JASON CLARKE
The star of Silk Road on salad, stealing and Schwarzenegger…
What’s the first thing you do when you arrive on set?
Usually the AD comes and bundles you straight into hair and make-up. I’ll grab a coffee. I like to use hair and make-up to warm myself up, you know? Get the vocal chords going, and have a laugh with whoever’s in the chair with me.
What do you always take with you on set?
An iPad. I like to watch movies, just to get me in the mood. I think it’s a good thing to go back and reference. It could be the same type of movie that you’re making, or it could be something completely different, just to remind you of great actors and great work, to keep you inspired.
What was the atmosphere like on the set of Silk Road?
You create the vibe that you need. So on Silk Road, I was very boisterous. You know, in there just hanging, causing shit. You’ve got the banter going with the crew: “What’s going on, fellas?” You start to find your way into the energy that you need for the scene you’re about to shoot.
Hot or cold lunch?
It’s all about your energy, so I don’t eat a big lunch. I’ll have a little salad. I usually have a snooze. If I’m doing a scene where I’m tired and grumpy, I won’t eat. I’d get a plate of food and then I don’t eat it, so I go out hungry.
Have you ever stolen anything from a set?
I stole a beer coaster from Public Enemies, from Little Bohemia. I stole a couple of other things from other sets. They’re around the house. I remember going into Arnold Schwarzenegger’s house at a party. He has stuff from everywhere.
What’s been your best on-set experience?
Ooh. The one that comes to mind was sitting with Reda Kateb after the [torture] scene we shot in Zero Dark Thirty. It was a very difficult scene for him, and it was ugly for me. We sat down and had a beer together, just on the steps of this prison. That was one of the loveliest moments I’ve had. I guess the other one was on Everest. You go, “Oh my God, I’m at 16,000ft! Look at that view!”
What’s your worst moment?
My darkest moments are when I can’t seem to get what I want to give to the director. Those are the ones, where you’re turning yourself inside-out. I remember on Chappaquiddick [The Senator], there was one day where John [Curran, director] just didn’t have what he wanted there. I was willing to do anything but I still couldn’t process it. You feel fucking lost.
Do you make any lasting friendships on set?
Absolutely. Gary Oldman was a big one for me. When we started shooting [Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes], I said, “I was at drama school… dude, I’ve gotta say, I’m fucking so happy.” I couldn’t believe I was there, opposite Gary Oldman. Sometimes you’re worried they’ll go, “I’m not here to be your friend.” But you do [bond]. You’ve shared something. Like on
Apes with Andy Serkis. You’ve gone through all this, and they’ve been a part of your life. It was wonderful sitting on that porch with John Lithgow [in Pet Sematary], doing those scenes.
What is the best wrap party you’ve ever been to?
I love wrap parties. I’m Australian [laughs]. We’ve all embarrassed ourselves at wrap parties before. Of course it’s going to get a little emotional. Of course the knees are going to go a little too far up. But it’s really part of it. You break bread and share blood together. Farewells are emotional. JG
ETA 5 MARCH / SILK ROAD IS ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS THIS MONTH.
‘WE’VE ALL EMBARRASSED OURSELVES AT WRAP PARTIES. OF COURSE IT’S GOING TO GET EMOTIONAL’