Women Behind the Scenes Spotlight: Ramona Barckert (Exclusive Q&A)

Photo Credit: Stephen Scott

Today’s Women Behind the Scenes spotlight is focused on Executive Producer and Writer Ramona Barckert, who was kind enough to participate in an exclusive Q&A with NiceGirlsTV.

Ramona is currently the executive producer and writer on the TeenNick half-hour drama Open Heart that debuted on the network back on January 20 and will be coming to a close at the end of this month.

Open Heart tells the story of Dylan Blake (newcomer Karis Cameron), a rebellious daughter in a family of doctors who has to solve one giant family mystery. When a run-in with the law lands Dylan community service at Open Heart Memorial Hospital, she uses her volunteer position to investigate the mysterious disappearance of her father. And even though she’s surrounded by a family of doctors and good friends, Dylan is determined to unravel the secrets of Open Heart Memorial Hospital all while trying to find her place in the world.

The cast includes Cristine Prosperi and Justin Kelly (both from Degrassi) and Demore Barnes (The Unit and Supernatural).

Among Ramona’s other credits are the 2008 Hallmark Channel movie For the Love of Grace that starred Mark Consuelos, Chandra West and Corbin Bernsen; the 2009 telefilm At Home by Myself…with You that starred Signed, Sealed, Delivered star Kristin Booth and the Canadian teen sitcom Wingin’ It.

Here is our exclusive Q&A with Ramona:

1. Can you talk a little about your background? Where you grew up, went to school, etc.

I grew up in Guelph, Ontario and went to York University in Toronto, where I studied English Literature.

2. How did you get started in the industry?

I wrote a short film that received some critical praise and notice. That’s how I met my agent, who told me if I wanted a career as a screenwriter, I could have one. From there, I wrote a few feature scripts and worked pretty hard to get my writing samples to the place where I could be hired. My first job was developing and writing a unique lifestyle/sitcom series called The Smart Woman Survival Guide. We did three seasons of that show and it still has a bit of cult following in Canada.

3. Who is your biggest influence?

My biggest writing influence is Joss Whedon. When Buffy the Vampire Slayer came along, it clicked for me what kind of stories I wanted to tell and how I could tell them. I reference that show practically every day in the writing room. The other writers are so sick of it, I can feel the eye-rolls. But I don’t care!

NOTE: The gal has good taste, as Joss and Buffy are big influences on a number of the NiceGirlsTV staff too!

4. How did you get involved in Open Heart?

I joined the writing staff of Degrassi in 2011. After two seasons on that show, the producers approached me about developing another project – a mystery family drama set in a hospital. It had just enough crazy to appeal to me. I liked the idea of telling teen/young adult stories in a world that wasn’t high school or college. And I’ve always loved mysteries so that was exciting. We developed the concept and wrote the first two episodes, which got us the series order from TeenNick in the US and YTV in Canada.

5. What has been the biggest challenge in writing/executive producing this show?

The biggest writing challenge was to consistently create satisfying episodes, while maintaining the pace of a very serialized season. It’s a constant balance of answering questions and raising new ones, revealing twists and surprises but also getting closure. The audience is so smart. They know when they are being jerked around or the story is being dragged out. On the executive producing side, we are a very small show telling a big, epic story. The question was, how do we actually pull this off within our parameters? Also, finding the main cast was a beast of a job. I am so thankful that we found these amazing actors.

6. The final episode of Open Heart is only a few weeks off, can you give one spoiler of what viewers will be surprised to learn?

Hmm, I think viewers will be surprised to see why Seth’s mobster cousin Donnie Mara re-enters the story. It’s pretty crazy but so indicative of how every single thing in the Open Heart world is connected.

7. Do you know yet if Open Heart will have a second season on Teen Nick?

Not yet! However, fans can express their wishes to TeenNick on Twitter and Facebook.

8. What other projects do you have underway?

I’m developing a half-hour comedy that focuses on marriage and relationships. Something for the adults! And I have a feature film – a drama/mystery – that is moving forward and we’re looking at production later this year.

9. Is there a project you are excited to work on at some point in the near future?

Yes! I’m really excited about another feature film project that’s in very, very early stages right now. But I can’t really say anything more – so honestly, why did I bring it up?!

10. Where can people follow you on Twitter, Facebook, social media in general?

Twitter: @ramonabarckert
Instagram: ramonabarckert
Tumblr: ramonabarckert

You can learn more about Open Heart by visiting the show’s official TeenNick website.

New episodes of Open Heart air on Tuesday nights at 9/8c.