SPOILER ALERT: This text discusses plot twists within the new film “Imaginary.“

To the general public, DeWanda Smart is the glamorous coronary heart of flicks like “The Tougher They Fall” and “Jurassic World Dominion,” however she persistently describes herself as a “nerdy actor.”

Whereas she performs it cool as Jessica, the hero battling a sinister teddy bear named Chauncey within the new horror film “Imaginary,” Smart pushes herself by working behind the digital camera. Her government producer credit score on the Lionsgate movie was not a conceit title, however relatively an important step on her journey to say house behind the scenes.

“I’m a filmmaker,” she mentioned. “I’ve by no means been the form of actor that reveals as much as a set and simply lays again within the make-up chair.”

Sporting a number of hats inspired Smart to organize deeply for the function, important for a movie like “Imaginary,” which required loads of emotion and physicality.

“My appearing muscle is well-developed,” she mentioned. “I wished to be sure that once I was on set, I used to be obtainable to be Producer DeWanda. I really feel like I used to be ready as an actor far ahead of I usually do, in order that the story is in my physique. By the point I get to say the strains, it’s much less work looking for it, extra muscle reminiscence. Not each actor is similar, however I all the time have an concept, a sure form of craft. I do know the beats we’ve to hit to construct the efficiency.”

Smart mentioned that director and co-writer Jeff Wadlow’s openness on set helped her make an imprint on the film.

“I’m very lucky to work with collaborators who hear from day one,” she mentioned. “I received the script and it was written to be set in Connecticut on the time. I knew we had been taking pictures in New Orleans, so sure small adjustments wanted to be made in that respect. Everytime you solid an actor, issues are going to vary, so there was some script improvement work.”

Smart’s consideration to element, and background making indie movies in pressure-filled circumstances, allowed her to have a shorthand with Wadlow.

“With me, folks know they’re protected and I’m not going to go off and name my brokers or do bizarre issues,” she mentioned. “Often it takes just a little configuration to construct that belief, however we appeared to have it from the start. I feel that additionally contributed to the effectivity with which we had been capable of be in alignment. After which belief is constructed as soon as he begins sending emails and I’m taking a look at images of all the pieces.”

Wadlow mentioned that DeWanda’s persona leads her to success in all facets of her efficiency and management.

“DeWanda is simply so grounded,” he mentioned. “I’ve by no means labored with an actor who has each ft so firmly planted on this earth. She’s only a fantastic particular person to be round. She is aware of who she is, she is aware of who you might be, she is aware of her character. And it’s not just a few innate sense she has. She does her homework — she confirmed me pages and pages of biography she wrote about [her character] Jessica, and he or she might be so grounded, related and so actual.”

Smart additionally mentioned that ideas about scary “Imaginary” sequels got here up on set, together with from 10-year-old co-star Pyper Brraun.

“There may very well be extra Chauncey tales,” she mentioned. “She was speaking a couple of potential coda: ‘There may very well be a lacking baby factor, and it may very well be Liam’s sibling, as a result of we don’t know if Liam has a sibling.’ And I used to be like, ‘You higher sit down with Jeff and get to writing!’”