Tribeca Film Festival 2021: Pop Culturalist Chats with Liza Anonymous’ Danielle Beckmann

Danielle Beckmann is taking the Tribeca Film Festival by storm with her new short, Liza Anonymous. In the film, a lonely millennial (Beckmann) addicted to support groups disguises herself in different personas while trying to fit in, leading her on a theatrical and eye-opening journey. Not only is Danielle an executive producer on the project, but she also starred in it, putting all of her acting chops on display. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Danielle ahead of the premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Danielle: I have been on the stage since I was a wee child. Ever since I can remember, I was looking for different ways to tell stories. I grew up doing ballet, tap, jazz, and a lot of musical theater. I guess you could say it all started in the back of my mom’s minivan, going from rehearsal to rehearsal as I blissfully memorized lines, dances, and songs.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Danielle: I have always looked up to funny women. They’re my heroes. Everyone from Lucille Ball to Amy Poehler to Joan Rivers. I actually had the pleasure of knowing Joan in NYC. She was dedicated to her career to the very end. She made it during a time when comedy was very much a “boys’ club.” I respected her so much.

Liza Anonymous

PC: Tell us about Liza Anonymous and your character in the short.
Danielle: Liza Anonymous is about a lonely millennial who gets addicted to support groups and creates a different persona to fit into each group. Her charade crumbles, and she’s forced to get to the root of her unique addiction and find her true identity. The film really begs the question, “How far would you go to belong?”

Liza is a complicated person. Honestly, she’s a dream role for an actor because she’s so complex, so flawed, and so human. I really loved getting to play the layers of what made her tick within her mini “performances” in each support group. There’s a lot to unpack, and I was grateful for a script that took some serious topics and made them approachable. Liza is able to hold the light and the dark at the same time, and I love that about her. A big thing that the director Aubrey Smyth and I talked about was how to portray somewhat of an unlikeable female protagonist and how that would affect audiences.

PC: Leah McKendrick wrote this project for you. Did that bring any added pressure to the role?
Danielle: It actually brought the opposite feeling. It was liberating! During the whole process, I felt like I was right where I needed to be. Leah and I have always been great at collaborating, so when she wrote this for me, it just clicked.

PC: Liza takes on different personas throughout the short. How did you prepare to tackle that? Did you have a favorite? Which was the most challenging?
Danielle: I had an amazing coach, Erica Harte, who teaches the Lucid Body technique. We developed each of Liza’s characters through chakra centers, and I layered each one with a hint of the “real” Liza. I really enjoyed playing British Liza, who opens the movie…she’s zesty. The most challenging was definitely Bronx Liza. Having lived in NYC for so long, I wanted to do her justice.

PC: You’re also an executive producer on the project. How challenging was it to wear multiple hats?
Danielle: When it came time to be on set, wearing multiple hats was a bit challenging—but there’s nothing like signing a check between takes to make you feel like a badass boss. As for pre- and post-production, this wasn’t my first time producing, so I fell into that groove easily.

PC: Your short film is premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival to a sold-out crowd. What has that milestone meant to you?
Danielle: It’s absolutely incredible! I am so grateful and just basking in this moment and the journey.

PC: What do you hope audiences take away after seeing Liza Anonymous?
Danielle: I hope they go on Liza’s journey with us and come to realize that they have all they need inside them, just as they are. You are good enough as you. You don’t need a mask to be valid, accepted, and loved. Also, especially after the last year of isolation and quarantine, connection is everything, and it’s okay to ask for help.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Danielle: Selling Sunset!

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Danielle: Star Trek (The Chris Pine one).

PC: Favorite book?
Danielle: Art Needs No Justification by Hans R. Rookmaaker.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Danielle: Come From Away.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Danielle: MUNA.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Danielle: Can we get Shirley Temple back here? It would be Shirley.

To keep up with Danielle, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Liza Anonymous premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12.