On Researching Serial Killers to Play a Disturbing Character
“It was pretty intense. I had three months prior to making this movie where I was diving into researching serial killers and psychopaths. I had a pretty dark aura. I was pretty hesitant to take this character on because of that, because I’m a father. I’ve got four daughters, so it was pretty daunting and scary to take on a character like this. I was very pleased when I came pack and I was able to cut my hair and clean my fingernails.
I mean, most of my scenes involved torment. When I started this project, I started having sleepless nights. I think that was more from the things I was watching. It was nerve-wracking. There’s a lot of anxiety stepping onto a set in my scenes with Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon. One of my big challenges was to provoke a reaction from Jake, to get a reaction, and keep it fresh. Tom Ford demands such perfection, so I wanted to be prepared, and bring as much as I possibly could.”
On the Intensity of the Film’s Opening Scenes
“‘Intense’ seems like a weak word, but it was grueling. My main job was to push Jake to the brink of a nervous breakdown, and psychologically affecting someone in that way was torment. It affected me emotionally and physically. One of those nights, we were shooting out in Mojave, which is about three hours away from where I live in Los Angeles, and we were improvising, staying fresh and new, and trying to get different reactions out of Jake by shocking him. It was affecting us so much that, after that night shoot, I asked to be driven home, and none of the drivers were available. I had to stay at the hotel we were staying at. I tried that, and I was so shook up that I actually ended up calling a friend to come pick me up and drive me all the way back, because I needed that comfort and security. I needed to spend one night back at home, to get nurtured back. I’ve never said that before.” MM
Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Virtuosos Award was given out on February 4, 2017. Photographs by Carlos Aguilar.
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One of the most talented groups in hollywood. The diversity is incredible and the talent they all share is greater than anything measurable. Cant wait to see what future lies ahead for this talented group of individuals. Keep up the great work!!