The Empire Film Podcast D Is For Doctor (ft. guests Chris Pratt and Claire Foy)
Jan 23, 2026
Claire Foy, acclaimed British actress known for The Crown, shares stories of training with goshawks and portraying deep grief in H Is For Hawk. Chris Pratt, Hollywood star from Guardians and Jurassic World, talks about his tense, long-take thriller Mercy and working with director Timur Bekmambetov. They dive into on-set technique, emotional preparation, and the practical challenges of ambitious shoots.
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Earwig-Driven Long Takes
- Chris Pratt described shooting Mercy in a volume with 40–60 minute takes and heavy earwig cues to time his performance.
- He used a friend to play music and line cues in his ear to set tempo and focus during long takes.
Acting To Virtual Elements
- Pratt recalled switching between live Rebecca Ferguson feeds and still frames while reacting to previs that wasn't physically present.
- He described being cued to look top-right or top-left via earwig to match virtual elements during takes.
Prep Long Takes With Technical Cues
- Use precise technical rehearsals when shooting long single‑take sequences to maintain continuity and actor focus.
- Employ earwig cues and tempo music to synchronize movement and emotional beats across complex takes.
