Last year, THE LATEST BUZZ filmed an episode, entitled “The Live From Teen Buzz Issue”, in front of a live studio audience – the first time a multi-camera, teen series has ever done so in Canada! During the taping, it was clear that the cast had rehearsed: most scenes only took two or three takes, usually because of a last-minute script change. This hilarious episode will air some time this year as part of Season 3!
THE CAST SPEAKS!
Before the taping, Vanessa Morgan (Amanda Pierce), Justin Kelly (Noah), Munro Chambers (Wilder), Zoë Belkin (Rebecca) and Demetrius Joyette (Michael) sat down for a quick chat. It was easy to tell that the actors, despite their contrasting on-screen personas, get along well outside the studio. Here’s what they had to say:
How was preparing for today different from preparing for any other episode?
Zoë: We had to do a lot of preparation.
Demetrius: We had to make sure we had everything down and we had to rehearse over and over again.
Noah: We did two days of rehearsing when usually, it would take three days to film a whole episode.
Munro: It’s just faster than a usual episode. It takes a lot of time and a lot of effort, but it’s worth it in the end!
Demetrius: We all really have to be in the right mindset and be really focused.
What was it like working with the director, Brian Roberts (EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, LIZZIE MCGUIRE)?
Noah: We’ve known him ever since the beginning of the show.
Munro: He’s helped us in so many ways. We’re the second people in Canada to do a sitcom and Brian’s doing what he does best – directing sitcoms!
What can we expect from tonight’s show?
Demetrius: Greatness!
Munro: A lot of fun. You’re going to laugh, you’re going to cry…
Noah: We’ve spent the week prepping for it and we’re going to have fun with it! Plus, the adrenaline from everybody being here is really going to bring up our energy
What have been some of your favourite on-set moments?
Demetrius: When I got to do the stunt stuff. I got to go on a trampoline, jump over railings and do combat choreography.
Vanessa: For me, it was when the girl who played Sherrie Overwood and I went to the park. Pedestrians would walk up to the camera and think, “Oh my god, it’s a camera.” They wouldn’t know what to do.
Zoë: It was back in Season One, when Vanessa and I had a chocolate fight. It was re ally fun until we had to get cleaned up.
Noah: One time when I was with the character Rebecca’s father, we had to spend a day in the park. We had a lot of fun….
Munro: I have two. The first was when me we were doing the rap video. The other was when I got knocked out by a casserole. I rehearsed jumping over it a few times, and then it hit me at 40 miles an hour. It was just really fun.
Do you ever get to put your own personal experiences into your character?
Demetrius: Definitely! The writers always incorporate things that we’re interested in….
Munro: We’re given a lot of options and they always ask, “What do you like to do?” I tell the writers about an idea that I have for my character and they sometimes use it for the show.
Who is most like his or her character?
All: Zoë!
Noah: When I think of Rebecca’s personality, Zoë comes to mind.
Munro: And they look the same!
Thanks to the cast of THE LATEST BUZZ!