Movies & TV / Columns
Rachele Brooke Smith On Her Role In Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar, Favorite Sci-Fi Films
Image Credit: Hungry Monster Entertainment
The 411 Interview: Rachele Brooke Smith
Rachele Brooke Smith is an actor and producer who has been working in movies and television, according to imdb, since at least 2008. Smith has appeared in such movies as 17 Again, Iron Man 2, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Bomb City, Nightmare Shark, and The Last Exorcist, and the TV shows Glee, How I Met Your Mother, Entourage, Anger Management, and Class Act. Smith’s latest movie is the sci-fi action adventure flick Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar, starring Michael Mare, Olivier Gruner, Sarah French, Sadie Kats, and Anahit Setian and directed by Garo Setian and is now available to purchase on DVD here and is available to rent or purchase via Amazon here and is available to rent or purchase via YouTube here and is currently streaming for free on Tubi (check it out here) and Flix for Free (check it out here). In this interview, Smith talks with this writer about making Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar, working with co-star Olivier Gruner and director Garo Setian, and more.
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Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar?
Rachele Brooke Smith: My agent reached out to me about the opportunity and I loved the character and the script and was so excited to be a part of the project.
BK: How did you approach your character Nina?
RBS: I loved the process of creating Nina. I love playing badass, strong, female characters. I have played several villain type characters in my career, and one of my favorite things to do is find what motivates them. What triggers them? What makes them tick? What are their insecurities? What are their past traumas? I studied psychology and I am always developing characters from that perspective. Most villain type characters, or anyone that acts in very violent, harmful ways, is usually acting out from some past trauma that they never got helped with. Nina had a ton of past trauma that made her behave in a very violent way, as it was the only thing that kept her alive. The skill of being able to defend herself and make other people fear her became part of her identity. It’s what helped her believe she was doing the right thing.
Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by human behavior. It’s why I studied psychology and also why I was so passionate about becoming an actress and storyteller. It is all the study of human behavior. And because I have been studying this pretty much my whole life (ever since I was like 14) I have learned a very holistic approach to diving into characters that are very different from me. I tried to use all of my senses, as well as a lot of music and movement exercises to help me unlock different aspects and emotions. I also do a lot of free writing as the character and a lot of visualization of their life and experiences.
I study a lot of other similar type of characters and other films. It’s all about creating how this character sees the world. What are their core beliefs, values etc.? What makes them tick? What makes them behave the way they do or not do certain things that you think they would? When you find those core stories and beliefs that is the big game changer when creating characters.
BK: What was it like working with the cast of Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar?
RBS: It was awesome! There was such a supportive environment on set and we all had so much fun together. I loved every moment of it.
BK: What was it like working with Olivier Gruner, who plays Dykstra? Is it right to call Nina Dykstra’s girlfriend or is she merely his associate/partner in crime?
RBS: Working with Olivier was the best! We had so much fun together and any free moment we had where we weren’t filming I was picking his brain on Tactical Training and we were practicing different moves, mindsets, and ways of doing things that most people don’t think about. Because of his military background he has real life experience of what actually works, and he has such a beautiful method of taking all of that experience and making it look really great for the camera.
BK: Is Nina a villain or is she just misunderstood?
RBS: She is definitely misunderstood and has been for a very long time. I think most people who go through very traumatic things when they are young and never get help and support with them are, in many ways, misunderstood. She is competitive AF, and she will stop at nothing to win or to get what she wants.
BK: What was it like working with director Garo Setian?
RBS: I absolutely loved working with Garo! He is such a great director. You can tell he puts his whole heart into every project that he does. He is so great at hyping everyone up and making everyone on set feel super free to play and explore all of the different possibilities. I also really love and appreciate that Garo and his wife work together on set so well, and are such a great example of a healthy, thriving relationship.
BK: What sort of weapons or fight training did you have to do for Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar?
RBS: I grew up a competitive gymnast, dancer, and I’ve trained in boxing and martial arts so I’ve pretty much spent my life training for a roles like this 🙂 But as I said earlier, I was working with Olivier as much as I could to learn and grow and get better at fight choreography and Tactical Training. It was so important that everyone on this film be quick on their feet and fast to learn fight choreography, as well as dialogue adjustments as we had to shoot this project so quickly. One of my favorite things about making the film was the fight scene days and everyone’s ability to work together so well, learn so quickly, and adapt in the face of challenges (and we had a lot of those).
BK: What was the hardest part of making Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar for you as an actor? What was the easiest?
RBS: The challenge of time was the hardest part about making this movie. I wish we had more time and coverage to really be able to showcase everything in the best way. I think we did a really good job with what we had. The easiest was getting along with everyone and having so much fun together on set every day.
BK: What is your favorite scene in Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar?
RBS: Two of my favorite scenes to film were the fight scene I had with Sarah’s character on the spaceship, and the fight scene that Olivier, Tyler, and I had with the aliens. I get such a high from doing scenes like those ones. I feel like a little kid in a candy store, and can’t get enough 🙂
And the added pressure of time constraints, as well as space in the spaceship, forced us to use all of our creative problem-solving to figure things out. There is something wonderful about overcoming challenges together and making it work better than we ever thought. That all felt really cool. Also, I would like to point out that I did this whole movie in boot high heels 🙂
BK: Is it right to call Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar science fiction or is it more appropriate to call it space opera?
RBS: Hahaha I love that question and I would love to hear from audience members what they think. So what do you guys think? Is it science fiction or space opera?
BK: Do you enjoy working in genre movies?
RBS: Yes, I absolutely love it! More please.
BK: What is “Relationship Renegades”?
RBS: My husband and I created Relationship Renegades so we could create a world where healthy relationships are the new norm, especially with both of us being in the entertainment industry and realizing that most media is focused on unhealthy, toxic relationships. We wanted to help change that. We wanted to create content, films, series, events, retreats, and programs that highlight, celebrate, and showcase all of the “Relationship Renegades” (aka relationship role models) out there. The best place to learn more about it is on our Instagram @Relationship.Renegades (check it out here).
Think about it as a proactive, playful approach to creating healthy, thriving relationships.
BK: Any moviemaking heroes?
RBS: Gosh, I could name so many here, but I think, for me, really strong and courageous women like Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Gal Gadot , Oprah, Rachel McAdams, Margot Robbie, Emma Stone , Leslie Mann , Brie Larson, Zendaya, are at the top of my list. All of these women didn’t just wait for opportunities, they created them and they did it with such courage, grace, humor, and wisdom. I definitely aspire to be like that. I also take inspiration from Guy Ritchie’s films, Steven Spielberg’s films, Tom Cruise’s films, Christopher Nolan, Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell , Brad Pitt, Robert Downey Jr., Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Adam Sandler, Zac Efron, and Chris Hemsworth.
Like I said so many!! And I could continue on for so long.
BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
RBS: As of now, I have two new films coming out this year and two more coming out in 2025. One of those films is a new superhero movie called Legend of the White Dragon, where I play the main female superhero character named “Iris,” alongside so many incredible legends in the industry. I’m so excited for the world to experience this new universe we created. Legend of the White Dragon is set to release in the fall of 2024.
Another film is called Alien Country, where I both play one of the leads in the film as well as helping produce it. Alien Country should also come out this fall. I am incredibly proud of this film and the team behind it and what we were able to do with what we had. I can’t wait for the world to see it as well as to meet my character Melanie.
A film I have coming out in 2025 is a new animated movie where I play one of the main roles (I also helped produce it). I can’t say too much about this one yet, but it’s another project I’m so honored to be a part of alongside several A-listers. It’s a film that I believe will help so many kids and families navigate challenging situations in a fun, entertaining way.
I’m also set to start a new movie that will be filming in Spain this year. I am playing one of the main characters as well as helping produce this film. I’m very excited about it. This should also be out 2025.
I’m also extremely excited about starting a new production company with several of my best friends and extremely talented filmmakers. We are all coming together to create several films, shows, and events that will not only be super entertaining but will help people in their lives be happier and healthier. We want to make people laugh cry, feel joy, and just help make this world a better place.
I’m also excited to be doing more speaking engagements and events to help empower as many people as possible worldwide.
I am also part of several really incredible companies that I believe in that are helping this world be a better place. One is called “Athena Healthspan” (we are changing the game when it comes to health and longevity worldwide) and “Magic Blocks” (we are helping disrupt the education system, and helping parents to raise resilient children through entertaining and educational books and stories).
BK: What do you hope audiences get out of Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar?
RBS: As much fun watching it as we had making it while also realizing what we were able to pull off on such a limited budget. There is a reason why we don’t have many good independent sci-fi, action films, even though I think the world is craving them. I also hope that they’re more apt to support independent films so that we can keep making more of them.
BK: What is your favorite science fiction movie?
RBS: I have so many. Interstellar, Contact, Back to the Future, Ready Player One, Avatar, Transcends, Arrival, Independence Day, Men in Black, The Island, Her, Gravity, Black Widow, and Wonder Woman.
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A very special thanks to Rachele Brooke Smith for agreeing to participate in this interview and to david j. moore for setting it up.
Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar is available to purchase on DVD here and is available to rent or purchase via Amazon here and is available to rent or purchase via YouTube here and is currently streaming for free on Tubi (check it out here) and Flix for Free (check it out here).
Check out my review of Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar here!
Check out Rachele Brooke Smith’s official website here!
Check out Rachele Brooke Smith’s official Facebook here, official Instagram here, official Tik Tok here, official YouTube page here, and official LinkedIn here!
Check out Rachele Brooke Smith’s imdb page here!
The Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar movie poster is courtesy of Uncork’d Entertainment. All other images are courtesy of Hungry Monster Entertainment.
