Tessa Thompson – New Attitude

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

A.  Well, aside from working as a regular on “Veronica Mars,” which keeps me pretty busy lately, I train weekly at a company called Playhouse West. I also try to do as many play readings as I can with the few local theatre companies that I’m involved with. And I have begun research for a piece that I hope to begin writing soon.

Q.  What made you want to be a part of the show “Veronica Mars”?

A.  When I was in the stages of auditioning for the part, I had never seen the show. I am truly one of those people who does not have cable TV, no joke. But, the material was well written – the characters were witty and quick on their toes, and I liked that. Also, at every step of the process – the folks behind the show were young, full of energy, inventive and spontaneous. I remember my producers session with Rob Thomas was so much fun, it was exciting and felt like play – and that is very refreshing and freeing for an actor. Then when I saw the pilot and other episodes – it confirmed that it was compelling material, and I was sold.

Q.  What information were you originally given about the character Jackie?

A.  Very little, actually. I knew that she was from New York, and had that kind of tough attitude. That she was rich and a socialite a la Paris Hilton. And, of course, that she would be Wallace’s “love interest” and that she and Veronica would have a “long road” to travel in terms of becoming friends. I did know that she would have an arc through the season – and that she would kind of soften as it progressed.

Q.  Do you have a most memorable moment from working on the show?

A.  That’s a hard one. I think the most memorable days were the longest ones, which usually involve a lot of people. Like the dances. The winter formal dance was a lot of fun, particularly because I got to play drunk with Jason Dohring. But, it was some ungodly hour of the morning and people were reaching that delirious silly time, we were all so sleepy and there was no end in sight – and the song on playback over and over was The Faders “No Sleep Tonight,” that was good irony. Recently we shot another dance, and I somehow got dozens of background to break out in the electric slide; that was awesome. It’s fun when it gets super silly on set and we twenty-somethings get to acting like teens.

Q.  When Jackie was first introduced fans didn’t react too kindly to her character.  Do you think opinions of the character have changed now that the season has progressed?

A.   I really hope so. But I do understand why people didn’t react too fondly. You really fall in love with each of the main characters last season. You have a clear sense of where they are coming from and are invested in them enough to care a lot about where they are going. And chiefly among those characters are Wallace and Veronica – the two people that Jackie (in the beginning) was less than perfect to. I think the thing about Jackie is that she is a really secretive person who has had a troubled past- she is also not super honest all the time, so it’s hard to get a sense of who she really is. I don’t think the audience got to see her really being herself in the first couple of episodes, and in many ways I don’t think you get to fully see that until the end of the season. The writers also have a daunting task in introducing a character as fully as possible, while continuing to develop the characters that really matter to the audience. I think the thing that was so cute to me was that the audience hated Jackie most for some funny things- like her not wanting to read Pride and Prejudice. I think it displays that the audience is smart, certainly. But I have run into quite a lot of fans that have said that they were happy with where the character is going. And I haven’t gotten any hate mail- so it can’t be all that bad.

Q.  What is it about the show “Veronica Mars” that you think keeps drawing in viewers?

A.  It’s writing, I think. It’s dark and witty. Also, there are such strong characters and relationships. It’s kind of like a good book- you can’t put it down because you’ve just got to know what happens next. Also, there are some wonderfully talented people both behind and in front of the camera, so that can’t hurt.

Q.  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A. Cooking. Doing nothing with my best friend. Talking to my animals. Going to garage sales and good thrift stores. Dancing. Seeing plays. Traveling.

Q.  Do you have a latest obsession? Are you into any particular book, sport, music group or activity?

A.  Yes, my new goldfish “Spot.” I bought him a house from Ikea, no assembly required, it was really a vase. And these cool rocks. He’s a goldfish with a modern sensibility, you know. He lives on my desk in my room and I like to stare at him, a lot. He’s pretty Zen compared to my two cats. Beyond him, I’m really into my Netflix subscription lately. I’ll like watch a bunch of movies from one genre or director or actor in a week. I think I watched Harold and Maude like three times recently. I’m daydreaming of getting a projector and hosting movie nights at my house if I can get around to tidying it up.

Q.  Since it’s now 2006, what is something this year that you are most looking forward to?

A.  I want to, of course, continue to work on projects that scare or excite me. I also made a promise to myself that I would make time to see the world, so I found a week off from work and met my sister in Panama just before the New Year. And in the spirit of that, I’m going to South East Asia a couple days after I wrap “Veronica Mars.” Also, I used to do a lot of community work and in the hustle of working I’ve lost that, so I’d like to recommit myself this year as much as possible. On a smaller level – I’ve been waiting to paint my place ever since I moved in a year ago (I hate white walls) so I hope to get around to that this year.

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

A.  You know, I try really hard not to get invested in how I’m being perceived. And sometimes that’s tricky. But, I think as an artist you can get really easily discouraged and encouraged, so you have to kind of protect yourself, in both directions. But, especially after some of the negative responses on this show, it is nice to know that there are people out there who are enjoying me. It helps me through the days that are harder than others. So, I’d say thank you. My friend showed me a fan site almost solely dedicated to Jackie’s various outfits on the show; that cracked me up. But, really my biggest fans and supporters are my friends and family – so I try to thank them as much as I can – in my own way.