Isabella Blake-Thomas, whose many varied roles include playing young Zelena on TV’s “Once Upon A Time”, a pregnant teen on Showtime’s “Shameless”, and curious pre-teen Ella in “Kepler’s Dream”, talks about her latest film, “League Of Legend Keepers : Shadows”, which she produced with mother Elizabeth Blake-Thomas via their Mother and Daughter Entertainment label.
Isabella, audiences likely remember you best from your roles in such films as “Kepler’s Dream” and “Unseen” – but this is a much lighter film than those. Was it a conscious decision to do something a bit lighter after those heavy-going films?
Isabella Blake-Thomas: I think it’s important to play lots of different types of roles, that way you can expand on you arsenal of skills. I love going to work and playing a superhero or “action hero” character. I also enjoy playing a role that can inspire young girls. Sophie is a great character to do that. She stands up for herself and others and believes in her self worth.
And what were your inspirations here? A little “Young Indiana Jones”?
IBT: Exactly, she wants to be an archaeologist like her father. I think it’s important for young girls to have role models in all industries, with all professions, so why not a young, female, Indiana Jones.
Your character is almost a mesh of Lindsay Lohan’s character in “Mean Girls”, Lara Croft and any one of the kids in “Stranger Things” – did those characters serve as inspiration at all?
IBT: It was important for us to find something real and create a character with obtainable, but still large enough for her to learn something, goals. I think those projects also attract a wide audience. This is something for the whole family to watch. It takes adults back to the simpler time of when they were kids but also give children the feeling that they can save the world.
Did you have a backstory for the character, even if it wasn’t on the page?
IBT: Definitely. She is a traveller, moves around a lot and follows her parents. She wants to be just like her dad. She is different and very rarely in one place for long so because of this, her friendships are short lived. This means, when she finds a good friend she keeps them close to her. Her family is very important to her.
In “Shadows” you are the lead. It’s all on your shoulders. Did you feel that going into the project?
IBT: I think after acting for so long, the fact that I’m a lead, doesn’t scare me but instead, inspires me to bring the life a character that has previously just been on a page. I was fortunate enough to have a great cast around me that helped bring the project to life. Gabe Eggerling, who plays Edison, and I are friends in real life so the chemistry between us on screen is real which I believe, helped the project immensely.
Between the physically-gruelling stuff you’ve done here, and the mentally-testing work in films like “Kepler’s Dream”, I’m guessing you’re a pro when it comes to relaxation techniques?
IBT: It’s not so much relaxing but more staying grounded. I like to meditate when I’m on set. I will often close my eyes and just take myself into a peaceful zone that allows me to fully concentrate on my role. I’m there to be a character and I like to stay in that space. It is important to take time out at the end of the day when you’re playing a role that requires so much emotion.
But do you find it hard to switch off at the end of a day?
IBT: I normally fall asleep in the car on the way home! I get back and sleep immediately. I like to sleep between 11 and 12 hours each night. Even now I go to bed about 9pm and wake at 8am. Sleep is so important, especially for teens. It’s one of the reasons I’m such a happy person naturally, because my body is so well rested.
Is it any easier when working on something lighter, like a drama or comedy like “Shadows”?
IBT: It changes for each actor. Some prefer the more emotional roles because they find it easier to switch on the tears but others enjoy comedy more because their strength lies in comedic beats, and timing. Personally, I’m a fan of both. I love sinking my teeth into an emotionally challenging character but it’s great fun to make the whole crew laugh when on set.
Can you see yourself doing more “League” movies?
IBT: 100%. Sophie has a lot more room to grow, a lot more places to visit and I’m sure the world will need saving quite a few more times! I’m really looking forward to creating the next level of Sophie and expanding on her morals and character traits in the next movies.
“League of Legend Keepers : Shadows” will be released December 10 on Digital and DVD via Uncork’d Entertainment.