This is the transcript from the Gold Derby Chat held on June 30th, 2009. I have edited the chat so this only includes the questions that Anna answered during the chat.
PatrickDay: Hello and welcome to our live chat with Anna Paquin, star of HBO’s “True Blood!” We’ll be starting in a few minutes. This chat is moderated, so there will be a slight delay before your comments appear on the site.
Tom O’Neil: Anna will be here soon. She’s really lookin forward to this chat
Tom O’Neil: BTW, this is the SECOND live chat that Anna Paquin’s done with The Envelope. She did one two years ago when she was Emmy nominated for “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.” Nice to know that we didn’t scare her off.
Tom O’Neil: Of course, after facing down vampires, I imagine that nothing scares Anna much these days
Tom O’Neil: BTW, Anna is in the running for TWO Emmy races. Not just best drama actress for “True Blood,” but she may be nominated in the TV movie race for “Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler,” about a courageous woman who saved Jews during the Holocaust
Tom O’Neil: yes, wait till I welcome her and I’ll ask the first question or two, then instruct her to pass off to reply to your questions
Tom O’Neil: Anna will probably chat with us for about 20 minutes
Tom O’Neil: That’s what she’s planning anyway. Don’t know if she can hang with us any longer
Tom O’Neil: Please don’t storm this board with too many comments and questions, making poor Anna dizzy
Tom O’Neil: Remember, this chat is moderated, so if things get too crazy, our moderator will have to hold back a storm of posts
Tom O’Neil: Anna’s name will pop up on screen when she arrives … soon
Tom O’Neil: Hi Anna!
Anna Paquin: hi this is anna
Tom O’Neil: Welcome!
Anna Paquin: thank you
Tom O’Neil: First question. When you, being an Oscar champ, first heard about the concept of “True Blood,” were you skeptical about doing a vampire show? Or did you think, “Hey, that looks like fun!”?
Anna Paquin: i pursued true blood so when i heard i got the part i was thrilled
pammie: Hello Anna, you have the BEST SCREAM!
Anna Paquin: i do scream a lot on the show lol
Lee: Hey anna, what are you listening to these days music stuff…
Anna Paquin: loving fleet foxes and fiona apple
Tom O’Neil: Wouldn’t it be ironic if you’re nominated against your “Piano” costar Holly Hunter (“Saving Grace”)????
Anna Paquin: that would be an amazing compliment be in her category
Tom O’Neil: Anna, just grab the questions from those poppin up and answer which ones you want
Anna Paquin: ok will try to answer as many as pos
Tom O’Neil: Are you aware of the Curse of the Vampires at the Emmys? Even though EVERY TV critic in America fumed at the Emmys to nominate “Buffy” Sarah Michelle Gellar, she never got nommed, poor thing. Maybe Emmy voters are snobs?
Anna Paquin: i am not aware of any curse
Tom O’Neil: You’ll break it, I have a good hunch
Send: Does Alan Ball have a large input to your character?
Anna Paquin: alan ball is pretty much god as far as our show is concerned so that would be a huge yes
Juliet: hi anna, my friend wants to know what the fake blood tastes like
Anna Paquin: fake blood tastes like congealed gooey jam that has been pureed
Tom O’Neil: You’ve been in the Emmy game before – with “Wounded Knee.” Now you may get nominated twice, including a bid for “Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler.” But you may have to send some vampires after those “Grey Gardens” gals
Anna Paquin: i’m really just focused on finishing season two awards are not really on my mind
Scott: Anna Paquin, did it take any type of coaxing did it take for you to do the nude scenes? Is it something you were looking forward to doing?
Anna Paquin: i have no prob with the nudity
Anna Paquin: i knew what i was getting myself into lol
Anna Paquin: aaaaahh sorry i’m not able to read and type at the same time….
PatrickDay: We’ll slow it down a bit.
Tom O’Neil: yeah, patrick, good idea
ChloeOBrian: What attracted you to play Sookie?
Anna Paquin: sookie gets to do so much cool shit. she is in action scenes, romance, drama all of it
Anna Paquin: its really like i get to play every possible “type” of female character on one show
Jackie: did you pursue True Blood b/c you enjoyed the books?
Anna Paquin: i read the books while trying to get the part
Leiana: Do you film in New Orleans?
Anna Paquin: we have filmed in shreveport
Anna Paquin: we go to baton rouge next week
Nique: Don’t you want to Kiss Sheriff Eric.. He’s so Hot
Anna Paquin: sookie is not eric’s biggest fan!!!
Katherine: Anna did you get a chance to meet Ms. Sendler while filming THe Courageous Heart?
Anna Paquin: ms sendler had already passed when i came onto to project so sadly no
4:14
[Comment From Rob L]
Hi all! Well done Anna on what appears to be an even better second season so far. Just wanted to throw that in the mix.
unkie469: What’s coming up for you in the movies?
Anna Paquin: right now my whole world is true blood
Tom O’Neil: That’s a good world
Anna Paquin: don’t know what the hiatus will bring just yet
Shadaliza: Are there any characteristics of Sookie’s that you wish that you had? Or you are glad that you don’t have?
Anna Paquin: glad i’m not a telepath
Anna Paquin: wish i was naturally tan and blonde
Randall: When are you going to tread the boards in NYC again? Us theatergoers would love to see you do another play.
Anna Paquin: i would love to do another play asap
Debbie: Anna, do they clear the set when you do the sex scenes?
Anna Paquin: the funny part about sex scenes on tb is that there is usually some kind of special effect fang/blood gag at some point so it kind of odd when you are lying there all naked and someone has to run in and insert fangs or blood….. so kind a clear but we have a lot of essential crew
Crystal: Anna, how do you feel that Trick ‘R Treat is finally seeing a release? And will you be doing any projects once Season 2 wraps? Like a film or perhaps another play?
Anna Paquin: trick r treat was such a blast to do. my mate mike dougherty who wrote and directed it is amazing and twisted and i’m glad people will get to see this film
DeeDee: You were terrific in “Walk on the Moon”… did you enjoy working with Diane Lane and Viggo Mortensen?
Anna Paquin: i didn’t have much to do with viggo but diane rocks!!!
Debbie: You are not alone in not being able to read and type simultaneously!
Anna Paquin: thank you debbie
Heidi: does sookie have any tattoos
Anna Paquin: no tats for sook but i have a couple
Claire: Hi Anna. Did they ask you to go blonde for the part of Sookie? Or was that something you brought to the character?
Anna Paquin: sookie is blonde in the books so hbo did a major makeover
Lee: godbless her for the patience to endure our badgering. Still wondering what it was like working with the cast on Hurly Burly
Anna Paquin: hurly burly was amazing and intimidating and such a massive learning experience it was a master class in acting
Debbie: Anna, do you still wear your Billsbabe Shirt?
Anna Paquin: bills babe shirt and i like to work out together
Heidi: its HOT in Baton Rouge
Anna Paquin: well it was like mosquito soup this time last year in shreveport so i’m guessing we are in for more of the same in b.r.
AAM: Were you familiar with Alan Ball’s work on SIX FEET UNDER before pursuing your role on TRUE BLOOD, and in particular, his gift for multi-dimensional characterizations?
Anna Paquin: i have seen every episode of sfu at least three times
Anna Paquin: alan is a dream to work with/for
Andrew: Anna, how involved is Alan Ball with the show? Is he there for every episode?
Anna Paquin: alan is involved on every level of every ep from start to finish
Katherine: Will you and the cast be attending Comic Con 2009?
Anna Paquin: comic con true blood panel is july 25, we are ALL coming
Tom O’Neil: aren’t you just a LITTLE BIT creeped out by Alan’s fondness for TV shows about dead people???? haaaaaaaa
Anna Paquin: WHAT’S WRONG WITH DEAD PEOPLE!!!!????
Tom O’Neil: Nothing! Nothing! The Walking Dead are really KEWL
Ashley: what is it like to work with your real life boyfriend
Anna Paquin: steve and i have a pretty ideal set up as far as personal/work life
Alex: Are you an Eric or a Bill fan?
Anna Paquin: BILL ALL THE WAY!!!
Lou: Anna, I’d love to know the name of your colourist. Your blonde is stunning!
Anna Paquin: TRACEY CUNINGHAM!!!!! THE GO TO LADY FOR BLONDE IN LOS ANGELES/PLANET EARTH. (i may have spelled that wrong)
Heidi: how do they make the fangs pop out
Anna Paquin: the fangs are on a plate that gets put into the mouth and then they do a cgi effect to have them pop
Tom O’Neil: the popping action is a hoot
Vytas: How do you stay fit? Yoga? Pilates?
Anna Paquin: i work out A LOT!! yoga pilates boxing anything that involves moving
Tom O’Neil: So, in other words, don’t mess with Anna …
Anna Paquin: um yeah i’m pretty strong….
marcie: Do you have a myspace account or are they just posers?
Anna Paquin: I DO NOT HAVE A MY SPACE ACCOUNT!!!!
Casey: do you feel a difference with tv and theatre?
Anna Paquin: acting is acting no matter the medium
Jen: Were you surprised when you won the golden globes? you deserved it
Anna Paquin: the gg shocked the hell out of me, i don’t ever expect stuff like that
Carole: How do you like living in Los Angeles these days? Or do you really only get to work when you are here?
Anna Paquin: i love my life in los angeles
Tom O’Neil: Did you have an acceptance speech ready at Globes? Just in case?
Anna Paquin: no speech
Debbie: Wow, episode 2.03 was torcherous for you! What was all of the foam in your mouth?
Anna Paquin: alka seltzer
Cynthia: Hi, Anna, I so much enjoy your great performance on True Blood. Do you know if HBO has OK’ed a third season?
Anna Paquin: no official word on season three. so please keep watching and keep your fingers crossed (YES THAT IS A SHAMELESS PLUG)
Jordan: ooooh, good question: can vamps father children?
Anna Paquin: i’m not sure if they are able to do the baby thing
4:30
[Comment From Alex]
would you like to see Rogue in her own spinoff movie?
4:30
Melvyn: Anna, what young actress do you admire right now?
Anna Paquin: i really admire all the women on my show.
Anna Paquin: i think rutina, deborah, mishka, and carrie are all extroadinary
marcie: good to know about the myspace! They had stephen proposing the other night. it was hilarious!
Anna Paquin: yeah i love reading things about my life that are FICTION
Carole: Have you had any frightening crazed fan/press experiences? Not that you’re actually frightened…
Anna Paquin: i while back someone posed as me on facebook and said i was in hospital. which was funny because i was on set at the time and have never been in hospital since i was born. thought it was a bit thoughtless because if that info trickled out to friends or family they would be worried… ya know?
Jordan: Hi Anna, Would you ever work with Spike Lee again? What was that experience like?
Anna Paquin: love spike lee, would love to work with him again
MrReynolds: Is the Globe in your bedroom closet with your Oscar?
Anna Paquin: the globe and oscar are on a counter top in our bedroom
Lee: You must have a nice car, that seems to make LA that much more tolerable
Anna Paquin: i don’t know how to drive.
Anna Paquin: i don’t own a car
Anna Paquin: i do have a hello kitty beach cruiser
Tiyen: Hi Anna. Big fan here. Have you been back home to New Zealand lately? How are they taking your success? I’m sure they must be proud of you.
Anna Paquin: i get home to nz about once a year
Danielle: Do you sing? Would you ever consider doing a musical?
Anna Paquin: i can sing but haven’t since school choir
willy: What’s your go-to cocktail these days?
Tom O’Neil: She drinks True Blood, Willy
Ashley: hi anna! i love sookie. is ryan kwaten single? he is so attractive
Anna Paquin: you would have to ask ryan that!!! i am not a dating service!! or gossip column
Insanity: Speaking of vampire children, What does Sookie really think of Bill’s ‘daughter’?
Anna Paquin: sookie accepts jessica and tries to be a good “step parent”
Anna Paquin: i think deborah is mesmerizing !!!!
Ashley: I know you’re getting like 8 million questions right now-haha. I was wondering what its like acclimating to a southern character being British? Did you do any research?
Anna Paquin: i’m from new zealand!!!
Anna Paquin: but we all had a dialect coach
Alexxxxx: do you have any idea what Daphne is? or at least a guess?
Anna Paquin: of course I KNOW WHAT DAPHNE IS. but i’m telling you !!!!!
John: Anna, did you finish at Columbia? If not, any desire to go back and finish?
Anna Paquin: nope i kinda dropped out
Jordan: Do you have to deal with paparazzi now?
Anna Paquin: the paparazzi thing is a little odd. but it’s part of what you sign up for with the whole acting thing. i don’t do anything all that interesting so i still can’t understand why anyone wants to take my picture …..
Kay: You brother said you’ll be cameoing in his new movie which involves driving?
Anna Paquin: we shot it this morning!! in his garage “poor mans process”
Jackie: What roles have you tried out for but didn’t get?
Anna Paquin: i tried out for loads of roles i didn’t get!!! rejection is 90% of my job
Anna Paquin: ok so i have to go to a costume fitting
Tom O’Neil: You’re saying you have to dash now?
Anna Paquin: i have a special dress for a special scene in ep 12 that needs to be fitted…..
Anna Paquin: so i gotta run
Tom O’Neil: thanks for cyber-gabbing with us, Anna
Tom O’Neil: Good luck at the Emmys
Anna Paquin: thank you guys so much!!!! all of us true blood folks love and appreciate all the support
Anna Paquin: it makes our job very exciting!!!!
Anna Paquin: BYE BYE XOXOX
Tom O’Neil: Bye!
PatrickDay: Thanks for participating everyone!