Sam Clark – Tell Me I Love You

By starrymag | June 23, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film Tell Me I Love You.

A) It is about three best friends who are roommates and also bandmates. They see an opportunity to take their music to the next level. So, they hatch this crazy plan to all get married to inherit some money so they can do that. It’s basically about family and the various forms of family, trying to navigate that and growing up in LA.

Q) How was your character Ben O’Shea originally described to you?

A) He is of Irish-Catholic decent. Athletic, good looking, all-American hipster, jock, struggling musician and DJ. That’s obviously quite a few things all in one. [laughs] The main points of Ben were that he had a relationship with Ally (Paulina Cerrilla) when they were in college and it went south. So, there is some history between those two and he is also an extreme risk taker, he was described as, and full of one-liners. I just wanted to have as much fun with Ben as I possibly could and, hopefully, that came across.

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

A) I felt like I had plenty of leeway on set. [Fiona] definitely wasn’t an overbearing director in any way. I suppose I probably toned down the athletic side a little. [chuckles] That doesn’t really get explored too much. I guess they were looking for someone who looked athletic, but I think I focused more heavily on the music side of things because that is what really drives Ben, I think, and really what keeps Ben and Ally in close contact and keeps Ben and Ally and Mel as a family unit.

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

A) Not at all, as is often the case with acting jobs. You’re often thrown in to situations. You meet people the day of shooting and then instantly have to create a rapport with them while also trying to get to know the real person at the same time. It’s quite a bizarre part of the acting world. But I think that I met Paulina, who plays Allie in the film, the day prior to shooting. We went to the location in Malibu – the big house that we were shooting at – and met with Fiona [MacKenzie] there to just get acquainted prior to shooting.

Q) There was such chemistry between the three of you. Did you spend much time to develop that chemistry before beginning to shoot?

A) I guess that’s just the job of acting. It is one of the most difficult things of the job, I think. It’s immediately having to get to know people like that and try and give off the vibe of history. It obviously comes into preparation of the character, but this was such a quick process from being cast in the film. I had a call back a couple weeks after my first audition and then a week later we were shooting. So, there wasn’t much time to get to know people in between the audition and starting shooting.

Q) You do have a musical background. What did it mean to you that you were able to contribute a song to the film?

A) My dream was always to have my music involved in any acting production that I’m part of. And I’ve been lucky enough to have that happen a few times in the past. The show “Neighbours” that I was on and the film Mental that I was a part of. So, I was obviously stoked to have the music featured. It’s funny. The film was shot so long ago that I think the song was written maybe six years ago. Then, recorded five years ago. The film was then shot four years ago. So, it’s been a long time coming to finally have the song out and available for people to hear.

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film?

A) I think hands down would have to be the beach wedding scene. We had a lot of free reign and leeway and got to improvise a lot during that. So, I had a great time doing that. I also had fun shooting the basketball scene with my buddy when he is trying to see if it is okay if he asks Ally out on a date. I think the beach wedding would have to be the most fun scene and it’s one of the most enjoyable scenes for me as well watching the film. It comes right at the right time and has great energy.

Q) Obviously there is a love that these three shares, but what continues to unite them over all these years that has been able to keep them together through the challenges that they’ve faced?

A) Being in a band is a very, very special thing. In its own way, if you had three people in a band it was like being in a throuple as well. There are a lot of different personalities to contend with and schedules and all of that. So, when you find people that you enjoy playing music with that vibe well with you and you guys mesh and you don’t clash at all or the clashing is limited. That’s an absolute blessing and you stick with that as long as you can. So, I think being bandmates they have a very special bond and I think deep down Ben still has feelings for Allie, but knows that he messed it up. I think he just wants to be close to her still. Having lost his own family recently, Ben is just looking for some sort of familiarity, support and love from those who know him best.

Q) This throuple is genuinely accepted by their family and friends. What does it mean to you that their relationship is so wonderfully embraced as is?

A) I’m pretty open minded myself. So, it’s nice to see stuff like that represented. Representation is super important in all forms and for people to see bisexual characters in this film I think is really important. The throuple side of things, I don’t think that our characters are really ever committed to being in a throuple. I think that Mel (Kaniehtiio Horn) and Ben end up hooking up just out of circumstance. Really, it’s kind of like these two couples that are quite close with Cassie (Renee Morrison) and Mel and Ben and Ally. Love comes in many forms as is family and it’s nice to be part of a film where it’s not really…Well, there is attention drawn to the fact that they might have an unconventional relationship, but it is never frowned upon for it or vilified for it. While there might be some teasing that goes on, it’s all sort of good-natured.

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching Tell Me I Love You?

A) A good time. An escape. It’s obviously a lighthearted film. Do I think we’re trying to change the world in any way? I just hope people are entertained and think about what family means to them. Evaluate their own relationships in their lives and make positive choices. [chuckles] Life is short and you have to go after love. It’s nice in this film that people are chasing love so openly and I hope that everyone else chases love as well.

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

A) Absolutely! I’ve got a lot of fans back in Australia and in the UK who are excited to see the film. So, I’m looking forward to that feedback. So far I’ve had a couple of close friends that I shared the film with and they’ve loved it. So, I’m excited to see what everyone thinks and really, really excited to see what people think of the new song. I’m just so stoked to be able to integrate both of my creative achievements into this film.

Q) Have you been working on any new music lately?

A) Yeah, I’m releasing some new music at the moment. Obviously, the song “Touched” is in the film. I just released it because the movie is out now. I put up on YouTube the lyric video so that people can hear the song and then I’m going to be releasing it on Spotify, iTunes and all of that along with two other songs “Wish You Were Here” and the acoustic demo of another song of mine that I released a few years ago called “Out of Reach.” That’s the next music release and I keep working on the other music. I’ve got about an album and a half of music in some form of being recorded at the moment. So, I’ve got work on it.

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

A) I know it’s a weird time in the world so everyone has got a lot of external stresses that are unfamiliar. It’s going to be a challenging time for all of us in the coming years, so thank you everyone so much for their support. I hope they are maintaining some good physical and mental health throughout all of this. Reach out to the ones you love and if anyone needs any support feel free to stop by and say “hi.” I’m always here to listen and chat.