Rebecca Reid – New Girl

By starrymag | January 6, 2016

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I just finished the first season of show called “I Live With Models,” which is a original sitcom from Comedy Central. I’ve been performing a lot of standup in Los Angeles as well. I’m also developing a few projects with a development company in Los Angeles.

Q) What is new this season on “New Girl” for your character Nadia?

A) This is really fun. It’s going to be a lot of flashbacks in regards to my character, where she actually came from and what she was like before she became a little bit more Americanized. So, it’s quite fun and very funny. It was a lot of fun to be on set working on those flashbacks. Quite surprisingly, she is going to be talking in another language all together.

Q) What was it like for you having to learn to speak a different language?

A) I think it’s always good to be given a challenge. When you have to do a job, you just have to do it. I actually surprised myself that I could pick up the language pretty quickly thanks to the Russian bar people. I went in and practiced my Russian in the bars just speaking to Russians. That’s the way to do it, I guess!

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I don’t know what I personally added. I suppose you would have to ask the creator of the show, Liz Merriweather. I am not sure that when I started on the show it was a reoccuring role, but it was something that has developed in that way. It might be true to say that I did bring something that they didn’t expect and they wanted to bring it along. I couldn’t say what that is though. You’d have to ask Liz. Nadia is a character that I really enjoy playing. I feel like I know her really well. It’s a tribute to how good the writing is that it may seem like improv, but much of the time it is not. I just love doing this character!

Q) What has been a favorite moment to film for “New Girl?”

A) It was probably this season because I was asked to do things that were new for me, which was really fun. Being able to prepare that and then being able to do it on set was a lot of fun.

Q) You have comedic timing. Is it something  you have studied or a natural talent?

A) I’ve not studied it. I think if I studied it would mess me up and put me too much in my head. I don’t believe in that. My comedic timing has come since I was a child. I would say it came from my Ukrainian grandfather. He didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak Ukrainian, but we communicated through humor. I had such fond memories of him from being a child of these wonderful comedic moments between him and I. I’d walk into a room and he’d be sitting by the fire rolling a cigarette. I’d come into the room and he’d look at me, I’d look at him, I’d look away and he’d look away. Then, he’d look at me and I’d look at him and he’d suddenly push his false teeth out and then quickly put them in. We just had a wonderful, wonderful relationship where it was through humor. It was never through language really. I think that is something that has really effected me comedically. I have a very particular sense of humor, which I am proud of!

Q) We do get to see your comedy through your character Audrey Mouse. How have you taken this character from stage to web series?

A) Right now the project is in development. All I can say is 2016 is all about Audrey Mouse. If Audrey Mouse were here, she would say, “I’m the sister of a certain mouse whose name we can’t mention because she made us sign a fucking confidentiality agreement. What I can say is it the tale of an American up and comer and the rest is history. It hasn’t been easy living in the shadow of my sister, but I’m here to say it is my time to shine now! I’m going to be the star!”

Q) She sounds a bit resentful!

A) I think she might be a little resentful of her sister’s career. But she’s had a few habits to kick – mainly the cheese.

Q) Will there be guest stars on the series?

A) There will be a lot of guest star roles with people that we all know. That’s really all I can say about  it right now because it is in development.

Q) What do you think it is about web series that makes it a great fit for your show or character?

A) I think because it is quite fun that they can be short little videos that can film more like behind the scenes. It captures moments that seem kind of like things you probably shouldn’t see. So, it’s good for spontaneous moments like if Audrey would be on the red carpet interviewing Jon Hamm and there is a bit of a miscommunication where she thinks that he is flirting with her. The web series aspect makes it really fun to capture the awkward moments.

Q) How long will the Audrey Mouse episodes be in length?

A) I think they will probably be around eight to ten minutes in length. They are little slices of outrageousness.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) You have to have a presence on social media. It is imperative to connect with fans from that platform and to get input. Their comments, input and that interaction is just so important.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure we share with fans?

A) “New Girl” starts Season 5 on January 5th!

 

 

Rebecca Reid: http://thisisrebeccareid.com/