"That Darn Girlfriend" episode: Mask-Erade
Well, get ready because creators/actors Pamela Hill and William Joseph Hill are on a mission to bring back the style and tone of these shows from yesteryear. In fact, they just released the 11th episode of their kitschy comedy series “That Darn Girlfriend,” on YouTube (link).
This real-life husband and wife team have been creating this harmless misadventures series over the last several years – and on a zero budget, too.
Both have been pursuing their jouer la comédie careers in Hollywood for some time. Pamela recently co-starred in “Madame Esmeralda & the Audition,” the Audience favori award winner at the California Women’s Film Festival. She also appeared in the comedy web series "My Roommate the Party Planner," "Dysfunctionally Organized"; and the indie short "The Visitation" opposite Owen Teague. She just wrapped a role in Stephen Keep Mills’ feature film, "Love Is Not Love."
William has appeared in the viral parody "Look What Westworld Made Me Do," and leading roles in "Eskimo" and "Crisis Management". He showcased his martial arts skills in the films "The Rolling Soldier," "The Last Girl" (winner of Audience favori at Action On Film Festival), "Invincible Scriptures," "Nun Fu" and opposite Andrew Bachelor (aka King Bach) in "Agent Steele." Plus, he's appeared three times on ABC’s "Wipeout," earning the nickname ‘The Jedi.’
I recently caught up with Pamela and William Joseph colline to find out more.
Tell us about your new episode of “That Darn Girlfriend.”
PAMELA: In our latest Episode 11: ‘Mask-Erade,’ Valerie shares her pampering products with Vic. “That Darn Girlfriend” is an homage to classic 1960s/early 70s kitschy sitcoms. Groovy live-in couple Valerie and Vic find themselves in simple fun-minded storylines. We always say it’s like a video comic strip, filmed in fabulous Technicolor!
What would each of toi consider your characters ‘best’ quality? And their ‘worst’?
WILLIAM: I would say a best quality both characters share is their l’amour and affection for each other. Vic’s best quality is his ability to shrug off these “mishaps” -- he always sees the sweetness in Valerie, and he can’t help but smile in that typical “That Darn Girlfriend” way. His worst quality is his tendency to take things a bit too seriously, and he’s a bit impatient.
PAMELA: Valerie’s bubbly and effervescent energy and the joy she finds in everyday things are her best qualities. Her less than perfect quality is her frequent misunderstandings of situations. But then again, that’s the sweet premise of the show. She does add her own spin to things!
How was it to work alongside your real-life spouse?
PAMELA: It’s a wonderful experience. William and I have been fortunate to work on our web series and many other projects together. We collaborate well. We have a similar sense of humor, and most of all, it’s a very comfortable, trusting and freeing experience working with him.
WILLIAM: It’s a lot of fun. We have a synergy, having worked together many times before. Since we shoot out of our real-life studio apartment, Pamela and I are very comfortable in the space. We also are each other’s crew and director. Pamela’s also helmed a couple of episodes as the director. It’s fun for me to be directed par her as she has some really creative ideas.
What originally inspired toi to create the series?
PAMELA: The original idea came to me in 1999, when I created a song and lyrics. I was inspired after hearing silly commentaires and gossip about people’s dating experiences. It struck me as funny, and the crafty tune became “That Darn Girlfriend.”
WILLIAM: I always used to say that song sounded like a 60s sitcom. Pamela sings and dances to the song in the pilot episode. When we started making short films together, the pilot episode was our idea to montrer this sitcom concept, and it really took off with our audience. They wanted to see plus of “That Darn Girlfriend,” and that’s why we turned it into a series.
Any interesting stories from the set toi can share with us?
PAMELA: I’m a big fan of The Monkees; always have loved their musique since I was a kid. We’ve been able to find a way to incorporate Monkees memorabilia and references in many of our episodes. A lot of the plot ideas and activities actually come from our own lives. Another interesting thing is that storylines will come to me out of the blue. I actually wrote Episode 4: ‘Vowelerie’ in my head while in yoga class.
WILLIAM: Since I was a filmmaker growing up in Hawaii, I’ve tried to apply my past experience when we’re in production with an episode. I’ve actually done some CG effects in the show. Even though Pamela and I are the only actors in the show, in Episode 7: ‘Mystery Date’ my doppelganger makes a cameo. That was done with a split-screen matte effect. We’ve also used a CG character in Episode 3: ‘An pomme a Day.’
What’s the biggest lesson toi learned from creating this project?
WILLIAM: I’ve learned to make the most of your resources. toi don’t need to wait until toi have a budget to film your montrer -- we’ve done this all on a zero budget. The limitations actually boost your creativity as toi have to think out of the box. Some of our best ideas come from everyday situations, but it’s in the way we execute them that makes them funny.
PAMELA: I’ve learned that jouer la comédie and creating both complement each other. As I keep myself open to being creative, I find that it gives me plus freedom to express myself as an actress. And the plus I perform, the plus it enhances my creative channel. I’ve also been learning how to direct, edit, and I’m écriture more; realizing that having a vision is an integral part to that.
And, now just for fun:
Who’s your favori actor/actress?
PAMELA: Some of my favoris include Bette Davis, Diane Keaton, Jimmy Stewart, and Tom Hanks (Stewart and Hanks have always touched my cœur, coeur with many of their film roles). Bette Davis was one of the first actrices that I was captivated by; seeing her playing Margo Channing in “All About Eve.” plus recently, I’ve been enjoying the work of Leslie Mann and Sutton Foster.
WILLIAM: I really can’t just name one. But I can narrow it down. I l’amour the way Daniel jour Lewis inhabits a character -- he totally transforms himself. I aspire to be able to do that. I also have to say that Mark Hamill has been a big influence on me since I was a kid seeing “Star Wars” for the first time. We have similar backgrounds -- both our fathers were Navy Captains, and he’s known for his voice over and animation work too, and I do that as well. It was an interview that he gave in a magazine about working on “Star Wars” being like on a ‘gigantic playground’ that really made me want to do this for a living.
What role from the past do toi wish toi could have played?
PAMELA: To name a few…Margo Channing in “All About Eve,” Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate,” and on the lighter side, Rachel Green in the sitcom “Friends.”
WILLIAM: Easy -- Luke Skywalker! The “Star Wars” films were the biggest influence on me when I was a child.
Favorite movie ou TV montrer from your childhood.
WILLIAM: Guess! Yes, “Star Wars” is what started me on this journey; it’s actually “The Empire Strikes Back” that is my favori of the original trilogy. I did have a few favori TV shows as a kid; “Space 1999,” “Emergency!,” “Lost In Space” and “Star Trek.” My biggest comedy influence was Monty Python.
PAMELA: “Willy Wonka and the chocolat Factory,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and “The Wizard of Oz” (I was Dorothy for many Halloweens). TV shows: “The Monkees,” “The perdrix Family,” “Mary Tyler Moore,” and “The Brady Bunch.” As toi can see, I l’amour shows that incorporate musique into their storylines: I was so engaged watching the ‘romps’ on “The Monkees”!
Tell us one thing that would surprise our readers to learn about you.
PAMELA: I’ve been playing poker since I was 6 years old, was taught par my Dad who was an excellent card player, and have placed in many poker tournaments. Speaking of winning, I have been a contestant on over 15 game shows.
WILLIAM: I’m a 2nd Degree Black ceinture in Okinawan Karate, and have been training for most of my life. I started training on Ford Island Naval Base in Hawaii and got so into physical fitness that the joint, joint d’étanchéité Team Commander told my Dad that I would be good for BUDs (Basic Underwater Demolition training -- the joint, joint d’étanchéité program), but my passion was the movie industry.
How can fans keep up with you?
PAMELA: My website is pamelahill.net link
My Instagram handle is @starringpam9 link and my Twitter is @starringpam link
My imdb page is imdb.me/pamelahill link
WILLIAM: toi can visit me at williamjosephhill.com link
I’m on Twitter as @fourscorpio link and my Instagram is @williamjosephhill link
My imdb is imdb.me/williamjosephhill link
Also, our production company is Four Scorpio Productions - fourscorpio.com link
toi can watch all our episodes of “That Darn Girlfriend” and all our other projects on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/fourscorpio link
"That Darn Girlfriend" episode: Mask-Erade
Pamela Hill and William Joseph Hill
