Post by bobdoc on Sept 7, 2008 9:49:13 GMT -4
This is an interview in a paper from Carrie's home town of Macon, Georgia. From www.macon.com/198/story/456616.html
It's possible that Carrie Preston could be busier than she is, but it's hard to see how.
The Macon actress has produced and is the star of "Ready? OK!," which is making the rounds at various film festivals across the country. She's currently shooting a movie with Hal Holbrook in Tennessee; and she's co-starring in the new TV series "True Blood," which will debut on HBO tonight at 9.
She's also had roles in the recently released movies, "Towelhead" and "Vicky Christina Barcelona."
And to top it off, Preston got a role in the Julia Roberts-Clive Owen movie "Duplicity," which is set for release in March, and she'll be going to the Emmys later this month to accompany her husband, Michael Emerson, who is up for a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role on the TV series "Lost."
"Things are crazy these days," she said with a chuckle.
And it makes for some crazy scheduling. Though she and Emerson live in New York, his series shoots in Hawaii while hers is shot in Louisiana.
"We have a long-distance marriage," she said. "He's in Hawaii for seven months, and (the show's) schedule is much more in flux. He has to be on call for his scenes. But we've found a way to make it work. I park it in L.A. when he's in Hawaii."
Preston said given the unpredictable schedules of actors, she enjoys staying busy.
"Part of the reason why I started directing and producing is to make use of my time when I'm not employed," she said. "I'm a creative person and I need an outlet. It's enhanced my life."
Preston formed her own production company, which led her to make "Ready? OK!" with her producing partner, James Vasquez, who wrote and directed the film. Preston plays the mom of a young boy obsessed with making his school's cheerleading squad.
The movie turned out to be a family affair for Preston: Emerson has a role in it, as does her brother, actor John Preston.
"I'm really pleased with (the movie)," she said. "My brother plays my brother in it. ... We were friends with everyone in the cast and wrote it for everyone in the cast, except for the little boy (actor Lurie Poston) who plays my son. He's extraordinary. It was fun working with them."
Preston said it is scheduled to be shown at the Macon Film Festival in February, and her production team is in talks to get the movie out on cable and DVD.
Fans who don't want to wait so long to see Preston, however, can catch her in the highly anticipated "True Blood," HBO series created by Alan Ball ( "Six Feet Under"). "True Blood" is the story of vampires who live among regular people after a synthetic blood source is created. The townsfolk in a small Louisiana town have difficulty adjusting once vampires reveal themselves.
Preston dons a red wig to play Arlene, the waitress friend of the lead character played by Anna Paquin.
"There's a huge marketing blitz for it," Preston said. "I'm a series regular, but no one, including my mother is going to recognize me with this long, red wig I wear. Arlene is the definitive redhead. She's just going to be her sassy, Southern self. ... (Ball) wanted authentic Southerners in it. I'm curious to see how it is going to be received."
The series is based upon a series of vampire novels written by Charlaine Harris, and it follows a recent spate of vampire-related projects coming out of Hollywood, including the CBS series "Moonlight" (since canceled) and the upcoming movie based on the "Twilight" series of books.
But Preston said she believes "True Blood" will stand out on its own.
"There's a lot of political, social commentary without being expletive," she said. "It's a fun, exciting, dark, funny, sexy show. Everyone hopes it will have a nice, long run - with the clout that comes with being on HBO, we're grabbing the attention of the audience. HBO will give the show time to develop; they won't pull it like a network would after two episodes.
"Vampires are out of the coffin, so to speak. ... This is going to be much more edgy than other shows. The target audience is a little bit older. It's not just the 'Buffy' crowd; it's a whole other audience."
Preston said her current project, "I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down," has been a great experience, working with a cast that includes Holbrook, Dixie Carter, Walton Goggins and Ray McKinnon.
"I feel challenged and excited to go to work," she said. "I'm working with Hal Holbrook, who is 83 and has done everything. Mia (Wasikowska, of HBO's "In Treatment") plays my daughter and is a great actor. It's just exciting to with actors like Hal. It's a matter of craft - you know what level your work is going to be."
Preston will take the night off when she goes to the Emmys, which will air Sept. 21 on ABC. She also attended last year when Emerson was nominated.
"He's the only one from the cast to be nominated this year," she said. "I'm so proud of him. I believe in him. This is truly the role of a lifetime for him."
The Macon actress has produced and is the star of "Ready? OK!," which is making the rounds at various film festivals across the country. She's currently shooting a movie with Hal Holbrook in Tennessee; and she's co-starring in the new TV series "True Blood," which will debut on HBO tonight at 9.
She's also had roles in the recently released movies, "Towelhead" and "Vicky Christina Barcelona."
And to top it off, Preston got a role in the Julia Roberts-Clive Owen movie "Duplicity," which is set for release in March, and she'll be going to the Emmys later this month to accompany her husband, Michael Emerson, who is up for a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role on the TV series "Lost."
"Things are crazy these days," she said with a chuckle.
And it makes for some crazy scheduling. Though she and Emerson live in New York, his series shoots in Hawaii while hers is shot in Louisiana.
"We have a long-distance marriage," she said. "He's in Hawaii for seven months, and (the show's) schedule is much more in flux. He has to be on call for his scenes. But we've found a way to make it work. I park it in L.A. when he's in Hawaii."
Preston said given the unpredictable schedules of actors, she enjoys staying busy.
"Part of the reason why I started directing and producing is to make use of my time when I'm not employed," she said. "I'm a creative person and I need an outlet. It's enhanced my life."
Preston formed her own production company, which led her to make "Ready? OK!" with her producing partner, James Vasquez, who wrote and directed the film. Preston plays the mom of a young boy obsessed with making his school's cheerleading squad.
The movie turned out to be a family affair for Preston: Emerson has a role in it, as does her brother, actor John Preston.
"I'm really pleased with (the movie)," she said. "My brother plays my brother in it. ... We were friends with everyone in the cast and wrote it for everyone in the cast, except for the little boy (actor Lurie Poston) who plays my son. He's extraordinary. It was fun working with them."
Preston said it is scheduled to be shown at the Macon Film Festival in February, and her production team is in talks to get the movie out on cable and DVD.
Fans who don't want to wait so long to see Preston, however, can catch her in the highly anticipated "True Blood," HBO series created by Alan Ball ( "Six Feet Under"). "True Blood" is the story of vampires who live among regular people after a synthetic blood source is created. The townsfolk in a small Louisiana town have difficulty adjusting once vampires reveal themselves.
Preston dons a red wig to play Arlene, the waitress friend of the lead character played by Anna Paquin.
"There's a huge marketing blitz for it," Preston said. "I'm a series regular, but no one, including my mother is going to recognize me with this long, red wig I wear. Arlene is the definitive redhead. She's just going to be her sassy, Southern self. ... (Ball) wanted authentic Southerners in it. I'm curious to see how it is going to be received."
The series is based upon a series of vampire novels written by Charlaine Harris, and it follows a recent spate of vampire-related projects coming out of Hollywood, including the CBS series "Moonlight" (since canceled) and the upcoming movie based on the "Twilight" series of books.
But Preston said she believes "True Blood" will stand out on its own.
"There's a lot of political, social commentary without being expletive," she said. "It's a fun, exciting, dark, funny, sexy show. Everyone hopes it will have a nice, long run - with the clout that comes with being on HBO, we're grabbing the attention of the audience. HBO will give the show time to develop; they won't pull it like a network would after two episodes.
"Vampires are out of the coffin, so to speak. ... This is going to be much more edgy than other shows. The target audience is a little bit older. It's not just the 'Buffy' crowd; it's a whole other audience."
Preston said her current project, "I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down," has been a great experience, working with a cast that includes Holbrook, Dixie Carter, Walton Goggins and Ray McKinnon.
"I feel challenged and excited to go to work," she said. "I'm working with Hal Holbrook, who is 83 and has done everything. Mia (Wasikowska, of HBO's "In Treatment") plays my daughter and is a great actor. It's just exciting to with actors like Hal. It's a matter of craft - you know what level your work is going to be."
Preston will take the night off when she goes to the Emmys, which will air Sept. 21 on ABC. She also attended last year when Emerson was nominated.
"He's the only one from the cast to be nominated this year," she said. "I'm so proud of him. I believe in him. This is truly the role of a lifetime for him."
and turns me off.