Nicholle Tom – Minor Moves

Q.  What are some of the recent projects that you’ve been working on?

A.  Well, I just finished “The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman,” which is a new series for IFC.  It premieres tomorrow night, August 4th, and will run for eight consecutive weeks.  It’s the first original comedy series for the network and it’s hysterical, if I do say so myself. I play a character named Tara Wentzel, who is a low level employee at a production company.  I am trying to make it in Hollywood and my best friend is Jackie Woodman.  She’s a writer who doesn’t see her potential, she does have potential, but she just needs a little nudge to get her going in the morning.  I’m trying to sell her script to my company, which is about her and her roller derby experience.  Jackie wants to conquer the business but she really doesn’t want anything to do with it at the same time, like the scene.  I am sort of the opposite, I want to go to the Hollywood parties and be at all of the hip, hot new clubs but I never get invited there. Jackie always gets invited and I tag along and am very interested in meeting new people.  I will do anything it takes.  I actually have a couple of movies coming out as well.  One is called In Memory of My Father with Jeremy Sisto and Judy Greer, and myself.  It’s kind of a mockumentary about three brothers whose father is a Robert Evans type producer who ends up dying.  His last dying wish is for his three sons to make a documentary of his life.  It’s a comedy, it’s actually more like dramedy.  The other film is called Bottom’s Up and it is with Paris Hilton and I play an Entertainment Tonight type of reporter.  She’s really into her job and getting the story.

Q.  So, is your character somewhat of a “hanger-on” – kind of like Turtle from the show “Entourage”?

A.  Well, I think that’s one way to go about it.  If selling Jackie’s script to my company, if I can hang on to her, than that would be the best way to go about it.  She’s my best friend and there really is a strong friendship bond there.  I think Turtle has a strong bond with those guys as well but it’s like a support system. Living in Los Angeles you need people behind you that believe in you and support you.  For Jackie, it’s me and her against the world, or against the business.  There is a strong trust bond there and it’s hard to trust anyone in this town.  So, we’ve known each other for years and being able to trust someone is very important. When it comes down to it, we’re there for each other in the end. 

Q.  What made you want to be a part of this project?

A.  It’s brilliantly written, Laura Kightlinger (she plays Jackie) she wrote it with David Punch.  It’s like nothing I’ve ever done before and I just found it to be hysterical.  I love my character, how she is so neurotic and out there and just a real go-getter.  Also, IFC is a real, experimental environment where you’re free to just have a lot more freedom with how you portray the person and the whole storyline.  Most network television, not that network television is bad by any means I think it’s great, I think you have a little more creative freedom on cable.

Q.  Do you have a most memorable moment from filming?

A.  I have to say probably when in the pilot my car is crashed into by Sally Kellerman.  We had to do this scene where my bumper fell off of the car.  I had to pick up the bumper and sling it over my shoulder and shove it into the backseat.  That was memorable because everybody couldn’t believe I could actually lift the bumper.  They were cracking up and I told them that I wish I could have a bumper strapped to my back for every episode.  Just because I really liked it.  One time it did land on my foot, for real and it hurt.  When I would pick it up, I would do it with such force that Laura was scared that I was going to hit her in the head with it.  It got really close but it never happened.

Q.  Why should viewers take the time to check out the show?

A.  Because it’s hysterical and it’s really about friendship and supporting each other.  There are a lot of great guest stars on it and you’ll laugh your ass off.

Q.  Since the show is a comedy, does comedy come naturally to you or is it something you’re constantly working at?

A.  I think comedy is harder than drama, with it being to make somebody cry than it is to laugh.  But, I really enjoy doing comedy, it’s great to be upbeat all day.  You just get to do crazy things, you get to do crazy things with drama as well, but I like doing comedy.  I think it comes pretty easy, I’ve been doing this for a long time.

Q.  What would you like to say to people who are your fans and supporters?

A.  Thank you for supporting me and I hope that you enjoy the show.  Thank you, I work really hard and I hope that I make you laugh or cry, I hope I help you feel.