Back To One

Sallieu Sesay is a Sierra Leonean-American actor who has had recurring roles on CBS’ “Seal Team” and HBO’s “Barry,” and, in his latest, delivers an incredible supporting performance in John Trengove's nihilistic thriller “Manodrome,” alongside Jesse Eisenberg. On this episode he talks about doing tons of research before taking on that part, having so little in common with the character, and facing the pressure of being at the center of a movie’s most pivotal scene. He gives us a glimpse at his dedication to this craft, his continuous training with some of the best acting teachers around such as Ivana Chubbuck, how substitution plays a part in his preparation, the significance of journaling, why empathy and curiosity are two important words for the actor, what “it’s all about trusting the work” really means, and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

Jack Huston has worked with Scorsese, Ridley Scott, David O’ Russell, The Coens, had meaty roles on series like “Mayfair Witches,” “Fargo,” and, maybe most notably, “Boardwalk Empire,” where he played Richard Harrow. His latest project is Lulu Wang’s Amazon series “Expats.” On this episode he talks about gaining 30 pounds for that part (which wasn’t as much fun as it sounds), why it all starts with the voice for him, writing and directing his passion project “The Day of The Fight” for Michael Pitt and Joe Pesci, and he reveals a common trait of all great directors he’s known. Plus we discuss the current state of Independent Film, what we think should change, and much more. “Expats” streams on Amazon Prime starting January 25th. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

You know Spenser Granese from memorable roles on “Better Call Saul,” “Fear of the Walking Dead,” “Pam & Tommy,” and, perhaps most memorably, the character of Bevel in the final season of “Barry.” On this episode, he talks about landing that role after trying hard to get on the show for 3 seasons, and the incredible working environment he found on set. He opens up about his unique approach to the craft having no formal training, why he keeps the lines barely memorized, avoids expectations, operates on his instinct, and much more! Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

Discovering Michelle Monaghan in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” was like finding evidence that the old school Hollywood comedy actress gene, long thought extinct, was alive and well. She did more than hold her own opposite Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer, she stole the movie. I’ve been rooting for her ever since. A few “Mission Impossibles,” “Gone Baby Gone,” “True Detective” followed, as well as some significant work in small indies like “Trucker,” “Fort Bliss,” and “Nanny.” She returns to comedy with her latest, “The Family Plan,” which is streaming now on Apple TV+. On this episode, she talks about how her deep desire to be a journalist is actually still playing out in her career, why a good vocabulary is the best trait for a director, what precipitates the necessity to protect the arc of her character and how she does it, plus much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

Melora Hardin is best known for playing Jan on the American version of “The Office.” She was nominated for an Emmy for her work on the series “Transparent.” Recently she stepped back into the role of Trudy Monk for “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie,” which is streaming now on Peacock. On this episode, she talks about bringing the character Mabel Montgomery-Mayflower to life in the new independent film “Golden Vanity,” and how the perfect combination of director’s vision and true collaboration helped her deliver that tour-de-force performance. She takes us back to her early days as a child actor, lessons learned while getting 10,000 hours of experience before her 18th birthday, tells an incredible story about Stella Adler, and a touching one about Gene Hackman, plus much much more. “Golden Vanity” is playing at the Cinelounge Sunset in Los Angeles through December 17th. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

You might know Robbie Tann from “Preacher,” “The Deuce,” or when he played Billy on “Mare of Easttown,” or Whitty in the “Mazey Day” episode of the latest season of “Black Mirror.” Currently he plays Shipley in this year’s most exciting and original sci-fi film, “The Creator.” On this episode, he tells how the run-and-gun style of shooting on that production, combined with the cast and crew’s infectious passion for the project, helped with all aspects of his work. He explains why he now bypasses a straightforward “roadmap” of preparation, focusing instead on letting the role seep into his unconscious. And he talks about what a director can do to get the best of out him while still respecting the ideas he brings to the set. Plus much more! Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram  

You know Olli Haaskivi from his work in series such as “Winning Time”, “Manifest”, and “The Sinner,” and films like “Motherless Brooklyn”, “Nancy” and of course, this Summer’s blockbuster “Oppenheimer,” where he played scientist Edward Condon. On this episode he shares his experience of working with Christopher Nolan on that film (which he says seemed less sprawling than some student films he’s worked on!), why he felt the freedom to bring his ideas and “all of himself” (spoiler: Nolan is not afraid of actors!), and how all this affected the work in the moment. Plus he talks about his “this IS the job” approach to auditioning, something post-strike that he’d like to see implemented about the work, why you can’t get to the great stuff “without risking that it might all go off the rails,” and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

Brit Marling is an inspiration. The talented multi-hypenate became an indie darling in 2011 with “Another Earth” and “Sound of My Voice”—collaborations with Mike Cahill and Zal Batmanglij respectively. She avoided various vapid roles and unfulfilling career paths and instead went on to star in (and co-create with Batmanglii) the hit Netflix series “The OA,” which was bafflingly cancelled after two seasons, despite a rabid and large fan base. The two are back with another series, “A Murder At The End of The World”—a cool Zoomer detective whodunit set in a remote super-hotel in Iceland. On this episode, she talks about how knowing she will have to play a character affects the writing process, the “shared loneliness” of collaboration, using AI as a story element before the world even knew it existed, why she has to hold on to her character during the editing process, the cosmic concoction she uses to make her ideas grow, and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

The SAG strike is over and Back To One returns in the most fitting way—with The Sixth Annual Kevin Corrigan Episode. The living patron saint of the indie actor fills us in on what’s been going on in his world over the past year, talks about playing off of Tim Blake Nelson in his latest film “Bang Bang,” takes us way back to his first time on a film set as an extra in 1987, describes a recent rewarding experience of performing his own ultra personal material, and ponders his strange case of involuntary lens spiking. Plus stories about “manhandling” Christopher Walken, a horrific "Sopranos" audition,  sitting down with Pacino at a diner, and much much more. Past Kevin Corrigan Episodes: Ep. 1, Ep. 67, Ep. 133, Ep.185 Ep. 234 Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram

“Dogleg” is one of the best films of the year. A unique and hilarious feat of cinematic inventiveness, it follows amateur director Alan, played by Al Warren, after he loses his fiancé's dog at a gender reveal party on the day of an important shoot. Warren also wrote and directed the film, which took more than half a decade to finish. On this episode, he tells us why he was in no hurry to complete the film, and why he has taken a much more intentional and meaningful approach toward bringing it to the audience. He takes us back to his childhood, and a story of how prematurely promised stardom, followed by years of actively avoiding acting, led him to arrive at the craft in a genuinely meaningful and life-enriching way, which is where we find him now. Plus he shares his philosophy of comedy (which boils down to “Nothing is funnier than self-seriousness”), talks about his latest role opposite Nicolas Cage in “Dream Scenario,” and much more. Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from  Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.  Follow Back To One on Instagram