Caroline Barry – 10 Days In A Madhouse

A) The next project lined up for me is with the same director as 10 Days In a Madhouse, Timothy Hines. We are working on another feature film, which I can’t share too many details about. I’m really excited to be working with him again. As an actor, it’s important to be able to speak the same language as the director, and we do have that connection. I’m even more thrilled to be working with him again because all of his projects center around the human struggle and stories that are important socially and historically.

A) The movie is set in 1887 and follows the true story of Nellie Bly, who was the world’s first undercover reporter. One of her first big assignments was given to her by editor Joseph Pulitzer to go undercover into a madhouse. At the young age of twenty-three, she risked everything: her career, her sanity and her life. She pretended to be a crazy person and convinced everyone she should be put away. For ten days, Nellie lived in the infamous Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum, where she witnessed some pretty horrible things. After she got out, she exposed the truth to the world. It’s such an incredible story and I feel really honored to be a part of it.

A) I had never heard of Nellie Bly or her book Ten Days In A Mad-House before this. So, right when I got the audition I looked it up as fast as I could. I started reading it and Nellie really became my idol. She stood up for people who didn’t have a chance to tell their stories or save themselves. I was really struck by that. Then when I talked to Timothy Hines, the director, his passion for the story and for Nellie was really what made me want to come on board and be a part of this movie.

A) I learned so much! First, from Nellie herself, she taught me perseverance and never giving up under any circumstances. She was the most compassionate person who cared for everyone, so I think that really taught me a lot. Then, being on the set, we shot the film in Oregon in an abandoned insane asylum (which is actually where they shot One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest). It was freezing cold because we shot in the middle of the winter, but through the cold everyone bonded and we really became a family. So, I think what I took away was that I have life long friends from telling this story.

A) Luckily, we had the help of a woman named Brooke Kroeger, who is the world’s leading expert on Nellie Bly. She wrote her biography Nellie Bly: Daredevil, Reporter, Feminist. It’s an incredibly detailed book so I really used that as my manual. I packed so many notes inside it and really relied on Brooke’s research and analysis. I’m so happy she got to be a part of this movie.

A) Part of it was the cold because we had to wear these tiny sheets, which was true to what happened. The women in the asylum weren’t given proper clothes for how cold it was, so that was really hard, but also very true. It was also a challenge because Nellie Bly had to act herself. She had to pretend to be crazy. She had to go around town trying to get everyone to commit her. So, that was challenging, but also really fun. But I would say the most challenging part was probably knowing that it was all real, and knowing that these women did suffer. We wanted more than anything to honor both the legacy of Nellie Bly, and legacy of all the women in Blackwell’s Asylum.

A) It was really natural. First, with all of the women in Blackwell’s, we all just became like sisters. It was really easy to bond over the story and the spirit of Nellie Bly. Then later when Christopher Lambert and Kelly LeBrock came on, we all clicked so well. They are both so talented, passionate and down to earth.

A) There were some days where the whole cast and crew would just be so drained from the scenes that everyone would go home emotionally spent. I found a lot of solace and rejuvenation in the forest and the trails of Oregon. I’m from Colorado originally so the outdoors are really important to me. Being able to go outside and walk around while processing everything really helped me get through it.

A) I think what is going to draw viewers in is the honesty that this movie has and is told with. It is about a woman who puts everything on the line to make a huge difference, and what I hope audiences walk away realizing is that one person can change the world. Nellie’s most famous quote is, “Energy rightly applied and directed can accomplish anything.” I believe you see that through every breath of this movie.

A) It comes out in New York City on November 11, 2015 and nationwide on November 20, 2015. I think that this film is so important and it is going to make a huge, huge impact. Being able to be a part of this story and the ten days she spent in this madhouse has really changed my life. I have seen from watching this film and experiencing it with others who have seen it that it changes you. I’m really excited to see where it goes!

Follow Caroline on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CarolineB007

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