Interview by Carol Wright | Photos Courtesy of Project Four PR
We got to chat with actress Leanne Noelle Smith about The Influencers and how she stepped into the shoes of Deandra Styles.
What initially got you interested in acting?
I feel like I’ve always been a performer, and it all started in dance. I started at the age of 5 and continued professionally until 24. I had always been interested in how movies were made, music videos, and how the entertainment industry was run. Coming from Saskatoon there was more theatre than film or television. I discovered acting when I was in high school and loved it from then on. It took a while for me to professionally transition into it, but once I moved to Toronto and experienced a film set for the first time I was hooked.
Tell us a bit about your latest project The Influencers. Were you excited to be a part of a project that simultaneously pokes fun and shows a deeper look into influencer culture?
When Mike Heslin asked me to play Deandra Styles I was over the moon. One, because I always wanted to work with him, and two because I couldn’t stop laughing when I read the script. If I read a script and can’t put it down, that’s usually a good sign that I love it. Even though The Influencers pokes fun at that culture I think the comedy of it is done tastefully and just goes to show that when it comes to social media we shouldn’t be taking ourselves so seriously. Yes, it’s an amazing tool, but don’t let it run your life.
Tell us about your character Deandra Styles. What did you do to step into her shoes?
Deandra is such a diva when it comes to exteriors. Her character description literally says, “The physically flawless and manicured host of our competition who is stylish and warm when the cameras are rolling.” To create that presence I pulled a lot from watching Rupaul’s Drag Race. The amount of confidence and sass those Queens have. Gave me inspiration for Deandra when the cameras were rolling. I found that wardrobe helped so much to finding her and shaping how she moved. I love dressing up, so when Toronto Fashion Academy hooked us up with some over-the-top outfits to match Deandra’s personality on camera I was living my best life.
Do you have to stretch different acting muscles when it comes to doing voiceover work versus acting on a set?
Yes, yes, and 1000 times, yes. Voiceover I find is a completely different area of art. Even though they complement each other, voiceover requires a lot of focus on your diaphragm, articulation, pronunciation, and breathwork. You don’t have a camera or visual to showcase a character, it is solely your sound. These are all just as important when on-set but you have a little more to play with because you’re using props, costume, movement, etc to show your character.
How have you been keeping yourself motivated to create during the pandemic?
Initially, back in March 2020, I found it difficult to create. My space wasn’t set up for a work-from-home lifestyle so it took some adjusting. Once the initial shock passed I found myself exploring past loves I hadn’t had time for like reading, music, editing, running outside, and meditation. They helped me stay calm and motivated to pull my focus to developing content to pitch.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors?
Take every opportunity to learn, grow, and create. It doesn’t matter how big the role or project is, even if you’re just in class, everything is an opportunity and learning experience. If you shift your mindset to see the industry that way then the amount of no’s or passes you get won’t phase you as much. If the industry is getting you down, create your own content. No one will tell your story better than you.