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A Conversation with Cindy Busby
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Canadian actress Cindy Busby loves playing the bad girl.
Photo credit: Kevin Clark
Vancouver-based actress, Cindy Busby is keeping busy these days. Already a series regular on the CBC television hit Heartland, Cindy recently scored a role as a vampire appetizer on the CW’s highly anticipated new series, The Vampire Diaries. She’s starred opposite High School Musical’s Ashley Tisdale in the teen romantic comedy, Picture This, and most recently booked a principal role in the 20th Century Fox movie ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid,’ with Steve Zahn.
Mike Parker – Reading over your professional bio on your website, I noticed it said you realized your passion for acting as a career when you landed the lead role in your fifth grade play. That decision for you has obviously stuck, but how does a fifth grader recognize a lifelong passion for a career?
Cindy Busby – I think no matter what age you are, you know when you love something in your heart. I loved the whole process of being a part of a play. I loved the fun and the sense of community. And I loved the attention that it brought me, if I’m going to be completely honest. I love seeing people enjoy the performances. I have always enjoyed performing, but I think when I was in the fifth grade was when I discovered that I really loved acting.
Parker – You’ve worked hard at honing your craft throughout high school, at the Professional Theatre program at Montreal’s Dawson College, and continued acting classes with such notables as Jacqueline McClintock. How important is training for you?
Cindy – It is really important. Acting, like any craft, is never perfected. Anything you can do to maintain and improve your skill is important because there are down times. It helps when you are not working to keep on learning. There are so many techniques so it is important to put yourself out there and experience them because you never know which one is going to resonate with you.
Parker – I understand your primary focus while in school was the stage and yet you appear to be doing most of your professional work in film and television. Why the shift?
Cindy – It kind of just happened. I will always love the stage, but you have to be able to make a living, and stage acting is not the best way to make a buck. Stage work also requires a lot of time which takes you out of competition for auditions. But I love the stage and hope to get back to it.
Parker – Those who have acted on both the stage and for film and TV understand how different those mediums are. What challenges did that present for you?
Cindy – The most difficult thing was the whole ‘less is more’ that you have to convey on film. On stage you can get away with a lot more in the sense of emotion and truthfulness. But the camera is the eye of God. It sees everything.
Parker – In both your Canadian TV series, “Heartland,” and in the teen rom-com, “Picture This,” you play a bit of a spoiled rich kid that is, oh, shall we say…antagonistic toward the heroine. So, be honest – is it more fun to play the bad girl than the good girl?
Cindy – Oh, it is the best! I’ll be the first to say so. I had never really got to play the bad girl until Heartland. When I got the script I said, ‘Yes! My time has come.’ People always remember the bad guy.
Parker – Tell me about your role in The Vampire Diaries.
Cindy – It was quite a privilege because I got to open up the series. My onscreen boyfriend and I got to be the first ‘bait’ of the show. It was really great. I got to work with Kevin Williamson and I am a huge fan of his work. He is a great writer and I thought he was really able to bring a great intensity to the show.
Parker – Last words?
Cindy – I want to thank everyone who supports me - my family and friends. I know that sounds a little cheesy, but I really appreciate their support.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Cindy – Water.
2. What makes you happy?
Cindy – My family.
3. What makes you angry?
Cindy – Betrayal.
4. What is the secret of success?
Cindy – Doing what you love to do.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Cindy – I’d love to have dinner with Marilyn Monroe.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Cindy – “”Loved her family. Loved her friends. Loved herself.”
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Cindy – That I did okay.
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Choreographer Odessa Munroe
Screwtape actor Max McLean
Indie Filmmaker Dave Moody
The Vampire Diaries' Katerina Graham
Diva Kristine Elezaj
The Bill Engvall Show's Nancy Travis
The Time Traveler's Wife's Alex Ferris
True Beauty Julia Anderson
Stand up comic Bill Engvall
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