Preparing for the role of Seán, an IRA bomber on the lam was a fascinating challenge. I ordered the Irish Republican Army handbook which arrived from somewhere in Colorado with notification that all personal information would be destroyed by an industrial cross shredder in 7 days to prevent it from “falling into government hands”. Pretty sure that got me on some kind of watch list. The IRA mentality was partially explored through studying Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Féin. Even in Los Angeles walking around with a book that has Mr. Adams’s picture on the cover stops people in their tracks. Everyone had a passionate response of love or hate, despite the fact that most knew little or nothing about him. There was even an Englishman who wanted to fight me on Wilshire Boulevard until I explained the book was for research.
Gradually the hardness of a world of violence and paranoia began to seep in. I tried to avoid all patterns, making sure to vary my routine and then one day it dawned on me, there was something I had missed. Every morning I would walk out of my apartment at the same time, half asleep to feed the parking meter and in Seán’s world that little oversight could have meant death. The fact that my demise would have been due to a meter maid was horribly difficult to stomach.
When filming began there was a supportive director and a remarkable crew who made my job as a fugitive locked in a room, stuffed in the trunk of a car or other nasty things a lot more pleasurable. The entire cast made their characters leap off the page, each leaving their own special mark: Michael Morrison transformed into the Cousin before our eyes (he got into his schlubby character by eating gas station hot dogs and drinking Yoo-hoo for breakfast). Mark Pellegrino is the consummate and generous professional who is always present and in the moment. Richard Eden has as a riveting dichotomy between intensity and compassion and Anna- Marie Wayne’s vulnerability and gentle soul draws you in.
So many wonderful people gave their talents, time, materials and passion to this project and worked so hard to make this little story a reality. There is not enough paper in the world or words in English or Gaelic to express my gratitude. I hope you are as proud of Disappearing in America as I am of all of you. Go raibh maith agat!
- David Polcyn
Gradually the hardness of a world of violence and paranoia began to seep in. I tried to avoid all patterns, making sure to vary my routine and then one day it dawned on me, there was something I had missed. Every morning I would walk out of my apartment at the same time, half asleep to feed the parking meter and in Seán’s world that little oversight could have meant death. The fact that my demise would have been due to a meter maid was horribly difficult to stomach.
When filming began there was a supportive director and a remarkable crew who made my job as a fugitive locked in a room, stuffed in the trunk of a car or other nasty things a lot more pleasurable. The entire cast made their characters leap off the page, each leaving their own special mark: Michael Morrison transformed into the Cousin before our eyes (he got into his schlubby character by eating gas station hot dogs and drinking Yoo-hoo for breakfast). Mark Pellegrino is the consummate and generous professional who is always present and in the moment. Richard Eden has as a riveting dichotomy between intensity and compassion and Anna- Marie Wayne’s vulnerability and gentle soul draws you in.
So many wonderful people gave their talents, time, materials and passion to this project and worked so hard to make this little story a reality. There is not enough paper in the world or words in English or Gaelic to express my gratitude. I hope you are as proud of Disappearing in America as I am of all of you. Go raibh maith agat!
- David Polcyn
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