Speaker 1: 0:00

You're listening to the Staffa Corner Podcast, a Staffatarian look at entertainment and life with your host, Greg Staffa.

Speaker 2: 0:14

My guest this episode is Skylar Bible, who is seen in the highly anticipated live action remake Lilo and Stitch, coming out in theaters on May 23rd. Skylar plays Agent Foster, who is Cobra Bubble's right-hand man. Skyler, thanks for joining us today. Yeah, thanks for having me, it's going to be awesome.

Speaker 1: 0:33

So tell us a little bit about yourself. Yeah, what do you want to know? I grew up in Santa Barbara and moved out to LA 15 years ago, I think and been kind of pursuing this business, this industry, the whole acting thing, for that amount of time.

Speaker 2: 0:52

What was it that got you started in acting, though?

Speaker 1: 0:55

I did theater in high school and that was kind of my intro to it. I kind of just took an elective just to be like yeah you know I need to do something easy and quick. And then found out that I quickly loved the people and loved the performance aspect and saw Gladiator for the first time and was like I want to do that, how do I do that? And then moved out to LA to try to do it.

Speaker 2: 1:23

And growing up? What kind of child were you? Because I found that many of the people I've talked to that became actors had a little bit of a shy side to them and that acting was a way to escape and be someone else. Is that what you found, or what were you like growing up?

Speaker 1: 1:38

I bounced around, man, I was kind of trying to be friends with everybody. I was in the chess club, I was in the magic club. I was kind of trying to be friends with everybody. I was in the chess club, I was in the magic club, I was playing sports, I was in theater. So I was pretty outgoing as a kid, but I definitely had my like okay, I need to be alone, I need to kind of go off on my own, do my own thing for a little bit. But performing was definitely an escape Just from life, from the norms of the day-to-day.

Speaker 2: 2:07

You know, it was a a different world that you could, you know, immerse yourself in, and I think that's what was the a huge draw for me, for sure no, we always hear that you know actors, they went to schooling for this and, you know, had drama classes and stuff like that Is the reality of what you learn, because I always think of high school. The stuff I learned in high school has not translated to what I learned in adult Right. We hear all these actors and actresses going to these performing arts schools and stuff like that. What was your training like to become an actor? And then what was the reality like when you started getting roles?

Speaker 1: 2:47

Yeah, I started taking classes. I actually didn't even go to college. I got into school at Puget Sound and kind of chose to come out to LA. I had an opportunity and kind of took it and just started taking little classes out here. Just started taking little classes out here, acting classes and acting intensives, and I would coach with certain people, and I did that for a long time. But then the the reality of it all was I just learned exponentially more on set.

Speaker 1: 3:17

So if I, you know, I did extra work for a long time when I first moved out here, and even that just seeing what was happening on a set, seeing how, you know, the lead actors would hold themselves on set and talk back and forth to the director and kind of how they got into character, and like that was so much more informative, I think, than just taking an acting class. I feel like you can take an acting class and learn the craft. Obviously, that's what you know be talented and skillful in your craft. But at the same time I think it's equally as important to like how to hold yourself on a set as well, which they don't teach you in acting class.

Speaker 2: 4:06

That's what I always thought, cause there's a disconnect. I can completely relate to that, but you're staying there. I actually had the opportunity. I have no desire to be an actor, but I had an opportunity to be an extra on a set for a month and it was a close set, so in between takes and everything like that, there's only like 20 of us, yeah, extras, and then the cast, and so you really got to see how they treated other people, away from paparazzi and away from the camera being rolled, and it was a fascinating look at how how some stars you perceive as one way and they're actually another way and and it was just a fascinating look at how hollywood works and I just I loved it, but yeah yeah, it's very uh eye-opening, for sure I have to ask and feel free to lie.

Speaker 2: 4:56

Uh, looking at your screen, now I'm looking at some paintings behind you. Are those your paintings or did you buy them? No, they are mine.

Speaker 1: 5:05

I'm a big Bob Ross fan, so I like to claim them as mine. But Bob showed me how to do them, so it's equally his too. Yeah, so I just throw Bob Ross on and he kind of just walks you through it all which is great.

Speaker 2: 5:21

Is that a way that you kind of decompress and stuff like that for fun? Totally yeah, oh yeah, which is great. Is that a way that?

Speaker 1: 5:25

you kind of decompress and stuff like that for fun. Totally yeah, oh yeah, I definitely think that very big believer in having multiple creative outlets and not just one. It just kind of fuels you and lets you decompress and gives you different perspectives on things.

Speaker 2: 5:40

It's definitely one of the most relaxing things, for sure so you came to LA, you're doing some schooling and stuff like that. Tell us about the first couple of roles that you got where you felt that you was there a point where you felt I've made it, or is it always the startling actor that we hear about that you're always kind of one foot in, one foot out wondering where the next thing is coming from. You know.

Speaker 1: 6:03

I think it's always going to be that it's always going to be when's the next job, where's the next job going to come from? I think that's a constant. But there was definitely a moment that I was like, okay, I can, I think I can just do this now, like I don't have to do any other side jobs, I don't have to wait tables or I don't have to drive Uber or anything else, I can just do this. I had done First man just a very small bit part on that movie, and after that movie I think that was kind of the door openings, just the bigger roles and bigger casting rooms, and I think since that movie came out it's been just acting, paying the bills, which has been fantastic.

Speaker 2: 6:50

And that was with Ryan Gosling, I believe, correct. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you've had some amazing co-stars and, very fortunate as a new actor, are some of these bigger actors or even kind of the mid tier actors. How have they been as far as? Is there anyone that stands out as like a mentor that you are appreciative of, or do you learn a little bit from everyone, or do they kind of are they in their own little bubble? I?

Speaker 1: 7:16

don't know, it depends on the set, but at least for First man everyone was very much like, zoned in. But at the same time, you know, there was my role. I was playing, uh, richard gordon and, uh, my, my co-star, ethan embry, who I was kind of in all the scenes with. We would just talk and banter and go back and forth, talk about podcasts and what, what have you, and then he would be able just to snap right into character and there was just, I don't know there was. It was just a very big learning experience of you know, keeping my eyes and ears open and my mouth shut just to watch how these guys work who have had careers for 40 years, you know, and seeing. You know, I just learned so much.

Speaker 1: 8:03

I've learned so much from everybody I've worked with, but the biggest mentor, I think, as far as like set goes, and I worked with Jim Cummings a few times and he's a horror flick right, yeah, yeah, for the Wolf of Snow Hollow, but he's made, he's a great filmmaker and and just kind of a go-getter and he he's become a great friend. But just to see how he operates and see how he works and see how he kind of takes his next project. See how he operates on set. Yeah, he's just been a really good kind of lighting of a fire, I guess of of like, oh, oh, jim's doing it, let me try to do it. You know that's been a big. He's been a big one for sure. There's been others, I'm positive. I just can't do them right now. But yeah, I think every set I pick up a little, a little morsel of greatness to take along with me.

Speaker 2: 9:02

What would be the biggest? I I mean, like I'm in minnesota so my hollywood kind of radar is a little bit off, but I covered this stuff so I can set up a little bit in tune. But what would you say the biggest misnomer from from hollywood is that growing up you had one idea of what you know being an actor is like to experiencing it now, or something that you just I didn't have a clue, or this was way better, or this is way worse, or harder. Um, maybe it's an audition process, but what? What's been the biggest kind of surprise? It's a lot of work for free.

Speaker 1: 9:40

It's a lot of free work. There's a lot of auditioning. There's a lot of free work. There's a lot of auditioning. There's a lot of callbacks. There's a lot of meetings. There's a lot of yeah, come on, come do this film with us. Oh, all the film didn't get funding, sorry, and you know it's.

Speaker 1: 9:56

It's a lot of just, you better be in it for loving the craft or not at all, cause there's just a lot of things that you got to do that involve the acting portion but maybe not getting paid for it. Or, you know, maybe you're doing three, four auditions for a project and then the project gets pushed two years. You know which is a may or may not shoot, may or may not work out. But that was, I think, the biggest thing that I kind of had to to, to learn one and two, to be really honest with myself as far as, like, do you really love this craft? Do you love the performing? Do you love just being in front of the camera and finding a character and becoming that guy and all the aspects that that surround as opposed to anything else catering and all that. But yeah, I think that was the biggest thing for sure.

Speaker 2: 10:52

And we can include podcasts in that too. Sure, I'm sure we're not the only ones, and I get it. I mean, I've been doing this since 2012, interviewed countless celebrities, and I do have a soft spot for guys like you that are promoting something where you know my. I know that half my questions are going to be the same question that everyone else has, but it's new to my audience.

Speaker 2: 11:19

Oh, totally yeah, but it has to be done, just because you know what drew you to to the. You know Lilo and Stitch is going to be done. Just because you know what drew you to the, you know lilo and stitch is going to be coming up. And I'm sure that's not the most original question and it's not going to be the only time that you hear and so I do have a hot spot for the actors and actresses that you have to go through this process. Uh, they're doing their job, just like I'm doing my job, and so we're all kind of appreciative of it, but that's how things get going.

Speaker 2: 11:47

Yeah, you've had some guest starring spots on tv, uh, one of them being 9-1-1 Lone Star. What's it like coming in as an actor to an established series, as a guest star for an episode or two?

Speaker 1: 12:00

yeah, it's, it's uh, it's a challenge, for sure, because you have to come in prepared, of course, but at the same time you want to make relationships with all these people and you want to put on your best face and your best foot forward, of course, and then you're gone. You're there for a few days and then you leave, and yeah, it's really just showing up prepared and trying to connect with as many people as possible, as quick as possible, so that you can either work with them again or meet with them for coffee or what have you, just to kind of hold relationship. I feel like that's the biggest thing in this industry is there's a lot of good people that you can become friends with. But yeah, it's just really quick. I definitely wish the little stints that I've done were longer, for sure.

Speaker 2: 12:53

As an actor, if you could be guaranteed four years of work on one series for the same, for X amount of dollars, or four years of guest starring on various shows and creating various characters and in the end getting the same amount, is there a preference that you would do? I mean, is there something there's?

Speaker 2: 13:14

always something nice about stability, but is coming in and creating a different character and not being kind of stuck or tied to it for years. Is there something enjoyable about that? As an actor, you know what that's a, that's a great question.

Speaker 1: 13:29

Oh, I love the, the variation of you know, character to character and show to show, and, uh, that would be incredible. And to find you know you're doing last of us, one you know one week and then you're on, um, you know, game of Thrones the next week, whatever it is. Uh, but also, on the flip side, to be able to really dive into one character for a long time would be a real treat for sure. Ooh, I think I would have to do the guest star one, though I think I would want to explore a bunch of different worlds, a bunch of different shows and just hit all the different characters. Wow, that's a great question.

Speaker 1: 14:17

I think the guest star one though.

Speaker 2: 14:19

I'm leaning towards that one. I think I would too. One of the things I am jealous about is that you were in the book of Boba Fett. I believe it was what episode two of season one. That was shot on the volume, wasn't it? It was, yeah. Were your scenes on the volume then, I assume. Well, so we were in.

Speaker 1: 14:41

They had made Tosche Station and so outside of Tosche Station there was like the desert expanse of Tatooine, yeah, but still, you know, walking to set, you're seeing the big screens and the, you know walking past a speeder next to you.

Speaker 2: 14:58

It was surreal, man, it's great what was that I mean, what was your like, your favorite? Because I mean we all, whether you're a Star Wars fan or not. There has to be some nostalgia of seeing something like that. What was?

Speaker 1: 15:11

that, like I'm a huge Star Wars fan and I had to really calm the Star Wars nerd in me. But just walking onto that set, I mean there was Tosche Station and speeders everywhere, and then on the set right behind Tosche Station, sharing the same wall, was Jabba's Palace, and just to be in there. There's so much history Not to say that it was the exact same set, obviously, but there's just so know, not to say that it was the exact same set, obviously, but like there's just so much weight to it. And and actually stepping onto that set to, uh, steph green was our director and she was on just a phone because she was like she was on facetime in another room at her house or something, because because she was quarantining um for another show.

Speaker 1: 16:06

So john favreau came in and was just, you know, said that uh, he was going to direct us in in our scene for the next like three days or however long it was. Oh, wow, yeah, so just to have him also be like coming into, you know, our scene and saying try this and try this and we rewrote this. And it was surreal, man, it was, uh, it was also such a fun set. He just encouraged finding moments and playing and you know, if, if, uh, you have a moment and you want to try something, do it. Like we'll edit around the spaces or whatever, like he was just so encouraging of finding the performance that is going to portray this this moment, you know. Yeah, just that whole experience was surreal. I'm jealous.

Speaker 2: 17:03

So now we have the live action remake of Lilo and Stitch. Those movies have been, the remakes have been hit or miss. I would say Some are better than the others, I think. Lilo and Stitch though, really has itself to be a good one, just because I think it fits. I think it fits doing the live-action. It's hard not to resist the little girl. What got you interested in that, what put that on your radar and what was the process of getting involved in it and becoming Agent Foster?

Speaker 1: 17:39

Well, I got self-tape. I have an agent in Hawaii who's incredible and there's only a couple of casting directors out there and I had done NCIS directors out there, and I had done, uh, ncis Hawaii out there, uh, I think a few months prior, and uh, so the casting kind of knew me, but they called me in for this, I taped for it, uh, they loved it, asked me to do another, uh, a little adjustment on each of the tapes and sent those in and uh, I guess Dean liked it a lot and was laughing a bunch, and so he, he, uh, he got me on and yeah, it was I. I love the original movie.

Speaker 1: 18:23

so much it's just so different than like your normal. You know Disney princess and Prince story or whatever you know the other Disney stories. It's just such a standalone movie and I really think that this live action version is going to mirror that, that wit, that type of film, that type of storytelling that was the original and sometimes even shot for shot too. I think it's very close to the, to the first one, which is the whole point. You know you make a remake. You want to see the same characters you want to see. You know the same looking stitch. You know you don't want to see something that's totally different. Maybe a few adjustments in style, style, but really, like you want the same, you want them, you want to relive that nostalgia.

Speaker 2: 19:13

You know that's what a remake is, I think I think movies like transformers you know to grow up with the cartoons and then to finally have the movie where you, yeah, see optimus, even though it's a different type of semi, but to see him come to life and hear the voice out of a realistic-looking robot, I think, for my generation at least, was just a huge thing. I think Disney had good intentions with it. I think they should have been a little bit more selective in which films they did and didn't do. But I think Leland should be a fun one. I've I've loved the marketing that they've done.

Speaker 2: 19:51

I don't know if you've seen much of it, but they had it's been so good in la they had like our animatronic, uh, you know, scanning in people's tickets and stuff like that and popping out of popcorn.

Speaker 1: 20:05

So yes, yes, the marketing team is on top of it. They're doing the stitch popping out of the popcorn. I think in some theater there was a stitch driving around too. They're doing a fantastic job.

Speaker 2: 20:23

The chaos is perfect for that character. As much as you've done like the star wars, the 9-1-1, this really has a chance to be, you know, your biggest at least in my opinion visibility as an actor. Are you prepared for what this I mean? Little kids are going to recognize you, I would assume you know, is are you prepared for something like that, or is this just another role that you've done? You're excited when it comes out, but you've got to focus on the next roles coming up.

Speaker 1: 20:58

I mean, I don't know, man, I don't know if I'll ever be prepared for that kind of recognition or what have you. As long as, as long as I can make some people laugh, I'll be, I'll be stoked about it. And yeah, I mean always just gearing up for the next one, you know, and I feel like that's always the thing, but this one is special. I think this one is such a there's going to be so many eyes on this movie that if I, you know, again, can make two people laugh in within my role that I I had, that's a success for me for sure, but very, very grateful to be a part of it. And it's crazy. It's crazy how big and how globally expensive this love for this character is, love for this movie.

Speaker 2: 21:51

Did it feel like you were making something bigger than what it was while you were filming it? Or is it really, since the PR really kicked into high gear, because they're really promoting this? Right right, I mean Beauty and the Beast yeah, it had some commercials and stuff like that. And the Lion King had some commercials and stuff like that. But they are really going all out as far as the media and the marketing goes.

Speaker 2: 22:19

Did you feel that, while you were shooting it, that this was something that had potential? Or was it just another script that happened to be the same as a previous film?

Speaker 1: 22:29

It didn't honestly, it didn't feel like a huge movie. It was, yes, there was like a lot of crew and people and it felt like a big movie, but it didn't feel like this giant thing. It was very like almost indie feeling. When shooting, you know, we improv a little bit, we were changing up the lines, we were trying different stuff, we were laughing on set, we were hanging and having a good time Not to say that doesn't happen on bigger sets too but yeah, it just felt. It felt intimate, it felt like you know, a little fun indie movie I was connecting with, with co-stars, and it was a great time, not to mention being in Hawaii while doing it too. Yeah, it was a great time.

Speaker 2: 23:16

Is that part of it, that you were so far away from LA that it felt more like an indie movie? Yeah, You've been filming in Vancouver. The reins of the studio might be a little bit more involved.

Speaker 1: 23:29

You know I think it did. I think it helped being in such a different place Hawaii is such its own wonderful escape in itself that shooting a movie out there just felt like a different. You know it felt like it was that it was the only thing that was there. You know it felt like it was that it was the only thing that was there. You know it felt like it was just the movie and that was it. You know you're not going back to your life sporadically. You know it's. You're there and you're shooting a thing and that's it, which was fantastic.

Speaker 2: 23:58

Now one of the things that you do off screen is you're big into youth mentoring with the big brothers and big sisters mentoring uh with the big brothers and big sisters. Are you looking for any additional kind of street cred as uh agent foster now that you've done that role, uh working with the the big brothers and big sisters?

Speaker 1: 24:19

yeah, I love working with them so much. I uh, I think I'm to get a little more street cred from this movie for sure. I think, uh, uh, I mean that's the audience, you know, that's, that's the whole audience that's going to see that. Uh, that movie is like the fourth to fourth to sixth graders, that kind of in between there, and yeah, it's great. Man, I just want to. You know, I had a mentor growing up myself, so I wanted to to. I felt it necessary to to do that for other kids too. But, but, definitely going to gain some street cred with this movie for sure.

Speaker 2: 25:03

Is there any other charities or anything? I want to give you an opportunity to promote anything that you are passionate about while we're doing this.

Speaker 1: 25:11

Yeah, the uh, the Pasadena humane society I've worked with a couple of times. I'm a big advocate for animals and non kill shelters and they're uh, they're very, very good and very great to work with and so shout out to them but uh, yeah, maybe I'll hit you up with more later sure?

Speaker 2: 25:32

so now we have leo and stitch coming out in theaters may 23rd. Tell us a little bit more about the projects you have coming up, the ones you can, yeah, at least um, I shot a a very quick role on a jay duplass movie called see you when I see you.

Speaker 1: 25:50

I believe that's coming out at the end of this year but I'm not sure. I still haven't had a release date on that. But that's going to be a fantastic, fantastic movie. It's a family drama comedy and very, very stoked to be a part of that one, even for the little amount that I am. And then another movie that I shot a few years ago is finally coming out this year. It's called Grizzly Night. It's a true story. It's about two grizzly bear attacks that happened in Glacier National Park in 1967. And it's the only time that this has ever happened in history and ever it's two grizzly bear attacks happening on the same night and they were only like six miles apart or something like that. But a great rescue party story. Yeah, kind of lead the rescue party in that one. I got to work with amazing people in both. Very stoked for both of those. It's going to be both. Those are me Very fun.

Speaker 2: 26:50

You've done the big picture. Now you've done a lot of smaller roles TV film. You've worked with people like Ryan Gosling. If Steven Spielberg came to you, gives Steven Spielberg money and says I want to finance and have you star in your own pet project, what would be a story you'd love to tell as an actor? Is there a role or a genre of film that you would love to do? I mean, you've done the astronaut thing. You've done the Australian and Hawaii thing. What would be a pet project if you had the Spielberg vacuum?

Speaker 1: 27:29

Yeah, I've always wanted to do a Sasquatch movie. I think there's not enough of them and there's not like a real thriller, suspenseful detective movie around Sasquatch. I think a Sasquatch movie would be so fun, even like a big conspiracy theory guy. So aliens, loch Ness, monster Really, I guess more cryptozoology would be the word. But yeah, sasquatch movie would be so fun.

Speaker 2: 28:03

That was not the answer. I was guessing In the realm of things, but I guess the brief, jerky commercials are not enough. Yeah, not enough. Not enough, man, that we need more, although we had harry and the henderson, but I don't know if that, that movie, if you which was like yeah, that's like a comedy, right, that's like a comedy, family comedy.

Speaker 1: 28:27

But uh, the horror yeah, like a like a solid scary movie, but a sasquatch movie. I think that that hasn't been done before.

Speaker 2: 28:36

It'd be fun part of me thinks there's a reason why it hasn't been done. But to each their own. Yeah, your answer to answer what would be before we go. You've had a lot of success, a lot of little success that has kept you afloat. Things have gone your way where, like you said, you don't have to necessarily wait tables or stuff like that. But I'm sure it hasn't been easy and I'm sure it hasn't.

Speaker 2: 29:03

You know, it sounds easy, just kind of conveying, jumping from one thing to another, from one thing to another. What advice would you give to a young actor that is looking for that? I mean, because you have the stability, but it's not a reassuring stability. You got through the next two months. You don't know what's going to happen in three months, but one month from now you're going to get a role, so you're feeling okay. So it sounds like there's a little bit of overlap in your life where you're doing okay because you have the overlap. What advice would you give to a young actor that's worried about kind of finding that stability or finding that and exploring, taking that leap into acting?

Speaker 1: 29:44

Yeah, I mean, do what you can. Honestly, I've had every job you can imagine. I've worked two jobs, I've worked three jobs, I've worked three jobs, I've worked sometimes four jobs, but acting and performing and the dream of it all has always been the first priority. So I feel like there's a lot of times where you know and of course this has happened to me before too but you get kind of distracted and you kind of veer off the path of why I moved here, you know why I started this whole thing and you know, sometimes you you put off auditions so that you can take a shift at at the bar that you work at, or you know whatever it is.

Speaker 1: 30:27

And I had to really check myself when I started to do that and just to, hey, you know, if I have an audition, that's why I'm here. If I have a role, if I have, if I book a gig, like if I book a job, anything like that is why I'm here, regardless of the money it pays, regardless of you know. Uh, so just prioritizing while you're here and and yes, you'll, you'll find it always will work. I promise it will always work out, it will always find, you'll always find a way to keep going and keep surviving, and there was as long as you kind of trust the process of it all.

Speaker 2: 31:06

I think you mentioned it earlier the relationships. I mean, that's one of the things that even as a critic huge, huge that I've seen is that the I would write a review about an episode of a tv show and I would comment how the writer is one of my favorite writers for that show. That's why I love it anytime he comes out with an episode. That writer then turns into a showrunner years later. Right, remember that you know that actor or the tv critic that was, you know, respectful or kind to them and just in the little amount, even as an extra on a film, you know I saw how relationships really paid off exactly. That's another key thing to to be.

Speaker 1: 31:48

It is because you know you. You take that short film that doesn't pay anything you know for for two days and you lose two days of work. But now you've just met a director, a writer, a producer who all appreciate you going out of your way to act in their project, their thing that they created. And now, a year down the line, they're going to get funding for some feature and they're going to remember that you were great on set, that you were professional, that you showed up on time, that you're prepared and that you gave your time to their their thing that they loved. And now they want to keep you along. You were great to work with. So why? You know it just like spirals into that and then multiply that by however many people you meet and work with, it's huge. It's the biggest part of this industry is relationships.

Speaker 2: 32:40

One day you think you're working with one director and Jon Favreau shows up. Yeah, don't want to be so lucky.

Speaker 1: 32:46

Exactly.

Speaker 2: 32:47

Skyler, thank you for coming on Again. Lilo and Stitch comes out in theaters May 23rd. I expect it to be a great hit because of the material itself, I think is is ripe for this. But uh, may 23rd and Skyler, good luck to you, and uh, I look forward to seeing where your career takes you. Thank you so much man appreciate it.

Speaker 1: 33:08

Thanks for having me.