I fell in love with acting when I was assigned a dramatic monologue in seventh grade drama class. That love never wavered through the rest of my adolescence – I took every opportunity I had to work on theatre and film productions at school and with friends. I went on to receive my BFA in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University where I honed skills and realized the depth of my passion for this art form. Shortly after graduating, I booked this role.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Julie Gester (JG): In conservatory training I learned a wide variety of techniques – Stanislavski, Meisner, Improv etc. While their effects are powerful in transforming an actor and taking them out of their usual human habits, I find that in professional acting, and in film especially, the best thing you can do is forget you’re acting. I focus on presence with my scene partner and fostering a realistic connection between us. In this film particularly I thought of myself less as an actor and more as just who I am- a young girl in her twenties dealing with exes and friendships and enjoying the ups and downs of that.
How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition?
Julie Gester (JG): I found the project on one of the online audition boards- Backstage or Actors Access. I was looking for anything that paid, especially during the early and barren days of the pandemic. So, I sent in my self tapes and then was asked to read for the part over zoom. I was then asked to read over zoom a second time, this time partnered with Julio, who was in auditions for Stacy. Our chemistry felt natural and easy, even over zoom. A couple of days or weeks later they called me in to read in person but instead of having me read they told me I had booked the part, which I was thrilled to hear as it was my first paying project after receiving my degree in acting.
The Official Trailer for That Night
How did you prepare for such a role? Cast, physicality, terrain, climate, weather and the demands of the project?
Julie Gester (JG): After memorizing my lines for my character Lily I left the rest to the present moment. Having fun with the on screen girl group came just as naturally as the more emotionally intimate scenes with Stacy. While Lily drives some of the more serious feelings of the film, at the end of the day the movie is meant to be a good time, a good, crazy adventure. I didn’t want to make Lily too serious or too overthought.
As one of the cast on the project, how did this ‘choice’ work for you?
Julie Gester (JG): I think it worked well? Ignoring my self-critical eye, I like my performance in the film. I was looking through it the other day to make my demo reel for future auditions and I appreciated how relaxed I looked on camera when just staying in the present moment with my cast mates.
How do you create the character from a script into a person?
Julie Gester (JG): I had a good idea of who Lily is after reading the script- I think a version of myself is Lily. At the very least, there’s a lot that she and I relate to. Translating her from page to person was just remembering a younger, sweeter but also messier version of myself.
What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Julie Gester (JG): I think what I was challenged most by was the more male humor of the script. It’s not the kind of comedy I gravitate to but at the same time I have always been hungry for acting projects. Present me with nearly any character and I will find a reason to fall in love with playing them. I enjoyed the heart between Lily and Stacy and what drove me to want to do the project was experiencing that first read through with Julio where we stepped into that heart.
Explain one creative choice you took on the set of this production?
Julie Gester (JG): My one goal in shaping her character is that I wanted to make sure she wasn’t too much of a girl-next-door-sweetheart type. It’s a trap that’s easy to fall into when you’re playing the male lead’s romantic foil. I gave a little edge to her, a little bite, and all of that came together when costuming gave me a leather jacket to go over the green party dress. I felt like we were all on the same page, I loved it.
Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
Julie Gester (JG): I think the most exciting moment Zachary and I shared as director and actor was filming the slow motion sequence where Lily walks into the bar for the first time and Stacy’s just staring at her hopelessly in love. Zach told me this was one of the main shots he’d envisioned at the start of this project and had a specific goal for her to be magnetic and lovely but not in an overstated way. Emulating that energy and going for his vision was really fun because I felt exactly what he was talking about.
How did you collaborate with your cast members from scene to scene?
Julie Gester (JG): We all collaborated so well- everyone on set, actors and crew alike, were so fun to act with and easy to get along with. I think we had too much fun- the most frequent direction we received from Zach was “be quiet we need to film.”
Describe the feeling of responsibility that you shouldered. Did it fire you up?
Julie Gester (JG): I was excited! In my acting training days, I was often cast as characters with severely traumatic backstories so a character like Lily was a breath of fresh air. The main element of my responsibility to this film was good chemistry between Stacy and Lily. After our first read I knew Julio and I could crush it.
What did you take away from the film production?
Julie Gester (JG): I took away most clearly that I love film. There is nothing I love more than being in a room with creatives all working towards telling a story. Even the parts where it’s two in the morning and we’ve done the same shot fifteen times are great- losing your sanity together is half the fun.
What do you like most about the director, and his/her collaboration with his/her team?
Julie Gester (JG): I like that he trusts his actors. For the most part Zach would set up the scene, tell us what he was looking for, and then just let us fly. He wasn’t heavy-handed or micro-manage with what the actors brought to the table. He let us play and be present and that gave the film the element of fun and ease that it needed. Also, he built an amazing crew. The crew members were all fantastic.
What is next for you?
Julie Gester (JG): Since this film’s release, I began creating my own content. My account @plantbasedbirdgirl on Tiktok has about 640,000 followers right now and showcases some of my comedy, writing, and activism in feminism and the LGBTQ+ community. I also moved from Chicago to New York! So I am auditioning here and maybe looking to write some longer form content for future projects.
What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on the project?
Julie Gester (JG): If you’re shooting a film in Chicago, in February, at 2 in the morning and your character is only wearing a mini dress, please, for the love of god, remember to bring something warm to wear between takes.
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