The Brenaissance arrives at Chapman

On Feb. 23, Academy Award nominee Brendan Fraser joined a Chapman University audience for a Master Class moderated by Scott Feinberg, which came after a screening of “The Whale.” Photos courtesy of Gustavo Vera

Before a shred of sunlight dawned upon the New York set of “The Whale,” actor Brendan Fraser would plant himself in a chair four hours prior to the 8 a.m. call time. As he indulged in Korean street food videos on YouTube, Fraser would be fitted by makeup artist Adrien Morot with prosthetics that weighed over 300 pounds in order to portray Charlie, a 600-pound English teacher who looks to reconnect with his estranged daughter (played by Sadie Sink). 

Fraser, who is no stranger to physically demanding roles, told The Panther during the student Q&A portion of a Chapman University Master Class that his body started to react to the cumbersome nature of the body suit and he developed weird and unique muscles he never had before. This would only further enmesh the strong connection Fraser felt to Charlie. 

“It was an experience that was giving me a unique opportunity to understand what it really feels like to… play that person,” Fraser told The Panther. “It stayed with me. When the show was done and the last time it all came off, I had an emotional response that I was not anticipating. I felt quite overwhelmed in a way like I was saying goodbye to a friend. The truth was, I gave it everything that I had, and I had no other moves to spare and I felt like I owed it to this guy.” 

On Feb. 23, Fraser would join a Chapman University audience in The Folino Theater for a Master Class moderated by Executive Editor of Awards at The Hollywood Reporter and trustee professor Scott Feinberg. The Master Class followed a screening of “The Whale” which earned Academy Award nominations for Fraser in the best actor category, Morot in best makeup and hairstyling and Hong Chau in best supporting actress.

After Fraser was showered with applause upon his entrance, he delved into his upbringing across the U.S., Canada and Europe. He was inspired by a production of Oliver! in London and would pursue acting at Cornish College of the Arts where he met his mentor Hal Ryder. With a bit of charm and dumb luck, it wasn’t long before Fraser landed a series of comedic roles in “School Ties,” “Encino Man” and “Airheads,” despite Fraser not thinking he’s funny.

“I’m the least funny person I know. Everyone thinks I’m a comedian. The moment you think you’re funny, you’re really not. Just ask Adam Sandler,” Fraser joked about his “Airheads” co-star. 

Following the Master Class, Fraser signed autographs for students and took pictures. 

Fraser would become a household name after starring in “George of the Jungle,” “Gods and Monsters,” “The Mummy,” “The Quiet American” and “Crash.” He told a story of being stuck on the side of the road in Mexico City filming “The Air I Breathe” when his co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar informed Fraser that “Crash” had won best picture at the Academy Awards that night. He would spend the rest of the evening partying with Mariachi bands and drinking cerveza. 

Although Fraser’s stardom was riding high, the toll of doing his own stunts began catching up with him. He would be in and out of hospitals for seven years, needing a partial knee replacement, spinal surgery and vocal cords repairment. Fraser called this the result of not working too smart, but too hard.

“I guess I threw myself into the parts a little harder than I needed to,” Fraser said. “Long story short, I needed to get some work done.”

Due to his rehabilitation process and needing a moment for self-reflection, Fraser stepped out of the spotlight for several years. His return to the limelight in “The Whale” has caused many fans to deem his comeback “The Brenaissance.” Director Darren Aronofsky had been wanting to adapt Samuel D. Hunter’s play “The Whale” for nearly a decade, but couldn’t find the right actor for Charlie. It was Fraser’s performance in “Journey to the End of the Night” that caused Aronofsky to pursue Fraser for the role. 

“I wanted to be part of this movie for the gravity it had and the story it wanted to tell,” Fraser said. “I felt like (Charlie) was a friend. I really wanted to get to know him properly… This was a film that could change hearts and minds. I firmly believe that Charlie is a character that could save lives.”

During production, Fraser was in constant contact with the Obesity Action Coalition in order to ensure he was doing justice to those living with obesity and not making a mockery. He also told the audience that he will never use the phrase “fat suit” to refer to the prosthetics he wore because he believes that vernacular can lean into the bias held against individuals with obesity.

Prior to taking several questions from students, Fraser proposed a thought to the audience that he would like to see analyzed in an essay. He observes that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a common thread between newly released films that emulates the care humanity has shown towards one another during that period. That same kind of care is present between Fraser and his co-star Chau, who he praised for her incredible performance as Liz.

“I think (Chau) has more in her face than she can convey without speaking a line of dialogue,” Fraser told The Panther. “I felt connected with her as a best friend character and that bondage is apparent in the relationship that you see on screen. It felt emotionally challenging as it should have been and again, I think it's a parcel from the circumstances of shooting in a submarine ship environment, so tight and close, on top of one another. There’s a great deal of trust there.”

Following the Master Class, Fraser signed autographs for students and took pictures before letting the crowd know he had to go walk his dog PeeWee. An audio recording of the Master Class will be available on the Awards Chatter podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. “The Whale” is available in theaters and for purchase on YouTube. 

Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Master Classes are available to all Chapman students and alumni. Seats are available either on a first-come, first-served basis or by lottery system depending on the Master Class. Dates, times, upcoming guests and additional information can be found in the lobby of Marion Knott Studios or on the Dodge College instagram account.