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Your new movie Driftwood
- in a few words, what is it about, and what can you tell us about your
character in it?
Driftwood is a psychological thriller of sorts about a character stuck
in her own mind. My character is Anne, who believes she is getting
experimental therapy for her broken marriage and ends up getting trapped
in her mind until she figures the way out. (Without giving away too
much!!) What did you draw upon to bring your
character to life, and how much Jen Kuhn can we find in Anne?
I love Anne! I can totally relate to her feeling like everyone around
her is more creative than she is. In my own special way, I can get
trapped in my mind (with my thoughts), and the only way to get out is to
let go. I also share determination and empathy with Anne. With
Driftwood following a
rather dreamlike logic, how easy or hard was it to not literally lose your
plot while acting in it? Hahaha! It was difficult! But I had it mapped out pretty well and
writer/director Neal
Tyler [Neal Tyler interview -
click here] and I had many talks and discussions about the details. I don’t
know how he kept it all straight in his brain!
How did you get involved with
the project in the first place? Neal and I worked closely on another indie feature together, so while he
was editing that one, he was writing Driftwood. So he approached me to
collaborate again, which was a resounding YES. What can you tell us
about Driftwood's
director Neal Tyler, and what was your collaboration like?
Neal is such a thoughtful director and he has such a vision for what he
wants. So it was lots of character conversations before shooting and
some rehearsals, then lots of trust on set while he lets us play. Do
talk about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere!
We were shooting this pretty guerrilla-style during the pandemic — we
stayed masked and tested often. We worked very quickly as the cast and
crew were small, but had a lot of fun in between takes. Any
future projects you'd like to share?
I’ve just premiered a short film that I wrote and directed, in which
Neal Tyler was producer and cinematographer, called There’s Always
Time To Say It, and I’m writing a feature that I want all of us to
make in early 2025 in Mazatlán Mexico! What got you into
acting in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the
subject? I’m originally a professional cellist and I booked a really fun role
on the TV show Boston Legal where they wanted a cellist to play a
mute woman who gives her testimony by playing the cello. I had the best
time on set! I did a little acting in high school and loved it, so I
started studying very seriously in LA for many years since. Besides acting you've also contributed to a
plethora of film scores as a cellist - so what can you tell us about that
aspect of your career?
I moved out to LA to be a studio musician and I’m fortunate to have
made that a reality! It’s such fun work to score a film, with the
freshest most contemporary music, with a huge orchestra on a big sound
stage. Besides acting and cello, you've
also tried your hand on a number of other film jobs over the years - so
why is that, and what are actually some jobs you'd love to do more of,
what could you actually do without?
I’ve worn so many hats! It comes from a love of being on set…
Anything I can do to be on set! I also love knowing how all the pieces
of a cast and crew work together. So producing and directing is right up
my alley. That’s sort of the direction I’m heading now. What can you tell us
about your filmwork prior to Driftwood,
in whatever position? As an actor, I was always interested in what was going on behind the
camera. So I set out to PA on some friend’s films for a make-shift
film school without film school. I love scheduling and such, so I’ve
really taken to being an AD and producer. I’m also a writer and had
positions as writer's assistant and script coordinator on Mozart in the
Jungle and Modern Love. I really enjoy being in the writers room too!
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How would you describe yourself as
an actress, and some of your techniques to bring your characters to life?
Most of my training is rooted in Stanislavsky. I studied with Ivana
Chubbuck for many years in LA. I always try to find the heart of my
character through pieces of myself while understanding clear objectives
of my character's wants and desires. Actresses
(and indeed actors) who inspire you? Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain, Rachel Brosnahan, Gary Oldman. Your favourite
movies? Too many! But if I had to choose, it would be The Sound of Music. ... and of course, films you really deplore? Maestro. Your/your
movie's website, social media, whatever else? Instagram/Twitter:
@jenkuhn_ Anything
else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
Nope! Thanks
for the interview!
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