Stephanie Koenig – The Offer

By starrymag | May 12, 2022

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the series “The Offer.”

 

A) “The Offer” is about the making of The Godfather in the 70’s, through the lens of Oscar Winning producer Al Ruddy and how hard it was to actually get The Godfather

 

Q) What was it about the series or stepping into the shoes of Andrea Eastman that really made you want to be a part of this show?

 

A) So many things. First, it was the writing by Michael Tolkin. The character of Andrea really jumped off the page for me and I immediately felt connected with her. She has this amazing scene with Al (Miles Teller) where she is professing her love for show business despite it being absolutely crazy. Reading that scene made me want to play Andrea. On top of that, I’m a huge fan of the movie Rocketman. So, when I heard that Dexter Fletcher was attached to direct, I was very eager to work on the show.

 

Q) How familiar with Andrea Eastman when you began working on this show and what kind of research did you do to portray her?

 

A) I wasn’t familiar with Andrea Eastman when I booked the role, but getting to learn about her by…well, I guess pretending to be..was an extraordinary experience.

 

Q) Is it more of a challenge for you to portray a real individual as opposed to a created character?

 

A) In terms of the acting process itself, since there wasn’t any video footage on her – just a couple written interviews – I tried to stay true to what was written. I’m sort of glad I didn’t have to do an imitation of someone who was well known. I tried to give her a good sense of humor, a real kindness and a ballsy whip smart quality. Luckily, I met the real Andrea Eastman at the premiere, and I think I did her justice. She was everything I hoped she’d be. They did say in the script she had a great sense of style and dressed in short skirts and was a bit of a flower child in fashion. That was SO fun. I loved wearing the outfits. Loved being a bit more girly than I am in real life.

 

Q) Were you familiar at all with your costars before working with them on “The Offer?” Who were you most looking forward to sharing a scene with?

 

A) I had met Juno Temple once before at a dinner a couple of years back. I’ve always been a fan of her work and she’s just as lovely in person as she is on screen. I was excited to get to work with her. I’m also a big fan of Miles Teller’s work and was looking forward to acting with him in scenes. I learned a lot from him. The whole cast is insanely talented. I tried to play it cool, but every day I came to set I was nerding out about who I got to work with. Really feel lucky to have been a part of this show.

 

Q) Were you surprised to learn anything in particular about the story behind creating The Godfather?

 

A) I had no idea that Italian mobsters were strongly against the movie and then somehow got extremely involved in getting it made. So, yes, it was a surprise to learn that.

 

Q) There are some pretty epic moments to this series. What were some of your most memorable moments or favorite episodes to film?

 

A) I loved filming the golf cart scene with Juno Temple. That day we filmed on an empty Paramount lot on a Sunday. There were like fifty extras all dressed in 70s outfits and scattered all throughout the lot. We drove past fake cities, fake gladiators, fake welders on this golf cart. We were hooked on a trailer with this big rigged camera on a crane that swung back and forth. I fake drove as this trailer was pulling us and I loved every minute of it. Dexter made it really fun to shoot. It felt very big and epic. All for like a one-and-a-half-minute scene. Worth it.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “The Offer” that’s going to make it such an intriguing series?

 

A) I know a lot of people will come for the mobsters, but I think people will also find the behind the scenes of Hollywood in the 70s to be fascinating. It’s interesting how many obstacles interfere with getting a movie made, even without mobsters involved. Most people when I tell them I’m in the film business they’re very curious about the behind-the-scenes part of it all – what happens before you shoot, on set and what happens at the premiere. So, people will get an inside look at those stories.

 

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

 

A) I just wrote, directed and edited an action comedy called A Spy Movie. It’s available on YouTube and it’s actually funny. I guarantee you will not waste your time watching this movie. It stars me and Brian Jordan Alvarez, as well as a handful of the funniest actors in the business. The movie has a huge following and for that I am incredibly grateful. You will not be disappointed. Google and watch it now.

 

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

 

A) I cannot even tell you how grateful I am to my fans. My fans are extremely funny and kind. They reach out and constantly support me and my work. I feel honored and am forever grateful to them. I love running into them. I wish it happened more often.