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She's not evil, she's just written that way!
Karen Hammang takes over the galaxy
(and gets the best wardrobe ever)
At a Glance:
Nickname: Boogs (short for Bogeywoman)
Age: 27
Occupation: Student
Location: Virginia
REVELATIONS role: Zhanna, the Emperor's Hand
RTOF: How did you get involved with REVELATIONS?
KAREN: I was just waking along -- No, seriously, I've known Dawn and Shane for years and Dawn asked me, long before it started, if I wanted to be involved. Never really thinking it would get off the ground, I said yes. And then it actually came to fruition -- I'm so glad that it did!
Of course, after saying yes, could I actually act? I'm their friend but they wouldn't just take my word for it! I was cast as Raux without a test but when the girl cast as Zhanna had to bow out, they asked if I was interested. We were unsure if I could exude the proper evil so I did an audition/screen test -- we actually taped it. Based on some of the reactions I've gotten, I seem to have managed.
RTOF: When dailies of the Embassy scene were screened, some members of the 501st were heard to say, "Taryn's in trouble!"
KAREN: Yes, I was pleased with that!
RTOF: Did you have any prior performing experience?
KAREN: Dawn and Shane knew I'd been involved in some high school and college theater and that I was looking to get back into it. But I'd never been a "star" before; I'd always preferred character roles. REVELATIONS provided a new challenge.
RTOF: What were rehearsal and training like?
KAREN: Rehearsal time was limited but Shane had a very solid image of Zhanna and we started with that. As for training... training was extremely rigorous. We began on a snowy day in January in an unheated dojo -- crisp to say the least! By the end of our training, we were rehearsing in full gear (for me, that included leather pants, a shirt, a wool jacket, a loincloth, an obi, a wide leather belt, gloves and heeled boots!) on a blacktop in almost 100° weather at full speed! In between, it was a lot of hard, intense work. I had to progress from knowing no kendo or aikido to wielding two sabers with speed and dexterity.
Dance choreography experience helped but it's one thing to learn steps, another to work with a partner. I had to unlearn the rhythm I would have used for dance and make things look like I was reacting on instinct, on the spur of the moment, yet still be safe and controlled. Gina (Hernandez) and I got some hits on each other accidentally and sometimes we were ready to kill Nick (Jamilla)!
RTOF: What do you think when you see yourself on screen?
KAREN: It's exciting, especially with hair and make-up and full costume. But odd, too, because it's a character you're playing and sometimes it's difficult to identify with them. But there always has to be a bit of yourself inside.
RTOF: And when you see a final shot, with all the CGI and FX completed?
KAREN: It's always such a surprise! You're in a blank room with some green paper, talking to the wall. And it's a rewarding experience to see it come to life -- al your hard work added to the efforts of the post-pro staff. Otherwise it's just a girl playing dress-up. It wouldn't evoke the same emotions and reactions.
RTOF: Best and worst shoots?
KAREN: The best -- definitely the museum where we filmed the Embassy scene. Even despite my discomfort with the costume. It looks so impressive on film. And it was just the right amount of opulence to demonstrate the Emperor's power.
The worst would have to be a toss-up. There was a studio shoot where I'd been up since 5 a.m., worked all day, drove to the studio, didn't eat properly and it was so hot -- I got violently sick. I was sitting in the control room, retching into a pail between takes. But when Shane called, "Action!", I was there on the set, exuding evilness! The other was the final shoot, the second cavern shoot. It was exceedingly damp, dark, and cold, and getting later and later and later.... By the end, which Shane had reserved for the close-ups on the duel between Zhanna and Taryn, I could barely stand, let alone lift my sabers, from the exhaustion.
RTOF: What do you like best about Zhanna?
KAREN: Her clothing.
RTOF: Why? The chance to wear black leather?
KAREN: No, I think her clothes are the key to her personality. My favorite is actually the most uncomfortable -- the Embassy gown. It expresses her personality best -- rigidly constrained, she doesn't make mistakes, she's a perfectionist. That's why she can carry off such an elaborate gown and not fall down the stairs. And she's strong enough to look fragile.
RTOF: Tell us about your co-stars.
KAREN: I loved the camaraderie of the shoots. We worked together for so long and had so much fun! It made going on location or being on the set -- apart from "hurry up and wait" -- extremely enjoyable. I learned a lot from Frank and Gina (Hernandez), who have extensive acting experience. I learned a great deal about the world of acting from them and really owe them a debt of gratitude. And Holland has become a great friend -- she came in not knowing anyone and not really sure if she wanted to devote herself to such an extensive project. But she exceeded everyone's expectations. She and I learned together and grew together and I think we have a unique bond.
RTOF: In what ways have you grown and learned during the shoot?
KAREN: Over the course of this project, I've become a much better actress, gained increasing ease in front of the camera's eye, and generally become more outgoing and assertive. For a number of years, I was the "quiet" friend. I'd relate an anecdote or insert a quip occasionally, but for the most part I'd let others do the majority of the talking. As I spent more time in front of the camera, I got to see what I did and didn't like about myself. It's given me an objective view and lets me push more of the things I like to the forefront and correct the things I don't. I've absorbed a lot of Zhanna's positive traits -- soaked up her assertiveness and her ability to survey a room and assess the situation, to take command and become the center of attention.
RTOF: Oh, enough about the inner you, let's talk about the outer! What's it like being a star, darling? The make-up, the costumes, the lights, camera, action! of it all?
KAREN: It's totally surreal. Your importance is exaggerated all out of proportion to how you normally see yourself. At first it seems excessive, but then you realize the responsibility that comes with it -- you must carry your character, which carries the film. You have to make you character believable so people want to watch you -- or else they'll get up and leave. The "star" trappings help the believability.
It's certainly exciting, people flitting around, adjusting your hair and make-up and really wanting you to look your best. Of course, the more central your character, the more fitted and elaborate your costumes and the more difficult to conceal the microphone wire! Early on in filming, my father came to the museum shoot. He was suitably impressed by my appearance and the grand costuming and grooming. He was a bit dismayed when the sound tech had to reach down my bodice to try and wire me up! In the end, the sound guy had to call for the wardrobe mistress to help him design a secure and discreet way of hiding both the wire and the transmitter box.
RTOF: You were on your feet for that entire shoot, weren't you?
KAREN: Hair and make-up started at 3:30 p.m. but I had to get into costume ahead of time so that I wouldn't smudge or destroy anything. Scenes with Joe (Lancaster), my aide, started around 5:30. Then the crowd scenes, descending the marble staircase -- in heels, with a train -- the highlight of the project for me. Made me really feel like an actress, a glamorous film star. I even had a stand in -- it took so long to reset the camera crane and get me set again, what with the skirts and train and all. My poor feet on that floor were killing me.
And did I mention the corset? I couldn't eat, I couldn't drink, I couldn't sit down. If I had to go to the bathroom, I needed a personal servant to undress and re-dress me! I felt like a big doll. The last take was just before midnight. I'd been in that costume almost nine hours. I paid for it the next day. But it looked fabulous. And that's the whole point, right?
(Editor's note: You can see stills from the museum shoot here.)
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