The cast of Landman knows that many actors claim their co-stars are family. But for the cast of actors assembled for the Taylor Sheridan drama, it’s true. Billy Bob Thornton, Sam Elliott, Ali Larter, Demi Moore and Andy Garcia discuss their collaboration on Paramount+’s variety show “For the Love of the Craft: The Ensemble.”
“It’s an incredible group of people to be involved on both sides of the camera. I’ve worked with Taylor before on 1883, which I think was one of the highlights of my 50, 60, 70-year career, and in some ways this is just as special,” said Elliott, who plays TL Norris. “I think it’s always a great gift to be able to build relationships not only on screen but also off screen. I’ve worked on projects over the years that aren’t all that fun, and I always remind myself that if you don’t enjoy this business and you don’t have fun while you’re doing this job, you’re doing it wrong.”
Also, when someone finishes filming, “not everyone rushes out,” Moore said, and instead can stay and spend time together. Or go to karaoke.
“I’m not into karaoke, but there’s a karaoke place in Fort Worth and a lot of the staff liked to go there and we used to go together a lot, because when we all went out together, everyone let their hair down and it was a great show,” Thornton says. “You get to see your castmates and colleagues and staff break up. I think it was a great bonding experience. We usually go there three or four times a season. This time you outdid yourself.”
The group’s collaboration is “the charm of the show,” Elliott added. “In this issue, everyone in the future has the same importance and is considered on an equal footing. We are always there for each other.”
Andy Garcia as Garino and Demi Moore as Cami Miller
Emerson Miller/Paramount+
The actors also talked about finding a unique tone for the series, something Sheridan excels at.
“That’s inherent in Taylor’s writing. The words are there. The dynamics of the scene are there,” Garcia says. “Saint Meisner, the great acting teacher, said, ‘Live authentically in imaginary situations.'”
Moore added, “The reason the humor really works is because it’s really rooted in the heart. He knows exactly when to bring that relief.”
When Larter started reading early scripts, he noticed how Sheridan could seamlessly mix tones. “He knows when the audience is ready for a break, when they need a laugh, when to dive into a deep romance, or when they need an intimate scene to show the vulnerability that’s within the character,” she says. “I’ve never been on a show that flips us so much, but it’s always based on who the characters are and what their relationships are.”
Watch the entire video above.
