When I sat down to watch the film; Tamara, I didn’t know what to expect. I had heard that the role of the main character was a difficult one and, as I’m sure most of you know, when you watch a film filled with unknown actors, you hope for the best but expect and usually get the worst. Jenna Dewan’s portrayal of Tamara was a pleasant surprise. I’m going to leave the film’s review to others but I will say that I thought she did a top notch job and I had to keep reminding myself that Tamara was basically Jenna’s first film and certainly her first lead.
Interviewing her was also a pleasant surprise. She doesn’t sound like either of Tamara’s incarnations. Her voice has more energy in one sentence than mine has in a week. I was impressed with the fact that she doesn’t take herself too seriously, yet she knows exactly what she wants from acting and what she’s willing to give to the craft. I think she’s going to get a lot of notice from Tamara and her next film and I hope will all of my being that she never changes.
Richard J. Schellbach: So you’re a Connecticut girl?
Jenna Dewan: I am. Yes, originally. I was born in Hartford. Are you a Connecticut boy?
RJS: I was born in Hamden, on the outskirts of New Haven.
JD: I know Hamden!
RJS: Ever get back to Connecticut?
JD: Well, my Grandmother still lives there and I still have family there so every now and then I get back there but not as frequently as I’d like.
RJS: When did the acting bug bite?
JD: Only about two and a half years ago. I was doing a photo shoot and the photographer asked if I was interested in film work and after I said yes, he sent my photos out to a few managers. Once I started to “get” acting – to know what it’s really like - I fell head over heels in love with it and it became my passion.
RJS: I just learned that you were in the pilot for the failed Dark Shadows series.
JD: Yeah, it was so good and we had really good people attached and we were always so positive that it was a go.
RJS: And late in the game, it all…
JD: Yeah, it fell apart in the tenth hour. I was so bummed.
RJS: What type of character did you play?
JD: Actually it was a new character. I was a maid who was kind of a love interest and I couldn’t wait to see how the character developed in the series.
RJS: I had high hopes for that show, especially after seeing on-set photos.
JD: We all had high hopes.
RJS: Of course it makes me wonder how something like Night Stalker gets on the air but Dark Shadows doesn’t.
JD: Yeah, I know (Laughing) or any of the genre shows that are on right now. But everything happens for a reason.
RJS: If Dark Shadows went to a second season, you might not have been able to do Tamara.
JD: Exactly.
RJS: Are you a horror fan?
JD: I always liked horror movies. I always liked going for the fun you have as an audience member. Since doing Tamara, I’ve learned that horror fans are extremely loyal to the people they like and I love that and I think it’s awesome.
RJS: What scared you as a child?
JD: The first time I remember being really scared was after watching Chucky in Child’s Play. I was terrified for weeks. My mom was really worried at one point. Then I saw The Exorcist and that got me too. They really scared me but I still had to watch it. It sounds funny but I’m still a wimp. I still can’t watch one scene in Tamara. (Jenna was scene-specific but I am choosing to be vague so I don’t spoil part of the movie.) I was so excited when I read the script because I had the chance to play the victimized girl and the one in the power seat at the same time.
RJS: How did you get involved with the movie?
JD: My agents sent me the script and I auditioned for the role. I really wanted it. Then I went back the next day and I booked the job and left to shoot it like two weeks later. It was all very exciting!
RJS: I feel, like with most good horror, Tamara is a very moralistic film. Did it hit you the same way, on the page?
JD: Yes and I loved that. I’m so happy with the way it ended and the choices the film made. It’s a throwback in some respects but there are no cookie cutter characters. I think the movie and the characters are, at the same time, original but also classic, in a sense. I think the film sends a good message on a few levels.
RJS: Tell me what it’s like working from a Jeffrey Riddick script.
JD: I love Jeffrey. He visited the set a lot and since then, I‘ve really gotten to know him. He’s so talented and such a nice guy and very funny. This movie was kind of like a playground for him because he got to do some of the things he’d always wanted to do. He’s a dream to work with.
RJS: You, in essence, play two characters in Tamara. What challenges does that present an actor?
JD: Actually, that’s what appealed to me when I first read the script. I was really excited about basically playing two different parts and getting to delve into two completely opposite ends of the spectrum. It wasn’t easy but it was a great part.
RJS: How did you prepare for both roles?
JD: I tried very hard not to over-think things. I wanted both roles to look like they were coming from an organic place and not look too rehearsed. The clothes and make-up helped and when I was in make-up I carried myself differently. I actually felt the part and that made the acting come from a better place.
RJS: I see the plain – for lack of a better term – Tamara as the tougher of the two roles. Was she?
JD: I agree with you. I had more fun playing the plain Tamara.
RJS: That’s not to say that the beautiful Tamara wasn’t as deep but she was revenge-driven so I’d think her single-mindedness would give her fewer layers.
JD: I wanted layers in both of them but the plain Tamara’s character wasn’t as obvious as the other “version” of Tamara. (“Version” is my word to avoid another possible spoiler.) So I had to be more subtle and still get the point across. In real life, I am a complete blend of both characters.
RJS: What was the toughest part of the shoot?
JD: It was a really grueling schedule. It was a five week shoot with very long hours. I’d get home late and have to be back on set very early because of the makeup and wardrobe changes. I loved it but it was a lot like boot camp. (Laughing)
RJS: What are genre fans going to like about this film?
JD: I think if they see it as a bit of a throwback with a Jeffrey Riddick twist they’ll have a lot of fun. It’s a really fun movie and a good date movie.
RJS: What’s next for you?
JD: I have a movie called Take The Lead, with Antonio Banderas, that comes out in March and another for Disney (Untitled Music High Project) that comes out in the Fall.
RJS: Thanks, Jenna. Best of luck.
Tamara is slated for a Feb. 3rd release.
Click here to go over to the films official site.
