ON SET: Being Bad in 'Death Doula'

Even if you're not in "show business," I don't have to tell you the entertainment industry has been struggling.

After the one-two punch of COVID and union strikes, I personally began to feel my acting career had finally run out of steam.

A feature-film role I'd been offered went non-union, so I passed. Another film production shut down shortly after the casting process. Auditions had all but dried up.

But, slowly, things began to pick up. A small role in a play last year, a part in a one-day USC workshop film at the beginning of the year. And eventually, more auditions.

Drip, drip drip ...

So I'm thrilled to be cast this summer in a fabulously juicy part, being bad in Death Doula, Morgan Montgomery's amazing USC MFA thesis short film.

Death Doula is a Dark Mirror-esque tale set in a dystopian reality where assisted suicide of the terminally ill is not only legalized but commercialized -- with a script containing several "Oh My God!" jaw-dropping moments.

As sinister Dr. Cybil in "Death Doula"

I play Dr. Cybil, the ambiguous owner of Divine Transitions, a company providing Fantasy Island/Total Recall-type final-wish-fulfilment scenarios, such as "Go Down on the Titanic," or a James Bond-themed Time to Die room, as part of their life-ending services.

The film follows "death doula" Renata (the amazing AnnaLisa Erickson) as she trains a new teenaged intern (Romy Evans), and uncovers Cybil's sinister plan to "expand" the business!

AnnaLisa Erickson & I rehearse our face off in "Death Doula"

I love making movies at USC; the films I've made there over the past 20 years are often more professional than the "professional" ones I've done. And Death Doula was no exception. Such a talented director and amazingly skilled, efficient crew. Their attention to detail was amazing.

And don't forget, Old Dogs & New Tricks was crewed primarily by folks I'd worked with when they were USC students! So it felt good to "pay it back."

A few of Divine Transitions' offerings...

An added bonus: all of my scenes were shot within USC's 20th Century Fox soundstages -- heaven for an actor!

I had a blast playing against type opposite a talented actress with a skilled director!

Fingers crossed that more great roles follow! I'd be happy to continue acting at USC until the biz gets back to normal.

Death Doula will be finished in December. Follow the film on Instagram at @deathdoulathefilm

Meanwhile, here are a few more pics from the set:

With make-up/hair stylist Jeanne Mare-Raubenheimer

Shooting Divine Transitions' infomercial

Photos: Jacob Piller