Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Army of One’s Ellen Hollman

Throughout her fifteen-plus-year career, Ellen Hollman has poured her blood, sweat, and tears into any project she’s taken on. That commitment has made her one of Hollywood’s most sought-after triple threats. Whether she’s acting on the screen or working behind the scenes as a producer or writer, Ellen consistently delivers.

Her latest film, Army of One, is no different. In it, Ellen stars as Special Forces soldier Brennar Baker. After her husband is killed by a drug cartel, Brennar goes on a mission to seek revenge.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Ellen about her career, Army of One, and her upcoming film, The Matrix 4.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Ellen: Both of my parents are classical musicians. My mother is a master pianist, and my father is still a violist in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He’s been in it for nearly forty-five years. He’s been performing my entire life. I grew up seeing the world behind the curtains, whether it was pop concerts or The Nutcracker ballet. Seeing what happens on stage and behind the scenes has always been something that I’ve been familiar with and curious about.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a writer and producer. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actor and vice versa?
Ellen: I feel like when you wear more than one hat, you don’t put all your eggs in one basket per se. For many years, I was totally a performer, so my happiness was predicated on my success as a performer. Little did I know that there are other aspects of the industry that I could also excel at. This is something I encourage other people to do. Whether you’re a performer, writer, director, try switching your roles. You may surprise yourself and discover something new. There’s something else that you not only excel at but you may enjoy more than what you’re currently doing.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Ellen: The biggest break I got was over a decade ago. Was that a decade ago? My gosh! Where has the time gone? When I booked Spartacus and moved to New Zealand for nearly two years. That skyrocketed my career in ways I could never have expected. I’ve been in the action-drama genre ever since and fully embraced that.

Army of One

PC: Speaking of action films, tell us about Army of One, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Ellen: Army of One begins with a woman named Brenner Baker and her husband, Dillion. They take a break from work to go on vacation. They go into the woods and go camping. That sounds like the beginning of every horror story. [laughs] They stumble upon a drug and weapon compound, and her husband gets executed.

It’s at that moment it becomes a story about Brenner. For a moment, you think the story centers around her husband, played by Matt Passmore. But the storyline shifts gears and it’s about her path for redemption. What makes it different is that this action-drama centers around a woman, which gives it more of a heartbeat and gives it more empathy. Also, we made sure that everyone who was cast was capable of doing their own action stunts, myself included. There are no stunt doubles. There is no CGI. There’s no face replacement. Everything you see on screen is what we actually did physically.

PC: Not only are you starring in the film, you also co-wrote and co-produced it. At what point in that process did you realize you wanted to wear all those different hats, and how challenging was that?
Ellen: It was a challenge that I fully embraced. The director was extremely gracious because he allowed me to take on that producer role. He allowed my husband and I to come on board and completely gut the action and redesign it as well as have massive input in revisions and dialogue.

I feel like that only elevated the material because of that collaboration. There are moments where you’re in a scene, fully invested in the emotional content, but then you notice something off with continuity or someone’s not wearing the right outfit that they were earlier in the scene or that you noticed so many different things. I can’t tell you how many times when Stephen [Durham] yelled “cut” and I was like, “Do you think we should go in tighter for this? I think I need a little bit more blood and sweat because at the top of the scene I had this and now I don’t.” I couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t help not be involved in every aspect to make sure this turned out to be something that I was really proud of.

PC: You’ve worked with Stephen in the past. How beneficial was having that previous relationship as you embarked on this journey?
Ellen: Stephen is quite familiar with how I operate, which is either zero or one hundred. There’s no in-between. [laughs] I’m like a freight train. Once I start going, you can try to stop me or slow me down, but you’ll probably just get run over. I say that in a collaborative, positive way. [laughs] I’m not a demon on set, I swear! I give it a thousand percent of my effort, my blood, sweat, and tears. I don’t half-ass anything, and he knows my personality. He was extremely enthusiastic about having me part of the team. I feel like having me involved is like having five people involved in that I don’t stop until the job is done.

PC: With the film out now, what do you hope audiences take away?
Ellen: We’re not looking to sweep at the Oscars. We’re here to entertain. I feel like now, more than ever, people want that escape. We’ve seen that male-led action sells countless times, and this separates itself from the pack. In my opinion, it’s a breath of fresh air.

PC: In addition to Army of One, you have more exciting projects on the way. Is there any you can talk about at this time?
Ellen: Love and Monsters is available to stream now. That has Michael Rooker, Dylan O’Brien, and Jessica Henwick. It’s a film I did with Paramount in Australia about a year ago. It’s getting incredible reviews, so go check that out. And of course, I can’t fail to mention my participation in the upcoming Matrix 4, which is an absolute dream come true. I’m still pinching myself. We recently wrapped, and it looks like it’ll debut next year.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Ellen: The Great British Baking Show. Oh my God! Over the weekend, I watched two or three seasons. I couldn’t stop. It’s so wonderful and joyous. I’m obsessed right now.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Ellen: I love Pixar movies. They’re so witty and adorable. I have several godchildren. Anytime I watch any of them, I’m like, “Hey, do you guys want to watch WALL-E again?” They’re like, “We watched that last week.” I’m like, “I’m pretty sure you want to see it again.” They’re like, “No, Auntie Ellen. We want to go outside and play.” I’m like, “Are you sure?” [laughs]

PC: Favorite book?
Ellen: Right now, I’m reading a whole series by Jocko Willink. He does leadership strategizing and tactics among ownership. He was a prominent figure in the military, but also his knowledge on leadership is so poignant and priceless. I’m currently dissecting his work.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Ellen: Moulin Rouge by Baz Luhrmann. I love romantic tragedies. The Great British Baking Show and romantic tragedies. [laughs] And Pixar! I’m telling you a little too much about myself. [laughs]

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ellen: I’m not ashamed to say I’m obsessed with Shakira. I’ve been listening to her since I was eleven. My best pal growing up, her family is from Colombia. I used to listen to Shakira’s mix tapes that my friend’s grandma would get from Shakira’s grandma. I don’t even understand it because I don’t speak Spanish, but I’ve listened to it since I was eleven.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Ellen: Millie Bobby Brown. She is such a star. Anything she does is amazing.

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

Photo Credit: Bjoern Kommerell