November 9, 2025 • 38 mins
Aussie Actor: Thomas Cocquerel
What happens when an Australian actor lands roles alongside Hollywood legends and discovers the stark contrast between drama school and real-world filmmaking? Thomas Cocquerel opens up about his journey from NIDA graduate to starring alongside Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning in the psychological thriller "All Her Fault." which is out now on Binge in Australia, Peacock in America and Sky in the UK.
Thomas takes us behind the scenes of his career, from the surreal experience of filming "The Gilded Age" during COVID to working with Anthony Hopkins fresh out of drama school. With refreshing honesty, he reveals how he navigates the emotional toll of darker roles through music, creating character playlists that help him decompress after intense scenes. His journey through theatre training to television sets highlights the resilience required when scripts arrive last-minute and character arcs take unexpected turns.
Timestamps:
10:15 - Breaking down his character Richie in "All Her Fault" and the show's exploration of modern motherhood
15:30 - Getting into NIDA (Australia's prestigious drama school) on his first try
28:40 - The challenges of filming "The Gilded Age" during COVID restrictions
35:20 - Working with Anthony Hopkins and learning to shoot out of sequence on film and TV sets
42:15 - Using music to decompress after emotionally demanding roles
47:30 - Advice for young actors fresh out of drama school
Tom's insights reveal the stark reality of the acting profession - the gap between drama school idealism and industry pragmatism, the need for self-reliance, and finding joy in the audition process itself. His passion for visual storytelling and musical expression offers a glimpse into how actors maintain their creative spark between roles.
Listen to this episode if you're pursuing any creative field - Tom's advice about maintaining your sense of self while navigating rejection and uncertainty applies far beyond acting. His journey reminds us that resilience, adaptability, and keeping your passion alive are essential ingredients for success in any creative pursuit.
hope you love this ep as much as i do!
Here's the trailer to All Her Fault: watch the trailer here
You can follow Tom on insta here: Tom's Insta
Big love,
Lola
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Get a I'm Lola Berry, nutritionist, author, actor, TV presenter
and professional oversharer. This podcast is all about celebrating failure
because I believe it's a chance for us to learn,
grow and face our blind spots. Each week I'll interview
a different guest about their highs as well as their lows,
(00:26):
all in a bid to inspire us to fearlessly fail.
Today on the pod we have Aussie actor Thomas Cockerell,
and he is here to talk about his new show
All Her Fault, starring Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning. Dakota
Fanning plays his wife in this psychological crime thriller.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Now, for in Australia, you can watch it on Binge.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
If you're in America you can watch on Peacock and
if you're in the UK you can watch it on Sky.
It is officially out unavailable. Now do you have a
favor go and watch it. I have got one and
a half episodes left and I am on the edge
of my seat trying to figure this out.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
It is such a great show.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Now, this episode is for a creative anyone with a
passion with a be actor, musician, writer, director. This episode
is view Tom came through the ranks of NIDER and
did all of his training there, but also talks about
the difference between being all that theater training and then
being on a film or a TV set, And he
(01:32):
really opens up and shares his techniques and tricks for
when he feels a little bit blocked or if he's
trying to shake a character off. No spoilers here, but
music plays a big role.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
In Tom's life.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
I hope you find this episode as inspiring as I did.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Tom, You're a flip and legend. Shout out to your mum.
She sounds wonderful. Welcome to the pod. Thomas cockerel Am
I saying that right? Yeah, And now I get so
nervous with name.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
You said it right. I actually just did.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
A little Esquire thing where I said Thomas Cockrell because
I say Thomas Cockrell or Tom Cockrell. Naturally you say
that either or I mean it's different in French too,
So it's in French.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Yeah, because you've got a Paris history.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
I do, Yeah, French history, dads, Dad's French. So I
grew up in France when I was young.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
And Houston, Texas and Houston, Texas and Los Angeles La
for a bit it was Pasadena, so it doesn't really
count as I.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Love that you just said that. Do you know what?
Speaker 4 (02:34):
Someone said that to me the other day. They're like, yeah,
but it's Pasadena. Wasn't the real La?
Speaker 1 (02:37):
I was like, yeah, it does feel far away to
Ossie's listening to it, it feels like to get to
pass it. It also feels like Pasadena is like a
cute little Halloween village. That's how it feels to me,
like they shot and they shot literally Halloween there, like
Michael Meyer's house is there, Jamie Lee Curtis's house is there.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
They call it a town, don't they.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
It's a town. It's a doubt.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
I remember when we first got here because I'm sure
you know this, but like, renting in LA is wildly expensive.
So we're like, oh, let's just check out Pasadena. And
we were like, oh no, that's just like we're in
LA to be in La.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
We've got we've got it. Suck it up. It's way cheaper,
like by a thousand bucks, right.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah that counts. But then it's just that extra drive,
I guess.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
And yeah, and it's gorgeous like Pasadena and this is
like a huge diggression, but it's a gorgeous town, stunning
and like where is this? So yeah, yeah, okay. I
get so excited when actors come on the pod, and
I am going to shamelessly admit I have binge watched.
(03:38):
I've got one and a half episodes left to go
of all her faults.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
That's really cool.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Congrats, thank you. How do you feel You've just come
straight from New York from the premiere?
Speaker 4 (03:47):
I have, Yeah, I just got in last night, a
couple of days here on my way back home.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
I'm jealous though.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
I got sent a link to the first two episodes
back when before it came out, and I haven't actually
I watched three last night and I haven't watched the
rest of it. So you're you know more than I do. Well,
I've seen more than I do. I've seen a lot
of character.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Well, this is the thing, like your the reasony.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
I was like when I got sent the screener, because
I only got sent the screen yesterday's it's like shivers,
like I'm going to have to do some biting.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Totally fine with that.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
But i'd seen on TikTok there's this scene where your wife,
Dakota Fanning rips into not to give too much away,
and it's kind of going a bit viral deservedly.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
So on TikTok so I was like, I've got to
get to that scene.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
And I got to that on TikTok people that scene okay, cool.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
So people obviously binging just like me.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
There's something like that. Yeah that works.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Yeah, right, So your character, Richie, you're Richie is a
bit can we say.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
I said manchild the other day. I don't know if
I haven't been pulled up on it, but that's what
he is. Yes, I mean, it's he's a good guy.
He's a nice guy. He tries his best, but he
is the kind of guy you know. I felt that,
like would call taking care of his own son babysitting,
like he's just you know, she she really it's just
the three of them in the family. She really has
(05:08):
two boys to take care of.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
You can't.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
There's something a little melancholy about him, too, rich like
a little bit of like maybe lost his way.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
He's a bit of a Peter Pan. He hasn't grown up.
And you know, the more I kind of worked on him,
I was doing it or talking to people like there's
a lot of guys out there like that, and so
you know, try to handle it with care and.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Make it as real as possible. But you know, there's
room to grow, and there's room for him to grow.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
And I guess the arc is the arc. And I
can't say too much, but you know, he's just what
he is.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
He's just doing his best, and like again, not so
too much, but I think people will know from the
trailer there this is a psychological thriller and it's kind
of like heavy stuff going on.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
We can say that it's about a child deduction.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
It is, yeah, yeah, so their stuff is separate, I
guess to the main story, but it does kind of
point to what the show is really about, which is,
you know, women today and women in the workplace as
mothers and kind of what It's got a really nice, clear,
interesting and intelligent lens on modern relationships and where.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Kind of women fit into that. How do you? How
are you a mother? How do you deal with guilts?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
And it definitely touches on mum gilts.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Yeah sure, that.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
First episode for sure, Yeah, just really hits hard.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
So it's set in Chicago, but I am a nerd
and researched.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
You shot in Melbourne. We shot in Melbourne Olds, I know.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
We shot I think there for like three months, two
and a half months or something, and I think they
only had about two or three days in Chicago to
get the you know, some of the exteriors and whatnot.
But you wouldn't. No, it's crazy movie TV magic.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Yeah, total TV. And is it true? So you're a
night of kiddo you come through? Yeah, I have to
ask you got in first try?
Speaker 4 (07:10):
That is unheard of, I got. Yeah, we had in
my year. It was pretty common for some reason.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
But yeah, it is. I got very lucky. I did.
I came out of school.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Never thinking that that was going to be a possibility,
but did think that that was something that I did
want to do, and I did an audition straight out
of school at the time.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
I then I went to UNI.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
First, I was doing a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW
Theater and film and a bit of business and whatnot there,
and I was doing night of courses at night and
it was across the road, so I did kind of
plant the seeds and prepare for it. And then my
first audition was at the end of my second year
in my Bachelor of Arts, which was going to be
(07:54):
my practice audition, so I think I kind of came
in with the right mindset. Yeah, not expecting it and
having kind of been near it and wasn't afraid of
the place, and you know, you build it up as
a as a kid.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
And oh yeah, especially in Australia.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
And scary, but you know it was it was a
second home in some ways by that point, and I
didn't take it too seriously. I also had like I
had braces at the time, long hair and just you know,
full of insecurity. I really didn't think it was going
to work out, so I think I came in so
relaxed and then obviously you get call back and callback
(08:31):
and callback. It's about a five day process, so the
closer I got, the.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
More daunting it was. But yeah, it did. It did
work out, which was very cool.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
I still remember my first night audition. I walked in
there like euro crocodile and I was like, what you
like to be a crocodile right now?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
And that was my first and I was like, holy shit.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Be a crocodile or just your crocodile, Like.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
I had to come into the space and be like
embody a crocodile.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
Yeah, how do you feel about that out, Like, I
feel like we do get trained to that.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
If you do theater school, if you come through theater school.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
Yeah that makes sense now Like if someone told me
that today, I'm like, yeah, I know how to do that.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
I did that for three years.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Yeah yeah, But I mean I think it's just.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
So funny say it to like somebody that hasn't done there,
like you what but then how beautiful. I don't know
who said it, but a lot of people say, like
theater school is just so good for being a human,
Like you learn to play and all these you learn
these skills that you're not really going to learn anywhere else.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
And is it true? Sarah Snook was like a couple
of years ahead.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
She just left I think when I got in.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
So we knew each other from you know, the events
and the plays and whatnot and fours and this and that,
and so we were light friends, knew.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Of each other.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
But but yeah, kind of you know, to them work
with each other so many years after there is a
common ground there.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Pretty nice, yeah, yeah, very pretty like sweet And it
was so nice to watch and be like, hang on,
that's an AUSI actor.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Oh, that's an AUSI actor. Oh, that's not like there's.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Just so many so many yeah, I mean, of course
being being done in Melbourne, but and it's so many
friends of mine too on the show. It was just
you know, those green rooms were really really fun.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Really okay, So I have to also ask I can't
have you on the pod without talking about the guilded ays.
Yeah wow okay. So first of all, that was shot
during COVID.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Right, that was during co Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
That was a special experience but like kind of heartbreaking
at the same time. I'd just come out of a
bit of a you know, a rut as we as
we do, and so that was a big win and
very exciting. At the end of twenty nineteen, moved the
beginning of twenty twenty, we had I think about six
weeks of prep and rehearsals costume, and they built everything
(10:38):
and I feel like anyquat classes too, etiquite classes to
learn how to walk with a cane, yeah, tip a
top hat and even you know, ride a horse and
carriage too, which which was cool. But then four days
before we started shooting COVID hits, everything was kind of
put on pause. I mean, the whole world as we know,
but we didn't think it was to pick back up,
(11:00):
but they did. I mean, I think they'd spent so
much money on the costumes and the sets that they
couldn't really let a show like that fall to the wayside.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
How lucky though, like very lucky.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
I've interviewed other actors that have been in a very
similar boat shows and see you later.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Everything just disappeared.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
So we were very lucky that that they couldn't really
afford to do that. I think we got back on it.
So that was what Feb or mid feb. And then
we were back on set in September quite a long time.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Before because New York got hit so COVID hit.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
They were like the last show to like not let
it go, like they did not want to, like not film.
They're like, no, we'll be fine, and then they really
did have to. When Tom Hanks guided in the NBA
and I luckily my friend Harry Richardson, we're old friends.
We got the show together by fluke, which was crazy.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
So were you staying together living.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
A block away from each in Williamsburg. He was like,
let's get out of here.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
I wouldn't have if he didn't pull me out, so
we did get out and then I was back home
for you know, six seven months before back in New York.
So thank god I didn't have to do you know,
the cover lockdowns in New York.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
You know New York was so scary. Yeah, I was
in La La was pretty scary. Yeah, wild time.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
It was fine in Australia that that early part was
kind of wonderful.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Yeah, very nice.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
I feel like Ozzie's like anyone that was an Australian
actor living over here and got to go back home
was just like, oh my goodness, what gift. Whereas I
had to stay but had to go back for a
book tour and they put me on a Postal Service
flight from San Fran, fifteen people on the whole plane
and the like the government had to like prove you
(12:39):
and then there was like a whole sheriff thing, like
the two week quarantine in the hotel. Yeah, all that mental,
but you know what, it's as full on as it was, like,
what a privilege to even be able to like do
that and go home and.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
You know, and listened.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
We got lucky, the show got back up on his feet,
and then we had a great time. It was a
a weird thing to do, you know, you you I
got excited to kind of really dive into that world
and play make believe. Yeah, and it's hard to really
feel like you're you're in the eighteenth century with a
duck mast.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
It's on every day, every day.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
But it was so fun doing it, like such a
cool like this is the creators of Downton Abbey, like
a period aece, and like you're fully transforming from like
the person I'm looking at today.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
I imagine. That's just so fun to like dive into
a whole other world.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
So cool, so special. I think my favorite day was
this day at we shot at Bethesda Fountain in Central Okay.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, yeah, beautiful, And that was.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
One of the bigger amount of extras we had.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
I mean, it's three sixty and you just what you
were back in time in Central Park. There was no
denying it and really really special, really cool, good appearance.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
It must have just been like, yeah, just a total
pinch yourself kind of moment. And then to be like,
I don't know, I just love the idea of like
jumping in a whole other world.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
This is a really nerdy question.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
I ask a lot of actors this I don't think
the ones that you've listened to though, so I'm probably
gonna it a bit specifically for that carry you were
like a dappa lawyer, right and falling in love and
fleeing all that kind of fun stuff. But like having
such a like physical transformation, wearing like a three peace
suit and top hat and whatnot. You an actor that
(14:25):
has us like I know some people like the shoes.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Well really like the way I walk.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
So yeah, do you have for.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
You like when you do those costume fittings, you helped
you find the character, Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
And that's actually not to bring it back to COVID.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
That's what bothered me, Like to wear a mask took
me out of it and I could never really feel
like I was in the place or in the time,
you know, just that time between takes and whatnot. It
was so and we all said there was not much,
you know, time together. We were in these little plastic
boxes and separate in between scenes.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Louisa who played my love.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
Interest, lou and I we had this, you know, we
have a big romantic scene in the middle of that
our first season, and I remember we had to kiss
and it was mask off kiss and then we were
chatting right when they yelled Carter or just having a moment,
and they were.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Like mask up, mask like literally kids, and then you
have to reshoot it like you're doing.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Multiple, multiple takes, and it was just like mask ups,
like if we can't be the only two that cannot
be masked up, you know. But there was something jarring
about not being able to really let go and and
go back in time in that in that sense.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
Yeah, that'd be hard.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
I felt little blocked in that and just building camaraderie
with the other actors, and you know that it was
a it was a difficult It was a very exciting,
very you know, it was a big win, it felt,
but it was tough because I just didn't really get
to sink into that and the project and spend as
much time with everyone as I.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
And hyper aware of this like vigilance that's gone on
around you.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Yeah, I get it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
So you mentioned blocked, and I think that like some
a lot of actors like don't ever really share like
like what do you do when you do get a
bit blocked or if you're on a set like I
also think there's a big gap between acting school and
working on a set massive, and they're.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Kind of different ballgames.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Like one is like you're pouring your heart over some
beautiful play for like months on end, and then all
of a sudden, it's like hit that mark, shoot coverage first,
then shoot yours, and then like let's do.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
That a couple of times. Like, yeah, it's a whole
different beast.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
So, like, do you have any moments where you've ever
ever felt either a blocked or too like in your
head a little bit where and if you have what's
kind of been a good process, like is it connecting
to breadth? Is it just like taking a beat, connecting
with the other actor.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
There's two things I think you get from drama school
and one helps you and one doesn't. But like they
they do allow so much time. You get so much
time to work on these projects. You're often like a
lead role in some sort of play here or there,
and then support here and whatever. But the amount of
prep that you get to do and the exercises and
(17:10):
the character development and working with others and you get
to find it and so that part's wonderful. But then
you realize when you leave drama school that that all
has to be private. You don't get that time with
other people, and especially when you're working on a project
like that where you feel blocked and you can't do
it because of one reason or another, one being COVID.
But then the second thing that you really get from
(17:32):
drama school is resilience and speed and a sense of
self and self trust, where you know, I felt lucky
that even though there's problems or blocks or whatever is
working against you, I do have a pretty good sense
of self as an actor and a trust in my talent,
(17:53):
I guess, and my work. So you just lean back
on that, and that's where the training does kick in,
where you don't get that time to rehearse, and you
don't get to time to see a scene done where
you can see people's mouths, you know, and the first
time that you actually get to see someone smile and
take he's on the first take. He's a wild experience
(18:13):
and something that isn't really fair as an actor when
you want to be workshopping things and finding a moment.
But I do feel like I'm pretty listen. I like
the luxury of being able to dive in and do
a lot of work, but I'm also pretty resilient and
able to just go with the flow and find it
when I don't have much too, when I'm not given.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Much, I reckon resilience is like a superpower if you've
got that, like as an actor, as any like, no
matter what your goal is. I think that it's a
really important attribute to have for sure. Yeah, And I think,
like you said, you've got a sense you said, like
you almost like trust yourself and this like awareness of self.
(18:55):
But I also think that's like confidence in yourself as
well to be like, do you know what not?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
No, Like this is harder, but I can do this,
you know.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
And I think that like that confidence speaks volumes as well.
When you're in a room and needing to show up
and need to be.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Really present, it's it's literally go be a crocodile.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
That's what it is.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
To bring it back, Yes, is that it's you know,
when you're asked to do something ridiculous, you just do it.
And it's a balance between confidence and vulnerability.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Yeah. Oh yeah, one hundred percent. I love that?
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Is it?
Speaker 1 (19:28):
So is it correct me if this timeline is wrong
or right out straight out of drama school, out of
night you were essentially working with Anthony Hopkins.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Yeah, within the year was pretty yeah, pretty close.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
So he is famous for he's really you know what
he's famous for.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
I know what he's famous for, and I don't know
whether I should say what I'm about to say.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
But go why not do it? But he reads the
script like a crazy amount of times, like that's what
they say, Yeah, like one hundred.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
And twenty something crazy working with him, like, obviously he's
a great Was there anything that you were like, oh
my goodness, thank you on putting that in my back pocket.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
I feel like you're about to say this is no.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Yeah, but because I still he must he must do.
He's Anthony Hopkins. He's the greatest of all time. But
speaking of back pocket, like I had no lines in
the scene. I was still so nervous about doing my
scenes with him that I had my lines in my
back pocket, and he did ask me between takes for
his lines.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Really, so clearly he does for other things.
Speaker 4 (20:33):
But on that, you know, I did see another side
to him because i'd heard the same thing that he was,
you know totally, but I think he just he was
also in a place of play too, and that the
film kind of lent itself to that. And he's doing
a scene where you know, I kidnapped him, so I
had a face mask on and I couldn't talk. So
(20:53):
the only the only scene I had with Anthony Hopkins
was silent on my part. So I don't think he
needed to per se stick to the script, and that's
why he was, you know, in a place where he
was ready to work with the material and not be
you know, totally word perfect.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
That is a great story, by the way, but he
also talks about being relaxed, and I guess that is
one way of looking at that situation as well.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
I've just been so trusting.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
I was blown away because he came in he'd grown
his hair out, and you know, he's kidnapped for a
certain amount of months, and so he came in with
long hair and did everything backwards, which for me was
like the first coming from theater school, was like the
first time I'd really seen out of order kind of
work or filming and production. So I was blown away
(21:42):
by him starting with being you know, in the cell
or chamber for a couple of months and then slowly
looking better and having his hair shorter and shorter and
doing his performance backwards. Was was unbelievable to watch a
bad age and so young.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Well, and to the listener like that is how like
most film and TV has done, it's shot totally out
of sequence, right, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Which is something you don't get at drama school.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Right.
Speaker 4 (22:07):
That's part of the challenge coming out and not understanding that.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Another question that I've randomly found weird facts about you.
Is it true that you're a fan of Hook.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Hook Yeah, the movie?
Speaker 4 (22:20):
Yeah, well Hook, Yeah, fan of it.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
But I think mum, it's.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
Your first memory.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
I'm told, well, no, I don't know if I could
have remembered it. I don't know what year it came out,
eighty nine or ninety. Mom said, that's the first movie
I went to.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
I remember seeing Hook and in eighty nine.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
I think it was in the I think it might
have been eighty nine or ninety.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
So I reckon, you're right.
Speaker 4 (22:39):
I love it, but I don't know, and I can't
say I remember seeing it in the cinema, but I
think it was the first movie Mum took me to
when I.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
Was a baby.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
That's a pretty good one.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Yeah, it's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
But that's pretty iconic.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Yeah yeah, But then your first memories of Blake being
obsessed with stuff is Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford Vice.
Speaker 4 (22:56):
Yeah, but yeah, I mean that was always like a
massive hook for me.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
Think, yeah, look again it.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
I mean I Spilberg was in. So I remember doing
a school project on Steven Spielberg, and I'd never really
thought about movie making before that, and I think I
even failed the project because I didn't actually do the
work or make the presentation. I was so obsessed with
the material. I went to the library and got every
(23:24):
book on movie making and learned about Spielberg and learned
so much about it that I just I was obsessed
from that day on. I think I failed the assignment,
but really it kickstarted.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
In because you want to be you want to be directed,
like I.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
Was always it. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
I got three sisters and we traveled around a lot
growing up, so we were always very close, and Mum
was very good at making home videos, I guess, and
filming us and I slowly kind of moved into that
after that project and would steal the family camera and
start making movies with my sisters. And then there was
(24:01):
a there was a Steven Spielberg lego movie maker kid
that came out right and I got that and then
started making stop motion amazing that and.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
Learned editing through that.
Speaker 4 (24:13):
And I was, you know, seven or eight at the time,
so that really at a young age, that was the obsession.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Then, Yeah, that's a pretty good and that's why.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
I wanted to be a director. But yeah, I was
always doing it.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
But I think the it also was like I never
thought acting was possible, and for some reason as a kid,
directing seemed a lot easier because you have control, Yeah,
and you don't have to wait for someone else.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
I get that kind of tracks that track.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
So that's why.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
Actually I went to you in s w and I
was studying you know, film there. I did think I
was going to do a Bachelor of Arts there and
then transfer and try and go to the USC here
and study film over here.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
Oh wait, yeah, and la I was looking at courses
over there.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Not to put you on the spot, but is directing
something you would ever explore down the track?
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Yeah, for sure, absolutely.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
It's just I mean, I know a lot of the
people that you talk to talk about writing as well,
and that's something that I kind of struggle with. So
I feel like that's my my block is just not
being able to I've got writing partners and work with
other people. But I think just growing up and being
kind of bilingual, there was always an insecurity of being wrong,
and so I kind of struggle with the written word,
(25:25):
even with emails now and stuff. I just I know
that you can read a script and read it so
many different ways. I see the possibility of the written
word being expressed in so many different ways that I
struggle with actually putting pen interesting, having that finality, it feels.
Speaker 3 (25:41):
It feels so final and sure of itself.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
So not to give your homework.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
But the Martin Scorsese doco on Apple I heard, that's
amazing because he draws everything. Oh right, so he'll get
given us. He doesn't always write scripts. He'll get given
us and he'll just draw. That's every shot I should
be doing, every single shot.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
That's my block.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
It's really if.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
You love Robert de Niro two, it's so fun because
it's kind of a doco about the two of their relationship.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
What does make sense? I mean, film is a visual medium.
It's not always you know.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
This is why actors make great directors as well, because
they've got that one like lived experience.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
But two like it's and I do feel like when
I have you know, directed shorts and nothing as out there.
But I do have an eye and an act for it.
But that makes that makes sense. You know, I'm a
huge fan of Buster Keaton and.
Speaker 2 (26:39):
I don't know I know who that is.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
He was, he was like him.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
And Charlie Chaplin were the two big silent film stars,
and he like Chaplain was you know, silent comedies. But
I just I think he's so much better in a
way too, and just deeper.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
You give me homework.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
Go watch the Buster Keating from the general is really
really incredible. But I mean they just it is visual.
It's just comes from what you see and not what
you hear. Sometimes I love.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
It, Okay, I have to I just want to ask
a little bit more about all her fault and then
this is going so quick, and then we want I
want some advice for young actors.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Pick your brain, but I have to ask.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Having playing, like we talked about, the subject matter is
quite heavy. Did you have something that you would do,
like would you go home and like shower straight away
to let go of that energy, because although as you mentioned,
you and Dakota's family dynamics, it wasn't as heavily affected
(27:40):
as like Sarah Snook's family in it, but it's very
clear that your character isn't happy, So it's like a
heavy energy to sit with on set. I imagine you're
staying in that energy for a while when the camera
definitely when the cameras are rolling.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
It's like, is there anything that you ever.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Do when you've got a heavy role when you home
or back to your hotel to kind of like decompress.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
Yeah, listen.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
For All Her Fault, it didn't feel too heavy. It
was kind of a side quest. But I know when
I have felt that I've worked on some other stuff,
especially now, like I feel like a lot of the
roles I'm going for getting to play her a lot
darker and nuanced, which is good, but that comes with
a certain amount of.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
Tax with it.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
You've done some very scary, scary movies.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
Scary movies. Too Safe Home was was pretty heavy.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
That was an SBS series in Australia about domestic violence.
So there was a lot that we were working through
on that particularly, and that was another one that leaving set,
like All Her Fault, you do need to on wine
and let go, and I just find that through music.
I think I play a bit or listen to a bit,
and that can kind of normally get me through it.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
But what do you play?
Speaker 4 (28:54):
I play guitar and piano, and oh nice, that kind
of keeps you busy in between not working.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
It's kind of nice because it's that creative flow for
you as well.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
Yeah, so it's kind of like feeding the same.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
I used to play a lot more.
Speaker 4 (29:08):
I had a band back when, and I kind of
used to even write songs for.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Characters and four wow, it's really really cool.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
I've dropped off a little bit now with traveling and whatnot,
but I miss it and normally that gets me through.
I haven't leans on it nearly as much as I
should be or have been, but that's always been my
savior in the past.
Speaker 1 (29:30):
Do you ever create like playlists or music for a character. Yeah, yeah,
and the same thing, like stuff that's heavier, it's.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
Going to be even just like you know, you know,
you're on a heavy thing and I've got a mood
booster playlist that'll just get me out of it on
the drive home.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
And that's a big on playlist. Oh, how that's a
ridiculous They've always got.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
A punt in the name, and I really I take
great pride in my Spotify playlist. Oh yeah, I'm locked
into Spotify for life.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Put so much pride in my playlist.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
Good, well, it's so good.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
And this like is a great segue because, as I
mentioned the start, like, so many young actors listen to
this and I think, I don't know what it is,
But some people don't really share because it's kind of like,
like you said, all the work is done before you
get on set, right, And I think you've just explained
your super like visual and US music. Everyone's got a
(30:23):
different way in and a different there. We're here in
Los Angeles recording this. There are so many different.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Tons of acting out there as well.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
You can go to so many different schools and learn
different styles and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
But I do like to ask acts, like, what is
your processes it?
Speaker 1 (30:38):
Like, get that Spotify playlist, get the costume, like, get
really clear on intention.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
It's project dependent.
Speaker 4 (30:46):
I think, like I if I have the luxury, I
feel like, you know, earlier in my career, I was
lucky enough to be lead role in you know, a
couple of indie films, and you do get way more
time and way more time with the director to talk
about things and other actors to really delve in. And
I feel like those moments is really all about doing
(31:06):
as much homework and getting to build things. But working
in TV or support roles, that stuff kind of goes
by the wayside sometimes because you don't have that luxury
of having those discussions and being able to bounce ideas
off people. So I have had to lean on myself
a bit more, just find ways to do it quickly
or on my own and on the go, which is
(31:28):
not as fun or what you kind of hope to
be doing. But that self reliance is sometimes something I
need more more often than not.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
I love that you've touched on it.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
So here in LA you can get an audition at
four pm and it's due by nine am the next day. Yeah,
and I imagine like, did you get booked quite quick?
Speaker 3 (31:50):
Like?
Speaker 1 (31:51):
Can you for projects when you're playing a supporting role?
Are you getting booked pretty quick?
Speaker 3 (31:55):
Sometimes? Yeah? Sometimes I've had roles where you know an
actor had got it over me, You're down to the
last two. I was up for something, the.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Other guy got it, got to set, dropped out.
Speaker 3 (32:05):
I got the corners on the plane next day and
then straight into it.
Speaker 4 (32:08):
So that does happen, and I have I have had
that happen quite a few times actually, where I'm on
set within a week, oh wow something and there's no
time to do anything, more often lately than not.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
Yeah, but and also like what it is, you just
go with it.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Yes, because with Gilded Age, your character had like quite
a last scene.
Speaker 3 (32:32):
Yeah, it was a surprise for me.
Speaker 4 (32:34):
Say, if anyone's listening, I did not know that was coming,
and I think I would have played everything very differently,
but I'd known that was the arc. But we got
an episode by episode, and when that came out, I
was shocked and incredibly disappointed.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
Well, and this is my thing.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
How often like in that scenario, if you get an episode,
how soon is it?
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Like, so you get the script and then you're shooting.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
Something like that, Like it affects you mean, it doesn't
affect your performance.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
It's what it is.
Speaker 4 (33:01):
But like I came into it really believing.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
That they were going to go the distance or they
were going to do whatever.
Speaker 4 (33:09):
So when that kind of shifts happened, you know the response.
I've had so many people come up to me after
and they're dirty with me. They're really a lot of
my mum's friends. I've watched it. They're like really disappointed
in me, and I'm like, it wasn't my fault, and
so maybe it's a blessing. But I would have played
him and maybe drop some easter eggscept there was something coming,
(33:33):
because I look like a psycho being so kind and
so nice and then just not flipping being there at
the end.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
Yeah, but how long have you got?
Speaker 3 (33:41):
That's what it is too. It's just like you can't
control it. You just got to go.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
To the f from getting that last script to shooting.
What's that kind of window of time.
Speaker 3 (33:53):
For that last episode? It was maybe a week and
a half?
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Yeah, wow.
Speaker 3 (33:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
Also, can we do a little shout out to your
mum because she just called right before we jumped on
that she's an ep in too.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
She's an app in.
Speaker 4 (34:08):
Yeah, an epp and a half, so that means she
maybe fell asleep in the second.
Speaker 3 (34:12):
No, No, she's an epp and a half. So she's
very proud. And she said it's great.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
Yeah, and we agreed. You killed it.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Thanks you and your words were I think you said
I'm playing a man child. Not much difference to realize.
Sorry to throw you under the bus set.
Speaker 4 (34:27):
I had no research on that one, and that's the
kind of show where you don't need much prep time.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
You know you no, no, you did's so good. It's
been honor having you on the pod. My final question
is to a young actor listening that is just like
fresh out of drama school. And I often say, there's
such a gap between drama school where you get these
beautiful media scripts to work on and the time, the
(34:54):
gift of time to like sit with it and costume
development and playing. So then there's a real business side
to acting, reps, publicists, like being in the.
Speaker 2 (35:05):
Right rooms, going to the right meetings.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
All that kind of thing, and then to booking the
gig and being on a set, and you know, there's
a huge kind of like vortex there.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:16):
So to a young actor that might be green out
of acting school, not green, but like fresh out of
acting school, what advice have you got if everything feels
a little overwhelming right now.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
It's finding those things that give you a sense of
self I think specifically, I guess for those coming out
of drama school, you are taught that you can be
anything and everything, and then when you come out, you
know the amount of times I'm too French, or then
I'm not French enough, or then I'm too tall. You're
always do something and you're not right. So how do
(35:48):
you not take that on board and take it personally?
It's having a sense of self and being able to
rely on what makes you feel good. So those hobbies
that you have are really important. That writing that you do,
the music that you play, whatever it is that makes
you feel good is something you really got to cherish
and take.
Speaker 3 (36:07):
Good care of because it's really precious.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
So I think that would be the overall kind of
piece of advice because it's a brutal, brutal industry and
you really got to love it and want it. But
it is a lot of luck too, and if it
doesn't work out for that thing, there's always there's always
something else, and.
Speaker 2 (36:26):
So keep the love and the passion for all those
other things.
Speaker 4 (36:29):
I think the lucky kind of Like I've been doing
it a while now, and I know of a lot
of people that just get sick of auditions now, and
I still find so much joy in it, Like you
have to keep the love up. I get you know,
you get that audition, you have the role for that
twenty minutes that you're doing it, it's yours and so
(36:51):
there's you. I actually get sad or kind of feel
creatively stuck when I don't get to audition. If I
can audition, and if I could make money auditioning, I'd
be actually kind of happy. Yeah, it's just you have
to finance your passion somehow in between jobs. But that
sense of play and that love for it is really important.
(37:14):
That love for the craft or whatever you want to
call it, it's it's really important.
Speaker 3 (37:18):
So how do you keep that alive?
Speaker 4 (37:19):
And I think it's not about just focusing on it
all the time and making it a part of your
hobbies or you or whatever else that makes you feel good.
But keeping that sense of self feeling good and you know,
enjoying the ride and the ups and downs is is
really important. If that's not too No, that.
Speaker 1 (37:36):
Was perfect, broad No, that was perfect. Thank you so much.
All her faults streaming on Peacock.
Speaker 3 (37:42):
Now bing in Australia.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
Australia, what's it called?
Speaker 3 (37:46):
In the UK? A sky?
Speaker 2 (37:48):
I've got it.
Speaker 1 (37:49):
And here in America Peacock and I am loving it.
I've got an episode and a half to go, so
don't spoil anything.
Speaker 3 (37:54):
I can't. I got to catch up.
Speaker 4 (37:56):
I've only seen the first three episodes, so I'm going
to go home and watch that now.
Speaker 1 (38:00):
And by what I said to your mum at the start,
you killed it. So well done, my friend.
Speaker 3 (38:04):
This has been lovely. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (38:08):
That's a wrap on another episode of Fearlessly Failing. As always,
thank you to our guests, and let's continue the conversation
on Instagram. I'm at Yamo Lollerberry. This potty my word
for podcast is available on all streaming platforms. I'd love
it if you could subscribe, rape and comment, and of
(38:31):
course spread the love.
Get a I'm Lola Berry, nutritionist, author, actor, TV presenter
and professional oversharer. This podcast is all about celebrating failure
because I believe it's a chance for us to learn,
grow and face our blind spots. Each week I'll interview
a different guest about their highs as well as their lows,
(00:26):
all in a bid to inspire us to fearlessly fail.
Today on the pod we have Aussie actor Thomas Cockerell,
and he is here to talk about his new show
All Her Fault, starring Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning. Dakota
Fanning plays his wife in this psychological crime thriller.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Now, for in Australia, you can watch it on Binge.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
If you're in America you can watch on Peacock and
if you're in the UK you can watch it on Sky.
It is officially out unavailable. Now do you have a
favor go and watch it. I have got one and
a half episodes left and I am on the edge
of my seat trying to figure this out.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
It is such a great show.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Now, this episode is for a creative anyone with a
passion with a be actor, musician, writer, director. This episode
is view Tom came through the ranks of NIDER and
did all of his training there, but also talks about
the difference between being all that theater training and then
being on a film or a TV set, And he
(01:32):
really opens up and shares his techniques and tricks for
when he feels a little bit blocked or if he's
trying to shake a character off. No spoilers here, but
music plays a big role.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
In Tom's life.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
I hope you find this episode as inspiring as I did.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Tom, You're a flip and legend. Shout out to your mum.
She sounds wonderful. Welcome to the pod. Thomas cockerel Am
I saying that right? Yeah, And now I get so
nervous with name.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
You said it right. I actually just did.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
A little Esquire thing where I said Thomas Cockrell because
I say Thomas Cockrell or Tom Cockrell. Naturally you say
that either or I mean it's different in French too,
So it's in French.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Yeah, because you've got a Paris history.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
I do, Yeah, French history, dads, Dad's French. So I
grew up in France when I was young.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
And Houston, Texas and Houston, Texas and Los Angeles La
for a bit it was Pasadena, so it doesn't really
count as I.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Love that you just said that. Do you know what?
Speaker 4 (02:34):
Someone said that to me the other day. They're like, yeah,
but it's Pasadena. Wasn't the real La?
Speaker 1 (02:37):
I was like, yeah, it does feel far away to
Ossie's listening to it, it feels like to get to
pass it. It also feels like Pasadena is like a
cute little Halloween village. That's how it feels to me,
like they shot and they shot literally Halloween there, like
Michael Meyer's house is there, Jamie Lee Curtis's house is there.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
They call it a town, don't they.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
It's a town. It's a doubt.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
I remember when we first got here because I'm sure
you know this, but like, renting in LA is wildly expensive.
So we're like, oh, let's just check out Pasadena. And
we were like, oh no, that's just like we're in
LA to be in La.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
We've got we've got it. Suck it up. It's way cheaper,
like by a thousand bucks, right.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah that counts. But then it's just that extra drive,
I guess.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
And yeah, and it's gorgeous like Pasadena and this is
like a huge diggression, but it's a gorgeous town, stunning
and like where is this? So yeah, yeah, okay. I
get so excited when actors come on the pod, and
I am going to shamelessly admit I have binge watched.
(03:38):
I've got one and a half episodes left to go
of all her faults.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
That's really cool.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Congrats, thank you. How do you feel You've just come
straight from New York from the premiere?
Speaker 4 (03:47):
I have, Yeah, I just got in last night, a
couple of days here on my way back home.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
I'm jealous though.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
I got sent a link to the first two episodes
back when before it came out, and I haven't actually
I watched three last night and I haven't watched the
rest of it. So you're you know more than I do. Well,
I've seen more than I do. I've seen a lot
of character.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Well, this is the thing, like your the reasony.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
I was like when I got sent the screener, because
I only got sent the screen yesterday's it's like shivers,
like I'm going to have to do some biting.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Totally fine with that.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
But i'd seen on TikTok there's this scene where your wife,
Dakota Fanning rips into not to give too much away,
and it's kind of going a bit viral deservedly.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
So on TikTok so I was like, I've got to
get to that scene.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
And I got to that on TikTok people that scene okay, cool.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
So people obviously binging just like me.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
There's something like that. Yeah that works.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Yeah, right, So your character, Richie, you're Richie is a
bit can we say.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
I said manchild the other day. I don't know if
I haven't been pulled up on it, but that's what
he is. Yes, I mean, it's he's a good guy.
He's a nice guy. He tries his best, but he
is the kind of guy you know. I felt that,
like would call taking care of his own son babysitting,
like he's just you know, she she really it's just
the three of them in the family. She really has
(05:08):
two boys to take care of.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
You can't.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
There's something a little melancholy about him, too, rich like
a little bit of like maybe lost his way.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
He's a bit of a Peter Pan. He hasn't grown up.
And you know, the more I kind of worked on him,
I was doing it or talking to people like there's
a lot of guys out there like that, and so
you know, try to handle it with care and.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Make it as real as possible. But you know, there's
room to grow, and there's room for him to grow.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
And I guess the arc is the arc. And I
can't say too much, but you know, he's just what
he is.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
He's just doing his best, and like again, not so
too much, but I think people will know from the
trailer there this is a psychological thriller and it's kind
of like heavy stuff going on.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
We can say that it's about a child deduction.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
It is, yeah, yeah, so their stuff is separate, I
guess to the main story, but it does kind of
point to what the show is really about, which is,
you know, women today and women in the workplace as
mothers and kind of what It's got a really nice, clear,
interesting and intelligent lens on modern relationships and where.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Kind of women fit into that. How do you? How
are you a mother? How do you deal with guilts?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
And it definitely touches on mum gilts.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Yeah sure, that.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
First episode for sure, Yeah, just really hits hard.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
So it's set in Chicago, but I am a nerd
and researched.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
You shot in Melbourne. We shot in Melbourne Olds, I know.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
We shot I think there for like three months, two
and a half months or something, and I think they
only had about two or three days in Chicago to
get the you know, some of the exteriors and whatnot.
But you wouldn't. No, it's crazy movie TV magic.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Yeah, total TV. And is it true? So you're a
night of kiddo you come through? Yeah, I have to
ask you got in first try?
Speaker 4 (07:10):
That is unheard of, I got. Yeah, we had in
my year. It was pretty common for some reason.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
But yeah, it is. I got very lucky. I did.
I came out of school.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Never thinking that that was going to be a possibility,
but did think that that was something that I did
want to do, and I did an audition straight out
of school at the time.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
I then I went to UNI.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
First, I was doing a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW
Theater and film and a bit of business and whatnot there,
and I was doing night of courses at night and
it was across the road, so I did kind of
plant the seeds and prepare for it. And then my
first audition was at the end of my second year
in my Bachelor of Arts, which was going to be
(07:54):
my practice audition, so I think I kind of came
in with the right mindset. Yeah, not expecting it and
having kind of been near it and wasn't afraid of
the place, and you know, you build it up as
a as a kid.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
And oh yeah, especially in Australia.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
And scary, but you know it was it was a
second home in some ways by that point, and I
didn't take it too seriously. I also had like I
had braces at the time, long hair and just you know,
full of insecurity. I really didn't think it was going
to work out, so I think I came in so
relaxed and then obviously you get call back and callback
(08:31):
and callback. It's about a five day process, so the
closer I got, the.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
More daunting it was. But yeah, it did. It did
work out, which was very cool.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
I still remember my first night audition. I walked in
there like euro crocodile and I was like, what you
like to be a crocodile right now?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
And that was my first and I was like, holy shit.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Be a crocodile or just your crocodile, Like.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
I had to come into the space and be like
embody a crocodile.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
Yeah, how do you feel about that out, Like, I
feel like we do get trained to that.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
If you do theater school, if you come through theater school.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
Yeah that makes sense now Like if someone told me
that today, I'm like, yeah, I know how to do that.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
I did that for three years.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Yeah yeah, But I mean I think it's just.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
So funny say it to like somebody that hasn't done there,
like you what but then how beautiful. I don't know
who said it, but a lot of people say, like
theater school is just so good for being a human,
Like you learn to play and all these you learn
these skills that you're not really going to learn anywhere else.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
And is it true? Sarah Snook was like a couple
of years ahead.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
She just left I think when I got in.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
So we knew each other from you know, the events
and the plays and whatnot and fours and this and that,
and so we were light friends, knew.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Of each other.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
But but yeah, kind of you know, to them work
with each other so many years after there is a
common ground there.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Pretty nice, yeah, yeah, very pretty like sweet And it
was so nice to watch and be like, hang on,
that's an AUSI actor.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Oh, that's an AUSI actor. Oh, that's not like there's.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Just so many so many yeah, I mean, of course
being being done in Melbourne, but and it's so many
friends of mine too on the show. It was just
you know, those green rooms were really really fun.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Really okay, So I have to also ask I can't
have you on the pod without talking about the guilded ays.
Yeah wow okay. So first of all, that was shot
during COVID.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Right, that was during co Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
That was a special experience but like kind of heartbreaking
at the same time. I'd just come out of a
bit of a you know, a rut as we as
we do, and so that was a big win and
very exciting. At the end of twenty nineteen, moved the
beginning of twenty twenty, we had I think about six
weeks of prep and rehearsals costume, and they built everything
(10:38):
and I feel like anyquat classes too, etiquite classes to
learn how to walk with a cane, yeah, tip a
top hat and even you know, ride a horse and
carriage too, which which was cool. But then four days
before we started shooting COVID hits, everything was kind of
put on pause. I mean, the whole world as we know,
but we didn't think it was to pick back up,
(11:00):
but they did. I mean, I think they'd spent so
much money on the costumes and the sets that they
couldn't really let a show like that fall to the wayside.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
How lucky though, like very lucky.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
I've interviewed other actors that have been in a very
similar boat shows and see you later.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Everything just disappeared.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
So we were very lucky that that they couldn't really
afford to do that. I think we got back on it.
So that was what Feb or mid feb. And then
we were back on set in September quite a long time.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Before because New York got hit so COVID hit.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
They were like the last show to like not let
it go, like they did not want to, like not film.
They're like, no, we'll be fine, and then they really
did have to. When Tom Hanks guided in the NBA
and I luckily my friend Harry Richardson, we're old friends.
We got the show together by fluke, which was crazy.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
So were you staying together living.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
A block away from each in Williamsburg. He was like,
let's get out of here.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
I wouldn't have if he didn't pull me out, so
we did get out and then I was back home
for you know, six seven months before back in New York.
So thank god I didn't have to do you know,
the cover lockdowns in New York.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
You know New York was so scary. Yeah, I was
in La La was pretty scary. Yeah, wild time.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
It was fine in Australia that that early part was
kind of wonderful.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Yeah, very nice.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
I feel like Ozzie's like anyone that was an Australian
actor living over here and got to go back home
was just like, oh my goodness, what gift. Whereas I
had to stay but had to go back for a
book tour and they put me on a Postal Service
flight from San Fran, fifteen people on the whole plane
and the like the government had to like prove you
(12:39):
and then there was like a whole sheriff thing, like
the two week quarantine in the hotel. Yeah, all that mental,
but you know what, it's as full on as it was, like,
what a privilege to even be able to like do
that and go home and.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
You know, and listened.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
We got lucky, the show got back up on his feet,
and then we had a great time. It was a
a weird thing to do, you know, you you I
got excited to kind of really dive into that world
and play make believe. Yeah, and it's hard to really
feel like you're you're in the eighteenth century with a
duck mast.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
It's on every day, every day.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
But it was so fun doing it, like such a
cool like this is the creators of Downton Abbey, like
a period aece, and like you're fully transforming from like
the person I'm looking at today.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
I imagine. That's just so fun to like dive into
a whole other world.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
So cool, so special. I think my favorite day was
this day at we shot at Bethesda Fountain in Central Okay.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, yeah, beautiful, And that was.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
One of the bigger amount of extras we had.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
I mean, it's three sixty and you just what you
were back in time in Central Park. There was no
denying it and really really special, really cool, good appearance.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
It must have just been like, yeah, just a total
pinch yourself kind of moment. And then to be like,
I don't know, I just love the idea of like
jumping in a whole other world.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
This is a really nerdy question.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
I ask a lot of actors this I don't think
the ones that you've listened to though, so I'm probably
gonna it a bit specifically for that carry you were
like a dappa lawyer, right and falling in love and
fleeing all that kind of fun stuff. But like having
such a like physical transformation, wearing like a three peace
suit and top hat and whatnot. You an actor that
(14:25):
has us like I know some people like the shoes.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Well really like the way I walk.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
So yeah, do you have for.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
You like when you do those costume fittings, you helped
you find the character, Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
And that's actually not to bring it back to COVID.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
That's what bothered me, Like to wear a mask took
me out of it and I could never really feel
like I was in the place or in the time,
you know, just that time between takes and whatnot. It
was so and we all said there was not much,
you know, time together. We were in these little plastic
boxes and separate in between scenes.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Louisa who played my love.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
Interest, lou and I we had this, you know, we
have a big romantic scene in the middle of that
our first season, and I remember we had to kiss
and it was mask off kiss and then we were
chatting right when they yelled Carter or just having a moment,
and they were.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Like mask up, mask like literally kids, and then you
have to reshoot it like you're doing.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Multiple, multiple takes, and it was just like mask ups,
like if we can't be the only two that cannot
be masked up, you know. But there was something jarring
about not being able to really let go and and
go back in time in that in that sense.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
Yeah, that'd be hard.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
I felt little blocked in that and just building camaraderie
with the other actors, and you know that it was
a it was a difficult It was a very exciting,
very you know, it was a big win, it felt,
but it was tough because I just didn't really get
to sink into that and the project and spend as
much time with everyone as I.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
And hyper aware of this like vigilance that's gone on
around you.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Yeah, I get it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
So you mentioned blocked, and I think that like some
a lot of actors like don't ever really share like
like what do you do when you do get a
bit blocked or if you're on a set like I
also think there's a big gap between acting school and
working on a set massive, and they're.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Kind of different ballgames.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Like one is like you're pouring your heart over some
beautiful play for like months on end, and then all
of a sudden, it's like hit that mark, shoot coverage first,
then shoot yours, and then like let's do.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
That a couple of times. Like, yeah, it's a whole
different beast.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
So, like, do you have any moments where you've ever
ever felt either a blocked or too like in your
head a little bit where and if you have what's
kind of been a good process, like is it connecting
to breadth? Is it just like taking a beat, connecting
with the other actor.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
There's two things I think you get from drama school
and one helps you and one doesn't. But like they
they do allow so much time. You get so much
time to work on these projects. You're often like a
lead role in some sort of play here or there,
and then support here and whatever. But the amount of
prep that you get to do and the exercises and
(17:10):
the character development and working with others and you get
to find it and so that part's wonderful. But then
you realize when you leave drama school that that all
has to be private. You don't get that time with
other people, and especially when you're working on a project
like that where you feel blocked and you can't do
it because of one reason or another, one being COVID.
But then the second thing that you really get from
(17:32):
drama school is resilience and speed and a sense of
self and self trust, where you know, I felt lucky
that even though there's problems or blocks or whatever is
working against you, I do have a pretty good sense
of self as an actor and a trust in my talent,
(17:53):
I guess, and my work. So you just lean back
on that, and that's where the training does kick in,
where you don't get that time to rehearse, and you
don't get to time to see a scene done where
you can see people's mouths, you know, and the first
time that you actually get to see someone smile and
take he's on the first take. He's a wild experience
(18:13):
and something that isn't really fair as an actor when
you want to be workshopping things and finding a moment.
But I do feel like I'm pretty listen. I like
the luxury of being able to dive in and do
a lot of work, but I'm also pretty resilient and
able to just go with the flow and find it
when I don't have much too, when I'm not given.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Much, I reckon resilience is like a superpower if you've
got that, like as an actor, as any like, no
matter what your goal is. I think that it's a
really important attribute to have for sure. Yeah, And I think,
like you said, you've got a sense you said, like
you almost like trust yourself and this like awareness of self.
(18:55):
But I also think that's like confidence in yourself as
well to be like, do you know what not?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
No, Like this is harder, but I can do this,
you know.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
And I think that like that confidence speaks volumes as well.
When you're in a room and needing to show up
and need to be.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Really present, it's it's literally go be a crocodile.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
That's what it is.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
To bring it back, Yes, is that it's you know,
when you're asked to do something ridiculous, you just do it.
And it's a balance between confidence and vulnerability.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Yeah. Oh yeah, one hundred percent. I love that?
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Is it?
Speaker 1 (19:28):
So is it correct me if this timeline is wrong
or right out straight out of drama school, out of
night you were essentially working with Anthony Hopkins.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Yeah, within the year was pretty yeah, pretty close.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
So he is famous for he's really you know what
he's famous for.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
I know what he's famous for, and I don't know
whether I should say what I'm about to say.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
But go why not do it? But he reads the
script like a crazy amount of times, like that's what
they say, Yeah, like one hundred.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
And twenty something crazy working with him, like, obviously he's
a great Was there anything that you were like, oh
my goodness, thank you on putting that in my back pocket.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
I feel like you're about to say this is no.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Yeah, but because I still he must he must do.
He's Anthony Hopkins. He's the greatest of all time. But
speaking of back pocket, like I had no lines in
the scene. I was still so nervous about doing my
scenes with him that I had my lines in my
back pocket, and he did ask me between takes for
his lines.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Really, so clearly he does for other things.
Speaker 4 (20:33):
But on that, you know, I did see another side
to him because i'd heard the same thing that he was,
you know totally, but I think he just he was
also in a place of play too, and that the
film kind of lent itself to that. And he's doing
a scene where you know, I kidnapped him, so I
had a face mask on and I couldn't talk. So
(20:53):
the only the only scene I had with Anthony Hopkins
was silent on my part. So I don't think he
needed to per se stick to the script, and that's
why he was, you know, in a place where he
was ready to work with the material and not be
you know, totally word perfect.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
That is a great story, by the way, but he
also talks about being relaxed, and I guess that is
one way of looking at that situation as well.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
I've just been so trusting.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
I was blown away because he came in he'd grown
his hair out, and you know, he's kidnapped for a
certain amount of months, and so he came in with
long hair and did everything backwards, which for me was
like the first coming from theater school, was like the
first time I'd really seen out of order kind of
work or filming and production. So I was blown away
(21:42):
by him starting with being you know, in the cell
or chamber for a couple of months and then slowly
looking better and having his hair shorter and shorter and
doing his performance backwards. Was was unbelievable to watch a
bad age and so young.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Well, and to the listener like that is how like
most film and TV has done, it's shot totally out
of sequence, right, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Which is something you don't get at drama school.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Right.
Speaker 4 (22:07):
That's part of the challenge coming out and not understanding that.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Another question that I've randomly found weird facts about you.
Is it true that you're a fan of Hook.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Hook Yeah, the movie?
Speaker 4 (22:20):
Yeah, well Hook, Yeah, fan of it.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
But I think mum, it's.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
Your first memory.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
I'm told, well, no, I don't know if I could
have remembered it. I don't know what year it came out,
eighty nine or ninety. Mom said, that's the first movie
I went to.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
I remember seeing Hook and in eighty nine.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
I think it was in the I think it might
have been eighty nine or ninety.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
So I reckon, you're right.
Speaker 4 (22:39):
I love it, but I don't know, and I can't
say I remember seeing it in the cinema, but I
think it was the first movie Mum took me to
when I.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
Was a baby.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
That's a pretty good one.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Yeah, it's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
But that's pretty iconic.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Yeah yeah, But then your first memories of Blake being
obsessed with stuff is Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford Vice.
Speaker 4 (22:56):
Yeah, but yeah, I mean that was always like a
massive hook for me.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
Think, yeah, look again it.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
I mean I Spilberg was in. So I remember doing
a school project on Steven Spielberg, and I'd never really
thought about movie making before that, and I think I
even failed the project because I didn't actually do the
work or make the presentation. I was so obsessed with
the material. I went to the library and got every
(23:24):
book on movie making and learned about Spielberg and learned
so much about it that I just I was obsessed
from that day on. I think I failed the assignment,
but really it kickstarted.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
In because you want to be you want to be directed,
like I.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
Was always it. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
I got three sisters and we traveled around a lot
growing up, so we were always very close, and Mum
was very good at making home videos, I guess, and
filming us and I slowly kind of moved into that
after that project and would steal the family camera and
start making movies with my sisters. And then there was
(24:01):
a there was a Steven Spielberg lego movie maker kid
that came out right and I got that and then
started making stop motion amazing that and.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
Learned editing through that.
Speaker 4 (24:13):
And I was, you know, seven or eight at the time,
so that really at a young age, that was the obsession.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Then, Yeah, that's a pretty good and that's why.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
I wanted to be a director. But yeah, I was
always doing it.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
But I think the it also was like I never
thought acting was possible, and for some reason as a kid,
directing seemed a lot easier because you have control, Yeah,
and you don't have to wait for someone else.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
I get that kind of tracks that track.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
So that's why.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
Actually I went to you in s w and I
was studying you know, film there. I did think I
was going to do a Bachelor of Arts there and
then transfer and try and go to the USC here
and study film over here.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
Oh wait, yeah, and la I was looking at courses
over there.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Not to put you on the spot, but is directing
something you would ever explore down the track?
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Yeah, for sure, absolutely.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
It's just I mean, I know a lot of the
people that you talk to talk about writing as well,
and that's something that I kind of struggle with. So
I feel like that's my my block is just not
being able to I've got writing partners and work with
other people. But I think just growing up and being
kind of bilingual, there was always an insecurity of being wrong,
and so I kind of struggle with the written word,
(25:25):
even with emails now and stuff. I just I know
that you can read a script and read it so
many different ways. I see the possibility of the written
word being expressed in so many different ways that I
struggle with actually putting pen interesting, having that finality, it feels.
Speaker 3 (25:41):
It feels so final and sure of itself.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
So not to give your homework.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
But the Martin Scorsese doco on Apple I heard, that's
amazing because he draws everything. Oh right, so he'll get
given us. He doesn't always write scripts. He'll get given
us and he'll just draw. That's every shot I should
be doing, every single shot.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
That's my block.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
It's really if.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
You love Robert de Niro two, it's so fun because
it's kind of a doco about the two of their relationship.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
What does make sense? I mean, film is a visual medium.
It's not always you know.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
This is why actors make great directors as well, because
they've got that one like lived experience.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
But two like it's and I do feel like when
I have you know, directed shorts and nothing as out there.
But I do have an eye and an act for it.
But that makes that makes sense. You know, I'm a
huge fan of Buster Keaton and.
Speaker 2 (26:39):
I don't know I know who that is.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
He was, he was like him.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
And Charlie Chaplin were the two big silent film stars,
and he like Chaplain was you know, silent comedies. But
I just I think he's so much better in a
way too, and just deeper.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
You give me homework.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
Go watch the Buster Keating from the general is really
really incredible. But I mean they just it is visual.
It's just comes from what you see and not what
you hear. Sometimes I love.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
It, Okay, I have to I just want to ask
a little bit more about all her fault and then
this is going so quick, and then we want I
want some advice for young actors.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Pick your brain, but I have to ask.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Having playing, like we talked about, the subject matter is
quite heavy. Did you have something that you would do,
like would you go home and like shower straight away
to let go of that energy, because although as you mentioned,
you and Dakota's family dynamics, it wasn't as heavily affected
(27:40):
as like Sarah Snook's family in it, but it's very
clear that your character isn't happy, So it's like a
heavy energy to sit with on set. I imagine you're
staying in that energy for a while when the camera
definitely when the cameras are rolling.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
It's like, is there anything that you ever.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Do when you've got a heavy role when you home
or back to your hotel to kind of like decompress.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
Yeah, listen.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
For All Her Fault, it didn't feel too heavy. It
was kind of a side quest. But I know when
I have felt that I've worked on some other stuff,
especially now, like I feel like a lot of the
roles I'm going for getting to play her a lot
darker and nuanced, which is good, but that comes with
a certain amount of.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
Tax with it.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
You've done some very scary, scary movies.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
Scary movies. Too Safe Home was was pretty heavy.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
That was an SBS series in Australia about domestic violence.
So there was a lot that we were working through
on that particularly, and that was another one that leaving set,
like All Her Fault, you do need to on wine
and let go, and I just find that through music.
I think I play a bit or listen to a bit,
and that can kind of normally get me through it.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
But what do you play?
Speaker 4 (28:54):
I play guitar and piano, and oh nice, that kind
of keeps you busy in between not working.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
It's kind of nice because it's that creative flow for
you as well.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
Yeah, so it's kind of like feeding the same.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
I used to play a lot more.
Speaker 4 (29:08):
I had a band back when, and I kind of
used to even write songs for.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Characters and four wow, it's really really cool.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
I've dropped off a little bit now with traveling and whatnot,
but I miss it and normally that gets me through.
I haven't leans on it nearly as much as I
should be or have been, but that's always been my
savior in the past.
Speaker 1 (29:30):
Do you ever create like playlists or music for a character. Yeah, yeah,
and the same thing, like stuff that's heavier, it's.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
Going to be even just like you know, you know,
you're on a heavy thing and I've got a mood
booster playlist that'll just get me out of it on
the drive home.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
And that's a big on playlist. Oh, how that's a
ridiculous They've always got.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
A punt in the name, and I really I take
great pride in my Spotify playlist. Oh yeah, I'm locked
into Spotify for life.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Put so much pride in my playlist.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
Good, well, it's so good.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
And this like is a great segue because, as I
mentioned the start, like, so many young actors listen to
this and I think, I don't know what it is,
But some people don't really share because it's kind of like,
like you said, all the work is done before you
get on set, right, And I think you've just explained
your super like visual and US music. Everyone's got a
(30:23):
different way in and a different there. We're here in
Los Angeles recording this. There are so many different.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Tons of acting out there as well.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
You can go to so many different schools and learn
different styles and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (30:35):
But I do like to ask acts, like, what is
your processes it?
Speaker 1 (30:38):
Like, get that Spotify playlist, get the costume, like, get
really clear on intention.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
It's project dependent.
Speaker 4 (30:46):
I think, like I if I have the luxury, I
feel like, you know, earlier in my career, I was
lucky enough to be lead role in you know, a
couple of indie films, and you do get way more
time and way more time with the director to talk
about things and other actors to really delve in. And
I feel like those moments is really all about doing
(31:06):
as much homework and getting to build things. But working
in TV or support roles, that stuff kind of goes
by the wayside sometimes because you don't have that luxury
of having those discussions and being able to bounce ideas
off people. So I have had to lean on myself
a bit more, just find ways to do it quickly
or on my own and on the go, which is
(31:28):
not as fun or what you kind of hope to
be doing. But that self reliance is sometimes something I
need more more often than not.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
I love that you've touched on it.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
So here in LA you can get an audition at
four pm and it's due by nine am the next day. Yeah,
and I imagine like, did you get booked quite quick?
Speaker 3 (31:50):
Like?
Speaker 1 (31:51):
Can you for projects when you're playing a supporting role?
Are you getting booked pretty quick?
Speaker 3 (31:55):
Sometimes? Yeah? Sometimes I've had roles where you know an
actor had got it over me, You're down to the
last two. I was up for something, the.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Other guy got it, got to set, dropped out.
Speaker 3 (32:05):
I got the corners on the plane next day and
then straight into it.
Speaker 4 (32:08):
So that does happen, and I have I have had
that happen quite a few times actually, where I'm on
set within a week, oh wow something and there's no
time to do anything, more often lately than not.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
Yeah, but and also like what it is, you just
go with it.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Yes, because with Gilded Age, your character had like quite
a last scene.
Speaker 3 (32:32):
Yeah, it was a surprise for me.
Speaker 4 (32:34):
Say, if anyone's listening, I did not know that was coming,
and I think I would have played everything very differently,
but I'd known that was the arc. But we got
an episode by episode, and when that came out, I
was shocked and incredibly disappointed.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
Well, and this is my thing.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
How often like in that scenario, if you get an episode,
how soon is it?
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Like, so you get the script and then you're shooting.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
Something like that, Like it affects you mean, it doesn't
affect your performance.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
It's what it is.
Speaker 4 (33:01):
But like I came into it really believing.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
That they were going to go the distance or they
were going to do whatever.
Speaker 4 (33:09):
So when that kind of shifts happened, you know the response.
I've had so many people come up to me after
and they're dirty with me. They're really a lot of
my mum's friends. I've watched it. They're like really disappointed
in me, and I'm like, it wasn't my fault, and
so maybe it's a blessing. But I would have played
him and maybe drop some easter eggscept there was something coming,
(33:33):
because I look like a psycho being so kind and
so nice and then just not flipping being there at
the end.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
Yeah, but how long have you got?
Speaker 3 (33:41):
That's what it is too. It's just like you can't
control it. You just got to go.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
To the f from getting that last script to shooting.
What's that kind of window of time.
Speaker 3 (33:53):
For that last episode? It was maybe a week and
a half?
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Yeah, wow.
Speaker 3 (33:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
Also, can we do a little shout out to your
mum because she just called right before we jumped on
that she's an ep in too.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
She's an app in.
Speaker 4 (34:08):
Yeah, an epp and a half, so that means she
maybe fell asleep in the second.
Speaker 3 (34:12):
No, No, she's an epp and a half. So she's
very proud. And she said it's great.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
Yeah, and we agreed. You killed it.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Thanks you and your words were I think you said
I'm playing a man child. Not much difference to realize.
Sorry to throw you under the bus set.
Speaker 4 (34:27):
I had no research on that one, and that's the
kind of show where you don't need much prep time.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
You know you no, no, you did's so good. It's
been honor having you on the pod. My final question
is to a young actor listening that is just like
fresh out of drama school. And I often say, there's
such a gap between drama school where you get these
beautiful media scripts to work on and the time, the
(34:54):
gift of time to like sit with it and costume
development and playing. So then there's a real business side
to acting, reps, publicists, like being in the.
Speaker 2 (35:05):
Right rooms, going to the right meetings.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
All that kind of thing, and then to booking the
gig and being on a set, and you know, there's
a huge kind of like vortex there.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:16):
So to a young actor that might be green out
of acting school, not green, but like fresh out of
acting school, what advice have you got if everything feels
a little overwhelming right now.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
It's finding those things that give you a sense of
self I think specifically, I guess for those coming out
of drama school, you are taught that you can be
anything and everything, and then when you come out, you
know the amount of times I'm too French, or then
I'm not French enough, or then I'm too tall. You're
always do something and you're not right. So how do
(35:48):
you not take that on board and take it personally?
It's having a sense of self and being able to
rely on what makes you feel good. So those hobbies
that you have are really important. That writing that you do,
the music that you play, whatever it is that makes
you feel good is something you really got to cherish
and take.
Speaker 3 (36:07):
Good care of because it's really precious.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
So I think that would be the overall kind of
piece of advice because it's a brutal, brutal industry and
you really got to love it and want it. But
it is a lot of luck too, and if it
doesn't work out for that thing, there's always there's always
something else, and.
Speaker 2 (36:26):
So keep the love and the passion for all those
other things.
Speaker 4 (36:29):
I think the lucky kind of Like I've been doing
it a while now, and I know of a lot
of people that just get sick of auditions now, and
I still find so much joy in it, Like you
have to keep the love up. I get you know,
you get that audition, you have the role for that
twenty minutes that you're doing it, it's yours and so
(36:51):
there's you. I actually get sad or kind of feel
creatively stuck when I don't get to audition. If I
can audition, and if I could make money auditioning, I'd
be actually kind of happy. Yeah, it's just you have
to finance your passion somehow in between jobs. But that
sense of play and that love for it is really important.
(37:14):
That love for the craft or whatever you want to
call it, it's it's really important.
Speaker 3 (37:18):
So how do you keep that alive?
Speaker 4 (37:19):
And I think it's not about just focusing on it
all the time and making it a part of your
hobbies or you or whatever else that makes you feel good.
But keeping that sense of self feeling good and you know,
enjoying the ride and the ups and downs is is
really important. If that's not too No, that.
Speaker 1 (37:36):
Was perfect, broad No, that was perfect. Thank you so much.
All her faults streaming on Peacock.
Speaker 3 (37:42):
Now bing in Australia.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
Australia, what's it called?
Speaker 3 (37:46):
In the UK? A sky?
Speaker 2 (37:48):
I've got it.
Speaker 1 (37:49):
And here in America Peacock and I am loving it.
I've got an episode and a half to go, so
don't spoil anything.
Speaker 3 (37:54):
I can't. I got to catch up.
Speaker 4 (37:56):
I've only seen the first three episodes, so I'm going
to go home and watch that now.
Speaker 1 (38:00):
And by what I said to your mum at the start,
you killed it. So well done, my friend.
Speaker 3 (38:04):
This has been lovely. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (38:08):
That's a wrap on another episode of Fearlessly Failing. As always,
thank you to our guests, and let's continue the conversation
on Instagram. I'm at Yamo Lollerberry. This potty my word
for podcast is available on all streaming platforms. I'd love
it if you could subscribe, rape and comment, and of
(38:31):
course spread the love.
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