Movies & TV / News
Briana Ratterman On Her New Movie Beth + Jeremy and Steve, Her Moviemaking Heroes
Image Credit: Freestyle Digital Media
The 411 Interview: Briana Ratterman
Briana Ratterman is an actress that has been acting in movies since, according to her IMDB page, since 2003. Ratterman has appeared in the short film Exasperado (2003), the feature length movie Franklin Wunder (2010), and the video game Access Code (2017). Ratterman’s latest effort is the dark comedy Beth + Jeremy and Steve, which is set to hit all major HD digital internet, satellite, and cable platforms and DVD starting May 30th, 2025 from Freestyle Digital Media. In this interview, Ratterman talks with this writer about making Beth + Jeremy and Steve, working with director Daniel Hill, her fellow cast members, and more.
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Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with Beth + Jeremy and Steve?
Briana Ratterman: I have to think back, but I think it was when I was taking Meisner classes with Barry Hunt (a good friend of Dan’s, one of the producers of this film, and the director of Sowelu Theatre Company). Dan saw me work in Barry’s class and asked if I’d be interested in reading for Beth.
BK: How did you approach your character Beth? Is Beth misunderstood?
BR: I think the movie catches Beth at a moment when she realizes she’s made a series of life choices which have ultimately made her feel like she’s lost something of herself. She’s not connecting with her husband, her home, her job, or who she feels she’s become. She yearns to revisit a time in her life when she felt alive in her skin and, maybe, a bit more wild. It’s almost mystical, how she’s drawn to the record store to reconnect with the music she loved— not only through the sound, but through the real, physical connection—the record slipping out of its sleeve, gently placing it on the player, positioning the needle. She remembers what it feels like to live in the moment. I think she could be very misunderstood, yes.
BK: Describe your working relationship with director Daniel Hill.
BR: Working with Dan was amazing. He’s calm, he’s clear, he’s thoughtful. He asks a lot of questions, he collaborates. He’s encouraging, respectful. I fully trusted him in the process, and I appreciated his trust in me. Early on, before filming, he helped the three of us begin to develop back stories and relationships through improvisational work and Meisner activities which was a dream come true!
BK: Describe your working relationship with Lucas Friedman, who plays Jeremy.
BR: Oh my goodness, Lucas is a gem! A serious actor, always prepared. So conscientious and sweet!
BK: Describe your working relationship with Matthew Dibiasio, who plays Steve.
BR: Matt’s such a pro. I think I drove him nuts sometimes when I didn’t always stay word-for-word on script. (Sorry, Matthew!) But, seriously, our friendship deepened so much over the short 18 days of filming. He’s fantastic.
BK: What was the hardest part of making Beth + Jeremy and Steve for you as an actor? What was the easiest?
BR: Hmm… life on set for this film was a really lovely experience. I was sad to let it go at the end. Maybe that was the hardest part, letting it go.
BK: What is your favorite scene in the movie?
BR: The Mod night dance scene. The underwater scene was quite the memorable night, too!
BK: According to IMDB you appeared in a video game called Access Code. What was that experience like?
BR: Super fun and very chill. It was the first time I got to try out a VR headset to see what it was all about! Hah, I think that was the only time, actually. The director of the game, Sloane Fuerst, and I have become really great friends.
BK: Any moviemaking heroes?
BR: Wes Anderson. Cate Blanchett.
BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
BR: I’ve been developing a multidisciplinary stage piece called Veronica, In Bed, merging AI, live video feed, and audience participation to explore the rise and fall of Veronica Franco, 16th century poet and courtesan. I work a lot with Shaking the Tree Theatre in Portland, Oregon, and have something coming up this fall with them, and I’m also headed back to grad school in August to finish up an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts.
BK: What do you hope audiences get out of Beth + Jeremy and Steve?
BR: I hope folks can see the characters as complicated humans, maybe even love them a little bit. No bad guys, no good guys. Just people doing weird people things, trying to connect. Life is messy and beautiful and sad. We make choices, things change, and life carries on.
BK: Are you a vinyl aficionado in real life?
BR: No, but I wish. I think records (and those who collect them) are sexy as hell, but I’ve moved around too much in my life to ever acquire a collection. Maybe I should start.
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A very special thanks to Briana Ratterman for agreeing to participate in this interview and to david j. moore for setting it up.
Beth + Jeremy and Steve is set to hit all major HD digital internet, satellite, and cable platforms and DVD starting May 30th, 2025
Check out my review of Beth + Jeremy and Steve here!
Check out the official Beth + Jeremy and Steve Facebook page here!
Check out Briana Ratterman’s official Facebook page here!
Check out Briana Ratterman’s IMDB page here!
Briana Ratterman headshot courtesy of Briana Ratterman. All other images courtesy of Freestyle Digital Media.
