From Fantasy to Reality with Elliot Frances Flynn
Elliot Frances Flynn is rising talent who has been making waves in the entertainment industry as an actress. From her role as ‘Francoise’ in the drama “Linoleum,” starring Jim Gaffigan and Rhea Seehorn, to her role as ‘Whitney’ in the Me-Too inspired thriller “Confession”, starring Michael Ironside and Clark Backo, she has aready made a name for herself in roles that speak volumes.
Her passion for acting started at a young age, using it as an escape to a fantasy world. Born and raised in New York, she has always had a passion for storytelling and a deep appreciation for the power of the arts. She knew that acting was her calling, and she honed her skills through years of community theater, television appearances, and a rigorous academic program at the State University of New York at New Paltz.
With each role, Flynn strives to bring her characters to life through extensive character development, exploring themes of coming-of-age, womanhood, and sexuality. Despite her success, Flynn remains grounded in her approach to acting, focusing on finding each character’s humanity and where she and the character meet as people.
In 2021, she burst onto the scene with a number of dynamic and varied projects — from her feature film debut in The Smiths-inspired “Shoplifters of the World,’ a ghostly appearance in Netflix’s horror “Things Heard & Seen,” and a spot on the acclaimed HBO mini-series “Mare of Easttown.”
When she’s not busy filming or promoting her latest projects, she can often be found reading, writing, or enjoying a glass of wine with friends in her beloved Brooklyn. With her talent, passion, and undeniable charisma, we had the chance to ask her a few questions ;
What inspired you to pursue a career in acting, and when did you know that it was something you wanted to do?
When I was a kid, I liked acting because I could pretend I was in a fantasy world. That’s why I wanted to do it. When I was a kid I was very much looking for an escape. I always wanted to act when I grew up, but it wasn’t until I went away to school, and started working with a teacher who believed in me, that I thought I could possibly make it a career. By that point, I just couldn’t not act. I worked on a lot of plays at school, and it really kept me sane. A mentor once said to me that I approached my work with a faith and integrity that I didn’t have in any other area of my life. Looking back, she was kind of right about that. Striving towards creating a character, and putting on a show, and delivering a performance, was something I was completely obsessed with. I never wanted to do anything else.
How do you typically approach character development, and what techniques do you use to bring your characters to life?
I do a lot of written work. I map out the character’s journey, beyond what you see on the page. For my character in Linoleum, I traced her steps from when she would watch Cameron and Erin’s (Jim Gaffigan and Rhea Seehorn) show, to deciding to study museum science, to moving to Ohio, and onward. I also try to get a sense of how my character feels about everyone else they come into contact with, everyone they mention off-hand. Francoise is so completely in awe of Erin. My whole audition, and then my work in every scene, was driven by that admiration. Sometimes I think knowing how the character feels about the other person in the scene is the most important thing.
Your characters explore themes of coming-of-age, womanhood, and sexuality. What do you hope audiences take away from your performances, and what message do you hope to convey through your work?
I definitely strive to be a part of projects that touch on those topics. Whatever I’m working on, I hope that I can breathe life into my characters in such a way that the story moves people. Lately, I’ve very been completely arrested by performances that reveal to me something about myself. Or something I thought I was totally crazy for thinking or feeling or doing. I’d love to share the message, “girl, you are not crazy.” Also, perhaps, “the times where you act in your own self-interest do not make you evil.” I know that’s very specific, but I think we could all use a little more compassion, truthfully.
Can you share a particularly memorable experience you had while working on the movie Linoleum alongside Jim Gaffigan, Rhea Seehorn, and Katelyn Nacon ?
I think a particularly memorable moment for everyone was the day Biden was elected. We were shooting my last scene and the news just kind of trickled through the whole crew. We broke for lunch right after and people were hugging and crying and dancing. It was a really magical moment. Celebrating the film’s release here in New York, we were still all talking about it.
Do you have a dream role or project that you would love to work on in the future?
I, really and truly, would love to be in a Terminator movie. or Blade Runner. I love the kind of films that I work on — the down-to-earth, pedestrian, extraordinary day in the mix or ordinary days, but I’d love to save mankind, just once.
What do you think sets your acting style apart from others, and how did you develop your own unique style?
I don’t think that good acting methods are ones that set you apart. I believe a job well done is always found in finding each character’s humanity, and where you and the character meet as people. My style is very much about acting like a real person in real circumstances.
It seems you have a love of reading, what are your current book recommendations?
I really do love to read. I was recently blown away by Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman. I love how people are going completely crazy for Taylor Jenkins Reid’s work — Daisy Jones & the Six but also The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. That’s my favorite book of hers. And I’ll always suggest Intersex by Jeffrey Eugenidies.
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you have in the works that you are excited about?
I will be directing for the first time this Spring. A kind of outrageous dark comedy. I’m taking aim at the sinister sexual culture I grew up in in the mid-00s; I’m very excited about it. Other than that, I hope to step into another juicy role. I’d love to work on a project on location for a couple of weeks or a month. That hasn’t happened yet, and I’m really looking forward to diving into something, immersing myself, and making something great with a bunch of people.
Photographer: Nelson N Castillo
MUA: Mia Jones
Hair: Josue Perez
Wardrobe Stylist: Szalay Miller
