This is not terribly new news (four days old), but I thought I'd post it anyway.
As seen at this url:
http://andromeda_trance.tripod.com/fcqa01.html
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What do you think of the changes to Trance's character? Do you like her new look? What do you think of her new role as "spiritual advisor" to the crew? It has been said that the changes to the character are at least partially to give her more "sex appeal" - is this something that you are comfortable with? Who decided to change the character? How much input did you have on the changes?
The change to the Trance character was devised by the production team in hopes of ameliorating the character. Yes, I do believe that sex appeal was one motivating factor, and that the purple was not doing much in that department, but it was not the only factor. One important thing was that they wanted to visually demonstrate that Trance was a powerful creature. There is something to be said for a disguised power, which was found in the earlier, cuter Trance, but, for various reasons, it was felt that her influence and potential should be outwardly demonstrated - hence the change. Do I like it? I do now. I can well imagine that the viewers seeing it for the first time will be outraged, but, really, it is a whole change, and to be fair, one has to see the character and her evolution in the show to give an opinion. I was reluctant at first, only because I had grown to know and love the purple Trance character. But now that I have played the new Trance for a few months, I have grown to like her as well. I work with gifted make-up artists and and hair designers, and with the collaborative effort between them and the guidance of the producers, we came up with the new Trance. There are a lot of people involved in the decision-making process, and it took us many hours of tests and conceptual meetings to come up with the new look. So please, be aware of the work that went into the change before calling it a vomitous mess. People's feelings are equally involved.
After Andromeda is done, what would you like to do for your next project? What sort of career goals do you have?
I have many aspirations. When Andromeda's done, I would ideally love to keep working in the film industry, but one cannot force that if the work isn't there. I still have a degree I could go on with in a Masters and PhD, which I have also considered seriously. But as far as career goals are concerned, I am really hoping to break into the independent film circuit - I truly admire the shorter and smaller-run films that are made because they tell a really interesting story, not because they will make a large profit at the box office. Perhaps veering in that direction will be my next attempt.
Do you ever talk to Lani Billard from Ready or Not? Do you know what she is doing these days?
Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to contact Lani Billard lately, but, last I heard, she was pursuing a career in music and was in the midst of releasing a CD. She is a dynamic and wonderfully gifted perfomer, in many avenues. An actor, a musician, and I even think she has the comedic potential - she is a fantastic woman.
How will the departure of Brent Stait/Rev Bem affect the rest of the cast/characters? Will we see a new character? Are you concerned that your makeup might cause health problems for you?
When Brent left, it was very difficult for most of us. We had started off as a team of seven and had naturally developed all together in the show. It is not difficult to understand why he left, however. The both of us were in at insane hours in the morning, and I certainly had the easier job to do in terms of make-up. Brent's entire face was covered in prosthetics - seven separate pieces I believe. As if that were not enough, he wore a suit made entirely of yak fur - I think he roasted each day, regardless of the season. It was incredible that he endured that, but he was always eager to play the Rev character... I think letting the character go was probably the most difficult thing to do.
I admire Brent, and know that his decision was tough, but we all support him and continue to keep in touch. I do not have the same issues with my make-up as Brent did with his. The make-up, hair, and cosutme process with the new Trance totals in four hours - but I only have prosthetic ear tips to deal with... it is certainly not the same as the Rev Bem make-up. The make-up they use on me is all water-based, and does not cause any allergic reactions on me so far. Our make-up artists are wonderful and would never subject anyone to undue discomfort if there were any other way (and there is almost always another way!)
What do you find is the most rewarding thing about acting? The hardest thing?
For me, the most rewarding thing about acting is seeing the finished product. I try not to look at the rushes or the dailies - which are the takes which are transfered to tape from the previous day's work - so that I do not mess myself up with trying to correct the things I did not like about yesterday's work. Actually, being emotionally moved by a scene once it's been cut and properly edited is the greatest feeling I could have as an actor... regardless if it's a scene I am in or not.
I actually had that experience when I watched the season 1 finale for the first time and I saw Gordon's performance when he has to face the Magog for real... it gave me shivers, and I was really worried for his character. The hardest thing about being an actor... early calls! No, just kidding, that's my job. It's when you mess up a take and can't get it right... you feel like you let the crew down, 'cause there's a lot to do in one day of shooting.
What is your favourite episode of Andromeda so far? What is your favorite "Trance moment"?
My favorite episode is "Ouroborous", which should be airing in the New Year. It's the one where the "big change" takes place. Big surprise, you might say... but really, the scenes that I have seen (granted I have not seen the complete episode) are awesome... I can't say too much more, but watch and you'll see.
I actually have two favorite Trance moments... one was in an episode (I think it was Angel Dark, Demon Bright) when Harper is chasing Trance for his explosive device, and she runs behind Dylan and tattle-tells on Harper "He's trying to kill me" and then when Dylan isn't looking, she's almost laughing. Another one was in "Last Call at the Broken Hammer" when she get drunk and is telling Dylan that her tail got shot off.
I think that the comedic side of Trance was my favorite... she was appealing that way.
Which role/project has been your favorite? Why?
It's kind of difficult to specify which role has been my favorite. With each character that I have played so far, I have brought a bit of myself into it, and so it seems hard to choose only one of them. One of the more challenging roles I have played was that of an immigrant Irish worker, Mary Driscoll, from the 1860's. I had to speak in a rough Irish accent, and for me, thinking about the accent and not the intent of the scene was a great challenge. Aside from that, no favorite character.
Note: the Mary Driscoll role was in "Dear America: So Far from Home"
What sort of hobbies do you have these days? I heard in one of your interviews that they don't let you snowboard or anything of the sort, so what do you do for fun?
It is true that, while I am under contract, I am unable to snowboard or do other activities which can put my physical well-being in jeopardy, so between April and December, my snowboarding is off-limits. But I do snowboard while I am not working. I am still finishing my course work for my degree, so that seems to be my only other hobby as of late.
What are your favourite books? movies? TV shows? music/bands? food? On the subject of food, Amanda Zimm eventually became a vegetarian. Are you a vegetarian?
Favourite books - hard to pin it down to a few, but my favorite series has to be by author Sandra Gulland - she wrote the memoirs of Josephine Bonaparte. Another great book to check out is Life After God by Douglas Coupland, and my all-time favorite author is Michel de Montaigne, an essayist from 16th-century France.
Favourite movies include 'Tous les Matins du Monde', 'Sense and Sensibility', 'The Color of Paradise', 'Monty Python: The Search for the Holy Grail', and the recently-released 'Amelie'. FYI - 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' is awesome too!
Favourite TV Show - I don't have a TV so I'm not too sure about regular programming, but I do like 'Jackass' on MTV, and I love "Fawlty Towers". And "ED".
Favourite Music - I listen to everything but country. Faves are Radiohead, The Tragically Hip, Ben Harper, Loreena McKennitt, and French renaissance composers Marin Marais and Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe.
Fave Food - sushi.
So, no, I am not vegetarian... tried once, but it was too hard to supplement.
Your tattoo has become an important part of Trance's character. When did you get it? Why did you pick that design?
Truly... I saw it on the wall of a tattoo parlor in Toronto when I was seventeen, thought it was still cool a year later, and put it on my shoulder. No deep meanings, no symbolism - just impulsive behaviour.
Which current TV show would you most like to guest-star in? Which show that is no longer running would you most like to have guest-starred in?
The only current TV show I would like to star in would be That 70's Show.
Former TV show to guest star in would be Solid Gold - no, just kidding. I think I would have loved to have been a member of the A-team, but they were all cartoon, so I am definitely on the outs. I really have no idea which one it would be.
Which actor(s)/actress(es) would you most like to work with in the future?
Actors I would most like to work with would be Judy Dench, John Cusack, Parker Posey, and Ian Holme.
I generally admire all of the actors that I have had the chance to work with, regardless of their status in the world of acting. The actors on Andromeda have been such great people to work with - they know how to have fun and let loose too.
Many actors on other shows have written or directed episodes. Do you have any aspirations in this area? Do you know if any of the other cast members do?
I would love to write, but I do not presume to have the ability to write a sci-fi script. Though I have been heavily involved in the field as of late, I cannot claim to have the wherewithal to devise a coherent and enjoyable sci-fi script... I will leave that to the professionals. As far as other cast members are concerned, I do know of one or two who have mentioned script ideas, but if they want to be mentioned, I will leave that up to them to bring it up.
What do you think Trance did to Tyr in "Angel Dark, Demon Bright"?
Good question. I know a lot of people have believed that Trance has mind powers. Perhaps she does... but what about the fact that she stood up to Tyr with a considerable difference in size and known physical abilities? By merely suggesting her own superiority to Tyr at that moment, she freaked him out. Even if she did exert her own mind powers over him, check out what she says to him... that it's all just a game to her and how she does not take the situation very seriously - that in itself may have been enough to disturb Tyr.
How did you get involved in dance, what did you get out of it, what is it like in Hollywood for dancers, and what is it like being a "triple threat" (acting, dancing, and singing)?
I wish I were still a dancer... that is a skill I can no longer claim to have. I began ballet classes just before my fourth birthday with a local dance teacher and some other neighbourhood girls. I was a student for twelve years and now wish that I had kept it up - dancers are just so amazing to watch. I would hardly consider myself a "triple threat" - but that's kinda cool that someone would consider me as such. To add to that, my voice is also nothing to write home about.
How has your growing celebrity status - receiving fan letters, and finding web sites, magazines, etc. discussing both your professional and personal life - affected your expectations of yourself and others?
I have certainly realized that people know a lot more about me than I had expected. Once I checked out a site where someone had posted my high school graduation caption... which freaked me out - who would post that? One has to learn to respond to questions about one's career, and that by working in the film industry, one actually has to expect to have questions asked of them. As for my personal life, I generally do not delve into it in interviews... except for my education. That is a topic I do not feel is too personal to discuss, especially since it has been such a formative and enjoyable part of my life so far. I suppose that I have a feeling of responsibility when I give interviews, and that my answers should be genuine, because people want to know what you think - otherwise interviews would be nothing more than "blasting sunshine up people's asses" (great quote from my friend Nicole!).
What are your thoughts on the phenomenon of science fiction fandom (conventions, etc.)? How does SF fandom make working on a genre show different from working on other shows?
Sci-fi was always around when I was growing up - my mother is a sci-fi fan. I grew up watching Jean-Luc Picard and enjoyed it, but never would have thought that I would participate in such a pursuit. It was a big learning experience for me... sci-fi filming is usually pretty technical with all of the CGI and stunts, so from a purely technical standpoint, it's very unique. I haven't had all that much exposure to fandom so far... I have been approached about a few conventions, but nothing has really materialized. Websites are always fun to check out - I am actually amazed that anyone would want to create a website about me - I just have to get used to it. (Thanks Rhys!)
How does Trance see the rest of the crew? As friends, or just "tools" to be used?
Trance most certainly thinks of the rest of the crew as her friends, and would never treat them otherwise. Little purple Trance thought that they were even more like her pets, and that they were meant to be protected. The new Trance also thinks of the crew as her friends, but is playing a more decisive role in protecting them and guiding them in their journeys. It may sometimes appear that she uses them as tools for her own purposes, but her own motives coincide with Dylan's. Thus, she can only be accused of being more forceful in getting what she wants... that which will benefit them all, and that could hardly be called 'using' them.
If you could play any other role on the show, which one would it be?
I would not want to play any other role on the show... I have to say that I have become very attached to Trance, and would have a very hard time seeing anyone else play her. So, really, I would not like to play any other character on the show.
Do you have any phobias?
Deep water.
How tall are you?
Five foot, five inches. Shortee!
Are there any parts of Trance's character that you would like to emulate in real life?
Perhaps her nature of accepting things without question. She may endeavour to change people's minds to think more positively, but she never tries to fundamentally change people's ways of being. She accepts them for who they are, and deals with them accordingly. I believe we could all use a bit of that in our personalities.
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Whew ! That was long! LOL!