My newest and last interview for 2024 is with the very talented New Yorker, Candice Palladino, who is a pond jumper and living in England. She’s a screenwriter, actor, director and producer. She loves what she does, and you will feel her enthusiasm in this chat for her passion as a creative.
We talked about her favorite Christmas tradition cause well, you know, it’s about here. She shares with me her challenges of writing a screenplay and her favorite creative hat.
Introducting Candice…
What do you love about your life right now?
I love the internal peace I have found. I used to be…let’s say…different.
Internally, I was filled with chaos and had no direction, and through a lot of work, I’m finally able to silence the external noise and truly listen to myself. It’s really nice.
That’s awesome! Now, Christmas is right around the corner. Do you have a particular holiday tradition that you’re looking forward to?
I LOVE putting up Christmas lights. The magic. The joy. The wonder. It’s all just…blissful!
We live in a small English village, and I wasn’t sure how people would react to our lights, but many people have complimented them! Kids think they’re “magical” whilst adults say our place reminds them of a gingerbread house. Three cheers for the light-putter-upper: my handy, dandy husband!
I have checked out your website, and I love the design of it. Candice, I saw so much candy, and I just adored the sweet layout. I like how you played on your name for the design. Was that your idea and did you design it?
Oh, I love this. THANK YOU! So much blood, sweat, and tears went into my site, not to mention we did it at the beginning of the pandemic when people were running on fumes, so I am thrilled it resonated.
At the time I had been working with a PR maverick, Denise Marsa, who came up with ‘The Candy Store’ theme. A friend then recommended JS Productions, a top-notch digital design agency that delivers high-quality, uniquely personal products. We worked together for months, creating the site from scratch, hemming and hawing over every detail. It truly was a team effort.
Your about me page is one of the most creative ones I’ve ever read. It’s a screenplay which is a cool way to introduce yourself to viewers who come to your website. I especially like how you say “creating makes me feel alive.” When did you know that are here to create?
Maria, it warms my heart to hear you say this. I knew it was a risk to do something this different, but it just felt right, you know? I thought it’d be a good way to not only tell people about me but also showcase my creative style… So, thank you again!
The knowledge of me wanting to create… It’s a fab question and really makes me think…
It’s something that probably has been brewing slowly all my life. But it wasn’t until the pandemic that this notion got ramped up. I feel bad saying this as I know the pandemic was horrific for many people, but I feel really blessed that it gave me time… Time to stop. Time to discover. Time to listen.
Going back to your first question, during the time that I was given, I took a sh*t ton of metaphorical f*ck-it pills and learned:
- I was unhappy
- For whatever reason, I was stifling the creativity that was inside of me
So I read, dissected, and just listened to my heart and learned that instead of shooing thoughts and impulses away, I shouldn’t be afraid to embrace them. Because that’s where my true joy lies. In creating. In following each impulse. And I learned it didn’t matter if what I was creating was good or bad… It was the DOING that was important. And the more I DID, the more alive I felt.
So, there wasn’t one “aha” moment. But now every step I take, every move I make, makes me certain I am on the right track (you now have the song in your head, right?)
I do now. Was there a particular actor or comedian who inspired you to become one?
As most children, I first performed in some sort of musical at school. And, when I think back to that glorious time of my youth (ha) I can vividly remember being in awe of Carol Burnett playing Miss Hannigan in Annie. Most girls probably dream of playing Annie, right? But not me. I guess I was destined to be a character actress (insert wink face here…).
But when I boil it down, I think my inspiration comes not from a person, but from my pure and utter love of music. Music can heal. Music can move. Music can change. The music from all the musicals I was fortunate enough to take part, and it transformed me into the performer I am today.
Huge shout out to the one and only Stephen Sondheim.
You have a couple of shows on YouTube. It’s Daisy May, which is an award-winning comedy series in which you starred, directed, wrote, and produced through your company, Pond Jumper Productions. By the way, that’s a clever title. You have quite the Southern accent in this series and a lovely voice. Is this character based on someone you know?
Thank you for watching, and for your kind words.
Daisy was born whilst studying for my master’s degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. The curriculum comprised many modules and Daisy’s birthplace was our cabaret module, where we each had to create our very own 25-minute cabaret show from scratch. The musical world was our oyster.
At that time, I had just “discovered” Johnny Cash (I know… I was very late to the party) and was in absolute awe of not only his music, but his performances in both Folsom Prison and San Quentin. My mind raced, and I wondered if someone were to do that today, who would they be and why would they be there?
Daisy May materialized as a lovable social misfit who was obsessed with country music and found solace through song and entertainment. In a semi-immersive comedy cabaret show with a whole lotta heart (and in honor of the big JC), Daisy brought her music and dim-witted charm to the men on death row at San Quentin Prison.
Post graduating, Daisy sat on the shelf, mostly because I was scared to open my heart to the world, but through my internal work, I found those f*ck it pills again and revived her. But this time I took it one step further by focusing on a totally different part of her life, teaching myself the ukulele, and writing original songs.
I learned a ton through the process and not only had fun, but tested the limits of my artistry.
I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. So, if you’re listening: DAISY, I LOVE YOU!
In that show, you wore several creative hats. Which one do you enjoy the most: acting, directing, producing, or writing the show?
Acting. HANDS DOWN! And it all comes down to confidence. I have had acting training up the wazoo, but directing, producing, and writing are things I have learned (and continue to learn) whilst on the job. I still get anxious when those hats plant themselves firmly on my head.
I’m hopeful the more I do (and the more mistakes I make), the more I will learn and grow. Please cross your appendages for me.
Your other show, Think-A-Doos with Sharen Lorenzo which is a musical comedy series. You also star in this one, and she’s funny. What was the inspiration behind this show?
Weirdly enough, it was all a dream. Seriously!
One morning I woke up having dreamt this play about a woman who moved hell and high water to become a daytime TV talk show host. The dream left me with all the details of the set and general storyline but gave me nothing about WHO this woman was. So, I started exploring, playing, and asking, “What if?” And, lo-and-behold, Sharen came into my life.
I drafted out a play with music for her but then, as we were still knee deep in the pandemic, thought it would be fun to workshop her as a character by trying her out and throwing her up on the Internet.
Side note… Sometimes I wonder what it would be like 30 years ago as an artist, you know? Like, how much harder it would be to get your stuff seen without the Internet… I mean, don’t get me wrong, the Internet can sometimes be a dumpster fire, but I think it’s also really helpful. Right?
You are writing a full-length feature film, Betty, which is going to be a dark comedy and horror film. What can you share with me about this film?
I am so proud of Betty, but equally, when I talk about her, I am filled with huge amounts of imposter syndrome. It’s the first film I have written, and it’s taken me a good three years to get to this point… The point where I am ready to share her.
At its core, Betty is a character study, psychological thriller, and dark comedy all rolled into one messy, surreal ball. Through these blended genres, I have constructed a visual art house piece made to ask more questions than give answers, as I wanted to explore:
-How the memories we hold on to affect us.
-That old adage “You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”
Too often in today’s current society, we are so quick to throw people away, but if we really take the time to learn about them and walk in their shoes…? I think the world would be a much better and more understanding place.
I have won a few screenwriting awards at festivals and have received positive feedback from industry colleagues, so I’m currently hoping to put together a team in order to take her to the next level.
That’s fantastic, Candice, and I can’t wait to see it. Do you have an actor in mind for the character Betty?
100% me!
Pre-pandemic, I used to attend workshops with casting directors and in every session, someone asked: How do we get into the room with you? And, I kid you not… Every CD’s answer was: Make your own work. And through finding my creative voice, I have really taken this to heart by writing myself messy, imperfect humans I would KILL to play.
What are the joys and challenges of writing a screenplay?
The biggest joy was simply finishing. Because it is so easy to get distracted or bored or annoyed or… Well, just insert any negative verb here. But writing “Fade out” on each draft was the constant push I needed to keep me moving myself forward.
And in terms of challenges? I mean, for me, it’s taming and soothing the little gremlin on my shoulder. Ugh, Maria… He. Is. Mean: “Candice, there are so many writers out there. So many people want to create. You’re nothing. WHY DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOOD ENOUGH.” Horrible, right?!
But Elizabeth Gilbert in Big Magic suggested we listen to our gremlin and invite them on the journey. Because when you think about it, we all just want to be heard, right? So, by hearing him and inviting him along for the journey… Well, it’s kept me in the driver’s seat and really has made such a difference.
Is there any advice you would give to someone who wants to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?
I’ve heard the following from a few teachers and industry professionals in my life: If there’s anything else in the world that would make you happy, like truly, utterly happy, go and do that instead.
And I know it kind of sucks to say, but I think it’s true. The entertainment business is HARD and if you aren’t 1000% in it, I don’t think it will ever work for you.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what message would you want to convey to millions? What would it say and why?
Haha, Maria, ARE YOU IN MY BRAIN?! I just posted on social media the other day a billboard I made for myself. So for now I’d say that one:
We all need to embrace who we truly are. There is such power in the uniqueness we bring to this world.
Who are your biggest supporters?
I have a lovely circle of humans around me ranging from my husband, parents, dog (really), agents and close friends. But the biggest and most important supporter is ME. And by golly, I mean that wholeheartedly.
I never used to love or believe in myself. Was always searching for validation through others. But when I realized the answers were in ME all along, that is when the tides started to turn.
Describe yourself in one word.
Unapologetic.
Are you binge watching any shows?
My most recent binge watch was Kaos on Netflix. I love Greek myths, and this was sensational. I’m still mad at Netflix for canceling it.
But my newest love is 1670 on Netflix (a Polish mockumentary satirical comedy series). It instantly drew me in with its wackiness and stellar cinematography. Seriously, I LOVED the cinematography so much I found the cinematographer (Nils Croné) and sent him a “YOU’RE AWESOME” email. I’m happy to report he was touched by my email and wrote back. So, obviously we’re besties now…in my mind, anyway.
Alright Candice, this is one of my favorite parts of the chat. I always learn something unique about the creatives I interview. Tell me three fun facts about you.
Ooo… Okay, let’s do this…
- I make a mean spaghetti and meatballs. The recipe is from my mom, so hers are the ultimate prize, but mine come in second and is a true treat in my house.
- At various parties in my life, people have proclaimed I should hire myself out to events because I single-handedly make parties more fun. And one such person was a high-end London party planner who thanked me profusely for literally getting her party started.
- I’d pick a dog over a human any day of the week (just don’t tell my husband).
Now, I want to try your spaghetti and meatballs. It’s one of my favorite meals. Ok, Candice, I love ending the chat with a quote. Do you have a favorite quote or saying that has inspired and motivated you in your life that you can share with my readers?
There’s a piece of art I love by Lauren Baker:
I love this quote. Thinking it… Saying it… It just makes me smile.
But it wasn’t until I truly BELIEVED the words that I fully grasped its power.
Because they’re right… Seeing is believing. But sometimes we need to believe in order to see.
Thank you so much. I had a fab time chatting, Maria. And thank you all for reading. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Thank you for reading my chat with Candice. Learn more about Candice and follow her on social media.
Happy Holidays everyone!