That said, Shannon and her comedy are intended to unify, no matter the subject. How many of us love watching funny pet or baby videos and laughing to tears until our sides hurt? They’re just funny! They’re innocent and limitlessly silly, reminding us of the little hysterical simplicities of daily life. Pets and babies don’t take sides; they remove us from our “sides” and bring us back to the middle of just being people.
That’s what my intention is with Shannon. She’s not taking sides—she can’t even IMAGINE that people can be “political opponents.”Ultimately, the goal with Shannon is to “Take a breath,” look at things COMPLETELY OUT-OF-THE-BOX differently than we did before, smile, chuckle, and laugh.
How did you come up with the series’ distinctive look?
As stated before, it began with the lipstick and an “idea” of these people I knew from my childhood, with 80s-style dresses, thick Texan accents, and chewing bubblegum. As time passed, I pushed the character’s “persona” to the extremes of that baseline. The premise was simple: look for anything and everything that is the OPPOSITE of my “normal” style.
Her tonalities changed from a thick Texan accent in a “realistic” voice to an exaggerated “cartoon-esque” tone. Her costume “blossomed,” if you will, into an explosion of bigger, poofier accessories in brighter, happier colors, with a particular focus on the pinks/yellows/ and neon greens. But the introduction of the headbands and pom poms took the lead in shaping her look today. In the end, you have what some have coined a “modernized” version of “The Clown.”
“Her look is a vibrant explosion of 80s nostalgia, Texas twang, and pure comedic energy.”
In a way, Shannon has become a type of “alter ego,” and it is LIBERATINGLY fun to pursue!
Who was involved in the production of The Shannon O’Brian Chronicles? How was it filmed and produced?
ME! I did it. Just me. All the filming/editing/sound/voiceover/singing/narration/costumes/SPFX. All of it. This is a ONE-Woman show, and filmed ENTIRELY on a mobile phone. It’s not EDITED that way, but it IS filmed that way.
I’ve produced and filmed shows, pilots, and other projects with all the “real” equipment with my production studio, Rising Monarch Productions, using a WHOLE team, cast, crew, etc., etc. going to film festivals, screenings, networking events, and whatnot, since nearly the beginning of my acting/singing career (in NYC pursuing Broadway and later LA pursuing film). So, I’ve been doing this for a while.
Shannon was a LITTLE different because this time, it was JUST me, not via Rising Monarch, not really anything other than me just messing around. It wasn’t until the Pandemic hit (a year later) when I pursued the idea of Shannon confronting facemasks and other COVID-related concerns), that things became more “real.” Film festivals were going virtual, so I decided to submit a couple of the “Facemask” episodes (or “clips”) to several film festivals (just for grins). I didn’t really think it would go anywhere. Still, suddenly, Shannon was being accepted and even nominated for various festival awards, including Best Web Series and Short, with a Best Comedy Actress Nomination.
