Georgie's Rebellion: Cory Michael Smith Tells All
Hey everyone! Let's get up close and personal with Cory Michael Smith. He's dishing on his latest gig as Georgie in 'May December.' From tapping into Georgie's edgy vibe to teaming up with acting legends, Cory's got some cool stories to share. Plus, we're talking about his love for music and how it intertwines with acting. This isn't just any interview – it's a peek into Cory's world. Let’s dive in!
"You really nailed the complexity of Georgie in 'May December.' What was your secret sauce for getting into his headspace?
Looking in the mirror and seeing my purposefully horrific dye job made me feel pretty reckless. The ceremonial daily application of the tattoos I designed was meditative. Our costume designer, April Napier, found a pair of women's oversized overalls cut around the waist, which we belted. They felt huge, ridiculous, and very comfortable. I would jump around in those pants and feel like a kid. But the Georgie Secret Sauce recipe: cigarettes and Danzig while putting on my chokers.
You shared the screen with big names like Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. Did you pick up any cool or fun lessons from them?
I've had a fortunate career playing opposite some incredible actresses adorned with Oscars. They're all different, but they all possess a ready ferocity and fearlessness. They all seem to have an ability to wield immense power seemingly without much effort. Most of my work in this film was with Natalie, and she was incredibly gracious, warm, and very game to play.
The Ups and Downs of Being Georgie: What part of playing Georgie did you love the most, and what really challenged you?
The most fun part of him was born from what was challenging in developing him from his history. He's confident and reckless, which is delicious; but underneath that shell of a rambunctious good-time man-boy is a great deal of unattended pain and rage. He's overcompensating to cover it up. He's moving and thinking fast, or else the ugly thoughts catch up with him. It's like he's constantly trying to outrun his past or smack it away in his head when it gets too loud.
How did you and Todd Haynes brainstorm to bring Georgie to life? Did you have any 'a-ha' moments or crazy ideas that stuck?
Todd and I zoomed and emailed quite a bit about the look and spirit of Georgie before I came down to Savannah. He wanted me to dye my hair, and I agreed. He, Kim Santantonio (hair designer), Heba Thorisdottir (makeup designer), and I exchanged inspiration photos. There was a lot of talk about Johnny Rotten. We used a specific photo of him as the guide for our final hair color. I asked if they would budget for tattoos; they agreed and allowed me to design them, then we collaborated on placing them. Todd was very involved with April Napier in trying to find the perfect tone of Small City Artist that Georgie would embody with his clothing. Then I showed up with a Savannah dialect after working with a coach and presented that to Todd.
The Heart of the Story: 'May December' hits some deep themes. What do you hope the audience walks away thinking or feeling?
Samy Burch's script is emotionally complex and morally challenging. I'm not interested in a particular reaction to the moral minefield; however, regarding Georgie, it was important that we leave the audience unsure whether his little secret he tells Elizabeth about his mom is true. And I've thoroughly enjoyed people debating that after seeing the film. Success!
What's the dream role you're chasing next?
I can't know until I read it. When I read a script that utterly thrills me, or the project is being created by people whose work I deeply admire, I work obsessively for it. Sometimes it happens, and sometimes I have to move on to find the next thing that's interesting enough to fight for. But I enjoy the process.
In the film, you really owned the stage with confidence. Does performing music also spark your interest?
I started studying piano at the age of 8. Music was my first love, and I still sing and play piano daily. I think my experience of acting is quite musical. Finding rhythm with another actor is musical. And I use music a lot when studying and crafting characters."