An Interview With Brittany Curran From “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” and “Legally Blondes”
CP: In all the films and TV show you have acted in so far, what has been your favorite experience and why?
BC: “Legally Blondes” would have to be my favorite. The entire filming experience was a perfect combination of a great crew, great cast, and getting to play an awesome character. Every morning Savage Steve Holland, our director, would hand me rewrites in the script for the scenes my character would be filming that day; then I would go in my trailer and laugh hysterically reading the new lines. Knowing that later that day I’d be acting those fun scenes out on film was the coolest feeling. Not to mention, he appreciated my take on the character, Tiffany, so much he kept adding lines and scenes for me.
CP: You have been acting for many years, and covered a variety of shows from “Power Rangers” to “Legally Blondes.” How do you feel you have grown through all these experiences?
BC: As an actress I have the unique opportunity of learning and growing through many different pairs of eyes; my own foremost, and also those of every character I portray in a film or show. It’s quite enlightening to view life from another person’s point of view, and I experience that every time I go to work. It’s the greatest job! For instance, on “The Suite Life” my character Chelsea isn’t very bright, to say the least, and she’s also very rich. I’ve always viewed her as being a very sweet person. But, the other day a fan asked me if it was fun playing London’s mean best friend. I was so surprised! I’d never think of Chelsea as mean because when I’m portraying her I completely immerse myself in her and feel totally justified in all her actions. When she does say something slightly offensive she’s not trying to be insulting. She’s just stating what she believes is a fact; and because she’s so dull, she doesn’t realize that what she’s saying is kind of demeaning. Just from that experience alone, it really alerts my consciousness to so much about human nature: innocence, ignorance, how quickly we make judgements about other people, our intrinsic justification of our actions, and how tainted our view of the world can sometimes be based on the way we’re raised. The fact that every person on this planet thinks differently is what makes our world so interesting and once people accept that fact there will be so much more tolerance and understanding.
CP: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
BC: Five years from now I’ll be turning twenty four. Wow! That’s so hard to believe! Any-hoo. . . Career wise, I hope to be working on films that have great stories and enlightening messages, and I hope to have the means – or power – to play the characters that I love. Have won my first Oscar. Have worked on a film that my dad and I wrote together called, “High Heels.” Have published a book of poetry. Still be as incredibly close with my family as I am now. Spend a lot of time with positive and interesting friends. Be surrounded by love in all capacities. Be taking excellent care of my body. Have traveled to at least three countries in Europe. Be happy and healthy. Have completed my film degree at UCLA and begin work on a Master Degree. And star in a film with my hero Meryl Streep. . . Am I asking too much?
CP: What advice would you have for aspiring actors?
BC: To all aspiring actors, first be sure that you absolutely love acting and be aware that many people will try to hinder that love and attempt to discourage you; but do not let them. Don’t let anyone else’s insecurities and jealousies discourage you. It’s a long and difficult road to becoming a highly successful actor and it is worth every second. Also, be prepared for the possibility of a little disease called fame to get into your head and try to change you. Don’t let it! Never forget who you are; come up with a mechanism to always check yourself and a system to deflate your head if it ever becomes overly inflated. Let fame humble you, not turn you into the opinions and judgements everyone else thinks of you. Honestly, fame can be awesome; but only in the hands of the right people. Be the right person. I remember interviewing Henry Winkler(Fonzie), and he told me it’s important for actors not to get “that worm” in their brain. He was talking about people taking their fame to seriously.
CP: In your opinion, what is one of the most difficult obstacles to have had to overcome in your career, and how did you overcome it?
BC: The most difficult obstacle I’ve had to overcome in my career is not taking everything so personally. Acting is the most personal and at the same time the most impersonal job in the world. I go to work every day, a camera goes on, and I pour my heart out in front of it. I have to be very open and sensitive to have the ability to do that. But, when the camera turns off, I have to look at my job as a business and can’t let every thing said about me to be taken to personally, good or bad! Especially in the internet age; most people are positive, but sometimes people post mean things about actors that don’t make any sense. For example, I recently went to a charity event to help raise awareness for the treatment of children’s cancer. Pictures were posted on a popular Internet site. One poster, instead of seeing the meaning in the event just criticized my hair style and the way I looked. That’s sad, but I realize being in the public eye it will happen, and I can’t take it seriously. I’ve also learned that when I get so close to booking a film or a show and then don’t get it, it’s really nothing personal. There are so many factors that go into a casting decision and talent isn’t always the prime factor. That’s one important obstacle that I’m proud to say I’ve mostly overcome.
CP: What is one of the favorite aspects of your job?
BC: My absolute favorite thing about my job is when I get the script of a project I’m working on for the first time. The feeling when I first read my lines and then my character just clicks and totally resonates in me is the coolest feeling! Then to create the character and come up with unique ways to play her is incredibly fun. Finally, to be on the set with the director and other actors and, at last, have all my work and creativity come to fruition is very rewarding and very fun. I have to be honest! My other favorite thing is the early morning omelette when I’m shooting a film. I will actually get to a set two hours early just to order my favorite cheddar cheese, sausage & tomato omelette. The cooks are great!
CP: Please give me an anecdote from filming “Legally Blondes” of something that inspired/changed you in your way of thinking.
BC: I really think that the project as a whole improved my acting. Filming “Legally Blondes” really gave me the freedom to play with and have fun with my character. A lot of that freedom came from the director Savage Steve Holland who totally trusted me with my character, Tiffany, and let me run with my ideas. Savage and I would always be thinking of ways to make Tiffany funnier. The scene when I’m wearing the neck brace in the hallway was especially fun. When I first read that scene I had no idea how to play it, especially because my character does finger quotes in the air, which I think can come across as annoying. So, I juggled ideas around in my head a came up with the idea of doing overly exaggerated air quotes whenever I said the word “study.” According to the script I’m only supposed to do the air quotes once, but I decided it would be more comical to repeat them. When time came to do the scene, it made the producers and executives laugh hysterically! I even screwed up a good six or seven takes by cracking myself up. Then my sidekick “Ashley” did air quotes at the same time which made it even funnier! I was just so relaxed filming the movie, took chances, and trusted myself. That enabled me to come up with some pretty creative ideas!
