Interviews – Page 3 – ÜberSciFiGeek

Cylons, Vampires, Podsters, Monsters and Myth of Science: Emilie Ullerup navigates the world of Science Fiction

The brilliant Emilie Ullerup has brains, brawn, beauty and moxie!

In just a few short years, Dutch-born Emilie Ullerup has done what many actresses only ever dream of: going from bit parts to award-winning, starring roles. Soon after graduating from Vancouver Film School, Emilie (pronounced like Amelia) started her career in 2006 with guest spots on shows like Blood Ties and Battlestar Galactica. She then landed the role of Ashley Magnus in the Amanda Tapping and Damian Kindler produced web series Sanctuary. It was the first series shot with RED cameras on greenscreen sets, and was the most ambitious and expensive direct-to-web series ever produced.

While Sanctuary’s world was still being rendered, Emilie was then cast as video game artist Kaitlin Joyce on CBC’s jPod (based on the book by Gen X author Douglas Coupland). jPod was critically acclaimed, won a global audience through positive word of mouth (and torrents, since CBC chose to regionally lock the episodes they streamed on their website) and was nominated for twelve awards, winning four. While jPod’s fate was still being decided, Sanctuary’s was set in stone: redevelopment for television. Emilie rejoined her castmates for thirteen episodes of Sanctuary, which broadcast internationally, as well as on SCI FI channel. The show received high ratings in all of its markets, securing it a second season. In case you aren’t counting, that’s two lead roles in two hit shows in two years, and a Leo Award for Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series for her role in jPod.

With the holiday season just wrapping up, Emilie set aside some time to talk with us about her recent successes and her plans for the future.

ÜberSciFiGeek (ÜSFG) Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. I know you have been really busy and I’m sure your life has changed a lot over the last year or two.

Emilie Ullerup (EU) Sanctuary is really helping propel my career forward. It’s really exciting.

(ÜSFG) It is! I’m thrilled for you and we really appreciate how connected you are staying with your fans. It means a lot to all of them.

(EU) I LOVE MY FANS! They rock! They mean a lot to me. This business is at times so damn hard, and you get so much crap from all directions, that a strong fan base really helps to pull you out of the lows once in a while.

(ÜSFG) Everyone is thrilled every time you stop in and check the forums. And everyone I’ve talked to who has met you has just been very excited about how open and friendly you are.

(EU) I’m glad that I’ve been so well received. It’s a little scary being the “new young thing”. But it’s been a warm welcome.

(ÜSFG) I don’t know if you realize that sci-fi fans are fiercely loyal. We’ll watch anything you are attached to no matter the genre because we tend to get neglected by mainstream media so we are very thankful for people who work in sci-fi.

(EU) That’s good to know.

(ÜSFG) You’ve lived a lot of places in your life haven’t you? How does Vancouver compare?

(EU) Every place has its own charm. They’re all really great in their own ways. And they’ve all got less exciting things about them too. Vancouver is great for its outdoors, friendly people and it’s a major city so it’s just always open! You can always get what you any need time of day. I’m a fan of that.

(ÜSFG) I’ve moved a lot too, some big cities and some small towns and in addition to climate, I’ve noticed a lot of social changes. From one area to another, it seems there’s a completely different mind-set. Moving south, sometimes I feel like I’m on another planet, not just another part of the world. Has it been like that for you, too?

(EU) Oh definitely. There are places where it’s harder to build close relationships because you just don’t think the same way. And then there are cultures where you get each other instantly.

(ÜSFG) Yes, that’s how I felt in Seattle. I just felt like I was a part of it instantly. From everything I’ve heard, I think Vancouver would be like that.

(EU) Very similar.

(ÜSFG) Speaking of Vancouver, why did you choose Vancouver to start your career?

(EU) I wasn’t interested in going to L.A. right away. It seemed too big and too full of actors. I figured it was better to go to Vancouver where the talent pool is smaller, and then start a solid resume up here so that I would eventually be able to go to L.A. without being just “another new face”. I want to go there when there’s interest in me. It’s so easy to get lost in the movie machine down there.

(ÜSFG) Yes, well your plan seems to be working so far. You’ve gotten a lot of attention, not only with the success of Sanctuary (web and TV) but with jPod!

(EU) Yeah… I guess I have. It’s been an incredible ride. jPod was the best first experience for an actor. I still miss it.

(ÜSFG) So do I! I have to admit that after watching Sanctuary on the web, I was worried that I’d only see Ashley when I saw Kaitlin but Kaitlin was really a night and day different character then Ashley Magnus. I was surprised and delighted that I saw no shades of Ashley in Kaitlin. You changed personas very well. Are you drawn to a particular type of character, do you look for diversity in the roles you pursue, or are you still discovering what you want and enjoy in a role?

(EU) I certainly always yearn to stretch my acting muscle. There are things that I’m not as good at, but will take them on anyway. I love the Kaitlin characters. The dramatic parts certainly draw me in but then I look back at jPod and realize that Kaitlin was pretty crazy too! I think that as long as I feel that I can be free in my work, that I can explore and not be restrained by anything, I am happy with any character. Ashley is most certainly a challenge for me though.

(ÜSFG) jPod received rave reviews, developed a demographic-bending cult following and was nominated for 12 Leo Awards going on to win 4 of them, including yours for Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series. Congratulations for that, by the way.

(EU) Thank you!! Ah, I still get a bit of a rush in my stomach when I’m reminded of that win.

(ÜSFG) That’s so cool though. I mean, like you said, it was a first show for a young actor. I imagine that it’s going to feel good for a real long time.

(EU) It will always be “the first one”. (Hopefully of a few more (blush))

(ÜSFG) I’m sure there will be more.

(EU) I wish… It was such an important win, because it solidified the fact that we’d been cancelled waaay too early.

(ÜSFG) Yes! I know we fans feel jilted. A lot of us are really sore about how it ended. How do you feel having the series cut short like that, especially after receiving so much praise and fan support? Has there been enough noise made by the “Save jPod” websites to actually stir any interest in a second season or at least a “special” to wrap up the story and let us know what happened to Kaitlin?

(EU) I think that jPod is dead though. I felt awful when we got cancelled. We all did. We were the tightest group, we had so much fun, there was incredible trust, and we all completely believed in the show. So to sum it up, BOO!

(ÜSFG) So, you said Ashley is a challenge to play. Why is that?

(EU) It’s really an art to master the balance in Ashley. She’s no bullshit but she’s also scared and sensitive and has to be likeable. So it’s a challenge to be a likeable “no bullshit” character, for me anyway. Especially because I had formed such a strong Ashley in the web episodes that bringing it back and making her softer felt wrong at first. It was like trying to put on a tight sweater on top of a really big one. I didn’t know how to make it fit.

(ÜSFG) Yes. Ashley was my favorite character in the web series. Of all the characters Ashley Magnus seems to have gone through the most drastic changes in the transition from web series to television. I know I’ve struggled a bit with reconciling the changes. Comparing the two incarnations, what are some of your favorite changes? What are some of your least favorite changes?

(EU) I like that she laughs more, smiles more. It allows for some of me in there but I do sometimes miss the ridiculously short Ashley. Shoot and then think. Later… a lot later… It was fun to explore such an instinctual character. That has disappeared a bit but I do think that she’s much more 3-dimensional now.

(ÜSFG) Yes, it seems our “Kick-Ash” has become a bit mellowed.

(EU) She is. Hopefully season 2 will allow for some real madness.

(ÜSFG) She does seem more fleshed out as a person and that’s a very good thing for character development.

(EU) It certainly looks that way.

(ÜSFG) It also leads to questions like, “why is there a man’s shirt in her closet?” and all sorts of things…

(EU) Ha haaaa, yes. That was Sam Egan. I love his ideas.

(ÜSFG) What would you like to see happen in Season 2?

(EU) I would love to see her get real bad.

(ÜSFG) Well, I think Ashley is an incredible character, you have so much to work with, fans who’ve seen you in other shows know the range you have and could do with her so everyone is eager to see how far you can take her back into a bit of the madness we saw in the webisodes but still remain someone we care about seeing heal, change, grow…

(EU) Hear hear! Thank you for the compliments.

(ÜSFG) You are most welcome! I am far too used to seeing actors being the same character in different clothes from show to show so I am THRILLED to see a truly different persona emerge.

(EU) Me too! I would love some sort of head to head conflict with mom.

(ÜSFG) That would be great to see! That was one of the discussions from the webisodes, how the mother-daughter conflict wasn’t explored the way it could have been.

(EU) I hope the Sanctuary team will feel the same way and give me some juicy, juicy stuff for us all to sink our teeth into. And hopefully season 2 will bring out something way different from season 1.

(ÜSFG) What kind of Ashley-centric episodes would you like to see happen in season 2?

(EU) Hmmm… Other than some badass ash-kicking?

(ÜSFG) Yes, other then more ash-kicking. You’ve got so many different directions she could go. If you could pick something really juicy and challenging, what do you think it would be?

(EU) It’d be fun to explore how the possibility of power could mess with Ashley. She’s young. She’s been introduced to some new powers. She’s not levelheaded at this point. What if she, just for an episode, got disgustingly power-hungry and turned into a Dana times 10.

(ÜSFG) Oooh… I like that idea.

(EU) It would also be great to see her come back to the good side and then have to be taught how to use her powers by daddy. She keeps messing up her teleporting. Instead of landing in Thailand, she lands in a men only steam bath in Turkey.

(ÜSFG) Oh, that would be one of those classic bits of TV that goes viral in web clips!

(EU) Ha ha ha.

(ÜSFG) Would she be embarrassed or like, “Hey”. 😉

(EU) I think a good mix of both. Depending on the men.

(ÜSFG) Back in the web series days, Ashley was nick named “Kick-Ash” because of all the fight scenes. While she’s been toned down a bit, she still sees a lot of action. Do you have a lot of fun doing the fight scenes and, as an actor, how does that compare to the more dramatic scenes you share with your costars like Amanda Tapping and Christopher Heyerdahl or the humor-laced “romantic” scenes with Robin Dunne?

(EU) I love, love, love all of them. The fight scenes are so great to get to do. We have the best stunt team and so fight rehearsals are a blast but I wouldn’t be happy without the dramatic scenes. I really, really crave dramatic scenes.

(ÜSFG) Your fight with Bam Bam (stunt man James Bamford) is what got you hired in the first place, isn’t it?

(EU) Yeah, I believe it was one of the factors. They sprung that on us in the callback session.

Emilie with James “Bam Bam” Bamford on the set of Sanctuary

(ÜSFG) I have seen people take screen caps of some of your fights and give play-by-play descriptions of the moves you are doing, like it’s a football game or something.

(EU) Ha, really??

(ÜSFG) Oh, yes. Especially the martial arts or military fans. They will name the moves you are doing.

(EU) It’s been really hard training but a great base to have, to know some moves. And it’s so satisfying to see the show and know that a lot of the fights are actually me, and not the double.

(ÜSFG) Yes, that’s been another comment frequently made, to see a single shot with no cut away and know beyond a doubt that YOU are the one making the roundhouse kick to someone’s face, and then in the very next scene you’re moving us to tears with a dramatic moment.

(EU) Aaaaaaw. You guys… :*

(ÜSFG) Did you watch sci-fi when you were growing up? Were you planning on getting into the Sci-Fi/Action genre or did you just sort of fall into it?

(EU) I honestly just fell into it. I didn’t have any concrete plans when I started the business. I just wanted to work! But sci-fi is a really fun genre. Anything is possible!

(ÜSFG) There have been very few actresses who have been able to establish themselves as action heroes. Are you getting action roles sent your way more than dramatic ones?

(EU) I am getting a good mix of both. I think there’s excitement when they know I have a bit of training ’cause there are many parts that call for a bit of action and it’s upsetting when your hero doesn’t know how to hold a gun properly, I think.

(ÜSFG) Yes. People notice the smallest details and when something catches their attention, it isn’t as easy to suspend your disbelief and get into the show.

(EU) Precisely!

(ÜSFG) So, with new roles coming your way, you were just cast in the film adaptation of Arcana Comics’ Paradox. Kevin Sorbo has been cast in the lead role as Detective Sean Nault, a homicide detective on an alternate universe Earth where Magic rules instead of Science. IMDb.com lists you as “rumored” but doesn’t list what character you are rumored to have been chosen for. What role have you been cast in and who is she?

(EU) Yeah, no need for the rumored part, I shot it already, just before Christmas.

(ÜSFG) Oh? Really? What can you share?

(EU) I actually didn’t think I could do it because I had only about two days available. I had laser eye surgery and then was going to Denmark for Christmas so they weren’t sure what I was able to do. I ended up getting a small cameo part as a nutty lab tech. Brenton Spencer, the director, did two episodes of Sanctuary. We really hit it off, so it was such a blast to get to work with him again. And I got to work with my very close friend, Steph Song, who did jPod with me! I’m so happy they made it happen despite the tight schedule I was on.

(ÜSFG) I was going to ask about Steph! I’m glad to hear you got to work with her again. She’s been cast as Lenore, a fairly significant role in the comic book.

(EU) Yes, she is the female lead. And her first introduction to sci-fi! Very exciting.

(ÜSFG) I’m really thrilled that she got the part and that you two saw each other. That was actually one of the questions I had here so I’m glad you brought it up! Any chance you could try to get her a bit more rooted in sci-fi, oh, maybe getting her a guest spot on Sanctuary?

(EU) I would love to have them on Sanctuary. Unfortunately I have very little say.

(ÜSFG) Do you still keep in touch with the jPod gang frequently?

(EU) Yes! I just saw David (Kopp) and Steph yesterday! And of course I live with the crazy klown now!

(ÜSFG) Yes, yes. I know that! It’s great to see you two together. What was it like working with him?

(EU) Kyle (Cassie) was great to work with. He’s a madman, so working with him is a challenge, a great challenge. He’s so intense and all over the place, that you really have to work hard to keep up. It was the best way to get to know one another.

(ÜSFG) Did you actually have scenes with Steph or were you just on the set at the same time?

(EU) No, we had a scene together. Me, Steph, and Kevin. Good times.

(ÜSFG) You’ve been working with the Sci-Fi Pantheon for a while now. With Paradox, it’s really broadened that list of actors. What was it like working with Kevin? Did you get to meet Chris Judge?

(EU) Chris was leaving set right as I arrived. So I didn’t get to meet him.

(ÜSFG) Aw. I’m sure you will eventually.

(EU) Kevin was great fun. He’s really laid-back and welcoming. He’s so easy to be around.

(ÜSFG) I’ve heard that about him. I was a Hercules fan from way back and everyone who met him said he was a “California Beach Boy”… really laid-back, easygoing, fun, charming.

(EU) Couldn’t have said it better myself.

(ÜSFG) So when can we expect to see Paradox hit the big screen? It’s listed as 2009 on IMDb but there are no dates yet.

(EU) You know what, I actually don’t know! I should find out.

(ÜSFG) Have you done any other projects since Sanctuary and Paradox that we can keep an eye out for?

(EU) Nothing as of yet. Everything kind of dies down at Christmas so it’s only starting back up right now. I’m very busy with auditions and such so that’s good. Hopefully something will come my way.

(ÜSFG) I’m sure it will. Thank you and good luck!

Paradox is currently in post-production, but look for Emilie Ullerup in Season 2 of Sanctuary later this year, and don’t forget to pick up the jPod DVD box set now available at Amazon.com.

Tom Konkle: Evil Potatoes and Time Traveling Documentaries just the beginning for Dave and Tom

Writer, Director and Funny Man Tom Konkle

In the age of YouTube, comedy shorts are popping up in droves. With mostly lowbrow humor in these videos, Dave and Tom (David Beeler and Tom Konkle) stand out from the masses with their wit and writing, and performances that are carried primarily by dialog rather than sight gags. The fact that they’ve had over 12 million views might be because their sketches are filled with clever double entendres in the style of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. One half of the comedy troupe, Tom Konkle, answered a few questions for us about what they’ve accomplished so far and where they hope to take Dave and Tom next.

ÜberSciFiGeek (ÜSFG) I read on your website how the two of you met during a production. If you were both characters in one of the sketches you now write, what would that first meeting have been like?

Tom Konkle (TK) Well, it would have been a fairly looney occurrence I am sure. We’d probably have been like those two silly British old beans in our sketch The Secret to Happiness is a Bad Memory. A sketch where Dave would say “Hello.” And I would reply, matching his jovial quality like this:

Tom: Hello, as well. Funny meeting you like this, isn’t it?

Dave: What, in character?

Tom: Yes, I mean, here I am as Tom 2.0 and there you are as… sorry, I haven’t caught your name.

Dave: Haven’t thrown it actually.

Tom: I’m sorry… I don’t understand.

Dave: It’s a joke.

Tom: Not following you.

Dave: You said didn’t catch my name and I said I haven’t thrown it.

Tom: Ah. No. Nothing. Anyway, strange us meeting during one of our own productions and not even knowing each other yet, isn’t it?

Dave: Yes, that is odd.

Tom: (suddenly laughing deep and disturbingly) Hahahahahaha!

Dave: What?

Tom : Haven’t thrown it. Your name. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Dave: Yes, I still haven’t.

Tom : I always enjoy a good joke as soon as I am made aware of it. Uh, what’s you name?

Dave: Dave.

Tom: Yes. Of course, what’s your name, Dave?

Anyway, you meeting as characters from a sketch might be a bit like that.

(ÜSFG) You both seem to be fans of British comedy, especially Monty Python. How did that come about and how does it influence your sketches?

(TK) Well, I think its more a matter of finding kindred spirits in British comedy, especially Monty Python. I can remember as a boy seeing the first episodes on TV and thinking, there’s someone who thinks the way I do about the world. The craft of writing and acting your own material interested me as I grew older, working in the profession of acting or writing other people’s things, so again Python was a blueprint for that. Sprinkle in my own flavors and Dave’s and my other influences, and hopefully a unique voice can develop.

(ÜSFG) You recently worked with John Cleese on The Art of Football. What was that like?

(TK) Amazing. Highlight of my acting career. He got me into sketch and, frankly, was my major influence, so going and working with him in a two-man sketch show on TV was a dream. Cleese was a great person, gentleman and mentor who bothered to keep in touch. Wonderful time.

(ÜSFG) Do you work with your network of friends or do you hold auditions?

(TK) Both. Of course you work with friends in the business over and over or people become your friends as a result of working together so you go back to them but also, we are auditioning people now, particularly actresses, to expand our pool of talent we want to work with for the new web series Safety Geeks: SVI.

(ÜSFG) You’ve recently announced that Season 1 of Safety Geeks: SVI is on its way. What’s going on with SVI? When can we expect to see Season 1 rolling out, and what can we do to help?

(TK) We shoot at the end of February and hopefully we will be finished a few months after that and have it out as a complete season.

(ÜSFG) You’ve appeared a few times on Comedy Gumbo for C-Spot. How did you get involved in that group?

(TK) I had met Payman (Benz) and Sean (Becker), the two guys behind Gumbo (Awkward Pictures), a while ago at a film festival. Their film was showing and mine, called Who Makes Movies?, that I did with Chris Luccy was part of the festival and they liked the performance. We stayed in touch and it worked out that we could do a few sketches together in Gumbo. We also did a short, Behind the Cup: Two Girls One Cup, where I play the cup and Dave was the host.

(ÜSFG) You’ve created quite a collection of characters over the years. Where do you find inspiration for characters like Sir Reginald Bo-Hey No and Baxter Smalls?

(TK) I sort of channel them in the writing and rehearsal process. I know them very well and I like to play with these characters. Sir Reginald Bo-Hey No of the Invention with Brian Forbes series is finally taking off, mostly due to Koldcast.TV and their distribution of the show on Tivocast and iTunes, as well as their own website. Baxter was a labor of love with a director named Marcus and DP named Doug who I had shot a commercial with as Brahms, called Raisin Brahms, a very silly PSA for music arts education, and so it was a natural progression.

(ÜSFG) Speaking of Baxter Smalls, you’ve created a wonderful premise for a series with a great pilot episode and website to promote it. Can we look forward to more adventures with our favorite Time Traveling Documentarian?

(TK) Yes. Baxter Smalls continues to be in development. I look forward to playing him in a series again.

(ÜSFG) Are potatoes really evil? Do you eat potatoes in your house? What dark secrets are they the key to?

(TK) Well, potatoes can certainly be used for evil, they can be turned. For all the answers you must look for Beyond the Known online, about the potato conspiracy. It’s a sketch I used to do live and Gino C. Vianelli, who plays Art Gong in it, was always a champion of that sketch even when no one else was, and we finally did it for the cameras which was vindicating and fun. I like that bit.

(ÜSFG) You’ve been in several commercials recently, such as the Epson Artison series (Monkey, Bling and Art Critic). What’s been the most fun for you so far?

(TK) I just did a Coke commercial with my 3-year-old son that was special. It was a hard shoot as it was a night and, being three, he was a tired trooper. The Quiznos spots where I played silly British characters in scenarios was fun. A LOT of the commercials I have done have been strange, silly fun. I rarely do a “straight” product commercial so it’s great. I did a Carrier commercial directed by Christopher Guest that was incredibly rewarding to work on.

(ÜSFG) I thought your Star Wars: The Fate of the Duel parody was hilarious. What made you decide to add sci-fi to your list of comedic genres?

(TK) Love science fiction, HUGE library of books and DVDs. Star Wars got me into filmmaking, really. So it was a natural fit.

(ÜSFG) Who or what, exactly, is McFwap?

(TK) McFwap was my sketch troupe for many years. Very talented, funny people in there, many became lifelong friends and all of them had such funny ideas and performances. I loved it.

(ÜSFG) You have so many brilliant deadpan deliveries and one-liners, but so far I think my favorite is from Breaking the Language Barrier: “While some might drink from the fountain of knowledge, I merely gargled.” What have been some of your favorites?

(TK) That’s like picking a favorite child, really. Each line at the time is a snapshot of where I was comedically and what I was trying to accomplish, I can see when I see it again. I love the “Impossible as the proportional camel toe would be six inches across…” line that I wrote and got to deliver in the Safety Geeks web series promo. Invention has SO many. Lots in the television shows where my one or two lines were a deadpan line stuck in because they were part of helping make a larger project funny.

(ÜSFG) I’ve noticed a certain Biblical theme in some of your work. Is there some inspiration behind those? Do you have any fear of “divine retribution”? Are they mostly ad-lib or scripted?

(TK) The Biblical theme is there sometimes because it remains a sacred cow, which is intrinsic to comedy. Everything I do is very tightly scripted. I rehearse my improvs (no joke!)

(ÜSFG) What else are you working on right now, and what would you like to do in the future?

(TK) A feature called EMTs. I have several web series I would like to do, a few television scripts and work on some projects with others. Hopefully the auditions keep rolling in, as well, while I do my own thing.

Check out more of Dave and Tom at their website and at YouTube, Funny or Die, Atom.com and Blogspot. The Art of Football (or soccer, as they call it in America) is available now at Amazon on DVD.

The Guild at San Diego Comic-Con 2008

Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh of The Guild talk to ÜberSciFiGeek at San Diego Comic-Con 2008.

Drumroll, please…

First we brought you the podcast. Then we brought you the photos. Finally, we brought you the transcript. Now, for the first time ever, you can see The Video!

Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh at San Diego Comic-Con 2008

This is a high quality MPG. Please right click and “save target as” to download it to your computer. A low resolution, two-part version will be made available on our YouTube Channel very soon.

Enjoy!

Kim Evey: Catching up with Kiko

Kim Evey of Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show

The beautiful and multitalented Kim Evey took some time out of her busy schedule to speak with ÜberSciFiGeek recently. She’s a writer, producer and actress, going easily back and forth from drama to comedy, and stage to screen (film, TV and PC). She’s appeared in such television dramas as JAG, ER, Crossing Jordan and Judging Amy, and starred as the romantic lead in the film Nowheresville, but she’s better known to millions of adoring fans as part of the driving force behind such viral video hits as Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show, The Guild and Mating Season (also known as Sexy Panda). We tried to find out a little bit about the woman behind the pigtails and the results were side-splittingly funny, as well as enlightening.

ÜberSciFiGeek (ÜSFG) Did you have an active imagination when you were a kid?

Kim Evey (KE) Always. I used to construct intricate cardboard furniture pieces for my neon pink and green clear plastic chess pieces. Mostly the pawns because they were the cutest. You’d think my parents would have gotten me Barbies. Or taught me to play chess.

(ÜSFG) How old were you when you decided you wanted to be an actor?

(KE) I don’t remember how old I was but I remember seeing Quinn Cummings on Celebrity Family Feud and I reasoned that the only way I was ever going to get on Family Feud would be as an actor because I asked my Mom if our family could be on it and she said “no.”

(ÜSFG) Lots of artistic people struggle with other things considered normal, like sports, academics and social interaction but then thrive when they discover the arts. Did you have a similar experience?

(KE) I was completely shy and socially retarded when I started high school so I did drama because it was the only way I could talk and get people to look at me at the same time. The fact that they couldn’t talk back unless their words were already scripted out was perfect for me. For some reason, in my high school class in particular, drama was where all the social misfits found solace. It wasn’t really like that in any of the other grades, just ours. Not to say that everyone in my class who did drama was a social misfit but those of us who were were particularly happy to have a place to go.

(ÜSFG) There is a brief biography on you on IMDb.com. In it, several shows were mentioned including the film Nowheresville and the one person show Within the Silence. You’ve done a lot of drama. What made you decide to turn to comedy and what inspired you to create a parody of a Japanese talk show?

(KE) In college I joined a comedy improv troupe and moved with them from Albuquerque to Seattle. I’ve always been the most comfortable with that Christopher Guest-ian type of comedy — parody so achingly real that it hurts to watch. Trying to make a living as an actor, I’ve really done whatever I could to pay the bills. Within the Silence was an educational touring show — most of the acting I did in Seattle was either educational or corporate video. Nowheresville was a romantic comedy indie feature that I’m convinced would have been a giant hit if it had starred actual celebrities instead of me and Henri Lubatti (who is actually much more of a celebrity than I am now). So I’ve always had my roots in comedy but now I really only get the opportunity to audition for television dramas. Gorgeous Tiny was actually the first sketch I ever wrote in Los Angeles. I wrote it for a class and we were supposed to write a real character in a non-real situation. Hence, Rick Pope and Kiko were born.

(ÜSFG) We’ve seen some great guest stars this season. Any other special guests lined up for the rest of Season 2 or for next season of Gorgeous Tiny?

(KE) Pretty much all the guests I’ve gotten are friends or friends of friends, with the exception of Ron Jeremy who we contacted through his agent. I think everybody assumed that we got access to celebrities because of our Sony affiliation but actually the opposite was true. Every celebrity we approached through Sony assumed we had a TV-sized budget and wanted to be compensated accordingly. So, for the next season, I need to hurry up and make more celebrity friends or I’m really screwed.

(ÜSFG) Will Panda or Unicow ever speak?

(KE) They speak the language of love in every episode. Just lean in real close and you’ll hear it.

(ÜSFG) Lick Poop… er… Rick Pope has really become a break-out character on Gorgeous Tiny, even being featured in his own Vlog. Was that planned or was it in response to on-screen chemistry and fan reaction? Will we see more Rick Pope Vlogs? Will Kiko ever return his feelings?

(KE) If we do get a season three pickup, that story line is definitely something I’d like to continue further. Part of the Vlog idea was just that Ryan Smith is one of the funniest improvisers ever, so letting him go as Rick was just excellent comedy. Ryan is really one of the best comedic actors I’ve ever met. He can actually play a funny straight man.

(ÜSFG) What happened to Episode 21? I can’t find it!

(KE) Yes, it’s strange that it seems to have disappeared from YouTube. You can see it on Crackle. Use the pull down menu to get to Season 2. It’s called “Episode 9” on Crackle, “The Taming of the Unicow.” Starring Phil Proctor of The Firesign Theater.

(ÜSFG) Have you thought about doing more films?

(KE) I like the way you phrased that. It makes it sound as if not doing more films is a personal decision that I have made for myself. It’s true. Every day, I wake up and think, “hmmm, should I spend the next few hours in bed, vacillating between showering or going back to sleep, ORRRRR should I do a film?” Invariably, I make myself feel better by calling my dreams “films” and going back to sleep. Please tell more film directors to put me in their movies. And then please tell me not to suck at my auditions for said movies. Thank you!

(ÜSFG) Your IMDb profile says you’re also an artist. Did you do any of the artwork we’ve seen in GTCMS or The Guild? Where can we see your work?

(KE) Who is responsible for these heinous lies?… I mean, um, yes, yes I AM an artist. You can see my work on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Seriously, don’t they have people to check these things?

(ÜSFG) Any more 2 Hot Girls in the Shower planned? What other projects have you been working on?

(KE) Yes, we’re shooting more this week. I just got so busy with The Guild that I didn’t have time to do anything else. Or, rather, the time I had was spent oozing around in a little gelatinous puddle of my own tears. I’m not currently working on anything else. STOP TORMENTING ME WITH YOUR HORRIBLE QUESTIONS!!! I’m not working on anything else, nobody will put me in their films and I have no artistic talent! SATISFIED?!?! Actually I have another series I want my husband to shoot but he’s too busy painting God on our dining room ceiling.

(ÜSFG) Are you a Whedonite?

(KE) I’m half Whedonite, half Korean. The whole Buffy phenom passed me by but I loved Firefly and I love Dr. Horrible so I don’t know what I’m waiting for. Why don’t I just go right now and buy and watch all of Buffy?

You can catch Kim as Japanese talk show host Kiko in Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show, currently airing its second season on Crackle.

Amy Okuda: The Guild’s Tinkerballa

Over the past few weeks, fans of The Guild have been eagerly awaiting the release of new hilarious episodes of our favorite web series and, as expected, Codex and the Knights of Good have not let us down. With three episodes and the Christmas special now out, we thought this would be a great time to catch up with the cast and find out what they’ve been up to. As a Christmas gift from ÜberSciFiGeek to all of you, here is the first of several upcoming interviews.

Amy Okuda plays Tinkerballa, a Ranger in the “Knights of Good” guild. As anyone who’s played World of Warcraft or Everquest with me can attest to, I have a soft spot for the Ranger/Hunter toons (slang for in-game characters), so that automatically makes Tink one of my favorite characters. As busy as she is between school and the holiday season, Amy was kind enough to set aside some time to answer a few questions for ÜberSciFiGeek.

ÜberSciFiGeek (ÜSFG) Did you have an active imagination when you were a kid?

Amy Okuda (AO) I think all young kids have very good imaginations. But I was the kid in preschool that escaped from the classroom everyday to talk to flowers… so I guess I could say I had a pretty active imagination… haha.

(ÜSFG) How old were you when you decided you wanted to be an actor?

(AO) I got into acting very recently, probably like junior year of high school. I started dancing in 7th grade, and my dance teacher and friends would tell me to get into acting too since they make more money… so I did, and I ended up really liking it.

(ÜSFG) Lots of artistic people struggle with other things considered normal, like sports, academics, and social interaction, but then thrive when they discover the arts. Did you have a similar experience?

(AO) I think my experience is the furthest from that. Acting and the arts were not a part of my life until about 7th grade. I played basketball for about 9 years, since I was 5 — that was my life. I was basically a tomboy and thought I was going to get into college through basketball, but realized I was Asian and would grow up to be about 5″1 and 95 pounds… haha. But I would say I grew up with a very normal life. I went to school, had a lot of good friends, played sports, you know, the usual. Then I started really getting into dance in high school and started independent studies my junior year, so that’s when my life started getting “not normal” I guess… haha. But my boyfriend was going to school so I still got to go to my senior prom, which was nice. But I was lucky and got to experience a lot of different things in my life — like being a student, an athlete, a dancer, an actor, etc., and I think that’s what makes me different from other actors who have been in the business all their life.

(ÜSFG) You just finished wrapping season 2 of The Guild. What was it like being back together with the cast and crew? How different was it to actually have a budget this time around?

(AO) I absolutely love every single cast member and crew that works on the show. Me and Robin, who plays Clara, especially got close, and I’m so thankful that everyone is so supportive and nice. I couldn’t imagine working on a show with people I hated. Well, now that we are sponsored and have a budget, we got to shoot the whole season in a shorter amount of time, which was nice compared to shooting episodes months apart. But it’s not completely different from shooting season 1; it’s still so much fun and I love it just as much as I did shooting the first season.

(ÜSFG) Other than your Mario Kart addiction, are you anything like Tink?

(AO) Tink is basically me when I was, like, 10-11 years old. That’s when I was really into basketball, and I was such a feisty little kid. I didn’t take crap from anyone; I was so competitive and thought I was the toughest thing. One time, a boy was, like, looking at me and trying to talk to me and I snapped at him and said “What are you looking at?” To me, that’s such a Tink line. When I quit basketball and wasn’t in such a competitive environment all the time, I really mellowed down, and I’m glad I did, because I honestly probably wouldn’t have any friends… haha.

(ÜSFG) I know you did the “LOL” episode of Californication with David Duchovny. How different was that filming experience from The Guild?

(AO) Well, the big difference was that I only had to memorize one sentence. HAHAHA. But it was kind of cool because I only had, like, a tiny part but I had my own little trailer, a wardrobe person, make-up artist, and they even had a stand-in for me, which was kind of weird. But you know, other than that, there’s just a lot more people on set, and I got to see David Duchovny… lol.

(ÜSFG) You’ve been busy at the University of Southern California. Have you had time for anything else, and, if so, what other projects have you been working on?

(AO) My main project for the next 3 years is to graduate! I really wish I could go out and audition and work as an actor more, but right now my main goal is to get a degree, and live life like a normal college girl. My mom always told me college is the best time in your life, and I really want to live it up and treasure my time at USC, especially because there is so much to do there besides go to class, and I don’t want to miss out on anything.

(ÜSFG) Do you get recognized in public now?

(AO) Umm, I got recognized once at El Torito; it was kind of a weird experience, but it doesn’t happen much. I get a lot of friends and family telling me, “Oh, my friend was saying he/she was looking through the Internet and saw you on The Guild!” or random old friends Facebook-messaging me and being like, “WTF, you’re in The Guild?”

(ÜSFG) Are you a Whedonite?

(AO) I’m not exactly sure what being a Whedonite entails, but I definitely enjoyed Dr. Horrible. I think everyone did a great job on that.

(ÜSFG) Is there anything else you can think of that you’d like to share?

(AO) Umm, I don’t think so, just KEEP WATCHING THE GUILD. 🙂 lovelovelove

(ÜSFG) Thank you, Amy!

The Guild is currently airing Season 2, and can be watched on MSN Video, Xbox Live and Zune.

Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh at San Diego Comic-Con

As mentioned in earlier articles, this summer I had a chance to speak with Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh at San Diego Comic-Con. I videotaped the interview but, due to technical difficulties, experienced delays in getting the interview online. While I was able to get the interview audio and photos uploaded, the video tape is still trapped in a dead camera. I’m embarrassed it took so long, but am proud to announce that I finally have a transcript of their hilarious interview. Without further delay, I present Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh from July 27, 2008, at San Diego Comic-Con.

(ÜSFG) We are ÜberSciFiGeek with The Guild at San Diego Comic-Con.

(FD) Hi. I’m Felicia Day. I am the creator of The Guild, the web series, and I was also in Dr. Horrible.

(SP) Are you looking at her or the camera?

(FD) Her.

(SP) You’re looking at… okay. I’m Sandeep Parikh and I play Zaboo on The Guild, and I created my own web series for Comedy Central called The Legend of Neil.

(ÜSFG) How did you come up with the idea for The Guild?

(FD) I was a World of Warcraft addict, so for two years I played World of Warcraft obsessively. But I’ve always been a gamer so when I quit, because I thought it was kind of affecting my life in a bad way, I wanted to write something and use my time more creatively, and I thought it was an appropriate thing to write about, a group of gamers.

(ÜSFG) Can you tell us about how you cast The Guild, the process of deciding who would actually be in it?

(FD) Um.

(SP) My part was written for me.

(FD) Okay. Well, I was going to say that but now that he puts it like that it’s not as funny or —

(SP) Ah… nice.

(FD) — or complimentary.

(SP) Colored man is not funny. That’s nice.

(FD) In fact, Zaboo, it was like a recasting. I was desperate for somebody.

(SP laughing)

(FD) Yeah. I’m kidding. I did write the part for Sandeep and I wrote the part for Jeff, who plays Vork. They’re in my improv group. I’ve done improv with them for years and I always thought they were the funniest people I knew, so why not write parts for them. And the rest of the parts we cast. A friend of my, Helen Geier, who actually is a casting director, she works professionally in Bones —

(At this point, someone drags a metal chair across the concrete patio with such force that everyone cringes painfully)

(FD) That was like the loudest noise ever.

(SP) Ya think?

(FD) That was horrible. That was a horrendous noise.

(SP) Anything can happen at the Comic-Con.

(FD) Wow. Okay, so people need to pick their chairs up and move them. This is my Comic-Con lesson. ‘Cause my Mojito brain is not tolerating this. Anyway, um, you can cut all that out. Let’s see —

(ÜSFG) But that’s the stuff people like.

(SP) What were you saying? You were saying…

(FD) So basically my friend Helen helped me cast the rest of the parts.

(ÜSFG) How long did it take to get it up and running once you had your cast and were ready to go?

(FD) You know, it takes a while to get a show — and it was just me and my two producers getting it, self funding it, getting everybody together, ya know, getting more patience, but once you decide to do something —

(SP) It was pretty quick, I thought.

(FD) Yeah, I —

(SP) It felt like you had the script out and then…

(FD) I had the script done, we did a couple rewrites, but once we decided to do it and I started rewriting it to be a web series, it was only a couple months.

(ÜSFG) Did you ever imagine that it would have as many viewers as it has had?

(FD) No, it’s been crazy. I mean, honestly, I didn’t really think of an end result. I just wanted to make it. The idea of making it, just the fact that I was able to make it was like a privilege. I don’t know, it just seemed like an insurmountable task to try to film something I wrote but, really, when you decide to do something, I don’t know, it just kind of fell in place. And the fact that it’s been so well received by fans is clearly not anticipatable. Is that a word?

(SP and ÜSFG) It is now.

(ÜSFG) We’ll put it in The Guild lexicon.

(FD) Okay, good. Thank you.

(ÜSFG) So, kind of along that same line, this labor of love, are the The Guild cast and crew finally getting paid or is it still just a labor of love?

(FD) Well, for the last two episodes we were able to pay the cast, or some of the cast at least, for their work because of donations.

(SP) Wooooo!

(FD) We got some, yes, and with the DVD sales we’re back paying everybody, so we have a budget, and so as soon as we pay for the expenses for the DVD and we, the cast, is next, and maybe sometime I’ll get something but, you know, for me it’s all about compensating the people who worked really hard for free on my show.

(ÜSFG) Now that the first season has wrapped up and we do have our DVD, what can we expect for Season 2?

(FD) You can expect more of the Codex/Zaboo… well, the Codex/Zaboo Saga really is not complete.

(SP) No, of course not.

(FD) So I think that we —

(SP) I will not quit!

(FD) He will not. I mean, let’s be honest, his character is not a quitter, so — but, you know, we don’t want to rehash the whole same beat. And I think we’re going to learn a little more about the characters we don’t know much about because it’s a large cast and it’s hard in a pilot situation to really establish all the characters and where they’re coming from so, ya know. And I want to keep it funny. That’d be good. Keep a balance between the gaming and the non-gaming, which is a challenge because, you know, especially with Dr. Horrible, we have a huge influx of maybe not-as-gamerish fans, which is cool for me because it means, ya know, I can bounce back and forth between the gaming and the non-gaming storylines, so I’m excited about it.

(SP) Basically, we don’t want to spoil anything —

(ÜSFG) Right.

(SP) — but there will be tons of making out.

(ÜSFG) Oooh…

(FD) No.

(SP) No, that’s not true.

(FD) With you, actually, it’s interesting, because Vork and Zaboo have this sexual tension.

(SP) Oh, you are giving that out. Ah. Yeah.

(FD) Vork and Zaboo have this sexual tension —

(SP) — and they just start making out.

(FD) Nobody wants to see that.

(SP) And then all your views drop. You get negative views.

(FD) They’re like, yeah, give me my view back!

(SP) Yeah, they somehow get an anti-view.

(FD) Not to insult you or Jeff. Well, much.

(ÜSFG) Like in a real guild, will characters quit and new ones join as the series progresses?

(FD) Um, well, like I said, for the sec– I mean, yeah, down the line, but for the second season I think it’s really about re-establishing the characters and really solidifying their personalities and taking them that one more step before we — I mean, because there are already six characters, so before I throw in a bunch of new characters I want to make sure that we know our main cast really, really well.

(SP) There’s so much to explore. Like Blades — I mean, I feel like you haven’t seen the tip of the iceberg with all these guys.

(FD) With everybody, with really even Codex. With everybody. And also, real life is always on the periphery for these people, like Zaboo’s mom kind of represented the real life aspect but, also, every single season is going to have that dynamic to it. There’s always, like, a struggle between the real life and fantasy life that they live and then the relationships that they have. You know, there will obviously be guest cast and who knows who might get killed off if they make me mad.

(SP) She always looks right at me whenever she talks about killing off characters. So weird.

(FD) You’re the only character that’s ever here, so, I mean…

(ÜSFG) With Codex being the priest in game, do you see her filling the same role in real life as healer of the group as they face those real world challenges?

(FD) I like the way you think. Yes, definitely Codex is the healer in game and she is the healer out of the game, and she’s the kind of person who always puts other people’s needs before hers because she maybe too afraid to confront her own problems. So, it’s a great way to avoid — of avoidance. And, yeah, I think she’s a nurturing personality and I think she does that with whatever aspect of her life we’re examining.

(ÜSFG) What other projects do you guys have planned for this year other then Season 2?

(SP) Well, I directed a… I just, ah… you want me to plug it right now?

(ÜSFG) Plug! Plug!

(SP) Is it time? Is it time?

(FD) Plug! Plug! Plug! Plug! Plug!

(SP) Oh, I made a Comedy Central web series called The Legend of Neil. It’s on Atom.com and Felicia… (holds up promo post card) these are her panties.

(FD) It’s true. I’m in episode three, I’m a fairy, and it’s very cool.

(SP) She plays a fairy. It’s about a guy who gets sucked into Zelda and has to fight his way out. Like, a regular Joe Schmo, beer-guzzling dude, and he gets sucked into the game and encounters all the characters and creatures, and they are much realer then you think.

(FD) It’s really funny, and I’m in the third episode, and I’m a fairy, and I’m a — see, it is really cool, because I’m a tiny fairy!

(SP) Yeah, we turned her into a seven inch tall fairy —

(FD) It’s very exciting.

(SP) — which was fun to do.

(FD) It’s a little racy.

(SP) It’s a little racy. It’s a little more South Parky then I would say The Guild is.

(FD) The Guild is layered, has complexer characters, and then is hilariously funny, while yours is, you know… has the shtick.

(SP) Wow.

(FD) I’m just totally kidding here.

(SP) Wow.

(FD) It is really funny.

(ÜSFG) But it will have a built in audience because a lot more people have been exposed to Zelda than have been exposed to The Guild and World of Warcraft.

(FD) That’s true, and a lot of people, like —

(SP) That’s true. I think there will be. We were actually talking about this last night — well, we weren’t, but my friends and I were talking about this last night — and it really actually does touch upon, like, two different markets and I hope that ultimately there will be a lot of crossover.

(FD) But I think it’s the same —

(SP) This is more kind of like, people who love South Park, like the frat boys…

(FD) It’s a little more frat boy, but at the same time it’s, like — I was talking to somebody about it at the Browncoat booth — the Buffy fans aren’t necessarily gamers.

(SP) Right.

(FD) But, it’s like a, ya know, a —

(SP & FD) Venn diagram.

Felicia and Sandeep Illustrate a Venn Diagram of How Fan Bases Overlap

(SP) See, here’s our Venn diagram —

(FD) — and then there is… you know, everybody’s touching —

(SP) — and then —

(FD) — it shows it’s not that far to go from one…

(SP laughs and continues moving his fingers to cover her hands)

(FD) You know, I’ve had enough.

(ÜSFG) All right. Were there any artists, panels, guests here this weekend that you guys were just dying to see, had a chance to see, or…

(FD) There were other things going on besides my signing?

(SP) Right.

(FD) Because I literally didn’t see anything. I mean, all day… I mean, literally.

(SP) I didn’t see anything.

(FD) I have not walked around.

(SP) I didn’t have to do half as much as you did, ’cause I wasn’t in Dr. Horrible —

(FD) That’s true.

(SP) — and I didn’t get to see, like, anything else, so I couldn’t even imagine…

(FD) I didn’t get to do anything, at all. But it was — I mean, you know what, but this afternoon maybe I’ll get, like, two hours of walking around buying stuff but it’s… yeah. I mean, I’m not complaining, because it’s great to have something to show fans and interact with them. But it has been, like, sad that I couldn’t go to some panels, but I did — while I was signing, one of the Browncoat people brought down Jacqueline Carey, the author who writes the Kushiel’s Dart and all those series. I’m a huge fan and I… you know, sometimes fans meet you and they’re really nervous, and I’m like, “Why are you nervous? I’m just a person.” But I got so nervous when I met her, I was a blithering idiot. So, uh, now I understand that.

(SP) It’s so funny.

(FD) It is funny how you geek out over certain people. Like, I can meet somebody hugely famous and I’m like, “Oh, okay.” But when you’re surprised with somebody whom you admire, and you just really…

(SP) Right. Well, it was the same when, the first time I met Joss. Like, I never really met him before and I am a huge Firefly fan, and I was on the set of Dr. Horrible and I just kinda — my girlfriend worked on it, helped out on the set. She helped with props and stuff like that. I walked on the set and everybody was like, “Oh, Zaboo,” because they had heard of the show from you. And I was like “Oh, cool” and they were about to start shooting and then someone was like, “Oh, Zaboo!” And I kinda, like, I couldn’t really see them, and I was like, “Don’t mess up the shoot to say hi to Zaboo.” But then Leah, my girlfriend, leans over and she’s like, “That’s Joss Whedon.” I was like, “Oh, I’m a–”

(FD) And then you get sweaty —

(SP) Yeah, I was like —

(FD) — and you’re like, “Uh… I don’t know what to say to you right now. I’m really nervous.”

(SP) But, no, he was totally cool because… because he liked The Guild and was a fan of what we’ve done, it was really easy to engage him and have, like, a normal conversation with him.

(FD) Really?

(SP) I thought.

(FD) Well, I’m still a geek. I get, like, trembling. I mean, not around Joss… not that he’s not trembling worthy.

(SP) He’s super cool, though.

(FD) Yeah.

(SP) He’s super down-to-earth, which I thought was…

(FD) Well, that’s why his fans are so loyal, I think. ‘Cause he’s just awesome.

(SP) Right.

(FD) And relatable.

(SP) Well, I got to meet Wil Wheaton, which I was very excited about. I know you’re, like, super friends with him, but I love him.

(FD) Yeah. I’m not super friends.

(SP) Well, whatever.

(FD) I mean, I’m not… This is going on the Internet and he’s going to be like, “Hello, Felicia, we’re not super friends.”

(SP) He’d really say that?

(FD laughing)

(SP) He would, like, go out of his way to say that specific…?

(FD) Well, you know, it’s the same thing. I don’t like overstepping myself or being braggy.

(SP) Okay. Well, but you guys are friends.

(FD) We’re acquaintances.

(SP) You’re acquaintances.

(FD) Bordering on friendship.

(SP) Well, you guys were talking to each other, and I hadn’t met him, and I was excited to meet him, so I got to meet him at the con and that was exciting for me.

(FD) Yeah.

(SP) Because I’m a huge Star Trek: Next Generation nerd.

(ÜSFG) Are you guys getting recognized in public now?

(SP) Yeah.

(FD) Yeah, a lot. I mean, especially in this concentrated area. It’s crazy. I mean, I can’t walk a couple feet. It’s cool because it’s the indie side that recognizes us more —

(SP) Totally.

(FD) — and then it’s like when you’re in the corporate side people are like, “Oh, it’s the Aston Martin from James Bond.” But we’re in the comic side and, like, the graphic artist side, and the Browncoats side. It’s like, we get recognized a lot more. Which is cool. I mean, like, I’m an indie girl.

(SP) I think people, like, think they know you more, too —

(FD) Yeah.

(SP) — so they’re like, “Hey, how’s it going?” They, like, come to you like they’re your friends. It’s, like, disarming.

(FD) It’s not… it’s less… it’s almost like, yeah, it’s less fannish. It’s more like, “Hey, how is it? I follow your Twitter.”

(SP) Yeah.

(FD) Or my Facebook.

(SP) Yeah. It’s cool.

(FD) Yeah, I like that.

(ÜSFG) One last question.

(FD) Okay.

(ÜSFG) Worst case scenario, one day the Internet crashes and it never comes back. (both gasp) What would you do?

(FD) I don’t even know why you would do that to me.

(SP) Ooooh! Why? Why… what is this…

(ÜSFG) Well, you know, all of the Terminator hype.

(ÜSFG) Apocalyptic scenario.

(FD) I don’t even want to go there. I mean, it’s so traumatic. I just got my iPhone. I’m connected 24/7. I don’t know why you would even try to rob me of my passions.

(ÜSFG) I’m sorry!

(FD) Um, I would just be reading fantasy novels like I do anyway.

(SP) Yep, pretty much. That’s… yeah, I’d be reading fantasy novels. I’m a dork.

(ÜSFG) Is there anything else that you want to say about The Guild, Legend of Neil, anything that you did this weekend?

(FD) Uh, no… I just want to — I guess I would say “Thank you” to the fans because, I mean, Dr. Horrible doesn’t have PR people. You know, The Guild doesn’t have PR people. This is all grass roots stuff and it’s, like, really revolutionizing the Internet and how people get their entertainment, and I think it’s a turn for the good.

(SP) Right.

(FD) And I love the fact that they made it, all of it, as big as it is. So, thank you! Thank you!

(ÜSFG) Well, I want to thank you for talking to us today.

(FD) No problem.

(ÜSFG) We’re really looking forward to The Guild. We’re looking forward to The Legend of Neil, and we’re really excited at how big Dr. Horrible has been and look forward to hopefully a return of Penny in our own idea of…

(SP) Woo hoo!

(FD) That would be great!

(ÜSFG) …spinning off.

(FD) That would be great!

(ÜSFG) Thank you so much —

(FD) Thank you, Raven.

(ÜSFG) — I hope you guys have a great time at the rest of Comic-Con.

(FD) All right, bye!

(SP) Thanks a lot. Byyyyye!

Election Duel! Obama vs. McCain – Who Get’s Pwned?

Sandeep Parikh of The Guild, The Legend of Neil, and Effinfunny.com recently announced that he was seeking Registered Voters from Azeroth, the world in World of Warcraft, in order to conduct a 2008 Presidential Election Poll. After several days of grueling research, the results are in!

Election Duel! Obama Vs. McCain – Who Get’s Pwned?

Comedian Rich Kuras infiltrates the World of Warcraft to poll players on the 2008 Presidential Election. We broke down the results per race and Class. What we found may…and please excuse the pun…WOW you.

Photos of Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh at San Diego Comic-Con 2008

FeliciaSandeepSDCC0877 — Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh at San Diego Comic-Con 2008

I had a chance to sit down with Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh of The Guild on the final morning of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, and was thrilled to have the chance to speak with them. They were both extremely funny and easygoing as they interacted and jibed with me and each other. The interview was videotaped with the intent to put it on ÜberSciFiGeek, and because of the noise at the convention a voice recorder was also kept running. Thankfully, someone was taking photos as well. I say thankfully because, the day I was getting ready to transfer the video to my computer for editing, my camera died… after inserting the tape. Presently, the interview is still locked away within the belly of my very dead Panasonic video camera. The audio of the interview has already been posted here in MP3 format, and now we finally have some photos to share! If you are a fan of Felicia and Sandeep, you will love this collection of over 100 photos of them.

A special thanks to Squeak for getting up early and tagging along to take the photos. You’re a life saver!

Being Bladezz: Vincent Caso Talks About His Role on The Guild

Vincent Caso has had a stellar beginning to his acting career. After attending a school for the Arts, he decided at age 13 to become an actor. He quickly landed a role in the Jeremy Coon (Napoleon Dynamite) film American Fork, and soon after was chosen for the role of Bladezz in Felicia Day‘s The Guild. The Guild went on to become an Internet phenomenon, garnering praise and fan support from around the world, especially with MMORPG players. I had a brief opportunity to meet Vince at the California Browncoats booth at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con, where he spent a whirlwind of a weekend signing autographs and meeting fans. We only spoke for a few moments but he was a very friendly, polite, and kind young man… and TALL! Due to schedule changes I was unable to catch the entire cast together, but Vince was wonderful enough to answer some questions for us recently.

ÜberSciFiGeek (ÜSFG) Are you like your character, Bladezz, in any way?

Vincent Caso (VC) Not much. I’m sure there are one or two personality traits that we share. But I’m afraid that most of our similarities are purely physical.

(ÜSFG) Which character from The Guild do you identify with the most?

(VC) I’d have to say that I’m actually a wacky combination of Vork, Zaboo, and my own character. Though not exactly in that order. I’ve got some of the wackiness that Zaboo’s got, but sans the creepiness. And I’ve got some of the more formal aspects of Vork, but not quite as hardcore as him. And I’ve got a little bit of the personality of Bladezz, but sans the jerkiness (I’d like to think so, at least).

(ÜSFG) What is it like being the youngest cast member?

(VC) Haha, good question. The rest of the cast likes to poke fun sometimes, but it’s been all pretty cool. We joke about it occasionally (you’ll see a few playful jibes during the cast interviews in our Season 1 DVD), but they definitely don’t talk down to me or consider me just the “kid they’re working with”. They totally make me feel like one of the family.

(ÜSFG) Your first film was American Fork. What was it like working on that film?

(VC) It was a blast. Being my first official acting experience, it was all very new to me. But I learned a lot, got to know some wicked people, got to spend a month in the rather pleasant Salt Lake City, Utah, and generally had a good time.

(ÜSFG) What were the differences in production and feel on the set for American Fork and The Guild?

(VC) The Guild is all very casual, without being unprofessional. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere and really makes you feel at home. Nothing feels strict or uptight, it’s all very cool. And American Fork was much the same way. Of course there was a little more hustle-and-bustle due to the fact that it was a movie, we had more deadlines, some location constraints, some re-shoots, etc, but it was also a pretty chill experience. I’ve just been very fortunate to be a part of projects that have really cool people working on them, there’s never anyone who I have a beef with. And that makes a big difference in how fun and easy it is to work on a given set.

(ÜSFG) Do you have any other projects you are working on right now?

(VC) Not at the moment, but keep an eye out!

(ÜSFG) You also do card tricks and slight of hand. Is it a hobby or have you considered magic as a career?

(VC) At one time I had considered it to be my main focus, but it eventually just turned into a hobby. Of which I have several. It has sort of joined hands with hobbies like writing, martial arts, swing dancing, and rollerskating. (Didn’t see that one coming, did ya?)

(ÜSFG) What do you think of the response you’ve gotten from the success of The Guild?

(VC) I’m loving it! I was really blown away by what this all turned into. I mean, I knew it was a funny and cool show, but I just never thought that it might have become this when I signed on.

(ÜSFG) Are you getting recognized in public yet? Are there any “rabid fans” or funny stories yet?

(VC) It’s happened a few times, grocery stores, gyms, an In-N-Out, on the street, etc. No funny stories yet, though.

(ÜSFG) What did you think of San Diego Comic-Con? Was there anything or anyone there you were looking forward to seeing?

(VC) It was very fun, I loved the whole trip. Unfortunately I wasn’t aware of all the cool Q-and-A’s, screenings, and whatnot until like the last day, so I largely missed out.

(ÜSFG) I saw online that someone asked about Bladezz’ photos and you said they were taken for the show. Do you have any pictures from your actual portfolio you can share with your fans?

(VC) Well I don’t have a modeling portfolio or anything, but I’ve got a number of headshots. I don’t think any of my new ones are posted online yet, but I’ll look into getting some on my IMDb.

(ÜSFG) Have you started playing WoW again or are you still bored with it?

(VC) I quit cold turkey and never looked back, heh.

(ÜSFG) Is there an interview question you’ve never been asked about The Guild, but wish was asked?

(VC) I’ve never put much thought into that, I’ll have to get back to you when I think of something. 🙂

(ÜSFG) Anything else you want to share with the fans?

(VC) You dudes rock! And as corny as it may sound, we wouldn’t have much of a show without you. Keep on tuning in, we’ve got plenty of hilarious twists to await you in… Season 2. 😉 That’s all for now, guys!

Thank you, Vince, for taking the time to answer some of our questions!

Season 2 of The Guild is in preproduction, and is due to begin filming in the next few weeks. In the meantime, you can re-watch Season 1 of The Guild online at watchtheguild.com, or purchase the Season 1 DVD and other merchandise in The Guild‘s online store.

Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh talk about The Guild, Dr. Horrible, and The Legend of Neil at San Diego Comic-Con

At San Diego Comic-Con last month, some of the panels and events I was able to attend included Stan Lee, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Sanctuary, Stargate Worlds, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate: Continuum, Wendy Pini, Ben 10, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and Emily the Strange. Of all the lines I stood in, and the excited crowds I huddled with, though, none outnumbered or had longer waits than the big screen premiere of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.

The screening was scheduled to begin at 10:45 PM on Friday, and by 4:30 PM there were already lines wrapping like a figure eight through the con halls and out onto the balcony steps. After a very, very long wait, and two additional screenings (without the cast) being added to the lineup earlier in the night, I was fortunate to be able to get into that amazing show. Everyone in attendance laughed together, cheered together, and sang together. The standing ovation at the end just went on and on as Joss Whedon and the cast made their bows to the audience.

The huge success of both The Guild and Dr. Horrible kept Felicia Day extremely busy all weekend (she and the rest of The Guild cast hung out at the California Browncoats booth) but she and her The Guild costar Sandeep Parikh took the time to sit with me and talk about The Guild, The Legend of Neil, and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. I’d like to send a special thank-you out to Vincent Caso (Bladezz in The Guild) for coming over to say hello as well! Due to technical difficulties, we don’t have the video yet, but fortunately we had a digital audio recorder going. Eventually, we’ll have the video available, as well as photos from the interview. In the meantime, you can listen to the interview online or download it here: Felicia Day and Sandeep Parikh at Comic-Con 2008.

Felicia Day’s “Horrible” Experience

Felicia Day as Penny in "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog"

Multi-talented actress Felicia Day was already recognizable for her work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer before she created the smash hit Internet series, The Guild. Now, she’s teamed up with Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly) to present another Internet event, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. She’s costarring along with Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Desperate Housewives) and Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother, Harold & Kumar, Starship Troopers) in this Whedon family project that will be premiering exclusively on the Internet beginning Tuesday, July 15th. Felicia took some time out of her very busy schedule to answer a few questions about Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.

ÜberSciFiGeek (ÜSFG) How did you get involved in the Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog project?

Felicia Day (FD) I had seen Joss on the strike lines a few times and he had mentioned the idea of a supervillain musical to me, perhaps made for the Internet. I thought that was the coolest idea I’d ever heard, A few months later he emailed me and it said, “Can you sing?” You can imagine I was a little taken aback, it’s not a question you hear every day!

(ÜSFG) With a name like Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, one of the first questions that come to mind is, “Does Felicia sing?”

(FD) Yes! I did musical theatre all my life, mostly as a dancer but I had singing parts as well. I moved around a lot so theatre kind of kept my childhood together. Throughout college I took lessons from a professor at UT Austin, Jess Walters.

(ÜSFG) Did you enjoy singing in Dr. Horrible? Have you been in any sort of musical production before, and would you like to be in more of them?

(FD) OMG, singing in Horrible was fun and intimidating! Neil’s voice is amazing, so singing opposite him was nerve-wracking, but as soon as we were done, I wanted to do more! I did a LOT of musicals as a teen and again during college, like Into the Woods and Fantasticks, Oklahoma, you name it. Since moving to LA I’ve had a few jobs singing, a part in Warm Springs, a few plays. It’s not my career but I do enjoy it and would love to do more of it in the future!

(ÜSFG) Was Dr. Horrible always conceived of as a musical, or did that come about only when Joss Whedon learned that you, Neil Patrick Harris, and Nathan Fillion have singing voices?

(FD) I can’t speak for him, but I know when he floated the idea on the strike line to me, it was always connected to the word “musical”. Joss has an amazing passion for music and musicals. His knowledge in the area blows me away. I love the idea of Joss, Jed, Zach and Maurissa getting together and writing this amazing script together and creating songs together, what a cool process!

(ÜSFG) Having worked with Joss Whedon on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, what was it like working with him again? How was it different and how was it similar?

(FD) The Dr. Horrible set was a lot more informal than being on a professional TV set. There was a sense from everyone this was driven by passion and enthusiasm rather than being a “job”. It felt way more like indie productions I’ve done. Of course the quality of production and the expertise of the cast and crew was equal to being on Buffy, because Joss attracts the best at what they do. There were stunt people on both sets : )

(ÜSFG) Captain Hammer has an online comic — will Penny also have an online exclusive? With your background as a gamer, perhaps a mini online game?

(FD) I don’t know anything about that end of it, but that would be cool! Float that idea out there! To be honest I don’t know if Penny is a gamer. I would think she’s more of a knitter or a baker.

(ÜSFG) You’ve produced a lot of Internet content now. How is it different as an actor and/or producer for the Internet than it is for television or film?

(FD) It’s night and day. When you have a huge professional set and 50 people working on it, everyone does only their job, and they do it at the height of their expertise. Internet content is much more blurry as far as those lines go. One day you’ll be producer, the next an actor, the next craft service. It’s necessary because there’s no money to pay people with most the time. But the great thing is you don’t have layers of people to interfere with your vision as a creator, and I think more and more, professionals will discover that to be an attractive area to play in.

(ÜSFG) If Dr. Horrible does well, is another film or related project planned?

(FD) You would have to ask Joss. I would love to play Penny again, in whatever capacity!

(ÜSFG) Your character, Penny, isn’t a superhero or supervillain like Captain Hammer and Dr. Horrible, but if you had to choose a superpower to have in your real life, what would it be and why?

(FD) Gosh, that’s hard. I think invisibility. I like to eavesdrop. I used to only play rogues in games so I could sneak in and steal things from the NPCs : ) I don’t do that in real life, btw.

(ÜSFG) Penny falls for Captain Hammer, at least initially. Who would you, as yourself, get a crush on — Dr. Horrible or Captain Hammer?

(FD) I’d have to say Dr. Horrible. He’s definitely the wounded type, and I would love to try to heal that in him. Hammer is hot, but I don’t go for guys who like to look at themselves in the mirror a lot ; )

The best way you can help us say thank-you to Felicia is to help spread the word! You can learn more about Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog at drhorrible.com. Act one of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog will be premiering online on Tuesday, July 15th. Act two will go up on Thursday, July 17th. Act three will go up on Saturday, July 19th. All three acts will be online until midnight on Sunday, July 20th. Also, if you are planning on attending San Diego Comic-Con, stop by the Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog panel on Friday. Felicia and the rest of the cast of The Guild will also be at the California Browncoats booth signing copies of The Guild DVDs throughout the event. Stop by and say hello!