Candese Reid is a young British actress whose breakthrough role takes the form of Lynette, a homeless teenager who is taken in by a lonely ex-soldier in his 50s (played by Eddie Marsan) in Tinge Krishnan’s Junkhearts. Here she talks to View’s Matthew Turner about working alongside old-hands Tom Sturridge, Romola Garai and Eddie Marsan, the excitement of winning an award at the London Film Festival and what’s next on her to-do list.
What attracted you to the part and how did you get involved?
What attracted me to the role of Lynette in Junkhearts was the fact her character and personality were very similar to my own. Simon Frank's dialogue really made me giggle and I found it very easy to relate to her. I got involved by firstly attending an audition. After this, I was recalled for another where I had to run through some of the script and carry out some improvisations with [co-star] Tom Sturridge. Tom was an amazing addition to this team and without him I doubt I would have felt so totally confident, even with the sex scenes, and able to push myself as much as I did.
How much of a rehearsal period did you get? Did you do any research?
We had a few weeks of rehearsals, where we carried out a lot of prep work and running through the script to get a feel of the characters. I also did some prep work with my drama teacher, Ian. We spent several weeks going through the emotional scenes and he helped me find my trigger point so that I could cry on cue. I did do some research; basically I tried to write up key words to do with each character and also looked at people who have similar lives to the characters to see how they live.
In the rehearsal schedule [director] Tinge Krishnan, Tom and I went to homeless refuge centres and connected with the homeless, drug abusers. It was a big eye opener which did help me when performing but also now, in my everyday life too, I see homeless people in a really different light to before. This is what I hope people can gain from the film too, to grow a bigger heart ...
What was Tinge like as a director on set? Did she encourage improvisation or insist you stuck to the script?
Tinge was an amazing director to work with and she made me feel comfortable at all times and fully aware of what I was aiming to achieve in each scene. She did insist that we brought our own flavour, if you like, to the characters and in the rehearsal period we were allowed to play around with scenes and dialogue to get the right feel for the film. I loved working with Tinge and we are still very much in contact.
What was it like working with Eddie Marsan?
Working with Eddie Marsan was a dream! I couldn't believe I was working with such prestigious actors, i.e. Eddie, Tom and Romola. Eddie was a huge help to me on Junkhearts, he would give me the confidence and the boost I needed for a particular scene and he would also sit down with me and explain his point of view.
Do you have a favourite scene in the film?
I don't actually have a specific scene that I like the best, but one scene that I do love watching back is the one with Eddie and I in the East End park "transfer the weight" scene. Every time I watch that scene it brings back good memories and good times, times you only get once in your life. This film will leave me with amazing memories forever!
What was the hardest scene to film?
The hardest scene for me to film was the inhaling of the drugs, when Danny gives Lynette the crack. This was a hardest scene for me in the fact that I didn't know whether it would look realistic and that for me, is the main thing; I didn't want it to look in any way false. Also the sex scene with Tom; that was obviously a bit hard and awkward to film, but I am very pleased I got to work with such a professional and kind young actor who made me feel completely at ease.
Did they cut anything out that you hated to lose?
The ending of the film was going to be different, although the altered ending which was done for the film is fitting when I watch it now. But the ending Simon Frank wrote at first I loved and it was one of the things that drew me to the film in the first place. So that's one little thing I missed.
Do you have a lasting memory from the shoot/the London Film Festival/your whole experience of the film?
I have so many amazing memories I can't even explain them all. I remember the whole cast and crew sitting down eating food on set watching England play in the World Cup and Eddie and Tom getting so worked up and emotional about the match! Winning my award at the LFF, hearing my name being called was absolutely crazy! Also meeting Dizzee Rascal whilst having lunch with Eddie and Romola. There are so many, many memories and special points. I have been so blessed!
Do you remember what made you want to become an actor? Was it a particular film/play/performance or something else?
I have been involved in acting since I was nine years old, attending the ITV Television Workshop. I've always been quite an eccentric and outgoing person, I loved to have the lead roles in school plays, captain of football teams, winning academic awards etc. I've always strived to be the best in everything I do. This burning desire for me to be the best is what is keeping me going and wanting more. Eddie Marsan left me with some words I'll never forget, he said: "If you decide to carry on with acting or you decide to do your law studies, whatever you do, just be the best at it." I will remember that forever.
What's next for you?
I have just secured a role in the BBC drama "The Accused" so I will be working in Manchester on that project next month. I'm very much looking forward to it and I'm ready to keep on progressing.