Daisy Ridley doesn’t need audiences to be misled by the title of her new movie, “Sometimes I Think About Dying.”
Her character, Fran, is, really, fairly humorous. Fran is a lady content material in her largely solitary life, other than her co-workers in her chatty workplace. But when an attraction to a brand new colleague challenges her to take dangers and push by way of social awkwardness to make a connection.
The movie, in theaters now, is directed by Rachel Lambert and co-stars comic Dave Merheje and several other different comedic actors, who improvise watercooler speak to huge laughs. )Ridley says she typically needed to stifle her laughter to remain in character.)
The Associated Press just lately spoke to Ridley about discovering Fran, reprising her position as Rey in a brand new “Star Wars” movie, and perfecting her loss of life stare. Answers have been edited for brevity and readability.
AP: The movie’s title makes it sound gloomy, however it’s really a comedy, proper?
RIDLEY: There was much more humor than anybody is anticipating as a result of the title provides a sense that it’s going to be extra of a melancholic form of feeling. But there may be a number of humor and Fran is fairly humorous. But additionally the world that she lives in is stuffed with vibrancy and the workplace area could be very gregarious and loud and enjoyable, so it’s a pleasant world for her to reside in, despite the fact that she is struggling to make connections sometimes.
AP: Fran’s outsider view places the workplace setting and other people underneath a microscope — did that amuse you?
RIDLEY: I beloved the world and I beloved the workplace however, really, a number of that was improvised. Rachel talks about how a lot she loves working with comedians as a result of there’s such an ease with improvisation. The first scene we filmed was across the desk within the convention room, and Rachel simply let folks fly and it was such an effective way to deliver everybody collectively. Fran likes to be at work. She loves her routine. But additionally she is usually a little bit judgmental of the folks round her. So it’s not simply that she’s struggling. Sometimes she’s like, “I don’t want to be part of it.” I believe it’s very human, like two issues might be true on the identical time.
AP: You perfected your loss of life stare for the fantasy scenes — was that difficult?
RIDLEY: The seaside was chilly! And the primary factor actually was attempting to not shiver. So that was “please don’t shiver, please don’t move.” And then mendacity within the forest was difficult as a result of I had a handful of bugs and it was like icky icky icky.
Thank you for the praise about my loss of life stare, I don’t know the way I managed that effectively (laughs). It sounds so tousled. An absence of thought, which is clearly a distinction, as a result of I had a lot pondering after I was enjoying her. So in these moments, it was in regards to the absence of any of that and the form of calm, quiet time.
AP: This was your first time producing — how was that have?
RIDLEY: It was a beneficiant give of the producer credit score (laughs). I did come on early so there was a way that all of us needed to maintain arms and say, “OK, this is what we’re going to do, and this is how we’re going to do it.” I used to be requested about varied artistic issues, however Rachel made it really easy. And then from touchdown in Portland, (Oregon,) I used to be simply an actor. There was no feeling of duty — bar from my very own efficiency and being a part of an organization of individuals, which was great. But there have been a number of classes I discovered on set as a result of there have been a gaggle of people that made the movie collectively they usually have been very beneficiant with me, speaking about finances and scheduling — so that truly facilitated me making my very own film, as a result of I knew what may very well be completed.
AP: Knowing you can’t say a lot in regards to the new “Star Wars” film,what excites you most about it?
RIDLEY: I’m excited in regards to the story. I didn’t suppose it could occur that I’d return now. I believed perhaps it could sooner or later, like within the faraway future. But I believe the story is nice and can enchantment to the people who adore it, and people who find themselves perhaps not as conversant in it. I believe will probably be a worthwhile journey (smiles).
AP: You have been so younger on the final one; how will this be totally different?
RIDLEY: I used to be the newborn! Now I really feel extra like a grown-up. It’s going to be so unusual as a result of I’m not going to be the newborn anymore. But additionally, that’s form of an thrilling journey of like, OK, how is that this going to be — a special filmmaker, totally different author, totally different crew, totally different forged? It will likely be such its personal factor with its personal thumbprint on it. It will likely be attention-grabbing.
AP: Who on that set gave you recommendation or helped you be taught in regards to the enterprise?
RIDLEY: I’m the individual that is all the time too embarrassed to ask questions. So I fake I’m not fussed in any respect that I’m, like, subsequent to Harrison Ford (laughs)! I believe J.J. (Abrams) notably, I’ll all the time consider in such an exquisite means as a result of it’s such an intimate relationship, the one between actor and director, and the one between actor and cameraman. We had this wonderful digicam operator known as Colin and there’s all the time such safety with the hair and make-up crew and the costume crew as a result of, once more, it’s so intimate. You go in at 5 within the morning and persons are in your area, serving to information you and serving to you’re feeling able to be seen ultimately on an IMAX (display screen). And actors. There was a number of kindness from all locations.
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