Hi there Chloe Traicos here I play Gloria Freeman on The Righteous Gemstones. Here to talk about The Righteous Gemstones and my other job - Making independent films on tiny budgets. My last film " Introducing Jodea" was shot on 30K and is selling really well. It was ranked second on Apple TV and has won over 20 awards. To make a good film all you need is a committed cast and crew who know how to do the best possible job on a minimal budget. Happy to answer any questions you may have on The Righteous Gemstones or independent film making.

Proof: Here's my proof!

Comments: 110 • Responses: 46  • Date: 

afternever47 karma

Did you ever run around the house with a pickle in your mouth?

GloriaFreeman30 karma

Ha ha ha... I can't stand pickles!

AmericanBuffaloo45 karma

How does Uncle Baby Billy smell?

And, Chloe, are you a cat girl or a dog girl? Some people may think they're both, but you gotta be one or the other, now. That's just a fact.

GloriaFreeman29 karma

Ha ha ha ha. Uncle Baby Billy aka Walton Goggins is awesome! And I'm Definitely a Cat Girl. It was bliss on set playing with all those kittens.

1flewunder2 karma

Man that dude was so damned evil in Justified but I freakin love his character in the Gemstones

GloriaFreeman2 karma

Me too

DoKtOr_TrEy40 karma

When's season 3 drop?

GloriaFreeman54 karma

2023 not sure on the exact dates yet.

ShlomoKenyatta34 karma

Do you see a big difference between actors on the show who grew up Christian vs. actors who didn’t?

GloriaFreeman66 karma

Hey Shlomo.... To be honest nobody talked about religion on set although I think I was the only Jew. The only time religion came up was when we wrapped shooting the day before Good Friday and everyone hugged each other and wished one another Happy Easter and I was like......Chag Sameach it's also Pesach!

earbox9 karma

Eric Andre and Jason Schwartzman are Jewish, too.

tokyotapes3 karma

Eric Andre is Jewish? TIL

Barbarossa70704 karma

And hall of famer Rod Carew - he converted.

GloriaFreeman3 karma

Hysterical thread here. I'm hoping to make it into one of Adam Sandler's Chanukah songs one day.

axJustinWiggins21 karma

How do you assemble your crew? Just had my first film festival experience with my own movie, and walked away from it feeling insecure about the production value (my wife and I did everything, and we pretty much know how to do nothing aside from writing and art).

GloriaFreeman35 karma

Thanks for asking. I know exactly how you feel as I've been there and done that. Good for you and your wife for being such go getters. What I do with crew is I've realised the most important members are Director, DP, Editor and Makeup Artist. If your budget is limited as mine was just make sure you have enough that Those Members are paid well ( or well according to whatever your budget is) Sound is something that can always be fixed later. I've had film students operate sound before and it's been fine. When I was new to town I found these crew members by advertising on Craigs List. Always ask for their reel or resume so you can see the value of their work. Once you have a good Key person in place like a director. They usually have a preferred DP who they work with and in the same way the DP may have a preferred camera man ( although a lot of DPs like to do their own camera work) So with me I make sure all these key positions are taken by people who are good. Anyone else doesn't have to be A list they just need to know how to work together to help create the vision. Most importantly it's good to make sure you're all on the same page and can get along as so many productions fall through through disagreements over artistic vision. PS if you'd like feedback on your movie I'm happy to give it. Feel free to private message me here.

GloriaFreeman15 karma

Ps And if you like check out my movie Introducing Jodea on Amazon

We shot this over 3 weeks with a minimal crew and it's done amazingly well.

https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Jodea-Chloe-Traicos/dp/B09LYJR5BY/ref=sr\_1\_1?crid=1N83SENN86HQX&keywords=introducing+jodea&qid=1668627702&sprefix=introducing+jode%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1

axJustinWiggins12 karma

This is an amazing answer, thank you! A PM has been sent, I really appreciate your kind offer.

GloriaFreeman12 karma

Of course. I know what you're going through.

i-node17 karma

It must be exciting working with such a great cast. A lot of them have made some funny shows. (Eastbound and Down, Workaholics) Do you go to work every day expecting to laugh?

GloriaFreeman26 karma

Yes it was wonderful. They're super funny and Walton especially is great at improvising but they're also really considerate and sweet.

i-node13 karma

Walton did great work on Justified and the Shield. Never realized he could be funny too.

GloriaFreeman22 karma

He's an incredible actor. What's great about him is that when you're playing opposite him like in the Christmas mall scene - he is so convincing. I was in character and just angry at the way he was speaking to me and speaking at Harmon. Afterwards when I was no longer in character and saw the scene I was just laughing hysterically. He's so funny....but at the same time such a good actor. I still crack up at the "f###ing space cadet " line

PeanutSalsa13 karma

Are there any really low budget films you like a lot and recommend watching?

GloriaFreeman22 karma

Hey. Sorry I missed this question. Yes. There are. One of my favorite low budget classics is Napoleon Dynamite. Just a quirky classic and going back to old films there's The Rocky Horror show. And then with quirky British comedies there's Monty Python and the Holy Grail which is pure gold comedy wise but was shot on 220 K

RedDogElPresidente3 karma

Great films.

GloriaFreeman6 karma

They are. You don't need money to make a great film. ......... Well depends on the film of course but I think these ones prove my point

Substantial-Pass-99212 karma

Upon seeing the note I have to ask...are you doing this of your own free will?

GloriaFreeman22 karma

Hi there. Yes I am. Although I did hold an AMA some months back and many people who missed it asked me to do it again.

Substantial-Pass-9925 karma

Well good luck! And hopefully the small army of creatures behind you don't attack...

GloriaFreeman8 karma

😂😂

4_bit_forever8 karma

What's your favorite Ramones album?

GloriaFreeman10 karma

Album I''m not sure of but my favorite song of theirs is Out of Time. The Best!

4_bit_forever4 karma

Nice! It's on Acid Eaters

GloriaFreeman4 karma

Ah thanks for that. My mom raised me with good taste in music - She loves The Ramones

glowcloudly6 karma

Do you write and direct your films? If so, what would you consider to be your greatest inspirations for your films?

GloriaFreeman15 karma

Great question. Lots of different things inspire me. I tend to write and act though not direct as I suck at that. Lol. My latest movie " Introducing Jodea" is a comedy about the moviebiz and anyone who has worked in the film biz I'm sure can relate to it. It was inspired by many bad experiences of rejection I'd had and so I just decided to turn it into a comedy. It's on all main platforms at the moment. You can check out the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vNUSMHrxcE So mostly true experiences are what inspire me. Turning negatives into positives.

lovestostayathome6 karma

What was the casting experience like for Righteous Gemstones?

GloriaFreeman10 karma

I don't know about everyone else but with me it was the first time I'd auditioned and gotten the role right away. Usually there's a callback or two. But with this I videoed my audition on the Sunday. Emailed it that night and by noon Tuesday got told I had the role. We shot on Wednesday and Thursday. Was super fast.

di11ard6 karma

In the interlude episode of Season 1 (episode 5), Baby Billy is playing catch (football) with Harmon. Aimee-Leigh walks toward the fence and says "Hey Harmon." Harmon's response is the most bizarre and HILARIOUS sound I have ever heard in my life. I bet my wife and I have watched that scene no less than 30 times trying to decipher what in the hell Harmon is saying. The subtitles just say [babbles] Meep-meep.

Do you have any idea what was the line, or what was in the script for Harmon to say at that point?

GloriaFreeman10 karma

So funny you ask that. I have a feeling that might have been added in post production as I really have no recollection of him making that sound on set and I'm sure I'd remember something like that. I know what you mean. When I heard it I also cracked up. Jeremy is the most terrific little actor.

di11ard6 karma

Thank you for this response, and I wish you nothing but continued success!

GloriaFreeman5 karma

Thanks so much!

cocoacowstout5 karma

For you films, do you normally self finance, or are there any financial partners/grants that are involved?

GloriaFreeman6 karma

Heya. I've done both. My first movie in the US " Devil's Cove" I self financed completely and we shot it on the shoe string budget of $10K. For Introducing Jodea I had 2 other friends/ investors who came on board with me. It's always good to find people to invest with you but sometimes if there's a project you're truly passionate about and nobody wants to invest.- the only answer is to do it yourself. Crowdfund. Save your money. Whatever works.

PeanutSalsa5 karma

Where did the 30K used to make Introducing Jodea come from?

GloriaFreeman12 karma

Good question. My savings and those of 2 dear friends who loved the script.

PeanutSalsa4 karma

How much money has Introducing Jodea made since it began being monetized?

GloriaFreeman6 karma

I don't know if I'm allowed to reveal that yet as for the first year or so what we make goes back to the distributors. So I haven't seen anything yet. However with the ratings we've been getting I'm hoping that we'll have some coming our way by early next year (we'll have been selling for a year then)

packsmack4 karma

What does Baby Billy smell like?

GloriaFreeman3 karma

Amazing!

donatellher4 karma

Who were you most excited to work with on The Righteous Gemstones?

GloriaFreeman21 karma

Ah hard question. I was excited about working with Danny McBride David Gordon Greene, Walton Goggins - But I think I was Especially excited to be working with John Goodman as he's such a legend and I've been watching him in films since I was little.

Johnny_Minoxidil4 karma

Did you get to work with Edi Patterson, if so, what was that like? She is so good on that show!

GloriaFreeman8 karma

No sadly I didn't. I love her. I did work with little Emma Shannon who plays Little Judy and she was incredible.

GloriaFreeman3 karma

Thank you to everyone who is taking part. I'm going to be checking back in again in a little while. In the mean time do catch my movie Introducing Jodea that's out on all major platforms. Both Amazon and Itunes have it at half price this week especially because of the promotions we're running. You're welcome to hop online again and ask me any questions after seeing the film about how certain things were done on such a small budget. Thanks again to everyone!

https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Jodea-Chloe-Traicos/dp/B09LYJR5BY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N83SENN86HQX&keywords=introducing+jodea&qid=1668627702&sprefix=introducing+jode%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1

https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/introducing-jodea/id1589300443

DrMantisToboggan453 karma

How is it getting to work with Adam devine? He seems like a hysterical person to be around

GloriaFreeman2 karma

Sadly I haven't worked with him. We haven't done any scenes together. But I agree. He's one of my favorites. Hilarious. Brilliant actor with superb comic timing

Simanai3 karma

What would you like personally to see in the next season of the righteous gemstones?

GloriaFreeman8 karma

Oh wow... what woudn't I like to see?

😂😂

There are so many cool characters.Definitely more of BJ interacting with the Gemstones. That's my favorite part. Him and Judy rock!

PeanutSalsa2 karma

How was the 30K spent and allocated for making Introducing Jodea?

GloriaFreeman6 karma

Heya. Hmm now this one's got me cause I can't give exact figures simply because I don't remember. But where I can I will. Insurance was around $4-5K. That's always a must for me. The lead actors ( except for myself) were all paid upfront (micro budget SAG rates) For the smaller cast members payment was deferred. Crew wise the DP, camera crew and head makeup artist were paid upfront. Several grand was spent on equipment. And in post a couple of grand spent on the editor, sound and musicians. Everyone else was deferred. Jon who was our editor and director kindly deferred his directing fee ( he's a good friend and had been on board the project from Day 1 so it was his baby too) A couple of grand was spent on locations (can't remember how much all up The biggest one was the movie studio we rented which I think was 7K. Although our 2 best ones - the mansion and the office were kindly given for free. And as with every movie several grand is always spent on catering and craft services because when it's low budget you want to keep everyone well fed. But yes check out the film yourself and feel free to private message me with your thoughts.

https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Jodea-Chloe-Traicos/dp/B09LYJR5BY/ref=sr\_1\_1?crid=1N83SENN86HQX&keywords=introducing+jodea&qid=1668627702&sprefix=introducing+jode%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1

PeanutSalsa2 karma

Is deferred conditional to if the film makes back more than its budget?

GloriaFreeman5 karma

Yes basically when the film makes back money the investors are reimbursed first then the actors and director, crew etc

Badger_Silverado2 karma

What was the funniest scene you filmed?

GloriaFreeman5 karma

So many. I loved it when Walton and I went down behind the haystack at Judy's birthday party. That was fun. We tried it so many ways. With my lipstick smudged .I also loved watching Judy receiving her presents and Jesse throwing up. They all just made me crack up.

harleyenjoysmusic1 karma

Thank you so much for doing this! Was everyone just as nice on set as they seem online? I have so much love for Danny McBrides work it’s insane. I bet it was just an awesome experience, thanks again!

GloriaFreeman1 karma

It's my pleasure. Yes everyone was so wonderful on set. It was all completely new to me but they all went out of their way to make me so welcome

IHASAFACE1 karma

Did you write that note in reverse letters so that when you took a picture it came out correctly?

GloriaFreeman1 karma

Ha ha ha. Actually I wrote it with marker then turned it over and traced it.

CardiologistSmart4211 karma

Hey Chloe! Glad to have you back for another round of AMA! <3 It's lots of fun to pick your brains! I have a couple of questions this time but will start out with a light one. You've probably already been asked this but what is Adam Devine like in person? I've read that he is a crack up and a (ahem) gem of human, is it true? I adore that funny little man.

- Ruby

GloriaFreeman1 karma

Aww I adore him too but alas I've never worked with him..... yet..... He's one of my favorites. Adorable little brother - so funny.

CardiologistSmart4211 karma

I really hope you get the chance! He seems like a lovely person and I bet he's tons of fun to work with. I love his work!

GloriaFreeman1 karma

I do too. He's an amazing actor

CardiologistSmart4211 karma

Hi again Chloe,

I have a Jodea question this time. You clearly wear a lot of hats as an independent filmmaker. Writer, Actor, Marketer, Producer, etc, etc, etc. What is your favorite part to do? and least favorite part? Follow up Q: All that work must be exhausting; how do you do it?

GloriaFreeman1 karma

Heya. Thanks for the question. I truly love acting and I truly love writing. The rest.... I do because I have to. Producing wise I do so I have ownership of my projects but it's not my most favorite thing - far from it in fact. The same with marketing. I could happily do without both of those. As for how I do it? When I look back on the Jodea shoot I really don't know. We had our production manager and production designer pull out 3 days before we shot. Jon the director and myself had to do everything. I was coming home from 12 - 14 hour shoot days and instead of preparing my lines and getting enough sleep I was sorting out production design for the next day, seeing if we had enough extras etc. So looking back I have to say I have no idea how I did it. But we pulled through. Being on the set of Gemstones was pure bliss as I didn't have to worry about anything except my performance. I mean there was even someone waiting for me if I wanted to carry my shoes. I was like " It's ok I can carry them " and she was like " No you mustn't carry anything" I was not used to that.

CardiologistSmart4211 karma

Thanks for the awesome response. I agree with not caring for marketing and the like, def not my bag either! The fact that you got the film done and everything else just confirms to me that you are a total badass! I agree that having someone carry my shoes for me would be very odd. I went to a fancy restaurant once and the waiter cracked my pepper for me, I was very uncomfortable.

Ruby <3

GloriaFreeman1 karma

Aww thanks Ruby. You're lovely. Yes I'm definitely more comfortable doing things myself... Lol

corneliusduff1 karma

Love the show! Y'all should get Reverend Maynard on https://youtu.be/XSxOtmmDbgw

Will there be a third season?

GloriaFreeman2 karma

There is a third season. Danny McBride talks about it in a few interviews.....

dicklaurent971 karma

How is it finding producers for your projects?

GloriaFreeman2 karma

Heya. I usually am always one of the producers on my projects as I like to keep some control. I find finding good producers isn't easy and you must be careful about signing your project over to a bad producer. I've seen so many cases of people who have done that. They get a producer who is incapable of getting the film off the ground but the writer/director has signed away their rights and is helpless to do anything.

dicklaurent971 karma

Thank you for the response!

GloriaFreeman2 karma

You're welcome. Happy to give advice especially if it stops people making mistakes I made. Lol

DwedPiwateWoberts1 karma

Would you say the urge to “make something” drives you, or is it when you’ve come up with/discovered a good story that you are compelled to get the ball rolling on a production (of your own)?

GloriaFreeman2 karma

Great question. I have to say it's both. I always need to be working on something and will always be looking for something but sometimes there's that idea that just drives you. Like Introducing Jodea did. It was my bad experiences in the movie biz that I had to make into a comedy. Hope that answers your question and I Love your Reddit name by the way.

DwedPiwateWoberts1 karma

Thank you!

GloriaFreeman1 karma

You're welcome DwedPiwate

palbuddy12341 karma

What do you remember from Zimbabwe? I've been there many times, beautiful country but disappointing as things get more difficult year by year. My wife is a huge Nando's fan and we try to import Braii spices whenever we can. I had no idea you were from there, until I checked IMDB.

GloriaFreeman2 karma

Oh wow. Thank you so much for asking this. I remember everything. I lived there till I left school so all my childhood memories are there. Yes I used to also love Nandos. I miss the country a lot especially the people. The weather in the rainy season was always amazing with some incredible storms. So much that I miss and love. Kariba, The Vumba Mountains. Not to mention all my friends

image__uploaded-5 karma

Who are you and what is this show? Never heard of it

GloriaFreeman2 karma

Then find another AMA to join. Don't waste my and everyone else's time with comments like this.