Camille Mana – Brand New Start

Q) What are the current projects that you are working on?

A) I am a series regular on UPN’s sitcom “One on One” and we are entering our first season.

Q) Tell us a bit about your character, Lisa, and what is different with the latest season of “One on One.”

A) It’s almost a spin-off of the original show. They took the previous characters of the last four years and upgraded them to the leads and brought in new friends. I’m one of the new friends. There used to be a father/daughter storyline and now Flex is going to be more of a reoccurring character. He’ll be in town visiting Breanna once and a while, but it’s all about her learning to adjust to life on her own, all the struggles that go along with it and all the fun that comes with the freedom. As far as my character goes, Breanna and Arnaz move into our apartment and there are four of us already living in this Venice Beach house. There are only two bedrooms and we will all share the rooms, the boys in one room and the girls in another. D-Mack (which is Brandy’s brother Ray J), Breanna and I go to college together and I am sort of the rich spoiled under achiever. I am from an affluent Asian-American family, but I am not exactly a stereotypical girl because I am not getting good grades. I am a smart girl, but not smart in the way that my parents would like me to be. My character is kind and adventurous, but she is also sort of insecure. She’s a cute girl, but doesn’t realize it. She’s awkward and insecure and I think there is a lot of fun in playing someone who is quirky in a way. I think she is a nice contrast to Breanna and the other female character played by Nicole Paggi who is a really hot blonde girl and knows it. We all kind of get into trouble together and I think I am the only one being the butt of the jokes.

Q) Were you a fan of the show before appearing on it?

A) I was definitely a fan of the show. When you are an actor, you are pretty aware of everything. I had seen it a lot, but not every week. I am really, truly, proud to be apart of the show. It’s well written, has a new energy to it and I think all of us really have a nice chemistry. I think the network changed things up so they could follow Breanna, not just because they think there are a lot of places to go with that, but also I think this is a completely new show. People who have never seen it before and have come to tapings and seen the episodes are already saying that they like the new premise and cast, as well.

Q) For those who are not tuning in, why should they watch the show?

A) I think it’s been on for four years so it is successful, but I think the show is going to have a new demographic because the kids are now out of high school and entering college. There is really going to be a new age group that will be interested in watching it. Also, it used to be an all African American cast and now there is a lot of ethnic diversity that helps make the show different from any other sitcom on the air right now. It’s sort of like a late teens, early twenties, vibe that will appeal to a lot of people.

Q) What is it like working with such a talented cast?

A) It’s truly a blessing, getting to come to work every day. Everybody is not only talented and has been working for so long, but they are so gracious. It’s kind of intimidating coming in to the group in the beginning and I didn’t know what to expect since the show has been on for four years. They are such a tight knit family, the cast and crew, but since the four of us were all new at the same time I think everyone was extremely welcoming. Several people, especially, made an effort to be warm and gracious and make us a part of the family immediately. It’s so awesome to have a group like that because you never know since not everyone in entertainment is so gracious, but I think that more than any people I’ve encountered that these people are good people. They are really talented and it’s amazing. Kel Mitchell is so funny and so is everyone. There is Kel Mitchell, Kyla Pratt and Robert Ri’chard and all these old pros that have been working since they were children and it’s so nice to get to share the stage with them. Really, it’s an honor.

Q) Do you have a most memorable moment from filming “One on One?”

A) When we do our live tapings, everybody is pretty rambunctious. We have had Alfonso Ribeiro (who played Carlton on the “Fresh Prince”) direct three of our six episodes so far. It’s always fun when he is there because when Michael Jackson songs come on and certain songs come on, he and Kel Mitchell will battle in front of the audience to see who does the best Michael Jackson dance. It’s just crazy to see them dancing and so lively! It’s awesome that this is my job and I get to go to work like that. I think those are some of my favorite moments, when Alfonso and Kel are battling in front of the audience. Also, in another recent episode, I was put in seven-inch platform stilettos and I have some awkward moments to get around in. We go out to a club and I basically fall down all over the place. That was a lot of fun, and dangerous (smile), but mostly fun.

Q) What made you want to be an actress?

A) In eighth grade, I remember watching “My So Called Life.” It’s such a random thing to think back to now, but I remember watching that show and the story telling that was happening by four teenagers. It made me really affected by the cast, Claire Danes and what was going on in the show. I wanted to be able to affect young people in the way that I was affected. I think that there is something magical about young people telling stories to young people and I wanted to be a part of that storytelling.

Q) How did it feel being hand picked to star in “Naked TV” by Cannes and Oscar-winning director Adam Davidson?

A) That was really exciting because that was an experimental project being done by Fox’s television department, as well as Naked Angels Theatre Company, which is a pretty high up there prestigious New York theatre company. It’s awesome! I was actually in a storyline that was very similar to “One on One,” where it was a mother and rich daughter and I was also one of the friends. Actually, it was a blonde girl and me that time, too! That was a great project and it was awesome to get to work with someone who had done so much and the caliber of people in that group was amazing. Whenever you are working as an actor, you always feel very blessed that you get to be a part of storytelling and art. You are working and people who know what they are doing and have accomplished a lot and also recognize that in you.

Q) What has been your favorite project that you have worked on?

A) I definitely think “One on One” because I am really excited about it. We just started our first six episodes, we just finished the Halloween episode, and there is so much more to look forward to. I really think that the show, in its new form, has a lot of potential and life span. I think the network is really routing for it and I am really excited for what is to come. I am proud of what was been done so far, but I think the show gets better every week. I really look forward as a cast and with the cast and as we progress into the rest of the season and hopefully many more!

Q) You have performed standup at the world-famous Improv. What was it like standing on stage and performing?

A) I think that has to have been the scariest thing that I have ever experienced! I have never been skydiving, but this was scary! The reason I made myself start doing the standup thing, is because it disturbed me more than anything. I think if you challenge yourself to the point where you are no longer comfortable and you can overcome that and become successful at that, or at least conquer a fear, it will leave you in a better place than anything. I think by doing standup at the Improv that nothing else seems as difficult as it previously did. It’s like you feel naked. Whether you are in a play or on TV or something, you’ve got your cast mates, you’ve got producers, the director, the audience, you’ve got everyone helping you out and working as a team. In standup, there’s a microphone and a spotlight and then it’s go! They know that you wrote the material and wrote it about yourself and if you flub something it is just you. There is no one to save you, and it’s just you. It’s like working without a net and I think that it is quite frightening. I am really glad that I experienced it. I don’t know how much more I want to do of it, but for now it’s on the back burner. Hopefully, one day soon, I’ll get the courage to write again and to get up there and do standup again.

Q) What do you do in your spare time?

A) I really love music. I grew up in Orange County in LA and I have been to see a lot of bands over the years. Most of my friends are musicians or at least love singing because that’s how I know them. I love going to concerts, going to record stores and being a record store geek. I love watching movies, but mostly it’s music. I like to stay up to date on films and music, but music is my first love.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) I would like to say thank you for giving my cast and me this opportunity to tell the story, make you smile and hopefully make you cry. I hope that you will keep watching the show because there is a lot in store and it’s going to get better and better. It’s definitely a new thing we’ve got going on so I hope you will stay tuned!