InsIder’s PoInt of VIew: ActIng for the cAmerA
had a lot of gore around her; she tested
Selma as Jean Lerner in WAZ
people—how much they could love…
through abuse. That was a very difficult role.
I was actually sick to my stomach while
inflicting so much pain on other people.
But it’s kind of a beautiful role, too, to play
this character, Jean Lerner. She’s been through
a lot and she puts people through a lot.
What about approaching comedy and drama?
I don’t approach it any differently. Sometimes
that makes things not very successful. I’ve
been really incredibly bad in some movies,
and some movies really work. Maybe I need
to learn a different approach so things won’t
be so hit-or-miss. I just kind of look at the
lines, look at the character, and go from
there. I don’t approach it as like, this is a
different genre, what’s the tone, how do I
do this? I just look at each project as the
character and where they are in the story.
How do you develop your characters?
I start from the wardrobe. I start with how
they feel in their wardrobe, how they move
in their wardrobe. What kind of underwear But good life choices. I’d love to impress him one day, to play a
they wear. Really simple things, because My career choices may not be great, but my fairy for him, or something completely
I’m not really the smartest person. But when life priorities are OK. mystical and different.
I start with clothing, that really helps me.
What kind of colours they like. Why do What are your life priorities? What is it about directors you enjoy
they like them? Do they wear a lot of More than ever, finding joy. That’s never working with?
bright colours? Do they wear a lot of dark been a priority for me—I always go in for When they are completely strong with
colours? That might dictate how they move. experiences, never really thinking of their vision, then you can sit back and feel
How does their wardrobe relate to how they consequences, how it’s going to play out in really confident; it seems effortless. When
interact with themselves and other people? my life and affect other people. Now it’s they don’t know what they want and they
How other people see them. Then the about finding joy and peace and maybe kind of flounder about, everything gets a
lines—what has the writer given me that starting a family one day. Teaching my little shaky for me. But when a director is
should come out of my mouth? children how to find joy and bring joy to really so confident and knows what he
other people. God, I guess that’s the most I wants, and can explain where he’s coming
What are your priorities when it comes can hope for. To keep the people I love… as from, then everything just falls into place
to roles? safe as we can be in this life. and it makes sense. They’re comfortable on
With WAZ, there’s an actor, Stellan set. They have their details down. Then
Skarsgård, who I think is so amazing, and What are your professional priorities? you’re just free to do your work—it just
I wanted to work with him desperately. I don’t know—just to make enough money happens. It’s an unspoken language. When
I loved him in Breaking the Waves and to save something. Professionally, there are directors have vision—that’s a blessing.
a million other movies. I wanted to watch directors I would love to work with, whose
him and the chance to work with him. stories I want to tell. I see some movies and What do you enjoy the most working with
And I’d never played a character like Jean think, “Oh! I wish I could be in that. I wish actors you admire?
Lerner. It was a real challenge. I don’t I could tell that story.” I saw Tess—Roman I love being in their energy. Watching
know if I quite pulled it off. She was so Polanski’s film—and thought, “God, I would their body language. I see how they take
damaged and so dark. There was no have loved to have been in that story.” care of themselves. I have a kind of kindred
slapstick at all in her. She was never a girl I would love to work with Roman Polanski. love for them. It gives me more passion for
that was going to go for a laugh or try to That would be a real thrill. But that will acting. And I want to do well for them,
amuse people. Other roles—it’s been to probably never happen. I love Samantha and strive to work with them in the future.
work with a certain director; some roles I Morton. She was so good in Control. She’s
just wanted to work with a specific actress great in everything. We have the same Advice for other actors?
and spend a few days with her. The script manager—I’ve only met her, but I’m a huge Show up. Really show up. Touch everything.
might have been terrible, the director I’ve fan. She’s someone I really admire. There are Don’t drink the night before you work. Show
never heard of, but God I just loved that people who inspire me. There are directors up. Be present. Fully present.
actress as a kid and I want to sit in the who inspire me—I would love to work with
make-up chair next to her each morning. Guillermo again in a completely different Thank you for sharing one of your
Not good career choices… type of role. He’s someone I admire so much. “moments” with me! n
32 By fIlmmAkers. for fIlmmAkers.
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