Sammi Hanratty Talks Emmy Rossum as a Director on ‘Shameless’| In Studio

Hollywood Journal

“I’ve only worked with a handful of female directors, so to have her be one of the first that I’ve worked with was really awesome.”

Transcript

00:00I'm Oliver Trevina in studio with The Hollywood Reporter, joined by Sami Hanrati.

00:08Hi.

00:09How are you?

00:09I'm good, how are you?

00:10Good, good. You've just walked in here laughing, giggling.

00:13It's my life.

00:13Full of energy.

00:14That's me, 24-7.

00:15Full of energy. That is, that is you, 24-7.

00:17Yeah.

00:17But not on Shameless.

00:18No.

00:19Not so much on Shameless.

00:19Mm-mm.

00:20Yeah, yeah.

00:20Very different. I didn't know what to expect. We've not met before.

00:23Yeah, yeah.

00:23And obviously seeing you on the show as Cassidy and then walking in, it was like, oh, you really are acting.

00:27Yeah.

00:28Well, she definitely has like similar energy level.

00:31Right.

00:31She's just like insane.

00:33Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:33I mean, I'm crazy, like, you know, but like, I'm like a happy crazy.

00:36You're like, yeah, I was just about to say, you're like the happy crazy and then there's

00:39the ee, ee, ee.

00:41That crazy, that crazy, which you play very well.

00:44You play very well, and I'm very glad that it's not you in real life.

00:46Yes, me too.

00:47Yes, yes, but poor Carl, he has to deal with it all the time.

00:51I know, yeah, he kind of did this to himself though.

00:54Right. Well, that's what everyone says. That's what everyone says.

00:57Season finale coming up.

00:58Season eight finale.

01:00Very exciting.

01:01I actually just got the invite by Bill Macy

01:03to come and watch the finale at his house with the cast.

01:06And I'm like, oh, you know, chill.

01:09Bill Macy's just...

01:09Well, the fact that you just said Bill Macy.

01:11Yeah, and it's a Willie Macy.

01:13It's kind of that level.

01:13I know, yeah.

01:14It's crazy.

01:15It's crazy.

01:16As somebody who was like a fan of the show beforehand,

01:18the fact that like that's just an invite that I'm getting,

01:22I feel extremely humbled and honored.

01:24I'm very excited.

01:25Yeah.

01:25It's amazing.

01:25So talking about that, because I did read that you're a huge fan going into it.

01:30Yeah.

01:30How was that in the audition process then, being such a fan of a show?

01:33I mean, you've done so many shows, right?

01:3545 guest stars on different shows, which is insane.

01:38But going into this, being such a fan.

01:40Well, I went to the audition and I was like, okay, she's on drugs.

01:43At this point, I was like on some drugs.

01:46So when I was shaking in the audition, I was like, well, this works, you know?

01:49I use it to my advantage.

01:52And so they told me actually in the room that I had the callback.

01:55And so then I was like meeting with producers the next day.

01:59And so I called my mom, leaving the Warner Brothers lot, crying.

02:03I'm like, I've just, I got a callback and I'm so happy.

02:06My mom's like, Sammy, you've been doing this for 16 years.

02:08Like, you know, you think you'd be like used to this kind of stuff.

02:11But no, like not for this show.

02:12Right, right, right.

02:12This was a huge deal to me.

02:14And so when I found out that I got this show, like, I mean, I literally was just sobbing and like so happy.

02:21And it's just really cool to be able to be on a show that I just love so much.

02:26Yeah.

02:26The first day of set then, a lot of pressure.

02:28You remember the moment?

02:29Oh, yeah, I actually documented the moment.

02:31Okay, there you go.

02:32That's something that Cassidy and I do have in common as I document things as well.

02:35Right, okay.

02:36So I definitely was recording myself like, you guys, I'm going to my first day on set.

02:41Like I was recording this and I was so nervous.

02:45But I was like also just so excited, you know.

02:47And like my first day, I was just working with Ethan, who plays Carl.

02:51And yeah, it was just like, it was a lot more chill than I was expecting it to be.

02:56Right, right, right.

02:57And it was just like, it was fun.

02:58It was just a good, good time.

03:00Amazing, look at that.

03:01And Emmy directed an episode this season.

03:03Yeah.

03:04Episode 8.

03:05Yeah, so my second episode that I filmed, Emmy directed.

03:08And it was so funny because like, I'd only filmed for one day before.

03:12And so I get to the table read for the episode 8.

03:16And I'm like, it's my first table read.

03:18I'm seeing everybody walk in.

03:20Like it is, like my heart just like starts pumping so loud.

03:24And all of a sudden I just get like a tap on my shoulder.

03:27And it's Emmy.

03:28And she's like, hi, Emmy, I'm going to be directing this episode.

03:30It's so nice to meet you.

03:31And I'm like, you're so beautiful.

03:35You too.

03:36Like I didn't know what else to say or do.

03:38But it was really cool.

03:39That worked out well.

03:40Yeah.

03:40And how was she directing?

03:42It was awesome.

03:43It was really cool.

03:44I was like super impressed with her both directing and then also being in it, you know.

03:48And so she was just kind of running all around.

03:51But she was fantastic and really great.

03:54And yeah, it was a very, very cool experience.

03:57A lot of actors now are kind of getting behind the camera as well.

03:59Yeah, and I love, I have only worked with a handful of female directors.

04:03So to have her be like one of the first that I've worked with was just really awesome.

04:09And then we actually had another female director, Anna, come on.

04:12So that was really cool experience for me to see these women in like charge and being in the director's shoes.

04:18It's very cool.

04:18If you could have any actor or actress come into Shameless and direct an episode.

04:24Oh God.

04:24Who would you like?

04:26Oh my gosh.

04:28I'm like we already got Emmy Rossum.

04:30So I'm like.

04:30The bar's high.

04:31I know.

04:31It's so high.

04:33Oh my goodness.

04:36That's a good question.

04:37Well, wait.

04:38Does it have to be a, wait.

04:40No.

04:41I think it would be cool if Bill directed an episode that I was doing.

04:44I would really love that.

04:46And that could happen.

04:46I mean, I'm sure.

04:47It's an easier, yeah.

04:48Yeah, that would be really cool though.

04:50Maybe that's the perfect thing to ask him at his house.

04:52Hey.

04:52Hey, Bill.

04:53Now we've got the season finale out of the way.

04:55Season eight.

04:55I was thinking season nine.

04:56Direct.

04:57They're like, yeah, okay.

04:58Just going strong.

04:59Commit to it.

05:00Just going strong.

05:01Going strong.

05:01So going into your career, as I said, 21 movies.

05:06Over 21 movies.

05:07Wow, really?

05:0745 guest stars.

05:09Yeah.

05:09It's like I was blown away because you are young.

05:13Yeah.

05:13And this is quite the resume.

05:16You actually need like new pages.

05:18You need to be flicking.

05:19How's that been?

05:20Like growing up and having such a heavy workload, I guess.

05:23Yeah.

05:23It's been amazing.

05:25I feel so, so blessed and so thankful.

05:27It started off when I was younger.

05:29I worked a lot.

05:29But, um, and so I just, that was like my norm.

05:32Right.

05:32You know, I didn't, I was homeschooled.

05:34I didn't really go to school.

05:35But my mom would not let me work during summers.

05:37Right.

05:38Because she was like, that's when you get to go play.

05:39I'm like, but working is play for me.

05:41Right.

05:41And she's like, no, you're going to be a normal kid.

05:44But, yeah.

05:45And so it was just, it was a lot of fun.

05:47But it was just my norm.

05:49And then I had two years where I didn't work at all.

05:52And it was such a struggle.

05:54And it was very, you know, it was just very difficult.

05:57And, um, and I'm so glad that that happened, though, because after those two years, every

06:01job that I get, I'm like beyond excited and thankful for, you know?

06:05Right.

06:05So it really, like, humbled me at that, that time and being 15, 16 and, like, being like,

06:10what's going on?

06:11I'm going through, like, my midlife crisis at 15, 16.

06:14Right, right, right, right.

06:14But.

06:15Very early.

06:16Yeah.

06:16Very early.

06:16Just to let you know.

06:18No, but, yeah.

06:18It just has made, made me more thankful for every job that I get.

06:21Right.

06:21You know?

06:22And made me work a lot harder, too.

06:24Yeah.

06:24It's the lessons you learn in the tough times.

06:25I know.

06:26It's the tough times.

06:26Yeah, I know.

06:27Yeah.

06:28Not the tough times, though.

06:30The likes of, like, you've had, you've shared the screen with, like, Viola Davis.

06:33Yeah.

06:33And Carrie.

06:33And Carrie, it's, it's really, when you go through it, you're like, look at that.

06:37Yeah.

06:37It's insane.

06:38Yeah.

06:38And it's so cool, too, the conversations I've had with people.

06:41Like, you know, I'm filming next to Viola Davis, but, like, we're talking about church.

06:45Like, you know what I mean?

06:46Right, right, right.

06:46And, like, we're having a real conversation.

06:48And that's been the coolest part, is to be able to work with people who are so kind towards

06:52me and towards the people that they work with, is, that, that means the most to me.

06:56It's like, you can be an amazing actor, and that's awesome, but, like, I love working

07:00with amazing people, too.

07:01Right.

07:01You know?

07:02So, yeah.

07:03It's just cool.

07:03Saying that, because you've met so many people already, who do you think you would get starstruck

07:07by and get so excited by if you found out tomorrow your next movie?

07:11Matthew Gray-Gubler.

07:12Okay.

07:13But that's just because, like, he's Matthew Gray-Gubler.

07:16I'm just a big fan of Matthew Gray-Gubler.

07:18You've said it three times in five seconds.

07:19I think that clarifies as a big fan.

07:21Yeah.

07:22Or Saoirse Ronan.

07:23Okay.

07:23Oh, for sure.

07:24I mean, I just love her.

07:26You obviously watch Lady Bird.

07:27Yeah.

07:27Okay.

07:28Oh, yeah.

07:28The whole time, I was like, Mom, that's us.

07:30And my mom's like, that's so rude of you.

07:32I'm like, no, no, no, not in a bad way.

07:34It's just like, it's so us.

07:36Right, right.

07:37I love that.

07:38Mom, mom.

07:39Mom's actually here.

07:40You can't see it.

07:40Yeah, I know.

07:41Love you.

07:42So, eight seasons of Shameless.

07:43You were a huge fan.

07:44Yeah.

07:44Do you have a favorite episode before you came onto the show?

07:47Yeah.

07:48The F word.

07:49Okay.

07:49Yeah, yeah.

07:50That was a really good.

07:50You went straight in.

07:51That really is your favorite episode.

07:53It's because, so, Fiona has been with many guys in the show, but she was with this one

07:58character named Gus, and he writes this song about her because she cheated on him, and

08:03it's called The F word.

08:04And, oh, my God, I love this song so much.

08:07Like, I play it in my car off of YouTube.

08:09Like, I'm that big of a fan.

08:11Love that.

08:11You could actually host, like, Walking Dead's, that version of After Dark.

08:15Yes.

08:15Shameless.

08:15Shameless After Dark.

08:16Oh, yeah, but it's like.

08:17She knows so much about the show.

08:18That's a little scary.

08:19Shameless After Dark.

08:20It's like, it's already so dark, so I don't know about that.

08:22Yeah, yeah, maybe you're right.

08:23Maybe you're right.

08:24We shouldn't do that.

08:25We shouldn't do that.

08:26Let's talk about, you work with a charity called Smile Train, right?

08:29This is true?

08:30Yes.

08:30Okay, tell us about that.

08:31I love Smile Train.

08:32So, they go in and they, so, it's people who fix cleft palates, and they go into other countries

08:38and they teach the doctors there how to fix cleft palates.

08:41Similar to Operation Smile, right?

08:43Yes.

08:43Okay, got it.

08:43Yeah, and so this is something where they go, though, and, yeah, they don't just do it,

08:49though.

08:49They teach the doctors and they educate people on what the cleft palate is, and that's something

08:53that's huge to me, because, like, I was born without two of my front teeth, and my dad's

08:58a dentist, and so very early on, like, I realized the importance of a smile, and just that confidence,

09:04and especially in other countries, you know, if a child's born with that kind of, I guess,

09:10facial deformity, it's considered, in some countries, it's considered, like, evil or bad

09:16or this or that, and it's like, no, no, no, it's so simple to fix, and this is, like, the

09:20steps and the tools, and it can change somebody's life completely.

09:23So, yeah, I love working with them.

09:26I got to go to Mexico.

09:28I got to go to Tapachula.

09:29Right.

09:30And I just got to see hands-on, like, what they do, and it was, like, just the most beautiful

09:36experience ever, and I would love to go travel with them some more and see what else they

09:42do.

09:42That's amazing.

09:43Yeah, in a world where there are, obviously, so many issues, it's so important for actors

09:47and, you know, celebrities to use their voice, and I love that you're doing that.

09:51Yeah.

09:51That's what I mean.

09:51I feel like that's why I'm meant to be in this industry, is to be able to bring light

09:55to things that I find beauty in, and, like, I find beauty in that charity 100%, so I'm

10:01like, it's my obligation, obviously.

10:03Look at that.

10:05We're going to play, it's not really a game.

10:07Oh, I'll take it.

10:07It's not really a game.

10:08I got so excited.

10:09Don't get too excited.

10:10Don't get nervous.

10:11Don't get anything.

10:11It's really just questions.

10:13Yes.

10:14THR top five, right?

10:16Movie you watched as a kid that you wish you were in?

10:20Okay.

10:21Moulin Rouge!

10:21is my favorite movie of all time.

10:23Okay.

10:23It's, like, a bit intense movie.

10:25So, as a kid, I don't know.

10:26Yeah, I didn't expect it as a kid, but there you go.

10:28You've grown up very quickly.

10:30You've grown up very quickly.

10:31Yes, and Tarzan, if it would have been, like, that live action.

10:34Okay.

10:35Okay, Tarzan.

10:35There you go.

10:36Favorite movie soundtrack?

10:38Tarzan.

10:39Yes.

10:40And Moulin Rouge.

10:42Consistent.

10:43Which actor inspired you as a child?

10:45Which actor kind of made you think, I want to do that?

10:48Shirley Temple.

10:49Shirley Temple 100.

10:50Good one.

10:52Finish this sentence.

10:52If you weren't an actress, you would be?

10:56A kindergarten teacher.

10:58Good.

10:58Possibly.

10:59I think you need to, a little bit older before you can go into kindergarten and teach this.

11:03Maybe.

11:04Maybe.

11:04Yeah.

11:05I mean, they might be throwing paper and be like, why is she here?

11:07I mean, yeah.

11:08Yeah, maybe.

11:09Who would you thank first during an awards speech?

11:13God.

11:14There you go.

11:15And then Mom.

11:16And then Mom.

11:17Or Mom and then God.

11:18Yeah.

11:18To Benin.

11:19Well, he gave me her, so.

11:21Full circle.

11:22Yeah.

11:22Full circle.

11:23There you go.

11:24And on that note, we can wrap this up.

11:26Shameless season eight finale tonight.

11:29We're airing this.

11:319pm.

11:31Yes.

11:32Showtime.

11:32Be afraid.

11:32Be very afraid.

11:33Cassidy's coming.

11:35Okay.

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