Kai Bradbury – Motherland: Fort Salem

By starrymag | April 15, 2020

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) I am so entranced by how “Motherland: Fort Salem” balances the juxtaposition of light and darkness so well.

 

A) Something that a lot of people don’t think about is coloring, which is a post-production element where it’s peoples’ jobs to color what has been shot to help evoke mood and story. That’s something that stands out to me so brilliantly, just the way things are warm or cool, and that’s a huge part of storytelling for our show.  As well as the writing with such diverse stories going on, you are constantly flipping between different kinds of mood and I think that’s very engaging.

 

Q) We are four episodes in, as of last week. Next, we turn to the Bellweather wedding!  

 

A) Yes! The wedding episode! Wow! That’s a great one. It’s great to have that episode sit at midseason.  MJ Bassett, the director, was a perfect fit for the episode.

 

Q) I guess that means we will be seeing more of Gerit. H may pop up or sticking around some.

 

A) Without any spoilers, I will say that Tally (Jessica Sutton) and Gerit’s connection is very strong. So, where there is a will, there is a way.

 

Q) I love all of the overt euphemisms and allusions and sexual innuendos. There is the Salem’s version of sexting with the scroll. Then, there is the sword that Gerit gives Tally where he says you’ll think of me when you use it.  Gerit is charming but he does it with some not so innocent and intentional flair. What kind of breakdown were you originally given for him?

 

A) The original breakdown for Gerit I believe said sort of everything your TV boyfriend might need – handsome, caring, charming.  I really tried to just honor the kind of ideal foil for Tally’s character.  I think it’s so beautiful that she gets kind of the perfect match and The Reel is a huge player in that.  It is supposed to match you with your ideal partner.  I love that Freeform and the writers are able to push boundaries while staying in the rating realm that we are given.  I think it’s so great that people are responding positively to the kind of teases or kind of adult moments which also helps to broaden our audience and create stories that we haven’t seen yet.

 

Q) There is this amazing palpable tension and connection between Tally and Gerit. What draws them in so well as a pairing?

 

A) The Reel is a deeply important tradition for the witches and there is something otherworldly about its powers.  But I definitely think that the connection that Gerit and Tally make on their own plays a huge part in them ending up together.  As you can see, there are elements trying to separate them, which they practically run to each other at the end to make sure they are together.

 

Q) Yeah, we actually see Gerit shoving people aside and trying to weave his way just to get to Tally.

 

A) A big thing for me was recalling first love and emulating it. Despite it being set in a different timeline and us being witches, just putting a realistic humanity and young love to that and how that is all consuming.  Love can be blinding.

 

Q) They have certainly, to me, felt like such a magnet towards one another whether in The Reel, and even before when the boys arrive and then in the museum.  Talk about getting to work off of Jessica and creating this dynamic you were able to develop with each other.

 

A) Jess and I hit it off right away with our chemistry read during the casting process.  We are very similar I think in the way that we have a big love of life and art.  We made sure that we spent lots of time together leading up to shooting all of those scenes.  We were giving real friendship and real chemistry.  It was a blast getting to hang out with her.  She’s from South Africa, so on our very limited time off of set I was able to tour around Vancouver with her a little bit and we got lunch and talked about what Tally and Gerit might be experiencing.  She is so hardworking and it’s been a joy sharing the screen with her.

 

Q) Hopefully, we will get to see Gerit and Tally’s connection continue to burn even further in the near future.

 

A) Yes, I can promise more CravenWood.

 

Q) How has it been on the social media side with live tweeting and what kind of feedback have you received?

 

A) It’s been awesome when we live tweet the East Coast episodes and having just an overwhelming response of love and support for our show.  It’s been great.  It’s my first-time live tweeting a series and it’s an event.  I got my water, my computer is open and my hands are cramping by the end. It flies by, but it’s so great to chat with the cast.  After the episode I always call someone from the cast to check in and we go through tweets and try and give as much love as we can back because people really seem to be enjoying it.

 

Q) The Beltane scene was simply phenomenal and such a pure delight to watch.  What was it like to film such an extensive scene?

 

A) It was a huge undertaking choreographed fantastically by Paul Becker.  We got one day of rehearsal and then the network decided to head in a different direction, so we had a second rehearsal for new choreography.  It took a whole day to shoot the dance and we had three cameras flying around on cranes and rigs, and a huge ensemble of forty plus dancers.  I was very lucky that I had a dance background and Jess does as well, so we were kind of able to manage pretty well.  Despite our dance background, it was still very difficult, but just the most fun seeing everyone dressed up and so colorfully working together to make that happen.

 

Q) Were there any outtakes or bloopers from filming? Hopefully no injuries!

 

A) The craziest thing was we were shooting in the dead of summer and, although Vancouver is known for its rain, we were getting nothing but sun, which was fantastic. But we were dancing with bare feet on scorching floors.  As the sun was setting it got colder. We got put through quite the rigorous elements.  Nothing drastic happened other than that. [laughs]

 

Q) So much of the series is very visual and really adds a brilliant balance to the bounty the series presents to fans. It really is such a wonderful added element that allows viewers to engulf themselves even further into this world.

 

A) I am a huge fan of the artistry of cinematography.  Everyone’s jobs are equally important in this collaboration.  One of my favorite parts when we are blocking and shooting a scene is there are several rounds of quick rehearsal and collaboration where we discuss where the scene will be, how it’s being shot and how many cameras there are.  So, everyone is involved in the storytelling.  It was great to have directors very open to what we as the players were kind of keen on having happen.  Overall, Vancouver is a beautiful place which is why we shoot so many things here. It’s awesome seeing every person’s take on kind of shooting the same location that often get used over and over again.

 

Q) Is there anyone you have hadn’t many scenes with that you hope to work with more on the show in the future?

 

A) I have worked with nearly everyone. I probably see Demetria [McKinney], Lyne [Renee] and Amalia [Holm] the least.  So, that’s Anacostia, General Alder and Scylla. Of course, we were all on set all of the time together, but I would have loved to spend more time with them as well.  Who knows what the future holds!

 

Q) I do love all of the details that show puts into the series. You look one way and end missing a line or something in the background which holds a lot of significance.  

 

A) Oh absolutely, there is tons of that. Tons of Easter eggs.  There is such care in all of the props and design detail.  One I would point out from the last episode would be is that Jessica is wearing the ring Gerit gives Tally by bird during the whole party.  Stuff like that.  The attention to detail is amazing.

 

Q) The costumes are so intricate and stunning just as much as well.

 

A) I have wardrobe that I am very excited about coming up this season.  I did love wearing everything that we did.  The red suit was super fun to wear at the party.  Originally, they were quite keen on having me in blue. I tried on about six different blue suits and there was one alternate burgundy suit.  Burgundy is kind of my favorite color, so leaving the fitting I was yelling about wanting to have the red suit.  When I got to set the next day, it was hanging in my trailer and I was like, “Yes!”  I guess they liked it, too. [laughs]

 

Q) I also enjoy how they marry so much old with the new concepts well (older customs and newer colors and customs), which keeps the series so fresh.

 

A) Wiccan culture hasn’t really been represented in this way.  Not to name names, but a few other witch shows that are fantastic in their own right can often demonize Wiccan culture.  We don’t have any Satanic worship in our show, especially Beltane. It’s a real Wiccan festival also known as May Day.  It’s Pagan, it’s Celtic, it’s a huge part of many people’s lives and it’s a celebration of love, fertility and rebirth.  It’s lovely that you notice the color and the fruit and the foliage.  It’s all there to honor and celebrate.