All Photos Unless otherwise noted
http://www.kristinecofskyphotography.com (C) 2016
Greetings valued Dan's Movie
Report readers. Four years ago I had the distinct pleasure of
interviewing Actress/Stuntwoman Monique Ganderton. http://dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2012/01/monique-ganderton-interview-c-2012-dans.html Her star has
risen to super hero status. In 2016 the indie film she starred in,
'The Hunted' sees a release, and she is involved in huge projects including X-Men: Apocalypse', 'Captain America: Civil War', and 'Suicide
Squad'. Monique chats about life in the business, being a world class
stunt action hero, and gives my audience her creative mind to match. It is time to go
one on one with Monique, get your pencils ready, cause it is time to
learn MO! 3-2-1- Go!
Chat about how you got involved
with The Hunted Feature Film. Casting etc...
'The Hunted' was definitely a passion
project for Bob. To be honest ... It was so long ago I don't even
remember how Bob asked me! I know he had seen Sam and I's Short film 'Seven
Layer Dip' and I think he just reached out and I was stoked to be the
lead on an indie film! It was a great experience! For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/thehuntedtv/?fref=ts
Although you have acting credits
discuss some of the transitions and challenges for you to become the
leading lady in 'The Hunted'?
I didn't see 'The Hunted' as a challenge
in a negative way at all. I love working on a small family type
project. I was able to play and practice and try anything I wanted in
a really comfortable safe environment. It was great! Everyone that
worked on it had a voice that was heard and then Bob ultimately
decided the direction it would go. I loved the finished product. I
think Bob did a great job, and I laughed out loud so many times
watching it!
I am assuming you have a bit of
a fun sarcastic side, and enjoy the humor of this style of movie.
Absolutely! I thought every single actor totally kicked ass in
this. The humor is right up my alley. 'The Hunted' really let us open up
and try anything. It reminds me of how restrictive working on a
studio project can be. A lot of times it doesn't feel like an open
collaboration and that is just the nature of corporate film making. It
goes through a lot of approval channels before it gets to the actor
so a lot of times you are basically a puppet. Not always of course
but it is common.
Robert Chapin is a legend in 80s
and 90s B movies, and 'The Hunted' had that cool factor, did you
challenge your inner B movie self?
I love the tone of the movie. I felt everyone else was living the
B movie dream and my character was watching them from the present. I
think that is what her part was to ironically be the voice of reason
and a Vampire!
Does working with great friend
Tara and other fantastic action ladies like Lauren and Michelle Lee,
makes the days go by much easier?
I love all these ladies so much! I am a huge supporter of women in
film and these women all bring their unique bad ass selves to the
table. It was so much fun.
What are your thoughts on the
final film?
I loved the movie! I laughed so hard and really enjoyed the
effects and the tone. It was made for the price of a beer so the love
and hard work that went into it really showed. I wish we
had had 5 million to play with. We could have really really nailed it
with that (amount), but that will be the next one right?
Chat about
working on Jesse Johnson's 'The Package' and playing a bad girl
surprisingly named Monique. I know you love indie action, how was it working with
Stone Cold Steve Austin onset, heard he was a pretty no nonsense guy.
Steve was great!!! He's "No
Nonsense" but has a grey wry and dry sense of humor! I really
enjoyed my experience with him. I got to tie him to a chair and punch
him a bunch so that was fun!
Above Pic: Monique and Stone Cold in 'The Package' (C) 2012 Anchor Bay
Your work in 'The Package' was
memorable! I think you make a great bad girl in film, do you like
playing the mischievous bad girl or protagonist, or is it more of a
case by case basis
I feel like my HIT (Actors use this
term to describe the casting 'Stereotype' we exude) is a strong and
'bad girl' type. I am very physical, so I tend to book roles that need
that domineering physical presence. However, I personally feel very
connected to comedy and I am also a very emotional person so I love
exploring that as well. I will cry and I will yell and I will explore
the vulnerable emotions that maybe casting sometimes wouldn't expect
a tough stunt woman to have. But, I am a human being with emotions. a
lot of them. I love to go there, to express myself, and to connect
with the character in whatever way is needed to tell the story.
A dynamic individual. Monique,
It has been a 4 year gap since out last interview, where we chatted
about 'X-men: The Last Stand', and alas, now you are Death in the new
'X-men Apocalypse', I know it is a guarded secret, but can you shed
some light on your character and how long you were on set for the
project?
I play Death. That is all I can say! But I can tell you, I
absolutely loved watching Bryan Singer do his thing. I know he has a
reputation for being nuts and this and that. Sure. But watching the
passion he brings to set and to the characters is unreal. He
literally will act out the scene and make it come alive. It was fun
for me to watch his process! I also got to work with my buddies
Rochelle Okoye, Fraser Aitcheson and Warren Sheer. We had major
giggle fits on that set. Praise Berg!(Ed Note: Make sure you watch for Monique her scene is in the beginning of Apocalypse!)
If you could be any comic book
hero who would it be?
Captain Marvel!!!! I know she's usually Blond, but she's tall and
bad ass!
Monique is tall and very bad
ass! I saw the demo of you on a horse fighting Xena style are you up
for the Xena reboot?
I wish!!! I think they are going really young, maybe I
could be her cool, young mom. HA!
Very cool! DC or Marvel, have to
ask? Or does it matter as long as the story is good? What are your
favorites to watch? Do you like the dark shows like Netflix
'Daredevil'?
To be honest, I really haven't had time for the action TV shows. I
watched the first EP of 'Daredevil' and it was great! I want to watch
more for sure. I am definitely partial to Marvel films. I love the
fun nature, and the action is great! I love a good dark story too
though. I am looking forward to seeing 'Suicide Squad'!
Red Carpet from 'Civil War' Premiere (C) Contactmusic.com
'Captain America: Civil War' and
'Suicide Squad', a busy year for you in action, can you describe any
of the stunts or situations you had to do on those projects? Perhaps
share a couple of funny or interesting stories from the set.
'Captain America' was obviously AMAZING
because I got to work with Sam. Its hard to explain my role on that
show. He would have too explain it. I did help out with the organizing of
his brain during the action designing. I was on set as his right hand
for a lot of it and helped organize folks for the crazy pre vis
schedule. Sam was spread very thin on that show so I helped where I
could.
'Suicide Squad' is hilarious because I doubled Cara Delvigne for a
small portion during the initial shoot and then Tara Macken doubled
her for the re-shoots with Sam while I've been in Canada working! So
funny! It will probably be the first and last time we double the same
person! I love it! And she totally KILLED it. Cant wait to see the movie!
Wow you and Tara doubling the
same actress, that is cool, ha! Shifting gears, I am really excited
about 'Coldest City' looks cool, I see you are doubling Charlize
Theron, and are credited as the Assistant Stunt coordinator. I know this will be full of
action, can you chat about working on the project? Also do you like to work in
Europe as much as the USA or does it matter as long as the material
is great.
Yes 'Coldest City' will be a whole other interview closer to its
release date! It was an amazing experience. I loved Budapest. What an
amazing city!!! And Berlin is one of my favorite cities in the world.
I love it so much.
I am sure we will get into that
closer to the release date. Chat about Charlize Theron, she seems
intense and driven, a real force in action. Did 'Mad Max' inspire you
to up your own game more? How is she to work with, quiet, reserved,
or fun?
Haha! We challenged Charlize beyond anything she's done before in
this movie. 'Mad Max' wasn't even on the radar for us. It was
basically, Make Charlize the most bad ass ACTOR - male or female. And
She brought it. She's up there with Hugh and Keanu... probably better
actually, because she puts her Oscar on the action. BOOM!!
Charlize is one of my all time
favorite actresses, is there any actress you have not doubled but would
like to, or a project you would love to work on?
Honestly I don't have a lot of actors in my mind that I haven't
doubled. Charlize was always one and Sigourney Weaver. I would love to
double her again, or work with her again in something!
Not mentioning the project of
course, have you had any experiences you would not put yourself
though again, bad situations. Perhaps share a bit about it leaving
specifics out, unless you want to.
I used to feel like I had to (say) yes to jobs or I would never work
again. Now I say no to people I don't trust. I have had a coordinator
say: "come for martinis and Ill think about hiring you". I've had
whiplash because a rigger didn't listen to my concerns. Basically
told me to shut up, and do the gag. I have watched horses flip over
with actors on them, I have been asked to do ratchets all day with no
adjustments, I have seen coordinators set actors up for failure so
the stunt person looks better, The list goes on and on. I don't work
with these people. There are amazing, respectful, safe coordinators
out there and if I can say anything to new folks: Trust your gut. If
your not comfortable, chances are something is wrong, or will go
wrong. You should fully understand the stunt, and be able to openly
voice concerns to the coordinator.
Excellent advice Mo, let us shift
the topic again. How about dream projects for Mo, You and Sam
directing a feature film is in the cards in the near future? You guys
have the talent and skills for it, and plenty of animals and friends
to help, ever think about it?
Everyday! I think about it literally everyday! Sam and I have been
so busy working that its a matter of us saying no, and doing our own
project. Its a hard thing to do, but at some point you have to pause
and take a risk to get to where you want to go!
I know the area of film in
Georgia is pretty controversial now, what needs to be done to keep
the business in Georgia?
I think for now the pressure from studios to veto the Religious
freedom bill has done some good for the state. But the bigger issue
is that there are no laws currently protecting LGBT from
discrimination. Or anyone who is a non Believer (Of a Christian God)
for that matter. Did you that is 7 us states you if you deny a
Christian 'God' then you may not enter into public office? There is
work to be done against all kinds of discrimination so baby steps!
And Nathan Deal veto'ing that bill was a good step in the right
direction. In my opinion.
I appreciate your honest opinion about non movie related subjects. Another sore subject for me also
is the lack of Academy Awards for stunt people. I think two need to
be given, one for best stunt, and one for best coordinator, as you
have sound and sound editing etc, what do you think has to be done to
change the mind of the Academy?
I think it is definitely feasible to have a Best Stunt Coordinator Oscar. It is a long time coming, especially with Mad Max being
nominated so many times, as well as all the massive action movies
getting Oscars for visual effects and sound. Its time. The film
content these days is full of stunts and deserves recognition.
Any statements you would like to
make to action fans, how do you feel the state of action film is currently as
opposed to say 10 yrs ago, more work, but more competition? Longer
shoots etc...?
I feel like the massive surge of gaming
and social media has limited the attention span of viewers and it is
reflected in film. In the action especially. Its a hunch, but I'm
guessing there is a lot of thought that goes into how the younger
target audience perceives action. Quick ferocious editing and a super
fast pacing. I watched 'Lego' movie and 'Zootopia' and the amount of
information being thrown into little minds these days is staggering.
It happened to our parents and grandparents... now its us. Ill be
talking about the good 'ole' stunts to my kids I'm sure, as they are
watching interactive hologram movies HA!
Perhaps compare this 'X-men
Apocalypse' film to 'X-men The Last Stand'. Has the technology helped
more?
The past 'X-men' movies relied on the Stunt creativity to create the
illusions of these super hero skills. Lots of clever wire work
blending with the CGI of the time. Now you can more readily fall back
on CGI to fulfill your vision. It has its pros and cons for sure. We
are experiencing worlds we never could have before but ... we are
also losing that tangible human creativity. Those Mcguyver moments.
Those Jim Hansen moments. There is something quite beautiful about a
movie that had human hands building the world.
In 10 years Mo is directing,
stunts, acting, or growing organic gardens, riding her horse, and
gathering eggs, or a combination of everything?
Could be any and all of the above! I live in the moment, driven by
the moment so anything can happen. I would love to direct Act and I
still love stunts. My body not so much though. As for different
futures.. If I book a series acting, get pregnant or get injured, my
future changes. No matter what path I go down it will be the one I am
supposed to be on and no matter, what path I will always have a
garden and my horse around! I am as curious about the future as you
are!
Final words of advice to people
who want to do equine stunt work how often do you ride and practice
etc.. you have a unique skill, chat about the relationship and trust
with your horse. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO1Yi5lVOFo Short action demo with Monique and horse!
