Our latest feature for Popternative Magazine features actor, writer, producer, and presenter Tiffany Smith to discuss her recent plane thriller, In Flight. Also starring Cristo Fernández (Ted Lasso), the Showdown Productions and Popternative Pictures feature is now streaming on Tubi. Tiffany plays Claire who wakes up on a plane with no recollection of what happened the night before nor how she actually got on the flight.
Tiffany has also recently been overseas in London as she joined the workshop of Mimi Collin’s Water Party. Produced by Bespoke Plays, the production will have its final performance on May 15.
In our exclusive chat, Tiffany discusses working on the play in London, her experience going from stage to screen, working on In Flight, and more.
Exclusive photos for Popternative Magazine by Bobby Zee
What was your experience like playing Claire in the plane thriller In Flight?
Tiffany Smith (TS): Getting to play Claire in In Flight was so incredible. I hadn’t done a leading role in a thriller before, so when Bo Youngblood asked me to be a part of it I jumped at the chance not only because I was getting to act in something amazingly fun and challenging, but also to get to work with Bo as a director again! I had done a short film with her not long before then, so I was excited to get to work with her again on a longer form project like In Flight. And the cast was just so much fun, getting to work with Cristo Fernández, Maria Russell and Kelsi McDonald was so much fun. I mean, that whole cast was great, some who were friends before, and some who have become great friends since the film.
What was your first and last day on set like for In Flight?
TS: First day is always like the first day of school getting to know everyone and just getting into the groove of how the set will all come together. And that was a big cast. What I loved is that a lot of times on projects, you don’t get to act with every single cast member, but for this film, I had scenes with everyone and that was just such a treat! The last day of filming is always bitter sweet. It’s like summer camp ending, I just always feel so proud and excited having finished a project, but always sad that it’s ending and saying goodbye to a new family that you’ve hopefully created.
What can you tell us about the play Water Party?
TS: Water Party is a show that takes place in a future where the government controls who can and cannot have children. There is birth control in the water and so when the government, called the Bureau in our world, approves a couple to have a child you get sent a box of clean water. The couple who has been approved usually throws a water party with their closest friends to share the first bottle of water and celebrate. The play takes place at one couples Water Party.
Our writer/director Mimi Collins wrote the play 5 years ago and it is crazy just how relevant it is. And what was so interesting is how it inspires and spurs conversations when people see the show and just between all of us as actors prepping for the show as well. I play Layla who is one half of a couple with Ray (played by Jack Whittle) who already had a baby and she is just so much fun to play, she is playful and smart, and well I can’t say too much more because I don’t want to spoil anything… haha.
Does the mindset or preparation change for you whether you‘re working on stage, TV, or film, or is it all storytelling for you?
TS: For me, it all starts with the role I am playing in any medium. I have to find a way to get into their mind, their world and then it all kind of goes from there. I like to make playlists for the role as well, so that when I am getting ready to head to set or to do a show I can easily drop into that headspace. I will often journal too as the person that I am playing.I think the biggest difference in the mediums would have to be memorizing and then the actual performance.
For TV and film, you don’t often have to do an hour or more of content straight through. Unless you are doing something like that show Adolescence that came out [on Netflix]! Which I loved! But, for a play, you are doing one take straight through, no restarts, which is such an incredible rush. Then you throw in the live audience, and that adds just a whole other ingredient to the performance.
What has your preparation been like specifically for Water Party?
TS: For this show I was lucky enough to get to come to the UK to work with Bespoke Play London and The Union Theater. This is a staged reading so we will still have our scripts in hand and the goal is to have a full production of the show up in the very near future. I had previously done “Sphere of Fixed Stars in the Heavens” with Bespoke Plays in Los Angeles for Fringe Festival, which I absolutely loved, which was a 2 person show written by J. Holtham. This time it’s a six person show and I actually didn’t get to meet the rest of the cast until I got here.
But, I feel so lucky that the cast is just so lovely and kind and BEYOND talented. Mimi put together such a great group of people, and as soon as we started rehearsals, we really hit the ground running. That is so important for this show because it’s supposed to be 3 couples at the party who have been friends for years, so really getting those relationships down for us I think was huge. We had 2 weeks of rehearsals and then the show opened on May 13th! I could not be more excited to perform this show and for people to come see it. I love getting to create and act and play, and it’s just that much more special when it’s content that makes you think as well.
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In Flight is available to watch on Apple TV, Tubi, Plex, Xumo Play, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
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