Emily Tarver – Orange is the New Black

By starrymag | July 23, 2017

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects you have been working on?

 

A) I have been cast in a web series that I am really excited about. It’s more comedic than my role on “Orange,” which is my sweet spot. I am writing scripts with a few people so that is filling my down time.

 

Q) Was your role on “Orange is the New Black” an audition or something you were pitched?

 

A) I auditioned for the part. It was two lines and I guess that was enough! No callback or anything, just cast straight from my initial tape. Lots of times there are call backs and producer sessions (which I think can be a little extraneous), so the simplicity of it was refreshing.

 

Q) You have a comedic background. What made you want to take on a dramatic role for the series “Orange is the New Black?”

 

A) I audition for everything I can! Comedy people are often the most in touch with the drama of life, we just try to make it funny.

 

Q) Talk about how CO Artesian McCullough was originally described to you.

 

A) ARTESIAN MCCULLOUGH Female CO, Caucasian, late 20s, blue-collar, country, attractive in a way that makes you want to find all her tattoos. At 18, she picked the Army over working at 7-11. Loves her country, her mama and teachin’ people a lesson. She’d probably be friends with Pennsatucky under different circumstances. (2 lines) RECURRING

 

Q) There is a running joke throughout the series about your character’s first name. Were you given any insight into this interesting aspect to your character?

 

A) Well, if you notice, on McCullough’s uniform it says, “B. McCullough.” One of McCullough’s lines was cut in Season Four Episode 3, where she first appears, and she reveals her actual first name. Artesian is actually her middle name. I have no idea if I will be back on the show so I cannot reveal what that name is!

 

Q) What were your first thoughts when you learned there was a riot going to be happening and then you’d be in your underwear most of the season?

 

A) I was literally eating a sandwich and threw it across the room. Not because I was mad, but because I knew my body would be possibly scrutinized. As a woman in this industry it’s really hard. I go from not wanting to eat to just saying, “GOD, I AM A HUMAN BEING, CAN’T I JUST EAT FOOD WHEN I’M HUNGRY WITHOUT WORRYING IF I AM THIN ENOUGH??!!!??” So, I was worried about what I look like. But I figured, maybe if I’m just whatever I am it could help people watching to just love whatever they are.

 

Q) While you were being held hostage, none of the other guards seemed protective over you. Was that something discussed with Jenji [Kohan] and the writers?

 

A) I have no idea. If it was, they didn’t share that with me. I imagine they didn’t want to make McCullough the weak one that needed protecting just because she was the girl.

 

Q) For filming Litchfield Idol, I was told that an email went out asking for the guards to list their special talents. What were some of the things you listed?

 

A) I can sing, I can dance, I can do handstands. Not sure why they picked what they picked for me. But it ended up great. That was such a great episode to shoot. Mostly because Nick Sandow directed.

 

Q) What do you think was going through her mind during Stratman’s performance?

 

A) McCullough was IN LOVE with Stratman for those very intense 4 minutes. But I think she went immediately back to thinking he was an idiot when it was over.

 

Q) Your costars Nick Sandow and Laura Prepon directed episodes. What was it like having them as your directors?

 

A) It is ALWAYS the best when a seasoned actor directs. They know exactly what they want and most importantly how to communicate that to an actor in a way that is respectful and clear. Those were my favorite episodes to film!

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments filming this season?

 

A) I think just sitting in the hallway in our cast chairs on set. The longer the hours, the weirder we got. The scene where we are put in the poo and it’s raining was crazy. We had a rain machine and it was cold outside. All the guards were freezing, but it was really fun.

 

Q) What have you taken away from your time working on “Orange is the New Black?”

 

A) Mostly to be kind to everyone always. Being the person on set who never has an issue and is there to do their job is my main focus. And to make people laugh at any chance I get. It’s been such a great time. I hope I am back next season!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to the show?

 

A) It was a little crazy to watch my Instagram numbers go up so quickly. I don’t post a ton and sometimes I get creepy comments. I just ignore it and go about my life. I don’t want to get sucked in to that world too much. I’m really appreciative that people think my life is worth looking at. I mostly just want to post dog pictures.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of your work?

 

A) Thank you for thinking I’m worthy of fandom. I’m just a person, trying to be good at the thing I love the most. Anyone can find success in the world they want to be a part of. Love acting but suck at it? Take classes, be a PA, get involved somehow.