by Lauren Kent
photos by Robert Hart
You could say Fort Worth native Tom Huckabee knew what he was doing. In his recent film Carried Away, a semi-autobiographical work he wrote 25 years ago and made here in North Texas, Huckabee tells a beautifully original story about love, loss and the invisible threads that bind a family. Coming home to Fort Worth and finding his dear “Granny” in a nursing home, Ed Franklin, played by Gabriel Horn, resolves to break her out and take her home with him to California. Of course, the reality of his grandmother’s mental instability is not fully grasped by Ed until he is on the road with her, all the while playing cat and mouse with his brothers and father who want to take her back to Texas. Juli Erickson, Morgana Shaw and Jennifer Sipes are the three talented actresses that play the women who impacted Huckabee in his young life: his aging grandmother, mother, and ex-girlfriend, respectively. I caught up with the ladies to get the low down on the film, what it was like working with each other, and what guilty pleasure they can’t live without.
Let’s talk about your characters in Carried Away. Who is she, the woman you portrayed, and what about her did you and didn’t you identify with?
Morgana Shaw: “When I read the script, I really wanted to play Jean [Ed’s mother] because I relate to raising boys. Especially that scene where they are all fighting. Boys are such a different breed.”
Juli Erickson: “Well my father-in-law died from complications from Alzheimer’s. So it was very close to me, that situation. It was easy to pull from that.”
Jennifer Sipes: “Sarah is a woman who finds that creative way to express herself in everything she does… And while I would have never considered living at somewhere like Arcosanti [an Arizona habitat] before I visited, I can say that after spending time there, I can see how beautiful and compelling life would be. I wouldn't call myself a "hippie" like I portrayed Sarah in the film, but every woman has that side to her to connect with.”
While on set, how was the dynamic between the three of you? What did you learn or gain from the other actresses’ personalities, talents and experiences?
Morgana: “Well Juli has known me for the longest time. She knows all of my secrets, that woman.”
Juli: “About 25 years.”
Morgana: “Yes, she’s kind of watched me and my boys grow up through the years. It’s kind of amazing. Which is why my playing her daughter- in-law [in the film] wasn’t much of a stretch. She’s been almost like a mama to me.
Jennifer: “Morgana and I have worked together in the industry, and while we didn't get much of a chance to work on the same days in this film, I have so much respect for her as an actress. I saw her on stage last year and was truly blown away by her.”
Morgana: “Jennifer has this naturalness that is so lovely, she’s not the “modely” type but she can do that also. It’s so great to see someone take off the makeup and be so beautiful.”
Jennifer: “ I adored working with both of the women in this film. Juli is a hoot and truly has a bright spirit to her. We found ourselves many nights in Arcosanti staying up late and chatting as girls do.”
Juli: “I think we as actors all want to bring the truth out. It’s always an honor to get to play something that is real.”
In the film, there are three different stages of love portrayed. Granny’s husband is dead and gone, so there is this lingering mystery and fondness for him that glosses over any problems they may have had. Jean is struggling in her marriage, ostracizied from her husband and threatening divorce. Sarah has a bourgeoning relationhip, fresh and new. Do you feel these stages of intimacy were accurately portrayed in the film, according to age and circumstance? What else plays a part in relationships?
Juli: “The funny thing was, the picture I carry around in the film of my deceased “husband” is actually my real husband [actor Grant James.] We’ve been together for 24 years.”
Jennifer: “I think that relationships are a constant mystery. We spend time questioning relationships and constantly trying to improve them. And we also get to experience the thrill of starting a new relationship with a fresh slate. I love how all of those elements are touched on in the film and I think that they portray a light to our never ending quest to find the secret to a ‘perfect relationship.’”
Morgana: “I think I can totally relate to everything Jean goes through in the film. She is supposed to be menopausal, and I’m a PMS’er.” [Laughs]. “But really, I love the story. I like that Jean was quiet about things, but she did put her foot down at times. There was a silent strength about her. I have a lot of friends who are older, and the situation she is in is definitely relatable.”
How do you define love?
Juli: “I think that it’s beyond definition. I love my friends, I love my husband, I love God, I love Morgana, I love acting, and each one is love but it’s in a different form of love. And I had to kiss some frogs before I found my family. They were nice frogs but I had to kiss some frogs.”
Morgana: “Ummmm..That’s an interesting question. It’s rather an emotional question to anwer right now. You never stop loving someone when you love them, but it may change its form. God opens the door to different paths. I don’t have a definition for love. It makes me emotional because I am still on that journey. I’m definitely learning what I don’t love.”
Juli: “Keep thinking about it Morgana.”
Jennifer: “I believe that love is a gift we get to experience on a multitude of levels. Love is beyond the pure initial attraction we get in any relationship, i.e. friends, lovers, family, yet the combination of forgiveness, acceptance, challenges, belief, lust, adoration, improvement, and a bond with someone so deep that no matter the time or situation it changes us forever.”
What is a vice you feel you’ll never get over?
Morgana: “I love Red Bull! I can’t give it up. It’s my favorite. I’ve used it in auditions, people have given it to me in show gifts.”
Jennnifer: “Hmmm. Maybe drinking wine.”
Juli: “I open mouth to insert foot before I start to think, I am very open and honest. My favorite quote that is on my signature on my email is ‘Lord keep your arm around my shoulder, and your hand over my mouth.’ But I don’t want to change.”
I for one am not giving that one up. On to beauty. What is one thing you wish you could change physically about yourself? What have you learned to love?
Juli- “I was always so skinny, I want that tummy back! But my smile, my face, my mouth, I‘ve learned to accept that its mine.”
Morgana: “I didn’t like being a red head. I wanted to be Ann-Margret and I wasn’t [laughs]. The first commercial I ever got was a close-up of my face, and I thought that I was going to die because I thought my eyes were too big! And now I think that’s one of the best assets that I have. And I used to not think I was pretty at all without makeup, but with embracing some raw footage, I began to see someone that was prettier from a deeper place.”
Jennifer: “I would change my mental insecurity about myself. I think everyone has something they want to change about themselves and frankly, I know I have my own insecurities. So, if I could, I would change that little bug in your ear that tells you you're not good enough. I used to want to change my features, a.k.a my lips and nose, when I was younger, but as I age, I find that my body just seems to fit a little better and I am grateful for every part of it.”
What makes you feel sexy?
Juli:“I still look pretty dang good for my age.”
Morgana: “Dancing makes me feel sexy.”
Juli: “And you do it so well!”
Morgana: “Thank you! That’s one of my passions, is dancing. If I needed to get out of myself and out of my head, I would go out dancing and that would do it for me. ”
Juli: “Dancing makes me feel sexy too. I started out in acting doing the hula at Disneyland 55 years ago. I know I can still dance.”
Jennifer: “Definitely dancing.”
What’s the one beauty product you can’t live without?
Morgana: “Crème de la Mere moisturizer. As a redhead my skin is super dry, and other moisturizers make me break out. You can only get it at Neiman’s. My skin drinks it.”
Jennifer: “Oooh that’s a toughie. Concealor.”
Juli: “Burt’s Bees Wax lip balm. Everything I own has a separate tube in it.”
What does family mean to you,and what part does it play in your idea of success?
Jennifer: “My family is so supportive to me and helps me to constantly challenge myself. While I love them, I also accept them for all that they are. They are there when no one else is and that helps drive me into being stronger in my personal relationships as well.”
Morgana: “My boys. I’m divorced, and I can tell you from my heart every amount of success I have has been because of those boys. They are the reason I am as strong as I am, because I kept that part of my life private and sacred. Too often people tell you what you cannot be because you are a wife and mother.”
Juli: “Well my experience is the complete opposite because all my children were involved in the business. They all lived and worked in California, until we all moved to the Pacific Northwest where we did a lot of summer stock and other things. They all grew up, but I’m the proverbial Peter Pan. I didn’t.”
All three characters you ladies portrayed in the film have a sense of wisdom and insight. Where do you believe your wisom comes from?
Jennifer: “Wisdom comes from life experiences, seeking knowledge outside yourself, asking questions, living, learning, and improving.”
Juli: “It comes from experience. We all do things that are wrong. But if we didn’t do them to begin with , we wouldn’t know the consequences. As long as you learn as you go along, that’s the whole reason for everything.”
Morgana: “I agree with that, experience. And I have to go back to my boys. When I had children, it changed my life. It kept me grounded in making better decisions. Knowing that eyes were watching me, I think they helped me be wiser. I pray for God’s guidance in everything I do.”
Get the DVD copy of Carried Away at www.carriedawaythemovie.com
