12.21.2005

Interview with Jill Ritchie

Jill Ritchie, up and coming actor (and sister of music star Kid Rock), joins us for a high class interview. Read what she has to say about Richard, the film, and some of her co-stars. — Number_5

R-K.net: What's your character do you play in Southland Tales?

Jill: I play Shoshana Cox. She is one of the NOW girls. My character is Sarah Michelle Gellar's cousin, supposedly. I found that out about 1/2 way through shooting when Richard one day said that Sarah and I looked a lot alike, therefore he thought we could be cousins in the film! 

R-K.net: How did you get involved with the film? Did you know Richard before all of this started?

Jill: I did know Richard before the movie. I met Richard during our USC years through my good friend Alexa Isbell. She thought Richard was the greatest and insisted, since I was an actress, that I meet him. At the time, neither one of us had done anything. I kept in touch with Richard throughout the years a bit. I was at Sundance when Donnie Darko was there too. Oh, and my fiance just happens to be a friend of Richard's as well. So we have many connections through different people. When I got the offer for the role (Richard didn't even audition me!!) I couldn't believe it. It was very random. I hadn't talked to Richard in a while so when my agent told me I was getting the offer I was so thrilled. It's nice for it to all come back around and to work with someone I have seen get big over the years in this industry.

R-K.net: What was the experience like on the set, and how would you compare it to other films you've worked on?

Jill: The experience was awesome. I enjoyed this one more than most just because of the people I was working with. I mean, this cast, all around was just great. (Sometimes that is NOT the case). Sarah, Gianna and Abbey were the people I was with the most and we just laughed and screwed around and improved a lot. Richard really let us improv and ad lib which is always a bonus as an actor.

R-K.net: Did anyone have better food than the Craft Services group on Southland Tales?

Jill: Well, to be honest, I have worked on a few big big budget films and they had some pretty good crafty trucks, but doesn't matter b/c I try to avoid those at all costs!

R-K.net: What was it like working with Sarah, Abbey, and Gianna?

Jill: As I said earlier, we just had so much fun. We really messed around a lot, made each other laugh and ordered late night french fries from Jerry's Deli (last night of shooting which was a 16 hour all nighter). They were all great and very talented young ladies. Sarah also told me about a place to look for wedding dresses and I found one, so I really owe her one!!!

R-K.net: Did any of the Mechanicals ever poop in your trailer? Or did you in theirs?

Jill: Wow, is this really a question??? Okay, not to my memory, but you never know with those crazy Mechanical chickies!! And I don't poop, nice girls don't, didn't you know that!!

R-K.net: What did you have most in common with your character? Least in common?

Jill: Most in common, she really believed in herself and what she stood for. Least in common, she was a porn star and I have never done porn.

R-K.net: What did you think of the script when you first read it, and did you know you'd have a role in the film at the time?

Jill: When I first read it, yes I had heard I was going to get an offer for the the part of Tera Cox, which was the original character's name. However, the offer didn't come through until much later because I think the film kept getting pushed. The script changed a lot too. I thought the script was awesome, but it's one of those where you have to read it about 100 times to really absorb and understand. I still think I am clueless on a lot of the stuff!

R-K.net: You mentioned improvisation. How much of your dialog was scripted, and how much was improv?

Jill: A lot was improv. I don't know if some of the scenes will make it though. Richard would let us go off at times, but due to the length of film, it probably won't all make the final cut. This happens often when directors let their actors improv a lot.

R-K.net: I smell some DVD deleted scenes. At least I think I do - it's certainly not poop I smell. When did you first see Donnie Darko, and what did you think of it? Which character do you identify with most in that movie?

Jill: I first saw it at the screening at Sundance. I thought it was off the wall! I identified with any and all of the sparkle motion girlies. LOVED them.

R-K.net: Well if you feel the need to throw up on stage, you know what to do. What's your background in acting, and how did you end up in LA?

Jill: Background is this: started acting at young age in Michigan, at school, and local community theater stuff. Moved to LA to study theater at USC. Started auditioning and slowly working thereafter.

R-K.net: As a USC Trojan, do you follow the football team? How much will they beat Texas by?

Jill: Well, I don't have a choice in how much I follow USC football because my fiance is a DIEHARD fan. We go to a lot of games, and we will be at the Rose Bowl for sure. I think USC will take Texas by 10 points at least.

R-K.net: OK, but don't blame us if you get gored by Bevo at the game. What does your brother think of your career? Any chance he has Nasty Breeze (a group contributing some music to Southland Tales) as an opening act?

Jill: My brother is very supportive and cool with my career. He gets it.Growing up, we both were doing our thing. He was always music and I was always acting. So to see him make it - great! and I am sure to see me make it is same for him. Don't know about Nasty Breeze opening, but I think they would be a great fit!!

R-K.net: Do you think Teen Horniness is a crime?

Jill: Nah, just the natural thing that happens.

R-K.net: Who wins a cage match between Tanoai and The Rock? How about between Zelda Rubenstein and Bai Ling?

Jill: Rock for sure because he is just the best no matter what. And Bai Ling because she seems CRAZY.

R-K.net: What's the next project on your horizon?

Jill: The next project is the same as always: reading scripts, auditioning and waiting for the right one. I try to be as picky as I can be. I want to do great projects, like Southland Tales. But, ultimately, a great TV show is what I am hunting for. I just love TV and the stability.

R-K.net: What will you wear to the red carpet premiere of Southland Tales?

Jill: I will wear something classy to offset the "unclassy" outfit I have in the movie.

R-K.net: Perhaps that fancy wedding dress you mentioned. Which actors or directors would you just die to work with (you don't literally have to die)?

Jill: Lets see, I love Paul Thomas Anderson. Also, Mark Waters I like. And I just saw Brokeback Mountain and I think Ang Lee would be awesome. And of course, Quentin Tarantion would be fun.

R-K.net: You've been to Sundance at least once - what was the experience like and how do you compare it to being involved in a major studio flick?

Jill: Sundance experience is the ultimate for an actor I think. They treat you like royalty when you have a movie there and it just feels so great. Especially, after doing a movie, usually for no pay and lots of hard hours, etc. You do it for the passion and Sundance is the major pay off. One of my best experiences hands down in this industry. Does not compare to shooting a major studio flick. Although, ask me again when I am the star of a major studio flick. I am sure I won't complain.

R-K.net: Any other comments you might have?

Jill: Thanks Richard for casting me and believing in me. I was so honored, flattered, and thrilled. Here's to many more. I know we both will go to great heights in this career!!

R-K.net: Thanks, Jill, for taking the time to answer our silly questions. Enjoy the football game, good luck with the wedding, and keep an eye out for Gianna sneaking around your trailer after a run through the craft services line.