Exclusive Interview: Michelle N. Carter Discusses Mass and the Film’s Timely Subject Matter

Michelle N. Carter is a dynamic storyteller who has captivated the industry for over two decades. Her past credits include projects like Grey’s Anatomy, S.W.A.T., American Crime Story: Impeachment, and Grimm.

This year, she can be seen in the must-see drama, Mass. The award-winning film follows the aftermath of a violent tragedy that affects the lives of two couples in different ways.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Michelle about the role.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting and storytelling?
Michelle: I discovered my passion for acting and storytelling as a kid when I started writing plays/stories and performing them for my family. I loved watching TV and I wanted to be on every show that I watched. Especially shows where I saw myself represented, like Diff’rent Strokes, What’s Happening!!, and Good Times. All I knew was if they could do it then I was going to do it too.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Michelle: Honestly, cancer has had a huge influence on my career. From my non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in 2005 and my aunt passing away in 2014 to one of my closest friends currently living with terminal cancer, I have a sense of urgency to achieve my goal of being a successful actor. I hustle harder and go after things even when they scare me. Because time is of the essence. I just can’t take any day for granted.

PC: You got your start doing theater. What has the transition been like going from that medium to film/television?
Michelle: The transition from theater to film/television has been really good. It took being in front of the camera a few times to learn that I didn’t have to be so big with my facial expressions or my voice. I wasn’t playing to the back of the house or to folks in the balcony, and the camera picks up the smallest facial expressions really well, so I had to learn that less is more for the camera, and coming to set and having only a week or so to really develop and bring the character to life as opposed to having a month or so was something to get used to. That’s why preparation is key before stepping onto the set.

PC: Tell us about Mass, your character, and what attracted you to this project.
Michelle: Mass is about two sets of parents that come together six years after a tragic shooting, seeking closure and understanding. My character, Kendra, is responsible for setting up a safe space for the parents to explore their emotionally charged and complex dialogue. She plays a big part in setting up the premise and the tension in the first fifteen minutes of the film.

The first time I read the script, I immediately felt a connection to Kendra that I couldn’t describe. Being the mother of a three-year-old at the time, the connection that I felt to both sets of parents was unreal to me. The grief, living a parent’s worst nightmare, trying to move forward and find hope and forgiveness…it affected me like no script ever had. I knew immediately that I needed to be a part of it.

PC: Is there a different weight/pressure when you’re tackling such a timely and sensitive subject matter?
Michelle: Fran Kranz [writer-director] had to walk a fine line tackling the subject matter of this film. Because these types of events are so prevalent in our society, he didn’t want to go the traumatic route of playing out the event, but he still wanted to convey the heaviness of it and the impact on those affected by it. I think he did a wonderful job of that with his script, and the actors did a fantastic job with their performances.

PC: How did you and the rest of the cast create the space for yourselves to tackle this important film?
Michelle: As a cast, we all took time to create space to explore and tap into the characters. Fran went out of his way to make sure that the two sets of parents had many opportunities to connect and spend time together away from the set, including spending the day together before filming started in a room sharing personal stories and being completely vulnerable. We also had survivors of gun violence from the Everytown Survivor Network speak to the “parents” about what it’s like being the one left behind after losing someone to gun violence. There were also several occasions between scenes where we sat and discussed certain scenes to find the truth in those moments.

PC: The film has been incredibly well received. What do you think is resonating most with audiences?
Michelle: What this film does by diving into a side of this very familiar story that we don’t normally see creates a powerful depiction of forgiveness, loss, and overwhelming grief. I think the desire from both sides to forgive and be forgiven, not knowing if it is even possible, resonates with folks. And the terrible feeling of hopelessness after such a loss. We’ve all experienced feeling hopeless and completely overwhelmed by grief. And especially after two years of being in a pandemic with so much uncertainty and grief, I think this movie hit differently for a lot of folks.

To keep up with Michelle, follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.