Tell me about yourself, how did you get started in the business?
Well, it basically happened in high school. I did my first theater piece and absolutely fell in love with it.
I think that's where it began. Then I moved to Montreal and I was an extra on "Snake Eyes" - I just fell
in love with the whole process. I mean, everyone I was with was bored out of their minds, but I was just fascinated
by the whole thing. I started auditioning right after that.
Do
you find it hard to be an actress in Canada?
Well, there's lots of opportunities - you're
just lucky to get one or two auditions a week. If you get two auditions a week - that's a great week! (laughs)
Especially in Montreal right now, we're hurting.
You had a
movie come out Friday, "Lucky Number Slevin"... tell me about that.
That was an awesome
movie, actually I just watched it last night too. Beautifully shot. It was a lot of fun to do - Paul (McGuigan)
was just awesome to work with. He gave a lot of freedom to the actors. It was a lot of fun, and watching
it was... it really blew me away. I'm very proud to be a part of that one.
Was your character a big part?
Yeah, it was a very decent part. There weren't
a lot of female parts in it, unfortunately it was a very heavily male dominated script. But it was one of the bigger
female roles.
Tell me about those songs on your MySpace account.
That was my first passion. I kind of wanted to be the next female Harry Connick Jr., but now I just fool
around with it, it's kind of more for me. A little release for me.
Did
you do the guitar on there too?
Some of them.
Would
you rather pursue acting or singing?
At this stage, definitely acting. It's something
that's in my soul now. But I think the music will always be a part of me - I don't think I'll ever pursue
professionally.
So no CD release then?
Um, I'm not going to say no, but it's not on the front burner right now. I mean, I play a few live gigs,
but that's as far as it goes.
Have you had training for your
acting and singing?
Yeah, lots for acting. I took some theater courses in high school.
Not so much for the singing - the guitar I just picked up in the last couple of years. I have a lot of training with
the piano though.
You also have a new movie coming out, "The 4th Life". What's that about?It's
basically a fantasy thriller. It's very much like "Mulholland Drive". It was an awesome experience.
Actually there's a story behind how I landed that role. (laughs) I actually went with my friend
and the director was there - the director looks at my friend and asked if I was in the movie, and the next day I received
an email from the director. He actually made me the main character three days before they started shooting. It
was just an insane experience. I guess first impressions are everything. I'm looking forward to seeing it
- I've only seen bits and pieces so far.
Are you allowed to
give out any of the storyline or anything?
I don't know. (laughs)
It's my first lead in a while.
That's fine...
(laughs) It's very mysterious. I have to keep the mysterious edge on it. (laughs)
Is that going to be released in the U.S.?
It actually will.
What inspires you as an actress, musician, and a person?
Passion. Definitely people with a passion. I love working with anybody who is totally devoted.
What's been your favorite role so far?
Oh,
that's tough. I guess it would have to be "The 4th Life" just because it challenged me in different ways.
I got to do a little bit of stunt work. Not much but a little bit. (laughs)
Did you say that it was your first lead role?
Well, I did a
lead in a movie called "Expiration". That was my first film ever. Gavin (Heffernan), the director
of that, did an amazing job. That was my first, so I'm always looking back and picking out my faults. (laughs)
But, I guess it would have to be "The 4th Life".
Do
you have anything else coming up?
I just did my own short film. It's a fantasy - it revolves
around one central character tormented by the memories of their past. And he manages to free a stranger out of her situation.
You wrote that yourself?
Yeah, I wrote it
with my friend.
What do you plan on doing with it - are you going
to release it?
It's kind of my calling card. I've wanted to direct for a very long
time - it's a short film so I can't expect it to get too much. It's my calling card for bigger things.
Because I have a bunch of scripts that I've written so far.
Would
you say that directing is more of a passion for you than acting right now?
No, I'd have to
say that they're equal. Directing is something I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy - but I have to say that I loved
it... it was an amazing experience to see the work that I wrote on my couch come to life before me. But I also love
acting so much, I love bringing characters to life. So I can't say that I love it more, but it's definitely
at the same level.
Would you ever direct yourself in a film?
I did, in this one. (laughs) That was a really weird experience. But my partner and
I kind of co-directed it together - so we had each other to fall back on. It's definitely something I'd do again.
It's a tricky thing to do - to have all these things going on - and get yourself emotionally ready for a scene.
I have a lot of respect for anybody that pulls it off.
