An Interview with Atypical's Amber A.K.A Layla Weiner

Layla Weiner portrays Amber on the hit Netflix Show Atypical, Amber became a recurring character during the show's second season, where she became a prominent fixture of Sam's Support Group. Amber is easily the standout in the Support Group, and that is due to Layla's wonderful on-screen presence, she easily steals any scene she is in with her charm and natural charisma. Like the other performers in the Support Group, Layla is on the Spectrum which allows her to bring her unique life experiences and personal qualities to the role.  Recently, I had the pleasure of asking Layla about her time on the show, her inspirations, and her life experiences. 

GamerGuy1991

Hi there, first off thank you so much for taking the time to give us an interview, I loved your work on Atypical, I thought the introduction of the Support Group in Season Two was wonderful. Your character, in particular, is very captivating and quickly became one of my favorites on the show, I was wondering if you had any input into your character?

Layla Weiner
Thank you so much & the only input I put into my character was to just be myself because I feel like I am definitely Amber.

GamerGuy1991
What are some of the experiences that have shaped your performances?

Layla Weiner
The experiences that have shaped my performance is acting my whole life. When I say I’ve been doing this my whole life is because of my autism diagnosis. Due to my autism I would act out as a kid and most people would not want to be around me or interact with me. I then realized at a really young age that maybe if I acted “neurotypical” I would have friends and fit in. I copied the other kids behavior and sure enough I got friends even though I wasn’t acting like myself. I realized when I got older I can just act like myself and be comfortable even if no one seemed to like me. Being yourself is way better than being like your peers. However, this was just the start of my acting. When I was in fourth grade I was in my first play and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. From there I knew my calling.

GamerGuy1991
What would you like others to know about Autism, and how it has affected your life?

Layla Weiner
What I would like to tell others about those who have autism is to treat them the way you would like to be treated and to not talk down to them. My diagnosis has affected my whole life because all I wanted to be understood and to be heard and I do have a story to tell.

GamerGuy1991

What attracted you to the role of Amber on Atypical?

Layla Weiner
When I was given my part of Amber I would rehearse my lines at home and with others. The more I said my lines the more I realized I was her based on what she was saying. Ex. “but mom cake” is a line I would say in real life.

GamerGuy1991
What is your favorite thing about playing Amber?

Layla Weiner
My favorite thing about Amber is that I am her. She loves medical stuff, cake, fashion, and she has autism just like me.

GamerGuy1991
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

Layla Weiner
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would to tell her everything is going to be ok and don’t be afraid to be yourself. You may not feel like it now, but you are an inspiration to others and you can do anything when you put your mind to it. You’re beautiful, creative, and one heck of a fashionista!

GamerGuy1991
What inspired you to pursue a career as an actress?

Layla Weiner
What inspired my acting career was acting my whole life whether if it was off stage or on stage.

GamerGuy1991
Is there a special memory or memories that you have from your time on the show?

Layla Weiner
My favorite memory from being on the show was to meet everyone on set because they are my Atypical family, literally and to have the honor of acting on the show.

GamerGuy1991

What film or show has influenced or just stuck with you the most?

Layla Weiner
A film that has stuck with me the most is Edward Scissorhands because even though the main character is different and strange, he makes the best out of it and uses his differences to find his talents.

GamerGuy1991
What job or hobby outside of acting would you enjoy pursuing?

Layla Weiner
My favorite hobbies outside of acting is drawing, painting, writing, doing my hair and makeup, video games, driving my car, traveling, and fashion.

GamerGuy1991

If you could play any role past, present or future, what would be your dream role?

Layla Weiner
If I could do any future role I would want to play any horror film character. I would want to play the victim of the movie or the villain or killer.

GamerGuy1991

What's next for Amber, and what's next for Layla?

Layla Weiner
I’m not sure what is next for Amber but I know what is next for Layla is that I want to audition for more tv shows and be in a movie one day, but right now I am trying to find my purpose in life and what the meaning of life is for me. Thank you for the interview, I feel honored and I really appreciate the opportunity.

GamerGuy1991
No, thank you Layla, it was an utter delight to chat with you, and I can't wait to see what you do next! Catch Layla on Atypical's second and third seasons on Netflix.

2011 Interview with Steve Blum about his work in the gaming industry

Steve Blum 2011 Interview

This May will mark the sixth anniversary of this interview, my first ever interview and it got to be with one of my heroes. I mean Spike, oh my god Spike... Then there is Grayson Hunt, one of his lesser know characters that is getting a comeback thanks to BulletStorm Full Clip Edition. This interview goes over Cowboy Bebob stuff, BulletStorm, Dragon Age Origins and more! Forgive my nervous nature, beyond not knowing I had Asperger's, this was my first time ever talking to a Celeb on tape. Plus being one I admire so it just made it that much more challenging. But man oh man does he give great interviews, and at the end of the day I will never ever forget this moment.

@GamerGuy1991 with @BlumSpew
A.KA Russell Carey and Steve Blum

The little Youtuber that could, My interview with the Wiiviewer

Today I am interviewing Youtube sensation The WiiViewer, let's get started!

Russ- First I would like to ask, what really motivated you to do your reviews? How did this all start?

The WiiViewer- I was watching a review show that was on a now-dead website [wii.tv] that was devoted to the Wii. We watched a guy called Storm Dain do a review on a few games. He had the same kind of sense of humor as me, so I showed it to my son who was I think was 7 at the time. We loved it and watched them all. Then I noticed my son playing a game and I asked him to tell me what he liked about it...so he did. I told him to go into detail like you were doing a review. He did and I said we should make a review on YouTube of it.

I kinda thought if he was going to play a game good or bad he should tell me why he enjoyed/hated it. I thought of it like a book report. Something fun we could do together.

Russ- That's really awesome, one of the things I really enjoy about your reviews is that it is a family thing. You are using gaming to create a fun activity, and also setting a great example for others. Did you ever think it would explode as big as it has? And what do you think of the positive example you set for other parents, showing how gaming can really bring everyone together.

The Wiiviewer- When the Wii was in full force I was getting 1.3 million views a month which was great, and completely unexpected. It was even crazier when YouTube out of the blue asked me to be a partner. I never expected to make any money off these videos, and it was amazing that because of it I got to take my kids to Disneyworld for a week. The "fame" has let me be able to make friendships with other WAY more popular YouTube personalities's like Knightwing, Guru Larry or even Storm Dain himself (That was a fun 4-hour skype call).

Nowadays since I am reviewing a pretty much dead console my views are around 150-250K a month. Still a big amount compared to most YouTubers but I wish it would be better. That said I am about to cross 50,000 subscribers which is amazing! I remember the days when I would freak out because I got 1000 views in 3 months (Simpsons game), and the day when I got that in one day (Quantum of Solace).

My fan base is mostly younger kids and parents. I have got many letters over the year thanking me for videos that their kids can watch and helping them (parents) in finding good games for them. It's not as easy as it used to be to respond to emails because of the changes to YT in these past years, but I do like to thank everyone who wrote to me encouraging me and loving the fact I do this show with my kids sometimes.

Russ- Has the success ever had a negative side effect? Surely when you have had that many hits there must have been some negative impacts? And have you tried to tailor your videos, to promote a more positive influence on gaming culture?

The WiiViewer- My videos (alone) were going to be PG-13, so in my early videos by myself, I was way more loose on the jokes. I didn't know my audience until I put out my Simpsons Game review. It had one line in it I thought was funny but it caused a lot of problems. I said " The controls were looser than a hookers vagina" It was only supposed be in there for a laugh, but people freaked. So I cut it out, and with the exception of me using the word "bull$hit" it was just like any other of my reviews.

That being said I have had to deal with trolls occasionally. I have had people really hate some of my reviews, but with some exceptions I just let it go. I can't please everyone. I will go back and edit a review if what I say it causing issues that have nothing to do with the review itself. My Citizens of Earth review had a gab at Earthbound which I should have known not to add. It started a flame war that I didn't like so I deleted that part out of the video. I will always take other peoples opinions to heart, but I won't always agree with them. If we don't see eye to eye on a review we just talk in comments and I move on to the next one.

I started bleeping out bad words about 15 videos in I would say. I really didn't use bad words that much but since I found out my reviews were getting a younger audience I tailored my reviews to them.

Russ- Speaking of having a younger audience, how do you feel about your kids playing some of the more mature games? And when did you allow them to start playing them? Everyone tends to talk about kids playing Mature-rated games, where do you stand on the subject? Do you think gaming offers more positive impacts on kids, than how the media portrays them saying they negatively effect the youth? 

The WiiViewer- My kids don't play M rated games really. The worst my oldest has played is Call of Duty. I tend not to review M rated games, that's not to say I won't do it but if I do I always put caution first.

I really depends on the kids maturity level. I think there are too many younger kids playing M rated games...but in the end it's the parents job to know what is okay for there son/daughter to play. I do think games should be restricted for sale, only because I think without that kids might play a very mature game without the parent even knowing. At least there is some checks in place to stop this from happening now.   

Russ- How do you pick your games you review? With the Wii being essentially dead, and the Wii U failing, did this influence your decision to get a PS4? And can we expect more reviews for other consoles? Has there ever been a time where one of your kids, wants to play a game that you deem inappropriate? And how do you handle those situations?

The WiiViewer- Lately its been harder to find good games to play/review on the WiiU. The system doesn't get a lot of new games for it. So I am focusing currently on virtual console and indie games. My plan on getting my PS4 was to review games on them as well. My viewers didn't like that at all, and my attempt to get a new YT site which was still part of my site wasn't going to happen. Plus my PS4 stopped recording after I did two game recordings so I just didn't put in the time to figure out how to fix it.

If I had known the WiiU was going to be failure I might have moved to the 3DS. I have always said I am going to keep my name as its only a name so it wouldn't have been too weird to move to 3DS games but I was/still am stubborn and I am sticking with the WiiU.

My kids have never ask to play a game I thought was too problematic for them. If they ever asked to play a game like GTA 5 I would say while the game is fun, the kind of fun it in isn't appropriate for teens (which they are now). Wait till you are older and out of the house. :)

Russ- I love that response about GTA 5, do you think you will do more PS4 reviews? Or has that shipped kinda sailed? Are you going to get into doing 3DS games? And where do you see the WiiU going in the future?

The Wiiviewer- I don't think I will do 3DS games, but I am seeing what Nintendo is going to do next after the WiiU (not talking about the fitness console they are coming out with). I have a feeling it going to be a combination of a portable system and a home system, where you can play on the go and then instantly play it on your portable system. If that happens then I should be able to get best of both worlds the home and portable players/viewers.

If Nintendo goes and makes another niche console hoping to get different gamers then Sony/Microsoft has then I might just pass on that and move to something else.

PS4 reviews? It depends on Nintendo.

I think the WiiU is dead. I have said this for a while now. Nintendo has too much pride to say they failed which is too bad. I imagine in 2 years we will hear about a new console, which will not have the word WII anywhere in it. That being said I am glad Nintendo still comes out with systems and doesn't just make games. Sure they could make lots of money if they just focused on games, but it's clear to me they unlike the other two gaming company's don't do this for the money. They do it for love, which is why gamers (as fickle as they can be), still love and respect the company.

Russ- I agree, I actually liked the Wii U and think it was a pretty well made console, had it come along a bit sooner it might have done better. Where do you see your empire headed? Do you think you will focus purely on reviews, or shift focus and do other gaming related videos as your main focus? And what do you think would be the reason for you to stop making videos? And as a fan I hope that day never comes, your voice is probably one of the most positive on Youtube, and unlike other gamers who troll and trash games, you always try to find something positive to say. Something that is sorely missed in the gaming community these days.

The WiiViewer- I always say I will do this until I stop having fun. Starting up my 8th year of doing this I would have never guessed I will still being doing it almost every week (I do take off time occasionally). I remember my first year doing this, and I put out 101 reviews. That was a crazy year. 2 to 3 videos a week. I have learned to pace myself, as I only do one review a week now...and sometimes one other one (lets play, bargain bin, live event).

No more let's plays now that Nintendo has put the hammer down on those. As much as it sucks, I do agree with them. They should be paid for them. I think its crazy someone can put an entire game on the internet for someone to watch. I know some people will buy the games because they liked the gameplay, but some games only get hurt by letting them be on YT for free. For example my oldest son watched all of the Phoenix Wright game on YT so he said he didn't have to worry about playing it. He enjoyed watching someone playing it instead.

I tend to only think one week in advance, so I really don't know where I am headed. I do have some ideas of theme months, but nothing is set in stone.

Russ- I feel the same way, I love doing this cause it's so much fun. Well, I will wrap this up now, my last question for you is, what has been the best part of this whole experience?

The WiiViewer- The best part? I like to hope my kids have a better appreciation for gaming in general. I think their way they express there love/hate for a game has changed for the better over the years. Video games and Nintendo were such a big part of life growing up I am glad I got to share this experience with my kids. I am sure if we didn't review some of the older games out there they would have never played and loved them (Harvest moon being a huge one).

I also like the fact that even though I have the worst voice for voice-overs I can still have a fan base. That's was my biggest fear going into this. I think it's helped me get more confidence in my daily life.

Russ- I love that, I think unlike film and everything else, there is very little way to preserve gaming history. This has been a ton of fun, and thank you so much for your time!

The WiiViewer- No problem. Have a great night!

Dont forget to visit The WiiViewer's Youtube