Sydney Mae Diaz
Role player Sydney Mae Diaz is hoping teens see themselves in the characters in a way that's never been seen on TV before in HBO's newest gen-z serial, Genera+ion.
For decades, studio execs and writers have been attempting to tell an authentic, true story of what it ways to exist a teenager in loftier school during that time and for decades, a lot of them haven't exactly hit the mark. Luckily for teens today they have Genera+ion, the newest serial on HBO. Created by 17-year one-time Zelda Barnz, the series follows a group of teenagers at a high school who navigate sexuality, love, friendship, and family unit in a conservative community. Sydney Mae Diaz plays J, a philosopher stoner who has a knack for comedic timing.
1883 caught up with Sydney to discuss all things Genera+ion, what it was similar to be in a franchise like Ghostbusters, and what'due south coming adjacent with their band anxioushum.
Y'all grew up in New York — whenever I speak to actors I'm intrigued to hear how the place they grew upward shaped them. How did New York shape yous as both a human and as an actor?
New York instills this fast pace lifestyle in you. I'1000 mostly always running quickly, in different ways. The audience process shapes you differently between LA and New York, too. There's this anarchy of running effectually, getting trains, and having to stay focused in New York. I call up New York was a perfect training ground because it translates well to being on set and having this mindset where you need to become to where you're going quickly, whether it's to an audition or to set up.
I know yous're in LA now shooting, practice you see a big divergence between those who grew upwards as actors in LA versus how you grew up in New York?
A lot of my friends from LA, peculiarly on this show, took classes and studied and were able to bound into auditioning a lot earlier. Whereas for me, I was focused on the teaching aspect of it and getting the degree. I was still professionally auditioning while I was in schoolhouse, but I didn't volume whatsoever work until I was fully out of school. I wanted to fully commit to doing something professionally rather than having school, rehearsals, and classes at the dorsum of my listen.
I just watched the first ii episodes of 'Genera+ion' and I'thou loving it so far. For those who oasis't heard of it, tin can you lot tell me a bit about your new series 'Genera+ion' and your character?
'Genera+ion' focuses on a group of kids in high school, nosotros're all part of the GSA group there, and it follows their unlike points of view in unlike situations. It's a cool concept because what may be happening to them in their life might not be seen by the other characters. They are all dealing with their queerness and sexuality, simply it isn't the sole focus of it. It shows that teenagers are queer, but not all of their problems stalk from that. I recollect that's important because a lot of the times in media, y'all only encounter queer characters and how their life is so hard because they are queer when that's not always the instance. There are ever other hard aspects going on that queer kids go through, as well.
Y'all play 'J' who is the stoner philosopher of the group — can you lot tell me a bit about them and was there anything you read, watched, listened to, to get into the mindset of 'J'?
I play J who is Chester'southward [Justice Smith] best friend. J often has the comedic parts and he always has this underlying philosophical wisdom which you can accept at face value, just he'due south really fun to play. To get into J's head I made a lot of playlists. I'm driven by music, so I focused on a couple of artists that helped me become into graphic symbol. I modelled J off of my youngest brother and his favourite rapper is Playboy Carti then there's tons of his stuff on that playlist.
What did your brother say when you told him you modelled J afterwards him?
I don't even know if I've told him outright, simply he thought it was kinda funny that I was picking his brain for J. He's the youngest person I know that has graduated high schoolhouse recently, and so having him as a reference indicate was very helpful for me.
Rather than placing its gay and bi characters as side characters and plots, 'Genera+ion' puts them all at the forefront, which is different than a lot of shows that endeavour but fail to be completely inclusive. How does information technology experience to star in a show that is highlighting and lifting these voices?
It's amazing, honestly. To be function of a project like this, I couldn't ask for anything better. To see all these different faces and voices celebrated on-screen makes you happy that something is bachelor like this for the younger generation. On the other side, it makes yous almost mourn for yourself a bit… y'all think most how you would've loved to see this on-screen yourself growing up. Information technology would've helped requite me the correct vocabulary and information rather than having to seek information technology out myself. Seeing people on-screen makes it easier to accept those voices that are within yourself and that's important for kids to see. I know it took a very long time for me to come across myself reflected, and so hopefully shows like these push the timeline a bit and make it less hard for someone to find themselves.
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In the 2nd episode, the characters talk about what they would want to practise before they die. Your character said the ten-pound burger and rainbow milk claiming, but what would your answer exist?
I have to call up about that….. I feel similar a lot of the things I've said related to this topic are not true….. I know — cage diving with sharks. I think it would scare the shit out of me, simply I think that'south something I need to do!
Yous'll also have your large-screen debut in Ghostbusters: Afterlife later on this twelvemonth — how does it feel to be joining such an iconic franchise?
The feel has come and gone and I notwithstanding don't have the words for it. It was my first time out of the country, we shot in Canada around Calgary. That was my commencement fourth dimension on a large movie set considering at that signal I simply e'er worked in TV and theatre. The director, Jason Reitman, had and so much trust in our cast. He encouraged usa to improv and interact with i another because we were mic'd up the whole time. I was overwhelmed by that considering he put so much trust in our hands to help tell this story from a franchise his begetter started. It was scary at first because that much trust is a bit jarring, simply it helped build my confidence as a professional. When someone is placing that much faith in yous, you have to be doing something right. It was a life-irresolute process and I loved the entire bandage a lot. It's beyond annihilation I thought I could ever accept as an actor.
Especially being in a franchise like Ghostbusters, I tin only imagine the pressure and bliss you were feeling.
Right! Anybody knows the songs, anybody knows the films fifty-fifty if you haven't watched them, everyone goes out as the characters for Halloween. Information technology's an experience I'chiliad going to probably recollect about for the residual of my life.
You're also a vocaliser/songwriter for the indie rock ring 'anxioushum'. Is music something you've e'er been interested in since you were a child?
I wanted to be in a band before e'er wanting to be an actor. Pre-pandemic, I was constantly at concerts in New York and seeing my friends perform or play shows of my ain. When I wasn't auditioning, I'd be going to concerts. It'due south such a huge part of my life.
I know you're focused on acting, just would you lot want to go on a tour with your ring?
Yes! That's some other life thing I want to do before I die. I would love to keep tour. I but miss live music so much. Sometimes I'll put on a live record only to go 1/8th of the serotonin I used to get from concerts.
Literally! I experience you. A few weeks ago marked 365 days of no live music and I do not similar information technology.
I call back it's the longest I haven't been to a gig since I was probably 13.
Lastly, what else can we await from you in 2021?
Ghostbusters is out in November and we have the remainder of this block of episodes of 'Genera+ion' so a few more episodes subsequently this year. I'1000 planning on going back to New York and recording some new music to release. I'k still auditioning and looking to see where my next project will take me! 2022 is but going to keep hitting the basis equally I've always been doing
'Generation' can be seen on HBO Max
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Source: https://1883magazine.com/sydney-mae-diaz/
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