(photo by Bobby Quillard )
During our coverage of San Diego Comic Con we spoke with Producer Gale Anne Hurd about the pending Falling Water. Now we have an interview with one of the stars of the show; Jodi Long who brings us up to speed one of the most compelling shows on television.
What can you tell us about your character?
Kumiko has been catatonic for 7 years and is the mother of one of the main characters, Taka, a NYC detective who is convinced that one day his mother will wake out of her catatonic state. Prior to that she was a sculptor known for her metal welded sculptures harkening back to Andy Warhol’s The Factory.
When we spoke with Gale at SDCC she mentioned that the cast was interconnected, what can you tell us about that?
I think all life is interconnected but Falling Water taps into the collective unconscious, and does this through the dreams of its characters.
How did you prepare for the role?
Well, it’s certainly not in the amount of lines I have to learn! Playing catatonic sounds like it should be easy but it is a manic state within a bipolar condition. So there is a whole life going on underneath this seemingly inert state. At times I have used my meditation techniques, in order not to blink.
What is working with your cast like and any special moments from filming you can share?
My scenes so far have only been with one or two cast members and mostly just Will Yun Lee who plays my son. Will is a wonderful actor and we just play off each other in the moment which has been fun. One day Will’s character was tearing things up on the set so to prevent the camera crew from getting hurt, they were all shrouded in packing blankets which made them all look like Cousin Its.
How far ahead do you know about the path of your character and what would you like to explore in the future?
I only get the script a few weeks in advance of shooting, so it’s always a bit of a surprise. I would like to explore what caused Kumiko to go into this catatonic state and hopefully we’ll get another season for that to be revealed….
How did you get into acting and what was your big break?
Well I’ve had a few over my career. My first was my debut at age 7 in a Broadway musical NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP directed by Sidney Lumet. Then when I graduated college I got another Broadway show, Loose Ends starring Kevin Kline. My next break came when I got my first TV series regular role on CAFE AMERICAN starring Valerie Bertinelli which got me rolling in the TV world culminating more recently with Okcha Sullivan in TBS’s SULLIVAN AND SON, a wonderful comedic part of this crazy Korean mom where they really wrote to my strengths.
What do you look for when you consider a part?
You can only be good in a so-so part and script but you’ll never be great. So it always starts with the script. And then with the part it really depends on what you respond to in the character and if it tickles your imagination and creativity.
What do you like to do in your free time?
What free time?!! Kidding aside, I do yoga every day which keeps me happy and connected and in the flow. My other favorite free time thing is body surfing and walking on the beach with my dog. I also do a lot of work serving the different communities I am a part of which keeps me very busy.
What other projects do you have coming up?
I have a one woman show that I wrote, SURFING DNA about the imprints not only in our DNA but the societal and emotional imprinting that affect us. I also have an upcoming movie THE TALE directed by Jennifer Fox and starring Laura Dern.
(Photo by Peter Svenson)
More photos by Benjo Arwas
