Jess Weixler, star of The Lie Ask William Mapother, star of Another Earth
Q. We’ve talked about how great Louisville is for inspiring people to go into the arts. Can you think of something you saw here, or were a part of, that encouraged you to want to do this for a living?
A. The movie theatres. I couldn’t get enough of them. The Showcase Cinemas on
Bardstown, Village 8, the old Vogue, the ones Oxmoor use to have. Seeing movies on a
big screen infected me. That’s why I’m still sick to this day.
Q. Indie movies always come about in different ways, and usually have to go
through many trials and tribulations with tiny budgets. Do you have a good story about something ANOTHER EARTH had to go through?
A. We shot in a somewhat ramshackle house out in the country owned by the director’s
friend. It was autumn in mid-New York state and turning chilly. Half the upstairs wasn’t
insulated but was just an attic covered by a hanging rug, and the production team stayed
all day in a barn which zero insulation. Best of all, we needed snow and couldn’t get
a snow machine, so the team tore up a bunch of diapers and mixed the stuffing with
water. And it looked completely real!
Q. I know different methods of releasing and marketing indie movies interests you. With many great indies not hitting theaters in middle America, what do you think could be an exciting new alternative to releasing and marketing smaller films?
A. Certainly online distribution is one alternative. VOD is becoming very popular. But
I’m looking forward to when more theatres can project digitally, which would enable
them to economically show one movie at 5, another at 7, and another at 9. More movies
could then at least be seen on the big screen.
Q. I believe with great actors, like yourself, there is always something you fall in love with about the character you’re playing. What is a quality you love about John in Another Earth?
A: Two things, I think. First, the degree to which he loved his family, which is
evidenced by the degree of his grieving. And second, his willingness to allow Rhoda to
lead him out of that grieving.
Q. We’ve talked about how great it would be to shoot more films in Louisville. Why you think it would be nice to make a movie back home?
A: Home-cooked meals by mom!