This week we are joined by Conor Sherry, star of the new coming-of-age comedy ‘Snack Shack’ where he plays AJ, a Middle America teenager trying to make some fast money with his best friend during their summer break, leading them to win an auction for the snack shack at their local pool which becomes an immediate success. Their friendship is put on the line, however, when they both fall in love with a new girl in town who becomes the pool’s new lifeguard.
Snack Shack marks Conor’s first-ever leading role and he took many of the lessons he learned throughout his career so far to put his best work, mindset, and attitude forward. “The role of AJ was really special because not only was it my first lead in a movie, but he goes through such a great arc. The ups, the downs, every first of a 15-year-old. I got to experience every kind of emotion and show that,” he said.
A key takeaway for Conor was, as the lead, seeing the countless hours of work put in by the entire production crew, from production designers and set decorators to the hair and makeup artists. “I got to see a movie get made. I was the first actor called and the last to leave every single day and I knew [making a show/film] was a lot of work because you see everyone running around, but seeing it every day, the consistency that a crew needs to have, really changed my perspective. There are a lot of people who can go unappreciated [by viewers].”
Conor’s highest-profile booking was a recurring role on the Prime Video series ‘The Terminal List’, working alongside Chris Pratt, and he spoke about how that experience taught him the importance of leading by example, setting the tone on a set as the lead, and to appreciate everyone on the crew.
“It was really huge for me, my first time on a legit set. [Chris] was a producer and the star of it and he led the entire set. He wasn’t going to his trailer, he’d have lunch with everyone and talk with everyone, he was so funny. I think seeing that from this bonafide star was really amazing because that’s what I want to see. It wasn’t a star being rude or any of that, it was just a great person for me to look up to, how to carry yourself and be an actor on set.”
Conor shared some poignant advice for young actors, particularly those who may be treating their career pursuits passively. “I have friends who have said ‘I don’t know if this is what I wanna do’ as they’re pursuing it. I’d say to give yourself a time period and 100% go for it. You can’t just try. The line of people who are really going for it is so long. Use that fearlessness and don’t wait. Even if you’re in college, just start auditioning. Use that energy. People love it and it’s really refreshing. I hope I don’t lose that and get jaded,” he laughed.
You can watch our full interview with Conor Sherry above, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
