Actress Mhairi Calvey opens up on her work and performance working on three features due for release. They are Robert The Bruce, 3 Lives, The Curse Of Hobbes House and The Point of No Return. She details her intimate moments with the story, the production, the producer and directors.
indieactivity : How’d you connect to the project? Audition? If you did, would you still get the part?
Mhairi Calvey (MC): 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.
What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Mhairi Calvey (MC): 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: Mhairi Calvey Gives Her Biggest Year Yet: Complete with Four Feature Releases
You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Mhairi Calvey (MC): 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.
Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
Mhairi Calvey (MC): 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.
