Actress Carolyn Bridget Kennedy

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Carolyn Bridget Kennedy is a Canadian actress, writer, producer and director.

Carolyn began her journey in late 2011 when she decided to explore her creative side. With little experience, she conceived of a character and became the writer, director, producer and star of a one-woman webseries, The Bridget Linden Show, which first aired on YouTube in February 2012. As of June 2016, she has created 125 episodes of The Bridget Linden Show, which have over 750,000 views and she has over 1,450 subscribers to her channel.

In 2015, she created a scripted comedy webseries, Danger Pay, for which she is the writer, producer and lead actor playing “Michelle Scott”. Danger Pay is a comedy set in a small law firm. Michelle accepts a job that pays more than usual to work for a bizarre lawyer. She endures his antics so she can afford to pursue her dreams. The pilot episode was nominated as 2016 Best Pilot by WebFest Montreal. In 2016, Carolyn completed filming up to Episode 6 of Danger Pay. These additional episodes will be released in 2016 to YouTube on www.youtube.com/dangerpayseries. Danger Pay was also mentioned by Tubefilter as an “under-the-radar series to watch” in June 2016.

In 2016, Carolyn also wrote, produced and starred in her first short comedy film, Super Speed Dates. The premise of Super Speed Dates is that when a group of women attend a speed dating event, they find that the men’s responses are not normal and they miss out on meeting “super” guys. Carolyn also is credited as a “Director in Training” for this short film.

In 2015, Carolyn also collaborated as a co-creator, co-writer, co-producer and co-star of a sketch comedy webseries, WBFTV Comedy (Women Being Funny TV), and portrayed various characters in the skits. Two episodes have been filmed with more episodes being planned out for shooting in the near future.

Apart from her own creations, in 2015 Carolyn landed the role of the Chief Medical Officer “Dr. Victoria Hunter” in Galaxy Trek – Vulcan: To Boldly Go, a Star Trek inspired television series. Carolyn has appeared at various autograph signing sessions at fan conventions and even has her own trading card as Dr. Hunter.

Carolyn also plays “Lindsay” in the first two episodes of Off Screen (TV Series) and also was the First Assistant Director of the pilot episode. She also plays “Nurse Champagne” in the upcoming Herschell Gordon Lewis horror film Blood Mania.

Carolyn’s creative drive continues to propel her forward with her future projects as an actor, writer, producer and director, including feature films. She continues to pursue roles in other productions to help fulfill her desire to help bring story to life.

We had an opportunity to chat with Carolyn about her upcoming projects. Check the interview below.

You are making your career happen! Writer, director, producer, and star of a one-woman webseries, The Bridget Linden Show, you have raised the bar on what it means to be a driving force in the film industry. Let’s talk The Bridget Linden Show. Tell us how it all started.

I had been working as a paralegal for 20 years when, in late 2011, a friend encouraged me to consider acting because of my personality, sense of humor, and comedic timing. I took my first acting class and it resonated with me. At the class I was told: You have to be realistic and not expect to be “discovered” while sitting on your couch at home. You should consider creating your own character and webseries. Over New Years that year, I traveled alone to Hawaii for vacation. I used my time there to contemplate ideas for what I could do, on my own, with the equipment and knowledge that I had.

I wanted the show to be something that could motivate people to improve their lives in one aspect or another, all while keeping it light and fun. I thought about how I could put a twist into the episodes to convey a message that was helpful or inspirational, while at the same time be interesting. The message was what was important to me.

I wanted the character to be watchable and likeable. I wanted her to be relatable to people and not come across as “preachy”. I also wanted her to be playful, fun, spontaneous, outgoing and adventurous. I wanted the character to do the unexpected and have people wondering what she might be up to next.

The Bridget Linden Show was born – a one woman show about a single 30 something woman exploring new life experiences on her own and giving advice and encouragement to others. “Bridget”, I think, turned out to be a wish list of characteristics that I hoped for myself. In many ways, I was using this creative outlet to influence me in my own life as well.

In the beginning, I shot my videos with my phone. Over time I learned how to shoot them using my Canon camera, a tripod, and a remote. Eventually, I purchase video lighting to help improve the quality. I used my Apple computer and the free video editing software that came with it -“iMovie”. I learned to edit and upload my videos to YouTube on a channel I created. It was an organic evolution over time. I learned by doing. I also built a website and opened social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter to help me engage and interact with the followers I was beginning to attract.

I was initially unsure of what its popularity would be or of what it would become. At the time, I was focused on the work I was doing and was not focused on the result or the numbers. Over time, I began to see that I was impacting people in a positive way as messages began to pour in to “Bridget”, with people letting me know that my videos were not only funny, but inspiring. One person wrote me to say that one of my videos was “the shot in the arm they needed at just the right time”. People have also told me that they are inspired to now write their book or create their own webseries after watching one of my episodes.

The whole experience has been both gratifying and a source of growth for me professionally and personally.

On the heels of the amazing success of The Bridget Linden Show, you created a scripted comedy webseries, Danger Pay. You’re also the writer, producer, and lead actor. Tell us about “Danger Pay.” You play Michelle Scott.

After filming The Bridget Linden Show, I wanted to try my hand at writing something more formally scripted and with multiple characters. I really enjoy comedy. I suppose this applies to most people, but creatively it resonates with me. When I set my mind to writing a scripted piece for the first time, it just came out as comedy. It’s not as though I sat down to try to write something funny.

Danger Pay is an episodic comedy series about a paralegal, Michelle, who accepts a job that pays more than usual to work for a bizarre lawyer, Woodrow (played by Brent McIntosh), a narcissistic man-child. Michelle endures his antics so that she can afford to pursue her dreams.

The show and its characters have been an evolution as it goes along. I have a number of ideas to flesh out Michelle’s backstory and full character. I see her as a professional and serious woman who, in her heart of hearts, wants to be doing something else. Her professional persona and her “I thought I had seen it all” attitude is the comedic foil for her bizarre boss Woodrow’s antics and behaviors. The abbreviated format of a webseries will require a number of more episodes for us to get to know Michelle better.

Danger Pay is on its own YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/dangerpayseries. I also have a channel on Funny Or Die, Will Ferrell’s comedy website, www.funnyordie.com/carolynbridgetkennedy where viewers can also watch the episodes and vote “Funny” in order to support them and keep them on the site.

The pilot episode of Danger Pay was nominated as 2016 Best Pilot at Web Fest Montreal and the series is an Official Selection at both Web Fest New York 2017 and Web Series Festival Global Hollywood 2017. It also has been mentioned as an “under-the-radar series to check out” by TubeFilter, a leading reviewer of online video. Filming of Season 2 has been green-lit to commence in May 2017.

I am also working at developing the series into a half hour television comedy series.

Currently, you’re filming Jindua, where you play character Julie Denton. Can you share any details about the production?

I was cast as Canadian Immigration Officer “Julie Denton” in Jindua, a Bollywood romantic comedy that filmed this summer. Jindua is about two people who are not actually a “real” couple, but who pose as one for immigration purposes. I enjoyed my scenes with superstars Sakhawat Naz, Jimmy Shergill, and Neeru Bajwa. The film was shot in both Canada and in India. It is expected to be released in the Spring of 2017.

You’ve worked in several fields in the industry, writer, director, and producer, to name a few. You have a passion for the creative side of production. Tell us the benefits of working in these fields.

I love acting, but I also love creating. As a female in her early 40s residing in Calgary, Alberta, there are a limited number of roles available for a woman such as myself. Rather than waiting to be cast in someone else’s production, I decided to be proactive and write my own.

Creating my own projects helps me develop and hone my skills. It is a tremendous creative outlet, which I cherish. Coincidentally, creating something also provides me with a platform to showcase my writing as well as my acting.

Writing is a raw creative outlet. There have been times when I have woken up in the middle of the night with a new idea. I keep a notebook beside the bed to write these down.

Once you write something, you are the one who needs to make it as it is unlikely that anyone else will. As a result, you become your own producer. Producing is about problem solving and logistics to gather and coordinate a cast and crew. I like problem solving.

As an actor, I enjoy exploring and discovering the character both inside the text and inside me. As a director, you get to formulate the initial vision but, you get to enjoy how that vision is augmented by the creativity of both cast and crew. Producing is a means to an end, but also very rewarding.

Being a part of each of these roles enhances my abilities in the others. In addition, I have sought out and taken a number of courses relating to the various departments and jobs on set. This also enhances my abilities in all other aspects of filmmaking.

Are there any projects you’re working on that you can share?

Season 2 of Danger Pay starts filming in the beginning of May. You can expect Michelle to be put into more awkward and uncomfortable situations by her boss, just as in Season 1. We might also learn a bit more about Michelle and her back story as well as introduce some new characters.

I have an idea for a completely different series. Knowing me, I expect that it will again be in the comedic genre. It is about a woman and a newly legalized medical herbal product.

I am also working on writing my next short film, which I would like to direct in addition to writing and producing. I am unsure if I will make a cameo in the film. I want to focus on the directing side of things and this may mean me being in front of the camera less, at least the first time around.

It looks like after Danger Pay Season 2 wraps, I will be spending quite a bit of time in front of my computer and writing.

You have such a busy schedule. Is there anything you like to do to relax between projects?

I try to do something active every day, for about an hour, whether that be taking a walk outside, or a trip to the gym to do cardio and some weight training. I find it is a great stress release and allows me time to think and process my ideas. I like to listen to podcasts like Tim Ferriss and The Nerdist as I find it motivating to listen to other creatives discussing their path to success, including sharing their obstacles and their victories.

I love playing board games and card games. Some of my favorites are Canasta, Catan, Pandemic, and Tile Rhummy. I also love playing Texas Hold’em Poker. I also “try” to do the crossword puzzle in the daily newspaper.

I also enjoy travelling when I have time to get away, and either going to go and visit family or going away to a warm tropical destination or to a winter destination for Canadians in the US, like Las Vegas, Texas or California.

If you could choose a story to tell, what would it be?

In addition to developing Danger Pay as a half-hour television comedy, I have several kernels of ideas for feature films and other series as well. I don’t seem to have any shortage of these ideas. So far, they are about strong female lead characters who overcome some obstacle or situation in the comedy genre. I am not against writing solely dramatic pieces, it’s just that comedy is what comes out. I have a few ideas involving non-mainstream “sports”, like in Dodgeball or Balls of Fury.

Part of the “business” of film and television is pitching your ideas. I received good advice long ago that you need to enter the room with more than one idea to pitch. You never know which one will strike someone’s fancy. I am working on developing my ideas so that I have an inventory of possibilities when it comes to pitch time.

What’s next in your career?

I am continuing to study with my acting coach to learn more and improve my skills. I am also continuing with my filmmaking apprenticeship. I plan to continue to make short projects, like webseries and short films, both as a creative outlet and for professional development. I want to take on more and more ambitious projects like feature films. I want to be in front of the camera in other people’s projects, and both in front of and behind the camera in my own.

My production company, Demure Duchess Pictures, has branched out and is now selling clothing and merchandise with its intertwined “DD” logo and that of Danger Pay through the online store Redbubble at www.redbubble.com/people/carolynbkennedy . I hope to develop this brand further.

Any aspiring words for those wishing to develop their own YouTube series?

My advice is to just go for it. If you have a creative calling, it is very important that you follow it and explore it. Focus on your art and the craft, and do not concern yourself with the negative opinions of others. Don’t censor your art or “tone it down” or try to change it to please everyone – you will never do that, and in the end, your work will be boring and bland.

It takes a certain level of bravery to expose yourself by putting something up on YouTube. Few people can completely divorce themselves from worrying about the judgment of others. Just make what you enjoy. Accept legitimate feedback and informed criticism in order to develop your voice. Ignore the trolls and the haters who comment without being constructive. Also, remember that even the stars of the film industry have bombs from time to time. Be fearless.

WEBSITES & SOCIAL MEDIA

Connect with Carolyn Bridget Kennedy:

Website: www.carolynbridgetkennedy.com
IMDb: www.imdb.me/carolynbridgetkennedy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/carolynbridgetkennedy
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carolynbkennedy
Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolynbkennedy
LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/carolynbridgetkennedy
YouTube: www.youtube.com/carolynbkennedy
Funny or Die: www.funnyordie.com/carolynbridgetkennedy
Tumblr: www.carolynbridgetkennedy.tumblr.com
Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/carolynbkennedy