Acclaimed actress Liza Weil chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about her new movie “Lunar Way,” which was written and directed by Nick Butler.
‘Lunar Sway’
Weil is embracing an exciting new chapter in the upcoming independent film “Lunar Sway.” Best known for her unforgettable portrayal of Paris Geller on Gilmore Girls, Weil spoke about the immersive filmmaking experience, her evolving perspective as an artist, and what success truly means to her.
The synopsis is: In this offbeat comedy, a bi guy in a desert town receives a surprise visit from his con-artist birth mother, with chaos ensuing.
Working on “Lunar Sway” proved to be a memorable and rewarding experience for Weil, who described the production as intimate and transformative.
“It was wonderful,” Weil said. “It was a very small, immersive shoot in Cache Creek, British Columbia, and that landscape made us feel as though we entered another world.”
She praised director Nick Butler for fostering a collaborative environment and credited her co-stars for helping create a special atmosphere on set.
“Nick gave us a lot of room, and Noah was an unusually open and present scene partner,” she shared. “The nice surprise is that it hasn’t really ended. I’ve had the chance to travel with Nick, Noah Parker, Kaden Connors, and Douglas Smith to festivals and screenings, and the friendships have continued to grow through post-production.”
Weil found herself challenged by her character, Marg, whose instincts differ greatly from her own. “Her instinct is almost the opposite of mine,” she admitted. “I ruminate—Marg runs. It was interesting to spend time inside someone who simply keeps moving.”
The screenplay also offered Weil an opportunity for personal reflection. “Rumination isn’t particularly healthy, and neither is running from the past, obviously,” she explained. “But somewhere between the two, I found a slightly less punishing relationship to it.”
‘Gilmore Girls’
Of course, many fans continue to associate Weil with her iconic role as Paris Geller on the beloved television series “Gilmore Girls.” Looking back, she considers that experience one of the defining moments of her career.
“It was formative,” she reflected. “Amy Sherman-Palladino’s writing gave me a muscle for language and rhythm that I still use, and Paris was an extraordinary gift—a young woman who could be brilliant, impossible, funny, and vulnerable without being tidied up.”
She remains deeply appreciative that the series continues to resonate with new generations of viewers.
“That people are still finding the show, and still responding to Paris all these years later is very moving to me,” she said.
Asked about working as an actress in today’s digital landscape, Weil acknowledged both the opportunities and the challenges that come with the modern entertainment industry.
“There are real advantages,” she noted. “More people can make work, smaller films can find an audience, and actors have access to opportunities that once would have been geographically impossible.”
At the same time, she recognizes the pressure many performers feel to constantly maintain a public presence.
“I came up in a time when an actor could more or less disappear between jobs, so I know there is probably some generational resistance built into my response,” she said. “The speed of it can also make you feel as though you have to be visible all the time. I try and remember that visibility isn’t the work. When it gets overwhelming, I mostly keep my head down and return to the work itself.”
As for what’s next, Weil is embracing the uncertainty that naturally comes with an acting career.
“So much of an actor’s future isn’t really ours to plan,” she said. “Right now I’m reading, watching things, spending time with my daughter and friends, waiting to see what catches.”
She is also looking forward to continuing the “Lunar Sway” journey. “I’m very happy that the immediate future includes more travel with the “Lunar Sway” gang as we head to festivals and screenings leading up to the film’s release,” she said.
For aspiring performers, Weil offered thoughtful advice rooted in perseverance and continual growth.
“In the dry spells—which are very real, and can be long—read, watch films, do whatever you can to fill yourself back up,” she encouraged. “Input is part of the work too.”
Success
When asked what success means to her, Weil’s definition reflected a grounded perspective shaped by years in the industry.
“Getting to keep going—and still wanting to,” she said. “To be useful in the room, getting to work with people I respect and admire, and having a life that matters to me when the job ends.”
Finally, Weil shared what she hopes audiences will take away from “Lunar Sway.” “Come for the desert noir, stay for the oddness,” she said.
“I hope they leave with a little more tenderness for people who search for connection in imperfect ways,” she concluded.
To learn more about Liza Weil, follow her on Instagram.
Read More: Rave review of “Lunar Sway” for True Hollywood Talk.
