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It's been a long year for everyone -- including everyone impatient for Wonder Woman 1984 to come out. It was set to be out last Christmas, but got moved to being a summer 2020 release. Well, that didn't happen ('cause, you know, pandemic), and it's been moved several more times since before finally hitting HBO Max on Christmas.
Los Angeles actor Spencer Trinwith was excited about having a small part in the film, but has had to wait as the clock kept on ticking and the movie ultimately got a direct-to-streaming release (while also playing in theaters, where they're open, at the same time).
"I'm sure that there's a lot of things that I don't know, in those boardroom meetings," Trinwith said. "It was unfortunate that this pandemic hit when it did, but I think it's the right thing to hold off until there's proper [movie theater] protocols, and they feel financially like they can make those accommodations too."
He'd fought through a degenerative disc disease in his back and getting fusion surgery to be able to be on sets, so he's feeling pretty determined to get back on a traditional set once again.
"It was during that time that watching movies was so hopeful, and so sad all at the same time, because I just felt there's a good possibility I'll never be able to do that again," Trinwith said.
After his surgery, he booked the Wonder Woman 1984 gig just two months later. He didn't even know what the movie was going to be when he was cast -- he assumed it would be an independent movie, but instead found himself working with director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot.
They shot all the way back in 2018, and now it's finally out there for the public to see. You can spot Trinwith in the Georgetown restaurant scene.
FROM ACTOR TO DIRECTOR
It's been long enough since he first shot his role in the film that Trinwith's been working lately on pivoting to directing, as well as writing and composing his own music for projects he works on. He's been working on coming up with new ways of shooting small indie projects during COVID-19 and doing other creative projects, without the advantages of making projects for a big movie studio.
"There are some productions that can do that because they have the budget to do so, but for me, it just feels like too much of a liability," Trinwith said. "I just would never forgive myself is somebody came down with COVID on a set that I was in charge of."
Trinwith described the feeling he gets from directing as being the same one he gets from acting, on stage or in front of the camera -- it's all about decision-making.
"It's guiding that audience through that arc of whatever story that you're creating," Trinwith said.
He said that he believes anyone can be a good actor -- it's just about getting help unlocking that talent.
"Filmmakers and artists, what we are are problem solvers -- creative problem solvers," Trinwith said. "This obviously is a huge dilemma for us, but I do think there is some really exciting stuff that's happening and coming out, even with everything going on."
Trinwith's gone through not being able to be on set once thanks to his back, so he's looking forward to being able to return once again. He's also been working on a documentary series about L.A. mixed martial arts fighters, which he's sending out to the festival circuit.
While Trinwith shut down any idea of gathering with family for the holidays this year, he does have one plan for after everyone is vaccinated: turning his phone off and sitting down in a movie theater with air conditioning blasting, a big popcorn, and a giant soda. Maybe they'll finally be screening Wonder Woman 1984.
