Sarah Hyland and Graham Phillips. Aug. 21, 2016.
Photo CR: ©2016 Judy Manning/Your Entertainment Corner
When the opportunity presented itself to attend a press day for the film and speak with two of the leads, Sarah Hyland, from ABC’s Modern Family, and Graham Phillips, who just wrapped his stint on CBS’s The Good Wife, I had to jump on the chance. And the event was held and the beautiful The London hotel in West Hollywood. The intimate round table interview with about seven journalists and the two actors was full of laughter and fun. Since video wasn’t allowed, it’s hard to pick up on the humorous moments throughout the Q&A. I hope you get a sense of it throughout reading the full transcript below.
SYNOPSIS: XOXO is an ensemble, coming-of-age movie about a group of early 20-somethings on a crazy adventure to the biggest EDM festival in America, XOXO. The film follows six strangers whose lives collide in one frenetic, dream-chasing, hopelessly romantic night. At the center is Ethan, a young DJ who gets a last minute slot to perform after his tracks go viral online days before the festival. This is a huge opportunity… if he can just make it there in one piece.
XOXO will launch globally on Netflix on August 26, 2016. Watch the trailer here.
TRANSCRIPT
XOXO
Sarah Hyland and Graham Phillips
August 21, 2016
Entire Table: [greetings and welcomes both actors]
Sarah Hyland: Thank you.
Graham Phillips: Thank you.
Interviewer 1: Did you … I felt like we, we were talking about it before, and we sort of got more of a sense of that kind of EDM culture and the whole movement and stuff. Were either of you guys familiar with that before you started the movie?
Sarah Hyland: I’ve been a fan of EDM music for a while. I have never been to a rave, so to speak, but I have been to places at Cochella to where there’s always the rave tense. I’ve kind of experienced some like that before but it was really cool to really just like… indulge myself in this culture, it was great. I learned a lot from it and it was a lot of fun, but you’ve been a part of it before. (Graham fumbles with and then puts on his sunglasses while Sarah is talking) Oh hey sunglasses; how’s it going?
Graham Phillips: Yeah, I too have enjoyed EDM for a really long time. I’ve sort of been drawn to more of the sweeping symphonic vibe of EDM, like Above and Beyond or Madeon. It feels a little bit more…like whenever they can integrate more organic sounds as well into all the electric sounds; I tend to really like that. I came from a musical theater background, as did Sarah, so maybe that’s why. I actually started DJ-ing my freshman year in college just to meet the social chairs of the eating clubs at Princeton and just because as a freshman male, you’re bottom of the social ladder and you can’t really get access to these clubs until you’re in a fraternity or whatever. So, I learned to DJ, they needed DJ’s I was like, “All right, I’ll learn to DJ, I like the music anyways.” Then I did start liking it more and more and I started throwing some parties in Orange County with some of my friends who actually liked the music even more than I did. They were the people that were finding these new tunes as they were coming out and so I would just … I loved hosting parties, I still do, and that’s sort what it grew from. I guess sophomore year kind of petered out, but when I got this script at the end of my sophomore year it was like, “This is so funny. This is what I just kind of experienced on a much smaller level.” Actually Chris (Chris Louie), the director, didn’t even know that I had any DJ-ing experience when he cast me so that was kind of a fun surprise for him and he didn’t have to teach me everything.
Interviewer 2: Was there any specific research that you had to do in terms of like the equipment your character uses?
Graham Phillips: I actually used almost all of my own equipment for this, I just brought it to the set and said, “Can I please use this instead of something completely foreign?” They were like, “Yeah, sure.” So it did not require a lot of research for me, which was really nice because a lot of the shots we grabbed at real festivals where we had a five minute slot on a stage in front of, you know, eighty thousand people –
Sarah Hyland: Eighty thousand people, but we’re not sure-
Graham Phillips: – is the number we came up with. When you have just a small amount of time to get the shot, the last thing you want is to be fumbling around with the knobs and being like,” Am I looking like I’m doing something?” It was nice that I had some background in it.
Judy (YEC): (To Sarah) – Regarding the script, what was it about your character that drew you to this particular role? Was there any other role that you were auditioning for, or was Krystal the one that you really…?
Sarah Hyland: I liked Krystal, also Krystal’s probably the only character I looked the appropriate age of since I look like I’m twelve still. She’s not twelve but, you Know what I mean. I really like Krystal from the get go, I liked that she was the innocence of the movie. Sorry. (I moved my mic a little closer and Sarah picks it up to speak into it directly) She was the innocent of the film, and that’s something that a lot of people haven’t seen me do. I mean Haley (Hyland’s character from Modern Family) is this type of girl that would wear a thong and pasties to this music festival and be like balls off the wall, but Krystal was very different; she very much stayed true to herself and she goes in with really high expectations and kind of finds herself in a position to where she never thought she would be; and she kind of has to look within herself to find the answers and maybe put the phone down and look around her and really see the beauty in the world that she’s never really seen before. The beauty within herself, so I think that was really nice about her.
Graham Phillips: (quietly) That’s beautiful. [Laughter from Sarah and the table]
Interviewer 3: What was it like filming in front of all those people at the different festivals?
Graham Phillips: Kind of annoying because most people thought we were filming an after video for the festival.
Sarah Hyland: (aughing) I love your like non PC response … it was really f**king annoying a lot of the times.
Graham Phillips: Yeah. I was going to upgrade the curse word and I was like, “No I can’t do that.”
Sarah Hyland: Yeah, that’s inappropriate now.
Graham Phillips: Yeah.
Sarah Hyland: There’s a line Graham.
Graham Phillips: So people would, you know, people thinking that it was the after video that we were shooting would, and rightfully so, get in front of the camera and be like,” Whoooo! I love festival X, Y, Z.” Whichever one we were at and I’d just be like trying to continue to be Ethan while there was people who were literally like blocking the entire shot; so that was a little frustrating, but being at the festivals was amazing for us because how else can you simulate that energy if we somehow could’ve replicated that we wouldn’t have had the same energy.
Sarah Hyland: I think it was worth it. It was definitely worth it, these people also like as soon as you would say something to them, they were also very respectful, because they don’t, they don’t know. They’re on whatever, they’re all on planet Zombo or something like that and they were just trying to have a good time and they were. It was really … I am a huge fan of people watching so I thought it was a lot of fun. It was annoying when we had to really do something and we only had a certain amount of time to do it, but some of them are really respectful. Once they were told, “No.”
Graham Phillips: I think that was the funniest 180 is when you would tell people who were acting, you know, so drugged out. They’re like, “Whoo, yeah!” Right in the camera, really going all out. And then, “We’re trying to film something.” “Oh, oh, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to.”
Sarah Hyland: Go away.
Graham Phillips: They’d be so respectful and I think that that’s kind of part of the thesis of this film. It’s that the, you know, this rave culture isn’t just aggressive and sexual there is a lot of unity about it; a lot of peace, a lot of respect.
Sarah Hyland: Love, unity, a lot of respect. All of the PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect) you can find.
Graham Phillips: Yeah.
Sarah Hyland: It’s all about the PLUR.
Judy (YEC): Yeah, there’s a particular character that’s on the bus with you that also interacts with your character later on in the film.
Sarah Hyland: Yes, drug guy.
Graham Phillips: No, no, his character-
Sarah Hyland: That was his character’s name.
Graham Phillips: It was I think they changed it for press reasons.
Sarah Hyland: Oh.
Graham Phillips: I think his name is now Bo.
Sarah Hyland: Well on the call sheet it was drug guy.
Graham Phillips: Yeah.
Interviewer 4: So what was it like filming the-
Graham Phillips: D-R-U-G-G-I-E G-U-Y
Sarah Hyland: G-U-Y-E, ironically enough.
Graham Phillips: Didn’t say we were copying the call sheet.
Sarah Hyland: Yeah, he was a great character. What an amazing actor, he was so good.
Graham Phillips: He was in character the entire time. I really thought … It wasn’t until we wrapped the final day, he was like, “Man.” He’s like, “Hey, dude.” and he has this Go Pro that like some of the footage made it to the actual film. He’d be running around the festival, just running up to me and when I was not being filmed at all, like harassing me. I couldn’t really tell if he was for real. On the last day he just drops it, he’s like, “Man, it was so great to work with you. I heard you play golf like we got to hit the link sometime.” We’re probably going to play golf one of these days.
Sarah Hyland: He was great. He was druggie guy slash Bo.
Judy (YEC): You had like an existential experience towards the end.
Sarah Hyland: Yeah, he was just a phenomenal actor. He was so committed to his character, it was really great. We have this interaction when Krystal is kind of at the lowest of lows in the film that she ever experiences and so, it’s this really beautiful moment and there’s a lot of little Easter eggs with “All I’ve Ever Wanted,” which is the song that Ethan creates and that’s her favorite song. There’s a lot of little like hints throughout the film that I hope people pick up on. It’s really, I think that’s cool. He’s great, I love him. You guys are playing golf.
Graham Phillips: Oh yeah, I’m seeing him later today.
Sarah Hyland: Great.
Graham Phillips: Really?
Sarah Hyland: Oh, yeah you are.
Graham Phillips: Yeah.
Sarah Hyland: Yeah, I know.
Interviewer 5: Going off kind of what she said earlier, I know both of your characters are romantics. Krystal, with just love in general; and Ethan with his career. In what way do you think being romantic strengthened or weakened your character?
Sarah Hyland: Ooh. Uh (pause)
Graham Phillips: I think Ethan’s romantic idea about what the potential of his music was actually held him back initially, you know? He really felt like there was going to be this world where his music was ready for someone else to hear, but the truth of the matter was it was never going to be ready until he accepted it himself for what it was. In a way, I think he might have actually transformed into a romantic by the end of the film, maybe more so than the beginning as a romantic, if that makes any sense.
Sarah Hyland: I think it’s the opposite for Krystal. In the beginning of the film she was too much of a romantic and she kind of … that’s the only thing that she really cared about. She just put all of her intention into everything … all of her energy into this one guy to where she wasn’t able to really experience anything else until she had him. Once that didn’t go as planned she had to turn everything that she was putting out to the world into herself and become a romantic with herself. Into which, it’s always like a … isn’t it always the case that as soon as you stop looking for a guy the perfect one shows up right around the corner, so I think that’s how it goes for Ethan and Krystal.
Interviewer 6: If you guys had a memorable moment throughout the film or the filming process, do you have one that stands out?
Sarah Hyland: The end.
Graham Phillips: Yeah.
Sarah Hyland: That was a lot.
Graham Phillips: Yeah, it was the first time that I kissed somebody live in front of tens of thousands of people.
Sarah Hyland: Eighty thousand, question mark.
Graham Phillips: Eighty thousand. Yeah, and they had no idea what was going on.
Sarah Hyland: No idea.
Graham Phillips: They, you know-they were on planet Zombo…[laughter]
Sarah Hyland: They were very supportive. They just saw two people doing something they were like, “Yeah!” Then as soon as they’d yell cut we would stop. They’d be like, “Oh, no come on man!”
Graham Phillips: Then we’d get back up and they’d be like, “Yeah!”
Sarah Hyland: It was great.
Graham Phillips: Around take eight they were like, “All right, like get out of the way we just want to watch the show.”
Sarah Hyland: Yeah, “We just want to see the DJ like we’re tired of your joke. We’re over it.”
Interviewer 6: How was the kiss, great?
Sarah Hyland: It was great.
Graham Phillips: Good. [laughter bursts out afterwards because Hyland and Phillips each kind of searches for words to describe the kiss and they give each other an awkward glance]
Interviewer 7: Well Hair [Hair the Musical at the Hollywood Bowl] it influenced you enough that you got a tattoo on yourself. What did you take away from this movie?
Sarah Hyland: Oh boy.
Interviewer 7: Sorry.
Sarah Hyland: That’s a lot. I mean, Hair and XOXO ironically enough are, I think very similar. It’s two very different cultures, but it’s kind of all about the same thing. Peace, love, harmony, and following your heart. It’s a great correlation between the two because they have the same message and oh Jesus it’s so annoying [Phillips begins taking a 360 photo of the interview table which distracts Hyland]. I love you too. It’s almost like the battle. I can’t concentrate with you here.
Graham Phillips: I’m sorry I brought everyone over. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that distractions would…you come from a live theater background, like, I didn’t really expect it to throw off your game.
Sarah Hyland: It threw me; you’re filming me. I’m like, “So anyway…”
Graham Phillips: There’s someone in the audience filming you, yeah…I know, okay.
Sarah Hyland: You know. [continues answering the question] There’s this war going on in Hair that they’re trying to fight against and I think that is it too much for me to say war on technology? There’s just so … The thing that I loved about this music festival is that everyone kind of just puts their phone down and just like is in the moment and I think that’s really great.
Interviewer 1: You’re an executive producer on this, did you read through … And you’ve directed before. When you guys get scripts now do you sort of read through them with a different eye than you did as just having the one role?
Sarah Hyland: Yeah, I mean, it’s cool because we’re able to have really big open conversations with Chris and Dylan about the story. I think that was really nice to have.
Graham Phillips: Yeah I think her being an executive producer is a little weird, making out with my boss but, you know.
Sarah Hyland: Horrible Bosses.
Graham Phillips: I definitely think if you have some directing, or producing, or writing in your background as an actor it gives you the confidence to bring up certain questions or concerns to the creators that you might otherwise maybe not feel comfortable bringing up. It’s nice to get involved as an actor and not just feel like you’re giving your performance to the wind and see what gets popped out the other side.
Judy (YEC): What’s next in your pipeline as far as projects are concerned? I know you both have shows [looking at Phillips] I know The Good Wife just ended and [looking at Hyland] Modern Family is still kicking and going strong. Is there something else in the pipeline for you guys?
Sarah Hyland: Still trucking along [talking about Modern Family]. We just finished our third episode of season eight last week and I did Dirty Dancing the Musical over the summer, which was amazing. I literally had the time of my life. Pun intended. [laughter] I made some lifelong friends on that film and it’s just so great. So much so that my friend Shane [Harper], who plays Robbie in it [Dirty Dancing the Musical], I just did his music video for him that just came out. We’ve just become such a really tight knit group. We have like a group chat, like all these different types of group chats within the cast. That was really fun. Now I’m just focusing on Modern Family. We never know when it’s going to be the end and I like to be a bit of a pessimist sometimes, to like…if this is our last season, I want to enjoy it for what it’s worth. So, I’m really just trying to focus and really enjoy, and appreciate this season just in case it’s the last one. I don’t…I’m a monkey; tell me to dance, and I’ll dance. I don’t have anything. Huh? [Hyland’s publicist mentions something] Oh yeah, and I have … I’m a creative director for Candie’s right now at Khol’s and that’s really fun. I’m having so much fun with it. We’re having production and designing meetings and I’m starting to design some specific items for them and that’s really great. The fall collection’s out right now, holiday’s coming out soon, and I’m going to New York next week and I’m going to see some samples that have come back from the factory of designs that I’ve had. It’s fun, there’s little Easter eggs in the designs that are kind of very personal to me that I hope people pick up on.
Judy (YEC): [looks to Phillips] And for you?
Graham Phillips: Well The Good Wife’s over. I’m going on a golf trip with my brother next week to Scotland.
Sarah Hyland: To Scotland?
Graham Phillips: Yeah.
Sarah Hyland: That’s far.
Graham Phillips: I started a “not for profit theater” company in New York, so I’m just in the early stages of that and we’re applying for grants and what not, so that’s kind of fun. My brother and I just finished our first full length screen play. Well, our first full-length screen play that can be made for under three million dollars. We’re in the midst of getting financed for that and we’re hoping to film that in Montana in May. Which will be fun, we’ll both be directing, and I have a role in it as well. Then I still owe one semester to Princeton so, I just have two classes and a hundred and fifty page history paper to write and then I’m out of there.
[cross talk/question about the subject of the thesis] Yeah it’s on the legal framework surrounding the protection of native american women. It has to do with sexual exploitation and what not, so grim stuff but.
[More cross talk and then wrapping up with the journalists thanking both Hyland and Phillips for their time.]
Beautiful view from the 2nd floor balcony at The London hotel.
The End.
For more on the film, go to https://www.netflix.com/title/80057691
Like XOXO on Facebook
Follow Netflix Twitter @Netflix #XOXOthemovie
XOXO movie poster ©2016 Netflix.
Other photos ©2016 Judy Manning/Your Entertainment Corner. All Rights Reserved.
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