Dustin Milligan Instagram – Joy, in this profession, is rare. Real joy, that is. There are many moments wherein we’re conditioned to *think* we’re feeling joy — new jobs or new deals or new auditions or new articles — little shots of dopamine to make us forget how precarious and unforgiving this industry is. That we’re a product to be sold, who, measured against an ambiguous and ever-changing metric, must endlessly prove our worth and reinvent ourselves into something new, or else be taken off the shelves. But sometimes, if you’re paying attention, real joy can be found.
And for me, in the case of Rutherford Falls — a show that is not only about joy, but is *built* on joy — it was found in listening.
In listening to stories from Sierra’s childhood, and understanding how they inform the stories she writes now. In bonding over 80s sci-fi movies with Jana, or listening as she fed me the latest hot goss from set. Stifling giggles as Ed does a 9-min improv-run on a 4-word line, or listening to him talk about his days on The Daily Show. In watching Michael’s eyes light up while talking, in earnest, about Pickle Ball. In realizing how old you are while listening to Jesse talk about TikTok. Listening to master weaver Barbara Ornelas talk about what makes the best Navajo Tacos, while eating said Navajo Tacos in Sierra’s backyard. Laugh-listening as Beth talks stand-up, or dating, or basically anything. Listening to how wardrobe brought clothes made by my friend Sarah all the way from Yellowknife to the Universal Studios backlot for a scene. Listening to Casey Camp-Horinek talk about stopping pipelines, or Gary Farmer talk about what he had for lunch. Listening to Bill’s labored breathing during a silent limbo as Jana and I try to hold it together. And of course, listening to the stories from our incredible audience about how much it means that they’re being represented on our show. To see themselves on screen in a way that’s rarely, if ever, been done before: living full, complex, & joyful lives.
I’ve had lots of “dopamine shots” in my career, but being a part of the community that is Rutherford Falls — being given the privilege to listen — is the kind of rare joy that I’ll carry with me forever | Posted on 06/Sep/2022 06:55:25
