SXSW 2011: 'Apart' Actor Josh Danziger

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Arguably the best thing about SXSW is discovering "new" talent, both onscreen and off. One of the world premiere films at SXSW 2011 was Apart, the feature directorial debut of Aaron Rottinghaus. The movie starred Texas native Josh Danziger, who worked on the original story with Rottinghaus (read the Slackerwood review). Both took time out of their whirlwind week to talk with Slackerwood about their romantic thriller, the story of a young man haunted by the past and the girl he cannot remember.

Below are excerpts from my conversation with Danziger, who was in town to support the movie and to celebrate making it in his home state of Texas. We're confirming he's also going to be in Dallas for the screenings of Apart at the Dallas International Film Festival in less than a week.

Even though you and director Aaron Rottinghaus are currently based in Los Angeles, you chose to film in Texas. Can you tell us more about that?

Josh Danziger: I am from Texas; I went to UT. I was born in San Antonio, my dad went to St. Mary's law school, and then we end up moving outside of Houston in a town called Richmond-Rosenberg. [Richmond and Rosenberg, TX are technically separate municipalities but also known as "twin towns."]

We shot 26 days in Texas, then another few days in LA, so 90 percent was shot in Texas. It was before the [incentives] were available, but we saved a lot by shooting in Richmond and Rosenberg. I can't thank the community enough. Having a car flip, a bus crash and fire, and building sets of fire, going to the fire yard, and having those guys just do it on their off time. It was like, really? Thank you, have some food ... we saved a lot.

And it's Texas, I love Texas. It was comfortable to shoot here. I grew up there. Every location was through friends, family, and they really opened up to us and said, "You know what? We're happy to help."

Apart is clearly a complex story, not only because the story is presented in a non-linear format, but because the hook, the psychological disorder folie à deux where two people share a delusion is revealed before the first scene. How long did it take to finish the film?

Danziger: The production took 13 months, and the writing process took 18 months, because we were always making sure everything worked together, and it all connected. I think this is a really special film, and I'm not just saying that just because I worked on it. We would not have worked so hard on it if it all wasn't there.

The one thing that we've hated in movies is when there's dialogue that [doesn't need to be said], that just ruins moments. Aaron said the hardest part about the acting, is what isn't being said. And the one word that Aaron gave me for my character is "broken."

With such a character-driven story, casting was clearly a vital part of the production. Can you tell us more about casting for Apart, and the unlikely leading lady?

Danziger: We got lucky. Olesya Rulin [of High School Musical fame] came in very last minute. We weren't happy with anyone [else we auditioned for the role of Emily Gates], and as an actor I had three things I needed to make my performance work: my preparation; Aaron's direction; and whoever played Emily Gates. I was freaking out a week before we started shooting; I still didn't know who was playing Emily Gates, and couldn't build that relationship as an actor and bring that chemistry to the screen. I think [Olesya] flew out here before her deal was even closing, two days before shooting, and we just hit it off.

And then Aaron landed Joey Lauren Adams and David Born, and Michael Bowen and Bruce McGill. All great actors, they bought into Aaron's vision for the film, and really brought their "A" game. The one person I regret not acting with is Joey Lauren Adams.

Apart has a strong cast delivering equally strong performances, but one actor really stood out -- can you tell us more about Texas-based actor Sue Rock?

Danziger: David [Born] came in to audition to play my Dad and nailed it and we loved him. And he said, "You know for [the role of] Julie Gates, I have this friend Sue Rock." She gave one of my favorite performances when she's talking to Emily before the dance. She came in, she was amazing.

The film shows a lot of restraint in what it shows on the screen, including the "dance" scene with Emily and Noah.

Danziger: The "dance" scene is the only part of the script that when we developed it a few years ago, and when we were shooting it, it never changed. I read it the other day, and if you read it, it's exactly what you see onscreen. When you have a connection to two characters who are in love, you can always go the old high school route, and they make love or they kiss, but you know what? That's not our characters. There's an emotional connection, what would make that like a dance, we all go to in high school... It's the only moment they have together.

One of the venues that Apart played was the historic Paramount Theatre...

Danziger: I've dreamed about that. My first adventure in the movie business was an extra in The Faculty, and I was fortunate enough to be invited to that [Paramount] screening, and Robert Rodriguez came up to me and said "Thank you." I remember seeing that film in the Paramount, that's a great venue, it's beautiful. Now Aaron and I made our first film and come back to Austin for SXSW ... and we get the Paramount. Wow.

Apart plays the Dallas International Film Festival on Sunday, April 3 and Tuesday, April 5 in the Texas Competition program.