Answers with Karla Mosley

Answer 1

You are a woman of many talents and have been commissioned to write, produce and star in the web series "Room 8". How is working with a web series different than working with a television series?

We treated our web series the same way we would a TV show. The main difference is the stories are told in a shorter time frame. So, the arc has to be completed much more quickly than it would in a 30-minute or hour long episode.

Answer 2

What was the production process in creating "Room 8"?

My co-writer/creator Lawrence Saint-Victor and myself first brainstormed the characters, what the series would be and the arc of the 8 episodes. We each took 4 episodes and wrote scripts. Next, we came back together and read the scripts aloud alone. Then we snagged some of our friends to do a table reading with the other characters. After the scripts were approved by the network - after another table read for them, we went into pre-production as you would on any TV show. We had the luxury of a built in crew and production staff through B&B. Finally, we shot the show. 8 episodes in one day. It was a marathon, but it was worth it! Everyone on set was happy to work on something fresh and new. It was exciting and fun for all of us.

Answer 3

"Room 8" is a spinoff series from your character Maya Avant in "The Bold and The Beautiful". It was recently revealed on "The Bold and The Beautiful" that Maya was originally born as a male. How does being transgender complicate Maya's character and storyline?

For me, it enhances Maya's story. It adds depth to some of the seemingly strange choices she's made in the past. There is complexity in her relationship with Rick Forrester and her decision to wait to disclose to him until he proposed. And I have loved how these two characters have navigated a potentially volatile situation with love.

Answer 4

What was your reaction when you found out that Maya was being scripted as transgender?

I was surprised - pleasantly, but surprised nonetheless - that our show was choosing to tackle such an underrepresented population. And I was humbled that they would ask me to play her. It was important to me that we include Trans actors in the story to support Maya and also that we tell the story in the most truthful way possible.

Answer 5

How does it feel to portray a transgender character on national television?

I think there's a huge responsibility - particularly as a cisgender woman (a woman who was born into a woman's body). I felt I needed to play Maya truthfully and also to be able to speak about the more challenging issues facing the transgender community - the disproportionate number of suicide attempts and hate crimes, particularly directed towards Trans women of color - with authority, sensitivity and knowledge. I take both of those things very seriously.

Answer 6

How do you hope to see Maya's storyline develop after her transgender identity is revealed?

It's exciting that Rick and Maya are staying together (at least for now - it is a soap after all)! And it's also exciting that Maya now has parents and a sister to contend with. Exploring how her African-American family is responding to her transition is important and the writers are killing it once again. I'd like to see Maya get involved with the business at Forrester in some way. Maybe staging a coup of her own.

Answer 7

You've also spent time in theater and starred in the musical production of "Dreamgirls". How is working in theater different from working in Hollywood?

What I love about theater is how supportive everyone is. There's an understanding that we are all in it together. That no person - from crew to leading lady - is more important than anyone else. I've found that there is a hierarchy in Hollywood that confused me. Don't get me wrong, I believe actors are incredibly important - we have the power to carry stories to the masses, we are modern day griots - and it's nice to be treated well. But, if I don't have a scene partner to play off of or lights on my face or a PA to help tell me where I'm going next, I'm sunk! So, I don't understand taking anyone for granted or treating anyone badly in this business.

Answer 8

As a NYC native, you split a lot of time between the two coasts. If you had to pick one, which coast would you choose?

I'm a New York girl at heart. Give me straight talker and a crowded subway any day of the week. BUT if we transport the entire TV/Film industry and some of those sunny days in February back east, I would not complain.

Answer 9

Why did you decide to be a celebrity ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)?

I am in an industry that constantly tells people - especially women, but men, too - that there is something wrong with us. That we are not ok as we are. I think it's important that we see people of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities actively working to embrace their particular brand of beauty. And that's not always easy! There are some days when I don't want to walk out the door because I feel so inadequate. But I do it anyway. Working with NEDA also helps me - I have to walk the talk.

Answer 10

You also star as Elody Lynn, an elite member of The Belles on The CW's "Hart of Dixie". What is it like filming on the set of "Hart of Dixie"?

I loved my HOD family! We would laugh all day and I loved working on content that made people feel good. It was also fun to create Elodie in all her snarky, judgy glory.