Millennial Spotlight: Meet Astin Rocks of the Real Fakes Series
An Interview with Jessica Wise
With the global pandemic, we’ve all been seeking more and more binge-worthy content. Indie filmmaker Astin Rocks, however, chose to create it instead. We got to sit down with this Atlanta-local writer, director, and producer to discuss her online sitcom Real Fakes, now preparing to release Season 2.
Tell us about your series.
Real Fakes is a workplace comedy following college student Meela McKinney’s day in the life working at a knockoff handbag store. It’s based on my, Astin Rocks’, true story. That was my job in college, LOL. We’re in season 2!
What is unique about this cast and crew?
It’s all inclusive! Firstly, Real Fakes is among the first to see a buddy comedy between both an African-American woman and Asian woman. I felt that was missing a little bit from the entertainment space, so it was fun to create! But more than that, it’s the first opportunity I saw to really divulge into relationships between Black people and people of color. That’s why the cast is primarily BIPOC because, in real life, working in the knockoff shop was my first time exploring and processing the dynamics between Black, East Asian, Latin and South Asian ethnicities. The cast reflects that. And the crew? Two kickass women directors, three kickass black producers, and a diverse team representing all walks of life!
What makes Meela a relatable character?
Not gonna front: I’m probably the only Black person to use “cunt” in a sentence, but there’s no other way to describe Meela! What makes this snarky 20yo her relatable though, is she’s your typical college student working her first job, trying to race to that “Party of the Year,” and suffering through all the bullsh*t that comes with customer service. We’ve all been there - asking ourselves, “Am I sure there’s no such thing as a stupid question?” “Is the clock actually working?” And when you add counterfeit luxury to the mix, you can’t help but wonder when you watch Meela, “Okay, would I actually have handled that differently?”
While the need for diversity on-camera is heavily discussed, the need for diversity behind the scenes is often forgotten. Why does diversity behind the camera matter?
What I’ll say is this: No one can tell our stories better than us. We don’t need anyone’s permission, nor their embellishments. We don’t need a chaser. When you have Black and Asian people on screen, it’s very important to have that discourse behind the camera as well. Also, when it comes to hiring crew below the line, we “all we got!” Who better to give us opportunities than us?
Was filming during a pandemic challenging? How was the cast and crew able to work safely?
Challenging? Nah. Granted, I was a server during the pandemic, so my perspective is probably different than most.
We kept the crew numbers as low as reasonably possible. We required masks and had additional disposal masks on deck, sanitizer stations, and both cast and crew had to be tested before shooting, with results due the night before.
Do you plan to shop the series out to a network soon, or continue online?
I like to keep it online for sure! However, my dream is to have it licensed on a major platform. The work is never done!
What advice do you have for other young filmmakers who are starting their own projects?
Just do it. Expect shit to go left. Expect it, then, to go absolutely right. Keep practicing. Don’t be afraid to show your work. Moreover, don’t be afraid to watch your own work. It’s probably not nearly as bad as you think it is. And once you advance in your process, you can clock your progress. It’s a beautiful feeling, knowing what you can accomplish with limited resources, and knowing what you’ll do with more. But you have to start.
What can viewers expect for Season 2?
More of Meela’s personality, for sure! More of her wants, needs, and though we don’t leave the store, we see more of her world. Oh, and the entire season takes place in one day.
For those of us who missed Season 1, is it still accessible? How can we watch and catch up in time for Season 2?
You can watch Season 1 on www.therealfakeseries.com, our IGTV @therealfakeseries and our Patreon account at patreon.com/threalfakeseries.
How can we support you and get more eyes on the show?
We’re definitely in the homestretch of Post-Production! We’re asking viewers to subscribe for as low as $3/monthly, so we can pay our Sound Designers, enter festivals, and give the best post-vacc screening party, ever! Donations can also be made to the website. Otherwise, share our webisodes via IG, subscribe on YouTube, comment, send to your mom, every ounce of support is appreciated!
