Check out our interview with talented actress RaeAnne Boon who can be seen in the Paramount Plus hit series “School Spirits” as the quirky and lovable “Dawn.”
Follow RaeAnne @raeanneboon
Hi RaeAnne, please tell us a little about you?
Thanks so much for having me! I’m an actress from Vancouver Canada. I’ve recently moved into producing too and just made my directing debut in the soon to be released short-film “Starring Katie Kane”. I’m currently developing a TV series based on my life as a birthday party princess called “Bippity Boppity Bitch”. When I’m not working in the film industry, I love reading Tarot Cards for myself and my friends and family.
How did you get started into acting?
I’ve always wanted to be an actress, ever since I was a little kid. My sister and I would perform for our parents and their friends in the basement. I would orchestrate all the costumes and choreography and I’d always make my sister be the boy character because I wanted to be the “star” haha. Then when I was a teenager, my parents helped me get signed with an agency in the nearby town of Calgary, Alberta. I would audition for one-line roles in TV shows that were filming near by, and my parents would drive me 4 hours just to attend the auditions. I’m so grateful that they did that for me.
How do you prepare for a role?
It’s circumstantial, some roles I feel I just understand right away and know exactly what the play is, others take more digging and discovery. Sometimes I work with a coach, I always recommend working with a coach because it gives another set of eyes on the scene and they can help you discover things you might not have noticed by yourself.
Tell us about your work as Dawn in Paramount Plus’ hit series “School Spirits?”
Being Dawn has been such a blessing. I originally thought I was getting to create a character so different from myself- but she ended up being so true to me. I feel like I really bared my soul as her, especially in episode 7. Dawn’s story broke my heart when I first read the script and I really wanted to do it justice because I feel like a lot of young people relate to her story.
I really liked to use music to connect to Dawn, which is interesting because I had never really used it in a part before. I learned the technique on set for a different show where one of the leading actresses was listening to music in her Airpod before a take. After we wrapped, I immediately went out and got myself a pair of Airpods to try it out. I have a playlist on my Spotify full of 70’s music. I feel like it really transported me back into the time period. Before we filmed scenes and while I was getting ready, I loved listening to it. Some of my favourite songs for her were “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac, “Only the Good Die Young” by Billy Joel, and “Heart of Glass” by Blondie!
What other projects you have been part of?
A got to play a really great role in Season 2 of “Firefly Lane” on Netflix last year. I was actually a fan of the series before hand, so I was really familiar with the story. It was exciting getting to work on the show and being a part of such an iconic series. And ironically, this role also takes place in the 70s!
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I really love playing in the supernatural world where typical human/earth rules don’t apply. I love when roles are unpredictable, and anything can happen. Doing a film that takes place mostly on a green screen would be such a challenge and I would love to have to really use my imagination to bring the world to life in my performance. Then, it would be so exciting to see how the VFX team creates the entire picture around me.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Getting to see the impact my roles play on the audience. For School Spirits, my greatest joy is reading all the fans reactions to the show and seeing how much they connect with Dawn. People always say “don’t read the comments” but I always do! And I always try to respond to all the messages I get from fans because they are the reason I get to do what I love. I owe it all to them.
What’s your advice for the newer actors?
Hard work pays off, if not immediately, eventually. Keep training and keep getting better in the craft, it’ll always work out when you do. Be your own biggest fan, when you love yourself, everyone else will catch on.
And don’t be afraid to do the small stuff. When I was first starting out, I did as many student films and independent short films as I possibly could. I gained so much experience and practice through them as well as long lasting friendships and career connections. Plus, I get to look back on them and see how much I’ve grown!
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
Being yourself is the key to success. When you trust that you as you are is good enough, that’s when it becomes your superpower. There is room for everyone in the industry and it begs for you to show up as the most authentic version of yourself. When you do your own thing, and not compare yourself to anyone else- that’s when the world says “wow”. Make every move for you.
What is your favorite healthy food? And your favorite cheat food?
I’m a celiac so I have to eat really healthy by default haha. I wish I could eat all the carb heavy treats but the gluten free versions are never the same.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet my great grandparents, and great great grandparents and so on. I think it would be so cool to get to see and talk to my family linage. Learn about them more and see what their personalities were like and what has passed along to different people in my family now.
Where we can follow you?
On Instagram and TikTok @raeanneboon !!
Photo credit: Jenny Hsu
