Seven Questions In Heaven With Level Up's Lonny Ross

I can count on one hand the number of shows my daughter likes that I enjoy as well. One such show is Cartoon Network's Level Up, a tale of a group of gamers who accidentally open a portal and, along with the help of the game's creator, must send all the bosses and villains and monsters that escape from the game back home. Level Up's cast was nice enough to sit down and chat with us and we're going to feature a different actor each week.

To bring things to a close, we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Lonny Ross, who plays Max Ross on Level Up.

Tell us about the character you play on Level Up.
I play Max Ross. He invented the online video game, Conqueror Of All Worlds, which the main characters in Level Up play, and from which the characters are leaking into the real world. Max is kind of like a Donald Trump, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg sandwich. But unlike them, he also has the social skills of a sandwich. Well, maybe Trump too.

Do you share any common traits with your character? Any noticeable differences?
I really can't think of any common traits anyone shares with Max. And if you do, I feel bad for you. Well, unless you're a billionaire. Then I don't feel that bad.

Which has been your favorite episode so far and why?
It is completely self-serving to say "Max Squared" was my favorite. But that's not going to stop me.

When did you first realize you wanted to be an actor? Was there a particular event that triggered it?
Probably acting my way out of detention. Those were Oscar-worthy performances. I'm physically built to be a goofball, so I channeled that into performing. I'd say getting hired on the television show 30 Rock triggered my confidence that I could do this for a living. Thank you, Tina Fey.

Seven Questions In Heaven With Level Up's Aimee Carrero

I can count on one hand the number of shows my daughter likes that I enjoy as well. One such show is Cartoon Network's Level Up, a tale of a group of gamers who accidentally open a portal and, along with the help of the game's creator, must send all the bosses and villains and monsters that escape from the game back home. Level Up's cast was nice enough to sit down and chat with us and we're going to feature a different actor each week.

Today we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Aimee Carrero, who plays Angie on Level Up.

Tell us about the character you play on Level Up.
Angie is a classic case of big dreamer in a small town. She knows there is more to the world than life in Daventry Hills. So she hangs around the guys because a) she needs the challenge and b) realizes that she can learn some valuable skills that will service her in the future. If someone ever tried to mug her or steal her purse on the subway, she's been through worse you know what I mean? She's very intentional.

Do you share any common traits with your character? Any noticeable differences?
If Angie had a favorite poem, it would be Dickinson's "I Dwell In Possibility." She is motivated by what can be and the experiences that await her in the future. In that sense, we are very alike. There is a restlessness in her that I definitely relate to. I think we are different in that she seems to be more self-assured than I was in high school. There is a confidence in her that I wish I'd had. She doesn't fidget.

Which has been your favorite episode so far and why?
I loved filming "Hampire Weeknight," but character-wise, "The Charm Bracelet" is up there. I love when writers take characters out of their comfort zones. There is nothing more terrifying to Angie than being ditsy, opinion-less, and unimportant. There is nothing more tragic than sacrificing intelligence and wit for popularity. She somehow manages to find herself in both scenarios in this episode. How does she deal with it? What are her conflicting emotions about it? She kind of likes the attention but she hates WHY she is getting it. How does she resolve that? It was all very fun to play!

Seven Questions In Heaven With Level Up's Connor del Rio

I can count on one hand the number of shows my daughter likes that I enjoy as well. One such show is Cartoon Network's Level Up, a tale of a group of gamers who accidentally open a portal and, along with the help of the game's creator, must send all the bosses and villains and monsters that escape from the game back home. Level Up's cast was nice enough to sit down and chat with us and we're going to feature a different actor each week.

Today we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Connor del Rio, who plays Dante on Level Up.

Tell us about the character you play on Level Up.
Dante is impulsive, spontaneous, and intelligent in the weirdest of ways. Some people might think his decisions are foolish, but they make sense in his head. And for him, that's all that matters. He loves to skateboard, loves to draw, and listen to rock 'n' roll! Not to mention he loves, loves, playing COAW (Conqueror Of All Worlds) on his computer with his best friends Lyle and Wyatt.

Do you share any common traits with your character? Any noticeable differences?
Dante and I both love rock music. We both enjoy our share of video games. We share a very open mind about the world around us. And we don't judge a book by its cover! When it comes to differences, I am not as good of a skateboarder as Dante. And I don't wear as tight of pants as Dante. Ha ha.

Seven Questions In Heaven With Level Up's Jessie T. Usher

I can count on one hand the number of shows my daughter likes that I enjoy as well. One such show is Cartoon Network's Level Up, a tale of a group of gamers who accidentally open a portal and, along with the help of the game's creator, must send all the bosses and villains and monsters that escape from the game back home. Level Up's cast was nice enough to sit down and chat with us and we're going to feature a different actor each week.

This week we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Jessie T. Usher, who plays Lyle on Level Up.

Tell us about the character you play on Level Up.
My character, Lyle, is the coolest guy in Daventry Hills. He's "Mr. Popular." He's also the star quarterback of the DH football team. At night, his whole persona changes when he becomes a huge gaming geek. He and his avatar Wizza are one third of the elite clan Neverfail and Lyle is very proud of that.

Do you share any common traits with your character? Any noticeable differences?
Lyle and I are both very athletic. He plays football but has played many other sports in the past, which is much like my childhood. I never played football, but I played just about every other sport. We both enjoy gaming and jewelry.

Lyle's way too self-absorbed; I try to stay humble. Although it's kind of funny, no one needs to look in the mirror as much as Lyle does.

Seven Questions In Heaven With Level Up's Gaelan Connell

I can count on one hand the number of shows my daughter likes that I enjoy as well. One such show is Cartoon Network's Level Up, a tale of a group of gamers who accidentally open a portal and, along with the help of the game's creator, must send all the bosses and villains and monsters that escape from the game back home. Level Up's cast was nice enough to sit down and chat with us and we're going to feature a different actor each week.

We're kicking things off by spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Gaelan Connell, who plays Wyatt on Level Up.

Tell us about the character you play on Level Up.
On Level Up I play Wyatt AKA Black Death. Although Dante and Lyle consider Wyatt to be the nerd of the group, what they really mean is that he's the extremely smart one. When the Neverfail clan goes on quests, Wyatt's the one who comes up with the comprehensive, sophisticated, and mostly-genius super-plans.

Do you share any common traits with your character? Any noticeable differences?
Besides being super smart and terrible with the ladies? Kidding, kidding. The most similar I get with my character is probably the way I yell at the TV I'm playing video games. That and I stole my motorcycle pajamas that I wear onscreen so I could wear them at home too. Yep.

Movie Review: Level Up

Are you ready for something fun and smart to watch with the kids? Then check out Level Up (Cartoon Network, November 23rd, 7:00 PM).

Level Up deals with three teenagers: a jock, a rebel, and a geek (only a a princess and a basketcase away from a full-fledged Breakfast Club). Though they are not friends in real life, they play as a team in the online video game Conqueror Of All Worlds, unbeknownst to each other. After they accidentally open a portal that allows the monsters and bosses from the game to enter the real world, they are forced to band together in real life in order to save their town.

Level Up is a lot of fun. The FX in the film are surprisingly good for a television movie and are on par with much of the stuff you'd find in theaters. Although some of the characters are more two-dimensional than others, the dialog is clever and makes up for some of the more cliched character traits. If you or your kids are gamers, you'll find plenty to love. My favorite scene in the movie is when the three guys are trying to use their weapons in the real world for the first time and have no idea how to do so because up until then, they've always manipulated them by clicking a mouse. And even if video games aren't your bag, there are plenty of pop culture references to hold your attention while your kids watch the movie, with nods to Jaws, Scooby, Friday The 13th, WarGames, and others.

Level Up is a great little movie. I loved it, and so did my daughter. Cartoon Network is producing a television series based on the characters in Level Up, so this looks like the start of a great franchise.



Level Up premieres on Cartoon Network on Wednesday, November 23rd at 7:00 PM ET.