Breanne Williamson On Finding Balance In Success And Her New Web Series ‘Basement 51’

Is there anything she can’t do”

She might be your favorite comedian, the actress who inspires you, the filmmaker you can’t get enough of… or all three! Breanne has quickly made a name for herself in the entertainment industry, and the successful place she is at now in her career is only the beginning.

We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Breanne about working behind the camera, her indie film recommendation, and more!

Was there a specific project or moviemaker who inspired your career in filmmaking?

B: “When I watched Superbad for the first time, something shifted. It will forever be one of my favorite comedy films. Then, when I looked up who wrote it and saw that it was Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg behind the curtain, it made me realize that as a Canadian, anything was possible.”

Congratulations on your latest project, your web series, ‘Basement 51’! How did this project come to be?

B: “I was inspired by the real-life personalities I was meeting in the green rooms of comedy clubs. There was something so raw about their willingness to admit that they were dreaming big. It made me think about how all humans can relate to wanting our dreams to happen in the one life we have, even when the world is
seemingly falling apart around us. I wanted to present that human desire in a campy and comedy forward way, and the rest is history.”

You managed to get the entire 6-episode show done in 9 days! What was the filming process like?

B: “Ah, yes! The glamour that is indie filmmaking. There isn’t an indie filmmaker out there who would tell you they wouldn’t love more time but time is money and we had a budget of granola bars and paperclips, so 9 days it was. Oh and we filmed in my parents’ basement… something I am very appreciative of, but there’s something about being trapped in a basement that you hit puberty in for 9 days with 40 people that really makes you look around and think ‘wow, I must REALLY love this because why did I do
this?!’.”

This may be hard, but out of the phenomenal six episodes within the series, which one is your personal favorite and why?

B: “Episode 4 is my favorite. I think it’s got a bit of everything – a super awkward game of spin the bottle, a really beautiful platonic connection moment between the unlikely friendship that is Cosmo and Leo, and some of my favorite jokes.”

‘Basement 51’ joins a long line of projects you’ve created, which have collectively garnered millions of views. What has been your reaction to your growing success?

B: “I’m constantly in a balance between trying to give myself the flowers for doing things I didn’t think were possible prior to accomplishing them and working on what I want to happen next – I think that’s just part of the human experience… battling sitting in appreciation for what has happened, and also moving the carrot to constantly grow.”

You are a jack of all trades, including directing, producing, and writing. With that being said, you also have acting and comedy in your wheelhouse. Do you prefer to be on center stage or behind the camera?

B: “I always say I produce so I get to act. Call me out on my ego for that but it’s honestly something I’m proud of. I think one of my superpowers is not waiting for opportunities but creating them instead – whether that’s producing a stand up show or writing a role I really want to play. That said, nothing could have prepared me for the hard work that goes into what happens behind the camera. Learning how to wear those hats and seeing the crew in action has made me appreciate media on a whole new level and also helped me get better at being in front of the camera too. I see the hard work that goes on behind the camera and I’m like… ok my job is to nail this scene so I make their day a little easier.”

For someone who is getting into indie film, are there any projects you’d deem to be must-watches in this industry?

B: “Bones of Crows, written, produced, and directed by Marie Clements, is a necessary and
powerful watch.”

If there’s one thing about you, Breanne, you’re always working on the next thing! Can you tease what fans can expect to see from your career soon?

B: “Yes – and please put it out into the universe! I’ll be charging my crystals and praying to the film gods that we see Basement 51 scale from a web series to a TV show – following the path of inspirations like Letterkenny and Broad City. I’ve been in meetings all day so now I wait for someone to tell me where to sign off my firstborn for a deal. Wish me luck!”

Make sure to watch all six episodes of ‘Basement 51’, available now on YouTube!

Photo Credit: Meaghan Gipps

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene Magazine, back in October 2020. When not helping her team and working on their print issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral TikTok recipe.