Friday, August 20, 2021

Salena Zito: Trevor Donovan's Approach to Hollywood & Fame is a Much-Needed Throwback

  INDIANA, Pennsylvania -- When you cross the street in the downtown of this borough, located in a county that shares its name, you're in for a reminder that it's a wonderful life. Two of the crosswalk signals guide pedestrians with the voice of the late Jimmy Stewart, who was born and raised here in Indiana.

 

        "Please wait to cross Philadelphia Street at South 9th Street. Wait for the walk signal, will ya?" the folksy voice of Rich Little impersonating Stewart tells pedestrians as they cross from the movie star's namesake museum.

        Stewart is celebrated here a lot. There is the Jimmy Stewart Museum, located across the street from where his father's hardware store once stood; the Jimmy Stewart Airport with the annual Jimmy Stewart Air Show; and there are annual festivals surrounding two of his iconic movies, "Harvey" and "It's a Wonderful Life." 

        The borough of Indiana doesn't celebrate all things Jimmy Stewart because he is arguably the biggest thing to come out of this western Pennsylvania town; they celebrate him because of everything he did. Whether it was serving our country during World War II as a squadron leader flying combat missions or honing his craft as an actor during the Golden Age of Hollywood, he never lost his sense of place. He may have been the junior senator from Wyoming in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," but he was Indiana, Pennsylvania, all the way down to his Pennsylvania twang.

        That rootedness is a rare thing today in Hollywood. If you are an actor, people associate you with Hollywood, the Los Angeles neighborhood known as the center of the film industry. 

        Once upon a time, it was an industry that focused on finding ways to tell good stories and entertain viewers. Today, thanks to social media and the constant emphasis on celebrity and influence that comes with that, it has an additional role: politics. That emphasis usually creates a fissure between those who spend their time and disposable income watching TV shows or going to the movies and the actors who are in them. 

        It is hard indeed to be from a small- or medium-sized city or town and feel any sense of connection to what an actor is tweeting about. It's not just the divergence of political views, but also the lack of connection on any level.

        Meanwhile, movie and television storylines tend to find subtle and not-so-subtle ways of taking a swipe at half the people who are paying to watch them. The National Association of Theatre Owners says that 2017 and 2019, both before COVID-19 restrictions, ranked as the worst years for movie ticket buying since 1995. Analysts point to streaming as the culprit. But one might also look at the wild success that the Hallmark Channel has enjoyed. People like storylines that reflect a way of life and a rootedness that appeals to them. For the past 10 years, Hallmark has regularly peaked as cable's most-watched entertainment network in prime time. 

        Trevor Donovan, a Mammoth Lakes, California, native (a small, rural town that looks like it was built to be a Hallmark movie set), is also a seasoned actor whose career in Hollywood took off when he joined the cast of "90210."

        Donovan has found success recently filming a series of wildly successful Hallmark Channel movies over the past few years; he is also in the new independent film "Reagan," starring Dennis Quaid as the 40th president. Donovan plays Reagan's longest-serving Secret Service agent, John Barletta. 

        Donovan said in an interview with the Washington Examiner that when he was cast in "Reagan," he knew the role was going to be part of telling a good story, and that is what attracted him to it. "The role I play is ... one of his service agents who is kind of his head service agent and best friend -- because Reagan needed someone who could actually ride horses," he explained.

        Barletta was from Somerville, just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up riding horses. 

        "My character pretty much drafted into that position, and through that, they became best friends; anytime Reagan went riding, John was right there. Anytime he and Nancy went riding, he was right there," Donovan said. 

        "In Reagan's later years, when he started experiencing dementia, they'd lose him on a horseback ride," he says. "One day, my character tells Nancy she has to tell her husband they can't do this anymore. Nancy is in tears and says she can't do it. So, my character has got to tell him." 

        The moment becomes both emotional and pivotal to the story and is part of what drew him to do the film.
        Donovan's approach to his craft, as well as his presence on social media, is a throwback to the Golden Age of Hollywood in terms of how he handles his work choices and his celebrity. Check his Twitter account, and you find a rare treat of tweets on dogs, food, nerdy historical facts, "would you ever" questions and more dogs. It's an approach that keeps him connected and engaged with audiences that have come to appreciate both his craft and social media profiles.

        He says it is a choice that has evolved. "When you first start out as an actor, you're pretty much up to do just about anything," he says. Then, he pauses, laughing. "Obviously, anything that doesn't go against any sort of a moral construct." 

        He says he kept an open mind and was game for just about anything. For him, his opportunities at Hallmark have been heaven-sent. "It was a really unexpected thing," he says, "because, at the time, there was a stigma at one point of doing movies there. Like, when you start doing Hallmark, you might get stuck there. But that's all changed, just because, you know, work is work these days, and everybody's doing everything." 

        Donovan was unaware of the impact doing Hallmark movies had until he did his first one. "I can't tell you how many people have approached me over and say how it's just exactly what they needed. Especially during this time, it's this escape that everybody needs, the happy ending everybody needs. There's something pretty cool about being part of something that is so positive, especially in the times we're in right now," he said. 

        For Donovan, it is rewarding just to make fun movies that his parents, his nieces and nephews, and just about everyone he knows can watch. The same goes for his social media -- there is nothing in his tweets that would make anyone, family or not, cringe. 

        Nor does he complain or whine about not getting a part. Donovan says that one need not be perfectly stoic in the face of rejection -- it's just that not everything one thinks, feels or believes needs to be said or tweeted out loud.

        "My dad instilled discipline in me from the day I was born," he says. "'Never quit anything you start' was a huge one. The competitive nature of this business is undeniable, and failure is inevitable in this. But in the world, you have to be OK with failing. That's the hardest part of this job -- failure and rejection." 

        Donovan said our natural tendency is just to lean into comfort and to lean toward something that's a little bit easier. "But if you can reset your perspective and set your train of thought to looking at everything as a challenge, it really shifts your perspective," he says. 

        Donovan's personal call to service is working with young people as they wrestle with bullying. He has taken part in a nationwide effort to talk to children about how to deal with it. It was something he says he experienced when he was a child. "I think it is important to give back, and that is my mission," he says. 

        On his decision to not join his fellow thespians in engaging in politics on social media, his personal choice is to use the platform for less polarizing engagement. "I try to identify and acknowledge the things that most everybody can agree on and be happy with -- in essence, dogs, pets, animals, food, history and anti-bullying," he said. 

        It would be hard to find a jury of people who would disagree that bullying is wrong. 

        "On politics, I am not going to ever take a position on anything. It's unnecessary. It's more interesting to see what inspires people in other aspects of life. Politics is for other people to discuss," he said. 

        Donovan is refreshing, not only in his choice of movies but also in his choice not to beat people over the head with his political views. And yes, he has them. "I have my opinions, but I'm not going to change anybody's mind, nor do I think their minds should be changed based on what I say," he says. "I am not all omniscient. I'm no smarter or any more informed than anybody else."      

        Salena Zito is a national political reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner as well as a weekly columnist for the New York Post. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between. To find out more about Salena and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

We got Americans stranded in a third world hell hole and an out of control lab born virus and this is what we get ? Nobody gives a flying bag of turds about this dumb sh!t !

Anonymous said...

I stopped reading at “When.”

Anonymous said...

11:31 Turn on CNN if you need constant bad news in order to function (and it certainly sounds like it suits your peronality).

Anonymous said...

Maybe the author should stay in her lane and quit writing this garbage. No one wants to hear her whining about people sharing a different political view than her own. We get it, you are conservative and hate everyone who disagrees with you. No need to ramble on and on to say nothing more than that. There is quite the disconnect between national writers like her and the people who read columns. No wonder journalism is dying with people like Selena carrying the industry into bankruptcy.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed this

Anonymous said...

Click bait? Indiana PA my hometown, my parents hometown, my grandparents hometown., yes Jimmy Steward who young people never heard about is a big deal but not like when alive. He lived in Hollywood. Recall his elderly ad, a WW1 Vet who had a hardware store with a Oscar in the window in the 60's. Not sure how a great actor who changed the system getting actors a cut of movie, a pilot, career officer, nice guy, gold star Dad, lifeline Republican who got along with best friend Hank Fonda relates. But then I can not explain how and why I made Central my place to sojourn.


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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