This week marks the official beginning of the new fall television season
and there are no shortage of premieres that I'm looking forward to, including
season two of the web series Broken at Love. I recently chatted with creator
and star of the series, Karolina Sivas, who talked about the show and her plans
for season two.
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| Karolina Sivas, Pamela Bowen (Ava, Vivienne's mother), and Rob Healy Photo courtesy of Karolina Sivas |
What made you decide to create your own
web series?
Honestly, I
don't know when it was, but in late 2008 I started my own production company
and started creating projects. Sometime after that point I knew I wanted to
star in a web series and possibly create it, although I didn't mind just being
cast in someone else's show. As an actor, a web series parallels a television
show. You get to explore playing a character that evolves and grows on a
regular basis and that's what attracted me to the format. I have done a lot of
short films while studying at USC and after one weekend you are done with the
character and I wanted the chance to maintain a role for a longer period of
time.
How did the idea for Broken at Love come about?
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| Behind the Scenes of Broken at Love with Rob Healy and Karolina Sivas Photo courtesy of Karolina Sivas |
How did the idea for Broken at Love come about?
I started
making my own projects in 2008 but it was a bit challenging to juggle school
and create projects. However I continued writing and brainstorming whenever I
had a chance. Back in 2010, while I was still in college, I decided my
next project would be called "Broken At Love" - one of my favorite
tennis phrases (and the worst way to lose your serve in the sport). And that it
would have something to do with professional tennis (a theme consistent with
most of my projects). So I had the title but it wasn't until the early summer
of 2011 that I went back to it and developed a story, created the characters,
and began writing. The show happened after a horrible breakup of sorts. I
needed a way to express myself, my thoughts, my opinions. I used the writing as
something therapeutic, similar to how a songwriter may write a song when their
heart is broken. And the project evolved from there much more than I had
anticipated and I credit that to the wonderful people involved on it with me.
In season 1 Vivienne had at least three
guys vying for her attention, Noah, Tristan, and of course Holden, her
celebrity crush. Will that continue into season 2?
In Season 2
Vivienne makes a lot of love life decisions, and since the story is about
Vivienne and her relationship to Holden, that will still take center stage for
the most part. However, I can say that there is always room for new love
interests. I also have final say on all casting, and casting leading men/love
interests is so much fun! So sometimes a fresh face helps evolve the story. Her
love life is more focused this season, she isn't pulled in a million
directions.
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| Holden Gregory and Vivienne Taylor aka Rob Healy and Karolina Sivas Photo courtesy of Karolina Sivas |
In season 1 the audience was introduced to
Vivienne’s mother and sister. Now actor Ben Reed has been added to the cast as
Vivienne’s father for season 2. What can you tell us about him?
I adore my on
screen father. And I wanted to have one in the show for so long, but I was
worried I may not find the perfect actor for the role. After so many posting
attempts I finally found the perfect person. He has an extensive television
resume. And he plays such a great character too. He's in multiple episodes and
has some of my favorite lines in the show. We introduce many members of Vivie's
family this season - her aunt - her grandma's - I can write an endless amount
of family stuff I've realized as well.
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| Actor Ben Reed will play Vivienne's father in season two Photo courtesy of Karolina Sivas |
Speaking of Vivienne’s family you recently
announced that Y&R alum Sharon Farrell (Florence Webster) and Marcia Rodd
would be joining the cast as Vivienne’s grandmothers. Are there any other
exciting casting announcements you can share with us now?
For Season 2 I
put a great amount of attention on guest stars, mainly because I wanted to
continue to act with amazing talent. We have former and current supermodels, a
couple of professional athletes (including former professional tennis player
Vince Spadea), and of course Hollywood royalty.
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| Vivienne and her grandmothers - from left to right Sharon Farrell, Marcia Rodd, and Karolina Sivas Photo courtesy of Karolina Sivas |
In 2008, you created your own production
company, Brown-Eyed Girl Productions. Do you currently have plans to produce
other shows in addition to Broken at Love?
My main goal
is to produce content I write as acting vehicles for myself. I haven't thought
too far ahead, although I'm always thinking what's next. I know that this is
just the beginning for the production company and I hope as my career evolves I
continue producing and creating content in even larger platforms.
I know you are inspired by your love of
tennis, particularly with this web series. Other than tennis, where do you find
your inspiration?
Inspiration
for this series has come from so many places. The series is one of the most
authentic representations of myself, my interests, my passions. I have a
wonderful best friend in real life named Natalie who's ended up inspiring
Vivienne and Olivia's relationship in Season 2. I'm inspired so much by my
actors and actresses. We film one weekend and I see all the amazing choices
they make and find myself back at the computer writing and rewriting and before
you know it I have new scripts added to the series. I also love older
films from the 40s, 50s, and 60s. I started watching those back in high school
and took courses revolved around those films in college. I love the way they
tell love stories, the way the leading man and leading lady are presented. I
also am inspired to make wholesome content in a web world that has no rules.
Something I wouldn't be embarrassed to show my own dad. And of course, tennis
as you mentioned. I love everything about watching a sport live, especially
tennis.
Netflix’s House of Cards just earned an
Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, a first for an online show. Do
you think online viewing will eventually replace traditional televised
programming?
I hope online
viewing continues to grow. It's such a great opportunity to put yourself out
there and it will definitely expand job opportunities for actors and those on
the production side of things. I'm fascinated with what Netflix is doing with
it's original content. I wish this kind of stuff was around more when I was in
college because I never had time to sit down and watch TV but I was always on
my computer.
Catch the
Season 2 Premiere of Broken at Love on Thursday, September 26th at
10:30/9:30c at http://www.youtube.com/brokenatlove and before the big premiere drop by
YouTube for Broken at Love’s LIVE Google Hangout Show on Tuesday, September 24th
at 10:30/9:30c! Fans can post questions for the cast and crew on their facebook
and twitter pages for a chance to have them answered on the show:
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