At an age when most people haven’t even given second thoughts to what they want to do with their lives, Brighid Fleming already has an established career on the stage and screen. We got a chance to chat with her about being a multi-hyphenate, her dreams for the future, her love of vegan cooking and how she prepares for roles. Check out more about this amazing actress @BrighidFleming1 on Twitter.
Young Adult Magazine: You’re already an established actress, director, writer and producer…Do you identify with one aspect the most?
Brighid Fleming: I feel like I identify with all of them. It depends where I am in the process of creating something. I am probably closer to acting and writing because I have written and acted more than I have directed or produced. I do love directing and producing though. It all makes you feel like you are completing something. When I am watching movies, I think I usually do it with an eye on the director. I am most interested in how the shots are set up and the choices made.
YA: Tell us more about your writing?
BF: I absolutely love writing! It is one of my main passions. Writing is where I am most free, because there are no constraints. I don’t have to worry about how it will be shot or anything. The worry comes later.
YA: You’ve accomplished so much at such a young age; how do you manage it all?
BF: I have a great support system. I couldn’t do any of this without my mom. I also try to dedicate myself to something 100%. I know that can be hard to do sometimes because you have a lot of things going on but as long as you are focused and dedicated you can accomplish anything. Well not anything but you get the idea.
YA: Have you thought about college?
BF: Yes I have! I want to go to Tisch at NYU. I think it would be a lot of fun and I would get to study something that I’m very interested in.
YA: What was the process like auditioning and preparing for Labor Day?
BF: I sent in a tape and was honestly pretty sure no one was ever going to see it but a couple days after sending it in I got a call saying we had a callback and Jason Reitman was going to be there. After that I had a chemistry read and about two or three weeks after the chemistry read we found out I booked it. To get ready for it, I read the book, and I watched some of Jason’s movies. I used Juno and Young Adult to help me build the character of Eleanor.
YA: Tell us more about reading the book for Labor Day prior to the movie?
BF: I really liked the book and Eleanor’s character, which made me even more excited to start filming!
YA: What are some of your hobbies/interests outside of entertainment?
BF: I play roller derby! I am a Junior Derby Doll at The Los Angeles Derby Doll Factory. It’s a lot of fun and despite what you may have heard it’s actually a very good environment with great people.
I like to cook. My mom and I are experimenting with vegan dishes and trying to adapt our old favorites to something healthier.
YA: Tell us a little bit about what it was like to work with such an incredible cast for Labor Day (Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin). Any standout moments?
BF: Is getting hugged by Kate Winslet stand out enough for you? I had fittings with Kate, but my scenes were just with Gattlin. We played video games and did some sightseeing. When we were filming the grocery store scene, it turns out the guy playing the grocery store clerk went to college with my mom’s cousin in Memphis, TN. How weird is that?
YA: Favorite song/musician?
BF: That’s a tough question. Some of my favorite songs that are playing on the radio now are: Come a Little Closer by Cage the Elephant, Radio by Lana Del Rey, Elephant by Tame Impala, and Kill Your Heroes by AWOLNATION.
But I also have all time favorite songs like: Where is my Mind by the Pixies, Killer Queen by Queen, All Apologies by Nirvana, and Karma Police by Radio Head
YA: What’s your motto?
BF: The Dalai Lama said something, it goes something like, when you lose don’t lose the lesson. I like that. Because you are always going to lose, but if you can learn from it, then you haven’t lost completely.
YA: What’s some advice you can give to those hoping to get into entertainment?
BF: Don’t give up. I know that’s kind of cheesy but its true. You get knocked down so many times in this business that you have to keep reminding yourself that you can’t give up because you never know what could happen.
YA: What’s next for you?
BF: Right now, I am doing a play at The Bootleg called Day Trader that is written by Eric Rudnick. It is a lot of fun and has twists you won’t see coming.
I am also working with the Inner City Shakespeare Ensemble. BAFTA LA sponsors this and we will be working with mentors from Bristol Old Vick, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Julliard, so I am very excited about this opportunity.