Interview: Mhairi Calvey, Actress & Producer Braves Indie Industry

Mhairi Calvey opens up on her work and performance working on three features due for release; Robert The Bruce, 3 Lives, The Curse Of Hobbes House and The Point of No Return. Mhairi details her intimate moments with the story, the production, the producer and directors.

indieactivity : How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition? If you did, would still have got the part?
Mhairi Calvey : With Robert The Bruce I was contacted by the director Richard Gray and lead actor Angus MacFadyen. I had previously worked with Angus on Braveheart and we had stayed in contact. They asked if I would be interested in playing a cameo. I thought it would be a great chance to work with Richie and it was a lovely opportunity to be on screen with Angus for the first time. 

3 Lives was a big challenge, I was contacted two days prior to filming, I had already worked with two of the producers and the other actress Thora Birch was no longer able to play the role. The director Juliane Block auditioned me over Skype and watched my reel. Since then we have gotten on really well which is why we collaborated on the Curse Of The Hobbes House and we have another couple of projects lined up together that are really exciting.

I’m also about to start filming The Point Of No Return directed by Rick Roberts. I read the script and auditioned for a role last year. It was a film I really wanted to get, the film is so respectfully and beautifully written. It’s a dream come true and I get to work with an incredible bunch of actors.

indieactivity : What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Mhairi Calvey : With 3 Lives the subject matter was really important to me. It sheds a light on women dealing with sexual abuse and that is something that is current. I felt it was an important story to tell and the director was very passionate about the project, this really drew me to the production.

The Curse Of Hobbes House is my second film with Juliane. After making such a heavy film like 3 Lives we wanted to do something fun. I had never been involved in a zombie film before and I’m a fan of The Walking Dead. Juliane knew that I really wanted to get into producing so she also asked if I would like to come on board as a producer too. This was a big jump for me as I had only ever produced one short film before and now had the chance to produce a large-scale feature film. The challenge of producing and playing a lead role is what really inspired me to get on board. I don’t want to give away much about The Point Of No Return but it is an actors dream, great dialogue lots of challenges and a beautiful story. It’s different from any other World War 2 movie’s but I won’t say why yet.

Related Story : Mhairi Calvey Gives Her Biggest Year Yet: Complete with Four Feature Releases

indieactivity : You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Mhairi Calvey : I love working as a team and as a family. The difference between Hollywood movies and Indie films is that you get to be apart of the whole process. In Hollywood films, you shoot your scenes and wait in the trailer. There is something incredibly inspiring about being apart of something that raw. I have met some hugely talented people and a lot of good friends.

indieactivity : Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
Mhairi Calvey : A lot of direction I tend to get is to bring more of myself to screen. I like hiding behind characters and transforming. I am now doing some self-discovery to bring more of my raw self to my characters.

indieactivity : How did you create your character from ground up?
Mhairi Calvey : I have different ways of doing it for different films, if I am doing a historical drama then I will research the history first. I was always look at films as a chance to learn more so researching the subject matter is a big part of my prep. I also do different exercise, which I was taught from a great drama teacher I had at The Guildford School Of Acting. I am actually trying a new technique now, which is from Anthony Hopkins.

indieactivity : As main cast on the film, describe the feeling of responsibility that you shouldered. Where you scared? Or did it fire you up? What scenes where difficult to shoot?
Mhairi Calvey : It is always scary, you have to lead the film and keep the audience’s attention for the whole running of the movie. There is also a sense of responsibility on how well the film does once it is made. I get really fired up about work but I also get nervous. I know how hard it is to get work and I am very luckily to get regular work so I want to do my best. I tend to be incredibly hard on myself and I expect a lot.

indieactivity : Explain one creative choice you made on set during production?
Mhairi Calvey : I don’t know if this was creative but when we were filming The Curse Of Hobbes House myself and the actress Makenna Guyler (who was playing my sister) had a heavy dialogue scene. We just decided to keep it really intermit and relax, just play it as the two of us talking. We completely forgot that we were being filmed and really got into it. It was one of my favourite moments.

indieactivity : What did you take away from the film production?
Mhairi Calvey : I learn so much every time I work, I have learnt to give to other actors. Even if the camera isn’t pointed at you. It’s really important to give 100%, acting is reacting. If you want to look good on screen make your co-star look good too. I have been on so many sets and seen that when a camera isn’t on an actor they just stop performing and rush their lines. I have also learnt just how hard it is for producers and directors from pre-production to post-production. You have to be ultra organised and think way ahead. Think of every possible problem that could happen during filming and have it solved before walking on the set. I have a great deal of respect for anyone behind the camera.

indieactivity : What do you like most about the director, and his/her collaboration with his/her team?
Mhairi Calvey : I have been super lucky to work with some great directors. Some really love to talk back story and have character meetings before filming which is great fun. Others leave you and let you bring things to the table. They just trust you to do the job and then nudge you one way or another during filming. I love that everyone is different. It keeps me on my toes.

indieactivity : What is next for you?
Mhairi Calvey : I have the war drama The Point Of No Return to film over the summer. I am also attached to play the female lead in Fear The Invisible Man and do my third film with Juliane Block a sci-fi called Marys. I have a couple of other exciting productions coming up and I am in discussion about various different films some as an actress and some as a producer.

indieactivity : What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on the project?
Mhairi Calvey : Look after yourself, when things get busy it is very easy to forget too self care. It is so important so you don’t get sick or injured. This is something I take more seriously now. I work on my fitness and if I have any injury’s I go and see specialists privately so I can recover quickly. I eat healthy and rest when I can. I used to think I had to do everything but I am realising now that I can take my time.

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