McKenzie: We had a rehearsal on set that morning to try some things, but finally David decided we would do the whole scene while making love, and all in one take which was quite a challenge. My first career was as a dancer, where you rehearse for 8 weeks before stepping onstage. Now, I'm always amazed at how much we as actors have to bring to the table, and be ready to improvise, and how fast the director has to think on his feet to orchestrate it all.
ROBsessed: Is Xanax prescribed for the day to calm nerves? I'm joking ;) kind of
McKenzie: It would have been tempting to have wine before the scene! One of the first film acting jobs I ever had was laced with highly erotic content, and I was young, naive, and an absolute prude. To get through the love scenes they had to ply me with red wine and the director promised me, on the life of her children, that I wouldn't be ashamed of the result. She was an angel, and in hindsight, the scene was very tame. The relationship of an actor to a director is crucial, you have to put all of your faith in their vision, so what made the intimacy in Cosmopolis really easy for me was that I trusted David completely. Rob was a sweetheart as well, very supportive and very professional. From a holistic standpoint, to mentally prepare for an intense day on set, deep breathing saves me every time, as well as a mantra not to judge myself positively or negatively, just to be. "Express, don't impress" is my aspiration.
ROBsessed: Who was stronger? You or Rob?
McKenzie: I think he is a gentleman and would let me win if we wrestled.
ROBsessed: Did you suspect Rob fans would find the scene pretty steamy?
McKenzie: I purposely didn't watch any playback so I had no idea what the scene looked like or how people would react, although I had an inkling that people on set seemed to think it was hot, judging by the way everyone came out of the woodwork, and gathered around the monitor. Ha Ha. It's all about the scene while I'm working, connecting with my costar, being as truthful and revealing as I can and trying to be compelling. After it was all done, like any actor, I ultimately want approval, so I sweated for a few weeks, hoping people wouldn't abhor my presence in the film, or even worse, that the scene would end up on the cutting room floor! Eventually I always come to the conclusion that other people's opinions of my work or even my sex appeal, are none of my business and my job is to keep any of those concerns out of my mind. But, I have to admit that I am thrilled and amazed to have pleased Rob's discerning and dedicated fans!
ROBsessed: Tell us something we might not know about Rob and David.
McKenzie: They are two of the sweetest men in Hollywood. Both are extremely humble in person and lack pretension. I felt very comfortable around both of them. David Cronenberg gave me a big hug the first time I ever saw him, and he said he was happy to finally meet me, which was so disarming, charming and fatherly. I think that is when I fell in love, because I will give everything to a director that makes me feel as safe and protected as a child. And Cronenberg is so patient. He gives everyone on set all the time they need to do their best work, and speaks quietly to keep the atmosphere on set very calm and enjoyable. David was also very patient with my fawning over him at the warp party, because I was so appreciative of his work style I just couldn't help gushing like a schoolgirl with with a crush, very embarrassing in retrospect. I didn't expect Rob to be so tall, and so charming.
Everyone loved him on set. He can carry his own in any conversation and takes pains to make others feel at ease. He is very down-to-earth and low-key, the kind of guy that just chills with his dog, or with a pint. What's his dogs name, Bear? I'm pretty sure I remember that from playing with him, although it's possible I heard the name somewhere, but anyone who calls a small dog "Bear" has a good sense of humour. I had two 95lb boxers named Zeus and Troy, that I was missing, so it was fun to play with that friendly little Bear. Anyway, I got the impression that he preferred a dark pub, to cruising on a yacht, or anything fancy. He actually called me "fancy" because yes, if there's an occasion, I may prefer boating to beers on a hot summer day, but otherwise, I like to stay home and immerse myself in my own world.
ROBsessed: Rob once said sex scene tricks have modesty patches. What other tricks are used in sex scenes? Mint gum?
McKenzie: Wardrobe arrives between each take with a robe, to cover the actors up, touch up makeup and spray fake sweat, although the last part was wholly unnecessary. It's incredibly hot and sweaty gyrating under cinema lights, and I was going through a phase, as I sometimes do, where I stopped using deodorant and wearing nail polish or any other chemicals. All part of my detox. It takes me a lot to work up a sweat, so I didn't really consider how hot I would be or how potentially smelly. So luckily, I had two little deodorant wipes, that I tried to use, which was mortifying, but at least maybe he knew I was trying not to be offensively oderous. As far as being covered up, I had nothing, and Rob had a white sport sock taped on with masking tape, for modesty which was pretty funny. Sometimes I find those awkward cover-ups only draw attention to the nudity and make me more self-conscious than if I have nothing, but he didn't buy my argument, and kept the sock, rather flimsily attached.
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