When The Film Leaves The Set, It’s Not Jacob Elordi’s Business
Picture this; it’s freshly 7AM, Sydney’s humidity is well in the 80s and you’ve got a mighty tight grip on a chilled bottle of Fiji Water as you guzzle it down in front of an undisclosed amount of faceless journalists on the other side of a virtual call.
You’re Jacob Elordi.
I had the humble honour of being a faceless journalist as Jacob Elordi answered questions about his experience making the instant cult classic Saltburn and it was incredibly clear to me that while he absolutely adored making the film, he had no interest in its reception. I don’t think that should shock anyone, nor should it be twisted to make him out to be ungrateful for the opportunities that he’s been afforded. In fact, quite the opposite.
Jacob Elordi has never been shy about his love of filmmaking, but this particular interview confirmed that his heart lives on set, and he longs for that whenever he’s out on the press tour.
“I mean, it means the whole world to me. They let me make movies, ma. I can’t believe it – every night I go to bed and I’m like ‘no way’. I’m kind of pinching myself at the moment. [I’m] incredibly grateful that it’s happening and I get to play a part in this thing that I love so much.” Jacob says. And I believe him.
It’s clear that his love for film stems from a deep respect and adoration for the art of cinema, and the artists that have come before him. This isn’t something you can teach, or force someone to give a shit about — this is what passion looks like.
Jacob swells with fondness and awe about Emerald Fennell, musing about completely trusting her vision as Saltburn’s director.
“Em’s a filmmaker through and through. You know it from when she starts speaking. I just knew, whatever it was, it was something I wanted to go down that road with her on. I’d go down that road with her on anything … [she] has a wicked imagination”
It was at that moment that I felt like I really understood his approach to acting. He relinquishes all control to certain aspects of the filmmaking process, because that’s not his art.
Rather, his art is in giving himself over completely and putting his performance into the hands of the sculptors; the directors, producers, cinematographers, camera operators, and then in post-production, and also in distribution. That’s the kind of trust that can truly make Jacob Elordi a force in cinema.
“I’m pretty open to everything – I definitely want to be in service to filmmakers, always. I think [every] director is on my list. I love making movies … Once I wrap the movie, it’s kind of done for me. I wrap it up and put it away, and keep that moment sacred for myself. For me, the experience is in making the picture,” Jacob says.
Towards the end of the interview, Jacob caught himself mid-sentence referring to Saltburn as a ‘picture’ and seemingly broke character, giving us a glimpse of a young, starry-eyed Jacob, before we ever knew him.
“I think I’ve said ‘picture’ five hundred thousand times now. I had an English teacher — named Father Gillen — when I was in high school, and he wouldn’t let us say ‘movie’, he would make us say ‘film’ or ‘picture’ so now I sound like a twit.”
At this point, Jacob had completely lost his train of thought and I – along with the other faceless journalists — were entranced by the man on the screen.
And as for watching his own films?
“I probably try to avoid it as often as possible. For now anyway. Until I’m a complete ego-maniac [and then] all my films at once.”
Saltburn is now streaming on Prime Video.
Written by Talecia Vescio, your local Aquarius Junkee Producer & Presenter. Find her on Instagram as @taleciavescio if you want to be friends.
Main image credit: Isabella Elordi for T Australia