Natasha Negovanlis – Carmilla

Q) “Carmilla” has kind of hit the web running and exploded everywhere. Is that something you expected when you began working on the project?

A) Our production company, Smokebomb Entertainment, is very good with multi-platform projects and digital content. So, I had anticipated reaching a fairly large audience, but I don’t think anyone expected it to be quite as big as it is. Truthfully, it was a little overwhelming at first (since I don’t think anyone has written a handbook on how to deal with sudden fame), but it’s super exciting and the fans are really nice!

Q) The character of Carmilla, is it difficult to portray her growth through such a short period of time? We get 36 episodes, which is a lot for a webseries, but each one is four to seven minutes long.

A) I think any time you have to play a character who is experiencing a growth or a change, it can be difficult. But at the same time, the thirty-six episodes amount to the same length as a feature film and I think that’s just part of the job that is expected. I haven’t had the pleasure of doing a feature film yet, but I hope that I will soon because I’m ready and willing to accept more challenges.

Q) What is the shooting schedule like for “Carmilla?”

A) We shot everything in four days, in two day blocks, stretched over about two weeks. For the first block of shooting, we tried to shoot everything consecutively, which made everything a lot easier as an actor. Then, we realized we would save time if we shot all the night scenes in one block and all the day scenes in one block. So, for the second block of shooting, it was not consecutive. Most of us had never worked on a web series before either so we definitely got creative and improvised sometimes due to our short time frame and other limitations.

Q) What is your favorite aspect to filming “Carmilla?”

A) My favorite aspect of filming “Carmilla” is the incredible team of people that I get to work with, both behind and in front of the camera. Another thing I really like about working on camera versus theater is the detail that goes into everything. I love all the magic tricks that go into film and how when you pick up a muffin on set it is an actual muffin and not prop food.

Q) The dorm room seems to be a character in itself. Talk about how that plays a role in the series.

A) We were really blessed with such a talented props department and art direction department. They built that room from scratch and it was so detailed, which was such a gift as an actor because I was actually able to explore and live in my environment. My character lived there for like fifty years so I thought it would be important for me to know the space really well. (I even had a few naps in Laura’s bed!) I also love how the room constantly changes. As I come in, more and more of Carmilla’s things start to appear, like the lamp with the leather shade. (Spencer Maybee, our director, jokes that it is made from the skins of all my victims.) Although, Carmilla doesn’t have too many belongings because I think as a vampire, she sees a lot of things deteriorate and is probably a minimalist who has an appreciation for things that last a long time. Anyway, I am just so grateful toward the creative team because they gave me so much freedom to play and experiment. Like one of the books Carmilla reads often is actually a 1920’s tour guide to Paris that was a gift to me, personally, from an old friend. I said, “I think Carmilla would have this,” because her mom found her in Paris. And they said, “Oh yeah! We love it!”

Q) It is nice to see that Carmilla has so many redeeming qualities, too. She’s not pure evil.

A) Carmilla is definitely not evil. She has just been around. I think she had spent a lot of her life wasting time and now she gives no shits. She has no time for stupidity. To have no real consequences and the power of immortality…I just feel that if anyone was a vampire it would change the way they behaved. I don’t think she is evil. She is just really old and misunderstood.

Q) Exactly. Why would she help Laura if she didn’t care?

A) I think it just took her so long to admit that she cares about Laura because of the way Ell hurt her in the past. I mean, she died when she was only eighteen years old and I do wonder if the traits she had as a teenager stayed with her as a vampire. Like when I was eighteen years old and I got dumped, it was such a massive heartbreak that I didn’t eat for two weeks. Of course, I look back now and think, “That’s so silly!” But when you are that age, and hormones are flowing, everything has a huge impact on you. I think I am similar to Carmilla in the sense that I am very guarded and some people regard me as a little bit callous at times, but it’s only because I have a really big heart and a huge capacity for love. Putting yourself on the line and going all the way is a scary thing to do…even if you are a centuries old badass. I think being vulnerable and telling someone you care about them is one of the bravest things you can do at any point in your life.

Q) Why do you think that Carmilla is so drawn to Laura?

A) Carmilla was a rich little girl for a while before she turned into a vampire. She was probably a little peculiar growing up. She was sheltered and philosophical and probably a little bookish. Maybe she sees a little bit of herself in Laura. She’s drawn to her curiosity and the fact that Laura doesn’t see Carmilla as a monster is also special to her.

Q) There are a lot of great parallels in the story. Is that something consciously added? For example, when Danny says, “Never come back!” and Carmilla says, “See you never!”

A) That’s a really good point! I think it is a combination of both. I think the writer (Jordan Hall) is very clever. Sometimes there were things in the script that I didn’t understand during the first reading, but then I would do it in the actual room and I completely got it. I just marvel at the writer’s ability to really imagine the world of Silas University. And the parallels that are organic are just my own personal chemistry with my costars, who are so giving and lovely to work with.

Q) The show isn’t overtly pushing a message of feminism or lesbianism. What do you think the most defining message of the show is?

A) I can’t think of one definitive message, but what I love about the show is how innovative it is. I just like that the show is mainly about the mystery of the missing girls and vampires. Yes, there is a bit of a love story and, yes, some of the characters are lesbians. But it also just about strong female characters that aren’t defined by who they choose to sleep with. Personally, I choose not to label my sexuality and I do understand that I am very lucky to live in a country and a city that is accepting of that. And that is not the case for everyone. Coming out is not always safe for everyone. But this series teaches us that finding friendship and communities that will accept you, no matter who you are, is possible.