Movies

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Mark Duplass

BBG News

Mark Duplass offers a warning before he starts talking about his ideal Sunday.

“Be prepared,” he says. “There’s not gonna be a lot of leaving the house today.”

The versatile artist, both onscreen and off, has established a harmonious routine with his spouse, Katie Aselton, their pair of children, and their lively canine crew. To them, home is nestled in the peaceful enclave of Valley Village, a neighborhood that won their hearts almost instantly. “It’s tranquil, incredibly family-oriented, and exceptionally dog-focused,” he notes.

Mark Duplass’ career has been far from tranquil. Currently, he features alongside Ellen Pompeo and Imogen Faith Reid in Hulu’s “Good American Family,” a series inspired by real events concerning the Natalia Grace case. Additionally, his series “The Creep Tapes” has been renewed for another season on Shudder. Duplass also co-owns an independent film company with his brother, Jay, and is one of the founders of the revamped Vidiots, a nonprofit movie theater and rental shop in Eagle Rock.

The Soul Points Fund, a nonprofit organization started by him along with Aselton in 2020 for supporting artists, has recently altered its focus to aid those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles. He comments, “People in this town are well-versed in addressing unforeseen challenges. It’s something that happens frequently on a film set, so this kind of problem-solving comes naturally.

For Duplass, Sundays are for slowing down. Here’s how he’d spend his ideal day.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for length and clarity.

7:30 a.m.: The T-Man rises

As a movie lover, my mornings typically begin around 7:30 AM, and I’m not one to burn the midnight oil on weekends. I’m not much of a partygoer when it comes to alcohol. Life has taught me that I have to maintain certain routines due to my struggles with anxiety and depression. These routines include prioritizing a good night’s sleep, so you won’t find me sleeping in until 11 AM on Sundays – I’ve learned the hard way that straying from my routine can lead to trouble. I may not be perfect, but I’m working diligently to stay on track.

Before we proceed, let’s get things started: Open the door, for both of my dogs are awake. In our home, they call me “T-Man,” which stands for “The Treat Man.” However, we can’t use the word “treat” because when we do, they become overexcited. My gentle German shepherd-husky mix, Blue, circles around me affectionately. Murphy, who is a pitbull-Staffordshire terrier mix, is quite energetic and might jump on me or lunge at me. I give them their rather unappetizing beef liver treats.

After that, we head out for a cup of coffee. Since I need to maintain my daily routine, I only have one caffeinated coffee each day. To make it more enjoyable, I add a bit of chocolate, cinnamon, and raw sugar. Typically, Molly, my 12-year-old daughter, or Katie, my wife, join me. Ora, our 17-year-old, is likely still asleep at this time. Our usual breakfast consists of oatmeal with fresh blueberries. Later, I switch to decaf coffee for the day, but I still appreciate the warm, comforting ritual it provides.

10 a.m.: Endorphins up

At our compact fitness space, I engage in a 20-minute, intense, swift workout on the elliptical trainer, primarily to stimulate my endorphin production and energize my cardiovascular system.

1. Option A: After I finish here, my dogs join me inside, because they understand it means our outdoor adventure is imminent. I pick up my two pups, and we embark on a 40-minute stroll. It serves as a peaceful moment for me, acting like a meditation session.

2. Option B: When I wrap things up indoors, my dogs follow me inside, knowing it signals our upcoming outdoor excursion. I gather the two puppies and we venture out on a 40-minute walk. This time outside serves as a soothing, meditative experience for me.

3. Option C: The dogs accompany me indoors once I complete my tasks, recognizing it’s the signal for an outdoor adventure. I collect the two pups and we set off on a 40-minute walk. It offers me a tranquil, meditative atmosphere.

I typically prefer listening to a complete album by an artist rather than using playlists. I don’t usually opt for pre-made playlists. Hearing the full artist’s work gives me a deeper connection. I often try to find something that reminds me of specific periods in my life, such as feeling 16 or 23 again. This can range from the humorous Spin Doctors album I used to adore, to one of my Indigo Girls albums.

11 a.m.: Hot and cold plunges

After completing my stroll, I’ll be warming up the hot tub. I set it to 104 degrees in the hot tub and 57 degrees in the cold plunge. To avoid sounding repetitive, let me clarify that this routine is beneficial for both mental and physical health.

Noon: Nothing goes to waste

I’m known as “The Leftovers Man.” Raised in the suburbs of New Orleans, I was instilled with a thrifty mindset from my grandmother and mother during the Depression era. This meant that nothing went to waste, not even food that seemed to be spoiling in the refrigerator. By frying it at high temperature in a pan, we attempted to kill any bacteria and make it edible.

Towards the close of the week, I plan on preparing a large chicken dish for our dinner. The family will consume about a third of it, and I’ll have leftovers to use later. In my freezer, I maintain a smart selection of frozen vegetables and rice which complement the chicken perfectly, along with various sauces to add flavor: “Perhaps we can make this a soy sauce-based meal” or, “Let’s give it a Mexican twist for tonight.” I then prepare a big stir-fry, which is usually enjoyed by two to three family members.

2 p.m.: The village Vidiot

On my perfect Sunday, there would be a slight adjustment as I’d head to Vidiots for a mid-afternoon movie. Vidiots serves as my sanctuary. Occasionally, they screen a Japanese animated film that appeals to the whole family, drawing some of us together. Other times, the Mubi Microcinema within Vidiots showcases re-runs of art-house movies.

I’m just filled with such a sense of well-being whenever I’m there. It holds a special place in my life. During my high school years, I frequented a second-hand art-house cinema in New Orleans called Movie Pitchers. Later, when I went to college in Austin, we had the Alamo Drafthouse. Since I’ve lived in New York too, I’ve always had access to a theater like that.

3:30 p.m.: A strategic cold one

You have Fosters Freeze conveniently located next to Vidiots, perfect if you fancy indulging in something less than ideal after a movie screening. As for me, I enjoy unwinding with a drink around 3:30 or 4 PM at Walt’s pinball bar when my stomach is empty. This helps me achieve a moderate level of intoxication without consuming too much alcohol. Afterward, I usually grab some food to avoid any negative effects on my mood or potential hangovers. It also helps keep the memories of my wild teenage years, filled with numerous drugs, alive while preventing me from slipping back into those habits. Incredibly, here I am today.

In this version, the text maintains the original meaning while using more straightforward language and a conversational tone.

4:30 p.m.: Zankou and Rummikub with the folks

My family resides in Pasadena, and we maintain a strong bond with them, particularly my parents who are quite fond of my children as well. Currently, they are in their senior years, with my father reaching the age of 80 this year.

Have you ever watched a movie where a character dies at the end, lamenting about wishing for more memories like that one special trip we had together? While I’m fortunate to have numerous precious moments with my parents and family, there’s always a yearning for even more quality time. There’s no way to recoup lost moments, but I can’t help but crave having more of those cherished experiences.

Over time, our shared experiences have completely alleviated any tension. It’s not about jet-setting across Europe or having grand adventures; what we truly cherish is simplicity. Occasionally, my parents visit, I bring Zankou Chicken for dinner, and we engage in games like Bananagrams, Rummikub, or work on a puzzle together. We reminisce by watching old videos of our children when they were younger, which brings them joy. It’s the most delightful boredom – it’s incredibly comforting.

7 p.m.: “Alone” in a crowd

After doing some dishes, my eldest child, Ora, usually leaves to prepare for an audition or chat with her partner. Meanwhile, Katie and I often tune into “Alone” on History Channel. It’s a reality show somewhat similar to “Survivor,” but it has a Canadian twist. The show offers insights into various berries and ethical hunting techniques, but what stands out most are the participants – individuals who haven’t often had the chance or, in some cases, the necessity, to confront their deepest selves.

9 p.m.: Rekindling his love of books

When your children are small, an amusing occurrence happens – you both hurry to get them to sleep and then race to your own beds, as you’re always trying to accumulate sleep in anticipation of their waking you up. My wife and I have kept this schedule even after our kids grew older (they’re 12 and 17 now), as we still enjoy getting into bed around 9 o’clock or so.

We obtain our books through the LA Public Library, which is conveniently connected to my Kindle account. However, I adore my Kindle because it eliminates the long wait times associated with traditional public libraries. For instance, there might be a book I’m eager to read, but due to high demand, I might have to wait for eight weeks. When the book finally arrives, it’s like celebrating Christmas!

Afterward, I head to the bathroom, clean my teeth, and swallow my essential 20 milligrams of citalopram – an SSRI – that helps keep Dad stable. I’ve been using it for 16 years now. Plus, I also pop a probiotic since I’m 48.

Before drifting off to sleep, I share five small moments of gratitude or anticipation. This is the essence of self-help 101, yet it’s surprisingly effective. As I lie in bed, I might say, “I can’t wait to open the door and see the joy on my dogs’ faces when they see me. No matter how the day goes tomorrow, I’ll have this delightful interaction with these beloved pets.” This moment helps me find peace before I fall asleep.

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2025-03-21 13:32

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