As I delve into the lives of these remarkable individuals, Eric and Eliza Roberts, I am continually captivated by their rich tapestry of experiences that stretch from the silver screen to the written word. Their journey, like a winding road through picturesque landscapes, is filled with twists and turns, triumphs and tribulations.
In an exclusive interview, ComingSoon chatted with power couple Eric and Eliza Roberts about their newest project, the black comedy “Hippo,” directed by Mark H. Rapaport. They shared insights on collaborating, their film roles, and additional details. Currently showing in selected cinemas, “Hippo” is not to be missed!
The movie’s plot revolves around two step-siblings: Hippo, a teenage video game enthusiast, and Buttercup, an immigrant from Hungary who is deeply religious and passionate about classical music. While Buttercup’s affection resembles that of Aphrodite in Greek mythology, her feelings are unreturned by a brother more interested in war and disorder. This sets the stage for a hormone-charged, humorous yet tragic tale that can only be fully appreciated by watching it unfold.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’d love to share some thoughts on the character of Ethel, voiced by the talented Eliza. Now, Eric, who brings the narrator to life, describes her as a “quirky woman.” What really grabbed me about this role was…?
As a gamer, I thoroughly enjoyed playing the role of a mom with grown kids. Being a mom myself to grown children, I found the humor relatable and heartwarming. Working with Mark and Kimball before made this experience even more enjoyable, and I was captivated by the entire cast. The freedom we had to explore and improvise, coupled with the shared understanding of the humor among us, was a delight. Later, when Rough House Pictures took on the project, it added a new level of excitement to our journey. It’s been an exhilarating ride for me, knowing that people like you appreciate what we do.
Eric, given your excellent vocal skills, we believe you would make an ideal narrator for this project. Could you share your experience working in the recording booth? Your role is crucial as it significantly enriches the film with depth and context.
As a gamer, I’d say it feels liberating being in that recording booth. There’s no need to impress anyone; you can simply ask, “Can I try that one more time?” without the usual eye rolls or sighs. It’s just me and the sound engineer, ready to redo whenever I need. The pressure is off, replaced by a sense of joy and precision. Plus, the quality of the material makes it easy to add my narration, transforming “Oh” into “Oh, wow!” rather than a mere “Oh my God.” Mark’s approach to voiceovers in filmmaking is brilliant; it adds depth and accessibility to his work that I truly appreciate.
Eliza, you mentioned working with Mark before. What really stood out about him as a director?
In a surprising twist of events, he was an unexpected candidate. He appeared to be the type who might work at a hardware store or the likes, yet he revealed himself to be a creative mastermind. Remarkably, he was consistently kind, open, and full of energy. Our initial collaboration was extraordinary. Eric submitted his audition tape for Andronicus. Since we record self-tapes together, I read with him as his son. When Mark contacted our agent to cast Eric as the father, he mentioned, “By the way, who was reading with him? She was really good. In fact, she played the son well.” Peter replied, “Probably his wife, Eliza,” and subsequently, Mark cast me as his wife in Andronicus. This role, if you’ve seen Andronicus, wasn’t minor at all; it was a significant one. It wasn’t just a small, incidental part.
Eric: I know it’s a big deal.
Here’s one way to rephrase the given text in a natural and easy-to-read manner:
Hey Eric, your story in this narration is quite intriguing, to say the least! I must admit, hearing you mention Body Harvest for the N64 so frequently as a fellow video game enthusiast caught my attention. However, the narrative takes an unusual turn when you start discussing topics like that young boy using a stuffed hippo in an odd manner. It’s left me feeling a bit perplexed; the content gets quite peculiar at times.
Eric: Well, it gave me a part of my vocabulary I didn’t have until then.
You: What really captivated me about Eric’s storytelling, which is great that we’re discussing it, is his lack of judgment. He simply narrated the story without intruding, there were no expressions like “Can you believe it?” or “Isn’t that odd?,” and I can’t even fathom how you managed that. It was as if something guided him, a moment where instinct took over, and he just knew what to say and do.
Eric: It’s just so extreme of story and so extreme of narration.
Eliza: You play against it.
Eric: Instead of focusing directly on it, approach it as if discussing the weather. If you try to tackle it by addressing its main subject, you’ll likely find it too challenging to make progress.
In simpler terms, could you share some insights about collaborating with Kimball Farley, given his exceptional portrayal of the main character in this production? I’m particularly impressed by how he embodies an angst-ridden teenager so convincingly. What made working with him a memorable experience?
Eliza: It’s hilarious how Kimball isn’t at all like what we expect angsty teenagers to be, since they can pose a threat to themselves and others. However, Kimball is nothing like that. I’ve met his parents, so it’s not an act. During Andronicus and Hippo, he was prepared to embody traits that are typically indicative of a skilled actor – being open to being disliked. His characters in both productions were hardly likable, yet he fully immersed himself in the roles. He even managed to make the absurd seem perfectly reasonable, which is something we sometimes advise our actors to do during coaching sessions.
He got so much comedy out of that and so much believability out of that. That’s part of what’s delicious about this movie and very different about this movie. It was very easy for him to just be smiley, happy Kimball and then suddenly Hippo. So we all had an amazing time. Even now, with working on this press tour we’re doing for the movie. He’s right in there arranging things and helping him. He’s a true collaborator, also. He’s a find. This kid has star quality. He should play Mick Jagger, for sure. Somebody’s gotta just pull that hair back and look at that face. He is Jagger.
I appreciate your observation about directly conveying information, as it aligns well with Eric’s narrative style, since he also effectively employs this method.
Certainly, without a doubt! I’m truly impressed by Kimball’s abilities; he’s incredibly versatile and seems capable of achieving anything. What’s more, he avoids self-destructive behavior that could derail his success or jeopardize his career. He’s simply delightful to work with.
Eric: Yeah. Special kid.
Hey Eric, you’ve been involved in several projects alongside Eliza recently. Can you share what makes collaborating with her, being in a relationship as you are, feel so unique?
Eric: My wife is my top choice among people, and she’s also one of the three actors I admire the most. Moreover, she’s adorable. To put it simply, I like her a lot, we have a wonderful life together, and it’s just enjoyable. We collaborate often. Furthermore, she serves as my mentor. Whenever I need advice, I turn to her and ask, “What should I do with this? Blah, blah, blah.” She suggests solutions like, “Try this approach.” “Okay, thank you. What about this?” She might also guide me, saying, “Eric, don’t go down that path where you usually mess up.” “Alright, understood.
We often have sincere conversations that mean a lot to me. She keeps me on the right track, and I appreciate it. You see, when someone is well-known, people tend to tell them what they want to hear rather than what they truly need to hear. My wife has always been one who tells me what I need to hear. That’s why our relationship works so well.
Your response truly resonates with me. It’s evident that your words are sincere and not insincere flattery. It’s heartwarming to witness such authenticity.
Hey there! I can’t help but recall your mention of our shared fondness for “Animal House,” a movie that boasts an extraordinary cast. Did any of you have a sense while filming that you were creating something exceptional, or was it only later, after more than 40 years, that you realized its enduring popularity?
That’s an excellent query. To answer your question, we couldn’t discern it. I had worked on the film ‘Schlock’ when I was about 17 years old for John Landis. At that time, I could sense John’s enthusiasm and drive. ‘Schlock’ was his debut movie, although he had also made numerous Gumby movies featuring Pokey and Gumby before this.
Eric: They were shorts.
Eliza: Indeed, they were shorter than typical shorts. Yet, he persisted in mentioning, “The studio adores the daily footage. They adore the raw footage.” Such comments are common on set. We assumed we were creating a massive, low-budget inside joke that no one would understand. It was evident that Tim Matheson and John Vernon, among others, were exceptional, but we had no clue about its significance.
During my pregnancy with Keaton Simons, who is affectionately known as the youngest cast member due to his role as a fetus in the film, I experienced constant morning sickness. Consequently, when I watch the movie, I must admit that I feel a bit queasy, as it brings back memories of those days.
Initially, we were unaware and taken aback. Speaking of its endurance, Keaton and I recently revisited it during an anniversary screening in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Interestingly, the Dexter Lake Club remains untouched since then. Now, Keaton collaborates with Otis Day for performances, tours, and they even played together at that very location. The entire scene is a testament to Animal House, with merchandise and memorabilia galore. It’s simply overwhelming – they even held a toga party and a parade!
Eric: That was for the 40th anniversary.
Assistant: Wow, it’s clear you’re quite fond of this film! I didn’t see that coming, it’s really something special to discover. Quite the delight for you, isn’t it?
Hey Eric, congratulations on publishing your memoir, “Runaway Train,” which has received an overwhelmingly positive response. It must feel incredibly fulfilling to share your experiences, see the impact they’ve made on others, and witness people moved by your story, not only reading but also recommending your book.
Eric: To be completely open with you, this has been the most exhilarating experience of my life. I’ve written a book, and it’s being sold to readers. I can hardly believe it! Writing it was incredibly challenging and took me four years. I don’t consider myself a writer, but I did have a mentor, and Eliza, my in-house editor, would often remind me, “You’re exaggerating.” When she said that, I’d respond, “What do you mean?” She’d explain, “That’s not typical of Eric. You tend to go on too much about things, like rambling.” She helped me get back on track so I could make the necessary adjustments. As an actor, I have a tendency to embellish my stories. It’s just a habit I fall into sometimes, but it’s not intentional deceit.
You often find yourself telling stories as though they had a different outcome, but it’s necessary for you to relate them as they truly unfolded instead.
Eric: In truth, I’m quite pleased with the book I produced. The reason for my satisfaction lies in the deliberate omissions I made. I’ve read countless biographies and autobiographies of well-known figures, and I noticed a common pattern: they all share a difficult childhood narrative, followed by challenging school years, a prolonged struggle to achieve fame, and ultimately, a happy ending. However, I chose not to follow this formula despite my own story having similar traits. Thus, being truthful turned out to be more challenging than the word suggests.
You need to listen to the audiobook as it features Keaton’s songs, each one perfectly aligned with the chapter’s theme both lyrically and emotionally, and it matches the tone of what the chapter will cover. It’s quite impressive, and the music is one aspect we really enjoy about the book.>
Thanks to Eric and Eliza Roberts for talking about Hippo.
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2024-11-14 00:41