SIERRA FISK TALKS MEET CUTE

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

In the Alex Lehmann-helmed, Noga Pnueli-written, ‘Meet Cute’, Sheila and Gary are on a time-looping rendezvous, asking the question what one would do if you could travel in time and make someone into the perfect partner. How did you and this script get to meet each other for the first time?

At the Zoom table read for Akiva Goldsman, Alex, and Noga, they asked me to cover numerous roles. In fact, I played almost every role that wasn't Sheila and Gary. So, lucky for me, I got to kind of audition for everything. Well, except June, which went rightfully to the brilliant actress Deborah S. Craig. Alex later recommended I send a tape over to casting director Amey René for the part of Sandra.

One would easily expect this to be an indie-cute romcom but surprisingly enough it takes a different turn. People on date-night might be surprised. Were you also as surprised by that?

Between the casting and the title not to mention the promos, it can feel like this film belongs in traditional romcom territory. But audiences will be very surprised to sit down and realize that this film is about how you handle trauma, yours and someone else's. And that's not usually "cute" or pretty. And so audiences have been divided in their response to the film, because it's not as easy to root for a flawed protagonist. We prefer our romcom heroes to be flawed in an adorable, palatable way. Instead, Sheila and Gary are like a lot of people I know struggling with mental health problems. We all need to be less judgmental and practice having compassion for others. Even the most complicated people are deserving of love and happiness. I'm really proud that the final iteration of this film feels confronting and challenging, in addition to being really clever and funny.

You, as Sheila’s let’s say messy mom, stand out as my favourite performance in it. Such a fun, yet also real and meaningful character. It is one that easily could have become kinda archetypal, I’d think, but even in the rare surreal tone of the film, she doesn’t feel made up and because of that authenticity she’s hilarious in a kind of relatable way. What went into playing Sandra as you did. How do you get into the character you play?

Thanks so much for that high complement! I have a theatre background, so it's part of my process to flesh out a bizarre amount of detail and background about every character that I play, even for a walk-on. I also strive to find common ground with characters I play, rather than stand in judgement of them. If this movie were a broad comedy, I might lean into the idea of Sandra just being a big selfish jerk and a terrible person, or as Pete Davidson's character says, just a "crappy 80's mom." But for a film like this it's more interesting if there's a reason why she'd leave her child alone with a stranger. If she feels believable, it's probably because I played her as an overwhelmed and self-involved single mother, trying to do it all. Now that's relatable! Besides, from a storytelling standpoint, if I tried too hard to make Sandra's scenes funny without making her a real person, I might minimize the fact that Sheila really does have lasting trauma from parental neglect.

Had you filmed in New York before this?

I had done some theatre in New York before, but never a film! I do not desire to live in New York, but I absolutely love to visit and work there at any opportunity. There's something so great about being able to enjoy the energy, intrigue and culture of the city without having to deal with the reality of what it means to actually try to live there.

Perhaps that it’s not a “break-up” in the same emotional sense as when love is involved, but is there any film-set, a "movie-family" or perhaps a certain character.you’d love to return to and spend some time with yet again, with or without a do-over. Where would you time-travel back to on your resume?

The beauty and tragedy of life is that you can't recreate experiences. On stage, if you have a brilliant performance and then you go back out there the next night and try to copy it, you will likely fall on your face. I know better than to try to jump into any time machine. But if you want me to answer this question without being so cerebral, fifteen years ago I acted in the play 'Orange Flower Water' by Craig Wright. To this day, that team of people are still some of the most important people in my life although we since dispersed. It would be amazing to do that show again with the same people, but bringing to the table the wisdom and life experience that we have now.

How long has it been since you graduated acting school now?

It has been ages since UC San Diego but obviously I've continued to train beyond my time at University.

You also had some stage-time in the UK?

Yes, I had the wonderful opportunity to see a bunch of theatre in England and tread the boards myself in 'What the Butler Saw' by Joe Orton. It's fun to do a farce every once in a while, and run around on stage covered in ketchup in your underwear. There is so much nudity on stage in Britain compared to the States! It seems like they really love to giggle at male full-frontal.

Did you always find this much joy in acting, even in the times of, you know, not just trying to get auditions but also book things?

I have a tendency to romanticize the early days of my career, leaving my house in the morning with four changes of clothes plus my waitressing apron, changing in the car, auditioning for anything, saying yes to everything. It was fun! But honestly I ran myself ragged. I was unhealthy, and late to everything. I thought I was doing everything really well, but I couldn't possibly have given the best of myself to that many things at once. I'm a lot pickier now with how I choose to spend my time on this earth. Now my joy comes from striking a balance between my personal and professional worlds, between my hobbies and my career, and living a healthy, intentional, and meaningful life. Everything I used to do was for me, now I try to focus more on giving back. That's what I consider real joy.

What makes you passionate about acting today?

When I see a show or film that's thoroughly entertaining, it doesn't have to be thought-provoking although that's even better, it always inspires me to keep creating! I get this jolt of lightning through me that reminds me how much I love being a part of a community of creators. Also, the craft of acting excites me, seeing a really well developed character always sparks me up. I really, really love doing character work and I get geeked about details. Let's say I'm doing a play, I'm going to want to find out everything I can about the characters, the themes of the show, the playwright, the historical context and so on. I just love learning and I am extremely curious. I love discovering the truth of a moment and finding compassion for universal human truths.