Rick Amsbury discusses his performance in Swarms of drifting shadows

Produced by Phantom Film Production Corp, the Swarms of drifting shadows is a film directed by Amir Ganjavie, a filmmaker, university scholar and critic based in Toronto, Canada. Ganjavie is known for his independent style of filmmaking, exploring themes of human psychology and tales of morality. This is his third and largest feature production after Pendulum (2019) and Into Schroëdinger’s Box (2020). The film’s production has finished, and the film is ready for distribution. What follows in an interview with Rick Amsbury, an actor, known for Black Gold (2018), The Sanctuary (2019) and Cult of Nightmares (2020), who plays the role of Cesar, the lead male role, in the film.

Darida Rose, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): This is your second feature film during covid. So, you seem very well on track. Could you please tell us about the process of getting involved in this project?

Rick Amsbury (RA): I responded to an online casting call and soon after had a zoom meeting with Amir Ganjavie, the director. That was followed up by an in-person audition and the rest is history!

(UM): What attracted you most to the role and the script?

(RA): The script was unusual, to say the least. Really different from anything else I had been reading. The story revolves around the main character and follows his transition/transgression, over time – 19 Days, to be exact. An extremely demanding role, both physical and mental, truly everything a discerning actor is looking for.

(UM): What was your reaction when you first read the script ?

(RA): Bizarre, Odd, a little confusing and intriguing.

(UM): Can you expand a bit about the production process? What was the protocole in the face of covid? What was it like to work during the pandemic?

(RA): I had just finished another project which had cast and crew all “bubbled” together for long stretches, so I had a working understanding of what was to be expected. Everyone wore a mask where possible and abided, to the best of their ability, to adhere to the procedures that we’ve learned to be effective in combating Covid 19. Before arriving to location, we all had Covid tests and were symptom free.

Knowing this character was to appear in a good chunk of the movie was exciting. That being said, it brought with it some heavy realizations and responsibilities. I knew that if I were to become sick, (Covid or otherwise), we’d have to shut down the whole project – that’s a ton of money hanging in the balance. A little daunting, for sure. So, it was imperative that I maintained good nutrition, vitamins, tons of water… and sleep – where possible. 12-15 hour days were the norm, so it was easier said than done. Even on my days off, I’d do my best to get in some exercise, with weights and a little basketball.

(UM): Please share with us some of the nuances of what it’s like to work on a project like this in one location in which you had to stay 6 days of straight. 

(RA): In total, I spent 18 days at one location, with an additional day, elsewhere. When you spend that amount of time with people who were all, mostly, strangers at the beginning of the project, you quickly develop friendships. You can’t work that closely and intensely together, without forming some kind of bond. Unfortunately, under current circumstances, hugs weren’t part of the good-bye process. We’ll have to save that for further down the road – perhaps the film premier, if we can, as a society, get our collective shit together and squash this terrible disease!

(UM): What was it like to experiment in performing for a film that involves the use of various techniques from different genres? 

(RA): Oh Boy, that’s a loaded question. As an actor, you learn to study your lines and develop a character to the best of your ability. If you’ve been at it, (acting), for a while, you also learn not to get stuck with any one delivery or perceived direction. You must remain flexible in the event you’re thrown a curveball. I have never been thrown so many curveballs. In fact, I think there were a couple knuckle-balls in there, for good measure. The good news is, Amir was always open to suggestions on dialog and delivery – except when he wasn’t 🙂 To be fair, one of the first questions Amir asked me was, “are you okay with last minute changes”, where script and role are concerned? Lol, he wasn’t kidding. However, In the end, this was a great exercise in testing my resolve as an actor and a person. Definitely grew in both categories.

(UM): Does the director have a specific style of acting that he asked you to do?

(RA): I’m not sure there was a specific style he was looking for.  I think whatever he saw in me originally was what he was looking for.  I gave it all I had and that seemed to be enough for Amir.  Aside from a couple moments where he suggested a particular approach, it was usually left up to my interpretation of the moment.

(UM): Please tell us a bit about the dynamics with the other performers? How were you able to create chemistry in a limited span of time?

(RA): Living in a “bubble” definitely helped in developing early chemistry with other actors. You couldn’t help but learn about each other, in such close quarters. I’ve worked on several projects where your first scene is with an actor you’ve never met before and that’s a bit tough. Under these circumstances, we had all converged to this one location and quickly learned who left toothpaste globs in the sink.

(UM): Who are some of your inspirations in terms of acting?

(RA): Growing up, I idolized the likes of Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro, Al Pachino, and Merle Streep, among many. Brad Pitt, Leonardo DeCaprio, Ed Norton, Tom Hanks, are definitely a handful of amazing actors I look up to. And as much as I’d love to hate Tom Cruise…. it’s rare that I don’t enjoy a movie he’s in!  Simply a great actor. I just finished watching The Queens Gambit and I am in awe of Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance – just incredible.

(UM): Is there any specific experience that you will remember from this movie?

(RA): Shivering.  And the amazing Cast and Crew.  I can’t believe how hard everyone worked to see this project through.  Everyone should be very proud of their efforts. Now is the tough part for an actor – waiting for Editing, Soundscaping, Score, Colouring, etc.  Until the first view, an actor never knows… but I am looking forward to seeing this one!

(UM): Do you have any advice you’d like to give up and coming actors, especially during these times where roles are limited?

(RA): I guess I would simply say “keep at it”! One way or another, keep working on your craft. Whether it be in front of the camera, or behind – Keep creating. Take courses, study movies and TV. Join as many casting sites as possible. I enrolled in “Masterclass”, online and it is full of amazing advice from some incredible actors and creators.

Maybe the most important first step is to get Professional Headshots done. Not your buddy who has a decent camera, but someone who takes Headshots for a living. Believe it or not, there is a huge difference between a Headshot photographer and a portrait photographer. It’s all in the eyes!

A Headshot is usually the very first thing a casting director will see of you. If you don’t take that step seriously, “they” won’t take you seriously either.

Act because you love it! That’s it.

By: Darida Rose