When I first audition for Elena & Ilya it actually was with another actor which I didn’t expect. Yet I was very excited. The other actor and I jam right into Elena’s material which was a solid two pages. He and I banged it out about 2 or 3 times at Elena & Ilya’s request. Speaking for myself I had a great time. Then It ended and like so many thousands of actors across this large vast of life I moved on only hoping for that magical phone call that says “we like to offer you this part in our film”. And as luck would have it I recieved such a phone call. And I gladly accepted the part of “The Car Dealer”. And guess what the other actor I auditioned with got the part also. Now for me that was a first. Winning along side the same actor you auditioned with. My first scene was an exterior shot on 44th between 8th & 9th. My character is walking to work with a beautiful toy car model in toe. To me it was a little hard to understand why this car model was so utterly important to me let alone walking up and down busy 44th street in Manhattan. But somehow someway Elena was very easy to trust. And the more takes we did the more I got into it and before long Elena could have told me to run down the street in my boxers and guess what “I would have done it”. I believe the best thing a director and actor can have is trust. One of the great things about my experience with this project was the material. It was very very unique and very different. I love that only because so many ideas have a tendency to look and sound the same. Elena was great to work with and I got the impression I hit my mark whenever she gave me direction. I understood what she wanted very clearly being that Elena’s native language is Russian. I’ll admit it was a barrier at times but I like the challange because it forced me to pay close attention to her. In life we take for granted close to everything around us. Including fasinating people from all walks of life. My wardrobe was a hoot. White pants, black shirt, suspenders, checker tie & super shiney black shoes. All at Elena’s request. And I freaking loved it. Now of all the feats my character had to perform the dancing was an absolute pleasure. I can only hope if I ever get the opportunity to work for Elena again she gives me a character who loves to dance. Whatever happens in my career I can look back and be proud of my experience with Elena & Ilya Gorsheneva and “RED TOMATOES CROSSWALK“. What a title!
Marlon Dow
You were great there. You said trust is most important. So! Especially for you, I’ll put this episode up on this site under the category “I cried cutting them”.