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Interview with Allison Scagliotti of "Warehouse 13" on Syfy 8/11/11
Syfy WAREHOUSE 13 Conference Call
Allison Scagliotti
8/11/2011
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by and welcome to
the Warehouse 13 conference call. During the presentation, all
participants will be in a listen only mode. Afterwards, we will conduct
a question and answer session. At that time, if you have a question,
please press the 1 followed by the 4 on your telephone.
If at any time during the conference, you need to reach an operator,
pleas press star 0. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded
Thursday, August 11, 2011.
I would now like to turn the conference over to Erica Rubin from Syfy.
Please go ahead.
Erica Rubin: Hi everybody. Thank you very much for joining. We are
joined today by Allison Scagliotti from Warehouse 13. The Eureka
warehouse crossover episode is airing this Monday night at 9:00 and
we’ll get started with Allison. Thanks everyone for joining.
The transcript will be available 24 hours after the call, so if you
would like one, please let me or (Danny) or (Jason) know and we will get
you one tomorrow. So thanks again and we’ll get started with the Q&A.
Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, if you’d like to register a
question, press the 1 followed by the 4 on your telephone. You will hear
a three-toned prompt to acknowledge your request. If your question has
been answered and you would like to withdraw your registration, pleas
press the 1 followed by the 3.
If you’re using a speakerphone, please lift your handset before entering
your request. Again ladies and gentlemen, if you’d like to register a
question, press the 1 followed by the 4 on your telephone.
Allison Scagliotti: I’d like to start by saying good morning. Raise your hand if you
haven’t had your coffee.
(Hey now).
Operator: Our first question comes from the line of (Ian Cullen) from (SciFiPulse.net).
Please proceed with your question.
Ian Cullen: Hey Allison, how are you doing?
Allison Scagliotti: I’m well thank you. How are you?
Ian Cullen: I’m good. I’m good. I’ve got the first question. Wow. I
was just going to ask you, what’s it been like to work with work with
Neil again on Warehouse 13 and what can you tell us about the episode? I
hear it’s set in a video game?
Allison Scagliotti: So it’s always a pleasure to work with Neil. I’ve
said in the past, Neil is one of my best friends, and so having the
opportunity to work with him on set is just a joy. It’s like summer camp
but we’re getting paid to run around in crazy costumes.
He’s an incredibly professional, hilarious comedic as well as dramatic
actor and is never afraid to have fun. I think I speak for the entire
cast and crew of Warehouse when I say that being able to bring Neil
Grayson onto the show is nothing but fun.
And, in terms of this episode, this is probably our biggest concept
episode that we’ve ever done. There was a lot of green screen, a lot of
special effects. It’s airing sixth in our season but we shot it third in
terms of shooting order because there were so many elements to capture
and it took a lot of prep and we were directed by the incredibly gifted
Chris Fisher, who’s also our supervising producer. And I can honestly
say it’s my favorite episode this season so far anyway.
Ian Cullen: Wow, you know, I’ve noticed that Claudia getting out a lot
more in the field and you do enough work with the new, character, Steve
Jinks, Aaron Ashmore. Do you think Claudia is going to be, you know,
going out in the field a lot more then kind of that second string team
on the show?
Allison Scagliotti: Yes, I think so. You’ll see in plenty of episodes
that the episode between Claudia and Steve becomes very pivotal
emotionally as well as professionally, you know, in terms of the
Warehouse teams.
Claudia’s at this point in her life where she wants to prove herself as
an adult and she’s sort of like all 20 year olds, figuring out who she
is and what she wants to be. And that’s been really, really great for me
to be able to bring that sort of part of my life and me discovering who
I am to the character.
So in terms of Claudia’s destiny, I know last season we sort of touched
on her becoming and (ex-friend) with Frederick, and what happens to her
at the end of this season is really emotional and intense. I think the
world is sort of Claudia’s oyster. We can see her go in a couple
different directions, so I’m really excited to explore that going
forward.
Ian Cullen: Okay cool. I can’t wait to see more and thanks for your
time. I’ll pass you onto the - onto next question now.
Allison Scagliotti: Thank you so much.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Troy Rogers from
Deadbolt.com. Please proceed with your question.
Troy Rogers: Hi Allison.
Allison Scagliotti: Hi Troy.
Troy Rogers: Now can you talk about some of the things we’ll see inside
the Warehouse 13 video game?
Allison Scagliotti: Yes, it’s really - it’s a very tongue-in-cheek sort
of lampooning of video games in general and their depiction of women as
well as what the warehouse could look like to an outside viewer or from
an outside perspective.
It’s - the theme of the Warehouse video game, it’s called Fortress 13,
and it’s the sort of castle medieval futilistic aesthetic. And so all
the women have cartoonishly large breasts and the theme inside is very -
it’s actually a little bit conflicting because there’re gladiators as
well as knights and wenches and - what you’ll get to see is your sort of
staple warehouse characters but as Fortress 13 avatars, so cartoonish
representations of our normal characters.
It’s really fun. Fargo sort of plays with the mythology of purple goo
and artifacts. And I don’t want to give too much away but given that
Fargo had seen the inside of the warehouse, you know, don’t be surprised
when you see the disco ball from Studio 54 make an appearance
(unintelligible). And is there a dragon? Maybe. I’m not saying there
isn’t.
Troy Rogers: Oh, okay. So you guys will actually be pixilated then, not
as live action people.
Allison Scagliotti: Well, what’s interesting is we shot it in live
action and then in post, the image was given a treatment so that we do
look - we look stylized. We look animated in some way. But it wasn’t
motion capture and it wasn’t animation. It’s just that the digital - I
don’t even know what you call it - but the digital image was altered in
post so that we look at least a little bit more like a video game.
Troy Rogers: Oh that’s cool. All right. And, well, with the recent news
about Eureka, has there been any talk about getting Neil on Warehouse 13
as a regular?
Allison Scagliotti: I honestly have no idea. I really - I don’t know a
lot about the news about Eureka. I mean, it would certainly be great to
have Neil on but I think it’s really early to say that kind of thing,
and more than anything I hope that Eureka fans just tune into this
episode of Warehouse because I think they’ll really like it. Neil gets a
lot of screen time.
Troy Rogers: Excellent. Thanks again.
Allison Scagliotti: Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Jamie Ruby from
Scifivision.com.
Jamie Ruby: Hi Allison. Thanks for taking our call. It’s nice to talk to
you again.
Allison Scagliotti: Of course. Hi Jamie.
Jamie Ruby: Hi. So you’re - now obviously you’re done for the season. So
kind of what are you doing now and what are - in your free time, what’s
next for you right now?
Allison Scagliotti: I’m doing what every other actor does. I’m back in
LA and I’m reconvening with my representation to look for more work.
I’ve got a couple things I’m waiting to hear back on. I’m continuing to
play music, taking lessons as often as possible and giving press calls
like this to promote the rest of the season.
Jamie Ruby: Well that works. Okay. Can you talk about working on the
Warehouse 13 Web series?
Allison Scagliotti: Oh yes, the Web series. So that was really
interesting. Part of it was live action and then the rest of it was,
emotion comic, as you probably saw. We had one day where we had to shoot
but the rest of it we were just in the studio in Toronto where we record
ADR when we’re out there, and just sat in a circle and it was like a
table read.
And we were directed by (Andy Sepra) and it was just a really fun sort
of extra thing to throw at the fans a little bit before the season
started. Very different from our typical shooting schedule. I think - we
actually had to film on a weekend in order to get it done because our
episodes follow such a sort of strict schedule involving prep and
locations and everything it takes to make a TV show, that this sort of
had to be squeezed in between the real work that we had to do.
But I think it was really fun. It came out well and I haven’t really
heard a lot of feedback from the fans about it but I think they enjoyed
it. So it’ll be up to Syfy whether we do it again next year.
Jamie Ruby: Okay great. And then lastly, who’s someone that inspires
you?
Allison Scagliotti: Who is someone that inspires me?
Jamie Ruby: Yes.
Allison Scagliotti: Good question. I want to think about that before I -
this is going to sound really strange for a Syfy actor to say but people
aren’t just one thing. I’m a big fan of Jessica Valenti. And if you
haven’t heard of her, she is an author and an editor and a feminist.
She’s actually written a couple feminist books for young women to sort
of reclaim their self-esteem and learn about women’s issues. And any
time I read anything by her, I feel so bolstered and empowered and I
think she’s spectacular and I love the work that she does and I would
love to meet her. So, yes, she’s the one who inspires me.
Jamie Ruby: Okay, thanks so much.
Allison Scagliotti: Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (Michael Hinman) from
AirlockAlpha.com. Please go ahead sire.
Michael Hinman: Good afternoon Allison. Good to talk to you.
Allison Scagliotti: Hi (Michael). How are you?
Michael Hinman: Doing good. And I loved the episode by the way, this
gaming episode. As someone who games way too much, it’s was - I think it
was spot on.
Allison Scagliotti: Awesome. Oh, I’m so glad to hear that. It’s my
favorite too and I’m not even a gamer.
Michael Hinman: Yes, I was going to ask, because I don’t think you
really have time for gaming. But if you were to play a game, what - or
are you more of an MMO type, are you more of a, like, first person
shooter? What would you play?
Allison Scagliotti: I have no idea. Let me start by saying that growing
up, I never had a gaming console. All my friends had Nintendo or Play
Station or those little cartridges you had to blow into because they got
dusty.
And that was never a part of my childhood. I mean, I was in every sense
the theater kid who would just play dress up all day and then sit down
at the piano and play for a couple of hours. So gaming is a whole
culture that I have sort of no way to relate to.
But if I did play, I’d probably play some adorable little Indy game or
if not, then the Legend of Zelda because that’s as close to this episode
of Warehouse as I can imagine.
Michael Hinman: And I know you also had to kind of share the screen
with Eddie’s pecs for most of that episode. What was that like for you?
Allison Scagliotti: Well, you had to be careful not to bump into him
because you’ll bruise. And I was worried that his pecs were going to be
scene stealers but in terms of augmented body parts, I had pointy elf
ears for much of the episode so I felt like I could contend to a certain
degree.
Michael Hinman: And just one other thing. I know that you’re pretty
close with Neil and working with him again, I’m sure is a great thrill.
You know, what were your thoughts when you learned about the fate of
Neil’s show?
Allison Scagliotti: To be honest, he and I haven’t had a conversation
about it yet. I will say that this is sort of the natural order of the
way television works. They’ve had a long run. I know they have a great
fan base. And I hope that their fan base tunes into this episode of
Warehouse next week because it’s a great episode for Neil and for all of
us.
Michael Hinman: Yes, it is a great episode. And, Allison, it’s been
great talking to you again.
Allison Scagliotti: Say that last part again. I missed that.
Michael Hinman: Oh I said, I’m sure they will definitely - they’ll
enjoy it for sure. And I just wanted to say thanks. You know, great
talking to you again, Allison, today.
Allison Scagliotti: Oh likewise. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (Merrill Carrie) from
the Film School Rejects. Please proceed with your question.
Merrill Carrie: (Unintelligible) but hi Allison. How are you?
Allison Scagliotti: I’m well, thanks. How are you?
Merrill Carrie: I’m good. So Warehouse 13 (is in) a lot of - they (saw) some of the
crazy (bars) acts, stuff that I’ve never heard of, stuff that I forgot
about, like (unintelligible). But so what are some of your favorite ones
so far? And is there one that you wanted to do that they haven’t done
yet?
Allison Scagliotti: My favorite one this year has definitely been Jimmy
Hendrix’s guitar because it was the first opportunity they gave me to
sort of play guitar on the show, which is actually something I want to
add.
For those of you who’ve seen the episode, you’re expecting this. But for
the people reading this article who haven’t seen it yet, the writers and
the network has been really supportive of my wish to play guitar and
sing on the show. And this episode that’s about to air is the first time
I do get to do that.
So at the end of the episode, Claudia goes to an open mike and gets out
on a limb and covers one of Claudia’s - I mean, Allison’s favorite
songs. So that’s - but in terms of episodes - or rather, artifacts that
I would like to see, I would love - I think I pitched the red shoes this
year, based on the ballet.
I mean, before that, the short story of the girl who dances herself to
death or a pair of red shoes. I think that would be really interesting
if some shoes sort of wound up on Claudia and she had to find a way to
get out of them and they have some sort of emotional resonance.
But yes, the great thing about this show is that it’s kind of past the
limit. I think we can almost do anything in terms of artifacts, and even
this year, we explore so many different themes that I don’t think any
two episodes are alike.
We’ve got this video game sort of Tran-esque episode and then two
episodes later we’ve got a sort of Die Hard type story line going on. So
we’re keeping it fresh.
Merrill Carrie: All right, well thank you very much.
Allison Scagliotti: Thanks.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (David Holken) from
the Outhouse. Please proceed with your question.
David Holken: Hi. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.
Allison Scagliotti: My pleasure. How are you?
David Holken: I’m good. On Syfy we’re seeing that Haven is doing a big
episode story of (Arch) with Twitter. Would you like to see that type of
integration with Warehouse 13?
Allison Scagliotti: I actually would not. And the reason is that
Warehouse 13 is, you know, the mythology that we have established is
that it’s a top secret government facility, where...
David Holken: Right.
Allison Scagliotti: ...sort of a sect that’s removed from the FBI. The
Secret Service doesn’t really know about it. And so I think that - and
to integrate something as public and difficult to control as Twitter
into a mythology like the top secret mystery has an address, I think it
would just sort of devalue the (unintelligible), the secrecy of what we
strive for on the show.
However, I’m sure it’ll be great on Haven. I actually didn’t know they
were doing that but, you know, the great thing about this episode is
that we take something as obscure as the video game and somehow
integrate it into what we do at the warehouse and that’s because Fargo
inadvertently came into contact with an artifact and integrated it into
his video game software.
So it’s been pretty cool to watch this episo- I thankfully was able to
watch it before I got on this call with you guys. I love this episode. I
think it’s hilarious and scary and all the things that make a warehouse
episode great.
David Holken: Yes, we’re looking forward to it. With him coming from
Eureka and then Eureka getting cancelled, do you think there’re more
chapters for Eureka characters to appear on Haven - I mean, Warehouse
13, and then are there any more scheduled?
Allison Scagliotti: Well, we don’t have anything scheduled because we
haven’t our official pick up for Season 4 yet.
David Holken: Okay.
Allison Scagliotti: In terms of the possibility, sure. I really don’t
know. You know, that’s for the network to say. That’s for the folks at
Syfy and probably the folks over at Eureka since they created those
characters and I think they had a license to. So whether or not they’re
comfortable with them going other places, but I say never say never.
David Holken: Yes, no doubt. There’re a lot of Star Trek references on
Warehouse 13. Are you - have you been a Star Trek fan and have you been
to the conventions and met any of the Star Trek legends or actors?
Allison Scagliotti: I am sorry to say that I’ve only ever seen one
episode of Star Trek my entire life. And that is the most torrid episode
of the Next Generation because that’s the one that sells, and it’s a
great episode and (Blaire) is in it and I know that he and (Blair)
became friends after that.
But the only time I ever go to conventions is to promote Warehouse. I
don’t think I have ever - no, I honestly have never gone to a convention
of my own accord for anything other than Warehouse related promotions.
However, I do geek out about things. I mean, you’re going to see the
actor Steven Young from Walking Dead in this episode. Steven and I were
friends long before Warehouse 13 or Walking Dead ever happened.
But Walking Dead is one of my favorite shows on TV. I watched every
episode religiously last year and I geeked out a little bit when we were
both sort of backstage at Comic-Con this year. And Miguel was there and
a couple of the other actors and standing there with my friend,
honestly, kind of squealing over the cast members. So that’s where I
geek out a little bit.
David Holken: It’s cool. But - thank you very much.
Allison Scagliotti: My pleasure.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Jim Iaccino with
Media Boulevard Magazine. Please proceed with your question.
Jim Iaccino: Hey Allison. How are you - how’s it going?
Allison Scagliotti: It’s going well. Thanks Jim.
Jim Iaccino: Good. I first of all wanted to say because I interviewed
you a couple times for Media Boulevard, I never had a chance to say
this. When I first started watching Warehouse 13, it was a good show but
when your character was introduced on it, I think it just added so much.
I mean, Artie needed someone, a foil - someone to work off of. And he
was always sending the agents out and it was sort of like we never knew
too much about Artie. So with you there, I really think Artie’s
character developed as well as your character, too, but the interplay
just was so nice in the show that it made it much more unique.
You know, you’re sort of like an apprentice to be and you’re out in the
field now and that, I think, is because of your relationship with Artie.
So you really added a lot to the show, so that’s the first comment I
wanted to make. And it seems like you get along with everyone on the
show, right? I mean.
Allison Scagliotti: Yes, yes. Everyone - we’re lucky, you know, I don’t
think that every show can say that the cast and crew form such a close
knit family, but we definitely do. We, you know...
Jim Iaccino: Right.
Allison Scagliotti: I mean, if anybody here watched the Comic-Con panel
on (unintelligible), we basically spent an hour just talking about how
much we love each other which might seem a little distrusting and gets
old after a while. But it’s true and we’re lucky for that.
Jim Iaccino: Cool. And that brings me to another question, sort of
related to Artie. Now that you’re out in the field with Jinxy and
forming a relationship there, it seems like the focus has shifted a
little bit from the Artie/Claudia dimension.
We saw it a little bit again this week when Jinxy was not in the
episode. But I did want to know, because you mentioned something about
the finale. And it’s going to be sort of a pivotal one for you. Is it
also going involve the dynamic of you and Artie?
Allison Scagliotti: Yes, it does.
Jim Iaccino: Or we can...
Allison Scagliotti: It absolutely does. It - well I think the
relationships between all of us are really hanging in the balance with
what happens at the end of this season. The great thing about this
season has been that we’ve been able to explore how our characters past
and their histories effect them in the present and effects what they do.
And so we - the Claudio and Reid dynamic is still very important and
it’s still very much in play. But in order to just stick with Claudia’s
role, the relationship between Claudia and Steve Jinx has been given a
bit of a spotlight, which I really enjoy.
Jim Iaccino: Okay. Okay, and one final question I had was working with
Lindsay Wagner, I mean, it must’ve been quite an experience for you, the
times that she’s been on the show. What was it like?
Allison Scagliotti: She’s wonderful. I love it when we get to have
Lindsay on the show because she has such a fantastic energy about her.
She’s very calm, she’s very sweet and naturally funny and always a
professional. I love watching her. I love being in a scene with her.
It’s an honor. She’s a lot of fun to work with and I think that it was
really fun to see Artie in love.
And I think that those two have a good chemistry as well. So I hope that
we get to bring her back and explore that dynamic more in the future.
Jim Iaccino: Great. Well, thanks for taking all my questions.
Allison Scagliotti: Of course.
Jim Iaccino: Bye.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (David Martindale)
from (Hearst) Newspapers. Please go ahead.
David Martindale: Hi Allison. You all make a good show. You’re really
quite wonderful in it. Is there a story behind your getting the part in
this show? Were there hoops to jump through? Or was it a relatively easy
process for you, what?
Allison Scagliotti: I think every actor will tell you that timing had a
lot to do with a role that they love. I was in the middle of a full load
at college. I was taking 16 units, and I had worked with our show
runner, (Jack Kenny), years and years ago on the last pilot I did. And I
worked with two of our writers, Ben Raab and Deric Hughes, the year
before on our web series with (Adaria Dawson).
And I sort of heard about this role being out in the ether and I knew
that they were looking in Canada. I think the role was originally
written to be Asian. It was an Asian character and they didn’t quite
find what they were looking for.
And so (Jack) called me. We had a conversation and he first wanted me to
watch the pilot before I auditioned just to make sure it was something
that I was interested in, and I did, and I fell in love with it.
I watched the pilot maybe three times before I auditioned and took this
role that I just fell in love with. I thought it was really perfect for
me and I was really nervous when I auditioned but I did and that was
that. And so within the span I think of a week and a half, I was sort of
negotiating with my professors to let me take my work on the road and
from then on it was spending months in Toronto with this weird family
but they made me feel really welcome immediately.
And (Sal) and I - we met and were working together within the same
couple of hours and it just felt natural, it felt like we’d been working
together for years and years.
David Martindale: Cool. Yes, he - I’ve talked to him before too and
he’s a self-starter, so I think he talked for me - to me for, like, five
minutes before I asked him one - the first question in an interview with
me.
Allison Scagliotti: Yes.
David Martindale: What do you think Claudia’s clothes and her physical
appearance say about her on the show?
Allison Scagliotti: I think - what I hope that say is that she’s her own
person and she doesn’t concern herself with societal standards and what
other people expect of her to - expect her to look like or expect her to
behave like.
You called (Sol) a self-starter. I think Claudia’s a self-starter. I
think in addition to being insecure and figuring out who she is as an
adult, she knows what she likes and the thing that I’ve been really
flattered by in playing her is a number of, like, moms and young girls
who reach out to me and tell me what a role model she is for young
women, just sort of learning to love themselves.
So I hope that what people get out of the way that Claudia presents
herself is there’s nothing more beautiful or fun or comfortable then
just doing what you like.
David Martindale: Cool. Well good. Thank you so much. It’s been a
pleasure.
Allison Scagliotti: Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Diane Morasco from
the logic - sorry, Blogcritics. Please go ahead. Ms. Morasco, your line
is open. Please go ahead.
Diane Morasco: Yes, I’m here. Thank you. First of all I want to say hi
Allison. Thank you so much and I want to say that the character of
Claudia is such an authentic character and she’s an empowering and it’s
so refreshing to see that instead of this cookie cutter image. I want to
take a moment to say thank you for that.
Allison Scagliotti: Oh thank you. I appreciate that. That is good.
Diane Morasco: It’s great. I have a couple of questions. And the first
question I want to ask is the artifacts are absolutely amazing. Have you
ever come up with any artifact ideas? And if you haven’t, if you had a
chance to today, what would it be?
Allison Scagliotti: I actually have pitched a couple different artifact
ideas to them. This year I was taking a lot of ballet classes in
Toronto. I actually danced for about eight years before I became an
actress. And I pitched the Red Shoes, and I thought it would be
interesting if Claudia sort of fell into the Red Shoes and had to dance
herself to the brink of death before she could get out of them.
But before our benevolent writers and producers were supportive of me
playing and singing on the show, I pitched the stage door of (CBGB). And
in order to somehow facilitate Claudia fronting an all girl punk band on
the show, I believe the feedback was that makes too much sense, like
what’s the parallel there. Claudia belongs in an all girl punk band.
Yes, that’s it.
Diane Morasco: Okay thank you. The other question is what part of
Claudia is more like Allison?
Allison Scagliotti: Definitely her wit. I think that the thing that I
bring the most of - about myself to this character is my sense of humor
and my sarcasm. I’ve been told since I was a kid that the way I can sort
of snarl out a one-liner is pretty unique. I feel like I sound like I’m
tooting my own horn or something but it’s definitely my humor that I
bring to Claudia.
Diane Morasco: Okay thank you. And what are you looking forward to the
most about working with Kate Mulgrew?
Allison Scagliotti: Oh my goodness. Kate - well we finished shooting our
season so I’ve already worked with her. And she was such a force to be
reckoned with and a spectacular actress. It was an honor to watch her
work, to be in scenes with her.
We have a really intense scene together in the finale that I can’t tell
you anything about because there were a lot of spoilers. But I hope she
comes back on the show. She’s such an important character and a
fantastic energy on our set.
We've been really lucky with the guest stars that we’ve had like Neil,
(Greg Sand) and like Lindsay Wagner and Kate Mulgrew, that they just
seem to get our show and they get the way we work. And they’re fast and
they understand our dynamic and they fit right in.
So she’s fantastic. She’s a great addition to the cast and I hope to see
her come back because I just adore her.
Diane Morasco: And my last question is what’s the most invigorating part
of working on Warehouse 13?
Allison Scagliotti: Being able to get up every day and say that I’m
going to work to do what I love is the most invigorating part of it. I
think any job can get tiring especially if you work with the same group
of people all day, 16 hours a day for six months.
But at the end of it, I think we come away proud of the work that we do
and proud of each other and the reason we’re able to be so positive in
these interviews is because we’re not making it up. We are just
generally - genuinely proud of each other and proud of what we do and
I’m just incredibly lucky to be able to say that at 20 years old I’m
living my dream.
Diane Morasco: Amazing. Thank you so much Allison. I appreciate it and I
wish you the best of luck.
Allison Scagliotti: Thank you so much.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (Jenny Rarden) from
TV is My Pacifier. Please proceed with your question.
Jenny Rarden: Hi, thanks for taking our calls.
Allison Scagliotti: My pleasure. How are you?
Jenny Rarden: I’m good. I actually have - I have to tell you
something. My 13 year old son watches the show with us religiously and
so he came through to make his lunch and asked, “Have you talked to here
yet?” I said, “No.”
Allison Scagliotti: Aw.
Jenny Rarden: And he said, “When you do, can you tell her how much I
love the show?” “Yes.” “And can you tell her how much I love Drake and
Josh too?”
Allison Scagliotti: Well, tell him I’ve talked with Josh this morning.
That should make him smile.
Jenny Rarden: It will and it’s fine because his name is Josh. So he
gets a kick out of that.
Allison Scagliotti: I get that.
Jenny Rarden: Well anyway, we - like I said, we’re big fans. Can you
tell us what has changed since episode one? What do you think has been
the biggest change in the show? Obviously, you know, you’ve got the new
character of Jinx, but you know, aside from that, what do you think, you
know, with your characters and with the stories and that type of thing?
Allison Scagliotti: Do you mean episode one from the start of the season
or from my very first episode?
Jenny Rarden: Yes, over the course of the series, yes.
Allison Scagliotti: Over the course of the whole series, so like, from
the time I joined the cast?
Jenny Rarden: Right.
Allison Scagliotti: Oh my gosh. I think first of all, no two episodes of
Warehouse 13 I think one can say are alike. I think the major theme of
our show is that we keep it diverse. The only procedural aspect of what
we do is that we track down artifacts and we have to neutralize them
before bad things happen.
But the scenes that we deal with are all so different and we explore
different dynamics and there are disagreements between characters and
there are things that make us bond and deepen our relationship. I think
we’ve all just grown. I think that’s the chief difference, is growth and
increased trust and just, you know, what happens when you spend a couple
years with working with people and also, you know, becoming family.
Yes, I don’t think there’s any one singular event that’s changed then -
I think it’s time and human nature.
Jenny Rarden: Right. Yes, and it’s been nice. Like you said, it’s been
nice to see the growth in all of the characters, but especially I think
in Claudia, just her - your character is just really coming into her own
which is - especially this season - which is really good to see. Thank
you.
Allison Scagliotti: I know. And it’s just been (truth) to be able to
play myself at 20 sort of discovering myself and figuring out who I am
and what I want out of life and being able to just bring that to Claudia
because it’s exactly what she’s going through to.
Jenny Rarden: Right, right. And then one other quick question. You
mentioned dance and how you’ve been a dancer for years. Do you ever
watch, “So You Think You Can Dance?”
Allison Scagliotti: Believe it or not, I don’t. I watch very little TV.
I fixate on a couple shows, like I’m obsessed with (World Fair) right
now.
Jenny Rarden: So is my husband.
Allison Scagliotti: Oh, it’s great, fantastic show. And Walking Dead and
Madmen, the Killing, (Game of Drones), I’m catching up on. I have two
more episodes left before I finish the season, hitting the (fan). But
no, I’ve not seen any - I just generally don’t really watch reality
shows.
Jenny Rarden: Right. Well I just - I thought - because when you
mentioned dance, I thought, oh she would be perfect as a guest judge,
so. All right, well thank you very much.
Allison Scagliotti: Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Janelle Siegel from
Realityshack.com. Please go ahead.
Janelle Siegel: Hi Allison. Thank you so much for taking our calls
today.
Allison Scagliotti: My pleasure Janelle. Thank you.
Janelle Siegel: A pretty many of my questions were answered so I was
just - I wanted to ask you, are there any other Syfy series that you
would like to guest star on or that you actually watch and like?
Allison Scagliotti: Yes, I - Walking Dead is probably my number one, but
in terms of what’s on the Syfy Channel, I’d love to go do an episode of
Alphas. Actually I haven’t seen the show yet but there shooting schedule
overlapped with ours and we also shoot them in Toronto. So I became
friends with Ryan Cartwright who I think is fantastic.
Janelle Siegel: Yes.
Allison Scagliotti: I’d love to work with him at some point. Yes, those
are my big two.
Janelle Siegel: Awesome. If you could have a super power, because they
actually have super powers on Alphas, well, human super powers, what
super power would you want to have?
Allison Scagliotti: You know, I think in the past I said that I’m
jealous of (Laura Minella)’s power which is the ability to bend
someone’s will with whatever she says. I think that would be really
useful, especially in the entertainment industry.
Janelle Siegel: Right.
Allison Scagliotti: But I think that right now, just for my own
happiness, I would love the ability to pick up any instrument and be
able to play it perfectly.
Janelle Siegel: Awesome.
Allison Scagliotti: Cool.
Janelle Siegel: Thank you so much for your time and good luck with
everything. Thank you.
Allison Scagliotti: Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (Rachelle Thomas)
from Right Celebrity. Please go ahead with your question.
Rachelle Thomas: Hi Allison. It’s so great to talk to you today.
Allison Scagliotti: Thank you. Thank you.
Rachelle Thomas: I have just a couple quick questions. How did you get
started in acting? Is it something you had wanted to do since you were
little?
Allison Scagliotti: It is. Yes, I was kind of a natural born performer.
When I was a toddler, my mom used to read A.A. Milne poems to me and I
have this insane memory and sort of memorized it as she would read to me
and at one point, I think at a family gathering, I sat down all my
elderly relatives and recited Puppy and I to them which, I guess, 500
word poems for a two year old is an odd achievement.
Rachelle Thomas: That’s awesome.
Allison Scagliotti: So yes, so maybe - most of it by the way. I’m not
sure. Anyway, I got into the talent and drama program at my school when
I was five years old and it was the only thing that I really loved at
school. I was living in a place that I didn’t want to be and I was bored
and then I wasn’t connecting with my classmates.
So being in the drama department really fulfilled me and gave me an
outlet to blossom, I think. And it was something that I planned on long,
long before I ever came to Los Angeles for the first time.
I met an acting coach by chance who makes it his business to sort of
travel the country and look for talent in young children. And I guess he
saw something in me that he believed in and he spoke to my parents and
recommended that I give it a shot in Los Angeles, and so we did our
homework. And I did, and I was very fortunate to work almost
immediately.
And I haven’t looked back. I think maybe everyone sort of examines what
it would be like if they made a different choice since my original sort
of plan of attack was to go to performing arts high school and then move
to New York, because theater was my first love, but I’m really happy
where I am right now and I know that I’m doing what I wanted to do from
the time I was a little girl, which is really fulfilling.
Rachelle Thomas: That’s awesome. So my next question is what was it
about Claudia that made you want to play her? I mean, I think she’s an
amazing character and you do a fabulous job. But from your perspective,
reading her, what was it that intrigued you?
Allison Scagliotti: I love how smart Claudia was. And I love that the
writers didn’t apologize for her intelligence ever. In Claudia’s first
episode, this is a girl who had lived on her own for a decade, had been
through some really dark times in a mental institution, was searching
desperately for her brother to save him from that inter dimensional
space he was caught in and was doing it all on her own without any help.
And so here was - here’s this really independent, really intelligent,
really funny dark sarcastic, and also deeply insecure, scared,
vulnerable character. And I rejoiced in a role so real because - I’ve
mentioned this on panels before, I mentioned this in other interviews,
it’s so rare for a role for a young actress to come around that isn’t
too dimensional.
I’ve lost parts based on bra size. I’ve gotten feedback that I wasn’t
pretty enough for the role that was being cast. But that’s the nature of
this industry. It’s a superficial business. And I just - I love the
character that was so full and so real and so much like myself and not
just a pair of legs and lips and a giggle and a hair flip.
Rachelle Thomas: I think that’s fantastic. And if you - let’s see, if
you could pick how, you know, wh- anything that Claudia could do in the
next couple years, is there some sort of progression that you would like
to see happen to her? Or you just sort of leave that up to the writers?
Allison Scagliotti: You know, it’s always up to the writers. I think I’d
really love to see Claudia go dark willow. I think it’s maybe been
earned for her to go to the dark side a little bit. But it’s - only to
come back, you know, not be evil ever going down the line but to be...
((Crosstalk))
Rachelle Thomas: ...that a little bit.
Allison Scagliotti: Yes, to lose herself a little bit in the darkness
that lives insider her, because she does have that and we acknowledged
several times this season, I think we’ve already done it in episode two
that Claudia was in an institution and it effects her to this day.
You’re going to see that in the next episode, in episode six.
It’s a really kind of violent scene that it addresses where Claudia’s
deepest fear is and it’s really cool to explore.
Rachelle Thomas: Okay, that sounds good. Well, I can’t wait to see the
episode and like I said, I think you do an amazing job and I love the
show.
Allison Scagliotti: Thanks.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (Lindsay Turner) from
Pop Culture Madness.com. Please proceed with your question.
Lindsay Turner: Hi Allison. Thanks for talking to us today.
Allison Scagliotti: Hi Lindsay. My pleasure.
Lindsay Turner: With Warehouse 13 in its third season, what do you
think it is that keeps you hooked? Is it the mystery of what’s in the
warehouse or the skill of the agents? What do you think is the key
factor?
Allison Scagliotti: I think it’s the relationships between the
characters. I think it’s the fact that we are a sort of misfit family
unit that people can somehow relate to. We get feedback all the time
from families who watch the show together or from young people, older
people alike, and I think we have a really diverse audience and it’s
because it’s relatable in some way.
We’re not being chased by aliens in space and while that’s fun to watch,
I think that’s more of a fantastical escapist sort of entertainment then
our show. I mean, our show is a lot of fantasy and it’s a great way to
sort of escape from the perils of what our country and our times have
become that what I think is so relatable about the show is our
characters and the sort of brotherly love and tension between Pete and
Myka and the father/daughter master apprentice relationship between
Artie and Claudia and then the whole family together.
In addition to the artifacts and the action, I’ll admit of the show
being exciting and fun to watch. I think the reason people come back is
to view this family that they've grown to love.
Lindsay Turner: Right. And something that I thought was really awesome
and really special was when you said that you are only 20 years old
because you are such a young actress and you are already living out your
dream.
So as such a young actress who has had such a versatile career already
in terms of doing films and starring in television roles, what do you
see in the future of your career? Is there type of genre or area that
you’d like to focus in in acting?
Allison Scagliotti: I can honestly say that I want to do everything. I
want to do films. I want to do more TV. I want to do trans media. I just
never want to stop. It is true I’m living out my dream but I think that
I don’t - I will never be satisfied with just the next project. I’m
constantly thinking of what else I’d like to do.
I was talking to a friend yesterday and he said, well you know, “What is
success to you, Allison, and what do you want?” And I said, “I honestly
- I want - I don’t just want the roles to come to me, I want to pick the
roles that I want. I want to create them and I want to, you know, if I
hear about a movie that’s happening, I want to be a contender. I want to
put myself in the running for it and succeed,” which I think a lot of -
a lot - of actors can say. But I’m hungry. I’m ready for it.
((Crosstalk))
Lindsay Turner: Yes, I think that’s a good attitude to have. Thank you
so much and good luck with the show.
Allison Scagliotti: Oh my pleasure. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Curt Wagner with
RedEye. Please proceed with your question.
Curt Wagner: Hey Allison. How’s it going?
Allison Scagliotti: Curt.
Curt Wagner: Yes, how are you?
Allison Scagliotti: I’m well. How (are you)?
Curt Wagner: Good to talk with you again. Good to see you.
((Crosstalk))
Curt Wagner: Good to see you in San Diego.
Allison Scagliotti: Yes.
Curt Wagner: That was fun. Anyway, I was wondering, is it more fun being
a pointy eared elf or an enhanced princess?
Allison Scagliotti: Oh my god. I don’t want to spoil that for the fans.
The elf - the thing with playing an elf is that - so pointy ears was
really good, right? I had to be - that putting on those ears was an hour
and a half process and that was before the hair and makeup.
So I had - there were a lot of mornings filming that episode where I had
to be in at, like, 4:00 a.m. which meant getting up at 3:00 and going to
bed early and oh god.
But it was really fun. The hardest part was running around in those
fancy gold heels while they pumped dry ice through the stage. A lot of
us fell. A lot of us got hurt. A lot of us got bruised up during the
filming, but I think all of that madcap energy really shows.
Curt Wagner: Yes, it’s a great screen episode. But when you saw the
script, did you turn to Ian and say, “Okay, what’s the deal? What are
you thinking?”
Allison Scagliotti: No, not at all. I love what Ian writes and I love
the way he writes my character actually. I think that Ian being our
youngest writer in the room really kind of just gets my voice and so I’m
always excited to see what he writes next for me.
But he apologized to me over and over about the ears and how that cut
into my sleep. But I really couldn’t fault him for it because they
looked great and it was a lot of fun, so.
Curt Wagner: Yes. Were you surprised by the whole idea that he came up
with you guys existing in the game? Or did you just think, well that
makes sense that he would write that?
Allison Scagliotti: I - no, it made sense coming from Ian. I mean, given
that our writer Ian Stokes also wrote the first crossover last season
with (Renee Abujenwa) and the computer system sort of taking over the
warehouse. So I’d say this is definitely in his wheel house.
Curt Wagner: All right, all right. So you - and you get to sing and play
in the episode - play the guitar. Are we going to see an album any time?
Allison Scagliotti: No, no. I mean, listen, never say never. But at the
moment I just play a lot of covers. I just bought my first bass I’m
really excited about. And I’ve been playing it non-stop. I think I’m
kind of a natural at it.
But, one day when I’m ready, I’ll be writing and we’ll see where that
takes me. I - right now I don’t know. I’m just doing it for fun.
Curt Wagner: So are you self-taught or were you taking lessons for the
guitar or?
Allison Scagliotti: Both. I taught myself - I started teaching myself
five years ago and I just started taking lessons regularly about a year
ago. So I’m back into it now that I’m back in LA.
Curt Wagner: Sure. So does this mean that you’ll probably be asking - or
offering up more ideas and seeing if you get to do all your little
fantasy things you want to do on the show?
Allison Scagliotti: Oh, you know it. I never stop.
Curt Wagner: All right, that’s cool. And I wanted to tell you now when I
heard that you said you’re obsessed with Wilfred, I thought I knew I
loved this girl and now it’s even more. It’s a great show.
Allison Scagliotti: Oh great because that show is so foul and just
hilarious.
Curt Wagner: Yes, it is. Do you ever look at dogs now and wonder, okay,
I wonder what’s going on in his head?
Allison Scagliotti: Oh, I always wonder a lot about my dog. I think that
- first of all, my dog thinks she’s an actress. And maybe she is. She
definitely knows how to use her cuteness to get what she wants. So maybe
I could take a lesson from her.
Curt Wagner: All right. Now my last question is sort of a serious one
about Claudia. She’s sort of more willing then ever now to talk about
her past. And in this episode she has to face up to her fears. Do you
think doing those kinds of cathartic scenes sort of helps you work
things out in your personal life too?
Allison Scagliotti: Always.
Curt Wagner: Just like...
Allison Scagliotti: I think that’s ultimately why being an actor works
for me, is as a kid, it was a way for me to express what I was going
through with a troubled home life or with depression about where I was
living and my school. And it was a way to express myself safely behind
the mask of a character.
So playing those cathartic Claudia scenes is the same. It’s telling the
Allison truth within the context of a character, as (Zol) would
ultimately say, because I think the best performances are ones that come
from a place of truth and vulnerability, so I try to bring that to
Claudia as much as I can. It’s rewarding. It’s fun to play these
cathartic heavy scenes.
Curt Wagner: All right. Cool. Well, hey, it’s always a pleasure and good
luck.
Allison Scagliotti: Thanks again Curt. See you soon.
Curt Wagner: Bye-bye. Bye.
Allison Scagliotti: Bye.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Sheldon Wiebe from
Eclipse Magazine.com. Please proceed with your question.
Sheldon Wiebe: Hey, Claudia, thanks for doing this - Allison.
Allison Scagliotti: My pleasure.
Sheldon Wiebe: I’ve been listening to this...
Allison Scagliotti: It’s all right. I answer to both.
Sheldon Wiebe: And this - the - anyway, we talked a lot about don’t hate
the player and the fantasy aspect. In the B part of the story, Artie and
Jinxy encounter the dirty FBI agent whose name escapes me at the moment,
that we’ve seen earlier. I’m just wondering will Claudia encounter her
at some point? And is there anything you can tease about that?
Allison Scagliotti: You know, as a matter of fact, Claudia and (Sally
Pecalski) never meet at any point in this season. However, what you will
come to realize in upcoming episodes is that (Pecalski) does not remain
the villain. She’s definitely working for someone as we probably already
established that at this point.
And it goes even deeper then what we’re sort of letting on now. And
Claudia does become involved in the villain storyline in this episode.
It deeply effects here at the end of the season. But she doesn’t
actually meet the main puppet master ever.
Sheldon Wiebe: So even though she doesn’t meet either the agent or the
fellow in the back of the car, they play a large part in big pivotal
moments in her life in the final episode of the season?
Allison Scagliotti: Yes, absolutely. The action was - (unintelligible)
the way that they enjoy the warehouse and everyone in it. It effects all
of us.
Sheldon Wiebe: Cool. Thanks very much.
Erica Rubin: This is going to be the last question.
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, as a reminder, if you’d like to register
a question, press 1-4 on your telephone now. Our next question is a
follow up question from the line of Jamie Ruby from Syfy Vision.com.
Please proceed with your question.
Jamie Ruby: Hello again. Great. I get the last question. I’ll give you
this one because actually my mom told me to ask you this because she
watches it too.
Allison Scagliotti: Okay.
Jamie Ruby: She says is there a kind of character that you’d like to
play that you haven’t yet?
Allison Scagliotti: Yes, I’d like to do a period piece. I’d like to do
something totally different from anything I’ve ever done. I - and let me
qualify that by saying period, like another century, because I’ve done
1980's period stuff twice now which is fun but it’s not as challenging.
All I have to do is sort of leave my cell phone at home and bring my
music sensibility to the set and I’m good to go.
But I’d love to do like a sort of game of thrones style period or even
like early 1900s, not going as far back as (unintelligible). I kind of
just want to do it all. I want to stretch my boundaries, I guess as an
actor.
Jamie Ruby: Okay great. Thanks so much.
Allison Scagliotti: Thank you. Good question.
Erica Rubin: Thanks so much everybody for your participation. Thanks
especially to Allison for her time today. Everybody, please remember to
tune in on Monday for Warehouse 13. Hope everybody has a great weekend.
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude the conference for
today. We thank you for your participation and ask that you please
disconnect your line.
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