Your upcoming movie 207 - in a few words, what's it going to be
about?
207
is a film about teens victimized by & escaping
human/sex trafficking. A teen friend group skips school
and is catfished. The teens land into dire
circumstances, keeping secrets from their parents.
Shedding light upon this global issue. LAPD Code
207=KIDNAPPED. Who will LIVE? We start
filming 06.27.20.
207 is based on a concept of yours - so what can you tell us about
that concept and your inspirations behind it?
About
a year ago, I saw a news piece on NBC LA Channel 4 in
Los Angeles, about kids skipping school to go to the Santa
Monica Pier. The teens never made it home; as they were kidnapped
and put in a sex trafficking ring. At that moment, I
looked at my mom and said "Teens need to know
about this, Santa Monica Pier is a hot bed for these
kinds of things. I
need to educate and bring awareness to the perils of
social media, texting and friend group peer
pressure." Santa Monica Pier is locked down right
now, so we have had to modify it to more of a home and
school location. So from your
concept, how did the project fall togehter then?
My
concept came together by speaking with my talented
friend Daniel Rivera [Daniel
Rivera interview - click here]. As a teen, most adults don't always
hear us and our point of view. Daniel
sat with me, heard my ideas, my vision. I needed help
and thought of making a teen version film, that this
would be a way that a teen can educate and inform other
teens and kids. Lessons
to help others for a lifetime. Daniel said "Let's
do this!", gave me a fist bump, and literally in 24
hours he had the base script written. After a couple of
table reads and rehearsals, we had the FINAL script -
and now filming on June 27th! You
also play the lead in
207 - so what do you draw upon to bring your character to life,
and how much Paris Bravo can we find in Olive?
Olive
is a good citizen, a student and person; always wanting
to do the right thing. Olive falls into the peer
pressure of her friends, longing to be cool. I have
definitely felt that way.
I
am a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do (ATA) and a
Black Belt in Extreme Martial Arts under the tutelage of
Mike Chat (Blue Power Ranger - Lightspeed Rescue) and
Caitlin DeChelle (Wonder Woman/Gal Gadot main stunt
double). I
train in many disciplines that help bring out the
"tough side" of Olive. Do talk about 207's director Mico
Saad [Mico Saad interview - click here], and what's your collaboration like?
Mico
Saad the director has been a pleasure to work with. He
is very creative and has an artistry to the way he
works on the films and with the cast and crew. He
consults with me to ensure he is bringing my vision and
message across on the screen. Mico is very kind and
compassionate. Mico has made this project a
collaboration with the script writer Daniel Rivera, actors,
crew, the cinematographer and sound engineer.
Mico allows ideas and feelings to flair during the
moment of
the scene to ensure the scene comes across authentic and
true. Mico knows that the message, and education of the
project is paramount to me. Staying true to the script,
yet
allows us to ad-lib at times - he sees the creativeness
in each one of us and values our skill sets. According to my information, you're presently
in the middle of shooting 207 - so what can you tell us about the
shoot so far?
Casting
is complete, and all pre-productions and rehearsals are
done. We were able to film 2 scenes this past Tuesday,
June 23. 2020. We officially start filming on Saturday,
June 27th at 8am. I
am super excited - there will be some pretty awesome
stunt/action scenes in the film as well. It has been a
true collaboration and we are all thrilled to bring this
movie out as soon as possible. I
have had 207 t-shirts made to help raise money for
Ashton Kutcher's charity Thorn and Operation
Underground Rescue - Human/Sex Trafficking and Child
Exploitation. Any future projects beyond 207?
My
next project is a feature film - we are awaiting the
information of when production can start back up again -
COVID stopped Hollywood at this time. I
have been lucky enough during COVID to still take
classes virtually and have had a lot of auditions
via Zoom or self tapes for TV shows, commercials and
major movies. What
got you into acting in the first place, and did you receive any formal
training on the subject?
When
I was 3 years old, I was watching The Little Mermaid
(Broadway version) on TV and jumped up on the coffee
table and started singing “Part of Your World” and
knew right then I wanted to be an actress, singer,
dancer. Funny enough at age 4 my dad put me in Karate, I
started competing. We moved to LA to train with Mr. Mike
Chat (Blue Power Ranger) of XMA, and he helped me start
the process of acting and submitting to auditions. I
have received coaching and acting lessons to better my
acting craft, just as I train just as hard in martial
arts and stunts. My passion of making people happy
and becoming a character that I can bring to life has
now become a career; I hope for the rest of my life. You entered the filmworld at a
fairly early age - so do you still remember your first time in front of a
camera and your early days in acting?
I
started acting at age 9/10 years of age. My very first
acting experience was a My Little Pony commercial - I fell in love with being on set,
hair and makeup, and learning all aspects of acting and
directing. The
first feature film was The Cursed Man, where I played
the daughter of one of the main characters. It was
exciting and a lot to learn from James Perry, who
had worked with George Lucas, and the movie was filmed
with one of the cameras used by George Lucas on Star Wars. Besides acting,
you also do some stuntwork and are a skilled martial artist - so what can
you tell us about that aspect of your career?
The
reason I train in various disciplines like martial arts,
weapons, parkour, high falls, dancing and gymnastics is
to be able to perform the majority of my own stunts.
This will allow the director to capture me doing as much
of the scene as possible. My stunt work in Vindicta, Resurgence,
Between Worlds,
Disney’s Dream Big and Nickelodeon's
Be You
campaigns is something that I have dreamed of doing. I
never thought training in Tae Kwon Do earning my 2nd Degree
Black Belt and earning my 1st Degree
in Extreme Martial Arts would allow me to work in so
many areas on TV and in movies. In
Vindicta I play a daughter of a crime/mob type dad. My
father gets killed right in front of me because – my
father killed her father. In Resurgence I get to fight
my abductors to get to my parents that are like CIA agents. I was able to use fight choreography, tactical
maneuvers using prop guns and take falls in this movie!
My stunt team Brazen Action Design keeps me busy
training and perfecting my craft. What
can you tell us about your filmwork prior to 207, in
whatever position?
I
have been fortunate to be cast in multiple national
commercials, as well as vignettes for both Nickelodeon
and
Disney commercials. I was in the first Dream Big
Disney campaign as Mulan/Disney
Princess. I played Gabby on Henry Danger, and as
far as movies: I
have played "Young Julie" in Between
Worlds with Nicolas Cage and Franka Potente. I was "Zooey" on
BAD
Therapy with Alicia Silverstone, Rob Corddry, and Haley
Joe Osment.
Between Worlds is a
psychological thriller - where Franka drowns as a
child and in the water comes back to life. She realizes
that she can get choked out almost to the brink of death
and walk with the “almost dead’ and guide them back
to the living. Nicolas Cage played a truck driver that
lost his family in a fire. He meets up with Franka/“Julie” and she shares her powers so that he can see
his family again. There is a major surprise at the
end… his wife burned the house down to seek his
attention off the road, but they died. Nicolas Cage/Joe
got to see the truth of what really happened through
Julie’s powers. When
I played young Julie, I had to go down 16 feet in water
weighted down to “drown” and then show the powers come
inside of me. It was scary down in the water
for long periods of time. BUT it was a crazy stunt scene
that I will never forget!
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BAD
Therapy is a fun movie about a couple
seeking Judy Small, a marriage counselor, but the
counselor is more than what meets the eye. I play
“Zooey”, the best friend of Louise (daughter of Susan
who is Alicia Silverstone) This will be a super fun comedy
for all to love. I had a great time on set and enjoyed
learning from the director. By the way Alicia Silverstone
and Rob Coddry are so down-to-earth, they made me feel so
confident on set. They are funny and normal human beings.
There were no ego’s on set! BAD Therapy came out on all
digital platforms 04.15.20.
Actresses (and indeed actors) who inspire you?
Johnny
Depp and Jim Carrey have influenced me to try every
genre and many different characters. Not to be boxed
into one role. They play very complex characters and I
love it! Angelina Jolie is also a favorite actress that
has influenced me to become an action actress. Angelina
is an award-winning actress that can do her own stunts
and can conquer so many different types of roles because
of her skill sets, Dove Cameron is absolutely talented
being able to play two characters at the same time - and
is an amazing singer. She is incredibly multi-talented.
Your favourite movies? Hairspray,
Ace Ventura, Star Wars, Breakfast Club,
Pretty in Pink. ...
and of course, films you really deplore? Uncut
Gems. Your/your
movie's website, social media, whatever else?
To
follow my fun and exciting adventures on social media:
Instagram:
@parisbravoofficial
Twitter: @BravoParis
SC: bravo.paris
Facebook:
@parisbravoofficial
TT: @paris.bravo
YouTube: Paris Bravo
You
can check out my projects on IMDb:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6611397/
My website:
www.parisbravo.com
You also devote time to charity
and volunteering work. How important is that work to
you?
Charity work is majorly important to me. My parents
have taught me you must give back and give your time,
talent and treasures to the community that supports you.
I
support and raise money, donate time and perform
throughout the year for: Talent
for Epilepsy, American Heart Association, American
Diabetes Association, Thorn and Operation Underground
Rescue, Olive
Crest for Foster Children, Salvation Army, Saffyre
Sanctuary, East Valley Animal Shelter, Flying Hero’s
Club & Operation Gratitude.
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Anything
else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? What
are your friends and parents' thoughts on your career in
acting? - My
parents and family have been super supportive! They help
me study my lines, get me to auditions and training
after working a full day – my extended family are
totally excited for me and are proud of me crushing my
goals. It’s a family effort! My friends that are
actors are very encouraging and supportive. Some friends
that are not in the business can be a bit mean about it.
Bullying definitely happens with being in this business.
You have to turn that part off and keep moving forward.
I am grateful to those who help and guide me to pursue
my goals. Thanks
for the interview!
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