Shaun Benson – A House on Fire

By starrymag | March 13, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the film A House on Fire?

 

A) When I read the script, it was a no-brainer.  The story is so incredibly compelling and would be almost impossible to believe were it not absolutely true. It’s intense, tragic, deeply human yet totally inhuman all at once.  And when I heard Stephanie March would be my costar, I signed on immediately.

 

Q) How does your role as Mike fit into the plot of the film?

 

A) Mike and Deb (Stephanie March) were working together to create each other’s dream life.  Mike had the support and family he needed to thrive as a doctor. His drive and inherent sense of his career being of paramount importance helped create the circumstances that made Deb feel alienated and underappreciated.  He is both on his own journey and a catalyst in Deb’s somewhat bitter journey.

 

Q) Were you familiar with the Ann Rule book Bitter Harvestthat the movie is based on?

 

A) Absolutely. I’d read it and found it to be an amazing combination of research and page-turning shocker.

 

Q) How does Deb’s drinking and pill abuse affect her relationship with Mike and their family?

 

A) When someone has addictive and alcoholic tendencies the dishonesty, erratic behavior and self-isolation makes any kind of consistent and truly loving connection impossible. In this case, Mike seeks comfort where he can and his children are torn trying to decide how to support their mom and their dad, who she’s poisoning them against.

 

Q) Often in Lifetime films the setting can play a role in itself. In what ways does it project itself in this movie?

 

A) The small and large climaxes in this film are built around the idea of home.  And so, the houses they live in are fundamental to the very fires, both literal and metaphorical, that are being dealt with in this family.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite moments from filming A House on Fire?

 

A) The entire shoot was a dream and Shamim [Sarif], Stephanie, Isla [Gorton], Connor [Peterson] and the rest of the cast were phenomenal.  My favorite moments all revolve around our time between takes creating a loose, playful and dynamic platform so that when action was called, we all could let it rip with full support.

 

Q) With such intense scenes to film, how did you shake off a long day of shooting?

A) It was intense.  I’d get home and do nothing for a good hour – sometimes not even take my coat off.  Then, I’d gently begin a more conscious wind down with a workout or long bath and let it go until the next morning.

 

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from this film about mental illness and misconceptions?

 

A) We’re only as sick as our secrets. I was around in the 90s and it’s shocking how ancient that time seems when it comes to public discourse around mental health.  Therapy was still seen as a failure and a negative.  Today I hope the viewers all understand that if they are going through anything whatsoever that they are not alone and it’s the best time to be alive, in all of recorded history, to raise your hand at a meeting, make the phone call to a help line and someone will offer help.

 

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 love it. I am so happy when people engage with the work and give the shoutouts and the support to us all.  We work so hard and lovingly to bring these projects alive and the fan response is what makes it worthwhile

 

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

 

A) Simply thank you. I truly am blessed that I get to entertain you all, in the slightest, and look forward to you all enjoying this and all the shows and films to come.