Vanessa Branch – Girls’ Guide To Hunting & Fishing

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

A.  I just finished a film called Girls’ Guide To Hunting & Fishing with Alec Baldwin and Sarah Michelle Gellar.  I play a character named Faye Faulkner, I play the boss of Sarah Michelle Gellar.  It’s a really fantastic role, I’m looking forward to that coming out.  I’m also currently recurring on “Gilmore Girls” and I did an episode of a show called “Andy Barker, P.I.” which will be out in January.  I have a film coming out next year calledShadows of Atticus with Peter Coyote, Jason London and Peter Boyle. 

Q.  Can you tell us a bit more about your character in Girls’ Guide To Hunting & Fishing and about the premise?

A.  It was a novel that they made into a screenplay.  It’s basically a romantic comedy between Alec Baldwin and Sarah Michelle Gellar, it’s a May/December romance.  My character is really the antagonist, I am the head of this huge publishing company.  I don’t want to say it’s a “chick-flick,” but it is more along that kind of genre.  It’s kind of a coming of age story, Sarah Michelle Gellar kind of coming into her womanhood.

Q.  How was it getting to star alongside of Sarah Michelle Gellar?

A.  Fantastic!  We really got to have some great woman on woman scenes.  Relating with each other and kind of playing opposite of each other.  I don’t want to give too much away but it was a fantastic experience.

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

A.  I think if people like The Devil Wears Prada, they are going to really enjoy a film like this.  It’s a funny story yet it’s really meaningful.  It’s what I think a lot of women go through in their mid-to-late twenties.  Mainly becoming the women that they are and I think that’s something we all go through.  If we’re not there yet it’s great to see happen, if they’ve already been through it, it’s a great reminder of having that inner strength.  It’s a ton of fun, it’s very funny, so it’s a fantastic script. 

Q.  You mentioned the film Shadows of Atticus, what made you want to be a part of that movie?

A.  It was a beautiful script, it’s a beautiful story.  I get to play a vet who kind of has a heart of gold and it’s a story about a young girl who loses her mother.  She doesn’t get along with her father or grandfather and her life is kind of falling apart.  It’s all centered around animals and so I’ve always loved stories that put a good message out into the world.  They are really heart warming, it’s one of those films that will make everyone cry, and yet, will make everyone smile at the same time.

Q.  What was challenging about your role?

A.  I don’t know if this is necessarily a challenge, but it’s what I loved about it.  It has such heart, the woman was such a good, loving woman yet still strong and intelligent.  She’s a bit lonely on the inside, I think that’s what I loved most about it.  Seeing someone with that kind of unconditional love and portraying that because there should be more people in the world like this character.

Q.  You’ve been a part of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy.  How does that make you feel?

A.  The trilogy, you can’t possibly get into something that’s more exciting or more fun then working on the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy.  My part in the third is the same role that I did in the first and the second.  It gets bigger though and that’s exciting.  Working with Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom, and all of the actors on there, was such an exciting and fun experience.  Being on a period set and being in period clothing was a dream job, it really was. 

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

A.  I do so many things, I hang out with my boyfriend.  I love learning languages, I take lots of different classes frequently.  I’m getting my teaching degree, not because I want to quit acting, but it’s something that interests me.  I horseback ride, I do tons of traveling, I really like to read.  When I’m at home, because I do travel so much, I like to just putter around the house.  That’s probably my favorite thing to do.  My boyfriend is teaching me how to play golf.

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

A.  Thanks for being fans and supporters.  Keep watching, please keep chewing Orbitz gum.  Look out next year for Girls’ Guide because I think that’s going to be a lot of fun.