BWW Blog: THE RESIDUALS Creators Answer KickStarter Questions

Last night, BroadwayWorld's newest webseries THE RESIDUALS reached it's ambitious Kickstarter goal. Though they are still taking contributions through the rest of the day, the creative team is now transitioning to Season Two pre-production.

With one fantastic season already on the interwebs, the show's husband and wife creators Michael Paul Smith and Gillian Pensavalle having been documenting their fundraising process throughout the last month here on BroadwayWorld.

For their final blog installment, Mike is answering some questions that they have received through their KickStarter campaign. So, take it away MPS...

In my previous blogs over the course of our Kickstarter campaign for Season 2 of "The Residuals", I encouraged readers to send questions to our Kickstarter page. Here they are, albeit para-phrased, along with my answers.

1) Would you say that you have a directing style?

I think everyone does, whether they know it or not. Mine is most certainly evolving. What I've discovered is that it's important to know what you want, and also to be flexible to other ideas and changing circumstances. It's a lot like hosting a party. You've gotta pick the venue, the theme, the guest list, etc. and then when it gets started, you have to be adaptable enough for everyone to enjoy themselves. It's a little ironic that I happen to hate hosting parties because I don't like the pressure for everyone to have a good time. And yet I love directing. Go figure. Also, your first instinct is always important to identify. It will either serve as the default direction at any given crossroads, or will provide an honest catalyst for the input of any of your trusted collaborators in the room with you.

2) How did you get your guest stars?

Everyone that we cast in both seasons was either a friend, acquaintance, or one or two degrees removed. Actors find it re-assuring when you have something to show them: a script, a previous season--something. After that, you just have to ask! This is easier for some than others. It is not my strong suit. When our partnership with Broadway World became finalized, it became a little easier. People like appearing in things that they know are going to get seen. Actors also like to be treated well, and compensated if possible. We're working on that last bit with this Kickstarter of our's.

3) Can I be in it?

Send us your stuff! We've yet to have to hold any auditions, and we have a short list of actors that we're dying to work with and still haven't been able to. We also have to keep some roles available for Kickstarter rewards. But it's not impossible. Send us your stuff at contact@theresiduals.tv. I can promise you that we'll look at whatever you have.

4) Is there some sort of "Game of Thrones" parallel with your storylines? I noticed a lot of references.

Most of those references are in our characters' wardrobes. We just like to shout-out to some of the things that inspire us. Season 1 included references to "Game of Thrones" (obviously), Louis Armstrong, Mitch Hedberg, Bill Murray, "Batman", "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Price Is Right". And yes---Champ the dog really is trained to give you a smooch when he hears "Dracarys." For those that don't know that word, it's a command from "Game of Thrones" for these dragons to breathe fire. It's pretty awesome, and far too infrequent if you ask me.

5) I'm starting out--do you have any advice?

Probably...but it depends on what exactly you do, and what you want to do. The universal advice that I think applies to anyone in the arts is to always have an iron in the fire: ideally more than one. If there's something that you don't know how to do that's keeping you from having a proactive passion project, you should learn how to do it, or find someone that shares your vision. No excuses. Not if you're serious. Gillian and I are actors. She taught herself how to edit (which to me is just...I just can't even...), and I realized that once I stop editing myself before words are even on a page, I can write. That still left a mountain of things involving producing a show that we didn't know how to do going into Season 1. And yet---here we are! Why? Because we love this stuff. And everything we've had to muscle through has been well worth it.

Michael Paul Smith is the writer/director of the webseries THE RESIDUALS and also plays the role of Pete Hamilton. The episodes, and more information, can be seen on www.theresiduals.tv. Follow the show on Twitter @TheResiduals, and like it on Facebook.