Youth in Film and Television Briana Tedesco
A few weeks ago, Atlanta Film and TV was able to interview an energetic and talented twelve-year-old Briana Tedesco. Briana can be seen on the CW hit series, The Flash as Maya. She also played the daughter of Loretta Lynn as Lynn in Patsy and Loretta on Lifetime and co-starred in Netflix’s Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings as the young Lucy Jane in the Cracker Jack Episode.
Atlanta Film and TV: How did you know you know you were interested in Acting?
Briana Tedesco: When I was little, my mom and I would sit in the mirror and make different faces. And people would say “Oh, my gosh! You should put her in acting!” At first, my mom was unsure about it, until one day, we found an agency in Tennessee (AMAX Talent Agency) and they signed me! That’s when I did my first commercial and I realized how much fun it was. I got to meet new people, I loved being on set, and I always liked pretending and being able to portray different characters.
Atlanta Film and TV: When did you get your first taste of acting and how old were you?
Briana Tedesco: I was eight-years-old when I signed with AMAX Talent Agency and my first audition, I booked an on-camera acting gig for a Sunbelt Granola Bar commercial.
Atlanta Film and TV: How old were you when you had your first speaking role?
Briana Tedesco: I had my first speaking role at eight-years-old and I was in a film called All Light Will End with Chris Blake Films which is on Netflix. I played a flashback of the lead, Savannah, which was played by Ashley Pereira.
Atlanta Film and TV: How do you balance school, friends, and extracurricular activities?
Briana Tedesco: I was attending public school, but because of my busy schedule, I am now homeschooled and I love it! I have moved a lot so that makes it harder to keep up with my friends. But, I usually keep up with them by text messaging, FaceTime, and Social Media. When I do jobs in Ohio, New York, and or Georgia I get to visit with them. I will say, it gets hard sometimes, and it’s a balance.
I’m involved in many sports, I play soccer and basketball with the recreation center annually. However, Thanks to the Tim Tebow Law, which allows homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities even though I’m not enrolled in my neighborhood school. I am eligible to play in the local school district. So, if I wanted to become involved with basketball or any other sport, I can because of this law.
Atlanta Film and TV: What is one thing that you’ve done to better your career during this pandemic?
Briana Tedesco: I surprisingly have been doing a bunch of auditions - and I’m thankful for them because that’s what I do! I’ve also been working and attending virtual open calls. Playing on my guitar and completing my school work. I just recently shot and entered a film for Christian Castings First Ever and hopefully last (no offense) "The Quarantine Film Festival” where I won “Best Child Actor for the Children’s Film Category and second place for “the Best Children’s Film Category” for the film I starred in and co-wrote with my mom. It was so much fun and I was so excited about the nominations and awards.
Atlanta Film and TV: Could you share with us about your role as Maya in the CW hit series The Flash?
Briana Tedesco: When I got the audition, I thought it was pretty cool. The day my mom told me I booked the role of Maya I was excited! The thing is, even though I booked the role, I had never watched the show, to begin with, so we started binge-watching The Flash and instantly became hooked! It was funny because when I began filming, they were in the process of filming season six and we only watched the first two seasons. So, I didn’t want anyone to spoil it for me.
