SIMMS MAY TALKS THE END OF OAK STREET
"I had absolutely no idea about the dinosaurs"
Daniel John
Even without all the people involved, the premise of 'The End of Oak Street' alone makes it sound like a dream for any actor. How did this role come about for you?
When you audition for a role, you usually only get part of your character’s script, and the movie title is typically a code name. You do get to see who is directing, producing, and casting, as well as where it’s being filmed. In this case, the title was 'Neighbors', but I could see that it was written and directed by David Robert Mitchell and produced by J.J. Abrams, so that was enough to get me excited about the role. I had absolutely no idea about the dinosaurs until I was on set! Actually, the audition wasn’t even a scene from the movie. It was totally different. The audition included sharing a cigarette with Brian and talking about how Brian accidentally broke a kid’s arm. Brian did accidentally break a kid’s arm, but that wasn’t a scene in the movie either, and there was absolutely no teen smoking! So what I thought was going to be a bit of teen rebellion turned out to be a great group of good friends.
It really is a buffet that these dinosaurs are in for. Is there any particular moment that you will always cherish from making the film alongside this group of people?
Definitely, the most memorable moment on set was meeting Ewan McGregor. I’ve always been a massive 'Star Wars' fan, and it was really cool to film a scene with someone I’ve looked up to for so long. I did get him to sign one of my childhood lightsabers, which I have hanging in my room right now.
In a family of five siblings, is creativity something you all share, or is that more your own thing?
I think we are all creative in similar yet different ways. I’m the youngest, so the timing was right for me, with so much filming coming to Atlanta when I was getting started. When I was young, my grandmother signed me up for a theater camp. I came back to Atlanta and started taking acting lessons. My first love had to have been improv comedy, and since then, improv has really helped me when it comes to serious roles. Some directors love when you can naturally spit out something funny or even a little awkward. It’s all about being real.
Being in a blockbuster like this, playing in theaters all around the world, is surely an exciting thing, there’s a magic that comes with these films that brings moviegoers out of their living rooms and into that shared experience. Have you gotten to see the film with an audience yet?
I have! I saw it for the first time with a live audience at Warner Bros. Studios for the worldwide premiere. Most of the audience had not seen it yet, and I’ve watched it again since. The audience reaction was great. I love how the movie keeps you on your toes the whole time.
What are some of your strongest cinema experiences like that. I assume you grew up seeing some big J.J. Abrams productions even before you stepped onto the set of this one?
Yes, I’ve always been a huge fan of 'Star Wars' and pretty much anything J.J. Abrams has been involved in. Some of my favorite film experiences have actually been on my own. I’ve always enjoyed a variety of genres. One of my favorite movies ever is 'The Sixth Sense', which was released in 1999, eleven years before I was born! I remember watching it alone when it came on late at night.
You’re next up in David O. Russell’s 'Madden', out November 18, playing a young Mike Madden. You’ve played characters from adapted works before, but what’s it like playing someone who is actually real. Did you get to meet your character?
Playing Mike Madden was incredible. It was the first time I’ve played a real person. I haven’t gotten to meet him yet, but I’m hoping I will at the premiere. I did a lot of research on him and his relationship with his parents and brother. Mike played football throughout his life, I mean, as the son of one of the greatest coaches, he kind of had to, right? Mike was in kindergarten when John Madden was hired as head coach of the Raiders, so he grew up around the Raiders and later got to experience the creation and evolution of the 'Madden' game.
