Sasha Lane and Jayme Lawson Discuss How to Blow Up a Pipeline, the Bond Between Their Two Characters, and more

Sasha Lane and Jayme Lawson are two of the stars of How to Blow Up a Pipeline (in select theaters now).

The gripping thriller follows a crew of young environmental activists who execute a daring mission to sabotage an oil pipeline in this taut and timely drama that is part high-stakes heist, part radical exploration of the climate crisis.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Sasha and Jayme about How to Blow Up a Pipeline, their love for independent filmmaking, and the bond between their two characters.

PC: Sasha, without giving any spoilers, there’s an event that happens to Theo, which results in this loss of control. This heist is an opportunity to take her power back, which you brought so much nuance to. Did you channel any of your own personal experiences when shaping and molding this character?
Sasha: Maybe the acknowledgement of that nothing-to-lose energy, which sometimes is probably the most hopeful you can be because there’s something really strong that can come from that. It may sound dark, but it’s that nothing-to-lose mentality. There’s something really amazing that you can do with that energy as long as you’re acknowledging that you don’t know what is going to happen. For me, that’s how I started my career. I had nothing to lose. I had no idea what was going on. Let’s go.

PC: Jayme, you’ve said in the past that trusting your gut has guided you throughout your career. You were initially in talks with Danny [Goldhaber] about another project before he pitched this one. What was it about Alicia and this script that hit home for you?
Jayme: Well, see, now Danny used this other script to cast everybody. That was a ploy. Let’s be very clear on that. [laughs] But beyond that, once I read the script, Alicia really resonated with me. What also resonated with me was the idea of what it means to love someone to the point of sacrificing even your own morals for their sake, which is a beautiful thing to put into a question: How far will you go for someone you love? I’ve always loved that. I also loved that she brought a different perspective. Talking to Danny, he acknowledged his own blind spots that he may have regarding this conversation because when you’re so involved in any movement you tend to lose sight of those that live on the periphery. I was all about having those conversations with him.

PC: Sasha, you were attached to this project during the early stage. At what point did you decide that you wanted to step into the role of an executive producer? How did that come to fruition?
Sasha: I actually don’t remember. That was really early on. I was attached so early on. We were talking about one film, and then he slipped me this one. He did this whole incognito thing with my team.

Jayme: Right!

Sasha: But I really wanted to do it. My team was like, “What are you doing?” I’m like, “I know it’s crazy, but let’s go for it.” Maybe that had something to do with it. But it was in the early stages, and that’s how the indie world is. It’s so much about that collaboration, especially when you do something like this where you’re putting a bunch of people out in Albuquerque and filming a film like this. We’re all going to be a part of this. Everyone’s in it, and you have to be down to do that, to make a film like this.

PC: Jayme, so much of why Alicia gets involved in this heist is because of her love for Theo. You brought so much strength in that vulnerability, especially in those final moments when we learn everybody’s faith. As an actress, how did you create the space for yourself to dive into this character who is so conflicted?
Jayme: That’s a great question. I feel like we were all bringing our own personal experiences to this. I feel like I live in that tension in my everyday life. [laughs] If I’m being quite honest. I had to ask myself, “What is it to have to be strong for the sake of Theo and live in this space when she’s battling these circumstances?” I think you put it very well: Alicia is definitely living in between those two spaces constantly.

PC: The two of you have incredible chemistry. How were you able to build that bond? Was there a moment when you realized you had that?
Sasha: I think it was when we had to take pictures.

Jayme: I was just about to say that! We had to take pictures before we started shooting. I turned to her and I was like, “Get on my back.” It was like, “All right. Cool. This is easy.”

Sasha: Yeah. Let’s go.

PC: The two of you have worked on projects of all sizes. What is it about independent filmmaking that excites you as creatives?
Sasha: It’s mainly a gut feeling. No matter what the outcome, no matter how many people see it, none of that really matters because you’re there for a reason. Even if you falter, even if you have an idea that this isn’t going to work or “I’m missing out on things” or “I could have worked on another project,” you always have in the back of your head, “I want to be here, so just shut up.”

Jayme: Indie is dirty. There’s no glamor in it. There’s no guarantee with it. Whereas with other projects, you could be nervous about what your performance might be or how it might be received when you have this big studio attached to it or this big name. There’s less to worry about in an indie where you have to believe in what you’re doing. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with doubts. I’m a little bit addicted to the feeling that, “Sh*t, this may all fall apart.” I feel like there’s something about that and the edge of it that keeps me attracted to indies.

PC: You all filmed this project during the pandemic when there was a lot of uncertainty about the future, especially within this industry, which is an interesting parallel that you can map back to the characters and what they’re facing in this film. How were you able to channel everything that you were feeling during this time into your performances?
Sasha: Once you’re on location, it’s really hard not to let that show through. We were actually cold.

Jayme: We were.

Sasha: I’m so serious. It was damn cold. You embody your character so much more easily once you put on those clothes and once you’re actually on location. The words become second nature. This is what we’re doing. Even the conversations about eco-terrorism and all that, it was us in a shed.

Jayme: We were lying to the locals about what we were filming. It actually felt like we had to tread very carefully and be careful of what we were saying.

PC: Both of you have played so many powerful characters throughout your career. Who were the people in your own life who shaped the storyteller that you are today?
Sasha: The creative person who made me. I didn’t start this by myself. Somebody made me who I am, so that played some part. That goes back to the origin story of 1995.

Jayme: It’s my mother. 1000% I am a living replica of her. I’ve come to accept that because it’s gotten me far. Might as well live that.

Make sure to follow Sasha (Twitter/Instagram) and Jayme (Instagram). How to Blow Up a Pipeline is in select theaters now.