Rolling Stone Brasil spoke with the interpreter of Bad Boy Bobby Briggs on the scenes of the series that is available in the Mubi catalog
In 1990, Twin peaks He changed television forever. By mixing the drama of small towns with dream elements, comics and dark, the series created by David Lynch AND Mark Frost Presented to the characters of the world as peculiar as unforgettable e Bobby Briggsthe boy of the soft heart played by Dana AshbrookIt distinguished each other.
In an interview with Rolling Stone BrazilThe actor recalls his journey to the series – which is available in full in the Mubi catalog – as he returned to his years later Twin Peaks: the returnthe dynamics behind the scenes with David Lynch And companions of the cast, in addition to the lasting impact of the series on your life. Check:
The beginning of everything: as Bobby Briggs has entered his life
Dana Ashbrook He was only 20 years old and was already two in Los Angeles when he had his first real possibility of entering the universe of Twin peaks. The invitation came through an old friend, the cast director Johanna Ray.
He had already launched me for other tests, as a program of Steven Spielberg called Fantastic stories which was an anthology of half an hour and also for a film called Satisfaction . I both tested Johanna and I approached a lot. “
The great impulse came when David LynchWhen you turn in a pile of photos, she indicated Dane. “He liked my photo. I went to a meeting with him and the Mark Frost in the office of Johanna. We only talked about the script“He recalled.
First contact with the script: between amazement and luck
When he received the driver script – again with the title North -western passageNot Twin peaks -,, Dana Ashbrook I didn’t imagine what was in my hand. Until then, his experience has been modest, with participation in smaller productions, in particular of the terrorist genre.
” I didn’t have so much experience. I had already shot some films, but they were the horror of the second or third category. Nothing else. I had never read something so good. The script was incredible: fantastic, fun, mysterious and big characters.”
Despite the immediate impact on the quality of the text, the actor admits that he had no idea of the grandeur of what would come later: “There was no way of knowing that it would be special. Only then, testing other series and creating the difference in quality, I understood how unique that project was.“
Today he clearly sees that everything was an unlikely conjunction of luck, talent and opportunity: “He is really lucky. Honestly, just because Johanna put my photo in that pile David He saw.“
At that time, the actor Eric give – that would come to interpret Leo Johnson In the series – also spread by the office. He was the son of Johanna And I already knew the script. Ashbrook Remember to have exchanged impressions with him before the meeting: “Heck, there is a woman with a slap in the eyes with silent legs!“He commented, laughing.”I found everything fun, and he too.“
The meeting with David Lynch
During the meeting with Lynching AND FrostThe mood was relaxed. “When I entered to talk to the David and the SignWe talked about the funny things about the script and everyone laughed.“It was right now Lynching commented, under observation, that Bobby Briggs He didn’t smile much. The answer to Ashbrook It was instantaneous: “He said: ‘Oh no, I hate the smile. I will never smile again. ‘“
After that, he suffered a reading session with the actress Mädchen AmickThis would interpret ShellyHis partner in the series, trying several scenes of the pilot. Therefore, the role was Ashbrookreminiscent of the rest of the process was surprisingly simple:
” The next step was the test for the station. But the David I had already approved all the actors. So there were no other competitors. It was the easiest test I’ve ever done. Subsequently, it became increasingly difficult. Today there are five guys in competition with you and everything is fine. But that moment, it was different. I was very lucky.”
Fear with the return: “It was like a university meeting“
To the question on the unexpected return of Twin peaksIn 2017, more than two decades after the end of the original series, Dana Ashbrook He replied with the same surprise that he felt at that moment: “He was crazy, right? Nobody thought it would happen. Possess David He said he was more dead than the coffin.“
The return to that surreal universe had a profound impact, almost like a time trip for the years that the series made its debut. “It was like a university meeting. Those were my university years in terms of age. I found people who had a great impact on my life.“
These meetings have rekindled the links that in many cases have never broken. Dane It highlights the lasting friendship with different cast and team companions:
I was a friend of several people. Kimmy Robertson, Harry Goaz, Sherilyn [Fenn], Mädchen [Amick], Sheryl Lee, Giacomo [Marshall]… we have always kept in touch. THE Sabrina Sutherland Also. And also with some members of the technical team.”
One of the greatest surprises was to discover that even most of the original team has returned to the set, which further increased the feeling of continuity: “I think about 15 or 20 team members are back. It was as if the weather hadn’t passed.“He also reflects on how technology has contributed to keeping these bonds alive more easily than in the 90s:
” Today we have messages, groups, is much simpler. First they had spent weeks, months, until we talked about again. But these people have always been part of my life. I am very friendly with [Michael] Lyse and from Gary Hershberger. I love them all “, completed.
Work with David Lynch “It was like having a good father on the set“
When asked about how it was to work with the director David Lynch, Dane It was simple: “It has never been difficult. It has always been fun. Has an incredible sense of humor and the set was a very friendly place“He said.”It has always been very respectful, especially in emotional scenes. And the most beautiful is that he knows everyone’s name on the set. It is sweet and bright. Everyone wants to hear what he has to say.“
Ashbrook respect Lynching to a paternal figure: “It’s like having a good father. Someone who gives you advice, someone you want to impress and don’t want to disappoint“, he said.
“One of my favorite scenes of all time “
We ask Dane What was his favorite scene of the entire series and soon mentioned a registration next to Don S. Daviswho interpreted the Main briggsYour father in the series. In the episode, Bobby He listens to a father’s story on an enigmatic dream and the emotion of the scene came only after a careful intervention of Lynching.
” I was unable to reach the emotional state that the scene was asking. There David took the Assistant To speak with a corner. When they are back, the Assistant He started crying out of the scene as he said the text and this deeply thrilled me. Made me cry too“He remembered.” It was one of my favorite scenes of all time.”
He also highlighted the famous Episode 8from Returnlike one of your favorites – “The one in black and white. I found it fantastic. Totally out of the curve.” – and has shown pride of their scenes, in particular those they share Amanda Seyfried (Oh mama!), who played his daughter. “It was the perfect choice. The combination of me e Mädchen [Amick] He could not have brought to someone better. It was a right decision.“
On your scenes of the first season, Ashbrook He was sincere: “Looking today, I think I could have done better. He was young and this is part. But we grow as an actor.“
Twin peaks In a word: “FTapid“
TO Dana AshbrookIf there is a word capable of defining Twin peaksShe is “spectral“And he doesn’t say it only for the supernatural aura of the series.” Surreal, bizarre, dreamy … but also normal, you know?“The actor explained.
“It’s like [o filme] Blue velvet In that scene where everything seems beautiful and perfect, until the camera drops and shows insects on earth, dirt under the beautiful grass. Twin peaks And that. It looks like any city, but there is very hidden there. “
More than a mystery of murder or a parody of soap opera, Ashbrook He sees the series as something that plays in deep areas of the psyche. “There are much more in the life of this simple business of novelty. There is a lot there. Very.“
The global cult
To the question about worship throughout the series all over the world, Ashbrook experiences shared by other countries. “In England they have already made conventions, festivals … they love the series“He said.
But the craziest story has been in Bulgaria. I was turning there and several local actors came to tell me that when Twin peaks It was on TV, the whole city stopped. Nobody left home. Everyone looked at. It was crazy to hear it. “
Even after so many years, the impact of the series still strikes him. “I had never done anything that had that success – and to be honest, not even after. It was a very crazy thing. Really intense years, too intense.“
A spectator among the fans
Despite being a central part of the cast, Ashbrook It reveals that he has never resumed the original series since the 90s. But everything has changed with Return. “I saw how I was on TV. It was surreal. Very strange, a little crazy“, he said.
Remember with the emotion of a dream sequence in the first episodes. “I saw that scene of dreams and I thought: “I’ve never seen anything like that”. And the crazy thing is that I was not even on my script! It was a discovery like any viewer. I was taking this trip with you.“
With enthusiasm, Dana Ashbrook Let the affection for the project that marked his journey: a work that has gone through decades, countries and formats, but for him, remains unique. “It was a crazy journey. Frightening, beautiful and completely engaging.“
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Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
