“I Didn’t Know the Hair Was Such a Big Thing”: Sydney Taylor on the Decision To Make Some Changes From the Book for ‘Marked Men: Rule + Shaw’

[Editor’s note: The following contains major spoilers for Marked Men: Rule + Shaw]

Based mostly on Jay Crownover’s best-selling novel, Marked Men: Rule + Shaw tells the story of Rule Archer (Chase Stokes) and Shaw Landon (Sydney Taylor), an unlikely pair whose friendship shifts into one thing extra, however not with out its fair proportion of bumps alongside the best way. Often known as “Casper,” the woman with the pale complexion who was roommates with Rule’s twin brother Remy till he tragically handed away three years prior, Shaw has silently liked Rule for years, watching the multitude of ladies out and in of his mattress and figuring out that the partitions he put up round his coronary heart wouldn’t enable for something deeper than that. However when a drunken night time of seduction blurs the road between friendship and love, the 2 attempt to navigate their variations in an effort to seek out one thing actual.

Shaw comes from a rich conservative household who seems down on her for not toeing the road, however she finds herself drawn to Rule’s rebellious nature and unapologetic perspective. Whereas his family relationships are strained, he has managed to type deep bonds with a gaggle of fellow tattoo artists who’re loyal and supportive of one another and know tips on how to have a superb time. Once they determine to see the place issues between them can go and Rule actually begins to see Shaw for who she is, he has to work by way of his personal fears of dedication in the event that they’re even going have an opportunity.

Throughout this one-on-one interview with Collider, Taylor talked concerning the audition course of she went by way of for the function of Shaw, why she felt so drawn to the character, whether or not she ever had a dialog with director Nick Cassavetes about blonde hair that Shaw is so well-known for within the ebook, the very memorable first time the viewers sees Rule and Shaw collectively, taking pictures the tattoo store seduction, the morning after second with Rome (Alexander Ludwig) and Nash (Matthew Noszka), whether or not that “Do you wanna pull my hair?” line was scripted, the portray of Shaw on the constructing wall, and rooting for Ayden (Ella Balinska) and Jet (Evan Mock).

Sydney Taylor Thought There Was No Means She Would Be Solid As Shaw in ‘Marked Males’

Collider: When this got here your method, what was the factor that grabbed you about it? Was it Nick Cassavetes? Was it the character and her world?

SYDNEY TAYLOR: Being an unknown actor, it was very a lot a traditional audition course of. I acquired the preliminary audition and thought there was no method I used to be gonna get it. Nick [Cassavetes], the director, wasn’t connected to it. Chase [Stokes] wasn’t connected. So, I did a traditional audition, after which Nick ended up actually taking a liking to me, and he wished to have a private one-on-one assembly with me, which was tremendous not widespread for a traditional audition course of. After which, I had a chemistry learn with him and Chase that went effectively sufficient, I believe. However as soon as I had gotten the job and felt like I might dwell in it then, it was positively within the character. I liked her a lot and I felt like she was so just like me in so some ways. I initially put much more of myself into the character as a result of that was simply the in that I needed to discover a stage of authenticity. After which, all through the course of filming, Nick had his concept of the character, and my concept melded into what she turned. I truthfully like her lots higher as a superb mixture of our concepts than mine alone.

Did it’s important to wait a very long time to seek out out in the event you’d really gotten the function?

TAYLOR: As soon as I acquired actually shut, I didn’t have to attend too lengthy. As soon as I had executed the chemistry learn, I heard again the subsequent day as a result of it was all the way down to so few individuals. The morning that I heard, I couldn’t be residence as a result of I used to be too harassed. I used to be ready by my cellphone as a result of I felt that they have been gonna make their determination fairly rapidly. So, I made myself go to the flicks. I went and watched Pearl, which I liked. I keep in mind midway by way of the film, my supervisor began texting me, “Hey, are you residence? Are you able to come right here?” I didn’t suppose I had the job. I assumed Nick wished to fulfill with me to let me down straightforward. So, I acquired on a Zoom name below the guise that it was the producer eager to ask me a pair extra questions. After which, Chase’s face popped up whereas he was filming Valiant One, out within the forest in his camo with simply timber and sky above him, and he mentioned that he wished to ask me another query. After which, he requested me if I wished to return to Bulgaria with him. That was how they informed me that I acquired the job.

One of the crucial vital adjustments from the ebook is that Shaw had blonde hair. Did you guys ever discuss altering your hair?

TAYLOR: I didn’t know the hair was such a giant factor. That is my pure hair. I’ve by no means dyed my hair, not that I’m against it. I used to be on the cellphone with Nick, speaking about totally different bodily attributes of the character, totally different costuming selections, and make-up and hair, and he mentioned that he is aware of that she’s blonde within the ebook, however I might do no matter colour I wished. I requested him if I might maintain my hair as a result of I do really feel like, particularly throughout the business now, with younger women, they’re altering their look so younger. In sixth grade, I do not forget that individuals have been drastically altering their look. I simply wished her to have pure hair and a pure look. I actually didn’t know that the blonde was gonna be such a giant factor with the followers.

Our introduction to Shaw is when she walks in on Rule with a girl in his mattress and has a dialog with him bare. What was your response the primary time you learn that scene and what was that scene wish to shoot?

TAYLOR: Once I learn that, even within the ebook, I liked it. I assumed that was so humorous and so ballsy, simply to not care. That was one of many issues I liked about her a lot and liked particularly about her relationship with Rule. She is so strong-headed. He doesn’t shake her in any method. If something, she nearly puffs out her chest a little bit bit round him. She most positively isn’t gonna be pushed round or made uncomfortable. If something, she makes him a little bit uncomfortable. I actually liked that. A pleasant distinction that I didn’t do deliberately, however simply in seeing the movie, round her ex-boyfriend, she will get very small, and it appears like she cowers away and doesn’t have the persona that she has round everybody else. I didn’t try this deliberately, however I believe it positively got here by way of that Rule makes her shine a lot extra as an individual, which I assumed was a pleasant factor.

The Tattoo Store Seduction in ‘Marked Males’ Virtually Had a Comical Tone to It

What was it like to determine the entire seduction within the tattoo store? Between taking your costume off, getting on the pool desk, meowing, and all of that, there’s lots occurring. What was it wish to determine all of that out, together with climbing onto Chase Stokes on the chair with out falling off? There have been so many attainable possibilities that would have gone flawed.

TAYLOR: Oh, my God, there have been so many issues that would have gone flawed. It was good that that scene was really considered one of my audition scenes that I did for my chemistry learn with Chase. I had these strains memorized for thus lengthy that I actually was capable of concentrate on the physicality and never have to fret about remembering something as a result of it was so ingrained in my mind. There was numerous choreography for that. It was initially going to be crawling on the ground, after which we noticed the set and the pool desk, and Nick went, “Nope, you’re crawling on that.” So then, I had to determine tips on how to get sexily up on a pool desk, which isn’t a cute factor to do. After which, I needed to get off of it one way or the other. And in addition, I needed to get Chase again into the chair and have him journey again into it and have me not journey up into it, however not be capable to take a look at what I’m doing as a result of then that may break eye contact. After which, getting the costume off was an entire factor. Initially, within the script, it was imagined to be a really clumsy factor with a zipper, and her hair will get caught, and she or he’s pulling on it. It was nearly comical. However as we have been doing the scene, that simply wasn’t working, so we determined to go away it as it’s. There actually is a lot happening in that scene.

He even picks you up on the finish of it.

TAYLOR: And he might really solely decide me up with one arm. He had a staph an infection in his proper arm, so he might solely decide me up along with his left arm. Whenever you watch it, considered one of his arms doesn’t transfer, and he’s simply holding me with the one arm. So, good on him for not dropping me with one arm.

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“It’s a Very Unconventional Version of a Love Story”: Chase Stokes on Tattoos, Spanking, and Finding Your Person in ‘Marked Men: Rule + Shaw’

Whereas he’ll be saying goodbye to the world of ‘Outer Banks’ with Season 5, Stokes is happy for what’s subsequent.

I actually preferred the second when Shaw is attempting to sneak out of Rule’s bed room and runs into Nash and Rome. It was candy to listen to Rome be supportive and say that he might see them collectively and that no one was attempting to disgrace her. What was that second wish to shoot? How did you determine these relationships?

TAYLOR: The dynamic of all three of these characters in that scene is so enjoyable, with Nash giving her such shit. You possibly can simply really feel a lot love in that scene. Alexander [Ludwig]’s character is like, “This was certain to occur.” And Nash simply couldn’t imagine it. I really wrote Alexander’s line down as considered one of my favourite strains. He says, “I kinda see it.” He at all times noticed it, and he was so supportive. You’re proper, he didn’t attempt to disgrace her in any respect. I actually preferred taking pictures that scene. That was enjoyable.

Why Was That Heartfelt ‘Marked Males’ Dialog Between Rule and Shaw Considered one of Sydney Taylor’s Favourite Scenes?

When Rule exhibits as much as speak to Shaw, and so they have that relationship dialog, it’s humorous as a result of he’s clearly not good at placing his emotions into phrases, like so many guys. I used to be notably struck by him saying, “You’re vital to me,” and her response of, “I’m?” What was that vital dialog like to determine and shoot?

TAYLOR: That scene ended up being considered one of my favorites. We shot that in direction of the tip of filming, and I actually loved the shift within the energy imbalance. You possibly can simply inform how a lot she cares. She’s simply sitting there. She doesn’t say she’s sorry. She doesn’t say she regrets something. She’s simply sitting, ready for him to say what he needs to say. And I assumed that it was so pretty to not have her crack and say, “I’m so sorry. It was a mistake.” She is aware of how she feels. She doesn’t really feel dangerous about it. She simply waits for him to say what he needs to say and she or he’s sincere with him. Her bluntness actually comes out round him, and I believe he’s possibly round lots of people that aren’t so blunt. It’s a pleasant, refreshing factor when somebody is so blunt, particularly if you’re not used to it and particularly when it comes from a lady. Having women be very blunt is just not tremendous widespread, and I’m fairly a blunt particular person, which might be why I delivered it that method. She’s simply listening and never attempting to get him to say any explicit factor. She’s simply attempting to get him to say what he needs to say and get to the place the tip of the dialog goes to be. She is aware of what she needs, and she or he is aware of what he needs, and it’s okay having it simply be. I actually loved that selection within the writing.

Was the entire, “Do you wanna pull my hair,” scripted?

TAYLOR: That was scripted. That was Nick’s contact, for certain. It was enjoyable looking for the appropriate supply of it as a result of there have been so many alternative ways in which we might have gone with that. Their relationship is so enjoyable and new, and it’s not tremendous severe or uptight. They’re simply having enjoyable and figuring it out. That’s what I actually love about their relationship.

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He additionally opens up about his bonding expertise with the movie’s director, Nick Cassavetes.

What was it wish to see the portray of your self on the wall? Was that basically painted on a constructing?

TAYLOR: The man that painted it’s a fantastic graffiti artist who I’m nonetheless associates with, to this present day. That’s a present he really gave me. He went and acquired it printed on a little bit canvas that I’ve, so I did get to carry it residence. They have been attempting to get a constructing to log off in Bulgaria for them to truly paint it up on the constructing, however I don’t suppose any of the buildings signed off on it, so it was CG. However I did get to carry residence my very own little model that he did. I actually adore it.

Sydney Taylor Is Rooting for Ayden and Jet’s ‘Marked Males’ Relationship

We depart off with Shaw saying that she feels dangerous for leaving Ayden and not using a roommate, and Jet saying that he’s her roommate now. Are you rooting for an additional film to get to see that relationship explored?

TAYLOR: I’m positively rooting for that relationship. There’s such a pleasant mixture of the man that will get all the pieces and the woman that by no means likes any man, after which there being the one. I actually loved their relationship. And Ella [Balinska] and Evan [Mock] have such a pleasant dynamic. Even off set, they have been collectively on a regular basis. They love one another a lot as associates that I’d like to see their film, personally, however that’s simply me.

What do you suppose Shaw’s response was after the display screen goes black?

TAYLOR: I believe it’s intriguing. I believe Shaw is comfortable that she isn’t left alone and that she’s left with somebody that can make her life so fascinating. Ayden actually feeds on chaos, which Jet positively offers. So, I believe she’s excited for her good friend’s new chapter in life.

Take a look at the trailer for Marked Males: Rule + Shaw: