Pyper Braun on Working Opposite a Terrifying Teddy Bear in Blumhouse’s Imaginary

Actress Pyper Braun may be just 10 years old, but she already has an impressive dance and film resume, including a starring role in Blumhouse's latest film, Imaginary, out today, March 8.

The new horror film features Pyper as Alice, a young girl who moves into a new house and befriends a stuffed bear in the basement named Chauncey. However, there may be more to Chauncey than there appears, and as Alice gets closer to her "imaginary friend" and her behavior gets more dangerous and troubling, it may be up to Alice's stepmother to see the truth behind the friendship and save the family.  It's one of our most eagerly anticipated films of the year, and we had the opportunity to chat with Pyper to learn all about her history as an actor and the film in the interview below.

Sweety High: You come from a dance background. What made you decide to try acting?

Pyper Braun: I started competitive dance at 4 years old. I love to dance and entertain an audience. Some of my friends at the dance studio were acting and modeling and their moms told my mom I should try it, so I did. I got picked up by an agency and started working. After a few years, I decided to make acting my focus since I loved it so much. I found my true passion. It keeps me pretty busy!

(Photo credit: JSquared Photography)

 

SH: You were on Country Comfort. Was this your first time on a television show? What was that like for you?

PB: Actually, my first job was body doubling for a couple seasons on a show called Life In Pieces. Country Comfort was my first series regular job, which is a fancy way of saying I was in the main cast. We filmed four episodes with a live audience before COVID, and those were my favorite film days. There was so much fun energy on set. It never felt like work!

 

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SH: Imaginary is your second feature film. Do you feel you were more prepared going into filming?

PB: Oh yes! Most of my television work before film was multi-cam comedy. It's filmed more like a play on a stage with several cameras at once. You work five days a week and rehearse the script for three days before filming. Film days are loud and fun! In film, you get a quick rehearsal and start filming. You get up close and personal with the camera crew. My first feature film, Desperation Road, is a thriller based on a book. I was able to really get into character and bring more emotion to the screen. I think that prepared me more than ever to play Alice in Imaginary.

 

SH: Can you tell us a little bit about Imaginary? What's the story about, and what is the role of your character, Alice?

PB: Imaginary is about a woman who moves back into her childhood home with her stepchildren who have been through some trauma of their own. Her youngest, Alice, played by me, finds a teddy bear in the basement who convinces her to do a creepy scavenger hunt. Things start to get weird from there, but you have to see the movie for yourself. It's not what you expect!

 

SH: Are you like Alice at all in real life? In what ways are you similar, and in what ways are you very different?

PB: I think Alice and I are very different. Alice is lonely and a bit weird. She's going through some major life changes and has a hard time connecting to people. That drives her to find love in a teddy bear. Now I do love stuffed animals, but I definitely wouldn't go down to the basement and pick up a bear to play imaginary games with. Something I share with Alice that we talked about on set often is our scars. Alice has a large scar on her arm from a horrible event that happened with her biological mom. In the film, she often tries to hide it under her sleeve. I have a scar on my upper lip that I got in kindergarten. It took me a couple years to learn to love it and not try to hide it from people. Scars are cool!

 

SH: What is your favorite memory from the set?

PB: A really fun memory from the set is when I got the mockup Chancy from director Jeff Wadlow. He told me to carry him around the set, but I took it up a notch and decided to hide him in a new spot every day to scare CJ, my wardrobe helper. It became a fun game. Why not start the film day with a jump scare?

 

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SH: Is there a part in the film you are most excited for people to see?

PB: I don't want to give any spoilers away but, I am particularly proud of an emotional scene between Chauncy and I. Our director Jeff Wadlow gave me time to get into character and dig into this scene. I think it's a major turning point in Chauncy and Alice's relationship.

 

SH: Where else can we see your work right now?

PB: You can find my first feature film Desperation Road on Amazon Prime. If you're looking for something for the family that will give you some good laughs, you can binge-watch Nickelodeon's Erin & Aaron as well as Country Comfort on Netflix. I also voice Bitsy on Disney Jr's Superkitties.

(Photo credit: JSquared Photography)

 

SH: Is horror a scary genre for you or not as bad when you know it's not real?

PB: This is an interesting question. When I'm on set acting in a horror movie or a scary scene, I know it's not real. It looks and sounds a lot different when you're filming versus seeing it on the television. I am still way too scared to watch a horror movie!

 

To learn even more about the new movies out today, click HERE to read our interview with Brooke Carter on the new film, Damsel.