Bizaardvark
Have you had a chance to watch Bizaardvark on the Disney Channel yet? It’s moving to its regular time slot with the telecast of its second episode “Draw My Life,” this Sunday, July 10 at 8:30 p.m. EDT.
In this new episode, Amelia gives Frankie and Paige tips to produce their next video, which has to tell the story of how the two met and created their channel. Meanwhile, Bernie tries to help Dirk overcome his worst fear.
Check out my behind-the-scenes set visit now.
While we were in L.A. last month, we walked the Bizaardvark set, screened the premiere episode, and got to chat with the cast. I’m sharing some of my favorite questions and answers.
Bizaardvark Creators, Kyle Stegina & Josh Lehrman
When we sat down to watch the Bizaardvark premiere episode, we had a few moments to talk with the creators, Kyle Stegina and Josh Lehrman.
In talking about the first episode, Josh said that “I think we really related to it a lot because it’s centered on where do I belong which I think it’s such a huge topic at this age. We’re still trying to figure that out […] where do you fit in? And for these two girls, Paige and Frankie, it happens to be VUUUGLE. Paige and Frankie are two really creative young comedians who find their salvation in VUUUGLE.
They go to this school where they don’t fit in and […] VUUUGLE is basically are our version of YouTube. And why it’s so important for them is that it’s this bastion of strange, weird creativity. It doesn’t need to be creativity. It’s really everyone is welcome for what they do which is like one of the central themes of YouTube and I think the Internet in general is that everyone is welcome to do their own thing. Or you know what’s your niche and what do you do when everyone’s celebrated for that? Because really no one does the same thing.
And that was one of our goals too when we were creating this show is we were trying to create a different type of girl for the Disney Channel. Throughout the episodes of the show these are two girls who are very creative. Their focus is not on boys. You know when we showed this pilot to kids they really responded to the idea of these kids embracing their weirdness. And lots of kids were like, I’m weird too.
We also had a minute with producer, Eric Friedman.
I got drawn to this project after the pilot phase. Josh and Kyle created the pilot but I created Crash and Bernstein for Disney. And I’ve also worked on Austin & Ally and I’m in the Band and a few other shows for another kids’ network that I’ve never heard of. [laughs]
I’ve been in the kids’, writing for kids for about 10 years. So I love it. It’s super fun and this show is just like the greatest show. Our cast as you can see is just incredible.
“Bizaardvark” Cast Q+A
After watching the premiere episode, we moved to the set to have a Q & A session with the “Bizaardvark” cast.
When we visited the set of Disney Channel’s “Bizaardvark” we had a few moments to sit and talk with the cast: Madison Hu, Olivia Rodrigo, DeVore Ledridge, Jake Paul, and Ethan Wacker. It was very informal, and we were able to get a sense of what these young actors do on a daily basis. The rehearsals, the schooling, and for some – dealing with newfound notoriety. They were all very down to earth and supportive of one another.
Ethan Wacker even commented that he followed Jake Paul’s YouTube channel and was a fan! Since the show revolves around this young cast and Vlogging (Video Blogging) it was interesting to hear how they followed each other online.
Because Jake is a successful YouTube sensation, Ethan asked for his tips to becoming successful. The response was simple.
“Be consistent, find your niche, and create that brand.”
When asked if they were in school, Olivia let us know that they home school and have on-set teachers. It seemed like they were all so down to earth and just happy to be there. All of the actors also genuinely got along with one another and said they felt like a family.
How much can they relate to their characters?
Olivia and Madison let us know that they can relate to their characters, “Paige” and “Frankie.” Madison says she “brought parts of myself,” while Olivia says she can relate to being “kind and awkward.”
Jake agreed that “I definitely relate to my character.” Ethan says he “half and half” relates and he is “optimistic and open-minded.”
DeVore says she is “very creative,” like her character.
What did the cast say when we asked why families should tune into Bizaardvark?
It is something brand new, it’s social media oriented, and shows you can follow your dreams. All great reasons, in my book!
“Bizaardvark” moves to its regular time slot with the telecast of its second episode “Draw My Life,” on SUNDAY, JULY 10 (8:30 p.m. EDT) on Disney Channel. In this new episode, Amelia gives Frankie and Paige tips to produce their next video, which has to tell the story of how the two met and created their channel. Meanwhile, Bernie tries to help Dirk overcome his worst fear.
ETHAN WACKER, JAKE PAUL
