Violett Beane – The Flash

By starrymag | February 23, 2016

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

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

A) I have two that are going to be premiering at South By Southwest. I’m really excited about them! One of the projects is Tower and it is a project close to my heart because it is about a shooting that happened in Austin.

Q) What is it that really drew you to the role of Claire Wilson in the film Tower?

A) Her story is insane. I haven’t met her yet, but I’m excited to meet her in March. She has such a positive outlook. She ended up adopting a child and moving past it, but her story is very heartwarming and I wanted to portray it for her.

Q) Where did you draw from then for your portrayal?

A) The guy who wrote and directed the movie, Keith Maitland, speaks with her every Sunday for multiple hours. He ended up calling me back to reshoot something because he got more information from her. I watched all of her interviews and through him telling me the kind of person she is and watching these interviews I was kind of able to gather how she feels about the situation. I hope she is happy with the product and I can’t wait to meet her.

Q) What was the most challenging part of filming for you?

A) It was definitely emotionally challenging from an acting point of view because I personally haven’t lost a child before. I know it is one of the saddest thing a parent can go through. I think actually filming the scenes were difficult because a lot of it is CGI, but we did shoot a few scenes on campus (maybe without permission). So, actually getting the shots were a bit difficult without authorities coming in.

Q) What kind of guidance did you receive from the director, Keith Maitland, while filming?

A) We didn’t do it interview style. We just showed the responses. He was sitting behind the camera sort of prompting the questions so it was realistic as if I was in an interview about what happened. He definitely gave some direction and he really told me a lot about Claire to get me in the mindset for it. Other than that, I think he trusted my instincts of what I would do with the character and it was a really good working relationship, for sure!

Q) What have you taken away from your time on the movie?

A) I think I’ve always been a peaceful person. I was raised Quaker and they are one of the most peaceful religions. But I think I’ve sort of honed in on my stance on gun control and how it needs to be regulated more than it is. I definitely think I’ve focused more on that and decided that I really do think guns need to be protected from kids and people who shouldn’t have them. I thjnk this movie will bring a lot of that to light, too. Especially in this time now when more than daily mass shootings happen it is important to think about.

Q) Was there a site you to went to most when you needed more information on the topic of school shooting?

A) No particular website, but I have a lot of varied cultured friends and they talk to me about things. Then, I go look it up on various websites and figure out my personal stance on these things. I’ve seen a lot of interviews with people talking about mass shootings. Like in Australia, I’ll see people saying, “Oh that maybe happened twenty years ago and I can’t remember the name of it.” Then, to have people in the US try to remember when the last one was for us, it’s something that happens so often that it is scary.

Q) What can you tease is in store this season on “The Flash” with your character Jesse Wells?

A) You last saw we escaped from Earth-1. I think it is going to be interesting to see how Jesse assimilates to this new place. She left everything behind and is now with her dad. And she trusts him, but it’s also scary to leave behind everything she knows. So, it’s going to be interesting and maybe a little crazy to see what happens with her and as she meets The Flash team, how she connects with them and what she can offer.

Q) Will she look to Barry to be a mentor or will there be a bit of competition?

A) I thinks he might be able to teach them some stuff. Her and her dad – or so he says.

Q) How will her relationship with her father shift because of his relationship with the Flash team?

A) I think even though he tries to act like he isn’t really friends with them, obviously he has a soft spot for them. Being in close quarters with them, they all sort of get to know each other. Getting to know Tom Cavanagh has been awesome and the whole cast and crew. Part of that is going to be portrayed in the characters and it will be nice to see where the writers decide to build relationships. That obviously comes from when the actors in real life get to know each other and their chemistry on screen. We’ll just see what these characters and how their relationships start to build. I’m just excited as everyone!

Q) Were you a fan of the show and kept up with “The Flash” before joining the cast?

A) Oh yeah! I started to watch the first season and then I got the audition. I thought, “This is surreal! I’m probably not going to get this! It’s a shot in the dark.” I did the work, sent it in and I got it. It was a crazy week of, “Did I get it? Did I not get it?” I finally got it and ever since it has basically been a dream. Every time I go back up to Canada I’m like, “What am I doing here?! This is awesome!” I just know wherever my character goes it’s great to be there working with all of these amazing people.

Q) Is there a moment you are more excited for fans to see?

A) Yes, definitely when I become Jesse Quick. I cannot wait for that to happen – to put on the suit and become who Jesse was meant to be. I just think that is going to be a crazy, awesome thing to do. Hopefully it will be this season!

Q) What kind of feelings do you think you will get when you put on the suit?

A) All the people who have worn the suits so far have said, “I feel like a superhero when I’m in it! I feel like I have superpowers!” So, it will be fun to see when that happens.

Q) What is your favorite aspect to portraying this character?

A) I think I love her quick wit and she is really intelligent. I feel like it makes her this little badass. She is the youngest one of all the people on the show. So, it’s kind of nice to come back at them and throw a pun here and there. I think it will be fun for her to do that with The Flash team.

Q) Is there anything else you want us to make sure we mention to “The Flash” fandom?

A) Just keep watching! It only goes up. It’s only getting better. The previous two episodes were my personal favorites. It’s so interesting to see all these different characters. The last eight episodes this season are going to be even better so just keep watching.