10 lessons learnt from Eric Bana (Luna Cinema Q and A Closed Circuit)

It was a full house at Luna Cinema in Leederville when Eric Bana arrived for the preview and QA session for his latest movie Closed Circuit. I’ve already reviewed the movie on this blog here, but thought I’d share some of the things I pondered while listening to a relaxed, happy, cheeky Bana being interviewed by Mark Naglazas.

Thanks to Luna Cinema © Luna Cinema

1. Training

With no formal training, ‘to this day’, Bana is yet another example that lack of training is no barrier to reaching your dreams.

‘My parents never told me to not do it. I was always getting into trouble doing impressions, but my teachers laughed at me, my parents laughed at me. I learnt on the job.’

Thanks to Luna Cinema © Luna Cinema

2. No grand plan

Bana added that he had no grand plan, ‘no stars in my eyes’. That he fell into stand up, did sketch comedy for three years, which included the highly thought of Full Frontal, then ‘a combination of accidents’ saw him move into acting.

‘All I knew was how to play a character, I had no interest in drama, but I realised there was no difference between sketch comedy and movie acting.’

3.The big break often comes when its least expected

Time and again I hear that the ‘big break’ comes out of the blue, and often when people are away on holidays, or in the middle of some other major life event. For Eric it was his honeymoon. His agent called telling him about the Chopper project, a movie about notorious criminal Chopper Reid. But they needed Bana to fly back and audition, his answer was …

‘No. You only get married once … ideally,’ he smirked.

Bana ended up making a series of auditions and two years later, landed the role. Even then his future wasn’t guaranteed as the film fell over half a dozen times in pre-production.

4.Putting in the work and enjoy the process

What followed was a period of intense work including Black Hawk Down, and The Hulk.

‘During Black Hawk Down my head was spinning, I was like a kid in a candy store. There were 32 of us cast and it was one of the great experiences of my life.’

But it was Troy which made the difference as it was seen throughout Europe.

Thanks to Luna Cinema © Luna Cinema

5.Arrive early and be ready to work

Bana went on to explain that he enjoys the research side of acting, and that he tries to get to the movie location early, so all the basics can be sorted out well before filming begins.

‘Research is the best part. I like to have the time to go to the location three months before the shoot. That way wardrobe aren’t pulling their hair out at the last minute.’

6.Making choices

Closed Circuit is a political thriller and while filming the phone hacking scandal broke, which makes the story even more powerful. Political thrillers aren’t Bana’s usual role. While not a political person, Bana said he was attracted to the movie because: of the David versus Goliath story; that his character is working through a midlife crisis of sorts; plus he got to row on the Thames and wear some ‘snappy dressing.’

‘When I read something I like to think … I know I can do it, I feel really strongly that I can do it … then it’s just boring hard work.’

Chopper was one such movie, ‘when I read the script I knew straight away it was a fit for me.’

7. An uncertain future is okay

Bana was unclear about what he would be doing in the future, saying that he responds to what’s on his desk and that he has ‘no control over what comes over my desk.’ However he was very decisive about what he would not be doing. He won’t be putting on 40lbs again as he did for Chopper, explaining that it was ‘fun for the first two weeks of over eating, but then it was a pain.’ Nor will he be seen in Mad Max as it ‘would be like dating your sister.’ Sadly he also won’t be making a return to stand up.

‘Sometimes I’d like to. My son is obsessed with comedy, my back catalogue. Part of me would dearly love to, but no I’m too lazy. I stopped because I was sick of the sound of my own voice. If I was starting now it would be hideous.’

8.Advice for young actors

‘Forget about where you are going to end up, just be happy doing it. Don’t have stars in your eyes. No matter how far your career goes just be happy doing it.

‘The best movies are when you enjoy the process. The best letters I get come from that.’

9. Audience question

The sometimes cringe worthy audience question session was a hoot. It was clear early on that the audience was full of long term Bana fans. Clearly relaxed and enjoying himself, Bana graciously took the time to answer all the questions asked. At several points he almost fell into a stand up routine, including reliving the much loved character Peter (Peda).
The session began with Bana stopping the person asking the question to say … ‘it’s not fair that you know my name and I don’t know yours’. Thereafter everyone had to say their name to which Bana would say ‘Hi Sharron’ (or whatever their name was), with various degrees of cheek or sexual innuendo. Perhaps this is an approach other audience members could try.

10. Urged to maintain relationship with local cinema

The evening ended with a standing ovation, hoots and Bana urging people to continue to go to local cinemas.

‘This is a great venue. … you won’t get good movies unless you maintain your relationship with local cinema.’

As we filed out of the cinema I pondered:

Listening to Bana was like having a chat with your older brother. He was another one of those rare unassuming stars;
These are only a few of the things I learnt. Other topics discussed were: his average day when not on set; his decision not to live in LA; his heroes; Australians in film and the best thing about fame … cashmere … evidently;
Clearly he hasn’t lost any of his cheeky comedy sass. I’m sure that if he went back to stand up he’d have the audience in stitches within minutes, as he did that night.

Luna Cinema in Leederville continues to hold some wonderfully insightful nights, look out for them and grab a ticket as soon as they are announced. Many thanks Luna Team.

Closed Circuit is still on in cinemas. http://www.lunapalace.com.au/?cin=sessions
Movie review go to https://www.theponderroom.com/2013/12/paranoia-bombs-and-eric-bana-what-more.html