Time After Time/Soap World

In one of the most realistic teen drama's to come around in years Anyone But Me focuses on the daily trials and tribulations of 16 year old Vivian McMillan whom has moved to the suburbs of New York City and also takes a look into the lifes of her friends and loved ones. 

The series is written and executive produced by Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward with whom I am honored to have the chance to delve into the creative minds behind the web series.   

Time After Time/Soap World:  Anyone But Me featuring a diverse cast and the characters are played outside of stereotypes that you typically see in teen drama's. First, Vivian & Aster have normal relationship issues and the fact that they are a lesbians is played as more of a minor social issue that comes up from time to time. Then the African American Archibald is an artist and defies the typical urban male that is normally castin teen dramas and teen movies. Finally you have Sophie and Jonathan who are dealing realistically with the issue of teenage sex as Sophie is not "putting out" so to speak and has caused a rift with her love Jonathan.  Was this all done by design or does it represent a reality you have seen?

Susan Miller: We aren't presented with a wide range of experience or points of view in most entertainment choices. Our show is distinct and populated with a range of human possibility and interaction.  Even if it is by design, it’s the way we seeit. It’s the reality we want to draw from.

Tina Cesa Ward:  I suppose the answer to that is both.  It's always by design of course.  And we want our show to be reflective of the world, and that means telling stories that involves diversity in our characters, without playing “issues”.

TATSW: With the legends of teen dramas past and present from film to television.  How do you feel you have your series standout from the pack?

TCW: I think we always try to tell the best stories wecan in the way we want to and that people have embraced that is pretty incredible.  I'm proud of the diversity in our show.  And I'm also proud of the pace we tell the stories. We try to really explore moments, dilemmas and emotions fully.  Not plot points.  So I think our show may feel more real because we don't rush through things, we take our time.

SM: By acknowledging the larger story. While our focus is on relationships and individual struggles, we also incorporate the city, the world, and how our characters are affected by their time in history. Having two gay characters, 16 year old lesbians, in central roles, gives our series a kind of daring and originality.

TATSW: What did you feel was missing that you wanted to represent in your series?

SM: I write to develop what I'm thinking about, what I feel other people are thinking about. I guess its more the approach I take to what I write, the style of it, the language. Tina and I weren't interested in a glossy version of youth. 

TCW: The challenges of this younger generation, and of course the diversity of characters. There obviously aren't a lot of shows out there with a lesbian lead, or even significant African American characters. And the web gives us all a place to represent that often ignored audience.

TATSW: Let's get intothe cast.  What was the process you went through for casting the series?

TCW: We put out casting calls and just started seeing as many people as we could.

TATSW:  Rachel Hip-Flores is the series lead.  Did you know when you first saw her that she was right for the part?

TCW:  I actually saw her picture before she came in for the audition and was instantly pulling for her, something just kind of connected for me.  And thankfully she didn't disappoint in the audition.

SM: She’s a gorgeous actor. With not a pretentious,divaesque bone in her little body. We felt right away that she was real and present. Of course, we had to find the right chemistry, which she and Nicole Pacent had off the bat. I can't imagine those two roles with anyone else!

TATSW: How about Joshua Holland? 

SM: He was it for me. Natural, charming, adorable.

TCW: Josh submitted his headshot and resume like everyone else.  He came in and we loved him instantly.

TATSW:  Speaking of story I was really drawn into the series because of Archibald's issues with being ostracized forbeing different.  You've done a great job with it so far.  In many ways it seems you questioning the social ideas and stigma's behind sex and sexuality through it as Arch is straight.  Is that an issue you wished to explore with the character?

TCW: It was always important to explore stereotypes with Archibald.  I’ve always been a bit annoyed the way African Americans characters are explored or not explored onscreen.  We wanted to show a character struggling with being an individual and not a stereotype that society expectsof him.

SM: The issue of black/gay is incendiary. By showing abond between a straight African American boy and an "off white" lesbian girl, we've created a dramatic stew and a vehicle for relationships that aren't often portrayed with depth or at all.

TATSW: Vivian's auntis from what I can tell a pretty open-minded woman.  So why do you think she is still afraid to come out of the closet to her? 

SM: It's rough. A young person can't know how it will turnout. None of us can. It's difficult to tell a parent or parental figure who you really are.  It’s a huge turning point, and it's a hurdle that straight kids don’t have to face, at least in terms of that one aspect of their growing up.

TCW:  I have to say coming out to anyone at any moment is always a challenge not matter who that person is.  Obviously homosexuality is not accepted in our society and as a homosexual you know that and carry that,so unless someone gives you very clear signs they’d be ok with your sexuality the fear is always there.

TATSW: One thing I really like is how the you were able to play the issue teen sex where Jonathan wants to take his relationship with Sophie further but she does not.  It has been played out well and not an "in your face" MESSAGE type of story.

SM: Anyone But Me is sooo anti message. Just trying to get it right. You know?

TCW: I don't think you can have a show with teens without talking about sex obviously.  And again,we don't want to be a show about issues, we’re a character driven show exploring life's dilemmas and all the emotions that go along with that.

TATSW: You are already well into season two. Are you gonna make it season 6?

TCW: Season 6 would be great but we're just concentrating on getting to season 3 right now.

TATSW: How about a television version of Anyone But Me.  Would you be open to that if the offer was presented?

TCW:  Of course we would never turn down a chance to get on TV, but I actual love the web and as long as the show can monetize on the web I'd love for the show to continue on the web well past season 6.

SM: I love the web. We developed our show for the web. But if we were offered a TV run, we'd be open. And after having worked both in TV and the web, I think we could do it very successfully.

TATSW: Can you give readers any inkling into what the future holds for the characters on Anyone But Me?

SM: They will continue to grow, mess up, discover themselves, love blindly, love madly, take risks, be disappointed, lose their footing, win your hearts.

TCW: Change. As in life things are constantly in motion,whether it's good or bad change is on the way.

TATSW: Finally, what would you like to say to your fans?

TCW: Thank you can't really cover how appreciative we are of our amazing fans.  And also, the continuation of Anyone But Me is in their hands.  Their support is what keeps this train moving.

SM: You are IT! You are everything. And we hope you'll get behind us, whatever it takes, to help us bring you Season Three.

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