Actor Will Ropp is no stranger to balancing comedy and tragedy, and his latest short film, KODAR: The Primordial God of Light and Ether, is a testament to that. In this dark comedy, Ropp weaves together humor and heavier themes with a deft touch, drawing from his personal experiences and years of acting expertise. In a recent interview, he discussed the challenge of making humor feel authentic during moments of sadness, explaining how life’s absurdity often turns the tragic into something comical. As he prepares for the release of KODAR, Ropp’s unique approach to storytelling continues to captivate audiences.
SD – Will, your upcoming short film “KODAR: The Primordial God of Light and Ether” combines dark comedy with serious themes. How did you balance these contrasting elements in your direction, and what message do you hope audiences take away from the film?
WR – I’ve always thought that there’s a very narrow line between tragedy and comedy. We kept that in mind as we were making Kodar, certain elements in real life that are objectively sad can turn funny pretty quickly and often do. I wanted to show that in this piece and it was probably the hardest element of the story to navigate, making the comedy feel believable and earned at moments of sadness. I’m hoping that audiences are able to just relate in anyway that feels relevant to them, I don’t think there’s any single message that someone is supposed to take away from the piece, it’s kind of whatever comes up for them, whether that’s overcoming fear, social anxiety, forging unlikely friendships, etc.
SD – You’ve had roles in both critically acclaimed films and popular TV series, including “The Way Back” and “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” How do you approach preparing for diverse roles across different genres, and what have you found most challenging?
WR – I think when I approach a role it’s generally a similar process across the board, whether it’s a “hard comedy” or a drama, I’m trying to play the most authentic, true to life version of a person. Obviously that gets changed when a project is elevated or stylized, but even in those roles it’s important to find the humanity and grounded aspect of the character. I generally find roles hard when there isn’t a lot to go off of, if I’m not able to find that character’s “thing” to hook into, it’s hard to be natural and spontaneous.
SD – “KODAR” features a young doctor delivering devastating news on Halloween while dressed as his favorite character. How did you come up with this unique and humorous premise, and what inspired you to tackle such a sensitive topic in this way?
WR – I lost my mother to colon cancer when I was 13 years old. During that experience, trips to the doctor’s office became a frequent staple in my childhood routine. At that age, it was difficult to process the severity of the situation, so I would usually end up wandering around the hospital or clinic, immersed in my own world. I found that for such a “serious” place, there happened to be so many absurd and oftentimes hilarious situations that arose. And for a place where loved ones are receiving the worst news of their life or quite literally fighting for their life, finding the levity and comedy in the darkness was sometimes the only thing that gave me relief.
SD – Your theater background is extensive, with performances in classics like “Romeo and Juliet” and “Les Miserables.” How has your experience in musical theater and stage acting influenced your work in film and television?
WR – I think it’s given me the ability to find a large range of characters that I feel comfortable playing, in theatre the roles are usually “bigger” and have to kind of pop off the stage more so it’s made me unafraid to take on roles that are a little out there and strange.
SD – You’ve collaborated with well-known actors like Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, and Bill Murray in “The Greatest Beer Run Ever.” Can you share any memorable moments or lessons you learned from working with such seasoned actors?
WR – Zac was really amazing on the set of Beer Run, he gave me a lot of advice on how to navigate the industry and still find personal fulfillment at the same time. I think his overarching message was to care about taking on quality projects, less fixated on what’s going to hit or get “views” or whatever. If you do good work, the rest will come naturally.
SD – Outside of acting, you have a passion for sports and beatboxing. How do these interests complement your acting career, and have you found any opportunities to integrate them into your professional work?
WP – Beatboxing is weirdly requested for a good amount of auditions so that’s been a fun aspect to play with. I’m obsessed with sports, specifically Michigan football/basketball, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. I kind of use it as an outlet that’s completely removed from acting and the industry. It’s a great way to decompress and distract myself at times.
SD – Your involvement in raising awareness and funds for colon cancer research is deeply personal. How has your advocacy work shaped you as an individual and an artist, and what future plans do you have to continue supporting this cause?
WR – I loved working with “Stand up to cancer” for the LA marathon a few years back. I’m not sure if I have another marathon in me but hopefully I can continue to work with them and support the incredible work they do in spreading awareness and raising funds for research. I think as an artist it’s important to champion a cause because we have the rare and important responsibility of a public following, however large or small that may be. And I think advocating for important causes with that public following is the best thing you can do.
SD – Finally, can you tell us more about your current projects and any future plans or considerations you have? Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
WR – I’m excited for a film I have coming out in the fall called “The Line”. It’s a really cool, dark story about college fraternities. I’m also gearing up to direct my first feature film which has been really fun and exciting. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today!!
