Francis Corby
“Looking back I wish I wouldn’t have listened so much to what people told me to do.”
Ever wish you could rewrite your life? Maybe use it to clear up any misconceptions and tear down any false rumors? Would you give yourself a happier ending?
Well, rising actor Francis Corby gets totally rewritten in the new comedy feature, The Creatress. From writer/director Jason Cook, the film follows the latest “it” novelist Eryn Bellow (Lindy Booth) as she tries to maintain her sanity and reveal the truth. In a world now taken over by her aggressive agent (Fran Drescher) and an adversarial over-zealous critic (Peter Bogdanovich), Eryn turns a fake romance with Brad (Corby) into her own revised version in an attempt for a happy ending.
The film marks the first leading-man role for the fiery red-haired Nashville native, but television audiences will recall Francis from appearances in FOX’s The Orville, Showtime’s The Affair, Hulu’s Chance, and FXX’s You’re the Worst. He’s emerged in the standout indie comedy films Daddy Issues and Get You Back.
Francis Corby recently took some time to answer a few questions:
What can you tell us about playing ‘Brad’ in The Creatress?
FRANCIS: Playing Brad was one of the most difficult challenges I’ve had as an actor. He is the fictional love interest of Eryn (Lindy Booth). The first half of the movie, I am a character created out of Theo (Peter Bagodnavich’s) mind. The second half, Eryn takes over and creates her own version of my character. That’s why this was such a challenging role. Basically, it was like playing a role in Inception and The Princess Bride all in one. “As you wiiiiiiiiish!”
You have some fun scenes with Lindy Booth; what was that like?
FRANCIS: Lindy is an absolute powerhouse on set. The first day of filming she had around thirty costume changes! She was on top of it the whole time. Her hyperfocus to detail truly shows throughout this movie. Lindy definitely took me under her wing throughout the whole process and we’ve become close friends. How could we not since we are both redheads!
Was the script as good on paper as it looks on screen?
FRANCIS: As soon as I read the script, I knew I wanted to do this film. It actually feels like a book, so it has a different depth to it than some other film scripts I’ve read.
How much improvising was there or did you stick to the script mostly?
FRANCIS: Almost everything I say in the film was written by Jason Cook.
Was the experience everything you thought it would be?
FRANCIS: The experience as a whole has been absolutely incredible. From getting the phone call that I booked the part, to jumping around for two weeks straight with a location change every day, and then finally getting to actually see the movie at the premier on the big screen with an audience. It has been the experience of a lifetime. I’ll also be at the premier in London to keep the good times rolling.
How did you get into acting?
FRANCIS: I started acting in the sixth grade when I was in the school play Pollyanna. From there I found a community of people who I loved and were very accepting of a very chubby redhead kid. I loved transporting to another world and putting on characters and I’ve been doing it ever since.
Overall, what’s been the biggest surprise for you as an actor?
FRANCIS: I think the most surprising part of being a film actor is the amount of presence it requires per take in between shooting scenes. For example, when you are acting in a scene that is just you driving in your car, you still have to stay so present and in character even though you’re doing this really mundane task that you do everyday anyways. I’m always surprised by how many in-between moments you film in the course of making a movie. Acting classes never teach you about that.
Can you share the biggest piece of advice you wish you would have followed?
FRANCIS: Looking back I wish I wouldn’t have listened so much to what people told me to do. Like to be an actor you have to take improv classes at specific schools, or that you have to look a certain way. We are all on our own journey and we all have our own way of doing things. All the people who say “you do you” are absolutely on to something.
If you could choose any type of role next, what would it be?
FRANCIS: If Disney makes a motion caption version of the cartoon movie Robin Hood. I would love to play Robin Hood in mocap. I mean I have red hair. Come on!
