Portland Actor’s ‘Wild’ Night with Reese Witherspoon: Part II
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Reese Witherspoon in Wild
Yesterday, we spoke to Portland actor Greg James about his role in the movie as ‘Man in Hotel Bar’. Today, he tells GoLocalPDX about what it was like filming “violent, frantic love” with Reese Witherspoon.
Greg James was finally called for filming on a Wednesday. He found his trailer, signed some documents, and got ready to film.
Byron: So, what happened next?
Greg: Well, there was a whole lot of waiting. I was totally outside my skin in anticipation. The hours lumbered by and I tried my best to keep my cool, texting my wife here and there to calm me down. At 4:30, it was finally my time to be shuttled to the Hotel DeLuxe, where my scenes would be filmed.
B: To do the pick-up scene first?
G: Yes, in the small bar they have there. I got mic’d up and was marched into the bar, where extras were already stationed at the far tables. A blonde woman sat by herself at one of the stools as I was asked to position myself just four stools down from her. I did my best not to stare, not wanting to be one of "those" guys. However, once I mustered the courage to look over, I realized the blonde woman was not Reese, but a stand-in. The director had me run through a few lines with her.
B: Lines?
G: Yeah, all unscripted. I was just making it up. A basic pick-up scene. We did it a couple times until the crew was satisfied and took a break to wait for Witherspoon. And then an interesting thing happened.
B: What’s that?
G: During the break, I discovered that the extra playing the bartender was in fact the director’s son. We chatted a bit and he revealed to me that his dad was under some pressure by a few of the film’s producers to ensure that the sex scene coming up was to be extremely intense, as scripted. As I gulped and laughed it off, out of my left ear I could overhear Jean-Marc telling someone that Reese was extremely nervous about the sex scene. And then she walked in.
B: Did she finally introduce herself to you?
G: No! Again, she was method all the way. She just jumped right into our improvised scene and we shot it from both our points of view. It was only later toward the end of our takes, when she was near me, that I finally mustered the courage to formally introduce myself. I stuck out my hand and said: “I’m sorry, I don’t believe we even know each other.” She matter-of-factly shook my hand and said: “Oh hi, I’m Reese.” I smiled and said: “Good to meet you. I’m Greg.”
B: Just a normal day at the office?
G: I suppose. But nothing felt normal at all once we moved up to the 6th floor of the hotel for the scene.
B: Did you have to do anything to prepare for the nude sex scene?
G: I’d already been mentally preparing a ton, and my head was spinning. Physically though, the wardrobe gal took me into a room and handed me a pair of vintage-90’s underwear briefs and something that resembled a long, gray marble bag with a rope-string on top of it. She told me to put them on, and I had to embarrassingly say I didn’t know what the bag was for. She explained it was a “cock-sock” and that I needed to pull it over my penis and tie it tightly at the base so that it stays put.
B: Ah, okay.
G: Yeah, weird, right? After I put my clothes back on over my new items, I just then realized I had forgotten my breath mints at home, which my wife had thoughtfully purchased for me and were now sitting on my kitchen counter where I forgot them, and I asked the same wardrobe gal if she could find me something to eliminate my coffee breath. Two minutes later, I had a couple of breath mints in my hand.
B: So, then they took you to the set?
G: Yes, and it was a “closed” set, which meant the only people in that room were the director, a boom operator, a sound mixer, and Reese Witherspoon and me.
B: Did you jump right into the sex scene?
G: No. We did a couple other scenes first. I’m not sure what will be in the final edit of the movie, but I think they wanted to have options, and play out the experience. The first thing we filmed there had me alone inside “my” hotel room, and I answered the door to Cheryl (Reese)’s knocking, let her in, and closed the door. It was all shot from outside the hotel room looking in, so when the door was shut, this was the first time Reese and I were alone together for a few seconds. I remember jokingly saying: “Nice room.” She laughed. I wanted to seriously break the ice any way I could.
B: Did you chat about anything else?
G: Yeah, my daughter was sick that day, so we talked about our families a bit. Well, at least until I pointed out that we should probably change the subject considering the scene we had coming up. She laughed again and agreed.
B: How did the sex scene go down? What happened next?
G: Well, I remember some electronica dance music was playing in the background to set the mood. We were handed some champagne glasses and each of us took a sip. Honestly, I have no idea if it was real alcohol, but I was hoping. I could have used some liquid courage at that point. I was told to undress her, so I unzipped and removed her sweater dress to reveal a lacy black bra and panties. I slid off her boots and stockings and tossed them behind me. Reese then unbuttoned my dress shirt and I ripped it off my torso and flung it off me as she unbuckled and dropped my slacks. She fell backward onto the edge of the bed and brought me directly on top of her, our noses practically touching as our characters stared at one another in anticipation. And then the director said: “Cut.” And then we did it all over again. And again. Four more times, in fact.
B: I’m assuming the sex scene was next?
G: Yes. After discussing it over with Jean-Marc [Vallee, the director] where we ran through a few scenarios, it was determined that we would just start at the end of the bed where we left off with me on top of her; except this time, we would be naked.
B: Except for the cock-sock.
G: Yes. And she had a small piece of fabric and floss covering up her “naughty bits” as well.
B: Did you two kiss?
G: No, not on the mouth. Jean-Marc felt that was too intimate. We improvised some foreplay and then he directed me to forcefully flip her over.
B: And then what?
G: We pretended to have sex , with Jean-Marc shooting it handheld right next to us and barking out commands: “Faster, faster! Louder, louder!” in his strong French accent. There were definitely giggles between takes due to the surreal moment. I’m not sure what ended up in the movie, so you’ll just have to see it for yourself later.
B: How do you end a day like that?
G: Reese made a joke of desiring a cigarette as we put our robes back on. “Whoa, that just happened,” I thought. I gave her a hug and we thanked each other, and then just like that, we were shuffled away from each other and our work there was done.
B: As it was intended to be, like a one-night stand?
G: Yep, a lot like it, I suppose. I didn’t see her prior to the deed and l haven’t seen her since. It was almost like a dream, like it never happened.
B: But of course, it did and audiences will see it on December 5th. Are there any final takeaways from the experience?
G: Yes, an important one, I think. Reese, as difficult as it obviously was to do this scene, had to remain true to the character and the story from point A to Z. They could have easily just staged a few short shots, which is probably all it will be in the film, but it was critical in her approach to make the one-night stand be as real as possible – within reason, of course. For this, I applaud and immensely respect her. She trusted the story and production and went for it. People will chatter that Reese went to these other places and showed a different side of her arsenal merely to nab another Oscar. But I disagree. Despite any deserved awards that may come from it, what I witnessed was an incredible actress who made the decision to fully invest as all great actors do and deliver an unabashed and unapologetic performance of a beautifully complex and strong female character, nothing short of phenomenal. And I’m grateful to have been a part of it.
Banner Photo Credit: iStock
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