Actor Carson MacCormac chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about “East of Middle West” and “Locke and Key” on Netflix.
How was your experience in “East of Middle West”?
Incredible. It really was a crash course on spontaneity due to our short shooting schedule. When we were filming this movie, our whole team was running on love for this project because we really all were thrown headfirst into the frying pan from the get-go. I think everyone on set bonded because of this – watching the crew work with such efficacy on a daily basis made my job so much easier.
The character I portrayed was such a far cry from what I’m accustomed to when I get auditions and so bringing him to life was something I handled with borderline reverence at times. Chris was daunting to take on at first, but with our accelerated filming schedule leaving no time for excess thought, our whole cast went into all of our scenes with the strange type of freedom that comes from having no time to overthink.
I think the constant pace pushing to reach all the scenes slated for the day gave our whole cast a clear, linear purpose when we worked together. We all grew so close so fast and it was hard walking away from it all when we wrapped.
What was it like to be a part of “Locke and Key” on Netflix?
Coming into an already established team is always intimidating, but from day 1 the reception I received was unbelievably welcoming. Being on set for me is always a blast, but getting to play dress-up as a kid from the 1700’s was pure wish-fulfillment.
Not to mention the killer mullet I was rocking… 12-year-old me used to run around playing make-believe about the exact sort of things I was able to experience on this show. At times I felt guilty for the sheer amount of fun we all had together with such heavy material but I think it resulted in stronger work from all of us.
The whole crew was brilliant working in tandem and I’m grateful I was able to be part of such an amazing team of people.
How does it feel to be an actor in the digital age? (at a time when streaming and technology are so prevalent)
I think in a general sense it’s great for our industry. In a field founded on creativity, I think that technological advancement and streaming becoming more prevalent every year just opens the door for more people to tell the stories they care about in unique, innovative ways. To me, that will always be a good thing.
That being said, technology, mainly social media, definitely brings with it some interesting obstacles. At least in my personal experience, it has, as it is now part of the gig for artists to be active and relevant on social media. Some people are naturals at generating that kind of content… I’m not sure I’m one of them yet.
I do find, however, there is a definite danger of sensory overload from the sheer amount of content I find myself consuming in a day. I try to find alternative activities that don’t involve the internet to help maintain some form of equilibrium, although like many people in my generation I’m prone to get lost in the cycle of scrolling if I’m not careful.
What is your advice for young and aspiring actors?
The question ‘why’ is your best friend. Acting is an industry littered with distractions and it is easy to get scatterbrained. I heavily value a questioning mind as a way to both help me improve at my craft and ensure that I don’t lose sight of my reasons for getting into this industry in the first place. I was lucky enough to find my ‘Why’ early on when I decided to pursue acting and it has remained a core principle of my life ever since.
Growing as an actor can sometimes feel as if it is a constant, internal dance of taking two steps forward and one step back, but I find the best way to brave the storm is to find one or two guideposts to help you hold onto yourself.
Not only that, but in acting, we have to ask the question of why. Why does my character care about this scene, why does my character exist in the story? Train your thought patterns to become constantly curious and it will expedite your growth over time.
What motivates you each day as an actor?
Well isn’t this the perfect segway from the previous question! Any given day for me brings with it different driving forces for why I keep acting, but the main one is an obsession with the story.
To steal a quote from Michael Shurtleff’s novel Audition, “To go into acting is like asking for admission to an insane asylum. Anyone may apply, but only the certifiably insane are admitted.” Truer words have never been spoken, as I am oh so hopelessly entrenched in the art of acting that I don’t think I could ever go back.
I want to be a voice that amplifies other people’s visions and eventually, I would love to start telling some of my own stories. A lot of my drive comes from internal growth, as I find I learn so much about myself with every character I have the honor of playing, whether it be for an audition or a project I have been cast in. I’m addicted to the work, and I think that is what makes me wake up every day wanting to act.
The end goals are there, everyone has aspirations, but I try to focus all of my efforts on the immediate roles that come my way; getting lost in the characters I play is the purest form of enjoyment for me.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Pursuing love. Love of work, love in life, love of laughter – whatever it may be, I think success is going after the things in our lives we love. For me, that is acting. I consciously avoid tying any definitions of success with finality, as I don’t think the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is what we should focus on.
The greatest moments of growth in my life have come at times when I failed in the pursuit of something I loved and that to me is a form of success in itself. The pursuit of love. That is my personal definition of success.
What would you like to tell our readers about “Eat of Middle West” and “Locke and Key” on Netflix?
If you watch East of Middle West and/or “Locke and Key,” thank you. There are so many shows and films out there and it means the world that you choose to take the time to watch something I take pride in having helped create.
East of Middle West is a project founded on love and if there is one thing I can say for certain, the film sticks with you. Reading the script for the first time I was immediately enamored with its uniqueness, both in style and in the questions it poses. I can guarantee that it will leave you with a few questions of your own and I hope it is as thought-provoking for you as it was for me.
“Locke and Key” is a rollercoaster of enjoyment, and the beating heart of this show, the unparalleled team behind it, is going to blow audiences away with what happens in Season 2. I’m thrilled for you to see it for yourself.
