Mike Heslin – The Influencers

By starrymag | January 21, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) We just released my new comedy series The Influencers, which is now streaming on Prime Video! Right before “The Influencers” debuted, I co-produced and starred as Rupert in the new comedy pilot Boy•Friends, which is now streaming on the My Gay Roommate YouTube channel. We had a 1.3 million month opening and are looking to further develop the project! My business partner, Noam Ash, and I have some exciting projects on our production company’s docket (pandemic allowing) at Well-Versed Entertainment! We have been commissioned to work on two feature films, a stage to screen adaptation, and a few pilots. We’ll see what happens with COVID and what is safe, but we’re especially excited about our upcoming features and can’t wait to share more about those soon.

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the new series “The Influencers.”

 

A) What happens when six thirsty social media stars are forced to live together under one roof as they compete for a dream brand deal? Spoiler alert: Nothing good… “The Influencers” follows six social media “stars” as they compete in a series of creative challenges under one roof for an exclusive brand deal with the latest millennial juice craze: Jücytox. As cameras capture each influencer in real life, the manicured versions they present to the world online implode before our eyes.

 

 

Q) Where did the concept for the series come from?

 

A) I was between acting gigs and was freelancing for a social media agency working as a Social Media Director and Creative Director. Casting and contracting influencers was part of my day to day. And, while there are tons of influencers out there who are super intelligent and incredibly business savvy, I happened to work with a few that were gorgeous and sweet, but who were lacking any real skillset. I started to wonder what would happen if these individuals had to prove themselves in a real public forum and how they would fare on an unfiltered platform where you couldn’t perfectly curate your persona. Thus, the inception for “The Influencers” was born! At this time, social media was really at the forefront of American pop culture as well with hit reality shows like “The Circle” and “Love is Blind” on Netflix – Fyre Festival documentaries were all the rage, too. I realized that there weren’t any scripted narratives exploring this subject matter, so I started to imagine what that would look like. I then began to develop the characters and story while pulling inspiration from the format and style of hit reality shows such as “Big Brother” and “The Real Housewives” and combining it with the depth of character you see in mockumentaries such as “The Comeback” and Best in Show.

 

 

Q) You wrote, produced and starred in the series. How much of a hand did you have when it came to casting?

A) In addition to writing, directing and performing in the series, I also cast and produced it. Some of the roles were specifically written for people while others I put out breakdowns and had people audition via self-tapes. It ended up being a crazy process! Two actors ended up having to pull out last minute because they booked huge films, so we were auditioning and watching tapes up until a few days before the first shoot date!

 

 

Q) What are some of the contests that The Influencers face while attempting to win that brand deal?

 

A) Each episode/day of the competition, the influencers are presented with a new creative challenge and the public then votes for their favorite/the winner of the day. They go through everything from brand integration to creating videos and Live challenges. However, many of them find that the hardest obstacle in the competition is each other…

 

 

Q) I feel like the series perfectly mixes social media life with the reality TV show competitions we’ve become addicted to. What are some of your social media or reality show guilty pleasures?

 

A) I preface this by saying that I watch a lot of excellent TV and films, but that being said, I am a reality TV addict and just can’t help myself! I’m a huge Bravo fan and watch all of the housewives franchises as well as “Vanderpump Rules” and “Southern Charm.” I also love “Big Brother,” “Selling Sunset” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” There’s just something captivating about watching people in such a produced, high stakes, pressure-cooker type bubble!

 

 

Q) With the show out now on Prime Video, what kind of fan feedback have you received to the show?

 

A) The support and positive reception for the show has truly been overwhelming! It’s been so cool to engage with the audience and hear which influencers they loved/hated the most, what their favorite episode is and why, etc. We are so excited that “The Influencers” is out in the world and it has already started opening up opportunities and doors. Because of the show, my production company was just commissioned to work on two feature films and a new pilot. We’re very excited and grateful for all of the love and look forward what the next year will bring!

 

 

Q) It’s great seeing you on our screens, but we also loved seeing you on stage. Do you have any plans or hopes of going back to work in theater?

 

A) Yes, definitely. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, Broadway and theater in general is going to remain shut down for quite some time. But once we can safely resume live theater, I would love to do another show. Being in War Horse and Mamma Mia were two of the greatest experiences of my life thus far. And while I’m obsessed with filmmaking, nothing compares to the feeling of live theater, being on stage in front of an audience and that intense but fun eight show week schedule.

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) I am beyond grateful for all of the love and support I have received this year! My business partner, Noam Ash, and I have some exciting projects on our production company’s docket (pandemic allowing) at Well-Versed Entertainment! We have been commissioned to work on two feature films, a stage to screen adaptation and a few pilots. So, stay tuned – this is just the beginning! For the latest updates, you can follow me on social at @mikeheslin or check out my website at www.mikeheslin.com