Post by rambabe on May 20, 2010 12:49:36 GMT -5
Thanks to SpyBarbie at svufans.net
tvdonewright.com/2010/05/exclusive-law-order-svu-star-tamara-tunie-talks-dr-melinda-warner-moving-back-to-9-pm-and-the-shocking-season-finale/
By Adam Wright
Published: May 20, 2010
Law & Order: SVU just wrapped-up its eleventh season on the air with a shocking season finale.
At the centre of it all was Dr. Melinda Warner, who is played by Tamara Tunie.
I had the opportunity to talk to Tamara about the shocking season finale, and much more. Here’s what she had to say.
Adam: First off I want to congratulate you and the cast of Law & Order: SVU being picked up for the 12th Season. How does it feel?
Tamara: Fantastic!
***
Adam: Law & Order: SVU always delivers something special in their finales, and this year was no exception. How did you feel about the finale?
Tamara: Really excited. I knew, yet again, it was going to be a great season finale.
***
Adam: In a scene you’re involved in, the mother (guest-star Isabelle Huppert) sees her child on the examiner’s table. It was an emotional scene, and Isabelle played her part so well, along with everyone else. What are your thoughts on that scene?
Tamara: It was a very emotional scene; we shot it over three days. It was really challenging for everyone, and Madame Huppert was ‘magnifique’!
***
Adam: When did you find out you were getting shot in the finale, and what was your first reaction?
Tamara: I found out about six weeks before we got the script. When the writer first told me Isabelle Huppert shoots me, I had mixed emotions. I was excited about working with Isabelle because I love her work and have been a big fan of her films. But my immediate question was “Do I live???”
***
Adam: What was it like to play a gunshot victim?
Tamara: Sticky! I was covered in fake blood for three days, and had to put on the same clothes, which the team would wet with water to sort of reactivate the fake blood and then add some more! Between setups and for lunch break, they would wrap me in cellophane to stay ‘fresh’.
***
Adam: Despite literally bleeding to death, Warner ends up talking Olivia Benson through saving her life, including putting in a chest tube. “I can’t do this,” Benson said, then Warner quips “Then watch me bleed out and die here!” What’s it like to play a strong, no nonsense character like her?
Tamara: Listen, it was about saving my own life. You gotta do what you gotta do! I love playing Dr. Warner because in tense situations, she always keeps her head. She can see the forest in spite of the trees. I try to be more like her.
***
Adam: Your performance was great in the finale, and it’s good to see you made it out. “Get off me you vultures,” you say to the doctors before you’re wheeled out to safety. So Melinda WILL be back next season, in tip-top shape, right?
Tamara: I certainly hope so!
***
Adam: SVU has managed to keep its cast fairly intact during its whole run, so no doubt the cast is pretty close after all these years. Tell me a bit about the cast dynamic. What is the atmosphere like shooting SVU? How is it working with Chris and Mariska?
Tamara: First of all, I love my cast and crew. Every single one of them. There is a real feeling of teamwork and family on our show. Chris and Mariska are awesome, because at the end of the day, they want to get the best show they can on the air, and get home to spend time with their families. It’s what we all want. It makes for a warm set and a good time in spite of the long hours. Guest actors always comment on how comfortable they feel stepping on to the ‘speeding train’. I have guest-starred on shows and it’s not easy jumping in to something that is like a well-oiled machine. And also it’s hard being the new kid at school. In addition, Ice [T], [Richard] Belzer, BD [Wong], Stephanie [March], and of course, myself, we all like to make everyone feel comfy. When you are comfy, you do great work and we can all go home!
***
Adam: I know the season just wrapped up, but do you know anything about what’s in store for next season?
Tamara: Not at this time, but I know it will be good.
***
Adam: SVU is moving back to 9 p.m. next fall, followed by the new spin-off Law & Order: Los Angeles. Any thoughts on the timeslot, and the new spin-off?
Tamara: Personally, I think the 10 pm timeslot is better for our show, because of its subject matter. But I am sure the thinking is our show is soooooo strong, it would be a great lead-in for any show.
***
Adam: Finally, I ask this to all my interviewees. What have you been watching on TV lately?
Tamara: Glee, The Tudors, Treme, and Law & Order: SVU!
***
Special thanks to Tamara for talking to me right after viewing the season finale. Be sure to watch Law & Order: SVU when it returns this fall, in its new timeslot Wednesday 9 pm ET on NBC.
tvdonewright.com/2010/05/exclusive-law-order-svu-star-tamara-tunie-talks-dr-melinda-warner-moving-back-to-9-pm-and-the-shocking-season-finale/
By Adam Wright
Published: May 20, 2010
Law & Order: SVU just wrapped-up its eleventh season on the air with a shocking season finale.
At the centre of it all was Dr. Melinda Warner, who is played by Tamara Tunie.
I had the opportunity to talk to Tamara about the shocking season finale, and much more. Here’s what she had to say.
Adam: First off I want to congratulate you and the cast of Law & Order: SVU being picked up for the 12th Season. How does it feel?
Tamara: Fantastic!
***
Adam: Law & Order: SVU always delivers something special in their finales, and this year was no exception. How did you feel about the finale?
Tamara: Really excited. I knew, yet again, it was going to be a great season finale.
***
Adam: In a scene you’re involved in, the mother (guest-star Isabelle Huppert) sees her child on the examiner’s table. It was an emotional scene, and Isabelle played her part so well, along with everyone else. What are your thoughts on that scene?
Tamara: It was a very emotional scene; we shot it over three days. It was really challenging for everyone, and Madame Huppert was ‘magnifique’!
***
Adam: When did you find out you were getting shot in the finale, and what was your first reaction?
Tamara: I found out about six weeks before we got the script. When the writer first told me Isabelle Huppert shoots me, I had mixed emotions. I was excited about working with Isabelle because I love her work and have been a big fan of her films. But my immediate question was “Do I live???”
***
Adam: What was it like to play a gunshot victim?
Tamara: Sticky! I was covered in fake blood for three days, and had to put on the same clothes, which the team would wet with water to sort of reactivate the fake blood and then add some more! Between setups and for lunch break, they would wrap me in cellophane to stay ‘fresh’.
***
Adam: Despite literally bleeding to death, Warner ends up talking Olivia Benson through saving her life, including putting in a chest tube. “I can’t do this,” Benson said, then Warner quips “Then watch me bleed out and die here!” What’s it like to play a strong, no nonsense character like her?
Tamara: Listen, it was about saving my own life. You gotta do what you gotta do! I love playing Dr. Warner because in tense situations, she always keeps her head. She can see the forest in spite of the trees. I try to be more like her.
***
Adam: Your performance was great in the finale, and it’s good to see you made it out. “Get off me you vultures,” you say to the doctors before you’re wheeled out to safety. So Melinda WILL be back next season, in tip-top shape, right?
Tamara: I certainly hope so!
***
Adam: SVU has managed to keep its cast fairly intact during its whole run, so no doubt the cast is pretty close after all these years. Tell me a bit about the cast dynamic. What is the atmosphere like shooting SVU? How is it working with Chris and Mariska?
Tamara: First of all, I love my cast and crew. Every single one of them. There is a real feeling of teamwork and family on our show. Chris and Mariska are awesome, because at the end of the day, they want to get the best show they can on the air, and get home to spend time with their families. It’s what we all want. It makes for a warm set and a good time in spite of the long hours. Guest actors always comment on how comfortable they feel stepping on to the ‘speeding train’. I have guest-starred on shows and it’s not easy jumping in to something that is like a well-oiled machine. And also it’s hard being the new kid at school. In addition, Ice [T], [Richard] Belzer, BD [Wong], Stephanie [March], and of course, myself, we all like to make everyone feel comfy. When you are comfy, you do great work and we can all go home!
***
Adam: I know the season just wrapped up, but do you know anything about what’s in store for next season?
Tamara: Not at this time, but I know it will be good.
***
Adam: SVU is moving back to 9 p.m. next fall, followed by the new spin-off Law & Order: Los Angeles. Any thoughts on the timeslot, and the new spin-off?
Tamara: Personally, I think the 10 pm timeslot is better for our show, because of its subject matter. But I am sure the thinking is our show is soooooo strong, it would be a great lead-in for any show.
***
Adam: Finally, I ask this to all my interviewees. What have you been watching on TV lately?
Tamara: Glee, The Tudors, Treme, and Law & Order: SVU!
***
Special thanks to Tamara for talking to me right after viewing the season finale. Be sure to watch Law & Order: SVU when it returns this fall, in its new timeslot Wednesday 9 pm ET on NBC.