Interview With “I’m Fine” Star Lee Doud! (@LeeDoud)
Photo Credit: Casey Kringlen
We recently had the chance to chat with “I’m Fine” star Lee Doud about getting his start in the entertainment industry, “I’m Fine”, writing for The Advocate, and more!
1. How did you get your start in the entertainment industry?
I feel like I’ve been in entertainment my whole life. I loved acting as a kid. I would spend my summers doing theater programs. During the school year, I would work backstage at the repertory theater near my home just to spend time with other actors and artists. I wound up majoring in acting at UCLA in their School of Theater, Film, and Television. After college, I just stuck around LA and have been working in the entertainment industry ever since.
2. How did you land your role on “I’m Fine”?
I actually had worked with one of the producers on another short film that premiered at Outfest a few years ago. They asked me to send a tape in reading for the role of Jeff. Then we had a day where we chemistry read between a few of the guys to see who fit best in which part. They’re a remarkably talented group of people. It’s been a lot of fun to work with them and it was great to reconnect with someone I had worked with on a previous project.
3. What is the show about?
“I’m Fine” is about a group of diverse gay men who live in West Hollywood. The show is centered around Nate and begins with him coping with a break-up. We explore a lot of the ways people interact with one another in this day and age – friendships, dating, and love within our modern culture filled with dating apps and social media. I think this millennial plight expands beyond just the LGBTQ community. I think the way we are connected to one another has changed so drastically and those are the themes we’re exploring in our show.
4. Who is your character?
I play Jeff, Nate’s best friend and confidante. Nate and Jeff have a bit of a tumultuous relationship, but they ultimately love and care about each other immensely. Over the two seasons, the audience gets to see them at very different points of their friendship.
5. How are you similar and different from your character?
I am a bit hard-headed at times, much like Jeff. But I do it out of care and compassion for others. I love my friends more than anything in the world. I’m also a bit cynical at times, but I think Jeff is a little more-so than I am in real life.
6. What are 3 words you would use to describe the atmosphere on set?
Tight-knit, open, and whimsical.
7. What has been your favorite episode to film so far?
I loved filming “The Day After Nate” in season 2. My very good friend Will was cast as Zachary and we had such a blast on set that day. The new bond that’s formed between Jeff and Zachary is really sweet and adorable. It was so funny trying to film one of the scenes – Jeff actually walks in on Zachary passed out drunk on the couch and the conversation that happens when Zachary wakes up is really fun. We had such a good time joking around and playing off each other, improvising parts of the scene. I’m really excited to see what’s going to happen with these two characters.
8. How does this second season differ from the first?
We actually shot the second season in a much shorter time-frame. We were moving much quicker, and I actually think that it’s reflected in the final product. I think because the shoot schedule was so condensed and we were shooting different scenes from multiple episodes in a single day, we had to think much quicker on our feet and it helped a lot of the comedic elements of the show. In season 2, you also learn a lot more about the characters’ lives outside of their friendship with one another. We really took the time to dive even deeper into what makes each person tick.
9. Why do you think the project is doing so well?
I think it’s honest. To me, it’s a very realistic portrayal of what it’s like to be a millennial in Los Angeles in 2018. Even though the characters are primarily in the LGBTQ community, I believe that the themes and issues we’re talking about are universal and can be recognized by many others.
10. When and where can fans watch?
“I’m Fine” seasons one and two are now available to stream on Dekkoo, which is available through Amazon, Apple TV and Roku.
11. Do you have any other upcoming projects?
Well, we’re actually in early discussions for a potential season 3 for “I’m Fine”. I’d really love to be able to expand on Jeff’s storyline a little further and explore more of his feelings and relationships with Nate, Zachary, and the rest of the crew.
I’m also writing a lot right now. I’ve been bitten by the writing bug. I just wrote an essay for The Advocate that came out in the beginning of February that sparked a larger conversation. I’m working on developing a project around that, as well as a couple other film and television ideas I’ve had swirling about in my brain recently.
12. What are your social media accounts?
You can follow me @LeeDoud on Twitter and Instagram or like my Facebook fan page to get updates on projects and whatever else I’m working on! Admittedly, there are also quite a few pictures of my dog, Tootsie.
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