Today, Wednesday 1st July, has seen the release of new Amazon Prime Video comedy series Elle, with Danielle Chand playing Shannon in the prequel to the feature film Legally Blonde. Elle is set in the 1990s, and has Reese Witherspoon (who played Elle in Legally Blonde) as the executive producer, and Danielle works alongside a cast including Lexi Minetree as lead character Elle Woods, and this marks her first professional screen project. Danielle trains at Deb Podowski Acting School, and previously at Vancouver Acting School, and has worked on student films. We caught up with Danielle, who talked to us about filming for new Amazon Prime Video comedy series Elle, playing Shannon for her first professional screen role and having Reese Witherspoon as executive producer.

How would you describe your character Shannon in the new Amazon Prime Video comedy series Elle, and was there anything that drew you to the role?

Shannon is the most popular girl in school, but she’s really genuine-hearted and will do anything for the people she loves. She’s trendy and really supportive. I think how fun and compassionate she was is what really drew me into playing her.

With Elle being a prequel to the Legally Blonde franchise, how was it being cast in the series, and how does it feel being part of a popular and well-known franchise?

It was surreal. I cried when I got the news, haha. My dream had come true, and I was just so happy.

What is Shannon like to play and what do you enjoy most about the character?

Shannon is really fun to play. She’s stylish, and she takes Elle under her wing. Their dynamic is so cute!

What is it like filming for a series set in the 1990s and how did you prepare for your first day on set?

It’s super cool! From the sets and costumes to props, everything just feels era-appropriate and makes it easier to drop into that ‘90s vibe. To prepare for the role, I made a ‘90s playlist with songs I think Shannon would listen to. Got some No Doubt’s Just a Girl in there, Only Happy When it Rains by Garbage, and Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun.

How was it meeting and working alongside your fellow cast members, which include Lexi Minetree as Elle Woods, Chandler Kinney as Kimberly and Zac Looker as Dustin, and having original star Reese Witherspoon involved as an executive producer?

I loved working with Lexi, Chandler and Zac. Gabby and Jacob were the best as well. They’re all just such great people, and since filming is in Vancouver, I’ve shown them around a little bit! We did a trip to Whistler for Lexi’s birthday and did a cute little hike to Deep Cove as well.

Being part of a project that Reese Witherspoon is executive producing is just crazy to think about. If someone told me when I started acting school that Reese Witherspoon would watch my audition tape, I would’ve been like, “Yeah right!”. But seriously, it’s just such an honour.

For those unfamiliar with the Legally Blonde franchise, can you say about Elle (series) and why would you recommend watching it?

I think even if viewers haven’t seen the original Legally Blonde, they are still going to absolutely love it! It’s just so fun, and the performances are just so deeply human and funny. Everyone will be entertained for sure. There are also some real and emotional moments too that people will feel as well. I also tell everyone I can about the show, and if they say they haven’t seen the original movie, I tell them to go watch it right now, haha.

How does it feel now Elle is being released and what are you looking forward to for viewers to see the full series?

I’m so excited for everyone to see it. So much love and attention went into the creation of this, and I think that’s going to shine through. I’m looking forward for the plot… you’ll just have to see it for yourself.

You played Amara in last year’s short film Pride, can you tell us about this?

This was the first student film I worked on. Pride tells the story of Amara, a young woman who is gay and trying to navigate her identity within a very religious Indian family. It’s a tragically beautiful story. It takes place on the day of her arranged wedding, and she finds the courage to tell her parents, one final time, that she cannot marry him because of who she is. They don’t accept this, and she makes the decision to run away because she finally chooses her happiness and not her parents.

This was my first experience on a set, and the people I worked with were just so amazing.

What is it like training at Deb Podowski Acting School, and how was your time previously attending Vancouver Acting School?

Working with Deb has been really crucial in my development as an actor. I really love her approach – she has so much insight and really asks all the questions when it comes to breaking down a scene.

My time at Vancouver Acting School is a time I’ll always hold really close to my heart. That’s where my journey began, and all of my instructors were so helpful and supportive. What I loved about VAS was they really tackled so many areas in the craft, from voice and movement class,  audition class, scene study, voiceover and doing plays. They really introduced me to all the realms of the craft.

Have you received any advice over your time in the industry so far that has stuck with you?

When it comes to receiving auditions, one of my instructors at Vancouver Acting School said to “always read every single thing on the page out loud first – even the stage directions”. There’s always a time crunch with auditions and, yes, the lines are important, but it’s also crucial to make the conscious effort to know everything that is happening in the scene.

How did you get into acting and did you always know you wanted to do it professionally?

In my last semester at Simon Fraser University, I decided to take an acting class at Vancouver Acting School – Fundamentals with Beverley Elliot – and it quickly became the best part of my week.

So, on graduation day at SFU, I was sitting in those graduation chairs and just didn’t feel done with school yet. I went to Europe for a bit, and then afterwards I began the audition process for VAS.

What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?

The list is lengthy. My comfort shows are The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives and New Girl. Comfort movies are Bridesmaids, Just Go With It, The Heat and Forrest Gump. I could keep going, but I have these shows and movies in the rotation for sure. Oh, and all of the The Lord of the Rings movies as well!

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love working out at Orange Theory Fitness. My mom and I both train there, and go together sometimes! I also love going on walks with my boyfriend and going out with him and my friends to cool restaurants in Vancouver.

What do you find the most rewarding part of acting on screen, and do you have a process for learning scripts?

I feel like the most rewarding thing about acting is really feeling the scene after all the prep is done and when I can just be the character. Not thinking of lines anymore, that’s when the true magic begins. I love when I’m in the scene and I feel something I hadn’t yet in my preparation. It’s fun!

I do have a process of learning scripts. I’ll always read everything out loud first, research anything I don’t understand, then write out all of the lines. Then I actually will write out the first letter of each word in the script that I say. It starts looking pretty wild in my notebook, but something about it really helps me!

What are you hoping the rest of this year brings you, and do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about?

I’m just really looking forward to the Elle premiere happening in New York! I have never been before, and I’m planning on staying there for a bit of time afterwards to be a little tourist. I’m so excited! I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the year and where my career will take me.

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