Gary Morgenstein: Welcome everyone to the "Lost Girl" conference call. We're delighted to have the stars, Anna Silk, Kris Holden-Ried, and Zoie Palmer, who form a very interesting romantic triangle in this series, which has been a huge hit in Canada and premiers on SyFy Monday, January 16th at 10:00 right after the second season premier of "Being Human."
Zoie Palmer: Hello. Thank you.
Anna Silk: Thank you, yes.
Kris Holden-Ried: Let's rock and roll.
(Renee Martin): Hello everyone. Thanks for talking with us today. As a Canadian, I have watched every single episode and every Monday morning I get the (Team Docubus) emails. So I have to ask Kris a question, I probably would be banned from (Tim Horton's) at this point if I didn't. So my question is to Kris. What - Dyson is a very restrained character. There's always something about him that is just simmering underneath it all. And so, do you find this a challenge as an actor, because it has to come through with your body language rather than the lines that you're given to say, and also, I have to ask it, how much did you love getting the chance to pretend to be Kenzi? We loved it.
Anna Silk: That's a big spoiler alert, just so you know.
(Renee Martin): I couldn't help it. I'm sorry. I had to do it.
Anna Silk: Of course. No, of course.
Kris Holden-Ried: Yeah, that was great. I mean we're talking about something in season two here. And yeah, season two is being a bit of a tough, tough pull for Dyson, and to get to play a different character for one episode was fantastic and especially Kenzi, who Ksenia Solo played so well, and who I'm lucky to have such a great relationship with, and she helped me out tremendously. We really teamed up to help each other out. And it was a great experience.
As far as your first question about the restraint, I think it's become something that's really inherent in Dyson, and part of it came out of a necessity of the way we shot first season, which was completely out of chronological sequence, so a lot of times we didn't know what we were going to have to do in the (preselect), we choose episode nine, and then episode three, and so sometimes we didn't know what we were going to have to react to. So you sometimes have to play this ambiguous sort of line.
Zoie Palmer: Yeah.
Kris Holden-Ried: But also in my style of acting, I tend to internalize things more than externalize them, and that's just - and I think people pick up on stuff that - I mean we're such sensitive creatures that even if you internalize things, people pick up on them. And what I like about after my - the way I like to act is that I find if people are using their own imagination to put onto your character what it's feeling then often more authentic than me trying to demonstrate something, you know.
(Renee Martin): Thank you very much.
Anna Silk: Yeah, and there's been such an outpouring of support for the show. I mean people that follow us on Twitter and various things, they really are big fans of the show and really care about each character and each relationship.
And whenever I tweet, there's one girl in particular who always writes back within, usually a minute. Now if she doesn't I start to get worried about her. I think she's in France, and I was like, where is she? She hasn't written back. I start to get worried, because the response is so quick. It's really great.
Zoie Palmer: Anna (unintelligible) talking to fans is pretty much what she's doing.
Kris Holden-Ried: But what I also found, which is real interesting is not just of the characters but the fans through these media outlets really get in touch with the person who's playing the role...
Zoie Palmer: Yeah.
Kris Holden-Ried: ...and can build quite the - I'm amazed at the power of a relationship that you can - 255 characters or however many Twitter allows you to write. I think it's something like that, because you know, about six months I've actually just like Anna said, I've gotten to know these people. I know exactly who's talking about it. And yeah, I told her I was worried about her too.
Zoie Palmer: (Smelly Cat), if you're out there, we love you.
Anna Silk: Yes, (Smelly Cat), we love you.
Reg Seeton: Can you each talk about the appeal of Bo and what you guys love about the triangle relationship as the season evolves?
Anna Silk: Did you say the appeal of Bo? The appeal of Bo, I mean since I play Bo, I don't know. I think that the appeal of Bo for me when I read the initial pilot was just how - I think she's - even though she's a succubus and she's not human and she's going to be thrown into this crazy world, she's really relatable. She's a very relatable character. She's intensely vulnerable and also has to sort of grow and find her way, and there's a lot of growth for her in the series.
And I think that that's sort of what, you know, having just talked to fans and just even myself, that's what I related to in her and that's what I found appealing was that she's strong and sexy and all of those things, but she's scared a lot of the times and vulnerable and has to figure out things as she goes.
And then the love triangle that unfolds that the (INs) gets introduced to in season one is pretty, pretty interesting. Anyone care to comment?
Zoie Palmer: You led us right up to the love triangle and dropped us off. The love triangle is, yeah, I mean it's just that, isn't it? I think that everyone who meets Bo, including Dyson and Lauren are sort of taken with her, for reasons that I don't know that - well, I mean I think Lauren is taken with her for reasons that I don't know that she can explain entirely. And she's obviously beautiful. You're beautiful, Anna.
Anna Silk: Thank you.
Zoie Palmer: But there's something about her, I think that brings - draws people into her, and I think that that's what sort of Lauren finds right away. And I think almost - I think it's a surprise that she feels that way, that that happens. I think she works for the Light Fae and she does her job and she's a scientist and then along comes this sort of creature, this person, this woman who does something to her, and I don't know that's she kind of sure what that something is, certainly from Lauren's side, anyway. Kris?
Kris Holden-Ried: I think with Dyson it's pretty simple, you know, he introduces - got these - got this incredible cleavage - and no. Sorry.
Zoie Palmer: And end right in the cleavage.
Kris Holden-Ried: I think for Dyson, with the mythology behind Dyson's character has a lot to do with he's a protector. The wolf was - its entire job in existence was protecting its liege or its king, whoever it was assigned, and in Bo he sees an innocent but beautiful and vulnerable woman that he finds one, beautiful and fascinating, but also those instincts out in him.
And there's also some historical stuff behind Trick and Bo and Dyson that the audience will find out about that also sort of plays into this as well, but I think it's really kind of a deep sort of seated instinct in Dyson's want to protect Bo, and in doing so, he gets feelings for her.
Aaron Sagers: So I'm kind of curious, like, where did you look for inspiration? How far did you go into sort of Fae myths, and you know, quite honestly, when you were first offered this job, did you kind of blow it off, like, fairies, who wants to do that?
Anna Silk: Well, I mean I guess I'll start. I didn't think that when I first read about it. What I thought was, you know, the original sort of description of the show was that she was this sexual creature who needs sex to survive. So, I - my initial thought was: "Are you kidding me?" You know, "What is this?”
But then to really read what it was about and read, you know, I knew what a succubus was, and it's a pretty intriguing role to play. I mean it's obviously a very sexual role. She's a sexual being, but that's kind of I think what is another element that makes our show stand out. And it's a pretty fun power to have, I have to say.
Kris Holden-Ried: For me, I've always been a fan of this kind of genre. I mean I grew up reading fantasy novels, everything from "Dragon Lands" to "Eye of the World," you know, (David Edding), was it "Game of Thrones?" And so when I got a chance to jump at a role like this, I was all for it, because I grew up running through the woods by my parents farm, pretending that I was whatever, an elf, and how much further is (unintelligible).
Anna Silk: Everyone heard you say that, Kris.
Zoie Palmer: You just announced that to the world now.
Kris Holden-Ried: I mean you know
Zoie Palmer: I grew up running through the forest with my shirt off, you know, how kids do.
Kris Holden-Ried: Isn't every childhood like that?
Zoie Palmer: No, absolutely. I did for sure.
Anna Silk: Well, I spent one summer as Wonder Woman. So, there's that, you know.
Zoie Palmer: The whole summer?
Anna Silk: I get it. I get it. Yeah, the whole summer. Rubber boots, bathing suits, red wristbands, headband, you know.
Zoie Palmer: Sure.
Kris Holden-Ried: Oh, my God (unintelligible).
Anna Silk: There was a lot of crime in my neighborhood.
Zoie Palmer: No, absolutely, you had to fight it. I get it. Sorry.
Anna Silk: Yeah.
Zoie Palmer: I don't have anything that even comes close to comparing, but I had never done any kind of - I didn't watch sort of Sci Fi genre type television except, I guess, "Battlestar Galactica," which isn't really comparable to this show at all.
But - so it was really new for me to be on a show like this and to play a character, and of course, I play human, so that I didn't need to do a ton of research in terms of my own character, but it's been a great experience, like way better than I could have ever imagined. It's been - it's such a fun job to play on this kind of a show. It's fantasy and play and yeah.
(Steve Eramo): I wanted to find out maybe if you could tell us a little bit about how you each became initially involved on the show, and perhaps about the audition process, if you don't mind, for your respective role?
Zoie Palmer: Well.
Kris Holden-Ried: Well, basically I picked Anna up, pushed her into the wall, and (unintelligible).
Anna Silk: Yes, that's the actual audition, yeah.
Kris Holden-Ried: I kind of groped her. That was how I got...
Zoie Palmer: That's also what I did.
Anna Silk: You picked me up.
Zoie Palmer: Kris said, "It worked for me. This is what I did." And so I just went in and I threw her up against the wall and hoped for the best.
Anna Silk: Kris and I actually left a crack in the wall at the casting director's office.
Kris Holden-Ried: Yeah, she broke the drywall.
Anna Silk: Yeah, that was an interesting audition for sure.
Kris Holden-Ried: Yeah. Anna wasn't anticipating...
((Crosstalk))
Anna Silk: I'm sorry. Go ahead.
Kris Holden-Ried: I was just - Anna wasn't anticipating what I was going to do and was wearing a short skirt at the time, and I think, the biggest surprise on her face was the fact that it was riding up a little too high.
Anna Silk: Yes, I was little afraid I was going to fall to the floor without my dress on anymore. So.
Zoie Palmer: But if anything pulls you out of character more than when you think your clothes are falling off.
Anna Silk: Yeah, than suddenly been nude, yes.
Zoie Palmer: Yeah.
Kris Holden-Ried: (Unintelligible)
Zoie Palmer: Suddenly being nude.
Anna Silk: But in terms of the audition process, from the beginning for me, I mean I was in Los Angeles, and I self-taped for the role, actually and sent it off and you know, which is something as actors, we've all done over the years many times to no avail, but this particular artisan tape got a pretty quick response.
And before I knew it I was in Toronto to screen test, and that's when I screen tested with Kris and so that was, you know - and then we both found out we got the role, which was great. And then I screen tested with (Billy) a little bit later in the process, but that was a - I'd known Zoie for several years just from being around the audition circuit in Toronto, and I never really liked her. No, I'm kidding.
Zoie Palmer: No, no, it was really hard for us to overcome the nightmare that was our relationship.
Anna Silk: Yeah. No, no, no, I've always loved her. I always thought she was really cool, and so I've been really lucky with both Kris and Zoie to get to know them -but - the way we have, and that we actually all booked this job that we're so lucky to have.
Kris Holden-Ried: Yep.
Zoie Palmer: Yeah, in a nutshell.
Anna Silk: Yeah.
(Steve Eramo): Listen, thank you guys so much for your time and continued good luck and success with the show.
Zoie Palmer: Thanks so much.
Anna Silk: Thank you.
Jamie Ruby: Hello again.
Group: Hello.
Jamie Ruby: So, I've gotten so many questions from Twitter as well. So I decided to choose one, and I wanted to know, is - obviously there's good things about the Fae and bad things about the Fae, but if you had the choice and you could have powers of one of them, would you want it or would you not? For all three of you.
Anna Silk: Well, yeah, I think I'd kind of like to have the power that I have on the show, you know.
Kris Holden-Ried: Yeah. I'd like that too.
Anna Silk: I just think that it's sort of become a part of - such a big part of - it is who Bo is. So for me as the actor, it's just become something that I really enjoy playing. So I think that it's the closest one to me in terms of what I like. So yeah, I think I'd like to have that power.
Jamie Ruby: Your own power, the one that Bo has?
Anna Silk: Yeah, yes. I know.
Jamie Ruby: Okay.
Kris Holden-Ried: Well (unintelligible).
Jamie Ruby: The things you learn on a conference call.
Zoie Palmer: I don't even know what I'm saying over here. Babbling by myself. Sorry.
Kris Holden-Ried: Yeah, I'd love to have, I mean Dyson's power, sure, or are you asking which power we'd like to have?
Jamie Ruby: Well, if you would in real life, which one, if you had the choice?
Kris Holden-Ried: I don't know, Vex's would be pretty fun.
Zoie Palmer: I know, I always say Vex.
Anna Silk: Yeah.
Zoie Palmer: Vex was pretty cool. (Unintelligible).
Kris Holden-Ried: Yeah, a little bit of Vex. I love - I'm digging Dyson. I mean I'm pretty close to him right now, so I'm - I like being able to turn into an animal and live for a very long period of time. I'm all - I like longevity.
Zoie Palmer: Kris Holden, he'd like longevity.
Anna Silk: And Kris is already pretty (wolfie), like you know - you are. You became very, you know, you've got an animalistic way of moving, and...
Zoie Palmer: He is, yeah.
Anna Silk: ...it works for ya.
Zoie Palmer: It does work for you, Kris.
Kris Holden-Ried: It's just, it's called wearing really - too tight underwear and you just start moving that way.
Anna Silk: There was a technique we learned about.
Kris Holden-Ried: An actor prepared.
Zoie Palmer: Yes.
Anna Silk: Yes.
Zoie Palmer: I think I'd like a combo of Vex and Bo. If Vex and Bo could create one power, I don't know what that would be specifically, but like some combination of the two of their powers. I wouldn't mind that. Just for like for a day, I wouldn't want to always have that power.
Jamie Ruby: All right.
Zoie Palmer: Or maybe a week.
Anna Silk: Give it a week.
Zoie Palmer: Yeah, I'll give it a week. Yeah.
Jamie Ruby: All right. Thanks so much guys.
Zoie Palmer: Sure.
Anna Silk: Thanks Jamie.
Kris Holden-Ried: Okay.
Paul Simpson: Yeah. Firstly we've got the mixture of the detective stories and the ones that are based more around the Fae mythology. Which do you prefer working on more?
Kris Holden-Ried: Yeah, kind of just like what Anna said, is that they get intertwined so much. I enjoy the police procedural stuff, but I think for me is more of a fantasy genre, romantic, I enjoy looking into the different aspects of the Fae and - because most of our Fae creatures we pull from actual human...
Zoie Palmer: Yeah.
Kris Holden-Ried: ...superstitious or religious or like backgrounds. And I find it actually fascinating finding out about these strange, you know, fairy creature that lived in like Chinese folklore or German folklore or I find those little characters support, those little insights to that culture fascinating, and I'm really - I really enjoyed learning about them on our show.
Zoie Palmer: Yeah, I don't know that I have a lot to add to that. I think you guys pretty much - I, you know, it is. It's true. The story of the week often has delved into the history of the Fae too, you know. So, that's right.
Ian Cullen: Okay. Well, I've got a question for anybody in personal relationships between three characters, but it's actually more between you and Zoie in the series. I actually spoke to Rick Howland a few months ago, and he said that one of things that you found is you've had a lot of, you know, people approaching you at conventions, saying that, you know, that your relationship on the screen has actually helped them come out, you know, as gay or as bisexual or whatever. I'm just wondering how do feel about that as actors...
Anna Silk: Well...
Ian Cullen: ...getting that kind of response?
Anna Silk: ...I think that for Zoie and I, it was really important that the relationship between Bo and Lauren was really authentic and really real and relatable. I mean we knew it had to be. It's meant to be, and I guess the response to it is kind of a testament to, you know, I think we've been pretty successful with it, you know, the writing has been there, obviously as well for us.
But I think that that was something that Zoie and I worked really hard to make sure that it was truthful. And the fact that it resonates with people and if it encourages people in any way, I mean to be their own authentic self, then I think that's fantastic.
Zoie Palmer: Yeah, obviously, this relationship, a same-sex relationship, there isn't a ton of that television, and so we've managed, with the help of the writers and everybody, to pull off a relationship that is relatable to people, I think is a big compliment. I think it's really great, and I would feel really pleased about it when somebody says something like that. We've had a couple of those experiences at like...
Anna Silk: Yeah.
Zoie Palmer: ...(Annex Bo), and that kind of thing where somebody's come up and said, you know, "It means a lot." And I think it's great. I'm thrilled about that.
Anna Silk: Yeah. And I love that on the show too, we don't - it's not talked about as a same-sex relationship.
Zoie Palmer: It just is one, yeah.
Anna Silk: It's not one could be - yeah, it's just - it's a relationship, and that's that.
Zoie Palmer: The Coke and gay thing or the - it's just the - there is - yeah, that's cool. It's that there's just in the relationship, whichever - whatever it looks like, however it...
Anna Silk: Yeah.
Zoie Palmer: ...in the way that Dyson and Bo are in one, and it's never discussed on the show...
Anna Silk: Yeah.
Zoie Palmer: ...which I love too. I think that's great.
Anca Dumitru: Yes, (unintelligible). Just a very quick question regarding the (unintelligible). I'd like to know how much are you involved in the story writing process of the show? Do you like to give input regarding your cast part, or do you leave that part completely the writers?
Kris Holden-Ried: I'm sorry. I could not understand that.
Anna Silk: I don't know - yeah. We're having a hard time hearing you, but I believe your question was about whether or not we have input into our characters or if we leave it up to the writers. Is that correct?
Anca Dumitru: Yeah, exactly (unintelligible).
Anna Silk: Yeah, I mean we definitely have input. You know, Michelle Lovretta who created the show and the staff of writers we've had over the first and second season have, they've developed such rich characters, but what's really great is that, you know, we've developed a relationship with them and they write, you know, they write to our strengths as actors, I think.
And I think that they're very open to our input, which is really crucial, because it creates a really nice dialog, and you know, creates a better show ultimately. So we're really lucky that it's a pretty open door...
Kris Holden-Ried: Yes.
Anna Silk: ...between actors and writers on our show.
Kris Holden-Ried: (Unintelligible)
Zoie Palmer: Yeah, they're really great about hearing our thoughts on it.
Kris Holden-Ried: Yeah. I mean some of the bigger budget shows you have so many different cooks in the kitchen. You have so many different like network checks, that the actors don't get a chance. But we actually can sit in the writers' room, and like every time we bring our scripts in, you know, before the read-throughs, and they're very attentive to our ideas about our characters, and it's a real collaborative treat. And I think we're all really enjoying it.
Anca Dumitru: Okay. Thank you very much.
Anna Silk: Thank you.
Gary Morgenstein: And thank everyone, Anna, Zoie, Kris, thank you so much.
Anna Silk: Thank you, Gary.
Kris Holden-Ried: My pleasure.
Zoie Palmer: Thank you guys.