Jillian Clare – To The Beat!

By starrymag | April 6, 2018

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) A film called Pretty Broken that I produced and starred in is set to premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival! We’ve been working on it for four and a half years and we’re so excited to finally release it to the world! I have a film in pre-production called Roasted that I’m producing and starring in and a pilot in development!

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for your film To The Beat!

 

A) “To The Beat!” is a teen dance film that centers on twins Mackie (Laura Krystine) and Mia (Brisa Lalich) and their rival Avery (Jayden Bartels) as they all compete to be in their favorite pop-stars new music video.

 

Q) Where did the idea to write the film come from?

 

A) It’s quite a long story, but the parents of the girls who play Mackie and Mia came to Susan Bernhardt and I to write a dance film their girls could star in. From there, Susan and I wrote the outline and then Susan took on the job of the actual script! We wanted to create a fun film that integrated dance, social media and some good life lessons and I think we did just that!

 

Q) Twins share a deep bond. What made you decide for them to prefer different forms of dance?

 

A) When Laura Krystine (Mackie) and Brisa Lalich (Mia) signed on to the film, they actually already danced different styles. So, we based their characters a lot on them and their own dance styles. I think it also creates a good story element and helps separate them from each other. As a twin, I imagine you are constantly being paired together and this gives them their own identities.

 

Q) What makes Avery the arch-rival to Mackie and Mia?

 

A) Avery is an entitled tween that thinks she’s the best dancer. She is a phenomenal dancer, but as we learn in the film there’s animosity between the three girls because of situations at their dance studio (which Avery was kicked out of – spoiler).

 

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

 

A) I was very involved with the casting. We actually wrote most of the characters with actors in mind and we had a couple fantastic casting directors to help us fill in who we didn’t have.

 

Q) What did you learn from taking on double duty as writer and director of To The Beat!?

 

A) I co-wrote the story so the lines weren’t something I was necessarily involved with. When we were filming, I’d have some line changes and Susan was always great at letting me play with her words.

 

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

 

A) Honestly, anytime we had all the kids together, the set was like a party. They have such a fun energy!

 

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching To The Beat!?

 

A) I hope kids will learn the importance of supporting your family and that kindness is always the right choice. And I hope parents will have a movie they love to watch with their kids!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you enjoying the fans reaction to the movie?

 

A) It’s been really fun seeing all of the reactions! I love seeing the fan edits pour in! Our fans are so creative!

 

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

 

A) Thank you so much…and there’s more to come!