Open to It: An Interview with the Cast!

What was the inspiration behind the show?

Frank: The life and times of…many a gay friend. I know a number of open couples, all of whom have strong, healthy relationships. Yet despite having consumed many a queer web-series voraciously, I was waiting for a comedic take on being open. So I thought, time to make one myself! And naturally, I also had to do some…market research. To tell the story truthfully!

What are some ways that you feel like you can relate to your character?

Tim: Cam and I share a confusing combo of traits – being free spirited, aka aloof, and at the same time painfully practical. It’s like, “Oh, yes, let’s do this completely random, possibly destructive thing on a whim but I’m going to plan the hell out of it and make sure I have complete control.”

Frank: Greg is a chronic over-thinker, and completely under-confident, despite his recent romantic successes. But it comes from a long history of feeling like no one wanted his love. Greg also cares deeply for his partner, and strives to make amends when he does anything to upset him. I would say that Greg has both my positive and negative traits, taken to an extreme. In other words, I am a more boring, less cinematic version of my character. Movie magic!

Jason: Princeton is a very unique character. He is very sassy, overconfident, and uses his physicality to get ahead. I am not like that at all! I am full of self-doubt and second guess everything I do. Thank god for Frank because he has now become my go-to advice person. However, I do have a performer persona that is very similar to that of Princeton’s. When I’m modelling or taking on roles like this one, I have to put on a sort of mask (a Princeton mask if you will) that portrays this overconfident, sexy actor. But, I’m actually a huge dork. I will say, I am most like Princeton in that I just want people to be truthful and say what they mean. Although, I think that’s a side of him you’ll see later on in Season Two.

How did you prepare for the role?

Frank: I am lucky enough to have a few talented professional actor pals who were willing to coach me on my performance, to ensure authenticity alongside the comedy. As I had never done sex scenes before, I found myself chatting with good friends who are sex podcasters, Cam Poter and Karen Lee Poter of Sex Talk With My Mom, to get comfortable with the idea of appearing unclothed on camera. My co-fiancé and co-producer Matt Hartman had my back at every turn. Finally, I worked out a lot and ate…not a lot to make sure I looked all right standing / lying next to Tim Wardell (Cam) and Jason Caceres (Princeton). They both said that I looked good, but I also pay them, so…suspect.

Tim: I had lots of random sex. KIDDING! To be honest, I feel like I understood Cam pretty quickly. I think finding the tone of the show was the harder part for me. But between the fantastic Greg Wolf, the director of the first few episodes, and the hilarious creator, Frank Smith, we found the sweet spot early on.

Jason: I went to the gym a lot! Haha! Just kidding. I memorized my lines, and rehearsed like any other actor. One of the things I love about “Open To It” as a production is that they are very serious about setting rehearsal dates before the shoot dates. I love rehearsing. It allows us to flush out all the actions in the scenes and gives us ample time to play around with the dialogue to find the right delivery. Many of the directors that have worked on this show are also very giving in their allowance of improv so if, during a rehearsal, something that was written is not landing correctly when said, we are given the freedom to workshop together and find what works.

What was exciting about working on a project like this? What makes Open to It so special?

Tim: The story excited me most about the project. I think it’s refreshing to see a queer couple deal with the subject of polyamory in a positive light, where things are fun and not apocalyptic.

Frank: Visibility, mainly is what makes the show so special. I remember when I worked at a talent agency, being pitched a gay superhero show, and thinking, “Could that work? I’ve never seen one.” We need to see ourselves being funny, and having FUN, in order to know that we can. Especially when it comes to polyamory, so many storylines and series choose to show only the hardship, rather than the hilarity. I want us to see that being open can be silly, smart, sexy, and stupid, all at the same time. As long as partners consent and communicate, they’ll be all right.

Jason: The best part about working on “Open To It” was how close the cast has become. Because it started off as such a small production, we got to spend a lot of time together. Granted, now it has grown exponentially. I believe, when we started, the cast list was maybe about 6 people maximum, more or less, however, the last episodes we shot for Season Two now include somewhere upwards of 20 cast members. It’s quite impressive how Frank has managed to expand the “Open To It” universe.

But, what initially drew me to this project, and what was exciting at first, was how light and fun the writing was. I am a huge fan of LGBTQ+ comedies and strongly believe that there needs to be more of them out there. Not only does it help to increase the visible representation in media but it also shows us in a different light. For so long, the majority of queer media always focused on the negative aspects of being queer; the disappointments, the disowning, the expelling of, the dangers, and the “sickness.” If we can show people that we are multifaceted and are capable of experiencing queer joy, maybe it wouldn’t be that scary to come out or to accept us.

What do you think is going to surprise audiences about the show?

Frank: The humor! It’s not all butts and abs (although there are plenty). Sex and comedy do not often find themselves in the same show, but we really try to be hot AND funny. Or as we like to say on set, “Honey!”

Tim: The show is a lot of fun and doesn’t take itself seriously. There’s a lot of unapologetic sex-scenes, but a lot of them are comedic or very loving and sweet. You’ll laugh and be turned on at the same time! What a combo!

Jason: Well if I tell you, it wouldn’t be a surprise! I think people will be surprised at how much heart the show has, especially in Season Two! The characters truly grow into themselves are become well-rounded representations of the Queer community.

If you had to choose someone, who of the cast was the biggest troublemaker on set?

Jason: Can I say me? Is that allowed? Me. And because I like to have fun on set so I am always cracking jokes. If I’m not allowed to say me then I will say, our Production Designer Rose. She knows why!

Oh wait, you said cast! Um…Victoria for sure. She is a blast to work with. I feel like we share very similar energies and senses of humor so anytime she is on set I know I’m going to have a good time.

Frank: If anyone gives a name other than Jason Caceres, they are Jason Caceres. For real, Jason is a lovable scamp, and one of my best friends. He’s very easy to be around. But his talent for improv makes him dangerous to act against. He really goes for it each time, and challenges you to keep a straight face. Well, gay face. He’s positively hilarious.

Tim: I’m not sure anyone is a trouble maker. We all bring our own “thing” that makes working together fun. Jason brings the drama (in a good way!). Frank brings the quirky jokes. Kim brings the fun/bubbly energy and Elizabeth brings the hilarious, dry honesty. I guess I bring the loving bitch energy – is that a thing?

Do you have a favorite episode?

Frank: I’m really proud of Episode 4, “Open to Voyeurism.” It has a lot of parallels to the pilot, because it’s an episode where the main couple, Greg and Cam, are trying to reset, and do threesome night right, but when the third likes one of you more than the other…hilarious, horny disaster ensues. I’m especially pleased that the theme of voyeurism plays out across multiple storylines: Elsa and Reggie feeling left out when the guys are having fun, Princeton feeling left out when the guys step back, Reggie feeling left out when Elsa and Princeton unexpectedly hit it off: a character pairing that keeps the giggles coming in many future eps.

How did you get the drag queens to join the cast?

Frank: I called! Matt Rivera, a publicist – and also a drag queen on the show! – reps a lot of them so he very kindly connected us. Pandora Boxx, I met through mutual friends, and Manila Luzon, I met at DragCon. Jason Caceres (Princeton) deserves all the credit. He walked up to her booth shirtless, said she had to be in the show, and introduced us. There was no scene written for her at that time, but as Jason pointed out, “You don’t say no to Manila Luzon.” So I wrote her in as Princeton’s drag queen roommate, and they have been a hilarious duet act ever since.

Without giving too much away, was there a favorite line of dialogue from the show?

Tim: “No one under 25 because their brains aren’t fully developed.”

Frank: “I dye my hair when my life is in tailspin, too.”

Jason: “Everything’s about my body!”

Other than this one, what’s your favorite show on OUTtv?

Frank: I loved John Bickerstaff’s series “Grounded” when it was still on the network, for being, well, a grounded depiction of gay dating life. Now, it’s “For the Love of DILFs,” because Stormy and I both worked on the same Showtime series. A season apart, so ships passing in the night. Much like we are now, with OUTtv, unless… “For the Love of DILFs” and “Open to It” crossover, anyone!?

Tim: I’m a huge Russell T. Davies fan, so Cucumber and Banana are top picks for me. Classics.

Jason: I’m really excited about the second season of “For The Love of DILFs” I have a friend on that show and I hear he stirs up quite a bit of trouble amongst the daddy hoppers.