Nikki Griffin Interview

 

 Thanks to the powers of the internet I discovered Nikki Griffin and her work. I liked what she was doing as an actor.Thought an interview was need, so here we are. Powers that be, put her in your movie. she worth it.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1330512/ 

1. What has been your favorite role to date?

Jess Sathers on The OC has been my favorite roll to date. Jess was enormously fun to play, "Bad Girls" usually are. She had such attitude, and I loved her sarcasm.

2. What do you do to prepare for a role?

It really depends on the role. I read through the script, make notes in the margins. Sometimes I’ll write a narrative of my own from my character’s POV.

3. Any techniques to remember lines?

Having someone read it aloud with me is the best way to learn my lines. I also will sometimes re-write the lines several times on a blank page.

4. What was working on tv series like OC like?

As I said already, this was my favorite role. However, it was also my favorite job. It was a hot show at the time. It aired before The Dukes of Hazzard premiered, although it was filmed after. I was happy to be working with such a great group of people, I really enjoyed showing up everyday.

5. Did you gain much skills & experience from being on a show like that?

Yes, when filming a TV Drama, like The OC, you sometimes have multiple scenes a day, w/ re-writes handed to you right before rehearsal. I learned to be flexible; Be prepared but not married to your choices.

6. How is the filming of daytime tv different to a primtime tv program?

Soap Operas (Daytime TV- Young and the Restless, General Hospital, etc) are filmed very quickly. They have so much to film, since soaps air 5 days a week. It can be much like putting up a scene for theater;
You do a rehearsal/blocking of the scene, they light it accordingly, then you shoot it only once or twice using 3-4 cameras to catch all the angles. This is mostly done between the hours of 7am-7pm, on a soundstage. They rarely shoot outside, or on location, because of the time limitations

Dramas (1 hr long- The OC, CSI, etc) are typically filmed in 8 days. Scenes are scheduled (Shooting Schedule) not in chronological order, but in order of efficiency. Soundstages are used, as well as location, because of the time limitations

Dramas (1 hr long- The OC, CSI, etc) are typically filmed in 8 days. Scenes are scheduled (Shooting Schedule) not in chronological order, but in order of efficiency. Soundstages are used, as well as locations, and the hours can be anytime of day or night, as long as there is enough turn-around time for the next day.

Comedies (Two and a Half Men, Friends, etc)
are shot in 5-8 days or so (depending on the type) , but the first 2-3 are used for table-reads, fittings, and rehearsals. They are predominately shot on a soundstage, with reasonable hours 7am-7pm. If the show is a traditional sitcom, like Rules of Engagement, there will be a one night taping of specific scenes in front of a live studio audience.

7. How has the internet helped with your career?

I only joined social networking sites in the last 5yrs, but I have found them to be greatly beneficial. It is awesome to be able to reach your audience, promote your work, and even develop new mediums of entertainment, like web-series and pod casts.

8. Do you think it’s a useful tool?

I do. The internet makes it much easier for people to be seen and heard, be discovered. It gives an artist a much broader audience, allowing people all over the world to view their work.

9. What don’t you like about Hollywood?

That the moments are so fleeting. You are on top one minute and struggling the next, but maybe that is also the beauty of it.

10. Who have you enjoyed working with the most?

I am a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, so I was honored to work w/ Alyson Hannigan. I actually have her Willow action figure, but I didn’t tell her! She and Neal Patrick Harris were the nicest people, and so much fun!

11. What is on your stereo at the moment?

I have eclectic taste in music. I listen to anything from Punk to Country. Right now, as I type, I am listening to a local LA Punk band, called Kamikaze(www.KamikazeLA.com). I am also listening to Rachael Yamagata, The Avett Brothers, Ryan Adams, Mumford and Sons, Cory Branan and Muse. And always listening to: Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, Counting Crows.

12. What movies you have seen lately you have really enjoyed?

I have seen Tangled and True Grit in the theater, and I LOVED both. I also watched Zombieland again on Netflix, and thought it was just as good as the first time.

13. What are your favorite movies?

My all-time favorite movies are Dangerous Beauty, Clue, and The Breakfast Club. I love films so much that I am always watching new things and calling them my favorite.

14. What is next for you?

I am currently working on building my personal website, which will be All-Things-Nikki. I will begin an untitled independent horror film in February, as well as, begin auditioning in this new year.

15. Who would you most like to work with?

I would love to work with Matt Damon, Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, and Alan Rickman.

16 What do u like to do when your not working?

I watch a LOT of film and television. I play video games on XBox, and network on my computer. I like to cook and read. I hang out w/ my friends, I go see live music.

Thank you for including me on your site!

xo
Nikki