The Veronica Exclusive

I had the amazing opportunity to work as a cast member on this fantastic web show. This production began as just a simple idea, posted online, and it evolved almost overnight. I was lucky enough to be cast in the role of Veronica, a lifelong aspiration of mine. Portraying her alongside such a talented cast and crew became a highlight of it's summer production in 2015. Though the series has not yet concluded, I look forward to seeing the way our editor meshes the actors together, despite our being thousands of miles from each other. It's truly an experience to witness. It's been a pleasure to watch this amazing and creative idea come to fruition at the hands of just a dozen teenagers with a deep adoration for "Heathers" and "Heathers: The Musical".

This is entire series is a testament to the Streamvaudevillians working on it, the acting is spectacular and works perfectly with the editing and writing. The acting. Where to begin? Casey Caplin has the awkward, slightly nerdy Veronica Sawyer down cold, along with some of her own additions that make the character all the more realistic. She turns the script from words on a page to a realistic well-rounded character. That is not to say the writing is bad, the writers of the show have managed to perfectly take the best parts of the characters and plot line from both the film and the musical and create something even more beautiful. The script perfectly captures today's average teen and creates a Veronica Sawyer many young people can relate to and empathise with. The writing includes several nods to the source materials and creates several very quotable moments of it's own. The devil themself could not have played the part of JD, or Jane Dean, better than Megan Lambie. She creates the perfect balance between charming and unhinged, the little expressions added in, even when the camera isn't on her insert just a little fear into the hearts of everyone watching. Kadi Brazil portrays the 'mean girl' Heather Chandler perfectly, creating a more human, but still terrifying, character. Her cattish presence oozes through the screen and reminds everyone of the 'one girl' at their school. The eye rolls say it all with Leah E.R., she plays the part of the ever bored-by-life sidekick with excellence. Lizzy Phipps makes everybody desperate to leap through the screen and wrap her in a hug and never let go, Heather McNamara has always been a personal favourite and Lizzy Phipps only strengthens this. Her desperation to be loved as part of the Heathers has everybody sympathising. Lyric Bowman as the naive Martha Dunstock was brilliant casting on the part of Lily Larson, her wide-eyed take on the already lovable Martha will make your heart lurch, particularly in episode 3, the Best Friend Tag. Roan O'Brien and Poncho Ortega play jocks Kurt and Ram with seamless acting. The latter's editing skills add humorous touches, namely the 'Personal Body Count' but also creates an incredible realism to the series, so much so that the series even received a comment from somebody who believed in it so much they thought it was real. Congratulations guys, you deserve a slushie.

Full of quick wit, out of this world acting, and side splittingly amazing humor, The Veronica Exclusive is a one of a kind sort of web series. Based on the cult classic, this show has managed to take the concept of "Heathers" and pull it into the modern day without losing any of the quirky dark humor that made the original as fantastic as it does.

Casey Caplin takes on the role of Veronica Sawyer as if she was born to play the part, and creates the backbone of the show, which all of the other actors build off of. Megan Lambie's new female take on the classic role of Jason Dean (now re-imagined as "Jane Dean") adds a new layer to the character never before seen in either the movie or musical adaptation. While still remaining cynical and snarky, the casual format of the show allows for far more touching moments between Jane Dean and Veronica, portraying their relationship far more realistically than the other adaptations.

While the rest of the cast is stellar (Lyric Bowman's Martha, Lizzy Phipps' Heather McNamara, and Roan O'Brien's Ram Sweeney popping into my head particularly.) To me, the stand out star besides our romantic leads has to be Kadi Brazil as Heather Chandler. Playing Heather as almost more of a Regina George than the original movie version of Heather, Kadi manages to perfectly capture the wonderful bitchiness of the movie while dragging her away from her shoulder pad ridden 80's kicking and screaming into 2015.

An amazing series, with a cast talented beyond your wildest dreams, The Veronica Exclusive is well on it's way in my eyes to becoming the next Lizzie Bennett Diaries. While not at the same production value, the imperfection that comes with the shooting technique makes the characters that much more real in my eyes. If you haven't already seen this show, then go carve out an hour or two of your day and do it. I promise you, there won't be a single second of your time that is wasted in this masterpiece.

"Heathers" is a cult classic dark comedy starring Winona Ryder and Christian slater, which was recently adapted into a hit musical of the same name. From this came the inspiration for "The Veronica Exclusive", which brings the classic tale into the 21st Century through a vlog-style series of episodes.

An admirable concept, but one with plenty of room for error. Did they pull it off? Short answer: Yes! 100%! No doubt about it!

The editing and cinematography, courtesy of Poncho Ortega, totally nails the 21st C aspect of the series, and adds a hugely comedic touch with the "Personal Body Count" slides.

Writers spanning from Lilly Larson to Kadi Brazil (who we'll come to later) deliver huge laughs combined from select lines from the movie and musical, clever references, and some very original and laugh out loud humour! The writing is not a one trick pony, though. The budding romance between Jane and Veronica is always written to make the heart flutter, the characters are interesting and believable, and the shift from tension and suspense to comedy is seamless.

Onto the acting. Casey Caplin captures the essence of Veronica in a totally unique and hilarious way. Quirky, cute, and laugh out loud funny, she captures everything Barrett Wilbert Weed did that made the character so lovable, but does it in her own way, on her own terms, and makes a great job of it.

Megan Lambie, the lover-turned-murderer Jane Dean, develops with each episode and makes the relationship and her character feel real. She can connect with an audience, a skill hugely sought after and admirable in any actor.

Heathers' Duke and MacNamara (played by Leah E.R. and Lizzy Phipps, respectively) are always solid, consistently funny, and delivering pitch perfect interpretations of their characters.

Perhaps the comedic highlight, Roan O'Brien as Ram Sweeney is off- the-wall, unabashed, and simply amazing in his role as the big bad jock. Lyric Bowman, in a U-Turn, is the sweetest Martha ever put on screen. Her acting is good, yes, but its her in-character lovability that suits the role so well. She loves this character, and you can tell she's loving every minute of her performance, and so she should, for she does an amazing job.

And finally, Kadi Brazil herself! Simply flawless as Heather Chandler. A fleshed out character, with on point facial expression, movement, and use of voice. The star quality simply exudes from her as she lights up screens as the perfect Heather Chandler. The standout performance, no doubt.

All in all, the acting, writing, and show itself, are amazing. Fans of the musical and movie should flock to this, as it would be the best choice they've ever made. As young Casey Caplin would sign off, How Very!