KATIE TOMLINSON INTERVIEW

I was lucky enough to be granted a phone interview by one of the stars of the upcoming Timothy Hines Project, 'War of the Worlds'. Ms. Tomlinson's voice was soft, yet strong as she excitedly talked about her upcoming project.  Katie has a wonderful attitude of taking things in the industry as they come and her laugh is a sweet as the Seattle native is beautiful. 

Listed below is some answers to questions fans may be curious about. At least I was.

The interview started with the usual conversation of hello and how-do-ya-dos and not wanting to waste any of the girls precious time between meetings this day we got down to business. 

Katie: I am from Seattle, born and raised here.  I left for three or four years to study.  I always planned on doing this. I have been doing professional theatre since I was ten years old. When I returned to Seattle from my studies I decided acting was more for me than singing and decided to incorporate the singing into my acting. You do what your good at and I love acting. But it's really rewarding to be able to do both. 

Sci-Fi 2000:  Being from Seattle would consider yourself to be a city girl or the country bumpkin?  
Katie: I'm pretty much a city girl. I was raised in the city.  I'm not attached to the country though we have some beautiful spots here in Seattle. 

Sci-Fi 2000: You beat out over 900 potential stars to nail the role as the foreign correspondent in the film, and the largest role, did you do anything special that made your performance stand-out?
Katie: No I really didn't. I tried to play the part as truthfully as I could. There were some lines that Timothy thought were funny and I didn't mean for them to be that way.  He wanted the line to feel comedic to the audience, but for the actress to feel she is in a situation that is not comedic. And... I guess I did that in a way he respected. I didn't feel I did anything out of the ordinary from the way the others there did when they read their lines. 

Katie went to a cattle call for actresses and didn't hear anything for nearly five months. She figured she had missed out on a role. They did call and she went in for her screen test. "Everything is history from there," she says. She was given the screenplay to read, and then had a meeting Timothy and others that lasted about four hours. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Timothy Hines is excited about his project and having you be part of it. 
Katie: He is, and it's nice to be working with someone who is so excited about what they are doing. This is totally his passion. You catch the spirit from him I think. 

Sci-Fi 2000: He kind of gets you excited being around him huh?
Katie: Yeah, it is. And it's a great role and I have nothing to complain about.

Sci-Fi 2000: Does your part in the picture have a lot of action, or is more of a dramatic role? 
Katie: Yunno, it's both, which is the beautiful thing about it. It's always fun for an actor to have both sides of the coin. It is a very dramatic part, she has some issues that happen to her in the film that are profound for her character (who's name is Jody). So it is an intense acting role, but it's also filled with action - a lot of stunts - which is exciting for me and fun to get ready for. I have been working out a lot and trying to build up my endurance for those kind of things. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Is there any chance of doing some wire work in the film? 
Katie: Tim actually has talked about that, so we'll see.  I'm kinda game for anything and trying to get into shape for anything he wants me to do. I worked out for about three hours today . I'm lifting weights again, doing yoga, running and even some kick boxing. I've been trying to get my flexibility up and that action hard body everybody wants these days. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Have you heard anything about who your male lead in the film might be? 
Katie: I have heard some speculations. Tim and Susan have clued me on a couple of people they are talking to and negotiating with. At this time I am not able to say who these persons may be, but they are dynamic people as well as familiar faces. I would be totally honored to work with any of them. You'll probably know when I do who that will be.

Sci-Fi 2000: I read in the press release Michael Caine was in negotiations for a major role in the film? 
Katie: I read that in the press release too, and I believe they are still working out the details, tying up lose ends and hoping he'll come on board. There are a lot of great actors out there and this is a remake of a classic.  I think this is a project people are dying to working on as the rumors gets out.

Sci-Fi 2000: This is going to be a much darker film the way H.G. Wells intended instead, rather than the way the first film was done.
Katie: They have really captured the darkness, the eeriness... god it's scary. But the whole thing is, and it's entertaining as well through the entire film.

Sci-Fi 2000: What about character development in the film? A lot of sci-fi/adventure films to day lack the character development. It's all action and special effects today. 
Katie: You're right. The films are entertaining with the camera work and stunts. Sometimes in these action - sci-fi type movies the characters aren't developed really fully. In War of the Worlds, you follow six characters through the film which Tim and Susan have really developed each of them nicely. Each actor really gets to fill out their character from the writing. It fills out the whole story when the audience has some enormous characters to share the passion and empathize with. The writing has been phenomenal.  We're hoping to incorporate everything from the characters to the special effects and camera work. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Is this your first big feature? 
Katie: It is, its my firs big feature, and I think it's a great first start.

Sci-Fi 2000: Do you have any career goals for yourself?
Katie: Oh, I'm the queen of lists.  Like lifetime goals, jumping out of an airplane.  I think personal goals are great but career goals I think can get you into trouble. Your always trying to live up to that and are afraid to deviate from your path. I just try to go with the flow.  I thought I was going to end up on Broadway and here I am doing a film. It's not a bad thing, its a great thing. If your open to new experience your better for it in the long run. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Are you worried about being type-cast from doing a sci-fi film as your first big role? 
Katie: No it doesn't bother me. People have mentioned it to me before and I tell ya I hadn't even thought about it before that. I didn't even think of that as I read the screenplay because to me, and this sounds strange to me since this is totally a science fiction film, but this character is so real to me. It seems like a real story to me and not sci-fi.  The story takes place here on earth, in our homes.  It's not in outer space and it's a very vivid film. It's not a worry for me, and if that happens, that's fine.  I like science fiction and as long as it's a great character I don't care what genre it is. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Do you have a genre you prefer to get into after the film? Drama wins awards and Sci-Fi/Adventures make money.  
Katie: I'd like to do drama as well and I love comedy. It would be fun and I do like the sci-fi deal too.  I have talked to Tim about some of his future projects he'll be working on after this film wraps. They are great projects and I love his writing. So it would be something I would really be interested in doing. I would enjoy getting my feet wet in some dramatic roles too. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Would you enjoy doing some Broadway or off Broadway stuff? 
Katie: I have really been concentrating on my theatre work. It's my thing.  I would love to do some stage work. That was my intention, to move to New York before this came along.  I sing too. I actually studied opera at the New England Conservatory and I don't even sing opera anymore.  But I am a trained singer and I do a lot of musical theatre. And I love being on stage.  (Katie is very passionate about a stage career.) I have studied with some really great voice coaches here in the Seattle area that have helped me immensely.  Anything that's acting I am good to go.

Sci-Fi 2000: I always like the female lead  in an action film, like Sigourney Weaver in Aliens.
Katie: And I loved Linda Hamilton in the Terminator films.
Sci-Fi 2000: Yeah, she isn't interested in doing the third film.
Katie: She isn't? I hadn't heard that.  Hey, I'll do it! I'm available! (she laughs - a nice laugh too) In this time, this day and age, there are so many wonderful female leads, which there have been in your romantic comedies and those type movies, but now  its finally getting to where you have some great female leads in the action movies. It opens up so much more.  The original 50's film 'War of the Worlds', though I liked it - it's a classic, that woman in the film says she is a scientist and suddenly she's getting everyone coffee and she's screaming and yelling. It's pretty funny. God it's great to have these really strong characters to play today.

Sci-Fi 2000: Do you have a preference  yet whether you would prefer to do feature films or television. 
Katie: I could probably answer that better after I finish the film. I don't really know for sure. There is really something to be said for putting your heart and sole into a feature. Just knowing you could do something that could go down in history, and that isn't going to happen with television. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Just from the training and work you've done to get ready for this film and what it took to do the episodes of the Fugitive - would you  say it harder to do the feature or the series?
Katie: I definitely think it's harder to do the film. I don't have a lot of experience in either one, and haven't had to do the daily grind of a series, but doing a film is a lot more personal work I think. When your doing a series you get to know everyone working together everyday. You get to know them, and their acting style. With a feature you are thrown together at the last minute right before filming.  You get a month of getting to know each other. Like now, I'm doing a lot of work, but it's all on myself - You have to be independently ready to take on the challenges to do the work on your own. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Are you prepared for the possibility of the fame that comes to a successful actor and the tabloid gossip you could read? You're new to Hollywood and that makes you vulnerable to rumors. 
Katie: Oh, I know! Gossip really flies... but, I have nothing to hide.  I am just a normal person and I do what I'm good at.  I worked hard to get here and deserve what has happened to me so far. I don't want to get ahead of myself and I don't know if this movie is going to make me a big star or anything. It very well could not happen.  So, I just want to do the very best job I can. All I want to really to do is concentrate my energies on the filming process and giving Tim what he wants in this role.  If it leads to bigger and better things, so be it. If it doesn't... I'll have done my best on this project. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Would it bother you if you ended up as the supporting actress and not a leading lady?
Katie: No, not at all. As I said before it's all about the role.  I don't want to take role simply because they are the female lead, I want to take a role because it's good. If that means it's the supporting that's fine with me. There are tons of supporting roles out there that are the really great acting roles. I hope when I am navigating my career I can help myself to remember that. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Well... guys who do films with Tom Cruise seem to always win best supporting role awards.
Katie: I know, I think I better get in with him soon. 
Sci-Fi 2000: Yeah, and you could make money too.
Katie: Yeah!

Sci-Fi 2000: Besides Timothy Hines, who do you think is the most influential directors today?
Katie:  Oh my good-ness gracious...well, beside Timothy Hines it would have to be Steven Spielberg. Just look at the work he's done. 
Sci-Fi 2000: Yeah but he's the director that everyone falls to. 
Katie: I know, but that happens for a reason. He's paved the way for so many people. 
Sci-Fi 2000: And you have to consider most of the big directors today worked under Spielberg or Lucas in some way...
Katie: That's right.  Everyone in Hollywood owes something to those two. I don't know what else to say. I hate naming names and leave someone out. 

Sci-Fi 2000: I am sure everyone out there wants know this...
Katie: Uh-Oh...
Sci-Fi 2000: Who do you think are the two biggest hunks in Hollywood? 
Katie: Oh my! Well I have to say that boy on Pearl Harbor, Josh Hartnett... Oh my good-ness he's a hunk! Yeah, he's up there. And... yunno Harrison Ford is aging well. So, he's pretty much a hung in his era. Yeah, those two are good. 
Sci-Fi 2000: You went really young to the older class. 
Katie:  You gotta cover all your bases. (she laughs again)

Sci-Fi 2000: If you were going to do a feature film with one of  these guys in Hollywood, who would you most like to do an intimate scene with?
Katie: What are these questions? You are silly.
Sci-Fi 2000: It's the kind of silly stuff readers want to hear.
Katie: Who would I want to do an intimate scene with?  You already know Josh Hartnett. Maybe George Clooney, but that Josh boy! Ben Affleck would be up there too. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Any plans for a Katie Tomlinson official website? 
Katie: No, not really. I have seen what is out there, and there is already a Katie Tomlinson website. She is a model - looks a little like me with black hair, blue eyes and her name is Katie Tomlinson and it's spelled it the same way!  So I have to think of something else. Have to use my middle name or something. We'll see.  I'll have to look into that - have a little website action happening. 

Sci-Fi 2000: Do you have any projects in work after War of the Worlds?
Katie: No, I really don't. Like I said before I have talked to Tim about his future projects and his next film is due to begin rolling in about a year. I have talked to some other people about some projects in the spring but I don't know when this project will wrap. I am contracted with them until February and things can always be pushed back. One thing at a time.

Sci-Fi 2000: Are you considering another film, with the exception of Tim's next one, or working your way to Broadway?
Katie: No, now that I'm kinda in this mode, this film mode, and I got myself here I'll stick with it for a while - if the film gods are with me.  I'll stick with it and see what happens. If my film career leads me back to Broadway that's fine too. 

Sci-Fi 2000: I saved this question for last. From a few emails I got after posting your photo on the site I thought this appropriate... Would you consider yourself a babe or the girl next door?
Katie: That makes me sound cocky...
Sci-Fi 2000: No it doesn't, women know if they are good looking or not. It's a good question. 
Katie: Oh... you've put me in a hard situation. I think I'm the girl next door with a little bit of babe that comes out when it needs too.
Sci-Fi 2000: You took the easy way out.
Katie: Oh yeah. You knew I would.  (she giggles after that)

I had a wonderful time with the Ms.Tomlinson during the interview though it was short. She is a gem to talk to and I appreciate the time she gave me out of her busy schedule. 

Thank you Ms. Tomlinson!

TB