A SHORT CONVERSATION ON CINEMA
NEONATAL
actress TAM JACKSON SYNOPSIS: Cindy, a young pregnant woman, learns that she won the grand prize at a local baby supply store. When she goes to pick up her winnings, she finds herself in the middle of another woman’s deranged plot. Tell us about Neonatal and the character you play. TAM JACKSON: It’s a thriller. A little bit of a thriller a little bit of a horror genre and I play a crazed, psychopath bent on getting a baby. How is this role different than other characters you played in the past? JACKSON: It’s difficult being middle-aged to find any roles that have teeth. A lot of the roles that I get offered and I wanna work, they are very one dimensional. They are the lead of the mom and you just love your son and it’s just, there’s not a lot to it that anybody with skills couldn’t just step into the role. I like this because, when I read the casting call I could tell this was a very layered character. At least the way I view her and hopefully the way I portray her is very deep, very layered. Was it scary to play a psychopath? JACKSON: I love playing something complex and there aren’t a lot of true psychopath’s in the world and I met a couple of them, through my job as a psychologist. So I feel like I have a little, as much insight as anybody would want to have into the heart of a psychopath. But, no it doesn’t scare me. I love it. I love playing something very different from who I am. What was the reaction to the film screening? JACKSON: I felt that it was very positive. I ran into a lot of strangers who said I’m totally horrified by you! I consider that the ultimate compliment. Because
the way the director filmed and edited the piece was to make it, build in tension and so you don’t see me initially in the film but hopefully, what we wanted is, when you get the first flash of my character you know this woman is insane. What was the audition process like? JACKSON: There was an initial audition and a call back and then another call back with the female that they initially cast. Brandi Blevins who plays my colead. So our final audition was two of us together and I walked out of their thinking if he (Andrew McDonald) doesn’t cast the two of us, I don’t know what’s wrong with this guy, because we just clicked. We really clicked. How did you prepare for the role? JACKSON: I do a lot of character research before I ever even go to the audition. But, then especially once I get the script I cant tell you the amount of time I spent developing this character. But, I really tried to make her not only very mentally illed, psychopathic but also, I wanted the audience to have compassion. Because if I play her pure evil, nobody’s gonna care. Can you tell us about the production schedule. JACKSON: Ten days, which sounds like a lot compared to a lot of people here. But, initially our film was about 30 minutes and Andrew McDonald, the director had cut it down to fifteen and I think he did a great job on editing. This was the first time I saw it, here (Palm Springs ShortFest), that’s first time I’ve seen the completed project. web VIMEO.COM/170228809
COACHELLA MAGAZINE
99