doing, don’t stop- it will happen for you!

What’s the key thing to success (in your opinion)?
Determination and believing in yourself. (People won’t believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself first.)

Best moment?
I can’t really choose! Getting to fly around in a harness and be a “Marionette” for a day was very cool in “Dark Oracle”. I loved doing our semi-formal episode- we were all dressed up and everyone (cast and crew) was giddy and taking pictures and having a great time, like a real school prom. I was also so shocked when I was nominated for a Gemini for the show- It was completely unexpected and getting to go to the award show (going dress shopping, etc) was so surreal and exciting!

Worst moment?
One of the most rewarding feelings as an actor is finishing a long day of filming intense or emotional scenes- as awful as you may feel while filming, at the end of the day, you feel like you’ve really accomplished something special. One particular day of filming Dark Oracle, I had to stay in an “emotional state” for a very long period of time during a scene. My character Cally and the character of Sage were in a fight and my brother (Lance) was in jeopardy of dying. We (the actors) didn’t speak in between takes and were just crying and crying- it was difficult but we were looking forward to seeing the finished product. I’d say the worst moment was finding out that the episode was too long and that although our performances were very good, it did not “flow” with the storyline. We were pretty bummed, but what can you do? That’s show business I guess! It was great acting training, none the less.

Most embarrassing?
For the Disney Channel movie “Jump In!” I had to do Double Dutch training for 3 weeks prior to filming. I was really pumped and excited to learn, and on my first day of rehearsals I was so keen, that I jumped in without waiting for any instructions and tripped and fell flat on my butt. I was laughing pretty hard, but let’s just say my butt wasn’t the same for a few days. I did get much better at it after that though!

Weirdest?
Kissing a frog 12 takes in a row! (Season 1 Dark Oracle finale). So weird and pretty gross!

Crushes?
I’m not sure if this means on set crushes, but there weren’t really any that I know of. We were all like one big family.

Favourite person?
I can’t pick just one!!! There are MANY amazing people I’ve worked with- I’m still really close to Alex House (who played my twin) and Danielle Miller (she and I were close friends for 4 years before filming Dark Oracle.) There are also so many cool people I’ve met from different crews as well.

Similarities in characters?
Playing Cally on Dark Oracle for two seasons, I feel like I put more and more of myself into her every episode, and once the writers get to know you, they mould the characters around you as well. I’m very driven like she is and loyal to people I care about. Second season, you got to see a much quirkier and funny side to her, which is very similar to how I am in real life.

Car- Anything Chrysler! (My mom works for them! ;) ).
Animal- Horses
Colour- Red
Food- Pizza and Olives
Soda- Pepsi
Candy- Anything sour!
Chocolate- Lindor
Ice cream- Chocolate chip cookie dough
TV show- There are so many! I’d have to say Seinfeld and Friends (I looove comedies)
TV channel- TBS, CTV
Website- I like reading the blogs by “The- Mary” on the-n.com (I’m not sure if people know what that is!)
Book- The Harry Potter series
Movie- Again, the list is pretty lengthy. Some favourites are: The Breakfast Club, Life is Beautiful, Mickey Blue Eyes, Grease, The Godfather, and Garden State.
Male actor- Al Pacino
Female actress- Julia Roberts
Band- The Beatles, Coldplay, The Fray, Oasis
Singer- Billy Joel (I’m actually going to see him in concert this month and I am VERY excited!!)
Restaurant- Il Fornello (best pizza ever :) ) and Red Lobster

McDonalds or Burger King- McDonalds
Blue or Green- Blue
Computer or TV- TV
TV or books- books
PC’s or Macs- PC’s…although Macs are growing on me.
Burgers or Fries- Burgers
Coke or Pepsi- Pepsi
Beach or mountain- Beach
Forest or field- Field
Sheep or cows- Cows
Dogs or cats- Dogs
Vintage camera or digital camera- Digital Camera
Sky diving or bungee jumping- I’d love to say neither…but I could see myself bungee jumping before I sky dive
Sky diving or cliff diving- Both sound equally scary…I’ll say cliff diving because I’m assuming it would be a shorter fall.

What do you look for in a guy/girl?
A guy who is honest and can make me laugh.

Are you single?
Yes, I am currently single.

Best date
Going to dinner, hanging out, and talking about random things…laughing the whole night.

Ideal date
One where you feel completely comfortable with the other person.

Worst date
A blind date!

Describe your style
Pretty casual for the most part. Jeans are a fashion staple for me- I love that you can dress them up with a pair of heels, or throw on some Converse and wear them to the mall.

Favourite outfit
For a night out: Jeans, pumps, a blazer, and funky jewellery

Fashion disaster
My own personal fashion disaster can be summed up by looking at my kindergarten school photo: overalls, red scrunchy, crooked bangs, and a shirt with eggplants printed on it. Thanks Mom!

Beauty tips
Drink lots of water!

If you were a super hero, who would you be?
Definitely Batgirl!

Best Holiday Ever
CHRISTMAS :) I love the entire Holiday season…the decorating, the gift shopping, the gift-giving, and spending time with family and friends.

Worst Holiday Ever
Hmm… I don’t think there is a bad holiday, they’re all pretty great!

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
Right now? Back to Italy to visit my family! I just came back from Italy 2 weeks ago and I absolutely loved it! Unfortunately I didn’t get to visit my family because I was touring and performing with my school choir, but I’d really like to go back to see them in Sicily.

If you could do anything, what would you do?
I’d really like to go to a Drive-In Movie Theatre. I’ve never been and it seems really cool.

Hobbies?
I sing and play the piano (I’ve been taking lessons since I was 7). I also enjoy writing and participate in community musical theatre productions whenever I can.

Favourite Sports?
Honestly, I’ve never had a lot of time to participate in school sports, but I like to watch hockey (going to a Leafs game is so exciting!) I also used to swim a lot when I was younger.

Favourite type of music?
I like a little bit of everything! My music tastes change depending on my mood. Right now, my top 3 CDs to listen to are: The Dreamgirls Soundtrack, Justin Timberlake- “Future Sex/Lovesounds”, and The Beatles- “1”.

Are you home schooled?
Nope. I’ve always attended “normal” high school and am tutored when I am filming on set. I’m in grade 12 and graduate in 2 months!

Daily routine?
When filming: I get picked up at around 6am, travel to set where I’ll listen to some Bob Marley or Beatles in the car and talk with my driver (and convince him to sing along with me!) Then I’ll have breakfast while in hair and makeup, get into wardrobe and by 8:30, we’re usually rehearsing our first scene of the day. In between takes I’ll do homework in tutoring or sometimes run lines, and can’t forget the 11am grilled cheese with the cast! A full day on set is usually 12-13 hours; it can get tiring if you’re the lead in a series, but it is SO much fun…we’re constantly laughing and having a good time, and working hard to do the best possible job on each scene.

If you were stuck on a desert island with only three things, what would they be and why?
1) My ipod- My reason for this one is simple: I love music! 2) Bread and olives- My ideal snack ? 3) A cell phone- Assuming I could get reception, keeping in touch with family and friends while on this island would be KEY.

What are your concerns for the world?
I feel that we’re all too concerned about ourselves and there’s a real lack of respect for humanity. We could all do so much within our own communities to volunteer at homeless shelters or food banks, and if we did that, not only would we be making a difference, but we’d also appreciate the good in our lives much more, and stop taking things for granted.

Tell me a secret!
I eat chocolate chip cookies for breakfast!

Favourite quote?
“Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” – James Dean

Best piece of advice?
“Don’t underestimate yourself” and “Always have faith”. These two things have helped me achieve many of the things I am proud of in my life. By just trying new things and not worrying about what others think, I have been able to explore my creativity and discover my passion for the arts. And of course, having faith always makes me feel as if I’m not alone and that it’s ok to give something a shot.