Tandi answers our questions
Tell us a little about how you got involved in this
project.
I auditioned. Quite a few times. Which was nerve-wracking
because I loved the script to pieces but I had to be cool about
it. Partly that's self preservation in case I didn't get the
job, and partly it's the game.Desperation is so deeply unattractive
to casting directors.
Tell us about your character - and how did you get into
their mindset?
Well, the insecure, neurotic and control freak side of me
got let out to have a romp around. I have her back in her box
now. I think.
What was it about this show which attracted you to get
involved?
The creative team was like the who's who of super-duper
people I always want to work with. Rachel Lang and Gavin
Strawhan as writers, Rob Sarkies and Peter Salmon as directors, Tim
White, Steven O'Meagher and Tim Sanders as producers, Tracey
Collins as designer. This is an actor's wet dream.
What was the shooting of this show like?
Fast. There was a constant sense of urgency trying to meet
the schedule. It's a double edged sword - great for adrenalin
and ingenious problem solving but sometimes at the expense of
exploration. But I loved it. I really really loved
it. I want to do it again!
What were the challenges of this show?
- Expressing breastmilk at 4.45am (NB - Tandi had
recently had a baby prior to shooting the series)
- The temperamental RED cameras we shot on.
- Wearing pastel pink skinny jeans
- Moderating my coffee intake.
With a production like this and the filming schedule,
was there any room for fun? Were they a good crew to be part
of?
There is always room for fun. If we were constantly
terribly serious behind the scenes what ends up onscreen would be
turgid. It's got to have spark behind it, a glint of
naughtiness in the eye& The crew were delicious. I
could eat them.
What was it like being part of a different kind of NZ
show like this?
It felt risky. Ambitious in a new way. Like we
were aiming really high and if we succeeded it'd be scintillating,
and if not then.. ouch. But for me to work with all those
wonderful clever people, well I just thoroughly enjoyed
myself. I felt everyone around me working to full capacity
and there was nothing for it but to try and step up.
Your character Callie becomes quite the emotional centre
of This Is Not My Life - how do you feel being likened to New
Zealand's very own Desperate Housewife?
Is she the emotional centre? I dunno. She's so
emotionally fragile that it's hard to think of her as the centre of
anything. But I loved playing with the unpredictability of
her emotions and her inability to control them. It lends
her a vulnerability, I think,which she needs otherwise she
might just be super annoying.
What was it like working again with Robert
Sarkies?
Pure pleasure. I love Rob. He is exacting,
precise, he listens, he's a perfectionist, I trust him and he's
also just a really lovely guy.
Is there any part of Waimoana that you would like to
have as part of your own life?
I can see those kooky smart cars getting a cult
following.
Was there anything from the Waimoana world that you
tried (or succeeded) to take home from the set?
I have Jessica's duvet cover! I wanted Callie's but
someone nabbed it already. Turns out they do great duvet
covers in Waimoana.
What's next for you?
Actors are always leaping into the abyss of
unknowing. I have a telemovie and a short film and then I'll
be back to the abyss. On good days I embrace the anarchy of
it - anything is possible today. Everything is possible
today.
