Actor/Writer Jim Meskimen in still from short film “Son to Son” directed by Taron Lexton and shot by DP Kevin Garrison.
We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Jim Meskimen about Son to Son. Check out the interview below.
Hi, Jim! Thank you for granting the interview. We’re excited to speak with you about your film Son to Son. Tell us what inspired the film.
I read an article in FREEDOM magazine about how the Opioid crisis, already bad enough, had also created a spike in Heroin usage in the United States and I was very impressed by how irresponsibility by doctors and pharmaceutical companies had devastated whole areas of our country by creating addicts.
I made the mistake of reading the article before bed, and I found I couldn’t sleep. The scene in Son to Son was playing in my mind as I tried to imagine what it would be like to be in the situation of someone who was not a “conventional addict” trying to deal with this unexpected problem. I am sure this is a scene that many people have actually had to go through in one way or another.
What was the one thing you had to accomplish to tell this story?
There were many things that had to be accomplished, of course, but for me as an actor, I had to do my research on what it really means to be under the control of these powerful substances, and what kind of extremes one would be pushed to, in a realistic way. I consulted with a friend, Clark Carr, who advised Erika Christensen on her role as a young heroin addict for the Academy Award-winning film Traffic, and he was very helpful. The other most important goal was to find a team to help me get the film made, and so I have to thank TXL Films, Taron Lexton, Milena Lorch and Nicole Pase for signing on to get it made.
What was the biggest takeaway that has had a positive effect on your film?
I am finding that audiences are as surprised as I was that this epidemic could spread so insidiously and be so harmful to average Americans who perhaps have avoided the other pitfalls of drugs but got sideswiped by this one.
As the writer, what do you hope to accomplish with the film?
I was trying to introduce a volatile subject to a broad audience. I think we have achieved that. As an actor performing his own words, I was trying to do something different that people hadn’t seen from me before. I think I achieved that, too.
What should the audience expect to see?
They should expect to see a very intense and interesting interchange that does not lead where one might expect.
Tell us about your character, Father. Who is he? What is his personality like?
Steve, the father, is a middle-class guy who manages the Party Barn, a party supply store. I wanted to show that his character was not the typical sleazy drug addict that is so easy to dismiss but is a productive member of society. He’s a dad, a flawed one perhaps, but not unlike many dads in America today.
What role does he play?
He is the father of Jeff, who is a recovering heroin addict, whom he has become somewhat estranged from.
What is going to surprise people about your character?
I really can’t reveal that without blowing the surprise.
What has been your favorite experience in filming Son to Son?
My favorite part was the rehearsal process, leading to the shooting. Since it’s one long scene, we rehearsed it like a play and then shot it with two cameras on one night. It was great because both my co-star, Nick Lane and I could modulate our performances very organically, without interruptions to change setups. The director and his crew were extraordinary and very efficient, and we got a lot to play with in editing.
When looking back on the film, what resonated with you the most and why?
For me, having dreamt up the whole thing, seeing it manifested as a film in festivals, reaching audiences and creating positive effects has been a matchless experience.
In your opinion, how could this film make an impact on the world?
This film is designed to ring yet another warning bell. It’s a bell that needs to be rung, and people need to respond.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write the script? Would you do anything differently?
I wouldn’t have done anything differently.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about the film and your career?
I’m mainly known for comedy and, actually, my voice skills as an impressionist and animation actor, although I have worked in dramas by Ron Howard, Paul Thomas Anderson and others. This was a very gratifying departure, and I look forward to many more.
I also have to thank the founders of The Acting Center school in Los Angeles for connecting me with Nick Lane, and also for providing the acting training tools that we used to practice and craft the performances.
Connect with Jim:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.meskimen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimpressions/
Featured Image Credit: Actor/Writer Jim Meskimen in still from short film Son to Son directed by Taron Lexton and shot by DP Kevin Garrison.
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