In Beth de Araújo’s film Josephine, Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan portray parents struggling to protect their daughter, Josephine, played by Mason Reeves, after she witnesses a violent crime. During the filming of this intense story, the cast and crew prioritized the comfort and safety of Reeves, who was making her feature film debut while tackling challenging material.
Ensuring a Supportive Environment for a Young Lead
Director Beth de Araújo, alongside Tatum and Chan, created a nurturing atmosphere on set to make Reeves feel secure while portraying a child exposed to trauma. Araújo explained that Chan and Tatum were warm and playful off-camera, always checking in on Reeves, even when she insisted she was fine.
“Luckily, we had Chan(ning) and Gemma, who are just so warm and so generous on set and always very playful between takes and constantly checking in on Mason in this really beautiful way — to the point where sometimes she was like, ‘I’m fine, it’s OK,’”
Araújo told TheWrap’s Casey Loving at Sundance Film Festival, where the film premiered.
“Some of the harder conversations, I left to just be up to her parents to explain. She wasn’t involved in any of the scenes where there’s violence, so she never beared witness.”
To protect Reeves from trauma, Araújo carefully avoided placing her in scenes depicting violence, relying on her real parents to handle more difficult explanations off-set.
A Project Developed Over Years with a Personal Touch
Josephine was cultivated by Araújo over several years, starting with its selection for the Sundance screenwriting and directing labs in 2018. Mason Reeves was discovered by Araújo in an unexpected moment while at a farmer’s market, marking the beginning of the young actress’s journey in film.
“Beth came over while I was looking at dates, and she was like, ‘Where’s your mom?’”
Reeves recalled.
“I’m like, ‘Um…’ and gave her, like — you explain it.”
“She gave me a weary look and pointed at her mom,”
Araújo added, sharing the lighthearted moment.
The film also contains personal elements from Araújo’s life, such as a sweatshirt featuring Roger and Jessica Rabbit playing soccer, which was hand-drawn by Araújo’s own mother for her as a child and worn by Josephine in the film. Early in production, the cast and crew celebrated Reeves’ eighth birthday with a surprise party, highlighting the close-knit environment.
Channing Tatum’s Approach to Supporting a First-Time Actress
Tatum emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive experience for Reeves as a newcomer working with emotionally difficult scenes. He focused on ensuring she felt comfortable, even when scenes called for intense emotions or yelling.
“I really just wanted to play,”
Tatum said.
“I know that I have the most productive experience on set when I am enjoying it, even when it’s hard. You can put yourself into the scenes when it matters, and they can be tough. But I wanted her to know that, because she’s never acted before. I was probably overly communicative: ‘Hey, you know I’m gonna yell at you in the scene? Is that gonna be cool?’”
“You can’t take it back if there’s a bad experience.”
Tatum, Araújo, and Chan all took on caring, parental roles throughout filming and interviews, supporting Reeves with kindness and humor. During a recorded interview introduction, Tatum jokingly referred to himself as “Mason Reeves, I play Mason,” underscoring the friendly dynamic among the cast.
Gemma Chan Highlights Mason Reeves’ Talent in Challenging Scenes
Gemma Chan praised Reeves’ sensitivity and attentive presence during emotionally demanding scenes, particularly one where Chan’s character, Claire, has a difficult conversation with Josephine alone inside a car. Chan described the scene as a delicate balance between shielding Josephine and honestly addressing the dangers they face.
“I have to say that Mason was so sensitive in to work with. I couldn’t have asked for a better scene partner, just the way she was listening and absorbing,”
Chan said.
“Claire is really wrestling with how much to share with her daughter, how truthful she can be, that balance of wanting to shield her but also being truthful about the danger of the world and what’s happened to her in her own past. In some ways, it was a hard scene to film, but it also didn’t feel that way because Mason was so brilliant.”
Reeves’ performance under the guidance of Araújo, Tatum, and Chan contributed to the warm reception the film received at the Sundance Film Festival within the U.S. Dramatic Competition. Their efforts ensured that portraying such intense subject matter would not come at the expense of the young actor’s well-being.
This careful approach to storytelling in Josephine underscores how experienced actors and filmmakers can create a safe space for newcomers facing challenging material, setting a standard for working with vulnerable young talent in emotionally charged narratives.
