5 Questions for Actor: BROOKE LEWIS

by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

Tinsel & Tine’s 5 Questions for Filmmakers Series has expanded to include those on the lens side of the camera, starting with actor (I don’t use the feminine form any longer) Brooke Lewis (Philly Native).  She stars in the comedy ½ New Year about a tight knit group of friends letting loose once a year at their annual Half New Year Party. The film will be showcased at this years FirstGlance Film Festival (Nov 1-3, 2019) in Philadelphia.

Brooke Lewis is an multi award winning actress. Among other accolades, she most recently took home the award for Best Actress in an Indie Film at the 2018 Actors Awards.

She’s starred in the award winning films iMurders, Sinatra Club and Psycho Therapy. Apart from acting, Brooke is also an award winning author with a book out entitled Coaching From A Professed Hot Mess – Tips on Life, Love, Dating, Online Dating, Female Empowerment & LGBT Support from a Board Certified Life Coach, TV Dating Expert & Hot Mess

When Brooke is not on set filming, she still finds time to give back – working with Breaking Chains Foundation (which strives to change the conversation and face of eating disorders) as a celebrity ambassador, also volunteering with LA Mission Feed The Homeless, various Breast Cancer Charities, and as a LGBTQ & AIDS Activist.

So let’s get to know more about Brooke Lewis through 5 Questions

T&T: What led you to this latest project? & briefly describe your character.

Brooke: ½ New Year is one of those precious gems of an indie film project that took years to create from inception through distribution. I met our star, writer, and producer, Drew McAnany (Reed DeLuca), in Hollywood over 10 years ago. Drew, originally started out producing and hosting in LA, and he was working at E! Entertainment when he interviewed me on the Red Carpet. He asked me about Philly, and we quickly bonded during that meeting, so he really became like a little brother to me. Like so many young actors in Hollywood, Drew was fighting to get a break for himself as an actor, so he created ½ New Year as a vehicle for himself to star in. He also wrote the role of his big sister, Pam DeLuca (from Philly), for me to act in. We had worked through a few years of table reads and different directors and producers, then Georgia Menides jumped onboard and helped re-write the script, then became the producer who made this happen. Along with producer, Zach Block, they hired Tom Morash as the director to really help pull the project together.

Oh, there is nothing “brief” about Pam DeLuca LOL… from her hair to her mouth to her sassy personality… I mean, she is a Philly Chick!!! GO EAGLES!!! Kidding aside, I’m honored to have a character written specifically for me in a movie. I think that is something every actor and actress wants in their careers. Pam is in her 30s, and a bit older than her brother Reed and his friends. They are Italian from South Philly, so they argue, but are very close. Pam is part of the gang, but she is like the “mother hen” to them.  Her journey is about protecting her brother and giving guiding advice to the girls they hang out with. Pam is an on-screen example of what we go through in “Hollywood” life… she is single and all about her career, she loves to party and doesn’t want to grow up!

½ New Year is an indie dramedy that released world-wide through Comedy Dynamics on September 10^th and will have its Philadelphia Premiere at our favorite FirstGlance Film Festival in November. I am so excited and honored to come home to Philadelphia to share our work in Hollywood with those who were with us from the beginning, including my long career history with FirstGlance Film Festival. Many heartfelt thanks to Bill Ostroff and the crew for bringing me home again!

T&T: Do you have any superstitions or rituals before an audition?

BL: Yes, typically, my ritual is to have a panic attack LOL! I am only kinda kidding! You would think, after acting in over 50 films and TV in my career, I would not get so nervous, but I do! Every audition still feels like a first for me. I am such a perfectionist, and so self-critical, that it is a challenge for me to be present to the work. I really need to take time to do some relaxation and space exercises (Thanks to my “Actress Courage” Courses with mentor Michelle Colt!), and I use spiritual candles and essential oils to calm myself and tap into creative energy.

T&T: If you had the choice to be cast in the remake of any popular movie, what would it be?  (answer can be an Indie, just nothing too obscure) & would you want to change anything about that character?

BL: Oh, I must cheat and answer with a few! My life would be complete if I could stand in my idol, Elizabeth Taylor’s, heels for one year to play Katharina in The Taming of the Shrew, then Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Then, my other two dream films and roles when I was young were Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny and Karen Hill in Goodfellas (I am sure no surprise here!). Elizabeth Taylor, Marisa Tomei and Lorraine Bracco were each so BRILLIANT in their interpretations and performances, there is not a thing I would think to change! BRAVO!!!

T&T: Do you have any foodie or music (or both) related moments regarding a role, preparing for a role or after wrapping production?

BL: Honestly, food and music are a huge part of my soul (must be a Philly thing!), so that’s a big yes! As far as music, I have several playlists on my Spotify. Since childhood, I have loved Broadway musicals (I loved going to Walnut Street Theatre!). I listen to my Broadway playlist a lot, while preparing for a role, as it gets me into my creative spirit and I sing to release tension. You will hear the Hamilton and Beautiful soundtracks in my car a lot! I have another playlist with sad ballads to help prepare me for acting roles and characters where I may cry a lot… I listen to Demi Lovato’s Skyscraper and the tears just pour!

As for food, I am a total foodie and there is little I will not eat, but being short and curvy, I do need to be very careful. Typically, before a film shoot, I will commit to a hardcore diet with little carbs, and no dairy or sugar. I continue this process throughout filming, as I get anxious and I just cannot eat a lot, and I want to remain healthy in every way, while filming. That said, the night we wrap filming, I have been known to go nuts and allow myself to indulge! I MUST order PIZZA, and I will usually stop to pick up red velvet cake and wine! Deprivation is only fun for so long LOL! This is usually when I fantasize about old school Geno’s cheesesteaks that we cannot get in Hollywood!

T&T: Give a shout out to those on your team who have been in your corner while you hit both highs and lows in your profession.

BL: I may have faced a lot of challenges in my life, but one thing I have always been blessed with is love, support and loyal people in my life… from family to friends to reps to fans to my new husband. After 23 years as a professional actress and producer from Philly to New York to LA, I have had more highs and lows than I care to remember, but one thing I have learned for sure is that no amount of fame or fortune is worth anything without the people you love to share it with… and, the people you love to believe in you and keep you going! Thank you… to my family and friends in Philly who I can count on to send me love and keep me in check from Philly to Hollywood… to my talent reps who never give up on me, even when the lows are at their lowest… to my fans who have followed me from genre to genre for many years and have supported me everywhere on social media… to my husband who found me later in life, after I was married to my career for years and supports my crazy dreams!

You can follow Brooke on Instagram: @brookelewisla and Twitter @BrookeLewisLA

I’m looking forward to seeing her in ½ New Year and I’m sure much more in the future!
Post Update: 11.11.19 met at FirstGlance Film Fest Red Carpet

Check out the 5 Questions Filmmakers Series for the 22nd Annual FirstGlance Film Festival