Interview with Madison Wolfe

Madison Wolfe is an American actress who began acting at just six years old and has already worked alongside Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey in True Detective, starred in The Conjuring 2 and The Conjuring 4, as well as I Kill Giants and The Man in the White Van. She is not only an actress but also a producer, the founder of Mad Wolfe Productions, a songwriter for a film soundtrack, and an acclaimed performer. Very soon we'll see her in Season 2 of We Were Liars as young Bess.

Madison, welcome to the interview! I'm so happy to have you as our guest. You started acting at such a young age, and now you have dozens of projects behind you. Wow — that's incredible! Tell us about your acting journey.

— Yeah, it's really crazy to look back and think at this point I'm over 16 years into my career. But honestly, it really all started by accident. I was a kid who was encouraged by my parents to really try everything. So I did a bunch of extracurriculars, all kinds. So acting was just another one of those. I was actually at my local zoo and I think it was around Halloween, and a little local acting school had a promotional booth up and was promoting classes for acting, singing, dancing, and modeling. And I wanted to try acting classes and my parents were like “Sure. Why not.” So I started taking classes. And then very quickly, loved it, and got told by the teachers and mentors at the school that I could probably really book jobs and work. They told me I should go to LA to try to get reps, so I did, and then it just snowballed. I booked my first job when I was around 6. Too young to even truly conceptualize what I was doing or what it could potentially mean in terms of being a real career. It was really just a fun hobby.

One of your first serious projects was True Detective, where you worked alongside Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey. You were only 11 back then. Did you realise at the time how huge that project was, or did it hit you later? And what was it like working with your sister on screen?

— No, I had no idea what I was working on. I mean, I knew that it was a great project. I knew the role was great. A lot of people don't know this, but I actually played two roles in that show. Technically, I played Woody Harrelson's daughter and then I also played the young girl in the video in the cave. So even as young as I was, I enjoyed that and the challenges that came with those roles and I loved everyone on set. But no, I had no idea that the show would become what it became. And I actually am pretty grateful for that; I feel that way in regard to a lot of early projects in my career. I truly did not know. I only knew the “status” of the project or the people because people around me were telling me that, but a lot of times it wasn't until after the fact that I realized the caliber of people that I was getting to work with. And I have a lot of really fun memories on that set. Woody Harrelson in particular was so fun with us kids and incredibly kind to both my sister and I. He would do yoga with us and bring us in his trailer and make us try his smoothies. So yeah, it was a ton of fun. And of course, getting to work with my sister was awesome. And looking back, I'm really so grateful that we had that opportunity, even though at the time, I kind of just took it for granted. I didn’t realize how rare that was, and at the time we weren’t as close as we are now. I remember fighting on set, actually. There was a scene where Megan's character, her kite gets stuck in a tree or my kite gets stuck in a tree? I don't know. Anyway while we were filming that scene we were actually having a real sister fight, who knows what it was about. But that's what happens when you're 11 and 6 working together. It's very sweet now to look back at both of us on the screen together at that age.

At 13, you played Janet in The Conjuring 2. I'm a fan of that universe! In my opinion, that was a very demanding role. How did you prepare for such emotional and frightening scenes? What memories do you have from filming that movie?

— Thank you! Yeah, it was a very demanding role. How did I prepare? Well, I watched and read a lot of real material that the film is based on. I really tried to get into Janet's headspace and honor the fact that she is this real person who exists, and, even at 13, I felt a real responsibility to portray her story accurately. So a lot of my preparation was referencing existing material and just making sure I could get as close to that as possible. And then also interestingly I found that it was really helpful to sort of not really prepare the “scary” scenes as much. I’d prepare them in the sense that I would know my lines, and know the intention of the scene, and come in emotionally prepped, but then intentionally ignore the timing of when the “scary” thing would come in. It helped me be more in the moment, and a lot of those effects were practical, so I could just react in real time. And actually be scared. But yes I have so many amazing memories filming that movie. I mean, everyone was so wonderful to me. Vera and Patrick and James were just so kind. I remember for my birthday, I turned 13 on that set, they got me a cake and James got me tickets to go to Universal Horror Night, which I had never been to. I also got to go to London with my family for the first time, which was incredible. So yeah. Lots of great memories.

How did it feel when you returned to the role in The Conjuring 4?

— It was so sweet. It was so surreal because it was almost 10 years since I had played that character, and I really thought I would never get to play her again. And I was perfectly okay with that, because I really think I know that I tried my best in Conjuring 2 to lay it all out there and really give my all to the performance. So I was okay and prepared knowing that I would never get to play her again. But yeah, to revisit a character that meant so much to me and changed my life in many ways 10 years later felt really full circle. And getting to see all those people again was really just special. It's weird because when you do a film, or any project, you work with these people and they become your family and then very often, it's like, you don't really see each other or speak a ton because you’re all onto other projects and in different parts of the world. So having that as an excuse to see them again was just amazing.

As we've already discussed, your filmography includes a huge number of projects. Among them: I Kill Giants, Joy, Trumbo, The Hunting Wives, Mayfair Witches, Zoo, The Astronaut Wives Club, Mr. Church, and many others. Which of these stand out most in your memory and why? Is there a role that became especially important to you?

— Out of those, definitely I Kill Giants. It was my second lead role, after Conjuring, but debatably even more demanding in terms of how much of the movie I was in. And I got to film it in Ireland and Belgium, which was just, I mean, a complete dream and felt completely surreal. Next to the Conjuring, It was my most challenging role in every way. It was a very grueling shoot, just because of the nature of the project and the character. There was a ton of physicality, there was a lot of emotion at play, all the time. But I love a challenge and I'm really proud of that performance. So I think that's why it stands out to me.

In The Man in the White Van, you not only played the lead role, but also wrote a song for the soundtrack! Tell us about that experience. How long have you been making music?

— Well, I guess I've been technically making music since I learned to play guitar when I was about 15 or 16. But I just recently started sharing it, as of a couple years ago. And I love making music. It's so much fun. It's one of my favorite hobbies so to get to kind of combine twp things that I love dearly, acting and making music, for the soundtrack was very exciting to me. I never even really expected to release music or get to get to do that on a real level. And it was such a good exercise, writing that song from a really specific character perspective different from my own, which is something that I had never done before.

You founded your own company, Mad Wolfe Productions. What kind of stories do you want to tell through your projects? What are you working on right now?

— All kinds of stories. Right now more than ever, I'm particularly drawn to character driven stories that are emotionally resonant in one way or another. And I love to pair that with a strong genre element, whether it be comedy or horror, etc. But it really spans but at the end of the day the goal is just to make things I love, and would want to watch. I love projects that entertain people while still exploring something a lot deeper, and surprise people. I think that it's really special when you can do that in a sort of unexpected way. You know, I started a production company because I saw a pattern of the same amazing young talent coming together and making these projects, and I to put it really simply, I just wanted to keep doing more of that. I ultimately want to foster an environment that encourages, I guess, the next generation of filmmakers and really champions emerging voices in the indie world, where relationships can be formed beyond one single project. And to strengthen that community specifically in the South. I'm hoping to build community more than anything. Right now we have several projects that are at different stages of development. We have a road trip dramedy future film that we're packaging right now. I'm working on a documentary in collaboration with one of my other friends who has a production company of his own. We are in the process of writing and developing a horror film. I have a TV pilot that I've been shopping. So lots of irons in the fire and I'm really excited to see where each of these projects go because as wildly different as they are, I wholeheartedly believe in each one.

Over the years, you've worked with so many different people in the industry. Who left the strongest impression on you?

— The person that's coming to mind right now is James. James Wan, who directed The Conjuring. And. It's because he is so well respected, rightfully so, as a horror mastermind, and yet is the sweetest person you'll ever meet. He's so kind and has such genuine energy. I don't know how someone who comes up with and develops so many insanely twisted horror plots is actually the sweetest ever. He’s also just so humble, and normal, and so well deserving of his success. He’s such a testament to the fact that you don't have to let massive success or genre work that you do infiltrate the person that you are.

The world has seen the announcement of your new role in We Were Liars, where you'll play young Bess Sinclair — the same character played by Candice King. We're all looking forward to it! Have you started filming yet? Have you had a chance to interact with Candice?

— Yeah, Candace is so, so sweet. I mean, really, it's funny because we're on opposite timelines, so we don't work together a ton on screen. But her energy is so bright. All three of those women who play the adult Carrie, Bess, and Penny truly welcomed us with open arms. They made it clear from the beginning they were always there if we had any questions… character wise or just in general. All of them have just been amazing.

Did you read E. Lockhart's books to feel the story more deeply?

— Yeah I had read the books as a young teenager, years before there were even talks of it becoming an adaptation, and remember loving them then. Of course once I started auditioning for the project I re-read all of the books for a refresh which was super helpful in fully understanding the world of the Sinclairs and to gain a new perspective on it as an adult.

You're currently working with Carina Adly MacKenzie and Julie Plec on this project. They also created the iconic series The Vampire Diaries. Have you watched shows from that universe? If so, who is your favourite character? Do you have a favourite couple?

— Of course. It was so long ago now, but, yeah, I feel like it's a staple for my generation, especially when we were teenagers. When I was in high school, everyone had watched Vampire Diaries. So it’s very cool to be working with Carina and Julie now. I mean, I feel like I have to say Caroline's my favorite character, right? It feels wrong to not say that. A favorite couple….Damon and Elena, obviously.

Do you ever watch the projects you've been in yourself?

— Yes, I do, but only at a premiere or something. I don't really find myself going back and rewatching my work after that. I'm a pretty hard critic of myself, so I don't love watching my work outside a screening.

What genre do you most enjoy working in?

— Probably just straight up drama. Which I haven't actually done a ton of, like, most often I'm in the thriller/ horror world. But yeah, any project where I can really lean into the drama, I really enjoy. I also love period pieces.

If you could play any existing character, who would it be and why?

— Maybe Khaleesi in Game of Thrones. I think that role just combines everything that's sort of on my bucket list. It's dramatic, it's emotional and grounded. It's set in sort of this other worldly time period. She really has an arc throughout the work; I love to see underlying strength come out in an arc, and I think she's a great example of that. And I love even more to see a character become morally gray.

Do you have any hobbies outside of all your creative work? What do you love to do in your spare time?

— Music is still a big hobby of mine: listening to it, writing it, playing guitar, piano. I love to read, both books and screenplays. I love to thrift. And I love to try different food. I'm definitely a foodie. Does that count as a hobby?

Yeah! Now let's move on to the blitz round.

Favourite movie?

— An impossible question, but my favorite new one that I’ve seen recently was the Invite.

Favorite TV series?

— Survivor.

Favorite game?

— I don't really play a ton of games. So, none?

Favorite book?

— A Little Life.

Your favorite quote?

— Don’t have one.

Favorite color?

— Black. Or silver.

Your favorite singer/band/composer?

— Lana is my number one for sure. My favorite band is Radiohead.

Your favorite song?

— Again, impossible but I guess anything off of Ultraviolence or Norman Fucking Rockwell.

Three recent songs you've added to your playlist?

— Well, I made a playlist inspired by my character on Liars, Bess, so that's the most recent playlist I've made. Three songs I remember adding to it are Baby One More Time, Kiss Me, and I'm Just A Girl.

Marvel or DC?

— Marvel, I guess.

What's your house from Game of Thrones?

— I have no idea. Is there a test for this?

What's your Hogwarts House?

— Probably Slytherin. I’d like to say Slytherin. But I don't know.

Do you have an idol and if you do, who is it and why?

— Honestly, I don't really have an idol. But there are a lot of people whose careers that I am really inspired by, one person that comes to mind is Margaret Robbie. She had such success as an actress, and is incredibly talented, and then made the decision to turn to producing as well and now has Lucky Chap, which is obviously wildly successful. So if I were to say someone whose career I was inspired by, she would definitely be on the list.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

— Ambitious, curious, intuitive.

What superpower would you like to have and why?

— Teleportation. It would solve a lot of my scheduling problems if I could very nearly be in two places at once. Or at least very quickly after each other. And no flights.