Actor and filmmaker Grant Rosenmeyer (“The Royal Tenenbaums”) chatted about his films “The Secret Art of Human Flight” and “Royally Screwed.”
In the movie “The Secret Art of Human Flight,” Rosenmeyer starred opposite Oscar nominee Paul Raci and Lucy DeVito.
The film “Royally Screwed” was directed by Sophia Kiapos. Rosenmeyer starred alongside Max Rinehart, Jenny Boyd, and Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo.
How was “The Secret Art of Human Flight”?
“That’s an expansive question,” to quote the movie. It was beautiful, challenging, terrifying and one of the single-most educational experiences of my life.
We shot that over COVID, so we had about 30-40 cast and crew bubbled together in a camp in the Berskhires for a month, and filming something that was daring and original and experimental, and ultimately a privilege to make.
I was also a producer on the film, so I felt a lot of responsibility to get that done, and done properly. I think we accomplished that. I’m so proud of the work everyone did there. I think it’s a gem and I hope people continue to find it on streaming.
What was it like to work with Paul, Lucy and the cast?
A freaking treat. Paul is about as epic a scene partner as you could hope for. So present, unpredictable. He keeps you on your toes.
Lucy is hysterical, and kind, and brilliant. She’s a writer and filmmaker herself, and just got the tone right away. She made it easy.
The same for Nican Robinson (an incredible presence on or off any set), Rosa Arredondo who is just delightful, Sendhil Ramamurthy — who literally worked for 45 minutes and lives forever in the entire cast/crew’s hearts, Reina Hardesty who came in for a day and changed the whole tenor of the piece, and of course Maggie Grace who is just… wow.
The scenes we shot together are some of my favorites of my whole career. She’s so real, as a person and an artist. Now I miss everyone. Thanks a lot.
What did “The Secret Art of Human Flight” screenplay teach you about yourself?
I was very much processing my own grief at the time we made that movie — as I think a lot of us were during the pandemic.
My character Ben’s experience very much mirrored my own… though maybe I wasn’t about to jump off a cliff. (Then again, anytime you make a movie you’re sort of jumping off a cliff?) I loved Maggie Grace’s character saying find a thing and see it through… Also, People need people… That was a big one.
I wanted that movie to exist for anyone who needs it. I’m not sure what the screenplay taught me about myself, but that experience of making the movie taught me too many things to list here.
How was your experience in “Royally Screwed”?
Like a paid summer vacation to the English coast where I got to come in, make everyone happy, and leave. I was spoiled rotten by that character, Marty (already one of my favorites I’ll ever play), and that whole cast and crew.
They had to do all the hard work and I just got to have fun. It’s not fair, really. Oh well.
What was it like working with Sophia and Max and the team?
There are not enough words in English to express my love and admiration for Sophia Kiapos. She’s been my dear friend for a minute now, and there’s truly no pride like the pride of discovering that one of your besties is also a virtuoso at the thing they actually want to do.
In the face of too little time and money, she’s an unflappable presence and one of the sharpest directors I’ve had the pleasure of working with. She knows exactly what she wants, she’s deeply passionate, loving, joyous, and she simply inspires everyone around her. Superhero.
Max and I went on holiday together… We went to Greece in the fall. Yes, I holidayed with the prince. He’s a gem. He’s thoughtful and hardworking and restless, always pushing himself and the script for the best. It’s hard not to love someone like that.
Then, there’s Jenny Boyd, who is warm, fun, hilarious, and gorgeous and the two of them are the best leads to have in a movie because they work their asses off and are sweethearts to boot. Emma Johnsey-Smith is also a hoot.
The rest of the crew – Adam, our DP, Sam our first AD, Jamie, our Production Designer, Zoe, our costume designer (maybe my closest collaborator on this one) — are great, and I miss them.
Again, I was spoiled by folks who are terrific at their jobs and have a great attitude to go with it. The Passionflix folks are dangerously fun humans.
How does it feel to be an actor in the digital age?
Better than an actor in the Stone Age, decidedly worse than actors who came of age just before us.
Most of the job has become social media and marketing yourself. I struggle with the idea of people having access to me… I want them to access the work. But that’s become a Catch-22.
Then again, all of my work for the last two plus decades is now available on streaming and people are actually finding it! So hey, we love that! We’ll see what happens.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors?
If you want to be rich, go into tech. If you want to be famous, go into social media. If you truly love acting, and you have to do this, don’t let anything stop you.
Find means to support yourself, surround yourself with people who love you for you, and whatever you do, do not fuse your value with anything related to this industry.
Travel, connect with people, educate yourself, improve yourself. The acting will follow.
How was “The Royal Tenenbaums” for you?
Talk about blind, stupid luck. I remember every day of that experience vividly, even 25 years later. I remember the smell of that house on 144th and Convent. I remember the shade of Wes’ New Balance sneakers.
Morning kisses from Gwyneth in the makeup trailer. Late night dance-offs with Ben Stiller. Bill Murray making me laugh til I cried and he wasn’t even “on.” I never wanted that shoot to end. Magical.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Striving for what you want, getting what you need, never losing sight of being a good person.
What would you like to say to our readers about “Royally Screwed”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
Cuddle up under a blanket – alone or with someone you love – and just enjoy. It was made to make you happy, and it will do just that.
To learn more about actor and filmmaker Grant Rosenmeyer, follow him on Instagram.
