Hayley McFarland – Out of Exile

By starrymag | January 31, 2023

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film Out of Exile.

A) A recently paroled bank robber has to pull off one last job in order to escape town and start a new life with his estranged daughter.

 

Q) How was your character Dawn originally described to you?

A) Kyle [Kauwika Harris] described Dawn’s anger as that of a caged animal. She knows she deserves better than her current circumstances, but she has no way out.

 

Q) Was there something about Dawn or the script that made you want to be a part of the movie?

A) There were a lot of things that drew me to the project and the character, but mostly I’d say I was drawn to Dawn’s strength and ferocity.

 

Q) Dawn takes the brunt of her boyfriend’s anger. Talk about the makeup process for your part.

A) There were discussions between Kyle, myself and our makeup team about the ways Eddie’s [Rett Terrell] control over Dawn would manifest in her look: heavier makeup to cover the bruises he gave me and a couple matching tattoos to tie us together. For the scene where Eddie’s physical abuse has sent me to the hospital, we talked through what he specifically would have done to me so makeup could determine where the bruises would be and what they would look like.

 

Q) What advice did writer/director Kyle Kauwika Harris offer during filming that you took to heart?

A) We had several meetings leading up to the shoot and Kyle was so great about being open and available for guidance during my preparation. Once we actually got on set, Kyle really gave us the freedom to just live as the characters. It’s wonderful to have that kind of trust from a director.

 

Q) With such an intense role and subject matter, how did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) Earlier in the year, I was lucky enough to have worked on another movie, Agnes, with several of the same crew members as Out of Exile! That included our incredible hair and makeup team, so being able to hang out and laugh a little with them as I took off all of the prosthetics and bruise makeup was a nice way to decompress at the end of the day.

 

Q) What do you think it is about Out of Exile that will make it a fast fan favorite crime drama?

A) In Out of Exile, Kyle has made a movie that features amazing action sequences with characters and stakes that you really care about. Plus, he’s created a terrific villain, brought to life by a chilling performance from the great Peter Greene. I mean, what’s not to like?!

 

Q) What are the other recent projects that you have been working on recently?

A) I just finished up working on a fun and experimental little movie that I am unfortunately not able to talk about just yet, but hopefully I’ll be able to very soon!

 

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

A) Thank you!!!