Known for playing Tyler on “Sons of Anarchy,” Mo McRae is now on the big screen in a quirky pop-up role as Jimmy Carter, a reporter for the Hobo Times in the upcoming “Wild,” starring Reese Witherspoon and directed by Jean-Marc Vallée (“Dallas Buyers Club”).
On audition etiquette.
“I’ve been able to produce and direct a little bit so I’ve seen it from both sides. The thing that always stands out to me is preparation and being receptive to notes. I was directing a short film for this charity I work with called Kids in the Spotlight, and actors would come in and I would give an adjustment beforehand. Like, ‘Hey, even though there’s exclamation marks in the script, I want you to do it calmly.’ They would still yell and scream! It was just, like, embedded in them and in their performances.”
On approaching his characters.
“I don’t know if I have a normal prep, per se, but for this character in ‘Wild,’ one thing I wanted to do was be in my body, because the body language is so important. When I’m playing edgier characters it has a different kind of physicality and a confidence and a physical demeanor. For [Jimmy Carter] I wanted to make sure my energy and focus was on my thoughts and the information as opposed to my body.”
On playing a reporter.
“I was drawn to the character because in real life I’m just so curious and intrigued by random things, so to get the opportunity to play that onscreen, that’s something I haven’t done before. I usually do edgier, tougher characters, so to get to showcase that side of myself was incredible.”
On working with Witherspoon.
“Reese is phenomenal. Her success and her career make total sense once you meet her. I showed up several days early for wardrobe and things of that nature, and I just wanted to come to set to get a feel for the tone and the vibe. I’m sitting there trying to be, like, the fly on the wall, and she goes out of her way, comes over to me and was like, ‘Mo! Thank you so much for being here!’ I’m thinking, Thank me?! No, thank you! This was before we had to shoot our scene, and she’s ready to run lines. I was astounded by her. There are all these obligatory things you have to say when you work with someone and a lot of times it’s not true, but every one of those things in regard to her is true. She is a true professional, she’s warm; you can tell when you meet her that she has kind of that Southern belle, sweet, classy thing. She was so caring and giving as an actress in the scene but also with her career, sharing wisdom with me about how to elevate, keep working, and get to the next level. So I left that experience like, OK, I’m ready to take on any job after this!”
On his next project.
“I’m in Detroit right now doing this film called ‘Destined,’ about how one moment in life takes you down a split, so it follows these characters and the alternate paths of their lives. I play a character who in one existence [is] heavily involved in the street world and I’m looking to avenge the murder of a friend of mine. The alternative existence, I’m part of the mayor’s Cabinet in Detroit.”
On working with Vallée.
“Jean-Marc was incredible. He is a wizard at what he does. It was a very interesting dynamic between freedom to play and discovery for me, and at the same time, in another take, it was very specific in looking for something that he wanted to accomplish, whether it was pacing, tone—he had a very clear and concise idea of what he was going for. Working with someone like that, I didn’t second-guess anything. There have been times in my career where at the end of the day, I’ll kind of go home and wish I could’ve tried this or done something different. This was one of those rare times where we tried everything that I wanted to try and he gave me a lot of takes that I wasn’t even thinking about. He just really provided a great atmosphere and made me feel comfortable and confident, which I think is important for artists to feel confident within the circumstances.”
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