Interview: Maria Velletri of TKG: The Kids of Grove on playing the lead role of Marissa

indieactivity: How’d you connect to the project? Audition? If you did, would still have got the part?
Maria Velletri: I was fortunate enough to get involved with the project through the director, Damien Giglietta, who is a good friend of mine. We had wanted to do another project together for a while, and when he came up with the idea for TKG he asked me if I would want to play the lead. I was thrilled!

Describe the responsibility you shouldered. Scared? Did it fire you up? What scenes where difficult to shoot?
Maria Velletri: This was my first leading role in a feature film, and I was so stressed out that I would let everyone down. But when I approached Damien about it he reminded me that no film rests on the shoulders of one cast member. It’s a team effort! And I had an AMAZING team surrounding me. That definitely took the pressure off, and helped me get out of my head pretty quickly.

What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Maria Velletri: The part of this script that challenged me the most was the need to show a strong leading character that has elements of vulnerability. She had to show a strong exterior as a business leader, but was struggling morally with tearing down the homes of people who are in need. Having the opportunity to work on such a complex character is what drew me to the project. I really enjoyed the challenge.

How did you create your character from ground up?
Maria Velletri: Damien is extremely elaborate in his character development, and leaves a lots of valuable clues in the script. The first thing I did was go through the script and discuss Marissa’s history in depth with Damien. She really was able to come to life by herself after that. I always think that the backstory is one of the most important parts of character work, it informs every choice that you make from there on out.

You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Maria Velletri: I love to tell stories, and I love to create characters. Indie films give you such a wonderful opportunity to tell new stories from new points of view in order to connect with an audience and I really enjoy that about them.

Related Story : Interview: Damien Giglietta, Director of TKG: Kids of Grove

What did you take away from the film production?
Maria Velletri: I gained so many things from this production including a wealth of new knowledge, beautiful friendships with my fellow cast and crew members, the chance to do some amazing stunt work with our leading stunt coordinator. That, and I got to tackle a wonderfully challenging and complex character which helped me grow as an actor. It was a lot!

What do you like most about the director, and his collaboration with his team?
Maria Velletri: Damien is a unique and wonderful director. The thing that he and I have always had is honesty, and to me that is the most valuable thing in an actor/director relationship. If you have honesty it allows trust (and vice versa), and if you have trust in your director then it allows you to flourish as an actor instead of getting stuck inside your head thinking, “Is this choice working? etc.”

You can simply go with your instinct, do your job, and trust that if something isn’t working, they’ll tell you. Damien is the best pep-talk giver that I have ever met. If anyone on the team was ever feeling down he would help build them up again. It’s pretty rough filming nights when people have day jobs, etc. to get through. Having someone so positive on set was inspiring.

What is next for you?
Maria Velletri: I have some very exciting auditions coming up in the next couple of months, and I have also started to write a short film script, which is scary and wonderful at the same time.

What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on the project?
Maria Velletri: Trust your process. Do your work. Be prepared. And trust your team. Everyone is working towards the same goal. No one is trying to make a “bad movie” otherwise they wouldn’t be on the project. Trust that by working together and having everyone do their job to the best of their ability, you will create something worthwhile.

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