Giovanna Drummond
She played in Julia Marchese‘s I Know What You Need Dollar Baby film as Alice McGee.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Giovanna Drummond: I’m a Brazilian-American youngest child who loves learning languages, traveling and eating. Acting is also part of those loves. I’m about to go into my final year of grad school at Yale, where I began in 2020 during the pandemic. It’s been a long journey here but I’m excited to get into the world and put my training to practice.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?
Giovanna Drummond: I grew up watching novellas with my family after dinner. There was a famous actress who shares my name, Giovanna Antonelli, who was always in what I thought to be the best ones. I looked forward to seeing her performance every night and got so used to seeing her name on the screen that I started daydreaming about that being my name one day. That planted the seed that then following years of elementary school productions into middle school and high school watered into a full blown desire to make it a career.
SKSM: How did you become involved in I know what you need Dollar Baby film?
Giovanna Drummond: I received an email from a professor alerting us about a casting for the project. It was sent to all the actors in the program, and I had always wanted to work on a suspense/thriller movie. I replied to Julia, sent her my headshot and resume, expressed my interest and gave it time to see if I’d hear back
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Giovanna Drummond: I think it’s how this story leans in so truthfully to the element of slowly opening up to someone and gaining their trust only to pull the rug out from under the audience’s feet. The readers get to experience the dramatic irony of finding out about Edward with Alice’s deep dive into his life before Elizabeth does, so it brings them into the story with her.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Giovanna Drummond: I had to audition. The funny part is, after she replied saying she’d like to see my tape, I ended up sending a tape for Elizabeth without realizing she had asked me to tape for Alice. That, luckily, did not stop her from calling me back to continue the process of auditioning for Alice.
SKSM: You worked with Julia Marcehese on this film, how was that?
Giovanna Drummond: She’s very sure of what she wants. She knows the Stephen King world so well that I felt really secure in her direction. I allowed myself to step into the world that she wanted to create but I also felt very comfortable on set with her, expressing ideas and collaborating.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Giovanna Drummond: I remember she asked me what I thought my Halloween costume would be as Alice, and she had one idea but I had thought about being a bee. She fully dove into it with me and allowed me to have autonomy over that character choice. It’s special because when I watch it, I know that as the actor even if the audience doesn’t.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Giovanna Drummond: Yes, a lot of the cast and crew and I are still connected through social media. It’s not daily communication but it’s really nice to stay up to date with them even after all this time.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Giovanna Drummond: I am currently at the Guthrie Guthrie Guthriein Minneapolis for a 6-week residency for MFA actors going into their final year. It’s 10 of us, and we’ve been collaborating, devising and sharing plays, scenes and working with guest artists during our time here.
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Giovanna Drummond: I’m in no way at the level that Julia is at, but I do really appreciate the worlds that he creates. Every time I have seen one of his movies, it has had a somatic impact on me, and I think anyone who can alter someone’s emotional or even physical state of being through their art should be commended.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Giovanna Drummond: I double majored in Journalism and theater in undergrad, which made this role even more appealing to me because I felt like I could tap into the research skills I learned during my time at NYU to fill Alice’s impulses as she dove further and further into Edward’s past.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Giovanna Drummond: I hope this film urges you to take stock of the people you have in your life who are looking out for you even when it may not seem like it. Those pillars of people are incredibly important, and this film definitely reminded me of that.
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Giovanna Drummond: Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts!
