Teen actress Kaylee Bryant recently starred in the indie feature film MARY LOSS OF SOUL, which filmed in Massachusetts and is now in post-production. Kaylee plays 15-year-old Mary Solis who vanishes from her family's lake house and returns without any memory of the traumatic events she experienced -- and without part of her soul. Even while a shocking mystery surrounds her disappearance, and her disembodied soul begins a grim haunting, the Solis family's biggest fear is watching Mary's true sprit wither away. We interviewed Kaylee about her acting career, how she began, and her experience filming MARY LOSS OF SOUL.
Please tell us about yourself:
I’m fifteen years-old, and live in sunny California where I can follow my dream of having a film career. Having been homeschooled since I was twelve, I’ve been able to accelerate through my classes. So, while I should be going into my sophomore year, I’m actually starting my junior year of high school this fall!
When did you start acting? What got you started? What do you enjoy about acting?
I started acting when I was around eight years-old. I started modeling at age seven and was fortunate to do seven seasons of Ralph Lauren until I was around ten years old. I loved being on set and working, but I wanted to do more. That’s when I started to transition into TV and movies. I enjoy everything about acting—it really tests who you are as a person, and uses all your skills. I love being able to take on different characters, and bring whatever I have to a role. It’s a great experience.
I’m fifteen years-old, and live in sunny California where I can follow my dream of having a film career. Having been homeschooled since I was twelve, I’ve been able to accelerate through my classes. So, while I should be going into my sophomore year, I’m actually starting my junior year of high school this fall!
When did you start acting? What got you started? What do you enjoy about acting?
I started acting when I was around eight years-old. I started modeling at age seven and was fortunate to do seven seasons of Ralph Lauren until I was around ten years old. I loved being on set and working, but I wanted to do more. That’s when I started to transition into TV and movies. I enjoy everything about acting—it really tests who you are as a person, and uses all your skills. I love being able to take on different characters, and bring whatever I have to a role. It’s a great experience.
... [acting] really tests who you are as a person, and uses all your skills. I love being able to take on different characters, and bring whatever I have to a role.
Still of Kaylee Bryant (Mary Solis) in Mary Loss of Soul
Tell us about your acting experience:
I’ve had an amazing acting experience so far. I did my first Disney Channel episode when I was twelve years old, and have been lucky to be welcomed so warmly into the Disney family. Disney Channel is such an amazing learning ground. They make it safe to be yourself. It’s also taught me to be comfortable in my own skin, and have a sense of humor about growing up—even when it gets tricky. I’ve also loved playing Mary in MARY LOSS OF SOUL, a character who’s grounded in reality—even though so much happens to her and around her that’s supernatural in nature.
I’ve had an amazing acting experience so far. I did my first Disney Channel episode when I was twelve years old, and have been lucky to be welcomed so warmly into the Disney family. Disney Channel is such an amazing learning ground. They make it safe to be yourself. It’s also taught me to be comfortable in my own skin, and have a sense of humor about growing up—even when it gets tricky. I’ve also loved playing Mary in MARY LOSS OF SOUL, a character who’s grounded in reality—even though so much happens to her and around her that’s supernatural in nature.
Still of Kaylee Bryant (far left) on Disney Channel's "Dog With a Blog" You’ve worked on a couple Disney Channel shows. What was that experience like?
I’ve had the pleasure of working on three Disney Channel shows which includes “Dog With a Blog”, “Kickin’ It”, and “A.N.T. Farm”. With every Disney show I’ve done, it’s brought me a new and different experience. I love that I always get to play fun, different characters—from a mean cheerleader to a dorky girl with a lisp!
I’ve had the pleasure of working on three Disney Channel shows which includes “Dog With a Blog”, “Kickin’ It”, and “A.N.T. Farm”. With every Disney show I’ve done, it’s brought me a new and different experience. I love that I always get to play fun, different characters—from a mean cheerleader to a dorky girl with a lisp!
Tell us about your experience filming MARY LOSS OF SOUL. How did you like staying in MA? Did you get to do some sightseeing? How long did the filming take?
I loved so many different things about Massachusetts. We did a lot of filming on a lake and in the woods. The scenery is very different from California—it was picturesque and green! Sadly though with my crazy shoot schedule, I didn’t get to see much other than our set and my hotel room! I did have the pleasure of walking through Boston for a day and enjoyed being a tourist. We filmed for about 3 weeks. That being said, it doesn’t count all the amazing people who are still working today in post-production.
I loved so many different things about Massachusetts. We did a lot of filming on a lake and in the woods. The scenery is very different from California—it was picturesque and green! Sadly though with my crazy shoot schedule, I didn’t get to see much other than our set and my hotel room! I did have the pleasure of walking through Boston for a day and enjoyed being a tourist. We filmed for about 3 weeks. That being said, it doesn’t count all the amazing people who are still working today in post-production.
I've loved playing Mary in Mary Loss of Soul, a character who's grounded in reality--even though so much happens to her and around her that's supernatural in nature.
Still of Kaylee Brant (Mary Solis) and Jose Zuniga (Victor Solis) in Mary Loss of Soul
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened while you were on set?
I can’t say that there was just a single funniest moment! There are too many to choose from! I’d have to say that the funniest memories I have are all from our late night shoots when all the actors and crew got delirious! There was always that point in the night, when everyone has already worked so hard, and we’re all so tired and punchy, that everything seems hilarious! I think that those times were when we really bonded us as a cast and crew.
What was the hardest scene you’ve ever filmed?
My character is really multidimensional. It wasn’t just the emotional scenes that were challenging, but there were a lot of physical things I had to do. It gets exhausting running through the woods in the dark, taking a quick break and doing it again and again! Before filming, I went running every day to build my stamina. Even with the extra training, I was still completely dead by the end of filming.
I can’t say that there was just a single funniest moment! There are too many to choose from! I’d have to say that the funniest memories I have are all from our late night shoots when all the actors and crew got delirious! There was always that point in the night, when everyone has already worked so hard, and we’re all so tired and punchy, that everything seems hilarious! I think that those times were when we really bonded us as a cast and crew.
What was the hardest scene you’ve ever filmed?
My character is really multidimensional. It wasn’t just the emotional scenes that were challenging, but there were a lot of physical things I had to do. It gets exhausting running through the woods in the dark, taking a quick break and doing it again and again! Before filming, I went running every day to build my stamina. Even with the extra training, I was still completely dead by the end of filming.
My advice would be to not be afraid. Be absolutely fearless and you will go far.
Still of Sam Myserson (A.J. Fisher) and Kaylee Bryant (Mary Solis) in Mary Loss of Soul
What is your dream acting job that you’d like to do one day?
Honestly, I’m living my dreams right now. I’ve always had a love for Indie films—they are the essence of great storytelling mixed with the passion of filmmaking. If I could do films like MARY LOSS OF SOUL my entire life, I would.
What advice would you give to young actors who want to pursue their passion?
My advice would be to not be afraid. Be absolutely fearless and you will go far. Also you have to be passionate. There will be so many challenges that if you’re not seriously passionate about this job, it won’t be worth it.
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Kaylee! Find out more about the supernatural thriller MARY LOSS OF SOUL by connecting on Facebook and Twitter. You can also visit the film's website. The production company hopes for a theatrical release of MARY LOSS OF SOUL in 2014.
Honestly, I’m living my dreams right now. I’ve always had a love for Indie films—they are the essence of great storytelling mixed with the passion of filmmaking. If I could do films like MARY LOSS OF SOUL my entire life, I would.
What advice would you give to young actors who want to pursue their passion?
My advice would be to not be afraid. Be absolutely fearless and you will go far. Also you have to be passionate. There will be so many challenges that if you’re not seriously passionate about this job, it won’t be worth it.
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Kaylee! Find out more about the supernatural thriller MARY LOSS OF SOUL by connecting on Facebook and Twitter. You can also visit the film's website. The production company hopes for a theatrical release of MARY LOSS OF SOUL in 2014.
--Interview conducted by Audrey Larson
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