Nikki SooHoo – The Browsing Effect

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film The Browsing Effect.

A) I guess it was just kind of a story of honest online dating. The reality of online dating and the relationship between best friends and their significant others. A group of friends and what their life is like with online dating.

Q) Was there anything you added to the character of Rachel that wasn’t in her breakdown?

A) I think I bring myself to every character in general. But I loved the character that was written because I connected personally to a lot of her. But she also was this alter ego of a person that I kind of wanted to get to experience being, but hadn’t experienced that in my own personal life.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the movie?

A) That’s the first time I got to meet them all, but I’m still friends with a lot of them.

Q) Was there much time for the cast to bond then before filming began?

A) Not too much. We had a couple of rehearsals, but we really didn’t get a chance too much to bond prior. But we did connect very well very easily. I think they did a great job casting.

Q) What advice or insight did the director Michael K. Feinstein give during filming that you took to heart?

A) Well, the funny thing is that I was very surprised he booked me for the role because I felt like when I auditioned, I was a hot mess. I came in and they called me right in before I even had shoes on. I was like, “Oh my goodness! I’m a mess!” My shirt was half tucked in and half tucked out. I actually said to him, “I was really surprised I got cast. Why did you cast me? I was a mess!” He was like, “That’s exactly the character!” I was like, “I guess I just embodied exactly who the character is naturally.” [laughs]

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming with all these intense themes?

A) Honestly, I really thrived in the fact that I got to play something that I wanted to be. When I was shooting the film I was in a committed relationship that I had been in for a long time. Getting to play Rachel was fun. I was like, “This is awesome!” I’m getting to live out – not the perfect scenario, but it was fun. I enjoyed getting to experience what it would be like to almost not be in a relationship again.

Q) What did you personally take away or learn about online dating based on being a part of film?

A) Actually, at the time I shot the movie I had never experienced online dating personally at all. Now, I’m very much versed in the world of it and it’s funny to reference back and be like, “Oh yeah! That’s exactly how it happened. [laughs] I guess I should be aware and be cautious of that because it could also happen, too.” I guess I took away (for my character in particular) a sense of emptiness. You can be doing a lot and meeting all these people, but it’s still not very real or very connected. It is not what you might be hoping for and it’s a lot more challenging to find what you may be looking for than you think, even though all these options are presented to you.

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

A) I have so many and they’re so different! That was actually a threesome scene that got cut from the movie. Not that we actually ever did anything. They did things very artistically. But it was such an interesting experience trying to navigate these three people. Another fun one that I liked was that opening scene where you meet all the main characters at their house. I liked that really long shot and getting to be with the cast and trying to hit the mark on the right timing. It felt kind of like a dance because everything had to work out perfectly with the camera and when people are saying their lines and where it moves. And I liked being in the park! That was really fun. We were sunbathing and working on those funny little workout machines.

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

A) I would hope that they would see that even their own experience is normalized or not have a façade view of what online dating was because it is kind of a mysterious thing if you’ve never experienced it yourself. I think a lot of people experience things and they are so completely shocked that it’s happening to them. They wonder, “Is it just me? Is there something wrong with me?” Really, it’s happening to so many people online. These are common occurrences. I would hope they wouldn’t take it personally what is happening to them and realize maybe is just how it goes.

Q) Is there anything else you want to tell our readers about the film?

A) I did make out with all of those guys and the best one was David Hull. [laugh]

The Browsing Effect Is On Digital and On Demand April 9th