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By Suzanne

Interview with Zooey Deschanel of "New Girl" on FOX 9/15/11

FBC PUBLICITY: New Girl Conference Call with Zooey Deschanel
September 15, 2011/12:00 p.m. PDT

SPEAKERS
Todd Adair – FBC Publicity
Zooey Deschanel – New Girl, Jess Day

PRESENTATION

Moderator Welcome to the New Girl Conference with Zooey Deschanel. At this time, phone lines are in a listen only mode, but we will have a question and answer session. To ask a question today, you may press star followed by one. Also, today’s conference call is being recorded.

I’ll now turn the conference over to Todd Adair.

T. Adair Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us today. New Girl is our new comedy series. We’re very excited about premiering on Tuesday, September 20 at 9/8 Central following the third season premiere of Glee. Zooey, thanks for being on the call today. Zooey’s calling in from New York and we’ll get the conference started.

Moderator Our first question is from Joshua Maloney with Niagara Frontier.

J. Maloney So, in your estimation, do you think it’s better to be the “it” girl, or to sort of fly under the radar? How do you like being the center of everyone’s entertainment world these days?

Z. Deschanel It’s good being both. I always think of myself, in my mind, I always think of myself as an underdog type. But, I’ve been called “it” girl so many times, at different points in my career. So, I guess “it” girl is sort of a flexible term. I mean either one, I just like working and having a job. It’s nice. But, I like that I have a show that the network is really behind and that is really fun to work on. So, I’m just happy.

Moderator Our next question is from Alice Chapman-Nugent with the Times Courier.

A. Chapman-Nugent When did you decide to do comedy? You’re so good at it. Was it like a natural thing for you, or did you kind of fall into it, or how’d that come about?

Z. Deschanel I always liked doing comedy when I would do plays in school always. I would play the comedic roles. I guess that’s kind of how it started. But, I always think of myself as comedic actress. I guess later I found that I could do drama as well, but I really started out thinking that I was more of a comedic actress. That’s what I really love to do. So, I’m super happy and excited that I get to do funny stuff every week on the show.

Moderator Our next question is from Anne Brody with Elle.

A. Brody I’m just thinking that Jessica’s a very strong and very unique character. I’m wondering if the writers based it in part on your personality and character.

Z. Deschanel I think it was kind of actor/writer kismet situation, because I know that Liz Meriwether, who created the show. I know it wasn’t written for me initially, but it was sort of a perfect fit, you know. You go to a store and there’s a dress that just looks like it was made for you, but it wasn’t. That’s sort of like what it was like. Then, now that I’m on the show, it is written for me. It’s wonderful to have all these great writers writing stuff for me.

Moderator Next, we’ll go to the line of Ethan Altier with Television Without Pity.

E. Altier In addition to “it” girl, you’re often also associated with the pop culture term manic pixie dream girl. Do you have any feelings about that classification and the debate that goes along with it? It feels like that type is both loved and hated in equal measure.

Z. Deschanel Well, I think that it’s interesting. It’s this weird phenomenon. I don’t know who coined that term and how it’s weirdly broad and specific at the same time, if you know what I mean. But, I think that’s sort of an example of if you think of a dream girl, you think of someone that you’re looking at from afar, like someone who’s like a weird modern dream girl.

But, I feel like in a way that’s a very distant point of view. That’s not really what I want to portray necessarily. I don’t mind; I’m fine if that’s for some of the parts I portray. But, I would prefer to be a person that people relate to than somebody that people feel distant from. But, sometimes, I think a lot of that has to do with maybe being in films that are from a more masculine point of view.

It’s nice to be on a show that was created by a woman, starring a woman even though there’s guy humor in it, too. But, it’s just nice to have a little bit more intimacy, I guess, with the character. So, I hope that answers your question.

Moderator Next, we’ll go to Hunter Walker with The Daily.

H. Walker I know that the plot line of the new show involves you recovering from being cheated on. I’m wondering if you’ve ever dealt with that experience in real life.

Z. Deschanel Oh, that’s a personal question. I think that’s too personal a question to ask. But, you want to ask another question, because I’m not going to answer that.

H. Walker Do you think that the male perspective on relationships would help someone who was getting over being cheated on?

Z. Deschanel I definitely think that in terms of this character. I think that she’s starting a whole new life. She’s been in one mode for a really long time. She’s sort of living out the stuff that should have happened in her late teens and early 20s in her late 20s. So, I think in a weird way, she bypassed all this stuff because she’s with the same guy for a long time.

I think more specifically than generally, these guys are helping her get over this experience, but not just that. It’s not just getting over the break-up. It’s also finding her way in a new life being a single woman in her late 20s.

Moderator Next, we’ll go to David Martindale with Hearst Newspapers.

D. Martindale I’ve never made up a theme song for myself, but all of my dogs and my bird, they have theme songs. I was wondering if you’re the type of girl who would in real life be likely to make up a theme song for yourself or if you actually have.

Z. Deschanel Yes, I actually did when I was seven. I made up a theme song for myself. My parents still sing it to me. It’s still embarrassing, so.

Moderator Next, we’ll go to Rose Kerrio with … Sugar.

R. Kerrio So, I was wondering what the adjustment to working on a TV show has been like for you. Are you enjoying it? Have you faced any difficulties in adjusting to working on a set?

Z. Deschanel I really have, I think, adjusted well because just love being busy. I love having a lot of content. I prefer to have constant stimulation. So, I like going to set every day and working with the same awesome people. I really like that, even though it’s really long hours and it’s a lot to memorize. It’s really exciting and it’s really fun. It’s fast moving, but I really love not waiting around. I like getting everything done quickly. There’s something really exhilarating about it. So, I really enjoy that.

I also enjoy getting to develop a working relationship with a group of people; that there’s always a little bit of summer camp sadness to doing a movie. If you’re having a really good time, it ends. Then, there’s a certain amount of I think melancholy to that. I like that doing a TV show, you have potential for this to go on. So, that potential is a really nice thing.

Moderator Our next question is from Michael Bayliss with The Huffington Post.

M. Bayliss I saw the episode also, and enjoyed it very much, especially the character’s few attempts at singing. And, was just wondering if that’s a hidden talent of that character? Will we be hearing more from her in that regard?

Z. Deschanel Well, I think that she’s not really, she’s not a singer, although that is something I do as a profession. I felt like Jess should be—her singing comes out of pure self-expression. I just didn’t want her to be like Maria Callas or whatever, Beyoncé. I just didn’t want her to be a really great singer.

I thought she should be whatever manner she tries to sing in should match her mood at the time, and that she’s not really singing out of showing off her vocal togs as much as trying to express something she can’t express, and to express a certain awkwardness. Yes, she sings a lot. That’s one of her character quirks. So, you will definitely hear a lot more weird random singing.

Moderator We now go to the line of Danielle Tratiano with the LA Examiner.

D. Tratiano I just wanted to chat a little bit about the future for Jess, because so far in the pilot episode she is pretty distraught by this break-up and it seems like she is going to be relying on these guys to help her a lot. But, they maybe are not the best equipped for that. So, how fast do things turn around for her?

Z. Deschanel She’s definitely distraught in the pilot, and the pilot’s a lot about the break-up. There is some stuff about the break-up. But, it’s more, I think, finding her way in the future is more of the focus and less the getting over the break-up. It’s more the totally I’m used to being a single woman and finding her way in that world. That is more the sort of territory that we cover in the episodes to follow the pilot.

Moderator Next we’ll go to the line of Colin McAvoney with the Express Times.

C. McAvoney I was wondering you spoke a little bit about the differences between filming a movie as opposed to filming a TV show. But, I was wondering, correct me if I’m wrong, but most of your work has been in film it seems. You’ve done some spots on TV shows like Weeds, and things before.

But, I was wondering how is it that you ended up getting tapped in this show. Is that something like starring in a TV show was something you were looking for? Or, did they approach you with this role specifically? Or, how did that come about?

Z. Deschanel No, I wasn’t looking for a TV show. I was sort of developing a show last year for HBO that was a little bit in development limbo. I was also thinking about maybe doing an arc on a TV show or something, just looking into it, because I’d been tour with my band all last year and had really taken a lot of time off working as an actress.

I just happened to read this script. I was so blown away by how perfect it was for me and how funny it was, and sweet, and smart. I just fell in love with this project. I guess I hadn’t seriously considered any television shows before, but this was just too great to pass up.

But, yes, they offered me the part. So, they sent it to me and I said I liked it. They offered it to me and took a chance that I would be able to do it. They took a chance on me.

Moderator Now, we’ll go to Alex Sternberg with TheTVChick.com.

A. Sternberg Zoe, I wanted to know what your favorite aspect of Jess is.

Z. Deschanel I really love that she’s totally herself, even though she’s awkward at times and kind of nerdy at times. She’s not afraid of being herself, whether it comes out as being a little bit naive or something else, or just a really strong sense of self. She’s totally herself. I think that’s really nice to see in female characters, because a lot of times female characters are just reacting to the men. Especially in comedies, I think a lot of time the female characters are there to provide a balance for guys.

And, I really don’t feel that’s true with this character. I really feel like she’s equal to all the guys. I really, really love that. She’s a real true modern woman.

Moderator Now, we’ll go to the line of Troy Rogers with TheDeadbolt.com.

T. Rogers I wanted to know how did you relate to Jess in terms of being the only woman in a house full of men.

Z. Deschanel Well, I feel like it’s easy to take the show and be like, oh, it’s a girl and three guys. Obviously with any sort of plot, you can boil it down and turn it into something that sounds like generic. And, I do think that that is too generic.

I think that as far as this goes, it’s really about the person who’s having a big change in her life, and these people that help her. It’s less about male/female dynamics and more, I think, about these particular individuals relating to one another. I have a lot of guy friends and they all have helped me a lot in different ways. So, I feel like it’s less about her moving in with guys and more of about the person who’s really in transition in her life and her friends helping her.

Moderator We now go to the line of Lori Rackos with Chicago Sun Times.

L. Rackos I was wondering, I was watching the show and all the three men clearly have issues of their own. I know that Coach is going to be leaving, unfortunately, after just one episode, and being replaced by Winston. I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit more about what his hang-ups are; what kind of dynamic he brings to the table.

Z. Deschanel Winston? Is that what you’re asking, Winston?

L. Rackos Yes, Coach’s replacement.

Z. Deschanel Yes, I know who you’re talking about, coming through Winston. It was confusing.

L. Rackos Yes, sorry. Talk a little bit about Winston.

Z. Deschanel Yes. Well, Winston is Nick’s friend from childhood who has been playing basketball overseas in Latvia for two years. He had been living in the apartment and then moved out with subletting to Coach. So, that’s the plot.

But, basically, he’s a guy who is figuring himself out, too, because he’s been away chasing his dream. It didn’t really work out. He’s back. He’s trying to find a job. He is a guy who’s really great at everything, but his dream didn’t come true. He wants to win all the time. So, that’s his little thing, is that he wants to win all the time. He’s really good at everything, but he doesn’t always win. He can’t quite understand it.

May I say Lamorne Morris, who plays Winston, is a really wonderful actor, is really, really funny. We’re very lucky to have him.

Moderator We’ll go to the line of Rianna Harry with CNN.com.

R. Harry I’m curious what the rapport was like with your costars. I think in the pilot you guys all seemed to play off each other pretty naturally. So, kind of walk me through it how read each other’s comedy styles and how you started to work together to create it.

Z. Deschanel Yes. I actually pretty much read with every single person that came in for a callback or almost everybody that made it past the first three, I read with. So, I felt like being a part of that casting process was really eye opening for me as an actress. Also, it allowed me to experiment with my character. It also allowed me to really see who I was going to work best with, because when I was cast, no one else was cast.

I read with all those guys from the beginning. Really, we just cast the people who were the best actors. Obviously, you want the best comedic actors. But, I find that the best actors also tend to be really funny because the comedy’s coming out of the situation rather than just the ability to deliver jokes.

So, we really, first and foremost, were telling a story. We just wanted the people that could really help tell these stories and were also hilarious and great actors as well. We really have a great rapport. I really love these guys so much.

Moderator We now go to the line of Geri Miller with ….

G. Miller This is a lot about Jess’s dating life. What are the biggest mistakes that men make? And, conversely, what are the qualities and behaviors that always win women over on dates?

Z. Deschanel The biggest mistakes that men make? I think being disingenuous. I don’t know. From my perspective probably women are won over by people who are sweet and respectful and courteous and kind and funny. I think those are the things that win women over. I think that the mistakes that anyone can make going on dates is probably not being themselves because you can only trick people for so long.

Moderator We now go to the line of Christina Aveena with Rock-on Requests.

C. Aveena I just want to tell you first of all, before my question, that I really loved your rendition of It’s So Easy on the Buddy Holly compilation that just came out.

Z. Deschanel Oh, thank you, thank you.

C. Aveena … I’m sorry. The new sitcoms that come out seem to have the hardest time when it comes to gaining a loyal viewership. What do you think it is about the New Girl that will most draw people in and keep them coming back to watch?

Z. Deschanel To be honest, this is a new world for me. So, I’m like that little kid, I don’t know. I have to say there’s something about this show—and I’m not saying it has anything to do with me, because I obviously wouldn’t want to say that, but this show I feel so lucky I jumped aboard this train, because the writing is so great and it just feels really special to me to be working on it. I can’t explain it.

I have had this feeling about a small number of things I’ve worked on, very small numbers. I just have a really special feeling about this. I think it’s really the writing. It’s a good group of people. I think it’s different.

It plays more like a romantic comedy than a sitcom, per se, even though it has some of the physical comedy that some of the classic sitcoms have. We’re telling stories that are not purely comedic. I really believe that you end up caring about these characters. I think that for me that’s what has brought me into loving shows. But, obviously I just think that if I like it, then probably, hopefully somebody else will.

Moderator Now, we go to the line of Alicia Tamile with PopCultureMadness.com.

A. Tamile You have so much going on. So, I’m just curious how do you juggle everything? How do you manage to unwind or de-stress at the end of the day?

Z. Deschanel I don’t. I go to sleep. At the end of the day, I basically eat and learn my lines at the same time. It’s really just trying to multi-task as best I can. Sometimes, you have to scramble to get stuff done, or a lot of times you have to scramble to get stuff done.

But, I really love it because I love being busy. I’m a person who has a lot of energy. So, yes, I don’t really stop to rest or de-stress. I just keep going. I figure that if you don’t stop, then you’ll never notice how tired you are.

Moderator We have time for one final question. That’ll come from Lisa Steinberg with Starry Constellation.

L. Steinberg Jess has been described by the network as adorkable. Is Zooey?

Z. Deschanel I don’t know. That’s sort of like an outside in description. I don’t really talk to people when they say stuff about themselves. I can be like well, I’m the type of person who blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I wouldn’t trust myself. I don’t know. Let’s say this: There’s a lot of Jess that is very much like me.

I feel like I understand her very well. I feel like she is very much like I was when I was 13. I was not the coolest kid in my class. I feel like that inner dork is a wonderful thing to have. And, on behalf of middle-schoolers all around, I like to represent.

So, yes, I don’t know. I definitely have a part of myself is a lot like Jess. So, I’ll leave it at that. But, I don’t know if I’d describe myself as particularly adorkable. I don’t know.

T. Adair All right. Thank you everyone for participating in the call today. Zooey, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to do this.

Z. Deschanel Thank you.

T. Adair As a reminder, New Girl premieres on Tuesday, September 20th at 9/8 Central following the third season premiere of Glee.

Z. Deschanel Thank you. Okay, bye. Thanks, guys.

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