An exclusive (must read) interview conducted by Web Series Network member Daryn Strauss, creator of 'Downsized' the web series.

Daryn Strauss: As the creator of the web series Downsized, I’ve been noticing that most of the attention within the web series community is focused on show creators. A few months back, Rich Mbariket of Web Series Network asked me if Web Series Network could run an interview with Shannon Conley, who plays Downsized’s quirky and resourceful beauty pageant coach Astrid. I thought it was a great idea. Then the holidays came and went. Shannon went on tour as the lead singer of the band Lez Zeppelin and I went into production on more Downsized episodes, so somehow we didn't get it done. But with the 2010 season of Downsized in full swing, I thought it'd be a perfect time to chat with Shannon about what it’s like to act in a web series. And then I thought it'd be even more fun if I got to interview her myself, Interview Magazine-style. (Luckily Rich was down with that!) So here's our chat!

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Daryn Strauss: Shannon, your character in Downsized, Astrid, has quickly become a fan favorite. Talk about how you got involved with the series.

Shannon Conley: I know you and most of the cast from Peter Kelley’s master class. Then about a year ago fellow classmate Kaipo Schwab (who plays Nate in Downsized) started a Sunday Acting Dojo, where we could all practice and perfect micro-storytelling and macro-character building with on-camera exercises.

DS: Which I think was very helpful because Kaipo’s group is all improv or non-dialogue based scenes—stuff you don’t normally get to work on in acting class but skills that are very important on set.

SC: Then you wrote Downsized and asked me to be in it and I was thrilled!

DS: Good!

SC: By the way I was so glad you sent me all of the episodes instead of just the ones I was in because I devoured them! They were like potato chips! I couldn’t wait to have another! Especially knowing the other actor’s capabilities and respective energies so I could already “see” them in my mind as I was reading their stories. It’s like you looked around at all the interesting “eats in the kitchen” and figured out a recipe that could use all of us as the ingredients!

DS: Yeah, I tried to find a way to cast actors from Peter’s class, because I knew he had everyone trained to work quickly and consistently, so we could shoot a scene in two hours and have it look like we spent a full day shooting it. And there would also be a minimal amount of continuity errors, because he’s also trained us to be aware of that, which I think is the most important skill for acting on-camera. When I approached you, were you familiar with web series at all?

SC: Sort of. I have a recurring character (Special Agent Abigail Brand) in the Marvel motion comic series X-MEN: GIFTED written by Joss Whedon. Since it’s voice-acting on my part, I don’t get the luxury of playing off of real actors like in a live action show such as Downsized.

*** Episode #6 of X-Men: Gifted featuring Shannon is currently available on itunes.

DS: What do you think about web series?

SC: I’m finding this new medium of webisodic entertainment to be rather addictive! As an actor, I like the challenge of balancing form and fluidity – trying to hook into the core of it, yet keeping it off the hook enough to follow the story wherever it goes, since it’s still being written!

DS: I’ve known your acting for a few years, and you’re a chameleon to say the least, but frankly, I was floored by how many specific details you put into making Astrid unique and authentic, like her accent. Where did that come from?

SC: Having grown up in the rural South where child pageantry is quite common, a southern accent and background just felt like a natural fit.

DS: I remember when you asked me if you could do a Southern accent for Astrid, because you were from the South. I was like, you’re from the South?!!! I had no idea.

SC: I felt like I had already met “Astrid” and she’s definitely a transplanted modern day southern belle. Oh my god, I just realized I’m doing Blanche Dubois!!! Is that wrong? Because really, it feels so right!

DS: It’s perfect! Do you have any experience in the pageant world?

SC: Not personally, no. We were the hippie freak family in town! Though I did have a friend or two who had it done to them when they were small, and then in turn did it to their kid. May the rhinestone circle be unbroken!

DS: One of the things that helped me figure out Astrid’s story arc was your very natural rapport with Kaipo. I happen to know we had very little rehearsal time. How did you guys establish that?

SC (laughing): Yeah, how DID we establish that?! I can’t speak for Kaipo but I completely relied on our friendship and familiarity with each other’s work to establish our relationship!

DS: Web series are typically produced on a small budget with a quick shooting schedule, and Downsized was no different. Do you have any advice for other actors on how to adapt your acting process for working on a web series?

SC: Yeah. Don’t throw out any of your costumes… Ever!!!

DS: Over the last few months, Downsized has gotten some amazing reviews, and it’s been very exciting! And I can’t even tell you how many comments I’ve gotten about how much people love you.

SC: Wow, cool!

DS: What has the response and experience been like for you so far?

SC: It’s been a ball really. I’m really proud to be a part of this series and really glad that the viewers are digging Astrid as much as I am!! It’s always very liberating to play characters that are different from one’s own personality.

DS: Many show creators have gotten involved in the web series community through social media tools like facebook and twitter and here on Web Series Network. I’ve just started to explore all of this social media stuff myself. Have you had an opportunity to explore these networks?

SC: Aw man, I am such a technidiot! I’m lucky I can click and drag and cut and paste! That’s why I love Web Series Network!!! It’s like what indie radio stations were to the 80’s –HBO to the 90s- a place to find the coolest stuff that’s out there!

DS: You’re also a great singer. Did you always want to be an actress, or a singer, or both?

SC: Now you’ve asked it! Here comes a scene out of Sophie’s Choice! “I can’t choose- PLEASE DON’T MAKE ME CHOOSE!!” “The Dingo ate my baby!!!” …Oh wait, sorry, that was a different Meryl Streep movie!! Seriously though, I can’t remember a time when I haven’t reveled in both— in ebb, flow and tandem.

DS: Tell us a little about the fabulous band you’re with now, Lez Zeppelin. I just saw the band perform at the Blender Theater in NYC to a jam-packed audience and the show was simply amazing.

SC: Thanks Daryn! I appreciate you saying so. I am a very happy gal these days –singing in Lez Zeppelin, an all-girl Led Zeppelin Tribute, is like being at Rock’n’Roll fantasy camp. It is ridiculous fun!

DS: I’d love for fans of Downsized to check you guys out because they will be absolutely shocked it is the same person!

SC: I would love for Downsized fans to check us out too! We’ll be coming to a town near you this summer! Check out www.LEZZEPPELIN.com for updates.

DS: Can you tease what viewers can expect for Astrid the rest of this season?

SC: Oh my god I can’t WAIT to see Astrid’s next episode! Will Poppy win a crown?! Will Astrid get away with her double-timing ways? Who’s two-timing who anyway? I can say you will see more hilarious awkward tension as our hapless heroes continue to fumble through their respective flawed agendas! Bon appetit!

DS: This was fun!

SC: Yeah. Thanks for including me in on the fun!

DS: And thanks Rich for letting us do this!

SC: Thanks Rich!

DS: I can’t wait for everybody to see the rest of the episodes! Stay tuned to Web Series Network for more episodes of Downsized, or check out www.downsizedthewebseries.com! Downsized also airs on StrikeTV and Daily Motion.