Harry Connick Jr. on the Nightmare of Singing in Greek for ‘Find Me Falling’

[Editor’s note: The following contains major spoilers for Find Me Falling.]

From author/director Stelana Kliris, the Netflix authentic Find Me Falling follows John Allman (Harry Connick Jr.), a rock star who decides to cover out on the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus after a failed comeback album. However what he thinks shall be a break the place he may be left alone in a distant house by the cliff to determine what’s subsequent, quickly turns right into a shock reunion with an previous flame (Agni Scott) that has a giant secret of her personal. On the identical time, John bonds with a younger singer named Melina (Ali Fumiko Whitney), who helps him reconnect along with his love of music.

Connick Jr.’s character, John Allman, was as soon as on the peak of his profession, because of a catchy music from the ‘80s, however has since develop into a bit misplaced in relation to what music means to him. When he decides to run away from his errors and dangerous selections, he thinks he’s simply going to flee to his new cliffside house, solely to study that location tends to draw determined people who’re far worse off than him. Whereas it seems like all his decisions are catching up with him, he’s capable of re-evaluate what music means to him, which simply would possibly get his life again heading in the right direction.

Throughout this one-on-one interview with Collider, Connick Jr. talked about why he needed to signal on for Discover Me Falling, how a lot he linked to the mission, why he must be at peace to search out success in his work, how the method of writing songs for a personality differs from writing songs for himself, the nightmare of getting to sing in Greek, and the way he’s at all times felt compelled to entertain. He additionally shared why his strategy to his appearing profession is totally different from music, and the one time he acquired nervous a couple of efficiency.

Harry Connick Jr. Shares What Ulitmately Satisfied Him To Signal On To Do ‘Discover Me Falling’

Collider: I actually loved this as a result of it’s a very totally different take from what we usually see with romantic films. It focuses as an alternative on the mother and father and this second probability that they’ve at a relationship. I additionally love the added aspect of the music. When this got here your means, was it one thing you instantly needed to do? Did you want some convincing? Are you somebody that’s at all times hesitant if it’s a film that you simply’ll even be singing in?

HARRY CONNICK JR: I learn all scripts with an open thoughts. If I’m singing in it, I don’t go into it considering that I’m gonna do it, or I’m not gonna do it. It simply is dependent upon the script. And so, once I learn it, I assumed it was a very lovely story. I assumed it was well-written. I favored the characters. The following a part of the method is to search out out who’s concerned, and once I discovered that Stelana [Kliris] wrote it and can be directing it, I watched one other movie she did, known as Dedicated, which I assumed was nice. It was a tiny little film she did in Cyprus. After which, she wrote me this actually compelling, beautiful letter, saying why she needed me to do it. I feel I used to be as taken by her letter as I used to be the script. After which, it’s a must to take into consideration all the opposite issues like, “What am I doing? When can I do it? It was two months in Cyprus, which sounded nice. Nevertheless it’s a matter of whether or not all of the items can match collectively, and so they did. I used to be simply thrilled that it labored out as a result of it actually was a unbelievable expertise for all of us.

Watching the film, the placement and the meals makes it appear to be it could have been a tremendous expertise.

CONNICK JR: It actually was. As shoots go, it doesn’t get extra enjoyable. Clearly, you’re there to work, but it surely’s a type of issues the place it’s a must to pinch your self. You get days off, every now and then, and even on set, it was a really small, family-like crew and the catering was wonderful. Issues like that basically make for a terrific expertise. Two of my daughters had been there, so we actually made a trip out of it once I wasn’t working. The entire Cypriot expertise was unbelievable.

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How did you are feeling most linked to this man, and the way did you are feeling most challenged by him?

CONNICK JR: The half concerning the suicide was primarily based on a man, named Don Ritchie, who was known as the Angel of the Hole. He was an Australian man who saved [at least 180 people]. It’s simply a tremendous story about human connection, and that’s actually what this script is about. The principle distinction between me and John is that he’s simply so disconnected. I’d go the opposite means with quite a lot of the choices that he made. He’s at a very low level in his life, and I feel it’s the results of some actually dangerous selections. I used to be very fortunate to make some good selections, and what I prioritize is kind of totally different than what he prioritized. It’s only a matter of moving into that that head, which is a enjoyable problem as an actor.

Harry Connick Jr. Is Higher Adjusted Than His ‘Discover Me Falling’ Character

You appear very well-adjusted with a really well-balanced life, in comparison with most musicians.

CONNICK JR: Nicely, if I’m going to create something, whether or not it’s writing one thing, or appearing on movie, or Broadway, or no matter, for me, what works is being at peace. How do you carry your self to a spot the place you may have a quiet thoughts, emotionally, with the intention to have this infinitely thrilling artistic thoughts? For me, it’s ensuring that the elements of your life which can be an important are an important. That’s what works for me. I’ve by no means been one in every of these who, when tragedy strikes, I’m gonna go sit down on the piano and write about it. I would love to have the ability to cope with the tragedy, after which be capable to entry all elements of my life, creatively, once I have to. However that’s simply what’s labored for me. All people’s acquired one thing totally different.

How totally different is the method of writing a music for a personality that matches with a narrative? Do you discover it simpler when you could have parameters like that, or is it more durable?

CONNICK JR: One among my favourite issues to do is create responsively. The tighter the boundaries are, the extra enjoyable it’s to attempt to stretch them out. If there have been no guidelines, life wouldn’t be as enjoyable. I used to be simply speaking to my spouse about that. She stated, “, I can’t cease singing that music, ‘Discover Me Falling.’ It’s actually easy. It’s actually catchy.” I stated, “That’s good,” as a result of I had very strict parameters from which to create inside. I needed to write like a man who will not be me. I wouldn’t have written both of these songs. Possibly I’d have written “Discover Me Falling.” However the truth that I used to be attempting to write down from his perspective, which is a unique musical perspective, was quite a lot of enjoyable.

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While you write a music, do you could have a way when the music is full and it’s one of the best model it may be, or are you somebody that’s at all times occupied with how you might change it or the way it may have been totally different or higher?

CONNICK JR: These are such nice questions. My mother-in-law (Glenna Goodacre) was a world famend sculptor. She did the Ladies’s Memorial on the Vietnam Wall. She did the Sacagewea coin. She was world-renowned, and we used to speak about this on a regular basis as a result of she used to spend all of her days matching clay and scraping. I used to be like, “When do you cease?” And he or she stated, “That’s a problem.” It’s comparable. You heard me singing within the movie, and that’s as emotional as I can sing. There’s no method concerned. It’s out of tune. It’s not likely perfection, in any respect. And I like doing that. I sang that in a single take, and that was it. I’m at some extent in my life when songs develop into completed loads faster as a result of I’ve realized that the imperfections are a part of the snapshot of a specific time in your life.

I’ve at all times discovered the songwriting course of so fascinating as a result of, as somebody who doesn’t write songs, it appears mysterious and magical. We hear the completed product of a terrific music, however what number of variations did it undergo to get there? And does the artist love or hate their very own music? It’s simply such an fascinating course of to me.

CONNICK JR: It’s fascinating to me, too. It’s a mixture of these issues. With that exact music, I knew I wanted to write down one thing about being hopelessly in love and never with the ability to do something about it. After which, I began occupied with the double that means of falling in love and these individuals which can be falling. I began considering, “It doesn’t matter what my circumstances are, regardless of what’s going on, I can not get out of this emotional place. If the wind blows a sure means, or if it’s calm out like at present, I nonetheless stand on ft of clay.” After which, I used to be like, “However what am I doing? What am I telling her? She will come right here and see that I’m determined. She will come discover me.” After which, I used to be like, “Oh, discover me falling.” That’s how that happened. After which, they ended up altering the title of the movie to that, which was a pleasant feeling, however I additionally thought it was acceptable.

Harry Connick Jr. Was Grateful His Greek Did not Should Sound Good

What was it like to search out out that you simply’d be performing a conventional serenade in Greek?

CONNICK JR: It was a nightmare. That’s not on the resume. I don’t get nervous very a lot. I wouldn’t name it nerves, however you’re standing round a bunch of Greek-speaking Cypriots and also you’re singing probably the most well-known love songs of all time. The factor is, I wasn’t speculated to sound like I knew what I used to be doing, in order that was cool. The “Blissful Birthday” was truly more durable, on the finish, as a result of it simply made no sense to me. I communicate sufficient French to get by, however Greek isn’t French. It simply doesn’t make any sense. Should you take a look at it written on the web page, the phrases are usually not phonetic, in any respect. So, yeah, I used to be joyful when these scenes had been over.

After I spoke to your co-star, Ali Fumiko Whitney, she informed me that you simply took her alongside on a few of your adventures whilst you guys had been there. She stated that there was a ship day and an ATV day that you simply all had. Was that one thing you probably did since you had been attempting to bond along with her and create that onscreen relationship, or do you simply sometimes like to incorporate individuals on adventures?

CONNICK JR: She’s a terrific child. I truly thought it could do each of us a disservice by associating along with her offscreen. I assumed it would do her a disservice, if that’s the way in which she labored. When the digital camera rolls, you’re taking part in an element. I’m not a type of guys who doesn’t wanna discuss to her in actual life as a result of I don’t know her as a personality. She’s only a nice child, and we had a good time. Our daughters had been there and so they’re across the identical age, so she was only a blast to be round.

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What was it like to essentially set up the connection and connection between these characters by way of music?

CONNICK JR: This man was so unhappy to me. After I noticed the reduce of it, I truly teared up as a result of she’s this excellent younger girl, and he doesn’t know her in any respect. That’s simply so unhappy. It was such a pleasant coincidence that they had been capable of bond by way of that. Music takes over the place phrases generally fail, and he doesn’t have the phrases. I simply thought it was lovely once they acquired to play some music collectively.

Aside from the second once they’re on stage and he’s drunk, and he simply reveals that he’s her father in entrance of an entire bunch of individuals. What was that second wish to shoot? How bizarre is it to be taking part in drunk and attempting to sing with an viewers reacting to you?

CONNICK JR: The cool factor about Stelana is that when she will get a take, she is aware of it, and I like that. I don’t have to do 40 takes. Should you get it on the primary or second take, let’s transfer on. I used to be pleased with it. You go into one other actuality if you’re taking part in that function, and I used to be Agni [Scott], who was taking part in Sia, and standing subsequent to Ali, and I used to be simply so indignant. I didn’t even take into consideration something. My character went away, and also you simply develop into so enraged and passionate in that second in time, or no less than that’s the objective. After which, Stelana acquired it in nonetheless many takes, and we moved on. I didn’t even actually give it some thought. Hopefully, you get to that fleeting place the place you may simply end up in a personality.

Harry Connick Jr. Has By no means Wished to Be Something Different Than an Entertainer

There’s a line within the movie when Melina says, “Music isn’t a profession,” which may have totally different meanings. It isn’t a profession as a result of generally you simply can’t not do one thing that’s inside you. There are additionally in all probability lots of people that simply don’t see music, or appearing, or something involving the humanities, as a profession. Have you ever ever shared that thought or doubt with your personal profession, or have you ever at all times simply been targeted on realizing what you wish to do?

CONNICK JR: I really feel very fortunate in that means as a result of I can’t do anything, besides really feel compelled to create and entertain. I actually don’t know what I’d do. I’d be unsuccessful. I simply really feel very fortunate that I had the will to be an artist, and I by no means questioned it. I by no means in contrast myself to anybody else. I by no means acquired jealous of anybody else. I’m what I’m, with all my limitations and no matter expertise I might need. That’s who I’m, and I simply like it. Every single day, I get up and I really feel like, “What are we gonna do at present?” For instance, I’m speaking to you proper now, which isn’t making music, however I occur to essentially take pleasure in speaking to individuals. You’re somebody that I like speaking to greater than perhaps some others since you’re actually good at your job. If this is part of the job, I embrace it and am not attempting to get out of it. I’m not, “Oh, my gosh, one other interview.” I take pleasure in it.

While you began doing work as an actor, had been there forms of initiatives that you simply needed to do or issues that you simply needed to keep away from? Was it at all times nearly following instincts as alternatives got here your means? How did you image your appearing profession, versus music?

CONNICK JR: The appearing profession was a little bit bit totally different as a result of, once I was about 19, I used to be taking part in in some membership someplace and someone stated, “Hey, we’re doing a WWII film, known as Memphis Belle. Do you wanna audition?” So, I auditioned as a result of I at all times knew I needed to do it. I had acted in highschool and it was one thing that I needed to pursue, and that got here up. I wasn’t seeking to do a interval WWII film, however that’s what got here up, I fell in love with the method, after which simply began studying scripts. I auditioned for those I favored and put aside those I didn’t. That a part of it was one thing that was particularly designed, however you simply by no means know what issues are gonna occur. After which, as you grow old, you get ready, hopefully, the place you may selections from a manufacturing standpoint and truly determine particularly what you wanna do or don’t wanna do, versus simply appearing in a task.

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They each fall below the humanities, however music and appearing do really feel fairly totally different. In music, you’re looking for your sound and who you’re as a musician. However as an actor, you don’t need individuals to see you as one factor.

CONNICK JR: Yeah, it’s fascinating. They’re very totally different. They’re very comparable in quite a lot of methods, however that’s a very astute means of wanting on the variations. I don’t need individuals essentially to think about me as myself once I’m on-screen, so I do one of the best I can to only attempt to soak up that individual and be that individual.

Harry Connick Jr. Reveals the One Time in His Life That He Was Nervous A couple of Efficiency

Out of all of the belongings you’ve completed in your profession, what was probably the most nervous that you simply’ve been earlier than stepping on set the primary day or stepping on stage?

CONNICK JR: I’ve by no means gotten nervous, apart from one specific time. I used to be going to be part of Frank Sinatra’s birthday celebration, his seventy fifth birthday celebration, and I used to be speculated to sing amongst among the biggest singers on this planet. Proper earlier than I went out, I used to be standing backstage, and Ella Fitzgerald was sitting there. I stated, “Ms. Fitzgerald, are you okay? Do you want something?” I feel I used to be 22 or 23. And he or she goes, “No, I’m tremendous. I’m simply actually nervous.” And I used to be like, “Oh, my God, you’re nervous?” She went out and sang with Frank. After which, Jack Jones went out. After which, I needed to exit and sing with Henry Mancini conducting the orchestra. I used to be Frank Sinatra, and I simply shut down. I didn’t bear in mind the music. I didn’t bear in mind the place I used to be. It was a nightmare. That was the one and solely time that I used to be like, “That is what nerves are.” It was horrible. I used to be so imply to all people. I had simply began relationship my spouse, Jill [Goodacre], and I used to be imply to her. I used to be imply to my supervisor. I used to be simply not enjoyable to be round that day.

What’s subsequent for you?

CONNICK JR: There are literally quite a lot of actually thrilling issues. I can’t actually discuss them but as a result of we’re about to announce some issues. However there’s some actually, actually thrilling issues, extra alongside the traces of very particular concepts, not solely in music, however in movie, in theater, and on TV. There’s a complete bunch of issues that we’ve been engaged on for fairly a while and we’re about to announce these publicly. Each from time to time, one thing comes up the place I’m like, “Oh, I didn’t count on that.” Discover Me Falling was that. However at this level in my life, every thing else is one thing that I’m concerned with from the very starting.

Discover Me Falling is out there to stream on Netflix. Try the trailer:

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