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Your new movie Leak
- in a few words, what it it about, and what can you tell us baout your
character in it?
Leak is short film about a futuristic dystopia where
water is rationed and strictly controlled. I am hot and tired. I am the
main character's mother, who is deaf. My son does what feels he needs to
do to help us survive and stay together. What did you draw upon to bring your
character to life, and how much of Rita Scranton can we find in Mary,
actually? Mary
is strong and independent, in spite of the current adversity she and
others are facing. I like to think that I am like that, plus I have
unconditional love for those close to me. I am very resilient
as well. How did you get involved with the project in
the first place? I had met Ben
Richardson [Ben Richardson
interview - click here] on several occasions and reached out
to him about the possibility of working with him on a project. He in turn contacted Jordan
Martin about me playing the part of his mom in
a short film. Jordan agreed and it all came together. Jordan Wilson and Justin
Jayne wrote a great story. What can you us tell about Leak's
director Jordan Martin, and what was your collaboration like? Oh,
he was incredible! He has a mustache that makes it a little difficult to
read lips, but he was so patient with me and very clear in his
instructions and letting me know exactly what he wanted. I hope to work
with him again some day.
Do talk about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere? I
did have some help on set. A sign language interpreter friend, Neely
Perle, volunteered to assist with communication and also helped
tutor Ben in the signs he was learning. That was helpful, but the whole
cast and crew worked together fabulously and supported each other.
Writer and PA Jordan Wilson was so professional and especially encouraging. Ben
Richardson was an amazing co-star! We were both
very focused and just kind of clicked at just the right moment. Any
future projects you'd like to share? I
recently filmed my part in an indie film titled Loving
Giving Soul, which is something of a psychological thriller. I
will also appear in an upcoming feature, Salt
of the Earth, a post-apocalyptic crime thriller set to film later this summer. I am also
scheduled for a small part in a short film titled The
Body Disposal Kit Salesman to be filmed
sometime this summer. That should be interesting. The Oklahoma film
industry is busy these days. What got you into
acting in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the
subject?
I started out as a clown and mime. There was also a small deaf theatre
company back in the 1990's (Oklahoma Sign Theatre Unlimited). I was in
several of their productions. I took some theater classes at The
University of Oklahoma, then moved to San Francisco for a few years. I
took On Camera Acting while there and got bit by the bug. I have
attended various workshops, and worked with a local acting coach, Michelle
Delong, as well as Chris
Freihofer and Darryl
Cox at The Actor Factory here in Oklahoma.
Continued training is part of the job.
What can you tell uf about your filmwork prior to Leak?
I've worked a lot of background and was also involved in several 48
Hour Film Projects. Filmmaker Mickey
Reece got me started with that. He was
wonderful and booked me on several of his other films including Strike
Dear Mistress and more recently Agnes. Before
doing films, you did a lot of stage work, right? So how does acting for a
camera compare to performing in front of a live audience, and what do you
actually prefer?
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There is something surreal about being in front of a live audience and seeing
the applause. Waving hands in the air is the standard way to applaud for
people who are deaf, but I can still see the hands moving if they are
just clapping. I actually think theatre is harder because it requires a
greater time commitment. You have to remember your lines and get
it right each performance. Film is hard work too though. You might not
have to rehearse and perform as many days, but on those days you do work you have a lot of attention to detail and shooting it as close as
possible to the same for numerous takes and all the different camera
angles. Seeing the finished product on the big screen is exciting. Some
actors don't like watching themselves, but I want to see the whole
thing... not just my little part. I want to see the magic of it all
coming together. All things considered, I prefer film. To
finally address the elephant in the room, in what way do you think being
deaf has affected your career? I
do believe there are many who hesitate to book me because of perceived
difficulties with my deafness. I am especially thankful to all those
filmmakers who did take the risk and learned that it wasn't all that bad
(smile). I also don't want to play just "deaf" roles because
there are not all that many of them. I am fortunate that I read lips
well and also speak pretty clear. How would you describe
yourself as an actress, and some of your techniques to bring your
characters to life? As a child, I always got bored easy and I've worked in a lot of different
occupations. I like acting because I can be different characters. I've
always had fairly good imagination and just put myself in those
situations. I am still there, but the character I am playing is helping
me adapt to what is going on. I've not had formal training into any of
the various techniques, I just do it. Being a mime is really good
exercise for the imagination. Actresses (and indeed actors) who
inspire you?
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Dick
Van Dyke is amazing. Sandra Bullock... I also loved Robin Williams (he
was once a mime!). Meryl Streep is always spot on, it seems. Melissa
McCarthy, so funny! I guess I like physical comedy, but not over the
top. Bruce Willis always had a lot of focus. Will Smith. Eddie Murphy.
Probably too many to mention. These are just ones I could think of in
the moment. Marlee Matlin was indeed a pioneer.
Your favourite movies?
Funny,
two of my favorites are musicals. The
Wizard of Oz and The
Sound of Music. I also tend to like action films like Die Hard. I think that is because before captioning, that is mostly
what I watched. Now that captioning is available, I especially like
comedies and hope to act in some. I think I tend to look for certain
actors rather than particular films.
... and of course, films you really deplore?
Language,
people! I would prefer less cursing and sex should be subtly implied
rather than explicit. I am also not a big fan of blood and gore, but
fascinated to see it in the make-up chair.
Your website, social media, whatever else?
imdb.me/RitaScranton,
and
I
am on Instagram (aprilfoolokc), Facebook, and LinkedIn. Most can be
found by searching my name.
Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to
ask?
I
probably already answered it, even though you didn't ask.
Thanks for the interview!
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