Danay Garcia – 50 States of Fright

By starrymag | April 28, 2020

By: Ariba Bhuvad

 

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of “50 States of Fright?”

 

A) The director is Alejandro Brugués and I’ve been a really big fan of his work. He’s a Cuban director. I don’t know if you know Shaun of the Dead. It’s an English movie. But he did a movie called Juan de Los Muertos (“Juan of the Dead”), the Spanish version of that movie but set in Cuba. When I heard he was directing it and Sam Raimi was producing it and then the entire concept of it being ten minutes an episode, I was like, “Oh!” And then it’s also spooky, too. It’s one of those interesting things where you’re teasing the audience. I think a combination of everything combined, I need to be a part of this. It happened very quickly and it wasn’t something I was expecting to happen or knew was going to happen. I got the phone call and read the whole thing. And I’m like, “Three episodes? I’m in!” It’s just one of those things that you don’t think about twice. 

 

Q) Did you have any choice or say in the matter over what urban legend arc you’d be in? What about Florida stood out to you? 

 

A) It was weird because when I found out it was going to be in Florida I thought to myself (before I read the script), “Wow! ‘50 States of Fright,’ my state is Florida–how can we make Florida spooky or like scary?” I’m like, this story has to be good for this to work, for this to make Florida a scary place. But the moment I read the script I was like, “Oh, I get it.” I’m from Cuba and in Florida we have a lot of Cubans there. It’s like Little Havana. This story has a lot to do with the Cuban culture, so I understand why the call came to me, why it’s in Florida and why, yes, I have to do it. It kind of worked all together at the same time. 

 

Q) It appears that Florida’s plot has something to do with a stolen goat, a ritual, and a whole lot of evil. What can you tell us about this intriguing storyline and what fans can expect when these episodes air in a couple of weeks? 

 

A) When you hear something like ten minutes an episode, I was like, “How can you be scared in ten minutes,” right? I was curious about the script, but then when I read it, it was so beautifully put together. Like the combination of oh, this is the first outbreak, oh the second, oh the third…There’s a resolution of the story. I feel like they will be surprised how much we can put out there in ten minutes. And, also, the Cuban culture with the whole ritual and stuff you can really spook people out with that. People are terrified of rituals and things and it can go really dark. The episode starts on a really bright day in Florida and it ends in a really dark place, very dark. It starts with killing a goat, so they will be incredibly shocked and surprised at how this can take you from one extreme to another in ten minutes. It’s weird. 

 

Q) Quibi is a unique streaming platform with shortened episode times. Did you find there were any stark differences between how you prepared/filmed for “50 States of Fright” over shows you’ve done in the past?

 

A) Well, with “Fear,” it’s a universe that is always high-end circumstances, high-end stakes, right? We’re always on the go and on the run. Right when you think we’re about to settle, the unexpected happens. War, fire and it’s like insane, right? Well, with “50 States of Fright” because it’s so fast and everything is condensed, it’s weird because I’ve been doing so much spooky/horror/psychological thriller and for me to be prepared and still be surprised. If I get surprised, the audience will get surprised. I always try to make decisions that are unpredictable. It’s challenging because you work on a show like “Fear the Walking Dead,” so how can I make this unpredictable? But you always find a way. And that’s the journey of an actor. You always have to find ways to surprise yourself, so you can surprise the audience. And the choices you make as an actor are really what makes it spooky, really. 

 

Q) Did you enjoy filming with this format and does it work well for something like “50 States of Fright?”

 

A) It totally does! Because, personally, I don’t like leaving things halfway, especially if I’m on the go. Quibi is all about their phone, so it’s not like you can watch it anywhere else. On the phone you see things on Instagram, Tik Tok – things are really short. But we’ve never seen a story so short that you can watch on the phone. This is a very good experiment that I’m really enjoying because you’re not going to be halfway if you stop it because you’ll be able to finish it. It’s one of those things you can never really go wrong with it. It has comedy, horror, drama, it really fits into all sorts of genre. 

 

Q) Your episodes haven’t aired yet, so what are you hoping fans will enjoy about your batch of episodes? 

 

A) I really hope that they get surprised. Because Sam Raimi, the producer, put together such a…When it comes to horror, it’s not just the acting. It’s not just the actor. It’s also the entire crew–the director, the art department, the set. Everybody was on top of their game and everything was really…The intention of this was to deliver the best we could possibly do. And they did such a good job and the people are so amazing and they really did everything. It just worked out so well. I just hope that people get spooked. I mean, if you’re home might as well just go for it. I hope they get scared! 

 

Q) Fear The Walking Dead released a promo for season 6 a couple of weeks ago. There’s so much to unpack there, let’s talk about that! What can fans expect from the new season?

 

A) This year it’s so different than the rest of the years. The rest of the years the tribe has been together everywhere. So, this year you will get to see these characters on their own. Like you get to go deeper into who these people are or what’s left of them. You will get to see the journey of each one of them throughout this season, the eight episodes we’ve shot so far. It’s been all about going deeper with each one of them and when you think you know somebody, but then you see them on your own and you’re on your own…That is when really deep things come out. You mourn things, you think about things you don’t think about when you’re around people. You will get to see these characters on their own and you will get to see a different side of them you’ve never seen before and, therefore, you’re going to see them do different things. It’s very nice.  

 

Q) At the end of Season 5, Luciana stayed back at the oil rig in exchange for letting the kids go. What was the driving force behind this decision and how will it impact her storyline in Season 6? 

 

A) Well, when she chose to stay instead of going with the group it was a way for her to sacrifice. Actually, before they left she convinced everybody to let her stay. Naturally, they didn’t want to do that. They’re like, “Luciana, no.” I tell June (Jenna Elfman), “Please find that place you’ve been looking for.” I kind of tell everybody that I’ll be fine. I think Luciana is one of those humans that sees a little bit further than everybody. Right now I’m with this woman. I’m going to make oil, but the bigger picture is what she’s always looking for – what she’s after. I feel like that is her strength, looking at the bigger picture of things. Instead of like, “Let’s stick together,” but then we lose. I think what would impact this upcoming season is that she’ll be closer to the enemy. You want your enemies closer. You want your friends close and your enemies closer. She becomes a little bit of…It’s a double-edged sword and she is, hopefully, going to have some control over this. You guys will have to wait and see for that part, if she makes it.  

 

Q) Going into this season, were you hoping to share more scenes with someone(s) in particular?

 

A) Gosh, I really want to work more with Colman [Domingo]. Oh my gosh, last year he got to direct me. It was so much fun to work with him as a director. So, next year I hope we get to work together on and off the screen. I really love working with him and Alycia [Debnam-Carey], too. Because we’ve been split up, but I have known them for so long, I really miss them! It’s one of those things that’s like, “Oh, you guys!” I get so excited every time I see them. I’m really hoping that I get to work with Colman on and off the screen and Alycia a lot more. 

 

Q) After multiple seasons of losing the people closest to her, Luciana hasn’t been beaten down and has hung on strongly to her morals. How do you think she is able to do that given the circumstances? 

 

A) Throughout the years working on this character I really can tell you that if you, as an actor, working on a show you’re portraying this character for many years. So, you get to see different versions of this character throughout the seasons. And if you want to have a character to play for years it has to be somebody like Luciana because she just keeps surprising you. There’s nothing predictable about her. She broke down in pieces. She put her life on the line for beer to save “Polar Bear.” She goes through so many extremes and right when you think she’s going to break and she’s going to quit, she’s like, “I’m going to stay and make the oil.” She’s one of those characters that you never get tired of playing her. And then, obviously, the writers are so smart. They get to justify why she does what she does. And that’s the part we have to wait for in this season. But it’s one of those things. She’s never predictable; she’s never the same. If you want to be with a character for years you gotta pick somebody like Luciana. 

 

Q) Obviously, Luciana’s life hangs in the balance, especially if Virginia decides she has no use for her anymore after the oil is made. Do you think the gamble of staying back was worth it, especially if she can glean some valuable intel?

 

A) I think so. I think so because it gives the group an opportunity to give a shot to what we’ve been fighting for, we’ve been fighting for a new place, a safe place. Whether they can make it or not, at least from her perspective she’s done her best and her best is to sacrifice herself and stay behind because by staying behind hopefully they can move forward. She’s going to have to wait and see if that’s worth it or not. [laughs] But that’s a risk she’s willing to take for sure. That’s how much she trusts them. 

 

Q) What have you personally taken away from your time working on “Fear The Walking Dead?”

 

A) I have met the most amazing fans in the world. I didn’t know this when I joined the show, the huge fanbase this universe carries and how much we mean to them. And as I’m going through these stories and seasons and this whole human survival…And like you said, she’s been through so much and every character has been through so much and we are in like such desperate times every time every season happens. The audience, there is a part of them that identifies with us and that is something that I didn’t know. It was so deep and profound. We’re not just telling a funny story. We’re telling a really deep human story, a story that carries such a huge responsibility and the fans that follow it are so loyal and so loving and so smart. This is not just a zombie show. It’s a show about us and we’re enough. We’re going through weird times. People somehow get to connect with us on a deeper level. I was not expecting that and I think learning as the years go by from the fans…And, obviously, I take my job very seriously. But they have taught me great lessons of how important my job is for them. Somehow, survival in life, it’s very interesting and I love every second of it. And I don’t take it for granted. 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) I just found out that Comic-Con (San Diego) is canceled this year. This is something I look forward to every single year. I love the entire weekend with the fans. I love it and I’m really bummed that we are not going to have it. 2021 is the next time we’re going to see each other like that again. But for what it’s worth, let’s keep our heads up and celebrate who we are.