Back To One

Latest Episodes:

Justine Lupe Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

Willa on "Succession," Astrid on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," Jade on "Younger," Holly on "Mr. Mercedes," all characters brought to life by the great actor Justine Lupe, with all their quirks and nuances rooted in a reality that makes them seem to go on living outside the frame. On this episode, she takes us back to her time at Juilliard where she enjoyed the bootcamp-like training that suited her all-in approach to the work. She talks about growing to appreciate all kinds of directors, the importance of bonding with the camera operator, and shares her incomprehensible, hieroglyphic-like script marking technique that just might be the secret to her awesomeness. Plus much more!

Tuppence Middleton Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

English actor Tuppence Middleton is on a steady, slow rise and that seems to suit her just fine. On this side of the pond she's perhaps best known for playing Riley Blue on the Netflix Sci-fi series "Sense8" and Lucy Smith in the "Downton Abbey" movie, but you'd be foolish not to seek out her work in "Trap For Cinderella" and "War and Peace." Now she's part of the impressive ensemble in David Fincher's latest film "Mank." She plays "Poor Sara" Mankiewicz, wife of the alcoholic co-writer of Citizen Kane, played by Gary Oldman. I ask her about working with Fincher, whom actors (many of whom have been on this show) seem to adore, despite not necessarily having the traditional "actor's director" traits. We also talk about an under-appreciated film she starred in last year called "Disappearance at Clifton Hill," and what to say (or not to say) to an actor when they access their pain for the betterment for the film. Plus much more!

Follow Back To One on Instagram

Aubrey Plaza Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

From "Parks And Recreation" to "Legion," from indie film queen to "Happiest Season," Aubrey Plaza is not done surprising us. Everybody's favorite late night talk show guest and hilarious awards show host rarely gets to show off the serious roots of her acting chops. Enter "Black Bear." The Sundance hit from Lawrence Michael Levine stars Plaza as a former actress on a writing retreat opposite Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon. Further description is not only pointless, it can be detrimental to your enjoyment of the film. Let's just say it's worth your time, in large part because of the emotional territory Aubrey Plaza gets to dive into. In this half hour, she talks about how the difficult circumstances of that shoot actually helped her process, she takes us back to her formative years with one teacher in particular that spoke her language, and she talks about how auditioning still sucks, why she never wants to shoot a movie with an iPhone, and much much more.

Follow Back To One on Instagram

Kevin Corrigan Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

It's become a tradition to have actor's actor Kevin Corrigan on the show every year. This is his third visit (his first two episodes are #1 an #67). Sitting down with the wise sage of indie film always ends up being both a reset and recharge. He has a way of speaking about this art that helps bring us back to the root of what it's all about: connection, empathy, being alive. In this hour, he tells us about a life-changing event that happened right after wrapping work on the Showtime series "Ray Donovan," and how the effects reverberate throughout his dealing with the pandemic. We talk about a scene in "The Godfather Part II," and try to wrap our arms around the brilliant work of the young actor Jack Dylan Grazer, star of "We Are Who We Are." I ask him about working on "The Exorcist III" thirty years ago, and Onur Tukel's latest film this past Summer. As always, there are Brando quotes, plus much, MUCH more.

Ruth Wilson Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

With mesmerizing performances in such series as "Luther," "Mrs. Wilson," and "The Affair," Ruth Wilson has established herself as one of our great actors. Her latest is the deliciously sinister Marisa Coulter on the hit fantasy series "His Dark Materials." In this episode she explains the fascinating way she's been able to build the multi-dimensional aspects of that character, and the challenge of hitting the proper balance when playing such a larger than life villain. She talks about the meditative aspect to her process, the invigorating power she gets from the theater, and how the energy of the audience affects her performance on the stage. Plus lots more!

Follow Back To One on Instagram

Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

English actor Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù has two major releases happening in the States this month, the intense and compelling "Gangs of London" on AMC+, and the profound and unsettling horror film "His House" on Netflix. Taken together, they offer an apt representation of the impressive range of this great actor. We talk about his approach to the physicality required for the instantly famous epic fight scenes in "Gangs of London," and what on-set elements helped his process. He takes us back to his time at the Royal Shakespeare Company and how being seeped in that material affects his approach to other work. Plus he details two big auditions in his past, one filled with self-inflicted disappointment, the other—revelation.

Follow Back To One on Instagram

Matthew Del Negro Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

You know Matthew Del Negro from "Scandal," "Goliath," "The West Wing," or as Cousin Brian on season four of "The Sopranos," or maybe, like me, you were wowed by his comedic tour de force as Jason Allen Ross in Netflix's "Huge In France." He's currently filming his second season as Detective Chris Caysen on Showtime's "City on a Hill." He also hosts a great podcast called "10,000 NOs" where he has deep conversations with people who've overcome rejection on the way to success in their field. He's just written a book of the same name which draws on his own story of survival as an actor, and it's a gold-filled "must read." In this hour he talks about his journey as a working actor, the benefit and drawback of having an athlete's mindset when approaching the work, how a low point in his recent past led directly to an enrichment of his performance, the importance of connecting the role to your own story, and lots more!

Find more info about "10,000 NOs: How to Overcome Rejection On The Way To Your Yes" here

Follow Back To One on Instagram

Dylan Gelula Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Dylan Gelula brings a captivating authenticity to her characters that makes them seem like they go on living outside the frame. Look at her work in "Flower," "Support The Girls," and "First Girl I Loved," to name a few. Her latest performance as Maggie in the SXSW winner "Shithouse" is a revelation. It snuck up on me and left me moved and in awe. On this episode she talks about her instinctual, untrained approach to this craft that she claims she hasn't fully wrapped her arms around yet. I ask her about some specific moments from "Shithouse," and about working with first time director and co-star Cooper Raiff. She professes her love of Mike Leigh, and tells us something good that's come from quarantine time. Plus lots more!

Follow Back To One on Instagram

Cooper Raiff Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

Cooper Raiff is the writer, director, producer, editor and star of one of my favorite films of the year, "Shithouse," which won the Grand Jury Prize at the SXSW Film Festival this year. The 23 year old has filmmaking instincts and a sophisticated perception of people, and himself, that belies his years. In this episode, he tells a miraculous story of getting Jay Duplass to watch his short film, and how he became instrumental in getting "Shithouse" made. He talks extensively about his time at the Dallas Young Actors Studio and how that foundational work instilled him with the tools he needs to tell his story on both sides of the camera. Plus why it was important for him to inject a specific kind of love, comfort, and caring into the film, the brilliance of his co-star Dylan Gelula, why he's not afraid of losing his voice in the film business, and lots more. ("Shithouse" opens Friday October 16th)

Follow Back To One on Instagram

Harry Melling Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

Some actors steal scenes, Harry Melling's scenes steal movies. The limb-less thespian in "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," the sinister Zuckerberg-like villain in "The Old Guard," and now the "spider preacher" Roy Laferty in "The Devil All The Time," are just some of the characters he's brought to life, who all feel like they continue to exist beyond their short time on screen. In this episode he talks about his early acting education performing in the Harry Potter films, the importance of "forgetting it all" in order to be in the moment, getting the "invitation" to "play," and not getting down in Covid time, plus much more!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected