Amanda Seyfried, acclaimed actress known for her roles in films like Mank, discusses her experience preparing for the film, working with David Fincher, and her approach to the work. They also touch on her aspirations as a child, living outside the city, and her desire to break out of industry perceptions. The joy of auditioning and perseverance in the arts are highlighted.
Artists should pivot and find ways to create content during challenging times.
Amanda Seyfried's portrayal of Marion Davies in 'Mank' allowed her to showcase a different side of the character.
Deep dives
Experience of the pandemic and its impact on artists and productions
The podcast episode discussed the nine-month lockdown due to the pandemic, which affected artists and shut down productions. It emphasized the importance for artists to pivot and find ways to create content, promote their work, and entertain people during this challenging time.
Amanda Seifried's experience working on the film 'Mank'
The podcast episode featured an interview with Amanda Seifried, who discussed her experience working on the film 'Mank.' She shared her initial disbelief when she was approached for the role and expressed her excitement about the opportunity. Seifried highlighted the compelling script and how it captured the essence of the characters, particularly her character Mary in her relationship with Gary Oldman's character Mank. She also discussed her admiration for Oldman's approach to acting.
Exploring the character of Marion Davies and working with Gary Oldman
The podcast episode delved into the character of Marion Davies, played by Amanda Seifried in 'Mank.' Seifried discussed how the role allowed her to showcase a different side of Davies, beyond her public image as the mistress of William Randolph Hearst. She emphasized the chemistry between her character and Gary Oldman's character, explaining that their relationship was grounded in the well-written script and their collaborative approach to acting. Seifried also shared her admiration for Oldman's ability to stay grounded and present on set.
The challenges and rewards of playing Marion Davies
During the podcast episode, Amanda Seifried talked about the challenges and rewards of playing Marion Davies in 'Mank.' She explained how she delved into research to understand the real Marion Davies and capture her essence on screen. Seifried discussed the transformative experience of wearing the elaborate costumes and how they helped her fully embody the character. She also expressed her admiration for David Fincher's meticulous attention to detail and relentless pursuit of excellence, which challenged her as an actor and pushed her to rise to the occasion.
This week, Krista takes a look back at her 2020 conversation with Amanda Seyfried. At the time, Seyfried had recently starred as Marion Davies in Mank, David Fincher’s film about the screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. Just a few months after this conversation was recorded, that performance earned Seyfried her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
In the years since, Seyfried has hit a new stride in her career – earning wide-spread critical acclaim for her portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout including an Emmy win last year and a Golden Globe win this past January.
In this interview, Seyfried discusses her experience preparing for Mank, shares why working with Fincher is such a singular experience, and explains how it made her think differently about her own approach to the work.
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