Eric Schultz is well-versed in navigating the White House, having served as the deputy press secretary for the White House from 2014 to 2017 under the Obama administration.
It’s one of the reasons that he now frequently consults on Hollywood projects about Washington.
His recent role involved ensuring all details were perfect for the cast and crew in “Zero Day,” a Netflix political thriller starring Robert De Niro as a former president, who is coaxed out of retirement by the present chief executive (Angela Bassett), to probe into a global cyber attack.
As a film enthusiast, I received a call from the producers because they needed someone on set during the filming of White House scenes. Specifically, they were looking for someone who had actually been inside the White House to help guide how conversations, meetings, and discussions would be portrayed authentically – whether it was in the Oval Office or the Press Briefing Room.
Not only did Schultz contribute to the production aspects, but he also played a significant role in choosing the props. Typically, presidents keep a snack bowl on their Oval Office coffee tables – for example, Ronald Reagan preferred jellybeans, Barack Obama opted for apples, and Joe Biden had chocolate chips ready. In the movie “Zero Day,” Schultz made the decision that Bassett’s character would have an orange-filled bowl. Later on, this detail turned out to be important as the Speaker of the House, played by Matthew Modine, peels an orange during a tense conversation with her office as a subtle gesture of tension, according to Schultz.
What was it like telling Robert De Niro how to do something?
In his preparation for the role, Bob took great care to ensure accuracy and authenticity. He wasn’t afraid to ask questions, and these queries were shared with the entire team to clarify proper etiquette, particularly in the Oval Office. The aim was to create a realistic atmosphere, understanding where key figures like a president or former president would typically sit, who enters first during press briefings, and so on. All these details were meticulously addressed to make the narrative as believable as possible.
What was it like on set for you because everything looks so real?
I must say, I’m utterly amazed by the craftsmanship here. The team behind the scenes, particularly the set designers, have truly outdone themselves in creating these unique spaces, especially the one we refer to as the Outer Oval, a sort of precursor to the Oval Office. It’s not often seen on screen, but they’ve managed to bring it to life flawlessly. The same goes for the Oval Office itself, the press briefing room, and the joint address location to Congress. Their attention to detail is truly commendable.
Tell me more about the joint address scene.
As a devoted spectator, I found myself repeatedly urging the actor portraying the Sergeant at Arms to project more, “Loud, louder!” was my constant reminder during his announcement of the former president. To help him grasp the proper delivery, we even showed him a YouTube video demonstration. Living in an era where many tune into State of the Union addresses and other congressional speeches, it’s easy to forget that not everyone is well-versed in these ceremonial procedures. It should come as no surprise that most people outside of Washington might not closely follow the procession for the State of the Union address, correct?
How real was the storyline and is it something that could really happen?
Experts in national security often find cyber threats to be their most pressing concerns, a worry that keeps them awake. In my opinion, the ongoing evolution of these digital dangers, particularly cyber warfare, continues to pose significant challenges. To elaborate, the article’s content is relevant. Furthermore, ensuring those in positions of authority possess expertise and honesty is another issue we are all struggling with currently. Interestingly, this topic was already predicted by the article, which was penned several years ago.
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2025-03-14 22:18