BY CHRIS GRAVES

1. For those who do not know, what is your background and how were you introduced to the world of View Askew and Kevin Smith?

After a divorce and just trying to find myself and figuring out my life, I found myself looking for an outlet and found it in acting. I found John Eyd, an acting coach from New York whom decided to bring the proper techniques of acting to New Jersey at the Actors Training Institute, currently located in Eatontown, I started taking acting classes and studied for about a year before I felt comfortable to start auditioning. I started in community theater and made my rounds to several theaters in the Jersey shore area for while. I was in the middle of a play when I heard that First Ave Playhouse, a theater that I had participated in, was holding auditions for a film “some kid” was doing. Not my words, this was how it was put to me when I heard about it. Frankly I didn’t care. It was another avenue to try my acting abilities in and get some audition experience as well. I had done a monologue I found in a book that I felt very connected to. Although, after seeing the audition piece on the (Clerks) 10th anniversary dvd, I honestly don’t know why Kevin hired me for the role. Personally I thought my audition was terrible. I may have gotten the emotion that I wanted out of that and awed Kevin with the fact that I had cried, but it looked like I was acting. An actor never wants to look like they’re acting, it has to be lived. Being in the moment. And for me it’s hard sometimes to know how I’m doing in a part until I see what I just did. Working on student films and indies, you don’t always have the luxury of seeing what you just did because there isn’t a budget to have a monitor on set and view the scene on playback.

2. Any entertaining anecdotes about the filming of Clerks that might not of been shared yet? And what was your reaction to the film’s sudden success? Has the number “37″ been a burden or a blessing, when it comes to fan/non fan/casual movie goer interaction?

I don’t think there are any anecdotes that anyone hasn’t heard of. For me it was all a great experience and one that I’ll always cherish. The late nights, drinking Yoohoos, eating the hot bagels from the other store in the tiny strip mall. Wishing I actually got to shoot the fire extinguisher.

I certainly don’t think the number 37 is a burden. It’s just something else that makes it all the more memorable. Although, guys can stop asking to be # 38.

3. Can you tell me about the film “Bad Hair Day”, which you produced and had a role? Also, do you plan on producing more in the future?

“Bad Hair Day” is a film a friend of mine got the idea of after hearing of my many experiences working on weddings while doing hair and makeup and my many years of experience working in a salon. She wrote the script and asked if I wanted to star in it and of course one takes the opportunity of having a starring role especially one that makes fun of my experiences. I also did whatever I could to help out in whatever capacity I could from script input to casting to actually doing the hair and makeup on the short. And Sheila in return thanked me by giving me a producer credit. I actually would like to produce more and learn quite a bit more of the ropes. I also would like to give a try at directing. I actually have helped other friends with some shorts that never quite made it to the end, but that’s when I found out that if I really wanted to I could direct.

4. Was there friction between yourself and Jeff “Randal” Anderson on the set? If so, did everything get smoothed out, after all was said and done?

I’m glad you brought this up because to be honest, I didn’t have a clue about any of this while we were filming. Also, for the life of me, I do not remember the incident. The first I heard of it was when I was blind sided with the question for the (Clerks) 10th anniversary dvd and I really racked my brains trying to remember, but just couldn’t. I thought, maybe I did and just can’t remember, maybe I was kidding and it was taken seriously. I just don’t know, but I have to say that I still felt really bad about the whole thing and actually felt depressed about it. My friend can tell you how miserable I was feeling about the whole situation. I did try to email Jeff about it with the only email I had of his, but never got a response so I don’t know whether he had received it or not. After that I had seen him at the Arc Light for the (10th) anniversary and wanted to talk to him about it, but just too many people around to talk. Didn’t know if I should or whether he would want to and was just really feeling very angst that night. But I also felt that doing it at such occasions wasn’t a good choice either. But I can truly say that if I did do such a thing, I’m truly sorry because I know that I always try to take peoples feelings into consideration. I do remember that Jeff and Lisa felt a bit initmidated by Brian and myself since we had been doing theater. But I really feel that Jeff did an excellent job with the part. Who knows, maybe the way he was feeling made him a better actor. I know when I felt someone didn’t think that I could accomplish something that I would want to prove them wrong all the more. But to Jeff if you’re reading this, I’m so sorry for anything I might have done to offend you in any way.

5. You’ve been in many plays over the years. Any favorite roles/productions?

Definitely have some favorite roles. Hester in the play “Sabona” which an original script based on “Apartheid”, Susy in “Wait Until Dark”, both of these plays done with Brian. Babe in “Crimes of the Heart”. Bobbi Michelle in “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” and Melissa Burns in “A New York Minute”. Doris in “Same Time Next Year”. What I’ve always wanted to do was “A Lion in Winter” and had the opportunity but was already cast in “Same Time Next Year”. It was a really tough decision and really had to way my options, but stuck with “Same Time Next Year”.

6. What was it like to work with fellow View Askew actor Jeremy (Mallrats) London on the film “Get A Job”? Any Kevin Smith anecdotal exchanges?

It actually was great working with Jeremy. But can’t really say that he had a great working experience with Kevin and that’s all I’ll say. But Jeremy, his brother Jason, and their parents are great people.

7. Is it true that you were a classmate of Jon Bon Jovi?

Actually, I was not, although we did go to the same school at the same time, he was a year ahead of me at the time. Never saw him at school that I can remember, but I did have one encounter with him. I hadn’t done “Clerks” yet, but I had started acting I believe and still working at a salon in town(Sayreville) next to the best pizza place at that time. Jon had driven up and was waiting in the car while someone went in to get the pizza and the girls inside were all going wild that Jon Bon Jovi was just outside and one of them wanted his autograph but would not go out. I said he was just like anyone else, but they were just too in awe so I went out and got the autograph for her. Just so I wasn’t standing there I started to ask him about a mutual aquaintance Dave (the Snake) Szabo from the band Skid Row. My ex-husband used to roadie for his band pre-Skid Row. So that’s all the story I got for you.

8. Did you audition for any of Kevin’s other movies?

Actually, we were all asked to audition for “Mallrats”, of course we all didn’t get cast. I’m pretty sure the production company for “Mallrats” let Kevin bring us in out of respect. I remember the Casting Director at that time, out of the corner of my eye, looked at me as if I wasn’t right for the part. I think I let it get to me a little. And Kevin had offered me a part in “Chasing Amy” as the girl that is locking lips with Joey Lauren Adams as the bar girlfriend. I was still so new to acting that I just had a whole comfort thing about kissing another female. And I’ve been told, many years after the fact that once you turn down a role, you’re never offered a role again.

9. What did you think of the “Clerks” cartoon?

I’ve only seen one or two of the cartoons. Can’t really remember to much of it though.

10. What did you think of the other View Askew movies and what is your favorite Kevin flick, “Clerks” excluded?

I’m one of Kevin’s fans. I love the work he does. “Chasing Amy” was my number one fav, but I think I have to go with Clerks 2 now. I also loved Jersey Girl. I wish people would just get over the fact that J-Lo was in it and go with the story and not who played Ben’s wife.

11. Do you have any new projects coming up?

I hope to. I’ve actually been working on a few student and short films. Some really great story lines with them. I’ve had a couple of auditions for some pilots and eventually have to land one. Also auditioned for an indie feature. Waiting to hear on that. But the one most people know about is a horror film I finished last year titled Dead and Gone, www.deadandgonethemovie.com Go to the website and you’ll be able to get more information on it. They’ve also got a myspace page. I’ve not gotten to see anything other than rough scenes of mine, wow, almost gave away some spoilers. I’m looking forward to when we finally have a screening on that. But I’m really feeling like this year I get to work much more than I have in the last 10 years put together. I’ve also just joined a theater group here called “The Vagabond Players” and am so happy to be with what seem to be a great group of people that don’t have any egos and just want to get up on the stage and wants everyone to have an equal chance of that and to put quality shows out.

12. And finally, do you still keep in contact with anyone related to the world of View Askew?

I’ve chatted with Scott Schiaffo. I try to keep in touch with Brian(O’Halloran) and his girlfriend Diane. It’s just a bit hard as they’re still in Jersey that I know of. This business really makes it hard to keep in touch with anyone that you’ve ever worked with. It becomes really hard, because you spend time working so closely with people 12 hours a day minimum for 3 – 4 weeks at a time and then all of a sudden you don’t see them anymore. I’m someone that becomes attached and used to seeing all those people. It’s just really hard to say good bye. Even when I’ve worked behind the camera on a feature film titled “Johnny Tao”, www.johnnytao.com or when a play ends, it was hard to say goodbye to everyone. Although, you’re pretty exhausted by the end of filming and can’t wait to sleep in for once. I just hate endings.

Thank you for your interest in what I had to say and for your questions. I’ve always felt like I wanted to let people know more about my life, but have always felt a little apprehension in this department, but felt like it was a good time to do this. And now that I have people’s attention I want to profusely apologize to those that are still waiting for mail they have sent me for autographs. I’ve been so bad at keeping up with it, it would be so nice if I had someone doing it for me but I’m just rarely home to sit down for hours and get it done, so if you don’t mind not getting the letter I usually write with the autographed photos, I’ll just sign away and finally get them out.