Loss

Under Jakob's Ladder is, on one level, a movie about loss.

It's about the loss of freedom for the protagonist Jakob and his fellow prisoners... The loss of trust where everyone begins to suspect everyone else... The loss felt by a granddaughter as her grandfather is torn from her.

This movie is based on real-life events that happened in the Soviet Union in the 1930s. Real-life losses that were felt by real-life people.

But this movie isn't just about a certain group of people in a certain historical time. You probably never spent time prison because your neighbor was looking for another bottle of vodka.

But you can perhaps identify with loss on some level.

For Jakob and his fellow prisoners, they looked for and found a way to rise above the loss felt in their lives. Something (we hope) is a major theme that plays out in the movie.

(This blog post is dedicated to the people who deal with loss everyday.)

Taking a Break

We'll be taking a break with the actor Q&As for a couple of posts. Don't worry. There are still more to come...

Q&A with Actor Sean Patrick Folster

Film: Under Jakob's Ladder
Actor: Sean Patrick Folster
Role: Yosif

Q: How did you get your start in film?
A: Just began auditioning.

Q: How did you prepare for your role in this movie?
A: Lots of Russian dialect practice, lots of work on my own with grief and loss. That's sort of what I saw this character [Yosif] as, someone whose character problems got him pulled out of the life he built for himself, and the difficulty of that... stuff I could easily relate to.

Q: What was the most challenging scene for you?
A: By far the dialogue scene, the one where I tell that big long story. Never felt like I got it.

Q: Which scene in the movie was your favorite?
A: As far as what I was in, there was a moment when Yasha came over to me and retrieved the box of bible passages I'd thrown against the wall, sort of a moment of connection with him and me, some tenderness... I liked that moment. Don't know how it played, but it felt good.

Q: What was it like to work on this film?
A: Really enjoyed everybody. Was a pleasure. Folks just wanted to do their best. Mann was particularly good for me, he had a real openness and curiosity about what you could bring, but one time he told me "You didn't have it in the long shot, I need it for the close-up." I really appreciated that, that when he really needed to see something, he wouldn't BS me and shine me on, but just be straight... Really appreciated him for that.

Q: What did you enjoy the most?
A: The camaraderie. The sense of togetherness. The way people left you alone to work on your process. The sense of silent support everyone had for each other, even though we were all pretty tired. How cold it was that first night.

Q: Who inspires you as an actor?
A: Benicio del Toro, Phil Hoffman, Chris Cooper... I don't know, lots of people.

Q&A with Actor Peter Iasillo

Film: Under Jakob's Ladder
Actor: Peter Iasillo, Jr.
Role: Vovik

Q: What attracted you to work on this film?
A: The casting notice said that the producers were looking for authentic and authentic-sounding Russian accents. I had played comic Russian "characters" before, but wanted to seriously play the part of a Russian. The part [of Vovik] originally called for a medium-build wiseguy type, almost mean at times. The Moon Brothers rewrote the part to be that of a larger, more humanistic character, who would at times lighten up scenes with humor and still be able to show his sensitive and tragic side.

Q: How did you prepare for your role?
A: I had studied Russian history for past roles, but for this part I delved deep into the history of Stalin's Russian and the period of the detention camps and the "Black Ravens". I did a lot of online study, printed and studied photos and drawings of actual prison camps and watched as much video on YouTube as I could. I also listened to authentic Russians speaking in English. Let me say that it was never my intention to sound like a Russian actor trying to speak English, but rather as an American actor with a believable Russian "tone" to his speech.

Q: How did you identify with the character of Vovik?
A: Anytime I play a part, I ask myself what would I say, do, or feel if I were in this character's shoes. The lines are already written, so it's just a matter of learning them and speaking them as the character. Even if I were playing an axe murderer, I put myself in the character's psyche and play it truthfully.

Q: What was your favorite scene?
A: My favorite scene is the fight between me and Bruno. Stuntman and actor Matthew Staley worked with us to make the scene very powerful and convincing.

Q: Tell about working on the film.
A: Where do I begin? It was a joy from start to finish. Even standing in the freezing cold rain in the middle of the night was "enjoyable" as the crew was always ready with blankets and coats between takes.

Q: What did you enjoy the most about working on this film?
A: The professionalism and camaraderie of the entire cast and crew. Nuff said.

Q: What was it like to work with Jeff Stewart?
A: Jeff Stewart (Jakob) is a seasoned pro! I learned so much from him. I still marvel at his ability to be completely silly and goofy off camera and then elicit tears in a scene of great depth and drama.

Q: What about working with Robert and/or Mann?
A: Robert and Mann are real directors! Not just in the technical sense, but in knowing how to work with actors and how to direct actors. They understand the whole acting process and respect their artists and know how to get a truthful and honest performance from them. They know how to shoot a scene and have an excellent sense of story structure and continuity. They will also praise you and let you know you are doing a good job. That goes a very long way when you are responsible for handing in believable performance.

Q: What was the most challenging scene for you?
A: The scene where I discover the that camp guards have taken Jakob's coat from the escape hole that I am digging and trying to hide was pretty challenging. It's a very emotional moment where I realize they are going to take Jakob and punish HIM for MY hole digging! I needed to go Method for that one. On stage, you have momentum to propel yourself into the moment. On film, you have to be able to turn it on and off between set-ups. The camera sees EVERYTHING, especially what's inside. So it better be real.

Q: How did you get your start in film?
A: I had friends (that I still keep in touch with) who were horror movie directors. They knew me from community theatre and cast me in their early films Igor and the Lunatics, Spookies, and Killer Dead. I love all acting, but I fell in love with "camera acting" from that first day till now.

Q: Who are your influences as an actor?
A: My favorites actors are those that I share some aspect of their character type with. They are Zero Mostel, Vincent Schiavelli, Vincent Price, Timothy Carey, Geoffrey Rush and Clancy Brown. If you don't know who any of them are, I invite you to look them up on the Internet.

Singing Happy Birthday in the Movies

It's not too often that you hear the song "Happy Birthday" sung in a movie. Have you noticed that?

You will hear "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow".

But rarely "Happy Birthday". Why?

And there's a reason for this. There are copyright issues. You see, if you ever do hear the song "Happy Birthday", you know that the filmmaker (or the studio) paid good money. Apparently you'll pay something between $5,000 to $30,000...

For one single song. For independent filmmakers, that's a lot of money...

So, instead of singing Happy Birthday to the real Jakob (yes, it's his birthday. He'd have been 138 years old if he were still living)... guess we better sing that other song (the one that's in the public domain, and therefore costs no money to use in a movie!)

Oh, and by the way, yesterday was Jeff Stewart's birthday. (He plays the role Jakob in our movie...) Happy belated birthday, Jeff!

Q&A with Actor Quentin McCuiston

Film: Under Jakob's Ladder
Actor: Quentin McCuiston
Role: Yasha

Q: What first attracted you to work on this film?
A: I really like period pieces for one thing and I also thought it was a very good story to tell.

Q: Tell about your character, Yasha. How do you identify with him?
A: Yasha is a very childlike person. He's innocent and simple. And at one time (when I was a child) I had a greater capacity for those characteristics. As you grow up, they seem to fade a bit. But I can still remember what it was like to see the world through eyes like that and it's actually quite refreshing.

Q: How did you prepare for your role as Yasha?
A: I usually take a lot of clues from the script. What the character says, how he reacts and interacts, and the circumstances around him are all usually right there on the paper. Talking with the director helps to get a hold of the big picture and how your character fits in. His vision for the character helped to define things a little sharper. Some research went on as well. Then it was a matter of playing until I felt that the character had come to life.

Q: What was the most challenging scene for you?
A: The most challenging scene for me was the sequence with my father, Oigen. Most all of the other characters in the scene don't care or begin to pick on Yasha at the same moment that he is going through a very heavy experience. I don't know how it looks, but it was a very lonely scene to do. It was also very difficult, being a high emotion scene, to stop and start and shoot out of order. That's always a challenge.

Q: What did you enjoy the most about working on this film?
A: It was a really great group of people. I loved working and learning from everyone and got to make some good friends. I also got to work with a rat. How often does that happen?

Yasha (Quentin McCuiston) playing with his rat
Q: Do you have any stories about working on the set?
A: Usually if you weren't in a scene you would go outside and hang around until they needed you again. During the down time in between scenes, some of the other inmates and I got pretty creative. We started to play what we called "Yasha-ball". It was basically trying to toss a rock through a 1' x 6" hole in a dilapidated wall while standing at a certain distance. We had a lot of fun.

Q: How did you get your start in film?
A: Some of my first projects with film were with some friends right out of college. We actually still work together whenever we can. I am currently collaborating with Chapter 2 Studios (located in Dayton, TN) on a web series called "Learning with Lawrence" which launched September 3rd on learningwithlawrence.com.

Q&A with Actress Chloe Roe

Film: Under Jakob's Ladder
Actress: Chloe Roe
Role: Marta -- Jakob's granddaughter

Q: What did you most enjoy about working on 'Under Jakob's Ladder'?
A: All the films I have been in so far, I have had to film in New York City. I live an hour away from the city so usually I have to get up really early or get home really late, or both. This film was right near my house! Plus, since it was being shot in my hometown, most of my family and cousins were able to be extras in the film.

Q: Tell about your audition. What did you think when you found out that you got the role of Marta?
A: After my initial audition, we did a lot of table readings. I read with three different Jakobs. Usually we would do a screen test afterward. My last table reading was with Jeff Stewart. I thought he was the best of the three. I guess everyone else did too because we both got cast! I was very excited to sign the contract to play Marta!

Q: What was it like to work with Jeff Stewart?
A: I really like Jeff. Before our scenes, we would go through our lines together. He was very supportive of me. On our off-time we would go bike riding. We would ride to the diner and he would order rice pudding. He's nuts for it! He would ask to have it warmed up. That's the way they eat it in England.

[Photo: Steve Roe, Jeff Stewart, and Chloe Roe out for a bike ride.]
Q: What is your favorite scene in the movie?
A: Every scene had something I really loved about it. I thought the most exciting scene was when my Grandfather got taken away in the middle of the night. My most fun scene was during the campfire scene. Even though the smoke kept getting in our eyes, it was fun because afterward we got to toast marshmallows! They were delicious.

Q: Do you have any funny stories about working on the film?
A: When I thought they told me to throw the bell in the fire during the fireside scene. So I did! Perhaps it will end up in the bloopers.

Q: What was the most challenging scene for you?
A: I thought my most challenging scene was when I was talking to my mother about why I thought they took my Grandfather away while she braided my hair. We had to re-shoot it many times from different angles and I had to be sure to try to deliver my lines the same way every time.

Q: Who inspires you as an actress?
A: Working with Matt Okin on "Out of Whack", the all-kids rock musical and "Generations" was very inspiring. He let us write our own dialogue and songs and we got to perform in cool clubs like Nuyorican and Bowery poetry club in NYC with a live three-piece band!

Blog Series | Cast Q&A

Over the next couple of weeks (maybe months?), our plan is to post a series of Q&As with some of the cast members of our feature film Under Jakob's Ladder. Each post will feature one actor (in no particular order).

Of course, we'll also be publishing other blog posts as well -- besides the Cast Q&As. And we'll include some Q&As with the Crew, too. But those probably won't appear until shortly before or after the New Year hits us.

Soooo... The first Q&A?... Well, you might think it'd be the one featuring Jakob (actor Jeff Stewart). Well, we'll let you in on a secret. It's not. (Like we said, the list isn't really in any order...)

But, you'll just have to wait until later this week...

Stay tuned!

Moon Brothers vs. Lemony Snicket

If you think about it, the Moon Brothers and Lemony Snicket seem to share a few similarities... (and differences).

Similarity #1 -- Both Moon and Lemony are storytellers.

Difference #1 -- Lemony devotes his life to recording the stories about the Baudelaire orphans. Moon tells stories that are NOT about the Baudelaires.

Similarity #2 -- Both Moon and Lemony tend to prefer photos of themselves where they are in shadow.

Difference #2 -- Lemony is very, very secretive. On occasion, Moon has posted photos that have face-recognition.

And finally...

Similarity #3 -- Both Moon and Lemony are preoccupied with fire.

Difference #3 -- Lemony is constantly trying to track the fires that seem to crop up in every unfortunate event he chronicles. Moon... well, Moon, recently avoided an unfortunate event when filming some wide shots for Under Jakob's Ladder; involving fire and black dirt and a brisk wind and a field of corn. (Fortunately, Moon was warned in time NOT to make a fire and thus, the field of corn was saved.)

P.S. This post is dedicated to a certain girl who got dressed in her costume on a really cold and windy day. A girl who happens to be reading a certain series of unfortunate events. We're happy to say that we did not have an unfortunate event on that day... Except that it was rather cold. (Maybe a little fire would have been welcome after all!)

After Jakob's Ladder

What happens to a film set once filming is complete?

Here's a photo that proves that sometimes a movie makes a permanent mark (at least until someone paints over it!) Last spring, one of our filming locations for our feature film Under Jakob's Ladder was at Roe's Orchards in Chester.

As you can see, about six months after filming there, our mark has been left behind. Yes, the red Russian stencil work is ours... (Of course, the Roes re-added their orchard name to the crate. And we didn't exactly have pumpkins back in April...)