We’ve all wanted to be somebody else for a day — who hasn’t?  — but the difference between us and actor Brent Rose is that he is actually doing it. In fact, Rose is being 50 other people as part of his creative project to make 50 short films based around 50 different characters (all played by himself) in as many weeks. It’s a marathon of creative energy, innovation and personal reinvention. How could we NOT be into this?

Check out our Q&A with Brent below. Support his project here.

Where did you come up with this idea?

It was really born out of my frustration with being type-cast.  I got so tired of agents and casting directors telling me what they thought my “type” was.  If they saw me do one thing, then they would assume that that one thing is all I can do.  So partly it was to prove (to myself, and to them) that I have a wider range than I was being given credit for.  So, that’s where the concept came from.  It wasn’t until I was in a job that didn’t allow for any auditioning, though, that I finally decided to do it.  I get really depressed when I’m not working on my craft (acting and writing), so I had to give myself an outlet or I would have lost it.

Any favorite characters that you’ve conceived so far? All-time favorite episode?

There have been a lot of characters that I’d consider favorites.  Al Griffin (Al Griffin Goes Outside), Lon Zelig (the New Freedomland Dancers), Mike Pritchard (Classic), Ed Byron (Ed Byron’s Last Words), Geoff Boyle (Geoff Boyle’s Apology), and of course, my first character Brian Baumleiber.  I’ve got a bunch of favorite episodes, too, but my top three would probably be Al Griffin Goes Outside , Classic, and The New Freedomland Dancers. 

What are you some upcoming characters you had in mind?

I’ve got some ideas I’m really excited about, and I don’t want to give away too much, but I’ll tell you that I’ve got a nose fetishist, a guy who had his larynx removed but has handled it in a very unique way, and a Christmas music video that’s going to be really funny.

How have people’s responses to your use of Kickstarter been so far?

Overall, really positive.  I’ve had a lot of emails from artists who didn’t know about it yet saying “What a great site!”, and I think a lot of them are starting to plot their own projects.  Truth be told, though, I have run into some people who are really leery of signing up at yet another website, and giving someone their credit card info, etc.  Some have hesitated, and even outright refused because they were so nervous about it, despite my assuring them that Kickstarter is 100% legit.  What can ya do?

Your rewards are really wide-ranging and creative (presiding over people’s weddings! giving character-acting classes!) How did you come up with them? Any advice for other people looking to set-up creative/interesting rewards?

I came up with them in a brainstorming session that lasted over a few days.  I just opened a blank document and wrote down everything I could think of that people might be interested in (in no particular order).  Then I went and looked at some successful projects and looked at their goals, to see if there were any ideas worth borrowing (which I’d highly recommend).  Once I had a lot of stuff in the list, then I started putting them in order, combining them, and assigning values to them.  It simplified the whole thing for me.

Any closing thoughts?

Well, of course, number one would be PLEASE PLEDGE!  I’ve only got until Friday night, and I’ve still got a looooooong way to go.  I would really appreciate your help.  After that, I’d just say be careful/realistic when setting your goal and timeline.  $10,000 in six weeks may have not been realistic, ultimately (though I know it’s still possible!), but I chose $10,000 because I think that’s what it will take to make the project as good as it can be, and I chose six weeks because I didn’t want to pause it for so long.  Hindsight being 20/20, I wish I’d given myself another few weeks, but that’s life, so this week I’m dedicating myself to finding creative solutions.  As of this writing my project is 42% funded, and has four days to go.  It’s an underdog affair, but it’s possible, and that’s what I need to focus on.  Fingers crossed, and thanks in advance to anyone who pledges!