FWM: Share your experience studying theatre in Chicago.
The stage was my first home in this industry and I will always love it. I came of age in the theatre and it absolutely shaped the Actor I am today. I think the thing I love even more than the performance is the rehearsal. Where you begin and what you become during that process. I love live performance, but I believe the rehearsal process in theatre is where you truly get to be an Artist. I was so fortunate to grow up in and study in a place with such a rich outlet for this, both in high school and beyond. I was able to work in Chicago theatre and Illinois State University’s fantastic theatre program and I am forever in the debt of the people I was able to learn from and collaborate with.
FWM: You’ve had a very busy 2019 completing seven film projects. What did you learn about yourself in 2019?
2019 was the year I learned to say no. I think there is a lot of encouragement out there nowadays for people to “just say yes.” I think that’s wonderful and empowering and positive and I subscribed to that for several years. It brought some wonderful work and wonderful people into my life. But it also overwhelmed me. I think working a lot and creating a solid body of work is important, but I also think being selective is important. I think there is power in assessing what works for you and knowing that everything is not going to serve you and your greater goal. I think it’s important to stay clear on what your goals are and choose work based on that. That’s my goal for 2020.
FWM: Tell us about your film, The Red Lotus in which you won “Best Actress.”
The Red Lotus was my first lead role in a film and I was so lucky to work alongside great Director, Jessica Green and an amazing cast. It’s been a few years and the film did really well on the festival circuit and I am still so proud of it. The film started as a group of Filmmakers in search of a new project. The Writer, Shara Ashley Zeiger, wanted to write specifically about this topic, so she researched and wrote the script, we cultivated a team, and by the end we had a film about sisterhood and women’s rights in a dystopian society. The story follows my character, Michelle, who tricks her sister into accompanying her to an illegal, undercover abortion clinic after she learns she’s pregnant by a man that previously discarded her. We had the most amazing time shooting it and I was really honored to receive that award.
FWM: You were nominated for your work in Uneffable. Why do you think this film resonated with the audience?
Uneffable is a dark, quirky comedy from the wonderful playwright, Pia Wilson, about a socialite that murders a male associate and then throws a tea party to employ her friends in hiding the body. As the story progresses, we find out that each woman at the party had an opportunity and a motive to kill the guy. It’s hilarious to witness each woman’s story and interaction with the victim, a condescending mansplainer with no scruples. I play the socialite that ultimately murders him and I had such a great time with this role. It was wonderful to be recognized for my work in this. It’s a funny and surprising film and we had such a great time shooting it.
FWM: What genres interest you? What do you look for in a role?
I really don’t have a specific genre when it comes to film. I have such a great love for cinema and that truly spans all genres for me. Comedy, drama, action, historical, horror, I love it all. I’ve been fortunate to work on lots of different types of films and that has kept me on my toes and helped me learn a great deal about how to approach different kinds of material. When considering roles, I look first to the story, then to the role and how it lends itself to the story. If one or both of these are not in line or I can’t really see how the character serves the story, I would probably move on.
FWM: Are there any recurring themes in your upcoming films?
Definitely-Female Empowerment. I have three films coming up: Trinities, Perfect, and From Venus With Love. All three are very different in terms of genre and subject, but all touch on women at different levels, in different positions discovering and harnessing their power.
FWM: Tell us about your upcoming film, “Fizzle.
Fizzle is fantastic and bizarre! It’s different from any other film I’ve worked on and I was so lucky to be a part of it. It’s a great script by Gilbert Girion about eight strangers navigating inhibitions and social pitfalls at an upscale party. It was originally a play so it’s very theatrical and avant garde and connecting with the material really forced me to step outside my comfort zone. I’ve studied theatre and I’ve studied film, but putting theatre on film was really different. I was so grateful to our incredible director, Jeremiah Kipp. He is a true Actor’s Director and he made the work feel so clear and effortless. I learned so much just being in that room.
FWM: What did you decide to take on the web series, “Awkwardly?”
I wanted to work on Awkwardly because the Writer/Creator, Nikki Coble, is a dear friend of mine and is supremely talented. When she told me about the project, I said yes even before I knew what my role was. I would work with Nikki on anything and I knew starting out that the series would be a success. As soon as I read the script I was blown away by what she had created and the sheer ambition she had in taking on a project of that magnitude. We had a great time on the festival circuit and took home an armful awards including six Best Web Series awards from LA International Film Fest Awards, NYC International Film Festival, New Jersey Web Fest, LA Global Film Festival Awards, LA Film Awards and Baltimore Web Fest, a Best Ensemble Cast award from LA Global Film Fest Awards, Best Creator in a Comedy for Nikki from the Asia Web Awards and we finished in the Top Ten Web Series in the United States in the Web Series World Cup.
FWM: Which work are you most proud of as a Producer?
I produced a film two years ago called, “The Light Watcher,” and it was probably the most challenging job I’ve had as a Producer. It had the most moving parts of any production I’ve worked on. We were shooting the film on consecutive weekends on Martha’s Vineyard, which is only accessible by ferry. And in the winter, those ferries are infrequent. So coordinating transport each weekend from Manhattan to Massachusetts and then to the island for our entire cast, crew and production team and procuring lodging was a challenge. In addition to that, we had to make sure we had every last thing we needed, because there was no going back if we forgot something. If it didn’t make it on the boat, we weren’t using it. Also, Martha’s Vineyard virtually shuts down in the winter so access to food, supplies, film locations and lodging once you’re on the island is extremely limited. It’s a miracle that we got there with everything and everyone in tow and had an absolute blast shooting the film. It was one of the best times I’ve ever had!
FWM: Why are you a Formidable Woman?
I think we are all formidable in our unique ways and I think everyone has something to offer in a powerful, inspiring way. I just try to work often, work hard, show up early, stay late, stay true to my word and always be learning.
FWM: What is next for you?
I am so excited to be starring in and producing the film, “From Venus With Love,” a light hearted mystery celebrating the beginning of the Women’s Movement in the Summer of Love, 1967. I’m also producing my first feature film, “Trinities,” about a troubled New Orleans detective who becomes a key witness in a serial murder case, forcing her to face her tumultuous past and question her future as a detective.
https://www.instagram.com/jennplotzkehttps://www.twitter.com/jennplotzkehttps://www.facebook.com/jenniferplotzkehttps://www.jenniferplotzke.com
