Actress Savannah Basley is back alongside Tim Rozon to battle the paranormal in the exciting new series “SurrealEstate.” Her fans will remember her from her role as Cleo in “Wynonna Earp,” and now she can be found on the SyFy Channel playing Zooey L’Enfant. Her filmography includes a guest spot in the show “Utopia Falls,” and considering that she loves the horror genre, she definitely enjoyed her role in “Tales from The Hood 3.” Basley is an avid anti-bullying advocate and a creative talent who often shares her passions on her Instagram.
For those new to the show, Surreal Real estate agent Luke Roman and an elite team of specialists handle the cases that no one else can: haunted and possessed houses that literally scare would-be buyers away.
Colleen Bement: Let’s chat about “SurrealEstate.” It is a fabulous new series and I’m hearing nothing but good things about it. What is a day-in-the-life on the set like for you?
Savannah Basley: Thank you so much! Normally, a day on set would consist of me getting to Basecamp, lovingly annoying my on-set P.A. or A.D. for food and coffee (always with coffee mate vanilla creamer). I actually got half the crew addicted, even the non-coffee drinkers. Then I would dance my way into hair and makeup, listening to music and saying our good mornings as each cast member arrives to get ready. And what a glorious cast, we became a team, much like the team you see when you watch “SurrealEstate.” One of my favorite places and favorite people on set is usually my hair and makeup team. They really are the people you go to for a moment of stillness or to get a “You’re doing great sweetie” cause sometimes you’re like I feel as though I suck today (even though you’re not), and they really give the best pep talks. But after you’re all done in hair and makeup, it’s into your wardrobe and onto set to make some fun stuff for people to enjoy!!!
CB: Tell us about your character Zooey L’Enfant on “SurrealEstate”
SB: I really enjoy playing Zooey. She’s the first character I’ve played where I really feel like she’s mine. I absolutely loved being on “Wynonna, (Earp)” but Cleo is a character coming to assist and advance the storyline that is already happening. You are very aware that anything you do is to help push the storyline that has already been built, so basically it’s about them and how you can help them tell the story. But with “SurrealEstate,” coming in from the start and being able to be so involved is so different. I am so grateful to the producers, George, and the entire team for allowing me to bring Zooey to life, and to be part of the decision-making process.
I’ve learned a lot about my acting style and what helps get me into these characters. For me, it’s building them from the outside; I feel like my internal decisions reflect on the outside. For Zooey, much like my own personality, when I’m moody, I dress like it, or my makeup reflects that; conversely, when I’m cheery and happy go lucky, my fashion choices also reflect that. It was really important to me for Zooey to have braids or the faux locks you see me wearing in the show. I think it’s ridiculous that people are still getting told their braids are unprofessional. I’m very proud that my portrayal of Zooey breaks the old school rules of perception that exist in “office environments”.
CB: I’m just curious…do you believe in ghosts?
SB: Yes. Energy can be created but it never dies. So, it has to go somewhere and who’s to say our next stage in life can’t be magical?
CB: What can you tell us about any projects that you have in the works? I see that you’re in a film called “EFC.” Are you allowed to chat about that?
SB: I’ve been very lucky over the pandemic to be able to keep working. Although during the worst of it I was of course at home being responsible and keeping people safe. But when I was able to work, I got to work on some really fun projects I’m excited for people to see. I love horror so most of my recent stuff has been in that genre! I may or may not have fangs in a project coming up, and also got to work with a legend, Miss Lynn Whitfield, on the recent Tales from The Hood 3. She was so classy and just so sweet, it was cool to work with someone else I grew up watching. It was a surreal moment (no pun intended).
CB: Your Instagram is fascinating. Do you enjoy social media and interacting with your fans?
SB: I hope that’s a good fascinating! I’m definitely learning. I can sometimes be a very passionate person, I guess that’s why I’m an actor. Like most people, I think I sometimes second-guess myself after I speak on social issues, but I also love to share the things that I am passionate about. I mostly want my Instagram to be a place where I can create and share and explore. And if you like what you see, by all means, follow. But if you don’t agree with me or if what I choose to share with you somehow upsets you, you can always keep scrolling or unfollow.
I see it as a creative space. I think it’s become more than just a place where people post their actual lives and more of an accessible creative outlet. Not everyone can act or paint or play music, but to them adding a filter or curating a page is their way of being creative. In my opinion, it’s more art than anything these days, and I love seeing inside a person’s mind and soul; if you can look through the filters and photoshop, you can see what the person is trying to say. Besides, who doesn’t love wearing rose-colored glasses? I’m not naive to the world, so I think it’s okay to escape into a world of beautiful aesthetics sometimes.
CB: What inspired you to become an actress?
SB: I was bullied a lot as a kid. I grew up in a very small town in Ontario, and my sister and I were the only Black people at our school. I went to three different elementary schools all because of bullying. I am an avid anti-bullying advocate as a result of what I went through. As a result of the racism and bullying, I didn’t have a lot of friends and spent a lot of my time alone. So, I became really good at pretending and creating these stories and imaginary friends, and my sister and I would take the VHS camera and make these movies (or dance videos as she was really into dance). Perhaps the beginning of my love of acting and creating. Then my Mom found this arts middle school in Kingston ON and sent me there. I finally found my people, my weirdos, and misfits, creators and thinkers. Kinda your classic drama kid story. But truly acting has saved my life. I’d tell myself as a kid “this will come in handy some day” and it does and has. The bullying, even the anxiety it created, are all experiences I can draw upon as an actor to cry on cue, get angry, draw on emotions and feelings that I’ve lived through.
Written by Colleen Bement
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