A potentially interesting movie for the right person.
On Wednesday, September 7, the movie Brother Nature had its New York City premiere. The film stars Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan, most notable for their roles on SNL. The film centers on a semi-uptight politician, Roger (Killam) who is soon running for office. His girlfriend, played by Gillian Jacobs, invites him to spend a week at their lake house in the woods. Roger plans on proposing to her at the lake house, but one thing he doesn’t realize is how crazy his brother-in-law, Todd (Moynihan), is. Todd is a character that cares about people a lot, so much so, that his caring sometimes goes overboard and leads to Roger getting burnt. The film focuses on the relationship between Roger and Todd, examining just how far Todd can go to push Roger off the edge of sanity.
Oz Rodriguez
Q: What was your experience like directing this film?
A: It was wonderful. It didn’t feel like work. We were out in the middle of nowhere and we had all this beautiful nature that was right next to this gorgeous lake and doing silly things every day. It was truly magical.
Q: You have done a lot of short films and videos. How was directing this movie?
A: It was definitely different. It was a larger project and a lot more demanding. The SNL workload definitely helped in getting us through it because they have some crazy, intense days.
Q: And with so many SNL people in this film, did it feel like you were back at home?
A: Yeah, it definitely helped and made this process so much easier. It was a blast.
Q: Any memorable experiences that you would like to share?
A: There is this scene that involves tubing in the movie and we got to try it out. We said we wanting to do more research on the tubing but really we just wanted to do more tubing out on the lake.
Q: And anything else you would like to share that is coming up for you?
A: I am going back to SNL. Season 42 is happening in a few weeks, so that will be great.
Bobby Moynihan:
Q: What was your favorite part about playing this role?
A: I think the whole experience was the best. It was a whole month out at the lake house in the woods with all these talented and amazing people. And just shooting, and improvising, and having fun with my best friend in the world was the greatest.
Q: So how was it like working on a movie with your best friend, Taran Killam?
A: It’s the best. We just shot another movie this summer and it just keeps getting better. I could work with this guy for the rest of my life and I hope I do.
Q: What is the dynamic like working with him in this setting as opposed to SNL?
A: We have more time and less tense. And well slept.
Q: What did you resonate with in regards to your character?
A: I understand the idea of wanting everyone to be happy but going overboard a little bit to the point where you are not being helpful anymore. I get very nervous about that a lot.
Q: And shifting more towards SNL, who would you want to see host or be a musical guest?
A: I’ve always wanted Bill Murray to host. Tom Hanks has not hosted since I have been there. I would love that, I would love him to host a show while I was there. He is the best and the nicest and funniest man in the world. Right now, I hope Margot Robbie hosts this season, she would be awesome. I would want Jason Momoa, he would be great and interesting. John Cena I would love. Sam Rockwell would be cool. But these are all pipe dreams but if they were to happen it would be so cool.
Q: And any new characters you are working on or wanting to try out?
A: There’s always some weird thing floating in my mind somewhere but nothing right now. I have to get through this first.
Q: Anything else you would like to share that is coming up?
A: I’m in We Bare Bears on Cartoon Network and I am in the new movie The Book of Henry. It comes out the end of September.
Taran Killam:
Q: Can you talk about what your favorite part of shooting was?
A: It was like an inverse of character where I, in real life, love boating, camping, being outdoors, and Bobby literally hates it. So, it is actually quite high caliber of acting where I had to pretend like I had no interest in what Bobby was doing and he had to pretend like he was having the time of his life.
Q: What was it like working with Bobby outside of an SNL workplace?
A: It was so much fun. You become accustomed to seeing somebody in the same environment and the same city in the hallways of 30 Rock. And so to do a destination camp, it felt like camp really- doing these work-cations with each other, it was one of the most fun summers I have ever had.
Q: And any favorite parts of filming that you would like to share?
A: I really liked tubing so anytime I got to do that was great.
Q: Oz, talked about that. He said you did multiple takes just because it was so much fun.
A: It was incredible. We also did some ‘get comfortable tubing’ days before we started shooting. Which was awesome.
Q: So it was more a movie about tubing than anything else.
A: I was in it for the tubing. I got the minimum paycheck but it’s either tubing or I walk.
Q: And can you reflect on your time at SNL. Maybe talk about what you loved about it and what you will miss.
A: I will miss the people. I will miss my cohorts and seeing them on a daily basis. There’s no other job like it in the industry that allows you to do ten different things in an hour show. So the variety of it is what is special and unique. But, I won’t miss being up for 24 hours straight on a daily basis.
Q: And where would you like to see your career go moving forward?
A: I just directed my first film this summer that Bobby was also in and it was the hardest I have ever worked. It was the most consuming, challenging, and fulfilling thing I have ever done and I would love to get the opportunity to do that again. If I could do my own film every two or three years I would be a very happy customer.
Q: Anything else coming up for you that you would like to share?
A: I am shooting a show for Showtime. We are shooting the pilot in two weeks. And Why We’re Killing Gunther coming out sometime next week.
Rachael Harris:
Q: What was your favorite experience in shooting this film?
A: Well we all came together a lot because Oz and I were supposed to direct it together. And Matt, unfortunately, wasn’t well. And so we all came together out of love for Matt. And it felt like a real passion project for him, and especially for Taran, Bobby, and Mikey Day. And so, we all just felt very tight and close together.
Tom Hanks:
Q: You’re here supporting your wife, Rita Wilson. What is it like being here at this event? What are you looking forward to in this movie?
A: Well, the reality is we are going to see as much of this as we can and my wife might have plans beyond this. I worked all day yesterday and I worked a bunch today and so now I am carrying her lip gloss now.
