Exclusive: Genesis Rodriguez Talks About Experience On 'Tusk,' 'Big Hero 6'
This weekend Kevin Smith's latest film "Tusk" opens in theaters, and the film stars the rising star Genesis Rodriguez .
The child of well-known Venezuelan singer and actor José Luis Rodriguez 'El Puma' and Cuban model Carolina Perez, Rodriguez began her acting career on Spanish telenovelas in which she played an array of lead characters. However, she made the jump to Hollywood in 2012 when she got the lead role in "Casa de Mi Padre" and a supporting role in "Man on a Ledge."
Since then, she has been seen in a number of films including "Identity Thief," "The Last Stand" and "Hours" with the late Paul Walker. The actress is keeping extremely busy, and she has a number of projects lined up for the next few years.
Latin Post had a chance to exclusively speak with Rodriguez about "Tusk" and her upcoming Disney film "Big Hero 6" :
How did you first get involved with "Tusk"?
It was kind of late at night and I started reading the script. That was a huge mistake because I couldn't go to sleep afterwards, and I became obsessed with the idea. So I wrote back to my manager and I said, "I need to be in this movie. I don't know who to talk to, please!" So my manager sent it back to the producer, and the producer sent to it to Kevin [Smith] and I got into the film.
What was your experience with Kevin Smith?
It had to be the best experience in the world. He was the greatest boss I've had. He is so easy to work with. He barely knew me. But he was so nice, and he wanted to do his work justice. So, basically, he wanted the actors do their thing and tested us. He never yelled action. He always said, "Okay, kids have fun." That's it. So you actually felt safe to have fun and enjoy your character. It's really cool to work in that environment.
What were the biggest challenges of the film and your role?
I would say the biggest challenge was the monologue. I was given the monologue the day of the shoot, so I didn't know I would be performing that, and I didn't memorize it. I was given a couple of hours.
If you give an actor a monologue, you're going to want to study it so many different ways and try it out so many different ways. But I didn't have the opportunity. I had to trust my instincts and go with the flow of the emotion. It was kind of cool and liberating. I never really felt so connected to my intuition before. The words kind of affected my emotion and it just flowed out.
What were some of the most exciting and fun parts of making the film?
The most fun was being with the guys. They were just so much fun, and they are my friends forever. Honestly, they are the sweetest, most articulate, intelligent guys I have ever spent time with. It made the experience that much better. We were all doing this project for love, and we all bonded, and we wanted to spend time and just hang out. Just be together because it was just a fun thing we could do together. So honestly we had the best time. I went to karaoke with Haley, I had dinner with Michael Parks and we were constantly in a group chat talking, and we're now great friends.
Can you telling me about being at the Toronto International Film Festival and the audience's response?
The audience loved it and the critics loved it. Variety and Hollywood Reporter really liked it, and that was a surprise to me.
I was thrilled because I've never been around actors like Benedict Cumberbatch. Bill Murray and all these amazing, incredible actors I can't believe are at the same festival. And they liked "Tusk." So I felt humbled and honored. It was so cool to be among these actors, critics and audiences.
What do you want audiences to take away from "Tusk" and what are you most excited for?
I don't think I have to say much. At the press junket, there were so many people who were terrified of the movie. So many people think so many different things. One person told me, "In 10 years, I have never heard so many people talking about a movie afterwards."
That's kind of what we're going for. If people see it, the movie is going to stay with you. Whether you hate it or you're terrified, it's going to stay with you because it's nothing like you've ever seen before. It's the most original thing I have ever read and been a part of. I would not lie about that, and it's just a crazy movie. It's an experience all on its own. So if you're willing to give a couple of hours to a movie that going to take you away from everything. I think you're going to have a great time.
What has been working in Hollywood in the past few years and how is the experience from the work you used to do in Latin American Soap Operas?
I would love to continue making films as long I could. This is the first time in my life that I really feel like I am enjoying acting. Telenovelas are such hard work. I remember they used to be 16-hour to 18-hour days. Monday through Saturday with no breaks. It was fun because I had such a challenge to do the work. But if I was to do Spanish projects, it would have to be a shorter amount of time so I could still have a life.
Being Latin American, do you think there are more opportunities for the community in Hollywood?
I certainly do and I am living proof because I am working a lot, and it's been a huge blessing. I have found myself in more interesting characters, and they're really giving me a shot at different projects.
To conclude, you have "Big Hero 6" coming up. Can you tell me about working on animation versus live action?
It is so difficult, and I could never have imagined it being so hard. But it is one of the most gratifying experiences I have ever had. I have dreamt of being in a Disney movie, and that surpassed my expectations. Being a Disney character is just a magical thing, and then to bring that person to life was the most exhilarating, exhausting, wonderful thing I have ever done. I am so happy to be part of this movie.
Can you tell me a little about your character?
My character is basically a chemist and very high-strung, happy person. She's the happiest character I have ever read. It was a lot of energy, but it was so cute.