Web Series Today Interview With Actors from "Leaving Eden"

Leaving Eden is one of the web's most intriguing new series, an ensemble drama looking at a life most people don't much about - the day-to-day life of a pastor. Its first season garnered nearly 30,000 views and the show is currently in pre-production for a new season. 

We were able to sit down with two of Leaving Eden's principal actors for an interview: Jennifer Batiansila and David Sapiro, who play Ben Nicholson and Jill Nicholson. First of all, how has the time away from the show been?

Jen Batiansila: I’ve been working hard on my digital presence for future projects we hope to get working on. 

David Sapiro: I teach high school English, which is rather time-consuming in its own right, but I've also been doing a number of other dramatic productions.

Sapiro in upcoming "A Stain In TheThreading"

I directed two shows at the high school, I shot a scene in a short film called "A Stain in the Threading," and I've been rehearsing a show for Acacia Theatre called "Heaven Sent."

Web Series Today: It's been a little over a year since Leaving Eden's first script was written. Has Eden changed you or your career in the last year?

David Sapiro: I don't know if it's changed my career, but it has certainly changed me as an actor. The time spent working on the show was invaluable.

Web Series Today: In what way?

Jen Batiansila: Before Leaving Eden’s production began last year,  I have been principally involved in theater productions...film is a completely different world to me.

David Sapiro: It was the first time I had done anything substantial on film, and the style of acting needed for that medium is a LOT different than stage acting.

Jen Batiansila: I agree.

David Sapiro: Subtlety and nuance are absolute necessities on film. You don't have to worry about projecting or 'being big' like you do on stage.

Jen Batiansila: The stage is challenging because it is "live". You put something out there, and that's that

David Sapiro: True. On film, you always know you have another take if you need it.

Jen Batiansila: However, film- there's no place to hide. Every little thing you do is noticed…

David Sapiro: And on stage, you are in complete control of the performance; on film, you are a part of it, but the camera person and the editor have a big say in how the performance is shaped.

Web Series Today: What I'm hearing is 1: stage, you are the performance whereas film, you are part of a production.

David Sapiro: Yes.

Web Series Today: Jen, you said there's nowhere to hide on film. Are there places to hide on stage? Or is it the opposite?

David Sapiro: I would think the distance from the audience is, in a sense, a place to hide.

Jen Batiansila: I think you personally can hide easier on stage. Even though it is with a live audience, it is easier to just show the character, and not so much of you and yourself. And the distance requires larger and grander movements.

David Sapiro: On film, close-ups are the great exposer, if that's not too risque.

Web Series Today: Aah. Good point. In Les Miserables, I was struck by how much I felt of Ann Hathaway, let alone her character.

Jen Batiansila: Yes. And in the theater...I'm not sure you would have gotten that same feeling even if it was a GREAT performance.

David Sapiro: The camera exposes whether you really believe what you are saying, whereas the distance on stage helps you fake it more effectively.

I see myself in the earliest scenes we shot for Leaving Eden, and I can tell I'm faking it. Once I relaxed and got the feel for just being natural, it looked more believable.

Jen Batiansila says eyes tell so much of the actor's story.

Jen Batiansila: The one major difference i have noticed between film and stage since I have really been studying difference performances on film are the EYES. The eyes are so vital in film. So much is told through them...

Web Series Today: What scene do you feel like you were the most natural...? Both of you?

Jen Batiansila: Hmm. The car scene with Lucas is my guess for me.

David Sapiro: My two favorite scenes of mine, which I guess would be those I feel I was most 'real', were the Chinese lantern scene in Episode 3, and the board meeting scene with Josh and Guilford going at each other. I didn't say much in the latter scene, but I love how I react to the other two.

Web Series Today: That said, what scene would you say of each other was best?

Jen Batiansila: Lantern scene for Dave. You could just feel the weight and sadness.

Leaving Eden's iconic "Paper Lantern Scene" from Season 1

David Sapiro: Two words: Toilet. Plunger.

Jen Batiansila: Ewww.

David Sapiro: Actually, I really like Jen in the scene with Lucas where they're talking in the car. THAT was real.

Jen Batiansila: Thanks, Dave!

Web Series Today: It was a very deceiving scene...it would never be nominated but feels every bit real.

Web Series Today: The writing, and direction of these characters evolved from the way they were first envisioned, right?

Jen Batiansila: Yes.

David Sapiro: Evolution of our characters? I don't know if Ben evolved that much; he's still working for God, and he's still putting that work ahead of his own family in the last episode.

Web Series Today: So you think that’s consistent with what you talked about a year ago when the concept was conceived.

David Sapiro: In my mind, yes.

Jen Batiansila: I felt that Jill originally came across jaded/unhappy/frustrated. I think there are pieces of that in her...but I think as we went along we found more places for her to show love and support.

David Sapiro: I don't think I really changed my view on how to play Ben; he's compassionate, stubborn, and hard-working. He might be a BIT more aware of his wife's needs after the cancer scare, but like I said, he still stops at the hospital at the end.

Web Series Today: Season 2 of Leaving Eden is coming up…where do you want the show to go?

Jen Batiansila: I would like to see even stronger conflicts between characters…more story on Les and who he really is. Especially with his family.

David Sapiro: I would like to see Ben tempted by something...maybe a woman...

Jen Batiansila: hey!

David Sapiro: ...maybe power, maybe money… but there has to be something that brings real-life pastors down.

Jen Batiansila: Maybe Jill contemplates "giving up" on the whole thing... I think there's a darker place both might have in their hearts that even those around can't see... how much can they take? I think is the question for season 2… and the choices they make to deal with that."