Jennifer Gareis – The Harvesting

By starrymag | February 12, 2019

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

 

A) I’m currently a contract player on “The Bold and the Beautiful” at CBS TV. I’ve  been with that show since 2006 and will hopefully stay until the end.

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film The Harvesting.

 

A) The basic premise is about an Amish boy who leaves his hometown after seeing a tragedy. Ultimately, he is drawn back by a malevolent force. It is a dark and strange force centered in the nearby woods that nobody understands except for the Amish who have experienced it. It has the greatest effect on those that are weak.

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

 

A) She has an inner struggle between doing the right thing and being drawn into this this dark and malevolent force.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t in her initial breakdown?

 

A) Having lived nearby the Amish most of my life I recognized that there is a particular speech pattern that they use. I tried to emulate their speech as well as some of the mannerisms they have for my character. I, personally, named the character that I played after one of my friends, Sarah.

 

Q) What was your process for getting into character for this film?

 

A) In order to prepare for the role-playing Sarah, I watched some Amish films and studied their mannerisms and speech. Prior to the filming I traveled to the East Coast and visited some Amish farms where I spoke with many families, shared meals with them and even took a few buggy rides. I also tried to relate to the psychological struggle between good and evil that Sarah fought with during the movie and the idea of an overwhelming force having power over your thoughts & body.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the movie?

 

A) I recognized some of their faces, but I actually never worked with any of them.

 

Q) What advice did director Ivan Kraljevic offer while filming that you took to heart?

 

A) As I was preparing for the film I spoke to Ivan about this character and he described the psychology behind the inner struggle between good and evil

 

Q) What were some of your favorite onscreen moments that you’re looking forward to The Harvesting viewers getting to see?

 

A) My favorite moment is when my character starts turning to the Dark-side because it’s very much unlike anything I typically play. I was known as the creepy Amish woman on set and to me that was very flattering because it meant I did my job.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’ll receive to the movie?

 

A) I always enjoy the feedback of my fans and it will be interesting to see what they say about this very unusual character

 

Q) We’ve loved you as Donna Logan Barber on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” What does it mean to you to be a part of such an iconic series?

 

A) I have actually had several names on the show since I was married twice. Now that I am single, my character is just Donna Logan. With any luck that could change soon!! [laughs] I’m so proud and honored to be part of this production that has been created by the Bell family. CBS has been my stomping ground for quite some time. Prior to “The Bold and the Beautiful” it was “Guiding Light”  and “The Young and The Restless.”

 

Q) What have you personally taken away from your time on the show?

 

A) When I moved to LA twenty-two years ago, I was quite young and inexperienced. I feel like I’ve grown into a woman, became a wife and a mother and hopefully, hopefully a good actress. When I first moved to LA and got a job on “The Young and the Restless” my fellow cast members became my best friends and they still are today even after all these years. I feel that CBS is my home away from home.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) First of all, I’d like to thank them for being faithful to me over the years. It’s been a real inspiration to me to have so many people follow me throughout my career.