Paramount Studios has brought us our favorite movies of all time, including Titanic and Clueless. Their newest breakout-movie is the amazing “Mighty Oak” starring our favorites like Raven Symone (That’s So Raven) and Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars).
We were lucky to talk with some of the all-star cast and reveal their behind the scenes moments on set, as well as their personal goals for their entertainment careers.
Ben Milliken
Q: Was the filming process of your new movie, “Mighty Oak,”different from your past projects?
“The main difference in this one was the timing. It all happened so fast. We only had two weeks to shoot the film. It’s a real testament to the entire team. Everyone came together and we created something awesome.”
Q: Did your upbringing near the Bigola beach affect your roles in beach-themed movies, like “Newcastle” and “Blue Crush 2”?
“Of Course! I grew up surfing, and was a part of the surf culture growing up, so I was very familiar with the themes of each film. “
Q: Do you have a dream movie or TV role?
“Every actor has a dream movie or TV role, but for me it changes all the time. It really depends on where I am at in life. In this sense, MIGHTY OAK was a dream role for me because at that time I was really looking to express the fun, quirky, funny side of myself, and this movie was the perfect place to do that. It’s a timing thing for me.”
Q: Would you ever consider re-uprising your previous boxing career? Is acting something you are more passionate about?
“Acting is my first love. As for boxing, I still train every day, but I don’t think I’ll be getting in the ring on a serious basis any time soon. Never say never though!”
Q: In the time you have resided in Los Angeles, you have already starred in a popular movie with an all-star cast (“Mighty Oak”) and are a part of an Emmy-award-nominated television show (“Bosch”). Are you excited to see the future of your acting career?
“I really am!!! “
Gianna Harris
Q: When did you realize that you wanted to go into acting, after starting your music career?
“When I was 9, I would watch all these shows about actors, singers, and dancers, and how they lived their lives as performers, and I realized that I also wanted to do that, so I begged my parents for singing lessons.”
Q: What advice would you give to young girls, especially minorities, on making their big break in the entertainment industry?
“Advice I would give to girls going into the entertainment industry is to stay safe. There are a lot of people that want to take advantage of young girls, trying to make a name for themselves, and you just always be careful. Also, you have to have thick skin and you need to be prepared for people saying mean things to try to bring you down. Always keep your head up and don’t be one of those mean people please lol.”
Q:Can you share more information about your future girl group, “enjoithejrny”?
“Yes! I am currently in a girls group called enjoithejrny, and we are an all-black girls group who sing R&B/Soul music. We have only known each other for a little, but we have a really great bond. I really hope to see us go far, even though everything has come to a stop because of covid-19 and the quarantine.”
Q:Is there one particular goal you have for your singing career? Solo and in your band?
“I do have one goal, which is to be a songwriter and write my own music. I just recently started writing, and I hope that I can create something that people like and connect. I don’t know if I can pick solo or group just yet because I really like doing both.”
Q:Who are your Hollywood actress inspirations? Did any of their past work help you get into your “Mighty Oak” character “Emma Biggs”?
“I really love all of Gina Rodriguez’s work, and I think I take a lot of inspiration from her. She is an incredible actress and she seems like a really cool person. I love how you can still feel her in the characters she plays, and I love how she is so free in how she presents herself. I hope that I can be like that. Her character in Jane with Virgin was really strong-willed and that’s what I wanted for Emma.”
Nana Ghana
Q:What is your favorite technical role in the industry? Writer/Producer/Director?
“All of the above, from acting to writing to directing to producing, it’s all in service to great storytelling and inspiration.”
Q: How do you feel about minorities’ representation on screen? Do you think it has improved?
Things are improving, yet we still have a long way to go as far as minority representation on screen.”
Q: Can you give us any sneak-peeks towards your upcoming projects?
“I made a Quarantine film that I wrote, directed and starred… I am excited about it.”
Q:What was your favorite moment on the set/on-screen of your newest movie “Mighty Oak”?
“My favorite moments have been on the stage and performing with the band in front of the crowd.”
Q:Do you have any advice for African-American young women who want to make it big in the entertainment industry?
“Know and cultivate your own individual gifts. Don’t water-down yourself to fit any system, you are enough.”
Alexa and Carlos PenaVega
Alexa Penavega
Q:What is your favorite scene in your new movie “Mighty Oak”?
“I really loved watching Army of Love pre-accident. The wigs… the personalities and how they were with one another. It was so much fun for me!”
Q:You have two incredible young children. Would you encourage them to become actors in the future?
“We both had relatively good experiences in this industry. If they wanted to follow in our footsteps we would just teach them important boundaries that are necessary in this industry!”
Q:What was your experience on “Dancing With The Stars” like? Would you ever do something like that again?
“It was terrifying! Looking back, I have no idea why! I think it was just so new (all the dancing and cameras in your face 24/7, and of course, the producers love creating that drama and pressure. Gotta have high stakes and interesting tv, but it was also one of these most fun experiences we have ever had.”
Q:In the past you had a music career, singing songs for several movies, including the “Spy Kids” franchise and “Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe”. Would you consider creating more music?
“You know, I have always loved singing… but it wasn’t ever something I felt 100% comfortable doing. I would love to someday, but I need LOTS of practice. Haha”
Q: What/who encouraged you to move to the amazing state of Hawaii?
“We would vacation together to Maui whenever we got the chance. We always knew it would be a place we would end up, but we moved wayyyyy sooner than either of us ever thought we would. It just felt right!”
Carlos PenaVega
Q:A lot of celebrities are taking an interest in starting a Youtube channel, including yourself and your wife Alexa. What inspired you guys to make content on the social media platform?
“I started our Youtube channel a WHILE back. Actually, this was pre-marriage. I have always loved creating content and sharing that with people… and when we got married it only seemed natural to rename the channel and add my wife!”
Q:Did you have any trouble getting into your character “Pedro” in your new Paramount movie, “Mighty Oak”?
“This was probably one of the easier roles for me. I felt like I could be myself more than ever before. Sean (our director) is so collaborative. He really let us explore and have fun with our roles.”
Q:What is your reaction to there still being so many fans of your former band/TV show “Big Time Rush”?
“It’s always so awesome to hear that BTR was a part of people lives. So when people come up to me and share their love for the show or the group, it just makes me happy. We all worked hard and really had a great time during those years. It only brings back the best memories. “
Q:You have been dancing both on- and off-screen for many years. Would you ever consider teaching your two boys?
“Ocean enjoys dancing but Kingston LOVES dancing. He may be the one teaching us. Lol”
Q:You have starred in one of Sean McNamara’s movies before; “Spare Parts” in 2015. What would you say is your favorite role between “Oscar Vazquez” and “Pedro”?
“That movie was so special, and my wife played my girlfriend in the movie as well!! While Pedro is most like me, and was so much fun to play, there is nothing like portraying a real life experience someone went through. This story was so incredible and so inspiring on many different levels. I would have to pick Oscar. Hands down.”
Watch “Mighty Oak” right now on Amazon Prime or VUDU!
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