Interview: Patricia Tallman
Inquests Of The Dead
(Or “Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Zombies, But Didn’t Have The Brains To Askâ€)
In 1981 I watched George A. Romero’s “Knightriders†at my local movie house. While the movie was decent, what I remember most was a stunningly beautiful redheaded actress portraying the character Julie. This was my introduction to Patricia Tallman. In subsequent years I delighted every time this talented, underutilized actor appeared on screen. Patricia is well known to fans of “Babylon 5†as Lyta Alexander. She has appeared in three incarnations of “Star Trekâ€, and is familiar to genre fans for her roles in 1990’s “Night Of The Living Deadâ€, “Army Of Darknessâ€, and “Dead Airâ€. This working actor, stunt woman, and Mother can now add the title of author to her resume. Her new book “Pleasure Thresholds†has just been released.
1). Tell me about your early years, when did you get the acting bug?
I think I was always an actress. When I was little I would make up stories with my Barbies, usually Star Trek or Dark Shadows. I had my first paying acting job in dinner theatre at 15, and went to Carnegie-Mellon University to get my BFA in acting.
2). Having always been a Trek fan then, what was it like to step onto the Enterprise for the first time?
My first set was 10 Forward I think. It was shabbier than I had expected. But who cares! It was more about the people than the set anyway. Like all sets, you can see how it’s constructed and the scuffs & dust where it’s been used or neglected. But I know all that and it wasn’t a surprise. We had a job to do and we focus on that. I love what I do. It’s always a revelation. The best part of being on Star Trek was the people. The cast was a joy to work with.
3). You were involved in one of my favourite films, “Roadhouse”, what was that like? How was Patrick Swayze to work with?
It was a stunt job. The day before I had about 27 stitches in my right knee and couldn’t bend it. The stunt coordinator just choreographed the stunt around my leg. I thought Patrick was very handsome and charismatic.
4). You’ve done a lot of stunt work. How does one become involved in that end of the business, did you take special training?
You apprentice yourself to a stunt person to learn the trade. You should be very physical and have some training in gymnastics, martial arts, and or dance. All of it helps. I talk about some of the jobs I have done in “Pleasure Thresholdsâ€.
5). You played Barbara, the lead role in Tom Savini’s remake of “Night Of The Living Deadâ€. When you got the part did you study Judith O’Dea’s performance?
Oh for god’s sake no. You never study someone else’s performance for a role in a remake. And her Barbara was a very different woman. My friend Marty Schiff put me on tape for the audition and Tom Savini really wanted me for the role. I am very grateful it worked out.
6). As this is a zombie site, tell me about your experiences on “Night Of The Living Deadâ€.
The zombies were very graphic and real. Being a Savini film the effects were very important, and he loves making violence as technically real as possible. I was grossed out on a daily basis. It’s not something I enjoy. I can appreciate it, but do not like it. I don’t go to horror movies, I don’t like zombies cause they are too disturbing and give me nightmares. I know this is a zombie site, and you all might be disappointed in me, but that’s the truth.
7). Having said that, if someone wrote a treatment for a sequel that takes place 20 years later, would you be interested in reprising your role as Barbara?
Only if Joe Straczynski wrote it!
8). You reunited with Bill Moseley for “Dead Air”, tell us about the making of that film.
I love Bill and it was great to see him be the lead in a film. He’s a talented, wonderful man. We joked about being exes in this film, brother and sister in “NOTLD†and General and Private in “Army of Darkness†(I was a deadite as well as the witch.)
9). You’ve worked with some well respected actors, what was it like to work with Bruce Campbell, Bill Mumy, Bruce Boxleitner, Tony Todd, and the late Jeff Conaway?
They’re all great. Bill and Bruce B and I still see each other regularly. I really miss Jeff. He was fantastic. I saw Bruce Campbell 2 years ago and he was lovely and funny as always. Tony is also great to see but it’s been a while!
I talk about working with Icons in the book.
10). How gratifying were your years on Babylon 5? Do you prefer television over film work?
I do not prefer one over the other. It’s fantastic to do both. I talk about working on B5 extensively in my book. I was working very hard during those years and was a single mom at the same time. I didn’t have time to enjoy it. I really loved writing the book because it gave me a chance to really dig in and savour those days.
I cover Star Trek, Night of the Living Dead, the business of acting, Babylon 5, all my cast mates, Joe Straczynski, and stunt work there. I was very lucky to have the chance to do this project, “Pleasure Thresholdsâ€. Babylon 5 fans will know what the title refers too! Writing this book was a deeply personal experience for me. I tried to really tell the truth, even if it will not make me popular with some people! I open up about things I have never talked about in public. I had to send some chapters to my family because I didn’t want them to be surprised. Wow, I am nervous about it all.
11). What would be the best advice you’d give to aspiring actors?
Study, be an intelligent actor. Know your business. Hang around people you respect. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do it. Be your word.
12). Are there any other new projects in the near future that you can discuss?
I am taking classes in producing and looking to expand my horizons in this industry. I’m not sure what will happen next but I am really looking forward to it! You can touch base with my on my blog www.patriciatallman.us, Twitter @patriciatallman. and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaTallmanPage.
Pleasure Thresholds, Patricia Tallman’s Babylon 5 Memoirs is available at www.cafepress.com/b5pat
