Trust - An Insider View

by EricaBlair

trust

The night before, I got the call from Real Styles’ Kathy Remski. She told me they wanted to switch me. I was booked on another set, and suddenly I had the opportunity to audition for the role of Mrs. Jillian Moscone in the movie Trust. The next day, after speeding down dirt roads and circling the enormous depths of the Dexter High School parking lot to find the only open spot, I arrived. Already terribly late I hurried to grab my bags of wardrobe changes, hair and make-up supplies, then promptly locked my purse, keys, phone, lip balm, and gum in my car. I held my shopping bags of borrowed clothing close to my chest, took a deep breath then ran (in heels), not breathing and searching for the right door to the extras holding.

Two mini doughnuts, and several uncomfortable introductions later, David Schwimmer comes in to choose between one other hopeful and I. By default, I got the part. Blonde-haired blue-eyed daughter (Cassi Fitch), blond-haired blue-eyed husband (Joey Sikora), BINGO ! Casting is like a birth giving process. We actually looked related. Sometimes it’s about what you look like, and not what you can do. As luck would have it I got my own trailer, breakfast and all. Dreams do come true.

Director David Schwimmer, has spent over seven years developing Trust. Schwimmer and Tom Hodges, his co-partner, co-produced the movie under their banner Dark Harbor Stories, with financial assistance from Michigan based Millennium Films. Trust is Schwimmer’s second feature film slated for theatrical release. Schwimmer’s other directorial credits include comedy, Run, Fat Boy, Run, and numerous episodes of television shows, including “Little Britain USA” and “Friends.”

trust2 The story follows Annie, a 14-year-old girl (Liana Liberato) who receives a laptop for her birthday from her well-meaning parents: Will (father played by Clive Owen (Duplicity) and mother Katherine Keener (Where The Wild Things Are). The gift makes her vulnerable to an internet predator. Believing her “new friend” is a 16-year-old boy, she later discovers he is not who he claims to be.

Written by Andy Bellin, author of Poker Nation, the compelling screenplay also features Viola Davis (Doubt) as the young girl’s therapist. Noah Emmerich (Pride & Glory) plays Clive Owen’s boss and Jason Clarke (Public Enemies) is an FBI Agent who investigates cases involving minors who have been preyed upon through the Internet.

Producer Heidi Jo Markel, raved about the great experience working with director David Schwimmer, “It was really challenging in a positive way. David is a really great organizer, and a very gifted director. There was always something of interest going on in the background of every scene. It was fascinating to work with him.”

Trust used an extensive list of local services including cell phones, hotel rooms, cleaners, catering . . . and just about everything in between. Markel said “We mandated that as much crew and cast as possible must be local. We also utilized as many local services as were available including film, stock, processing. Much of our local crew were referred from other Michigan productions including Alleged, Stone, and Red Dawn.” Heidi Jo also shared some valuable words of advice she has provided to her California talent looking to build their resumes and break into the film scene. “Go work in Louisiana or Michigan if you want to build your resume. You can’t get the work here in LA that you can get in these other states right now.” Yes, the major productions talk and help each other just as much as we all do.

trust3 Local casting director Carrie Ray filled a few roles on the movie including 17-year-old Cassi Fitch as Sally Moscone. After her audition with Carrie Ray Casting, David Schwimmer personally requested Cassi be called back. Little did he know, the teen from Berkely, auditioning for her first movie role as a volleyball player, was actually a star player on her own high school volleyball team.

Cassi is represented by Tony Di- Mambro of the I Group. She was in a commercial when she was 9 and is now studying advanced video production at Berkley High School. Cassi plans on applying to Pepperdine in California to study broadcast journalism. Cassi earned her SAG eligibility for her role in Trust. She also attended the wrap party and got the chance to dance with David Schwimmer, drink espresso with Liana Liberato and meet the other cast members. “It was honestly the best night of my life, so far,” stated Fitch.

I must admit that the stars in my eyes were shining on the set of Trust too. I spent my down time in my “double banger” trailer getting to know my on-screen family, Cassi and Joey. They both had “honeycomb” trailers so they chilled out in mine. Joey even taught Cassi and I about the industry, and some neat tricks for survival on set. When I finished up Trust I felt exhausted and electric. Knowing you have done your job well is the most satisfying feeling in the world. And who knows, maybe next time I will get an even bigger break.