Actor Blake Jenner first came into the spotlight with the reality series The Glee Project that led to him being a regular on the Glee television show. He broke into movies with the lead role of Everybody Wants Some!! and followed that with an indie hit, The Edge of Seventeen.
His new movie, American Animals, has him playing a college student named Chas Allen. The film is based on the true story of a library heist in Lexington, Kentucky in 2004. Evan Peters, Barry Keoghand and Jared Abrahamson round out the cast whose characters plan on stealing rare books out of the school library.
Windy City Times: So that last time I spoke to you was during The Glee Project.
Blake Jenner: Oh, man—so we go way back. It is good to talk to you again.
WCT: How did you become involved with American Animals?
BJ: This script was sent to me through my agents. I read it as any actor does to see if I wanted to pursue it. I was crazy about it.
I threw a scene on tape and, three weeks later, I heard the director Bart Layton wanted to meet and talk about it. I met him and we started talking about books, movies, the script, and Chas the character. I hadn't seen The Imposter yet and he asked me if I had seen it. If I were a smarter actor I would have watched it before. I went home right after and watched it. I emailed him saying I loved it. I told him good luck with this movie.
He asked me to go back on tape and film a scene again. He talked about what he wanted to see from the second tape of a certain scene. a week later I found out I got the role and was off to Charlotte to shoot it.
WCT: Talk about your character, Chas Allen. Did you meet him?
BJ: I didn't meet him prior to shooting. Bart wanted us to feel ownership of these characters and not feel we had to play them a certain way. He didn't want us to feel like we were talking on eggshells and just feel comfortable.
We came together to form our own versions of these characters.
I met Chas after our premiere at Sundance. All of the guys were there. It was interesting to meet him after the shooting the of this film. In approaching it with a blank canvas as Bart instructed, we naturally fell into honest portrayals of these guys. It seemed pretty spot on from what we brought to the table. They were grateful for the movie and the message that it displays.
WCT: The other way to go about it would be to imitate them by studying them before.
BJ: Yes, you never want to feel you are making an impression of them. I don't think it would be as fulfilling as an actor to follow a study guide on how these guys should be played. It is way more interesting to sink your teeth into it.
WCT: What was it like putting on the drag of dressing like old men?
BJ: That was wild! It itched like hell. I was always massaging my upper lip like I was a licensed masseuse.
For sound purposes they weren't running the air conditioning through takes. We were in wool suits with wigs that got irritating at times. It did help us as actors because the real people went through it too. it fueled the fire and was pretty funny looking at everyone.
WCT: How was it working with the cast?
BJ: I had never gone into the levels as the people in this story do, but all of us were in the same boat. It was a shared respect for Bart and the movie.
The second we wrapped it we felt so luck to be there. After getting to know each other there was no room for feeling insecure. We cared about it so much that we were rooting each other on scene by scene. It was a very supportive group. It was such a moving experience. All of us were there to play and we were all young actors. We came at it with an energetic and artistic view. We were dying to play these characters.
WCT: What do you want audiences to get out of American Animals?
BJ: I want them to feel what we felt making it and what I felt watching it. I was on the edge of my seat being taken on a rollercoaster. The audience will be in disbelief over certain scenes. It may not seem true but we are constantly reminded that all of it is real. Those were real choices and real consequences.
Look at what they went through and look at their growth 10 years later. Take it as a cautionary tale, because that is what it is first and foremost. it is an unconventional movie experience for everyone. It is unique in its own way.
WCT: You have played high school and college roles. Where do you see your career going?
BJ: As long as I fit the role I like plying it. I have enjoyed working with the creative people that I respect. As long as I good food for my soul with these projects that is the route I want to keep going in. The age range doesn't really matter.I do feel like I am maturing as an actor and a person. This is the oldest role I have gotten to play.
WCT: I was glad to see you in The Edge of Seventeen.
BJ: Thanks for checking that out.
WCT: How was working with Hailee Steinfeld?
BJ: She was always in the scenes and such a professional. She was wise beyond her years. I was very excited to work with her.
WCT: After being on Supergirl maybe you can do a comic convention in Chicago.
BJ: I am going with the flow right now. If something comes along with a convention I would love to take part in it.
WCT: Any other upcoming projects?
BJ: I have a movie called Billy Boy that I wrote that comes out June 15 It is directed by Brad Buecker, who was a director both on Glee and American Horror Story. It is a dark coming of age story and it touches on a few issues. I am very proud of it. Everyone in it is so good.
