Carly Craig – Sideswiped

By starrymag | August 6, 2018

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I play Tara Summers on ABC’s “American Housewife” and I have my new comedy series, “Sideswiped,” coming out on July 25th on YouTube Premium.

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for your series “Sideswiped.”

 

A) “Sideswiped” is a multi-generational comedy about dating in today’s digital society. It’s a very grounded, real tone that touches on relationships- both romantic and familial. I play Olivia Maple, who’s frustrated with her single life at 35, so she gets on Tinder after being spurred on by her younger sister (played by Chelsea Frei), married and wanting to live vicariously through Olivia, and her widowed mom (played by Rosanna Arquette), who’s killing it on the dating apps.

 

Q) How did you come up with the concept for the show?

 

A) After getting out of a long relationship at thirty-five years old, I was thrown into this new digital world of dating and was shocked by how much it had changed. I thought I had skipped out on the Tinder era. So, I decided to be open-minded and dive in, hence all my crazy stories. Plus, my journal of embarrassing experiences was getting full and I was ready to start writing them into some characters.

 

Q) What have you found challenging about acting while carrying out your creative vision?

 

A) It was a lot to balance. A lot of decisions need to be made while running a set, but I really loved it. It was definitely a challenge, but I was so busy that it made me focus on whatever was in front of me, which allowed me to be really present when I was asking.

 

Q) How involved were you in the casting of the show?

 

A) Very involved. A lot of the guest cast were friends of mine that I had worked with before. And we had great casting directors (Brett Greenstein and Colin Daniels), who helped us get some really amazing people.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

 

A) So many! We really had a blast. Jason Sudeikis and Tom Lennon cracking the whole crew up with their improv, Rick Springfield playing guitar in between takes and using my favorite pop group as a kid “The Party” in one of the episodes. I got to meet a couple of the members (my twelve-year-old self FREAKED out a little on those days)!

 

Q) Talk about choosing YouTube Premium to air the show.

 

A) I loved being able to get in on the ground floor with a company that was just starting to transition to premium programming. They’re doing amazing things and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “Sideswiped” that will make it a fast fan favorite?

 

A) I think people will love how relatable the characters and circumstances are on “Sideswiped.” It opens in a gynecologist’s office with Jason Sudeikis as my doctor, where Olivia is “not ready for her close-up” with an unexpected hot doctor, that will set the tone of the show pretty quickly. It’s full of those awkward, sometimes embarrassing moments that you can’t help but laugh at because you relate to it.

 

Q) You’re a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’ll receive to episodes?

 

A) I am! I’d love to hear what everyone thinks. They can @ me on Twitter @carly_craig, on Instagram @carlyccraig, or on Facebook at Carly Craig!

 

Q) What advice do you have for up and coming writers?

 

A) Keep writing. I‘ve been doing this for so many years and it’s finally starting to pay off. And always be open to notes and advice on your scripts. You don’t have to take it, but you never know what will spark something for you.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you for the support! I can’t wait for you all to see “Sideswiped” on July 25th on YouTube Premium. All eight episodes will be available to binge.