THN Interviews ‘Margin Call’ Star Susan Blackwell

Way back in January, I had the pleasure of reviewing one of the finest films of the year – the all-star ensemble MARGIN CALL (our review can be read here). The film, directed by J. C. Chandor, has this week been released on DVD and Blu-ray here in the UK. The film focuses on a respected investment bank heading into the infamous 2008 financial collapse. It’s gripping and thought-provoking stuff, with ruthless reptillian-like bastards at the top, pulling the strings, attempting to limit damage to themselves and the company before their greed is revealed to the world and their customers.

THN recently had the chance to speak one of the film’s stars, Susan Blackwell (playing redundancy specialist Lauren Bratberg) who answered some questions about her role and the experience of working with such an epic cast.

How did you become involved in the project?

I recieved the script through my agent and I read the script and I thought ‘Wow! This is really realistic.’ In addition to working in film, television and on and off broadway, I also have worked in corporate at one time and have managed people, hired people, and fired people unfortunately. I found it to be a really good depiction of termination and so I had great practical experience to pick from my back pocket when I went in and auditioned for it. When I got finished with my audition, which I was auditioning for Zachary Quinto, he looked gobsmacked. I was very realistic, yeah.

How inspiring was it to work with such an ensemble cast?

Have have to tell you I was so proud. I’m proud of the film and I’m proud to be part of what really is a fancy cast. I’m no where near as fancy as this cast is so y’ know, I was very proud – very proud.

Coming from the corporate world, do you feel those traits helped you bring something extra to your character?

Absolutely! Being in a termination meeting, like the one that is depicted in MARGIN CALL, being on the side of the Stanley Tucci table or the Susan Blackwell side of the table, it is my experience that it is no fun for anyone involved. It’s very stressful and very anxiety-provoking. So having lived it many times, I could really draw upon that and I think my own experience brings it an air of authenticity, unfortunately.

There is almost a coldness to your character – was that something purposeful that you brought or came from the writing?

When you’re involved in something like that, there is a certain decorum with which you must conduct yourself. Something that I haven’t been involved in is a massive layoff such as the one depicted in MARGIN CALL. I can easily imagine what it would be like to have to deliver that message over and over and over. I’ve heard people describe it as being ‘antiseptic’ and being very cool. It’s so funny because those were not the kind of things I was thinking as I was doing it, but I can see why it looks like that from the outside.

The film is quite intense, did that transfer on to set also?

I think certainly all of the actors were very committed. I had a very brief moment with Kevin Spacey in the film in which we literally smack into each other. Everybody was very, very committed. JC Chandor, the director, was very focused because he wasn’t in front of the camera. He kept a very focused and also very delightful energy on the set. He appreciates a real focus is required to continue making the film, remain on schedule, and do everything required to give the actors the support that they need. He also was happy and delighted to be making the film and brought such positivity to it as well.

Zachary Quinto stars and also produces. How involved did he get behind the camera?

Zachary was very involved in the production side and as a performer. He was also very respectful of JC’s position as a director. He was really on the ground as a producer, so he was wearing a lot of hats. I’m so proud of the guys that produced this film – it’s such an elegant film.

The film is rather apt considering this week’s presidential elections and the state of the world economy. Do you think the government at the time acted to crisis in the right way?

That is an excellent question. I think that the crisis has such a far reaching effect and the reverberations are still being felt. I think it’s going to take a very long time to clean it up and restore because we’re not just talking about the United States. The ramifications circulate the whole globe. I don’t think it’s improving as quickly as any of us would like but as I said, it’s taken us at lot to get to this mess and it’s going to take a long time and lot to get us out of it. I remain cautiously optimistic.

Could tell us what you have lined up next and what we can look forward to seeing you do?

There is a strong possibility that a show my collaborators and I created called ‘Title of Show’ – which we performed on Broadway – we’re gonna do in the West End in 2013. I also do a chat show on Broadway.com called ‘Side By Side With Susan Blackwell’, on which I interview Broadway, film and television stars while we do an activity. So for instance I do an interview with Daniel Radcliffe as he cleans my apartment, you know, all that good stuff and I continue to do as well.

THN as always, would like to thank Susan for her time. MARGIN CALL is out now on DVD and Blu-ray and you can also read our review here.