Tracey Roath stars in Michael Korican's 'Seeing is Feeling'
Tracey Roath stars in Michael Korican's short drama 'Seeing is Feeling'. She plays the role of Dr. Mary Southampton.
Tracey says, "I found playing an eye doctor fascinating. The director had arranged for me to train and observe with a local eye specialist who in turn helped me learn about the equipment as well as the specifics and importance of each piece. It seemed to me that eye docs are very technical people. Their thought process for diagnosing is extremely thorough, speedy and yet gentle at the same time. Very different than a GP."
She elaborates, "The director and I spent a good deal of time creating a back story and adding depth to her gestures, physicality and interaction with M. Doiron. It was this coupled with many of my personal interactions and experiences with people who are socially anxious that allowed me to get to a place where I could communicate vulnerability without words. I honestly felt the sadness, the anger and then the possibility of escape and happiness. It all felt very real to me."
She continues, "The scenes in which Doiron and myself connect are dramatically longer to allow the complexity of each character's nature to show... much of it without words. This was challenging as an actor but an artistic way (I believe) to allow the audience to see and feel what was going on in those moments."
Tracey and director Michael Korican have worked together on two projects to date.
She says, "Working with Michael is a positive and rewarding experience for myself because he does so much work before the actor actually gets on set. All the pre-production allows me to just focus on the character on the day. Michael's attention to every detail -- such as having circles throughout the set to further the "eye" and "seeing" themes -- give it more visual integrity, interest and depth. Everything mattered and meant something. My wardrobe even included round pearl earrings and a scarf that had a pattern of circles on it."
She concludes, "There many things I love about independent filmmaking but the main reason for being involved is the local filmmakers. There is an amazing amount of passion here and the talent that everyone involved brings to a film always makes me feel incredibly fortunate that I am a part of this community of artists. It's a welcoming family of artists doing what they love to do. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?"