SHOOBS is a coming-of-age story set within the mayhem of a London house party. We joined cast lead Janet Etuk to learn more...
Hi Janet, how does being a writer inform your acting and vice versa?
Hey! When I write, I delve into a character’s emotional arc and explore how and why a character feels a particular way during a scene. When exploring their journey, I find myself referring to a scenario that has happened to me in my own life. This can sometimes be a powerful tool and can also open up a new sense of understanding when I’m acting.
How did you arrive at the 'banging South London house party' context (including the music, costume, décor etc) for SHOOBS?
For SHOOBS, I arrived at this context by looking through old diaries, and photographs and listening to music that I was brought up on. The nostalgia was palpable and so I had no trouble brainstorming ways to bring past party events and the era of the noughties to life through my writing. Images from that era linger with me every day of my life.
What was it like working with director Lisle Turner on the project? How would you describe your creative relationship?
Lisle Turner held my hand every blooming step of the way, to which I’m grateful for! It’s exciting to be given the chance to create your first film but it can also be daunting, especially if you’re tackling themes that mean so much to you. More than anything, I wanted SHOOBS to have a real heart and for it to resonate with others from the noughties era.
Every time I had a wobble or lost my way, Lisle would be there to re-direct my brain back to what I was originally trying to convey in the film. I was constantly given the opportunity to fine tune ideas, propose other tactics and see how far I could push certain sections of the piece that meant the most to me. The whole experience was invaluable, and I’ve learnt a tremendous amount after working with him.
How does SHOOBS engage with and challenge the prevailing conversations about personal and cultural identity?
Without mentioning any spoilers, the main character (Lisa Jnr) shows us her ‘public’ and ‘private’ face. This was very important to create and for the film to capture and arguably one of the key moments in the film. We see Lisa’s social surroundings and the pressure to conform to what is deemed as the ‘social norms’ in her society. We then see her ‘private face’, which is where the film engages with the conversation of personal and cultural identity.
By zooming in on her internal struggles amongst the raucous house party and then witnessing something far more personal, confusing and non-linear, I feel that SHOOBS opens up the conversation of personal versus cultural identity.
What has caught your attention (in a good way) in the UK culture scene recently?
Kyran Thrax is an East 15 Alumni (like myself) and they’re the winner of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, Season 6! Absolutely sensational and utterly inspiring!
Learn more about SHOOBS here.