Chloe East – Jessica Darling’s IT List

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I’ve been pretty busy with “Liv and Maddie.” We just wrapped Season Four and we’ve just shot the season finale. It’s going to be a hard time for most people since it is ending and has been going on for .so long.

Q) Please tell us about your film Jessica Darling’s IT List and about your character.

A) It is based on a book by Megan McCafferty and is a coming of age story. It takes place in middle school. I feel like everyone can relate to something in this movie because you have the wannabes, the mean girls and you kind of have it all in this film. It will take you through Jessica’s life and how it gets tossed and turned with this IT List that her sister Bethany (Blair Fowler) gives her. Throughout the film, you’ll see her get down in the dumps and she comes to find her true self. It’s been really awesome to play Jessica because I could relate to her and where she is true to herself. She’s really comfortable with who she is and is very vulnerable throughout the film. I just loved watching the movie to see how strong an impact it is to be true to yourself and what kind of difference it meka.es

Q) Were you familiar with books the movie is based on before taking on the role?

A) I didn’t read the books before the movie, but I’ve always been familiar with it. At my elementary school, we’d have book fairs every year and Jessica Darling’s IT List was always at the book fair. I have never picked it up until I got the movie. Then, I read it and it was really fun.

Q) Did you know any of your costars ahead of meeting on the first day of filming?

A) I actually knew Ashley Liao from seeing each other at different auditions. Kyla-Drew and I were really good friends before. I’ve known her forever from dance and what not. We’re also in the same school program. It was really cool to work with her. When she first told me she was in it, I was like, “Oh my gosh! No Way! We get to finally work together!” So, that was really cool.

Q) What were some of your favorite moments to shoot?

A) In the movie, I really do like the running scene how it turned out. The music is beautiful right there. I love watching that scene every single time because I had to run so much. Watching it come alive, I really loved seeing that scene. When we’re pushing each other out of the way to get to our lunch table, it is pretty epic. It’s one of my favorite parts!

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan feedback you will be receiving to the movie?

A) I am! I am actually! Every time I post on my YouTube channel or my Instagram, a lot of people say they can’t wait and are excited to see it. Now I tis finally out, I’m super excited for them to see it and get their feedback.

Q) What was it like working with director Ali Scher?

A) I love Ali! Ali is so organized and always has a smile on her face. She came up with a tradition on the film that was so cool. It was the camera whips and pans and transitions into work. I honestly think it was so cool how she did it. The camera angles were really good. We always keep in touch and I love Ali. She’s so fun! I don’t even think of her as a director, she’s my best friend.

Q) You have great comedic timing. Is it something that has come naturally to you or have you had to work at it?

A) I don’t think it was natural for me. Since I have gone on a lot of auditions and to acting class, I figured it out. When I first started out, I did theater and didn’t do a lot of comedic work. I did “True Blood,” which is not comedy at all. So, I started going to acting class and they gave me comedy scripts. I had to find the comedic timing and where it was right. I finally got it, especially after working on “Liv and Maddie.” There was so many funny lines and jokes that I can learn so much from Joey [Bragg] and everyone. I could definitely pick up the comedic timing from the show, too. It’s something that takes a little bit of time, but when you got it, you got it.

Q) What do you hope people take away from watching the movie?

A) I hope people realize that the best version of you is you and really find your true authentic self. Eventually, that’s what happens to Jessica. She really finds herself.

Q) What can you tease is to come for Val this season on “Liv and Maddie?”

A) I don’t know what I’m allowed to say, but her storyline is with Parker (Tenzing Norgay Trainor). You’ll see when it comes out in August!

Q) What have you learned from working alongside costars Dove Cameron and Joey Bragg?

A) I have learned just from working with them that this isn’t really a job. It’s really having fun with everyone. No one really treats it as a serious full-on job that is calculated. It’s full on fun, pranks and having fun with everyone – including the crew. Even the lighting, camera people, etc. – we’re all best friends. It’s so much fun! Seeing it all come together with the live audiences is amazing!

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about Jessica Darling’s IT List?

A) The running scene was definitely a challenge because I’m not a runner. I had to run so much, but we were on a golf cart for a lot of time and that was fun. I went through so many bottles of water, too! It was challenging, but I think it really came together amazing on the film.