Let's all pretend it's not just all about Gabrielle for me.
*faints like a silly fangirl*
Renee has a bad cold. I feel her pain.
She says, last night it was all Lucy's idea to dance on stage at the concert.
She says Lucy says, oh, Ren, I have a dress for you to wear, it matches the beads. And Renee is like, it was this big. Does it have a bottom half? And Lucy told me just wear fluffy panties and it would be fine.
She just finished a film called Diamonds and Guns, that will be out soon, possibly straight to DVD.
She also did a Western called Ghost Town. She had read the script but there was nothing there for a female, and they said they'd change a role to make it for a woman. Two actors are producing their own projects, which is what she wants to do. So she went and watched, said it was a lot like Xena in some ways, so she brought her Xena coat that she wore in New Zealand.
She's also doing Boogeyman 2, which is very violent. She plays a psychiatrist.
Fangirl: Did you have fun last night?
Renee: "I had a great time! It was so fun sitting back and watching her, I can just see why you love her so much!"
Fangirl: Kickboxing and yoga, do you still do martial arts?
Renee: "I run around after the baby and clean the house and go for walks. I don't really do the things I used to, I don't have the time for it." She said she's looking forward to getting back into that. "It'll come back, I promise."
Sharon asked about the "Patton speech." "I thought that what they didn't have in there was the heart of Gabrielle. She tries to be the warrior but she's always compassionate.... it had more of a dictatorship, Xena-pragmatic approach, but the heart wasn't there.... that's MY approach."
Fanboy: Asked her to twirl the staff.
She takes the staff and tells stories about playing sword fighting
with her son Miles. Puts down the mike and twirls the staff slowly,
then takes a bow. Applause and laughter. "Just like old times."
Fangirl asked about a Xena movie.
Renee: "I would do it, of course. Can you imagine? That would be really fascinating. That would be great... if you guys show up, we'll be there."
Sharon asked about the evolution of Gabrielle beyond the typical sidekick role.
Renee said she can't imagine being in a situation in which she didn't feel enlightened in some way. She said Lucy was so gracious about becoming a duo.
Fangirl squeeage, saying that the light and purity of her character inspired her. Asked which was the most fun episode.
Renee: "If the Shoe Fits" was the most fun. No one from ever tried
to tell them to pull it back or be ladylike. She liked filming the
comedies.
Fanboy: Will you be at the concert tonight?
Renee: "Yes. I picked up a couple new moves." Said she was afraid she'd slip and fall.
"With that little outfit you have to keep moving because if you don't, it does."
Fangirl: What was Gabrielle's true way? Xena's was the way of the warrior. What was Gabrielle's?
Renee: It was the way of frienship, the way of love. She would have done anything forXena. That was her way, the way of frienship. From the day she met her.
Fangirl asked about role in One Weekend a Month.
Renee: "As wonderful as things can be, you still have disappointments. One Weekend a Month... Eric wrote a feature film, I loved it... I want to be this character.... Eric said he really didn't want me in the part. It's funny how people change. That's just the way it goes. I'm really disappointed."
She said she respects his artistic vision.
Fangirl: Asked about her artwork.
Renee: Said it takes her six months to finish a piece. Has trouble
finding the freedom to paint. She starts with a color, then figures
what she wants the piece to be, usually based on a photograph. She has
one now of Gabrielle and a dragon. She has one from a t-shirt of
Gabrielle and Xena walking through the mountains. She has one of Xena
and Gabrielle looking at a beach. And she's into landscapes right now.
"It take a while, don't hold your breath."
Fangirl: Asked about favorite costume.
Renee: Brown leather one with the beads that came down. You could do all the kicks and not worry about revealing anything. That was her favorite.
Fangirl: Asked about her monologues.
Renee: The name of the play was "Talking With" by Jane Martin.
Fangirl: Asked about doing more Shakespeare.
Renee: She'd love to. "Would you guys see it if I did it?" Laughs and applause.
She left the door open for more Shakespeare.
Sharon said her acting career has really picked up, and wondered why.
Renee said she wasn't seeing anything really inspiring, then in preparation for a role, went on a drive along with a cop, and realized she loved the whole journey of preparing for a role. She is referring to "Katherine's project," but I'm a bad fangirl and don't know what that is. (Update: "Army Wives," and it's "When Fates Collide" writer Katherine Fugate's project.)
Sounds like she got her inspiration back, though, and is investing herself in her characters again. She sounds very happy and enthusiastic.
Says Ted Raimi taught her to ad lib.
Fanboy: Did playing a character so emotionally mature as Gabrielle, did that effect you?
Renee: "There were times I went home from playing Gabrielle and did have nightmares. I get close to parts. I think it might be an important challenge to learn how to keep them seperate."
"How do you leave it at the door and go home afterwards."
Lucy came out. Another standing ovation.
Fantastic Blogg!! Love your reports of the Con..especially Renee's ...thanks for sharing..Mel xx
Posted by: Mel R | 20 January 2007 at 05:07 AM
Hi!! Very good! Wihch convention it was? Do you have any videos? Thanks!!
Posted by: Estelle | 26 October 2007 at 07:52 PM
Hey i have been a fan of renee since she appeared on xena "had a little crush on her" her smile on tv made my bad days dissaperd and i just whanted to say keep smiling and be happy love you renee.
Posted by: accesso112 | 08 July 2014 at 03:59 PM