Banks Repeta and Jaylin Webb play friends in the family period drama “Armageddon Time.” Sometimes life imitates art: The young actors became friends behind the camera as well.
The two hung out in New York City for the two week shoot. For Webb, it was his first time in the city. He visited the Empire State Building, The Oculus and rode the subway for the very first time. When not filming, the two sparred in ping pong. “We’re both now professional ping pong players,” said Repeta. When asked who was the better ping ponger, the boys pleaded the fifth. The matches were friendly apparently.
Both teenagers in the dawn of their careers, Repeta and Webb act alongside some of the most illustrious veterans in the industry — Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong. With experience comes wisdom, which was imparted on the boys.
“[Jeremy Strong] sent me a note that said that acting is like a game of imagination. It’s what you make of it,” said Repeta. “And Anthony taught me that you need to speak clearly because it matters.”
He shared that Hopkins taught him about the medieval Persian poet Rumi to inspire his acting. Repeta reciprocated with a much more contemporary medium — he taught the octogenarian Oscar winner a Tik Tok dance. Repeta proceeded to show his dance moves during the interview.
Webb said director James Gray gave him some lasting advice. “The camera can always see through you,” Webb said Gray told him.
Repeta plays Paul Graff, a fictionalized version of a young Gray. Even though much of the plot is based on the director’s childhood, Gray didn’t want to burden Repeta with details.
“He didn’t want me to know personal information,” said Repeta. “He wanted to see what I could do with Paul.”
“Armageddon Time” is currently in theaters.
