Mackenzie Lansing the acctress taking on the much talked about role of Coral in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ and Mare of Easttown where she starred alongside Kate Winslet sits down for an exlcusive DSCENE Magazine interview. Mackenzie talks to DSCENE’s Culture & Music Contributing Editor Nikola Bajovic about developing the role of Coral in the Hunger Games, what advice from Kate Winslet she still remembers every day and who inspires her.
The striking portrait series is work of photographer Lara Callahan with styling from Wendy McNett. Continue for the interview and the complete shoot:
For those unfamiliar with ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’, could you share an overview of the film and your character? – ‘The Hunger Games: The ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes’ is a prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy and takes place at the 10th annual Hunger Games. It is also an in depth look at the creation of the Games and the story of origin for President Snow. I play Coral, the female Tribute from District 4. She is a force to be reckoned with in the arena and very skilled with a trident. She is the head of a pack of male Tributes and has a personal vendetta against Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). Determined to win, she will stop at nothing.
What’s your routine before stepping on set, and could you share any unique method you use to prepare for a role? – I did a lot of research and study of the backstory, which in this case involved really immersing myself in the complex world Suzanne Collins created. Just before stepping on set for this character, I would usually listen to my “Coral” playlist which had a lot of Rage Against the Machine on it. In addition, I would practice moves swinging my trident to get my energy up. I I think Coral’s weapon is sort of an extension of herself in the Games. I would use my playlist and The trident choreographed routine to connect to the character.
In portraying Coral, what aspects of her character did you find most challenging to resonate with? – I think being that vicious and unrelenting is hard to wrap your head around. I also understand that she and the other Tributes are put in an impossible situation. In order to connect to this role. I had to give her something or someone back home that she was desperately trying to return to. Ultimately, she does some awful things but at her core she is trying to return to the only home she’s ever known. I did research on child soldiers because I think they hold a lot of similarities with the Tributes from career districts. They train for this their entire lives and so they have learned to turn their empathy and emotions off. In her final moments, I think we see that Coral is just trying to get home. And when she realizes that that isn’t going to happen the guilt she has been repressing finally comes to the surface and all that is left is a scared kid.
Having moved from Europe to the US, could you elaborate on your journey into the entertainment industry? – I began taking drama classes at the “MJC Bobby Lapointe” in the Paris suburb of Villebon-sur-Yvette. Your French readers may know what that is but it is essentially a community center. I booked a lead in a play when I was 15 called “Roberto Zucco.” After high school, I moved to New York City to go to drama school. This was a tough time as I believe I went through a lot of culture shock. I would love to say that it was a quick process, but it wasn’t, and I’m actually really grateful for it. It was years of multiple day jobs and auditions and paying my dues before I started to be an actor full time.
I understand you have roots in Villebon-Sur-Yevette and Kinshasa, Congo. What cherished memories or aspect of these places stands out to you? – Whenever I think of my hometown my thoughts immediately go to my friends who were my lifeline as a teenager growing up in the banlieue in the punk scene. On my 18th birthday my best friend Warren (Scherrens) snuck me out of my house, and we scaled the wall of this building. When we arrived at the top he had organized a surprise party with all my friends on this rooftop overlooking the river near my house. We felt larger than life. He passed away when he was still young but my memories with him are some that I hold very close.
As for the Congo, I was only there for a short while and was young. What stands out to me is how warm people were and the way the air smelt kind of sweet and earthy with a hint of spice.
Your performance in ‘Allswell in New York’ was memorable. Is there a particular scene from the movie that you hold as a favorite? – The scene with Elizabeth Rodriguez, Bobby Cannavale, and Max Casella at the restaurant bar when they first meet my character, Nina. Getting to watch these three old friends and “Master Actors” improv and bounce off each other was magical! I think that ALLSWELL made me realize the true importance of community as an artist.
Working with Kate Winslet in ‘Mare of Eastown’ must have been intense, especially with the series’ dark themes. What goes into preparing for and filming such emotionally charged scenes? – On that set we focused a lot on building intricate relationships between all the characters. We talked a lot with Kate about how our characters knew each other before the incident and the fully formed opinions we might have on one another. I think preparing for those intense scenes you must make sure you have completely justified your character’s point of view so you can go into a scene and just play. You really do all the groundwork so your instrument is ready and then you just arrive on set and take a leap of faith that the work will come through.
That’s one piece of advice that she left me. “No matter what do the work, never stop doing the work, Mackenzie.” Any time I feel like slacking off or cutting corners I hear her voice in the back of my head.
Throughout your career, has there been a specific individual or experience that significantly inspired you? – This answer is easy. My mom. She is one of the strongest people I know and has shown me time and time again how to be uncompromising in going after the life I want, which I think is rare in a parent. When I left for college she gifted me a notebook and on the front page was that famous Robert Frost quote “… And I took the road less traveled and that had made all the difference.” My mom has always encouraged me to forge my own path. She always believed I could do this acting thing and has been my biggest supporter along the way.
In our recent interview Actor Jacob Batalon described the filmmaking process as ‘beautiful madness’ with its highs and lows. How do you navigate these challenges in your career? – I think that’s an accurate description. I like to joke that being on set is like being in a temporary cult. You are all working towards this ephemeral common goal, and there are all these challenges that seem too big to fix and yet somehow it all comes together in the end.
For me, even the worst day on set teaches you so much about yourself. I look forward to those challenges because they are always shining a light on where I need to grow as an artist. Chris Surgent, Assistant Director on The Hunger Games, says that being on set is a microcosm of the world, which I think is an apt description. What’s strange is as quickly as it came together it ends and it feels like a beautiful fever dream that you will never be able to describe to someone who wasn’t there.
What advice would you offer to young aspiring actors just starting out? – A lot of people are going to tell you along the way who you are, who you should be, and what your career should look like. Be careful who you listen to. You should have high standards for yourself but only you get to decide what those standards are and how to reach them.
Looking ahead, what are your dreams and goals for the future? – My next big goal is to act in something I’ve written. I wrote a show and getting it out into the world would be a big bucket list item for me. That and getting to work with more artists that I admire such as: Taika Waititi, Charlie Kauffman and Albert Dupontel is something I would love to see happen. Ultimately, I hope to keep moving towards projects that excite me.
Photographer Lara Callahan represented by Kate Ryan INC Makeup Artist Amanda Thesen
Hair Stylist Madison Sullivan
Fashion Stylist Wendy McNett
Interview by Nikola Bajovic
Keep up with Mackenzie Lansing on Instagram @mackenzielansing
