Expertly crafted by writer/director Jordan Ross, searing crime drama Thumper explores the cycle of drugs and violence that too commonly affects communities across the country.
Executive produced by Cary Fukunaga, the film stars Eliza Taylor, Lena Headey, Pablo Schreiber, Ben Feldman, Daniel Webber and Grant Harvey.
We covered the red carpet for the film’s Tribeca Film Festival premiere. Check out our interviews below:
So you’re the writer and the director. So tell me a little bit of your inspiration for the story.
Jordan Ross: You know I have done documentaries for many, many years. And so this seemed like a natural progression. The story line deals with a bunch of misguided youth in a town filled of drugs and gang related violence. And so that is what really inspired the writing process.
Tell me a little bit about your casting.
Jordan Ross: Casting is great. I mean we had Jessica Sherman do the casting. And every single one of the actors I honestly say this is amazing.
What was a highlight from filming?
Jordan Ross: You know I think just the chemistry between the actors in different scenes. A few of the guys have a scene together. A few of the girls have scenes together. And it’s those moments where you don’t really feel like you are making a movie. It felt more like you were just hanging out. And it was very free flowing. Yeah so. I don’t think there is one in particular scene.
How was collaborating with Pablo?
Jordan Ross: He is incredible. I honestly mean that. When he steps on the set, he completely immerses himself in the role. And so while we talk through scenes before shooting, once he is there he is a total professional. And didn’t need much directing.
You also have a very famous Game of Thrones actress in your movie. Tell me about collaborating with Lena Headey?
Jordan Ross: You know the very surprising thing about her is that she is very funny. I think all the characters that she plays are serious in tone and nature. But once she was on set she was cracking jokes. She was the life of the party.
What else do you want to share with people who will see this soon?
Jordan Ross: I mean we finished it somewhat recently and this is the first time we are screening it. I’m proud of it. I’m excited for it. And obviously you hope people enjoy it.
How does your documentarian background inform your filmmaking?
Jordan Ross: I think 97% of this movie it is hand held. I think it is something I learned shooting documentaries. And didn’t rely on fancy camera moves. So I think that really comes through.
Tell me a little bit about the role you play.
Grant Harvey: I play Troy. Pablo Schreiber and I are cousins in it. He makes the drugs, I sale the drugs. Kind of the levity of the movie, which is nice. I don’t get an opportunity to play that that often, so it’s nice to be the life of the party. I embrace that, and it was equally therapeutic and educational for me to be that guy. To be that bombastic guy.
How was working with Pablo?
Grant Harvey: It was excellent working with Pablo. Sometimes you develop bad habits working with less experienced actors, because you anticipate them not anticipating you, or not trusting you. I found myself with Pablo, when I’d do scenes with him, I’d see how calculated he was scene, after scene, after scene, and I knew that I could take as much time, or as little time, or do whatever I needed to do to get to the next beat or whatever. I knew he was just listening to me, and living in it, and so I loved doing scenes with him. You couldn’t ask for a better scene partner than Pablo.
What did you love about the writing?
Grant Harvey: What I love about the writing is that when I first got the script I was in my apartment, and I had just started the shower, and the script came in. I started reading it, and then I found myself 45 pages in buck naked in my kitchen, still not in the shower. That should be pretty self explanatory about how highly I think of the writing.
Tell me a little bit about the role you play.
Daniel Webber: So I play a young man called Beaver. He’s at school and he’s in a very low low economic group. And he has a young brother who, I mean, I can’t really say too much without giving away. He’s got a young brother he’s trying to help, to look after, to protect, and get out of this cycle of poverty and drugs. However the only thing to do that, for him, is to get involved with the drugs. And so he gets involved with people selling meth, crystal meth and weed and a whole bunch of other drugs. And that’s sort of how he makes his living. And so it’s really the story of him have to face his fears and not have to do that. To confront the people who are doing that, who end up being sort of father figures to him, and people he deeply respects and loves, but that are unhealthy. And it’s a toxic sort of relationship that he has to get out of to actually have a life for himself, for his family and you know, and love hopefully in his life.
Did you do some research about this world at all? Or how did you immerse yourself?
Daniel Webber: Yeah, yeah, I definitely. So we shot in Wilmington, in Los Angeles. And so prior to the shoot I made sure to get there a couple of, quite a few times. Just to see the environment, see the people who lived the story that we were telling. Within like three hours of being there, I saw three arrests and I got offered drugs twice … And I think that was the point because we literally shot in Wilmington, same place I’m talking about. And so, you know, just knowing the environment I think fed everybody on set, including myself. And then just learning about the methamphetamine trade and learning about the drug. And how people get involved and how once you’re in it can be impossible to get out of because you or your family are at risk of being killed.