Kat Harlton
Photos provided via PR team, copyright Sphere Media
How To Fail As A Popstar is a coming-of-age story about a queer brown boy in Edmonton trying to achieve pop stardom – told from the perspective of the 40-something trans femme artist that boy becomes, looking back on what went almost right along the way. It has imagination and heart, bright visuals, pop music, nostalgia, throwbacks to the ’90s and ’00s, and more!
The series is currently streaming on CBC Gem (released October 13) along with a soundtrack album. Episodes of the series were also screened at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, as well as at image+nation, and festival film LGBT2SQueer Montréal. They will also be shown at the upcoming Regent Park Film Festival on November 26.
I had the opportunity to chat with Vanessa about her vision for the story, what she hopes the audience connects with and more.
Kat: Can you talk about “How To Fail As A Popstar” and your vision for this story? Was there anything that you found particularly challenging?
Vanessa: How To Fail As a Pop star is a pop-fused meditation on failure and the cost of being true to yourself. I really wanted people to feel the ebbs and flows that Vivek’s music career took her on. She was so close at so many points and so it was important to me that the drama was felt. I also wanted to track visually as Vivek got closer to her “authentic” self, so the palette gets more vivid as she grows into herself as an artist. I also wanted everyone on set to feel great and have fun and hoped that that would translate onto the screen.
Kat: What was your favorite scene to shoot, and why?
Vanessa: Oh, so many great scenes but I think shooting the dream sequences and particularly “Take Flight” was my favorite because so much thought and time went into them. They were the most challenging to conceive with my team so when we pulled it off I was so pleased.
Kat: What do you hope the audience takes away from the series?
Vanessa: I hope that the audience leaves feeling a little less alone in their own failures! And empowered to embrace their failures instead of feeling ashamed of them because, if you are taking risks, inevitably you will fail at some point. It’s normal. I also hope that people leave feeling like, it’s still worth it. Even if everything doesn’t work out as you had hoped. It’s still important to show up and try.
Kat: Do you have any role models or mentors that you look to for inspiration?
Vanessa: My friends are my role models and mentors. So many of them are so talented and are generous with their time. If I need to bounce something off of them or I’m in a tricky situation and need help. I’m so grateful to my circle. As for inspiration I still love going to the movies, going to art galleries and getting lost.
Kat: and do you have any advice for emerging directors?
Vanessa: Just keep going! Don’t ignore the red flags, trust your gut while remaining collaborative and change your socks at lunch.
Kat: What’s next?
Vanessa: I’m writing a feature that I hope to direct. I’m also guest directing for a television show that I adore on CBC and acting on a show I love. (I’m not allowed to announce either yet).
Connect with Vanessa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msvanessamatsui