The Vault – TrueBlood-Online.com

Written by Shadaliza for The Vault

Marcia Derousse is the actress who portrays Dr. Ludwig in the episode “Scratches”. I had the pleasure to get to know this extraordinary lady who, besides acting, has another very special talent.

Who is Marcia Derousse?

Although I live in the Los Angeles area now, I am from southern Missouri, the foothills of the Ozarks. Beautiful area, but not much opportunity for acting. I did study acting in college, and did a good bit of theatre performance there. My degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, is a BS in Ed, for Speech/Drama/English. I did teach both junior high and high school. Since I am only 4’4″ tall, my students were usually taller than me! But we had mutual respect, so that was never a problem.
I also have been a stand up comedienne in the midwest, including Chicago, and then out here in LA. Theatre is my passion, like several other of the actors in True Blood., including Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgård, who I had the pleasure of working with. Alan Ball worked a lot in theatre, so I think he appreciates the discipline we theatre folk have. I have done TV and film, including guest star work on The Fall Guy, St Elsewhere, Divorce Court and I did work on Small Wonder, Gimme a Break, Highway to Heaven, Faerie Tale Theatre, and I did monster voices on Little Monsters. I stopped to take care of my beloved mother until she passed away in 2000. Then I started full tilt in theatre again, doing a lot of Shakespeare and other classical theatre. Then in 2002, I was cast in the film Tiptoes, playing Mom to Matthew McCouaughey and Gary Oldman (Gary played a little person!). Now, I am thrilled to be bringing Dr. Ludwig to life.

When and how did you decide to pursue a career in acting?

Since I was always “different”, I used that to my advantage and made my friends and family my captive audiences, even as a kid. I started my stand up comedy in junior high school, much to my teachers dismay! But I became really serious about acting as a profession when I moved to LA. I moved here in September, and got my first film job in December that same year. Not bad, huh?

You are a little person, how are the opportunities for you as an actress?

In theatre, I have never played a role that called for a little person. I was always just a person. So in many ways, this could be one of the reasons I love the stage so much. TV and film work is much more narrow- if the role doesn’t call for a little woman, chances are, I won’t be called in- at least not very often. I would love to see that change. See people realize myself and all little people, in fact any people with differences or disabilities, are people first, and “unique” second. So the opportunities in TV and film are sadly, few and far between. It seems to come in phases.

How did you get involved in True Blood? What can you tell us about the audition?

I have absolutely wonderful agents. They do submit me for anything calling for a little woman, as well as other roles. My friend had seen the breakdown for True Blood and called me to give me a heads up. I called my agents and they had submitted me that morning- a Thursday. The next day, I was at the studio for the audition. There was myself and one other little woman, who is a dear friend. So to me, which ever one of us got the role would be a winning situation. But I have to admit, I am thrilled it was me! Alan Ball, Rayelle Tucker, Scott Winant, and the other folks present were very receptive to my reading and interpretation. They were a fun “audience”!

Did you watch True Blood prior to the audition?

Last fall I was co star in a play called The Sugar Bean Sisters (for which I was named runner up for best actress in theatre in LA for 2008), and my sister co star, Pattie Tierce, has already been on the show. So I watched her episode, and was a fan from that moment on…still am!

You play the role of Dr. Ludwig. Who is Dr. Ludwig?

I have also read the books by Charlaine Harris, and I found Dr Ludwig to be an almost intimidating character, in spite of her small size. She is a no nonsense, pragmatic doctor/healer, who is willing to work with the vampires and other worldly characters. I know she returns quite a bit later in the books, but honestly, as much as these beings are getting hurt, she could be in a lot more! Her size has nothing to do with her authoritative manner, and she is not scared of anyone or anything! I hope the fans love her as much as I do.

You read the books by Charlaine Harris. Is show Dr. Ludwig different from book Dr. Ludwig?

In the books, Dr. Ludwig is described as olive skinned, dark haired and has a very big nose. When I read the books, I thought, “What a great character!” But I knew if they followed the books, I would not be considered. Thank you Alan Ball for going against type! Personality wise, the TV version is pretty close to the book version. She’s matter of fact, curt, all business- and someone who is not afraid to work with vampires. She was really fun to interpret. Raelle Tucker’s great script really captured a unique essence for Dr. Ludwig.

How do you feel about the differences between the books and the show? Do you prefer one or the other?

I feel like the show incorporates the really salient points in the books, but it also surprises us with different twists and turns that are not in the books. That’s fun to see how or what will be the same and what will be created. And I love both. I like the surprises the TV show comes up with. And being an avid reader all my life, I love the books.

What can you tell us about your time on the set. You made a guest appearance and worked with actors who have been working as a team for some time now. How did you fit in?

Anna Paquin came up to me after the first full reading and introduced herself, saying we’d be working together. She made me feel comfortable at once. On the set, I was in the make up chair next to Stephen (eat your hearts out, ladies) and he was so warm and easy going it was like we were old friends. When I met Alex on the set, he was also extremely welcoming and nice. Again, the theatre training tends to make people more accepting and friendly. They were absolutely wonderful, and I felt like I had gone home while working with them.

Team Bill or Team Eric?

Dr. Ludwig hates both of them, but perhaps feels a bit more disdainful towards Eric because she’s had prior dealings with him. So, if she were to pick a team, it would probably be Team Bill. But if he’s smart, he won’t bet his life on her…unless he pays her VERY well.
As for Marcia, I was equally charmed by both of them- “glamoured”, in fact!

Do you have any films or upcoming theatre appearances in the pipeline ?

I am working on two independent films this summer, each very different from the other, and both fun. “Piehead” is the name of the first one. I play the grandma of the lead character. I ADORE playing the little old ladies- they are fun! The lead, also the writer and producer, is making a film about her move from Pennsylvania to Hollywood.
The second, still untitled, is being produced by one of Joey Travolta’s groups. It is about a comedy duo who break up, and only one of them goes on to become a star. Geri Jewell (Deadwood, Facts of Life, 21 Jump Street and more) and I play the comedy duo. Two stand ups playing stand ups- what a concept! But the film has a lot of really interesting twists and arcs.

Besides acting you also work as a psychic/medium/pet communicator. What is your talent exactly and how do you use it?

As I say when I do public speaking, I see dead people and I talk to the animals- sort of like a mini Sixth Sense and Dr Doolittle all rolled into one! I help people realize their loved ones who have crossed over are not dead- just in a different place. I really see them- people and pets- who have crossed over- in their spirit form, and they communicate messages to me to give to the people I am reading for, usually messages of love, and assurances they are still alive. I also give psychic advice to people via my Spirit guides, who are extremely wise and wonderful. I can also “sense” what past lives people have lived, which can be helpful to people in their lives now.

How can people contact you for a consult? The best way to contact me for a consult is via my email for that purpose: smallmedium@sbcglobal.net.

Follow Marcia on Twitter or on Facebook

Video property of HBO

Written by Shadaliza for The Vault

Jace Everett: True Blood musician. We all know his voice and we all know his song. “When you came in, the air went out. And every shadow filled up with doubt. I don’t know who you think you are, but before the night is through, I wanna do bad things with you.”

The song was found on Itunes and Alan Ball thought to use it until he’d found something better: ” We used this song as a temporary main title on the True Blood pilot, a placeholder while we looked for something else, but nothing worked as well, because this song and Jace’s performance of it are, well, perfect.”

Gary Calamar, True Blood’s music supervisor says:  “Jace’s song has great mix of menace, humor, wit and wild romance. Against the opening sequence is was wickedly badass.”

I met Jace Everett on the internet and thanks to modern technology questions and answers were exchanged between Italy and Nashville, Tennessee. I asked him about his music, True Blood, “Bad Things” and his recently released new album “Red Revelations”.

Who is Jace Everett?
Is this a trick question? I’m a singer and a songwriter that loves a little bit of everything musically. So I mix it all up in my songs and pray to God I don’t break a string.

When and how did you love for music began?
I discovered music and singing before I even spoke as a child. I was a pointer and a grunter until I was almost three. I haven’t shut up since. But singing was always really appealing. From Willie Nelson I went straight to Kiss. When they took off their make-up I lost interest though. Church was a big part of my life as a kid in Texas. That’s when I fell in love with performing. Music has been a constant refuge for me throughout my life.

By what other musicians were you influenced when you were younger and who do you listen to now?
I was influenced by some really cool artists and some really cheesy ones too. When you’re a kid you like what you like and aren’t to worried about what’s considered “cool”. So Glen Campbell, Willie, Waylon, Elvis, and Kiss are who I remember most as a little kid. Later on I got into Petty, Tom Waits, Guy Clark, Ray Charles, Marley, Dylan and the like. I’ve always been a big U2 fan. I never really understood the “hair band” thing, which was really popular when I was in school. In recent years I really got into Chuck Prophet, Ryan Adams, and even some Jay-Z. I only listen to about 10 records a year probably. When I fall in love with an album I tend to wear it out for months.

Did you have any formal training in music?
I took the requisite piano lessons as a kid. No discipline. I dropped it as soon as I could. I wish I hadn’t.
I’ve had 1 bass lesson. Again, yawned through it. I did have some formal voice training in high school and college. A little opera, anyone? Hated that to. I guess I don’t do well with instruction.

How would you describe your music?
It’s always evolving. It has elements of country, blues, Americana, rock and roll, and even some hints of jazz; harmonically anyway. I try to let it speak for itself as I’m not much for labeling things other than “like” and “don’t like”.

Can you describe your creative process, how do you compose new songs?
It happens a lot of different ways. The good stuff usually comes with a melody and lyric at the same time. Sometimes you have to really work your ass off to make lyric happen, but the music is always pretty quick. There’s no formula. I wish there were!

Many people have actually thought you sound like Chris Isaak? What do you think about that?
I don’t think I sound like Isaak. I think “Bad Things” has some of the same elements as “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing”, similar title and a rockabilly feel. The funny thing is that I wasn’t  really aware of his tune when I wrote mine. I was actually riffing on a Steve Earle tune called “Poor Boy”, which is in a major key. I made some of the chords minor and gave it a darker vibe which led me to the lyric and melody. Isaak is great and I love what he does, but we sing very differently. He’s got a smoother voice and uses his falsetto really well. I’m more of a whiskey soaked sand paper sound!

What was your inspiration for writing “Bad Things”? Is there a story behind that song?
The initial idea was one of violence and vengeance. A guy owed me money and I wanted to do “bad things TOO you” in the original lyric. About 10 minutes into it I realized it was coming off more sexy than scary and that “TOO you” sounded a little creepy; date rape… not good! So I changed the lyric to “WITH you”. Oddly enough, half the people who hear the song think I sing “TOO you”. But I don’t. I’m really a very nice boy.

How has having your song “Bad Things” featured on the hit TV show True Blood changed your career?
Well, I have one again! My career was up on blocks. I spent a couple of years in the wilderness trying to figure out what I was going to do. Alan Ball and Gary Calamar of “True Blood” really made this new record possible. All the fans of the show have been incredibly gracious to me and the song and I can’t thank them enough. So I made them a new record instead!

Will more of your songs be featured on True Blood in future episodes?
Possibly they will. Of course, it’s not up to me. A few of the tunes on this new record were really inspired by Season 1; “Damned If I Do” is really a love song for Bill and Sookie. Not literally, but their relationship inspired the music and lyric pretty heavily. “Burn for You” is kind of the same thing. The episode where Bill walks into the sun and begins to burn up in an effort to save Sookie really got that lyric started. Several other tunes took some inspiration from the show as well, but those two are definitely in homage to the great characters in “True Blood”.

You can listen to the songs on Jace’s MySpace page.

I read in an interview that you don’t have cable, did you have it installed yet, so you can watch True Blood?
I’m seriously considering the cable thing. I have an amazing ability to waste a lot of time. Between HBO and all those extra C-Span channels I’m scared I’ll never leave the house!

How do you like the show?
The show is great. It’s funny, sexy, creepy, and sometimes even scary. (What the hell is with that wheel Lafayette is chained to!?!? Creeps my out). I love the fact that it’s more than vampire story. I enjoy how Alan Ball allows the writing to be all over the place. It’s an honor to be a part of the “True Blood” world.

Can we expect to see you in a cameo on True Blood?  Performing in  Merlotte’s?

I’d like to do a cameo as a janitor in Merlotte’s… some where in the background whistling “Bad Things” while I mop up blood and beer. Who knows?

Last month you were honored with the BMI Cable Award for your musical contribution to True Blood. Is it important to you to be an award-winning musician?
It’s important to be making a living. Awards are weird. I enjoy being respected by my peers, who doesn’t? But it always feels strange to me to get a trophy for art. It’s an honor, but it’s far more exciting to sell a CD to someone who loves what you do.

On June 22 your new album “Red Revelations” was released. What can we expect from this CD?
A lot, I hope! The CD has 11 new songs. Half were produced by the amazing team of Chuck Prophet and Brad Jones; they really helped me develop a new sound. The other half I produced myself. The band is made up of the guys I write and perform with who happen to be some of my closest friends. It runs the gamut from spooky dark stuff to really up and clapping rock and roll. You can check out some tunes at www.jaceeverett.com to get a taste. Also, on the CD version we slapped a twelfth tune on there; “Bad Things” in it’s original form.

“Red Revelations” will also be released on vinyl. Does vinyl still sell or is it making a comeback?
Vinyl is actually growing in popularity right now. I think a lot of us miss the artwork and the ceremony of sitting down with an LP. I love my iPod, but when you sit down with a vinyl record you have to make a commitment. You really listen to the music.

Where can we buy your new album?
You can get it at my website (www.jaceeverett.com), my label site (www.westonboys.com), Amazon, and of course digitally at iTunes and the like.

Where can we see you perform live?
Hopefully this fall we’ll be touring properly.

Check out Jace Everett’s website

Jace Everett on Facebook

Jace Everett on Twitter

Jace Everett on MySpace

photo credit: David McClister

Written by Dorothea McMahon for The Vault

I was robbed. Spoilers are to blame. I’ve spent seven months reading and posting about True Blood, everything I could possibly gobble up. Every cast call, every new episode update, interview, photo and pod cast. Reading what was provided here on The Vault and going to other sites when there was word that some new and exciting information was given, fed my obsession. There were months when there was not much to fill the void left by the end of the first season, so we’d rehash Season 1′s episodes and analyze them frame by frame (I know how nutty this sounds, by the way) trying to predict and understand character’s motivations and future actions.

So with the approach of Season 2, there was a ramping up of information. Our web gurus found True Blood everywhere. True Blood had become a phenomenon, and interest in the new season’s shows translated to Stephen Moyer guesting on talk shows. Of course, accompanying his appearances were clips of the new season. The View was his first stop and it was there that I saw the “I love you” scene for the first time. Of course, my initial reaction, being the romantic softy that I am, was delight and great sympathy for my beloved Bill. For those of us who have read the Sookie Stackhouse series, we wondered how and when True Blood Bill would tell Sookie this for the first time. Well now we knew. And then there was replay after replay, to study Bill’s every facial expression and Sookie’s reaction. And like an addict, I couldn’t stop myself, even though I knew I’d regret the numbing affect watching this clip was having on me. How could I not watch? It’s what I’d been waiting for since the last episode of Season 1 aired.

Conversations about what we would see in Season 2 increased. Conjecture increased. Conjecture was replaced by spoilers that seemingly appeared everywhere. Because I’m so ravenous for information, no thread was safe from my eager eyes. I read the spoiler thread because it was merely conjecture, but then at some point, it changed from poster’s guesses and discussion to actual leaks of information. I continued reading because I am an addict. We may have to start a twelve step program for the True Blood addicted. First meeting…my house.

There were clips of the sex scene, the much anticipated sex scene. As a lover of all things Bill, it was impossible for me not to watch, or to imagine what happened before and after this thumbnail look at Bill and Sookie. Bill looked predatory. Where are they? Every possible scenario was thought of and discussed.

Lafayette was dead, or was he? For months the lot of us have lamented what we thought was the demise of this favorite character. The book killed him. Was True Blood going to follow Charlaine Harris’ plot? How would they be able to keep him in the show if they diverged from the book? Why was he attending or not attending various Season 2 gatherings? What would be his fate? Well, unfortunately, I found out. I’d stopped reading the spoiler threads a while ago, realizing that there were things being divulged that were going to ruin it all for me. Unfortunately, spoilers were appearing in the darndest places. And even if spoilers were removed, replies would appear to spoiler posts that were revealing. I stopped reading anything having to do with Lafayette.

I guess people just want everyone to know that they know. They want to be in the loop. Makes ‘em feel important. Makes ‘em feel like an insider.

June 14 finally comes. Even though I’ve had a foretaste I was wondering what will be revealed. The kids weren’t home, we tuned into HBO early to see anything, everything leading up to he first episode. As I watch, I realize that I’m feeling a terrible disappointment. I’m watching the “I love you” scene with a surprising feeling of detachment. The sex scene seems to be much too short and without the verbal foreplay I’d imagined since seeing the spoiler clip and is left til nearly the end. Would I have been less disappointed if I hadn’t built it up so in my mind after having it played and replayed? And Lafayette…Lafayette. There he is, alive. I’m surprised and confused by the situation that he finds himself in, but not the least surprised that he’s there, alive. I feel robbed. I’ve been deprived of the surprise, deprived of that Christmas morning feeling.

Yes, it’s partially my fault. As I said, I’m incapable of looking away. But after watching this first episode with such detachment, I wish I had seen and read less, much less. I’ve been told that there would be information about the first four episodes floating around, enticing us to have a look. I will try not to look. I want the remainder of the season to be as much of a surprise and delight as the first season was. Wish me luck.

Written by Shadaliza for The Vault

Alan Ball

Alan Ball promises us that True Blood’s sophomore season will be sexier, gorier and funnier but also deeper than what we have seen in the first 12 episodes of the HBO hit series. He feels that the show is really finding it’s identity in the upcoming season.

I participated in a conference call where Alan explained that the story is based for 50% on the books by Charlaine Harris, the other 50% is created by him and his team of writers, Brian Bruckner, Nancy Oliver, Raelle Tucker and Alexander Woo. The writers are as much a part of the show as Alan Ball is, it is like an organic collaboration.

The books by Charlaine Harris are all narrated by Sookie, it is basically Sookie’s story and the other characters only exist when they are in the room with her. Alan and his team stick pretty closely to the original material, they do make some changes where it helps to define the story, but they do however try to remain true to the spirit of the books.

About the writing process Alan says that they start each season with a book, pick the great moments they want to hang on to, spread it out over 12 episodes and then fill in the blanks.

Alan doesn’t feel like he needed to up the ante just to up the ante for season 2, but he adds: “I did feel like it was important to make Eric more frightening and show more of his monstrous side because as the season progresses we definitely will also see more of his more human side.”

The violence in the first two episodes is important to show that vampires are monsters or capable of being monsters and violent. The most evil character in the second season according to Alan is a vampire from Dallas.
It was also important to have a character, who will remain nameless, and who suffers from PTSD over the course of the season.
“You don’t want to have all of that horrible gore and the awful psychological experience just be okay for him the next day. That’s not the way it happens in real life”, Alan explains.

A big difference between the mysteries in season 1 and season 2 is that in the first season the audience didn’t know who the serial killer was and they were trying to figure it out at the same time Sookie was. In this season the audience knows there is a character that is up to no good and dangerous long before the characters on the show know it.

“A part of the show takes place in Dallas but not most of the show,” Alan continues. “There is a lot that goes on in Bon Temps. But definitely we choose to show a very different side of vampire culture. A lot of the show takes place in a hotel that caters to vampires which is very upscale. It’s a different look in Dallas. But while we are in the city, a lot also takes place at a leadership conference of the Fellowship of the Sun in a campground.”

The choice of music for these scenes reflects the difference between Dallas and small town Bon Temps, the music will be more urban and sophisticated. But overall the music will still be very Louisiana based.

There is a lot going on in season 2, which takes place in a timeline of only 12 days.

Bill and Sookie are a couple, but spend a lot of the time running for their lives and trying not to get killed and that leaves them no time to get into normal relationship problems. They basically are trying to get through the day without getting killed.

They do have time for some steamy sex scenes though.

“There is a scene”, Alan tells us. “Where Sookie and Bill make love in the first episode that basically on the page it said “Sookie and Bill make love.” Then I saw the dailies and saw the scene cut together, and I wasn’t there when they shot it, and I was like ‘Oh, wow! Ok.’ But you know, I love it and I think that’s what part of the appeal of the show is. I don’t think we do anything gratuitously. But it’s important to show there is this incredible, erotic chemistry between Sookie and Bill. These are two people who never thought they had any chance at a love affair and they found each other. There is something fantastic and mind-blowing about that. “

Alan doesn’t want to give away too much about the back stories of Bill and Eric, Bill has been alive for 173 years, so there is a lot to explore. We saw Bill’s transition to vampire last season, we will see some parts of Eric’s life that are very interesting and parts of Bill’s life that are very interesting.

Jessica was created after the writers had decided that it would be Bill that would stake Longshadow instead of Eric, the way it was in the book. Bill has been forced to do something that he would never ever wanted to do, the worst punishment for him was to have to turn another human being into a vampire. We will see how he deals with the new born vampire Jessica.

“Jason in the books is very much the hot guy in town,” Alan explains. “He basically is a total womanizer. Once we started to flesh him out, no pun intended, we started looking at him as sexually compulsive. What is that about and what is he hiding from? Ultimately in his core, Jason is a scared little boy that has been abandoned by everyone he has ever loved. It was fun playing the lothario, horn dog aspect of Jason last season along with getting involved in an addiction storyline and also having him fall in love or what he assumed was love. And then lose the woman that he loved. In the second season, he is very much aware of the deep hole in his soul and he’s looking for something to fill that. As many people do, he latches onto religion and becomes part of an organization that makes him feel special and that makes him feel good. But he is going to realize that the Fellowship of the Sun doesn’t really have anything to do with the fundamental message of Jesus. And let’s just say Jason can’t leave his clothes on too long.”

When asked about the real life relationship of his stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, Alan answers:
“They are such professionals, both of them, that it doesn’t affect filming whatsoever. It only affects filming in the sense that they’re incredibly comfortable with each other and their chemistry translates to the screen. I’m very happy for both of them. They are both terrific people and they found somebody that they really want to be with. There’s nothing negative about it.”

There is no time for Alan to take on any other projects because he and his team of writers will start arching out season 3 while still in post-production of season 2 and he is planning to shoot the first episode prior to the Christmas. So they will be a little bit ahead of the game next year, because right now they are scrambling to get all the episodes done by the time they air.

“I’m really, really happy with season two,” Alan says. “I watched these episodes probably 40 or 50 times given the amount of time I spend in editing. I have only seen up to episode 8 and I really can’t say I have a favorite episode. I just love the show. I have seen those episodes so many times and I still love them.

Alan assures us that all his favorite moments from “Dead In Dallas”, the book on which season 2 is based, have found a place in the script. And he adds that he didn’t receive a note from HBO that there was too much sex and violence in his show.

What is it with these men on True Blood? Alan Ball was so right when he talked about Sookie and the parade of hot guys. And they are all so talented as well!

Meet Jim Parrack, the young Texas born actor who portrays Hoyt Fortenberry on True Blood. Hoyt is the cute momma’s boy who is not allowed to drink more than one beer and who gladly accompanies his mother to baby showers.  But there is more to him than that and his world is about the change in the upcoming season. From episode synopsises we have learned that Hoyt is about to meet Jessica and that can only mean one thing: Trouble.

Before landing his recurring role on True Blood, Jim Parrack was seen in the movie Annapolis and made guest appearances on tv shows like Monk, ER, CSI, Grey’s Anatomy, Navy CSI, Criminal Minds and Supernatural.

I asked Jim about how he sees Hoyt, about his experiences on the True Blood set, his aspiration to direct and his view on the Fellowship of the Sun Church.

When did you decide to pursue a career in acting? Which actors did you look up to and influenced you?

“I always wanted to act. I don’t think I felt like that was something that could be admitted when I was growing up, so it took a little longer for me to say outright. But at the end of my junior year of high school I gave up golf and told my parents and a few friends that I wanted to be an actor. I think it surprised most everyone, and no one seemed to hold back much on what they thought of it. I don’t blame them for a second. Robert Duvall had my attention when I was eight. He did the classic Texas Western in a miniseries called “Lonesome Dove”, I was hooked. It’s as good as anything I’ve ever seen since. He’s a friend of mine now and is nice enough to give me advice when I ask. He is electrically into being alive on the earth. He and his wife are wonderful.
And then later when I was about nineteen I saw Brando in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “On The Waterfront”, and it was like seeing a new primary color or something. He was that refreshing and powerful. I thought I was the only young guy who knew about him. I sat at a Starbucks in Allen and read “Songs My Mother Taught Me” (his autobiography) in one sitting and decided to come to Los Angeles and study acting. Those two guys are still my heroes.”

What was your first acting experience?

“I think a play I wrote in fourth grade that was a “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” rip-off.”

What was your first paid acting job?

“Keith and Margo’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at Pierre’s By the Lake in Dallas. My best friend and I would switch off playing Gene Simmons in a disco murder mystery, collect our fifty bucks and then blow at the bar as soon as we finished. We were underage and liked playing grown up with the professional actors. I thought we were living the life man.”

When did you move to Los Angeles? How does a boy from Allen, Texas adapt to life in LA?

“I moved out to Los Angeles in 2001 when I had just turned twenty. I moved in with my buddy’s girlfriend and lived on a pile of clothes on her floor. I started at an acting school out here and was too wayward, let’s say, to get much out of it, but I loved being there. The honest answer is I almost didn’t adjust. If I didn’t have some loving people around to keep me afloat and snap me out of myself, I don’t think I’d be around. My parents were constantly paying for things they hadn’t planned on and I owe them so very much. But I was led to a school, Playhouse West, where I still study twice a week and do plays there with Robert Carnegie, my teacher. And he and a few others helped me find my way. And they still do. Then by the grace of God I got out of a bad relationship and met my wife and now life is entirely adaptable. I miss the hell out of Texas though.”

When you first read the script of True Blood, did you like it immediately? What did you think of it?

“I wasn’t sure. Somehow, I read it without knowing Alan had written it. So I wasn’t thinking of the creative force behind it so much and without that it seemed interesting but maybe too far out. Alan takes the far out and gets you to see that it’s a lot closer to what we know and accept than you think and then anchors it into real, personal human experience. Without that I think this show would be missing the components that set it apart.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Deborah Ann Woll is the beautiful young red-head who brought Jessica, Bill’s teenage vampire “child”, to life.
Deborah made her first appearance on True Blood in one of the most impressive scenes of the first season: the Tribunal scene. She will be back in the second season with a very interesting and exciting storyline.

Before landing a recurring role on True Blood, Deborah made guest appearances on well-known shows as Life, Aces ‘N’ Eights, ER, CSI, My Name Is Earl and The Mentalist.

I talked to Deborah about the shooting of the Tribunal scene, her character Jessica, her views on the vampire nature and her private life.

When you first read the script of True Blood, did you like it immediately?

“Absolutely. Great writing, cool twists, and a genre that I already have a liking for. What more could I ask?”

Could you ever have anticipated that the show would be so successful?

“Yes. I don’t know if I knew it would take off the way it did, but I was pretty confident that it would get a following. The heart of every single cast and crew and production member is so big and warm and hardworking, there is no way that can go unrecognized for long.”

Did you have any interest in the vampire genre before True Blood?

“Oh yes. As I mentioned I am a fan of the horror genre. There is something about horror that is incredibly affecting. We know dramas affect us when we cry, and comedies when we laugh, but if something really scares you, it got under your skin like nothing else can. There’s a power in that. Combine that ability to affect with the message this show contains about disenfranchisement and fear of intimacy, maybe we can really start to reach some people. There’s no point in doing horror if it doesn’t say something about humanity.

I have seen every episode of Buffy and Angel ever created. I hadn’t watched them when they were airing, but my boyfriend is a HUGE Joss Whedon fan and so he sat me down and we watched it all straight through over a few months. I loved it. Joss Whedon and everyone involved are so talented how could you not.”

Did you read the books by Charlaine Harris?

“I did read some of them. I read them after I was cast just to get a flavor for the stories and the world of the show. Jessica isn’t in the books so it was less help to me in character work than it was in creating atmosphere and environment for myself. I haven’t been to deep south on many occasions so anything I could find that would give me that essence was useful.”

Can you tell us something about how you got the part of Jessica. What was the audition process like?

“Nothing special really. I came in for a recurring guest spot (2 or 3 episodes). I was given the tribunal scene and the “cussing” scene after being turned, to prepare. I only came in once for the initial audition as far as I can remember. I know I waited a long time outside cause other actors were having scheduling problems and I think I ended up being the last to be seen that day. I was totally into this character so I just went for it and it must have gone well cause they cast me. There were a lot of people in the room. I know the director of that tribunal episode [Scott Winant] was there, he was so encouraging and wonderful, I owe a lot to him as well. That was a tough first scene on a show and he made it as comfortable as it could be.”

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Tara Buck is Ginger, the fangbanging waitress of Fangtasia who has been glamoured one too many times by her vampire employers. Tara previously made guest appearances on popular shows as Bones, Cold Case, The Closer, Nip/Tuck, Strong Medicine, The Shield, JAG, Without A Trace, The Division and the X Files.

The Vault chatted with Tara about her role as Ginger, the staking of Long Shadow and her upcoming projects.

Tara Buck photographed by Billy Hamilton

The Vault: When you first read the script of True Blood, did you like it immediately? Could you ever have anticipated that the show would be so successful?

Tara: Yes, I really liked the script when I first read it. I immediately loved that it takes place in Louisiana. There is such a realness about southern living and yet its about vampires, dark magic and what ever the twisted imagination can conceive. Plus, Alan Ball is a genius when it comes to dark humor. The script to me at first read was like a pot of spicy back porch Jambalaya!  It has a lot of things that I love about being an actress thrown into one pot. I always try to go into a new show with no expectations.  You never know what is going to do well.  My job is to interpret the part I’m playing and to give it everything I’ve got.  I had no idea the show would catch fire like it has , but it’s wonderful isn’t it?

The Vault: You are in some pretty intense scenes in the first season. The staking of Longshadow at Fangtasia was a very bloody and gruesome event. What can you tell us about filming that scene, how long did it take to shoot? And what was it like to crawl around in that puddle of blood?

Tara: Yes, we filmed all day!  As I recall it was about a 15+ hour day. It was filmed at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach.
It was a very complex scene.  There were 6 characters in the scene, special effects, tons of blood, stunts and who can forget the back to back vomiting sequences!  Exhausting, exhilarating?  Yes.  But it was so much fun!
It was amazing that when I wasn’t on camera I got to watch amazing and talented actors doing some really technical work that in the final product looks flawless, easy and spontaneous.

It was disgusting crawling around in a pool of blood.  No acting needed! I got spattered with a glob of vampire goo that hit me in the eye, which you really can see in the tape underneath my right eye.
That was the last shot of the day and I felt pretty gross.  I love when you find your self in the middle of a scene and something happens and you have no choice but to experience the moment.  It’s probably not the last time I’ll have to get down and dirty.  Ginger doesn’t have a very glamorous life.
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The staking of Long Shadow

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The Vault: When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in acting?  What was your first acting experience? Who were your role models, which actresses did you admire growing up?

Tara: My first dream as a little girl was to become a ballerina.  Typical, I know.  Next a circus performer.  I had a well rehearsed acrobatic routine that I wanted to perform on horse back.  I got good at the headstand but had a very difficult time staying on the horse.  Then I saw “Back to the Future” with Michael J. Fox and I fell in love.  I was ten years old at the time and shifting my life goals to an acting career seemed like the next logical step.

I was in a children’s mime troupe in elementary school and we came to LA to meet and perform with Marcel Marceau (the legendary mime expert)!  It was a big moment for me.  Yes, I’m a nerd!  That same trip we saw Lily Tomlin’s, “Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe”.  Talk about a Chameleon!  She is brilliant!  I’ll never forget how I felt after seeing her in that show. She was really the first actress who got under my skin.  I’m still blown away when I think of the range of characters she created for that show.

The Vault: You are a true chameleon. I watched video’s and photos of you from different characters you portrayed and you look so different every time. How do you prepare for a role?

Tara: Good question and a hard one to answer.
Every time is different.  Sometimes the writer captures something that you just can’t miss.  It just jumps out at you.  Other times it’s a little harder.  Sometimes I see a random person on the street and I can’t stop staring.  I look for those people when I’m creating a character.  I also love a good costume. The wardrobe people on True Blood rock!  I get the right skirt on and I’m golden.

The Vault: You will be back in the second Season of True Blood. In how many episodes can we expect to see you?

Tara: Well, I’ve noticed some sites already list cast members for early episodes in season 2 so I think it’s safe to say that Ginger is around for at least two episodes early on and from there fans will just have to watch and see…

The Vault: The fans are very excited about the upcoming season. In the first season we saw you mopping up a disintegrated vampire from the floor, what can we expect from the sophomore season, could it possibly be even wilder and stranger?

Tara: Last season Ginger really had a traumatic couple of days so she probably deserves a break.  However the life of a fangbanger is often fraught with darkness, a little dysfunction and hopefully lots and lots of blood.  Normalcy is never on the menu and season 2 will not disappoint!

The Vault: Besides True Blood, what are you working on at the moment. Are there any TV/film or stage projects in the pipeline for you? Another HBO production perhaps?

Tara: I’m working on a play at the moment called “THE GODDESS”.  It’s a fantastic piece written by Carlyle King and directed by Lillian Groag.  I also start work on an independent film called The Grind in two weeks.
Yes, I have another project that I completed for HBO called “ONE PERCENT”.  Alan Taylor is the director (Sopranos) and it was written by Michael Tolkin.  I unfortunately do not have an air date yet.  I’ll keep you posted though because I’m very proud of the piece.

I just booked the lead in the West Coast Premier of a new play called “TEN CENT NIGHT”.  A dark comedy.  The playwright is Marisa Wegrzyn.  She is a fantastic young playwright from the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.  I am thrilled about the project and believe that the play is a very special one.  We start rehearsals this week and will open the play June 19. The week that TRUE BLOOD comes back on the air.

We open to previews June 11,12,13, 14. Dress Rehearsal is June 18. We open to critics on June 19th.  The show will run Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through August.  Call the theatre for curtain times.

The Victory Theatre Center
3326 W Victory Blvd
Burbank, CA , 91505
818.841.4404
www.TheVictoryTheatreCenter.org
email:thevictory@mindspring,com

Tara Buck info

Official website
IMDB.com

Photo credit: www.billyhamilton.com

The Vault’s reporter Jodi visited part of the True Blood set last week.

A magical tour on the True Blood set by Jodi

Magic happens in a little corner of West Hollywood within innocuous beige buildings. The Vault was privileged to visit some of the key indoor sets where HBO’s True Blood is filmed.

This magic begins with its people. No filming was taking place this day. Ryan Kwanten, Amy Camp and Michael McMillian were filming on location. We were guided through the tour by Kelley (HBO Publicist) and Khadija (Production Secretary). Kind, thoughtful and laid-back, these two ladies were as interested to hear about the audience reaction to the show as we were interested to know more about True Blood. Part of the delight was hearing these ladies speak with such sincerity and reverence about cast, crew and creator.

Gran's porch

Within a building that is large enough to house airplanes sits the indoor set of Merlotte’s. Even close-up, it is convincing as a bar and grille. You have to fight the impulse to sit down and wait for Sookie to take your order. The booths are spacious, the plastic menu covers have scratches and fingerprints, the baseboards and corners have grime. It looks like it’s overdue for a thorough cleaning and a few coats of paint. All the wood surfaces have the patina of age and use. The floors are scuffed, scarred and pitted with the look of constant abuse. The pool table area looks much smaller in person than on TV; the table’s green felt shows up in bright contrast to the muted colors around it.

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I’ve been to many fan events over the years, but something about True Blood is different. A lot of the fans I’ve talked to are new to the whole fandom experience and it’s exciting to see it through their eyes. Fandom is an amazing thing. It brings people together from all walks of life from all over the globe to experience similar interests together. Things that would get you strange looks in the real world are not only understood by other fans, but shared as well. Friendships are made that can last a lifetime.

When I found out I could go to the Paley True Blood panel in Los Angeles, I was excited. Imagine my surprise when I found out that another fan that was going and I had talked to online, lived only 20 minutes from me. We were able to travel together which made the experience even better.

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer at the Paley Fest 09

We arrived Saturday and spent it and Sunday exploring parts of the Los Angeles area.

Monday morning we got ready to go to the ArcLight Cinema and the Paley event. When we got there, fairly early, there were about 6 people in line. We settled in to wait until it opened. It was a nice experience with several friendly discussions between book fans, Bill Fans and Eric fans. Our “Billsbabe” shirts were getting a lot of attention. It was also interesting seeing the number of male fans in the audience. Most fan events in my experience are populated mainly with woman with one or 2 men there. This time the mix, while admittedly largely female, had a lot of males as well.

Finally it came time to go in. We got seats in the third row and settled down to wait for it to start. The first thing up was a clip from Dark Shadows.  After that clip was shown, they played about 10 minutes worth of clips from the first season, which had all the fans singing along with the theme song and reciting the lines with the characters.  They finished up the clips with about 3 minutes of scenes from season 2 which looks like it will be very interesting.  Then the host of the event said a few words. Finally, came the cast introductions. First up was Alex Skarsgard, entering to screams of delight from the Eric fans. Next was Carrie Preston, looking lovely in black, then Nelsan Ellis, Rutina Wesley, Sam Trammel, Ryan Kwanten, Stephen Moyer, the man most of us “Billsbabes” had come to see,  Anna Paquin, who is even prettier in real life, and finally Alan Ball.

It was surreal seeing them sitting there, and they seemed as passionate about the show as the fans are. They described the casting process each had gone through, as well as their favorite (or least favorite for Sam Trammel) scenes. Alan talked about finding the “Southern Vampire” series of books and how he personally bought the rights, and then brought HBO in on it. He said that he plans on sticking to the spirit of the books, but it would be impossible to stick to it exactly due to the fact that it’s a first person narrative by Sookie.

The fan questions varied, but the subject of the dirt in the graveyard came up, and Anna seemed surprised that fans were worrying about where it ended up. Stephen said they built a little shed under the ground for him to sit in, then he had to sort of “give birth, alienlike”.

One of the Billsbabes asked a question and brought the entire houses’ attention upon us. They made the entire row of Billsbabes stand up.

Most of the rest is a blur. I mean it’s hard to pay attention to what they are saying when all you want to do is stare. Too quickly it was over and they were allowing people to approach the stage. Boy what a mess. There was little organization so there was a lot of pushing and shoving going on. Stephen even tried to get people to back up so my friend Lynn, who was trapped by the stage, could get out. Stephen graciously signed my program. When asked by another autograph seeker for an autograph, Stephen responded by saying that he had to go see “his Billsbabe.” He then proceeded over to one of my friends to get their picture taken together. He seems like such a nice man who really appreciates his fans.

We mingled a little bit longer before heading back to the hotel. Some of our group were heading over to the Sendler premiere, but alas I was not one of them

Over all it was a great time. The cast seemed to enjoy it as much as the fans. They were very personable and generous to their fans and it was very exciting to meet them.

Written by Camelot

Special reporter for “The Vault” Gretchen attended the premiere screening of Anna Paquin’s latest movie “The Courageous Heart Of Irena Sendler” Monday night (April 13) at the Darryl F. Zanuck Theatre in Hollywood.

“One of the most memorable nights of my life started when I stepped into Fox Studios last April 13th.

I was fortuitous to have been able to join in the advance screening of “The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler”, starring Anna Paquin, Marcia Gay Harden and Goran Visnjic. This was a made-for-TV biopic focused on the self-sacrificing deeds of Irena Sendler, a magnanimous heroine and a Polish-Christian social worker, who spent much of her days in war torn Poland, risking life everyday by rescuing the Jewish children of the Warsaw Ghetto.

Anna Paquin portrays Sendler with a fervent passion. Every beautiful, pained expression she displays tugs at your heart strings in moments when her vulnerability was tested and when she wished she could have saved more. I found myself clutching my chest numerous times, feeling as if my heart has been wrenched when I saw devastated parents parting with their children, knowing full well that that would be the final time they’ll be in each other’s lives. When Irena was finally caught and inhumanely tortured by the Gestapo, the fear for her life became my own.

The movie ends showing a video clip of the real Irena Sendler, giving thoughtful praise to the courage and unconditional love of the Jewish mothers who gave their children a fighting chance of surviving the hellish war and the Polish Christian mothers who put their lives at risk by welcoming the orphaned children as their own. I finally learned why it took a long time for Irena’s courage to be worldly known, and was introduced to the industrious efforts of four brilliant rural Kansas high school girls who, in 1999, were responsible for breathing Irena’s story to life; by creating the play, “Life in a Jar”. One of the surviving children Irena saved was also presented to the audience.

Equally notable that night was the arrival of Anna Paquin, accompanied by Stephen Moyer and Sam Trammel; all of whom just attended the Paley Festivities that night. I can not tell you enough how beside myself with excitement I was when Stephen Moyer, who was wonderfully kind and dashing as well, lead me to meet the movie’s biggest star, Anna Paquin. Those two embraced me with such warm kindheartedness that it made my heart swell with admiration. The night was memorable indeed. In a few hours time, I had met new friends, new colleagues and learned a better understanding and awareness of the testament of courage, life and legacy of Irena Sendler.”

Stephen Moyer, Gretchen and Anna Paquin at the premiere

THE COURAGEOUS HEART OF IRENA SENDLER, a new “Hallmark Hall of Fame” presentation to be broadcast Sunday, April 19 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Read more about “The Courageous Heart Of Ireana Sendler” in our Special with photos, movie clips and a video interview with Anna Paquin.