First-time feature director. First-time feature actors. First-time film. It all adds up to the hilarious, kick-ass, and sweet, FIRST DATE. And two of the reasons the film is so kick-ass are TYSON BROWN and SHELBY DUCLOS. Starring as Mike and Kelsey in FIRST DATE, in addition to leading an action-packed ensemble cast, these are two of the brightest new stars on the cinematic horizon.
Mike has a serious crush on the not so typical girl-next-door Kelsey. A girl who can hold her own against the most obnoxious (and ignorant) jocks on campus, she kinda-sorta likes Mike, too. But neither knows they like one another. Encouraged by his best friend, Mike finally makes a move and asks Kelsey out for their first date. But if you’re going on a date and tell your date you’ll pick her up, one assumes that means in a car, something that Mike doesn’t have. Undeterred, Mike turns to the one-stop solution for every problem – the Internet. Finding a sweet deal on a not-so-sweet ’65 Chrysler that has definitely seen better days but “runs like a scalded dog”, Mike makes the leap and buys the car from a somewhat shady character, leading to non-stop hilarity for the rest of the night.
Filled with a cast of kooky and fun-filled characters, among them drug dealers, criminals, good cops, bad cops, a crazy cat lady, and so many more, Mike and his ’65 Chrysler go on a non-stop wild ride of wacky adventures that not only gets him to Kelsey (albeit very late), but blends teen romance, action, dark comedy and laugh-out-loud hilarity in this charming and fun coming-of-age story. Trust me when I say you’ve never had a first date like this one.
Key to the success of the film though are TYSON BROWN and SHELBY DUCLOS. As Mike, Tyson imbues him with all the qualities of an innocent yet hapless and befuddled, what-the-hell-is-going-on teenager. Tyson is an absolute charmer. And then we see Shelby bring genuine kindness to Kelsey, made all the sweeter by Mike’s shyness as we feel Kelsey’s sensitivity and interest in him. And let’s not overlook the physicality of the roles with Tyson and Shelby doing their own stunts and action!
Written and Directed by Manuel Crosby and Darren Knapp, FIRST DATE also stars Jesse Janzen, Nicole Berry, Samuel Ademola, Ryan Quinn Adams, Angela Barber, Dave Reimer, Jake Howard, Samantha Laurenti, Scott Noble, Leah Finity, Josh Fesler, and Brandon Kraus.
I spoke with TYSON BROWN and SHELBY DUCLOS about all things FIRST DATE:
- preparing for a first feature role
- audition process and first thoughts on reading the script
- learning how to “fight” and training involved, plus actual fight choreography
- rehearsal time
- bringing themselves into each character
- the acting learning curve
- working with Manuel Crosby and Darren Knapp
- improvisation
- acting goals
- and more. . .
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview June 23, 2021
