Page 37 of Off Script
It’s one of the things we do best as actors. I can think about everything else later—my dad’s phone call about Thanksgiving, my upcoming date with Carlisle, my concern regarding Willa’s well-being, my jam-packed schedule over the next month. There’s time for all of it later. Right now, I shut out the noise in my brain and concentrate on nailing this interview.
As the camera rolls towards us, Samantha begins her introductory monologue staring directly into the camera. “Good morning, USA. Thank you for joining us. I’m here today with Willa Radford and Ben Sutton, the stars of the new movie,Captain Commander, which opens nationwide on December 10th. In this suspenseful film, our favorite superhero fights to save Earth from an impending nuclear attack from an alien warship.” She turns her attention away from the cameras and faces us. “Ben, you play the superhero Captain Commander. How different was this role as compared to ones you’ve played in your previous films? This is your first action movie, right?”
“Yes, it is, and the preparation was vastly different. Much less emphasis on dialogue and character development and a lot more emphasis on performing stunts and blowing things up,” I respond, garnering a few laughs from the studio audience.
“I read that you did most of the stunts yourself, Ben. Is that true?”
Nodding, I answer, “It is. It was something I wanted to try my hand at, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed that aspect of filming. It was physically exhausting, but really exhilarating. It may have turned me into an adrenaline junkie.”
“The transformation that your body went through in preparation for the role had to be grueling.” Samantha smirks and then quips, “You have to be quite buff to be strong enough to save the world.”
Forcing a chuckle, I place my clammy hands on my thighs and lean back in my seat. These live interviews always make me nervous. Playing a part in a movie is easy. The lines are written for me, but here, even with intensive media training we receive, everything is off the cuff. I pray that I don’t inadvertently say the wrong thing and fuck it all up. With it being live, there’s no room for error.
“As an actor, my appearance changes somewhat for each role. For this film, instead of changing my hair or clothing style, I had to radically change my physique. It required months of sticking to a restrictive diet and exercise regiment, so that I would be able to have the stamina to perform.” As I’m speaking, a publicity photo of me wearing the Captain Commander suit flashes onto the green screen behind us and the studio audience shrieks and claps. I worked damn hard to achieve those muscles, but their reaction to my body is embarrassing.Despite my discomfort, I add one last comment that the audience will appreciate. “And to fill out the costume properly.”
“And fill it out, you do! Doesn’t he look good, ladies?” Samantha asks the audience, which causes the audience’s screams to crescendo. I glance at Willa, silently pleading for her to jump in and end my embarrassment.
Instead, Willa only adds to it, when she interjects with a smile, "Believe me, there's no padding in his costume. That's all Ben."
I'm going to kill her later for thatcomment.
Luckily, Samantha moves on and begins peppering Willa with questions about her character in the movie.
As the interview is winding down, Samantha lobs a grenade our way. “Even from the trailers, I can tell that this cast has something special. The camaraderie and rapport that the two of you share onscreen is palpable, but tell me, does it translate offscreen as well?”
Whoa, going off script there a little bit, aren’t you, Samantha?This line of questioning was not part of the approved question list our publicist submitted to the morning show’s producers.
When Willa’s tinkling laughter fills the air, I realize that she’s stalling, unsure of how to respond, so I jump in to provide an answer. “Definitely,” I reply.“WhileCaptain Commanderwas the first movie that we filmed together, Willa and I have been close friends for several years. It’s safe to say that our experience on the set ofCaptain Commanderonly strengthened our bond.”
“Close friends? Just how close are you?” Samantha tilts her head, shooting the studio audience a knowing glance. “I’m not the only one who noticed you two kissing and holding hands before we started filming, am I?” The hooting and hollering amps up again.
Christ on a cracker. I hate this aspect of the press. Trying to make a story where there isn’t one.
But I recognize that this is the kind of story that sells movie tickets, so I play along.
Spreading my hands apart, I give her a lopsided shrug and a wide smile. “C’mon, Samantha. You know I never kiss and tell.”
From Co-Stars to Couple?
Today’sGood Morning, USAinterview with Ben Sutton and Willa Radford has set off a flurry of speculation that theCaptain Commanderco-stars are datingafterGood Morning, USAco-host Samantha McGriffin reported that she spied the couple “kissing and holding hands” before the interview. When pressed, Sutton didn’t deny McGriffin’s insinuation, merely stating that he “doesn’t kiss and tell.”
His non-answer only added fuel to an already existing fire. This is not the first time the two actors have been romantically linked. They first sparked dating rumors when Sutton and Radford began filming the superhero action flick. They’ve reportedly known each other for years, but it wasn’t until the pair began work onCaptain Commanderthat they started frequently being seen in public together. In addition to a multitude of paparazzi photos from industry events, fans have often spotted the pair out and about. Over the past year, Radford and Sutton have been photographed canoodling on a privatebeach, having dinner with a group of friends, and running errands together in the Hollywood Hills.
Sutton and Radford have not confirmed their relationship.
Their representatives were unavailable for comment.
13
Carlisle
When stressed, I prefer to eat carbs, lots of them. So, after my humiliating day at work, I came home and kept myself busy by preparing homemade lasagna and garlic bread.
Honestly, the incident at work was more than humiliating. It was violating and terrifying, but I don’t want to think about it. I want to put it out of my mind and pretend it didn’t happen.
Unfortunately, it’s all I can think about. The scene just keeps replaying on an unending loop.
The office was quiet since most of the other employees were already gone for the day. Mr. King called me into his office. As I entered, he surprised me by standing just inside the doorway. As soon as I crossed the threshold of his office, he shut the door behind me. The snicking of the door sounded eerie and ominous in the otherwise silent building.
