SOPHIE TELEGADIS TALKS DRIVER'S ED
"The script felt so fresh and funny"
Daniel John
Following a group of friends who steal their driver's-ed car and hits the road in hopes of showing that love, however long distance it might be, is worth the trip, what made you want to take the road trip of 'Driver’s Ed'?
I was so drawn to the comedic nostalgia of this project. The script felt so fresh and funny yet familiar in all the right ways. And then, of course, the opportunity to work with a legendary director like Bobby Farrelly was something I had to pursue. I look back on this experience in such a positive light, it was filled with endless laughter, unforgettable moments, and lifelong relationships. The energy on set felt so warm and safe, and I think that really translates through to what you see on screen. With Evie in 'Driver's Ed' being the first character I have been given the honor of portraying, I will never forget the time I spent on that set with all those lovely people. I feel so grateful and lucky to have had such a positive and memorable start to my career. Laughter and making people smile are key in life and how lucky am I to be able to call it a job?!
From 'Ferris Bueller’s Day Off' to 'The Breakfast Club' and my own personal favorite 'Ten Things I Hate About You' to countless others, high school-comedies have a way of becoming true generational classics, what are your favorite films in the spirit of this long genre tradition?
Countless iconic high school and coming-of-age-comedies impacted me growing up! But the ones that stand out are 'There's Something About Mary', even though it bounces back and forth from high school to adulthood, hence my overwhelming excitement about working with Bobby Farrelly, 'Superbad', I'm always tuned in for any movie with Jonah Hill and Michael Cera in the cast, and one that I am embarrassed to admit I only just recently saw for the first time but was life-changing, 'Dazed and Confused'.
Bobby Farrelly, not least as one half of the Farrelly–brothers, has made a lot of iconic comedies, especially those taking us on cross-country misadventures. What was your relation to all those movies as an audience member before joining Bobby on this one?
Not to be dramatic, but the Farrelly brothers' catalog is my entire childhood! My dad would always throw on one of their movies if we were ever struggling to agree on what to watch, because they never failed to induce unanimous laughter. Their movies definitely played a massive role in shaping my humor.
What did you want to bring into playing Evie. How did you see her, as a character?
The second I saw the audition for Evie in my inbox, I immediately felt so close to her. In many ways, she reminded me of myself when I was in high school! Although I was definitely a tad more optimistic. I wanted to ensure she was understood as hurt, not as an angry or mean person. It was also very important to me that the dynamic between Jeremy and Evie was portrayed genuinely and innocently. There is a fine line between rooting for two people who so clearly belong together, and it looking like Evie is shamelessly chasing Jeremy as he chases Samantha.
Obviously so much relies on the friend–group feeling real, even when things go off the rails, which it does. How did you all click as a group, finding that?
Capturing the essence of a true friend group within our characters was the easiest part of the entire process, because we all grew closer and closer in real life as we progressed through their on-screen journey. We spent pretty much every waking moment together while in North Carolina, both during and after work hours. In a sweet way, each of us resembled certain characteristics of the character that we played. Funnily enough, the final group-scene of the movie post-journey was the very first scene we all filmed together so we really had to use our imaginations.
Who were you kinda growing up, in and out of school... you seem to have found creativity pretty much as early as it gets?
For as long as I can remember, I have always been super-independent, and curious. Nothing ever felt off-limits or scary, I was always so eager to try experiencing anything I could get my hands on. I am just so grateful to have parents who supported every one of my endeavors and believed in me as much as, if not more than, I believed in myself. I am so sure that my purpose in this life is to create and be surrounded by art in every form.
Also having your artist side making music, are there any new songs on the road ahead?
I am so proud to be capable of balancing both career paths, because I love them both so deeply and equally and feel completely fulfilled in life by that alone. As for music, I am forever creating and experimenting, which is its beauty, I love being able to shift gears back and forth when I'm on and off set. I have an album on the way that I am so incredibly proud of. I feel like it defines me and my artistry so clearly and I cannot wait to set it free to the world. I have and always will be shared between the film and TV and music worlds.
