Sonja O’Hara – Pee Sitting Down

By starrymag | April 27, 2022

By: Paige Zinaman

 

 

Q) What are some of the recent projects you have coming up?

A) I actually just directed and acted in a new feature film called Mid-Century, which will be coming to theaters this summer and will star Stephen Lang of Don’t Breathe fame, Academy Award nominee Bruce Dern (Nebraska) and Shane West of “ER.” It’s an amazing cast and I can’t wait to share the film with the world. Additionally, my Emmy nominated series “Doomsday,” which I created and stared in, just dropped on streamers this month!

Q) I want to congratulate you on the premiere of Pee Sitting Down. Tell us a little bit about what this premise of the movie is and a about your character Ruby. 

 

A) The film is an interesting case study of the weird dynamics of two millennials who have very different agendas of what constitutes a successful first date! [laughs] My character Ruby starts out so open and playful and then she goes through this bizarre mind f#ck with this dude and comes out of the whole experience hardened and savvier. I loved the layers I got to explore. It’s a game of cat and mouse and actor catnip.

 

Q) What was it about Pee Sitting Down that drew you in? When reading the script, when did you have that “I’ve got to do this” moment?

 

A) When I first read Misha Calvert’s script I was amused, appalled and touched at the same time and absolutely knew I had to be a part of it. She has this darkly funny brilliance and paints such a perverse and intriguing world and I’m so glad the world is taking notice.

 

Q) Pee Sitting Down is basically a comedic power struggle between your character and Sebastian Quinn’s character Julian, what was it like to work with Sebastian? Was it hard keeping a straight face during takes?

 

A) Sebastian and I met while in the audition process and he’s gone on to become one of my absolute closest friends. When he came in to do that first chemistry read with me, I was really taken aback. He’s obviously ridiculously good looking (which takes a moment to process in person), but besides that, he’s actually insanely funny. He brought this genuine spark to Julian and was such a joy to work with. Since then, we also co-starred in the film Vial, which premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and if I had my way he’d be my co-star in just about everything.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable or personal favorite scenes to have worked on for the film?

 

A) Oh man, probably the cringey toe scene where Sebastian had to caress my feet. That was incredibly memorable. I looked confident on camera but in real life I LOATHE having my feet touched as I’m the most ticklish person in the whole world. I was dying!

 

Q) Pee Sitting Down premiered on Revry, the world’s first LGBTQ+ network, which is something that is amazing. What was it like for you to be a part of a film that brought in LGBTQ+ aspects? 

 

A) As a queer, young woman it means so much to me. All of my work is extremely inclusive and often delves into the bi-sexual experience. I love making provocative content that explores gender and sexuality in a fresh way. It’s one of the things I’m most passionate about as an artist!

 

Q) The film is basically showing the challenges of what dating in a post-Covid world is like, what have you found to be the most challenging of coming back to making and creating films post-Covid?

 

A) It’s certainly been a challenge on set wearing multiple hats [O’Hara routinely works as both a director and actress] and having to go from being masked behind the camera in one scene, to being in a make-up chair mask-free and having everyone around you in face shields. You certainly get used to it though and you’re just grateful for the opportunity to create and do what you love in a safe environment.

 

Q) What is the message you hope viewers can take away from Pee Sitting Down?

 

A) I hope people will be shocked, entertained and ultimately forced to question their own biases around kink shaming. Curiosity and acceptance really.

 

Q) Social Media plays a huge part in film and television nowadays, being a part of social media yourself, do you like having that instant feedback from your fans about the film? 

 

A) Oh, I LOVE it! Please hit me up with all your wildest takes on the film. I’ve gotten some really amusing reactions on this one as it’s certainly divisive and topical.

 

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

 

A) I’d really just like to thank everyone for continuing to choose to watch my outside the box content. I tell dark, provocative and cerebral stories and want to provoke conversation and question the world. I’ve been so fortunate to be able to do what I love for a living, and it wouldn’t be possible without the viewers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!