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Most people would probably recognize Skyler Gisondo from his role in last year’s “Vacation”, in which he co-starred as James Griswold opposite Ed Helms, Christina Applegate and youngster Steele Stebbins.
This year, Skyler has landed his first leading role in coming-of-age tale “Hard Sell”. He plays Hardy, a high school senior navigating teenage life with his unstable mom Lorna, played by Kristin Chenoweth. When beautiful stranger Bo enter’s his life, Hardy and Bo develop a scheme that will change their lives forever.
“Hard Sell” was released in theatres, on VOD and iTunes yesterday, and I got the chance to catch up with Skyler and ask him a few questions about the new film as well as his role in “Vacation”.
Hi Skyler. How are you today?
I’m awesome! Thanks for asking.
How did you get involved in HARD SELL? What drew you to the film?
There were a number of things about the script that drew me to the project immediately. The main factor being that is is an incredibly rare thing to read a script that centers itself around a young protagonist, and explores that character with such depth and honesty. It was real and meaningful. It was also a chance to play the “leading man” role in an amazing script, which does not come around very often.
The film has some really funny moments but also some emotionally charged scenes. Was it a challenging role?
You’re right! Based on its premise, Hard Sell sounds like a tragedy. A boy’s dog is sick and he is tasked with raising money for the dog’s surgery while also parenting his mentally unstable mother. That being said, the movie has some really funny moments. That balance is just a testament to Sean Nalaboff’s (the film’s writer/director) talent. Life is not black and white. We experience a wide spectrum of emotions throughout our days. Hard Sell is organic, and captures that comedy while remaining focused.
It was definitely challenging. Hardy is an incredibly complex 17-year-old. There is a serious depth to him. His life’s circumstances have demanded that grow up quickly. It was a very rewarding challenge to bring that weight to the performance every day.
Last year you starred in VACATION, with Ed Helms and Christina Applegate, which was a huge release! How was that experience?
So much fun. The Office is my favorite TV show of all time and Anchorman is my favorite movie, so getting to work with Ed and Christina everyday for months was unreal. They are two of the kindest and funniest people I have ever met. Steele Stebbins, who played my younger brother, absolutely crushed it and is far and away the raddest 11-year-old I have ever met.
Jonathan Goldstein and John Daley, the movie’s writer/director duo, were a blast to work with. There was never a dull moment, and filming certainly never felt like a job. Those are two seriously funny dudes. On top of that, they really value improv and always were open to suggestions and riffing during shooting.
Did you feel any extra pressure rebooting such a well-loved franchise?
I think that if any of us ever did feel that pressure, we pushed it aside. We all loved the original Vacation movies going into production. But letting ourselves feel that extra pressure would have only stifled us. In making this movie, we wanted to bring a new energy and freshness, while still honoring the original. In the end, I believe we were able to find the right balance.
What’s next for you?
I am not at liberty to say just yet, but I am very excited about it!
Exciting! Thanks for taking the time to chat!
Of course!
