As one of the stars of Disney Channel’s Coop & Cami Ask The World, Rebecca Metz has made a big name for herself in the acting world. She also has a strong recurring role on FX’s Better Things and has guest starred in dozens of television series. The entertainment industry can definitely be hard to break into, but Rebecca is making waves in the scene.
Home Business Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with Metz and get the inside scoop on her acting journey. She was happy to discuss her role on Coop & Cami Ask The World, her other current endeavors, and projects on her bucket list. She also shared helpful tips for others looking to get into the acting industry!
HBM: Tell us about your role on Coop & Cami Ask The World. What drew you to the show?
RM: “I play Jenna Wrather, real estate agent and mom to Coop, Cami, their older sister, Charlotte, and younger brother, Ollie. In the first episode, we find out that Jenna’s husband and the kids’ dad died two years earlier and Jenna is ready to start dating again. It means a lot to me to play a single, working and dating parent and to show a family dealing with that transition, because that’s reality for friends of mine and for a lot of families in our audience. They deserve to see a family like theirs represented on television.”
HBM: What is your favorite part about working on the show?
RM: “Every week is like workshopping a short play; we start off reading the script, spend three days rehearsing and making adjustments, and two days shooting. My background is in theater, so that process is very comfortable and fun for me. It’s really only on sitcoms that you get that kind of rehearsal time.”
HBM: What tips do you have for those who want to get into the acting industry
RM: “To be a good actor, you need to make a lot of mistakes and learn from your failures, and the professional world is not the place to do that. So don’t be in a hurry to try to work professionally. Professional acting is like the Olympics — the competition is fierce and you have to be among the best of the best to have a shot. Commit to spending as much time as you can getting great acting training and building your experience at the amateur/community level. Do local theater and make short films with your friends. That’s how to learn the basics and find out if you love the work enough to keep going.”
HBM: How did you get your start in acting? What has the journey been like?
RM: “I started acting by going to arts camps and getting involved in school and community theater. When it was time to apply to colleges, I knew I wanted to go to an acting conservatory program — which I think is how my parents knew I was serious about making this a career. After college, I moved to Los Angeles and spent more than 15 years doing theater, building industry relationships, and doing small on-camera roles while working full-time day jobs before I was finally able to fully support myself as an actor. It really is a commitment that affects every part of your life, so it only makes sense to do if you truly love the work.”
HBM: What other projects are you currently working on?
RM: “In addition to Coop & Cami Ask The World, I’m on a wonderful show called Better Things on FX, which is in its fourth season. It’s the brainchild of Pamela Adlon, who has been acting since she was a kid. She’s the showrunner, head writer, star, and director of every episode. It’s the most gender-balanced crew I’ve ever worked with. The show is sometimes funny and sometimes heartbreaking–it’s like a manifestation of everything I’d wish for in my ideal project. I’ve also gotten to work on fantastic new shows like All Rise on CBS and AJ and the Queen on Netflix with RuPaul. So I’m busy and grateful!”
HBM: What is on your bucket list?
RM: “I’d love to work on more features — because they pose a different set of challenges than you experience in television — and get back to theater, because I miss being on stage. My bucket list is pretty much to work with as many interesting, inspiring people and projects as I can.”
