Filming Olympic Dreams was ‘unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before,’ the actor says.
That is, until now.
It was a bit of a blind faith that I trusted them, and they did it.
IFC Films
Jeremy was the cameraman and sound guy, Alexi and I were responsible for our own makeup and wardrobe.
We really had to do everything ourselves because the Olympics would only grant us three passes to everything.
All the stuff in the dentists office, thats the actual dentists office at the Olympics.
IFC Films
Thats all real moments, we didnt have extras, and that helped me feel more like the character.
Wow, thats a lot of pressure.Ohyeah.
We had free rein to shoot during rehearsals.
We shot during cross-country events.
Were telling this smaller love story set within that world.
How did the experience impact your perspective on the games?It had a tremendous effect on me.
What you dont realize is there are all these moments in between.
A lot of athletes dont think about what happens once youve competed.
Youve spent your whole living worrying about this one event, so what do you do now?
Its really this in-between that most athletes experience there.
I was so struck by that.
[Pauses] And I was so cold there.
I wasfreezingcold shooting that movie.
Its their opportunity to be together.
There was something about that experience that was unlike anything Ive ever experienced before.
It was so exciting.
There was something so special about that moment Ill never forget.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
