Tara Reid – Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I just finished Sharknado 4 and we’re really excited about that and it’s going to be a lot of fun. I was just at Comic Con. For the movie premiere this year we’re headed to Las Vegas. This movie really effects so many people on a different level. It’s the fourth one now and we never had any clue it would become this huge. It was so unexpected. It’s been amazing for all of us. We really enjoy our time on it and it was exciting and fun. Every day we’re doing different movies and shows so it’s excitement coming up for this thing that we’ve all been working towards. Everyone I’ve talked to has said, “I’m doing a Sharknado party! I can’t wait!” It’s kind of become a thing where people get together and it is effecting people in a positive way and a happy way. I think today it’s really important with things going on in the world. To give something funny and a distraction is great.

Q) Where do we pick up with April for Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens?

A) The character of April has really developed. In the beginning, she didn’t believe there was such a thing as a Sharknado. She thought it was absolutely ridiculous. Then, she comes to realize he wasn’t kidding. As the movie progresses, she gets stronger and stronger. Over the course of the movie, her and Fin (Ian Ziering) realize they belong together. In the first one, it brings her back to her relationship with Fin and they become a family again. In the second one, they go to New York and are there to promote their book. But, again, where ever we go Sharknados follow us. Then, we’re saving New York City and trying to get to our family. That’s an amazing thing and we end up getting married again. In the third one, we’re married and having a baby when the Sharknado hits. We wound up surviving in outer space and before I knew it I’m giving birth to a baby shark in outer space. The movie just gets crazier and crazier. In the fourth one, she really becomes like a superhero, which is such an exciting role to play. It’s every actor’s dream to play a superhero. She’s badder and stronger than ever before. She can fly. She has a fake hand and it’s almost like a Swiss Army knife now. She has these special powers now that save her family. Her character has completely changed. She is completely badass in this. You’ll totally see the difference and it is exciting how it has changed. We have kids and my relationship with my husband is great. I think of all the movies it has a good message. It’s about family and saving family. It’s so much fun and cheesy because it doesn’t take itself seriously, but it has a good heart and does have good messages. All around, I just think it is a really fun and enjoyable film.

Q) You have such great chemistry with Ian. What is it like for you working together?

A) Ian became like a brother to me. He is one of my dearest friends and I truly love him. I love working with him and he is just a good guy. He is really smart. We have a really good rapport and relationship. That helps a lot in film and it shows. It’s a great thing and we’ve had a great time together. It’s just an incredible experience all around.

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments from working on the Sharknado films?

A) Every year there are different ones but a lot of the cameos we don’t actually get to work with. A lot of the cameos get eaten by a shark. I would say that last time Bo Derek got to play my mom and that was an incredible honor. That was probably one of the coolest experiences. Also, my good friend Kelly Osbourne was in the second one, which was great. This one, David Hasselhoff was good to work with and Gary Busey is in the movie playing my father. He was a really fun guy to work with so I really enjoyed my time on it. It was just a wonderful experience all around.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from behind the scenes?

A) They are just crazy because you look at the script and have to shoot thirteen pages that day where most movies you are shooting two pages a day. So, it’s about remembering and it’s impossible. With this movie, what we’ve really done is make the impossible possible. Somehow, we always pull it off. How? I have no clue. It just seems to work out. It works out in many great ways. We’re very fortunate with this great team that has been put around us. It’s working and we’re enjoying ourselves. Sometimes in life you just bond with people and this is one of them. It’s an honor that I’ve gotten the chance to work with these incredible, fun actors. It’s just awesome to be a part of it.

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

A) Absolutely! People have fun with it. Especially with the third one, it ended with the audience deciding if April lives or if April dies. They got to do that. The fans have been incredible. Some of them were like, “If Aprils dies, we riot!” It was really nice and so supportive. That really makes you feel good and it was really special. I have a great rapport with my fans and they have been nothing, but kind. They have just all around been fantastic.

Q) Is there anything else you would like to be sure fans know about Sharknado 4?

A) I just want them to watch the movie and have fun with it and enjoy it. I hope it makes them happy. People love these films because it is not a movie that takes itself seriously. It’s meant to be funny and ridiculous. We play the parts dead serious because if we were laughing as much as you guys it wouldn’t be funny. The fact that you are laughing at such ridiculous scenes that we are taking seriously makes you laugh even more. I think the trick of this movie is not to laugh and take it seriously and go with it that way. It’s working for us. Keep doing what we’re doing on the film and enjoying it. The bond we have with the fans has been awesome and we just keep on doing what we’re doing.