Interview with Lauren Ridloff from “The Eternals”

Alex (The Daily Moth): Hello, Lauren Ridloff!

Lauren Ridloff: Hello!

Alex: You’ve been everywhere with the film, “The Eternals.” I’ve seen your face on billboards during the MLB playoffs, some said they saw action figures of you, and on various advertisements all over. Wow. I haven’t watched the movie but I’m looking forward to it. It is said that you are one of the 10 superheroes that is trying to protect the Earth from horrible creatures called the “Deviants.”

Lauren: This is the sign for “Deviants.”

Alex: Deviants! Can you explain to us more about the film and what your role is, the character of Makkari?

Lauren: This story is an epic. It covers thousands of years, actually 7,000 years. It is about 10 different Eternals with their own stories. The point is that the 10 Eternals, at the beginning of civilization, when humans first appeared, came to Earth to protect humanity. Then later on, you will see how things changed. The Eternals had to split up in their own ways and go into “hiding” on the planet. Some of them chose to integrate with others but some chose to wander. And then all of them had to come together again to fight a common enemy. Who is it? I’m not going to tell you as you have to watch!

[Video clip from Marvel Studios showing Lauren Ridloff introducing her character of Makkari and showing the sign for it.]

Lauren: My character is Makkari. She is the fastest one in the group. The fastest one in the universe. Maybe in several galaxies. We’ll see. That’s her power, the speed. She uses sonic booms as her weapon.

[Video clip from Marvel Studios trailer of “Eternals” showing Makkari running at light-speed and confronting a large creature. A character named Kingo signs, “Nice move.” Makkari signs, “You too.”]

Alex: Now, related to the film, I saw several news headlines about a month or two ago about how Angelina Jolie, who is a co-star, came up with the idea of using a laser pointer to use on set whenever you were looking at a wall. Can you explain more and any other tricks or cool inventions so you could work with the hearing world, on a hearing film set?

Lauren: Sure. One day we were doing a shoot and all of us had to face a wall and then at the same time, turn around so all of us would be looking at each other. It’s funny because that scene ended up being cut from the movie, but anyways, it was a valuable moment for me. I was struggling and I couldn’t see the director and her verbal cues. I didn’t know what to do. We had to get by and figured out a system in which I would count 1, 2, 3, and turn around and hope that it was in sync with everyone. Later that day, after we finished shooting, I was talking with Angelina and at that point, I started to feel comfortable to share my frustrations. In the past I would say “I’m fine. Everything is good!” But I expressed my frustration and my feelings of doubts, which actually affected my acting. It was in my head so I couldn’t fully immerse myself in my role. I was occupied with thinking of timing. Angelina said, “Did you know that you can use a laser pen?” She said I could see it with my peripheral vision and that the VFX (special effects) could easily erase it in post-production. I was amazed and that had a huge impact. I used that tool all the time afterwards. Another cool thing is — this is really more for the cast than for me — was the use of ASL consultants. I feel that Hollywood is ready now and eager to welcome deaf talent. I’ve already seen that increase. But the issue is how? Many are not aware of how great of a resource ASL consultants can be. They don’t understand how to use ASL consultants yet. So I feel like through this experience, the team, I mean the creative team and the cast and the director, have learned and realized there are many benefits with using ASL consultants.

Alex: I get that. And it is my understanding that you are “already Deaf” in the film, as a part of the group of superheroes. There were no awkward moments where they realized you are deaf and had to sign. The superheroes could already sign and communicate with you. Is that right, that your role already signs?

Lauren: Yes, that’s right. Basically we are a family. We’ve been together for 7,000 years. So, yes!

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Alex: Your father has a Mexican heritage and your mother is Black. You also represent Deaf culture and ASL. What does it mean to you to represent these identities on a global scale? Being Deaf with other identities? What does it mean to you?

Lauren: To me, it means I am holding space in this industry, in Hollywood, for other people from those communities that I represent. And they’ve been excluded and ignored for a long time. Or they’re not included in Hollywood’s stories. Being Deaf, Black, and Latina/x, I am so happy that I can represent Makkari as a powerful being who just happens to be deaf. She just happens to be Black and Mexican. It’s not the point of the story but it adds another layer to the story. People, interviewers have been asking me the same question. When I think about it, I really hope that Makkari or myself as an actor can inspire more than just deaf or hard of hearing children. I want to inspire those who are around deaf or hard of hearing children, or a Black child, or a Hispanic child. All those intersectional identities. I want the community to be able to shift their framing and perspective of what it means to be someone like me.

Alex: That’s inspiring. You shared a powerful statement, that you’re “holding space.” You have an incredible role and position and it’s widespread. It’s really inspiring and I hope that we continue to see that trend. So, now, the last time we…

Lauren: I want to emphasize here that we have plenty of room. It’s not about scarcity. We have to create room for others. I’m thrilled to have that opportunity.

[Video clip from Marvel Studios’ trailer of “Eternals” showing Makkari helping a little girl and floating in the air]

Alex: Now, the last question, do you want to add anything from your experience with this film, anything?

Lauren: Yeah. I want to say that I am really excited about what it really means to have “Eternals” in a global sphere, I mean all over the world. Because it means people will see more accessibility. Subtitles. We’re already making an impact in Europe. We’re making an impact in Latin America. More actors are collaborating with Deaf communities and organizations to make sure there is accessibility. It’s all over the world that it’s happening. This conversation should have started a long time ago, but it’s starting. Baby steps. So I am really encouraging the community to follow, participate, and contribute to the conversation about increasing accessibility.

Alex: Understood. I want to add one more question. Can you give us any hints or insights in what you are doing in the near future? You know, we always have to ask, “What’s next?” I’m sure you’re working on something. Any hints for us?

Lauren: Sure! What will I do? Sleep! That’s my next project!

Alex: Heh. You deserve that. Go and lock yourself in your bedroom and sleep for as long as you need to recover. I can imagine that you’ve been very busy, traveling the world.

Lauren: It’s been a wonderful journey.

Alex: That’s all the questions I have. I encourage everyone to watch the film. Lauren Ridloff, thank you so much for your time!

Lauren: It’s my pleasure. I hope you enjoy the movie! It opens today! Bye.

Alex: Great. Bye.