Date: April 2004
Price: £2.99
Page Count: 52
Editor: Natalie Clubb
Stake Out
This month, things began negative, as Sarah Michelle Gellar officially confirmed that she’d be in Japan filming horror movie The Grudge shortly that summer, which meant she would be unavailable to film anything for at least the remainder of Angel‘s fifth season.
David Boreanaz seemed particularly keen for her return. “If Sarah wants to come back for a final farewell – like I did for her on her series finale – that would be fantastic,” he said. “Now, that’s something for her to decide. That would be great, to have her. I think it would be great for the fans to see that.
“I think it’s a responsibility to do those farewell shows and give the appreciation for the fans that that are watching things,” David added. “Those are the people that tune in and have made us who we are today. It’s not like you do 50 or 100 episodes of a show and say, ‘Screw you.’ You have a responsibility to your fans, and that’s important. You give as much as you can responsibly, as long as you’re having fun with it.”
Farewell? Did David know something we didn’t..? All would be revealed shortly…
Oh My Goddess by Paul Simpson
Glory made a welcome return at the start of Season Seven, albeit in the form of the First. We caught up with Clare Kramer for the inside scoop on her return to Sunnydale.
Why do you think fans find the Glory character so attractive?
I think that people are attracted to her because she’s kind of in a weird sort of way what everyone wishes they could be – direct, straightforward, doesn’t b.s. around or anything. She’s very strong and no one is allowed to take advantage of her. So I think that’s a characteristic that isn’t very acceptable or exhibitable in real life, but it’s something that translates on the screen and something people wish they could be more like.
What did you think of the character when you first read the scripts?
I was excited. Obviously I was excited to be involved with the science-fiction genre and the show, since it had such a good reputation and such a great following, but once I started delving into the character I just found there was so much to go on with. There were so many layers to peel back. But as an actress, it was a really challenging, but also exciting process.
How far in advance did you know there was the whole body-swapping set-up between Glory and Ben?
Well I knew that there was going to be some correlation between Charlie Weber, who played Ben, and myself. We were cast at the same time and they were looking at us as if they were thinking, ‘okay, do they look alike?’ So we didn’t know if we were twins, brother and sister… We just didn’t know what to think!
But you guessed there was a link?
Right. We knew there was something. But in the end it was actually revealed that he was my mortal prison, my body being. I found out when I got the script, read it and turn the page and see, ‘Oh, I’m a God. O-Kaaaay!’ That was the process. I think the writers were constantly seeing what would work and what wouldn’t, and they didn’t want to give away too much, even to the actors beforehand, so they left themselves options.
Was there anything you’d have done differently if you’d known what her story was?
Unfortunately, that’s just not how it works with TV at all, for anybody, so it was an interesting process. It was the first time I’d done TV. It really taught me the difference between that and film. On a film you have the story and you can arc your character back. On TV you have to go slowly and leave things open a little bit more until you’re sure what direction the character is taking. You give yourself options and keep building on those layers that you initially set out in the first, second or third episodes.
How much input did you have into how Glory was played? Was it all in the script or were you changing things in performance that they then picked up on?
I think they were changing things. The script would land on my doorstep and as an actress I would interpret that, and bring something to the set. Then whoever was directing that episode would tweak it and change my performance to exactly what they wanted.
Did you feel cheated of a death scene?
When I first read the final script, I thought, ‘Oh, but they can’t just be killing Charlie,’ but ultimately I was satisfied. I think my character had a nice, closed ending. There were some questions left, but not too many. I didn’t feel like I was just vanishing into thin air per se. So I was happy with the 100th episode and the completion of my character.
When did you know they were going to ask you back for Buffy Season Seven?
About three or four days before I went into film it, I got a call. I was sitting around at home, and my manager called and said, ‘You’re not going to believe this. They want you to come back for an episode of Buffy‘. And I thought ‘Great!’ So when I showed up and actually put on the clothes and the hair and everything, it was an interesting feeling because I had lost that character for a year. To come back and be back into it was exciting.
How long did it take you to pull her skin on again?
Not too long after I started. The clothes, the make-up and the hair help. They just get you in the mood.
You, or rather Glory, was the MC of Starfury’s ‘End of Days’ Convention. When you’re playing her without a script, what are the attributes you call on?
When I’m playing her as me? You know with her, it’s just about having fun and being relaxed. Any tension is going to ruin any sort of translation of the character. So I just had to be relaxed, which wasn’t easy to do in front of 3000 people!
How much interaction have you had with the fans?
I guess it was almost two years ago when I first met Starfury’s Sean Harry and did my first convention. That was really the first time I saw the passion that was behind the show and the dedication that the fans have. That’s why I enjoy coming over to England once a year and meeting everyone, and just answering any questions they may have or anything like that. I think it’s a responsibility of the actors to give that for someone who’s so dedicated and passionate.
No Rest for the Wicked by Abbie Bernstein
Love him or loathe him, Spike has been an integral part of the Buffyverse since his first appearance way back in Season Two – and since leaving Sunnydale in a blaze of glory (literally), he’s moved on to helping out the Angel Investigations team. Buffy Magazine decided it was time to catch up for a good chat with his multi-talented alter-ego, James Marsters, to find out all about life after Sunnydale, his work in theatre and life as a rock ‘n’ roll star…
Where Are They Now? by Tara Dilullo
A quick catch up with Holden actor Jonathan Woodward.
No April Fool by Kate Anderson
She’s faced off against Spike and Drusilla, taken on the Scorpion King, performed death-defying stunts in Blade and doubled for Hollywood beauties Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez. And it’s all in a day’s work for stuntwoman and actress April Weeden-Washington.
April Weedon-Washington began her stunt career back in 1995 being thrown through a glass window for the movie A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. And she hasn’t looked back since, having completed more than a hundred films, TV shows and commercials since launching her exciting career.
April is perhaps best known to Buffy fans for bringing the role of the original New York Subway Slayer, now known as Nikki, to life in Season Five’s classic episode ‘Fool for Love’. But she previously doubled for Slayer Kendra in Season Two, played by actress Bianca Lawson. April also appeared in Season Four’s surreal episode ‘Superstar, doubling for Angel Luttrell (Karen) and popped over to see Angel in LA when she stunt-doubled as Gunn’s sister Alonna in Season One’s ‘War Zone’.
Since the birth of her daughter Kiera in April 2002, this inspirational woman has been busier than ever. She completed a live show for the DVD release of The Scorpion King, as well as several national network TV commercials. And she even found time to stunt co-ordinate a couple of music videos. Her recent projects include the Looney Tunes movie, the western Guns and Roses, and Bruce Almighty with Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston. April was also heavily involved in the TV Series Miracles.
April graciously took time out of her exhaustingly busy schedule to chat to Buffy the Vampire Slayer Magazine about her hectic career, playing one of the Chosen Ones, and what it was like kicking Spike’s ass!
Being a stuntwoman sounds like such an exciting career. How did you first get started in the profession?
I met my now husband William Washington, who is a stunt co-ordinator. He trained me and got me started. I always wanted to do stunts but I wasn’t able to until I met him. It’s hard to start. It’s a very close-knit community.
Is stunt work really as dangerous as it sounds?
It’s very dangerous. Anything can go wrong at any time.
Have you ever been injured on the job?
Yes, I was injured on Eraser, doubling for Vanessa Williams. There was a scene with James Caan and Arnold Schwarzenegger – with this cargo container in San Pedro – and I fractured the second and third metacarpals on my left hand.
Are there any stunts you wouldn’t attempt to do?
Yes, skydiving!
Why is that? You’re obviously not scared of heights!
No, I don’t do skydiving because I have no interest. There are stuntwomen that are trained in that and I am not. I’m just not interested.
Are there many stuntwomen in the business?
There are a lot of stuntwomen, but not many African American ones.
What do you do to maintain such a high level of fitness?
Running, walking, jogging, cardio and Tae Bo. And I ride horses. I compete as a barrel racer.
Tell us about your work on Buffy? How did you get involved with the show?
On Buffy, I’ve played a mom, a vampire, the Subway Slayer, and I’ve stunt-doubled. Initially I was hired by the then stunt co-ordinator Jeff Pruitt to stunt double for actress Bianca Lawson [Kendra], back in Season Two. Then John Medlen, the co-ordinator for the episode ‘Fool for Love’ had me come in to read for that. I had worked with John before on Mortal Kombat.
You’ve also worked on Angel. What was that like?
On Angel I doubled for Michele Kelly [Alonna]. As a stunt person on Angel and Buffy, we don’t get scripts; we just perform the action. It was fun working on Angel because I was working with my husband, William Washington, and my friend, stunt co-ordinator Spiro Razatos. So it’s always a pleasure to work on that show.
You’re probably best known for playing the Subway Slayer, Nikki, in the classic Season Five episode ‘Fool for Love’. How long did it take you to film your scenes with James Marsters?
We started at 1pm and finished at 3am! Whenever I work on Buffy and Angel, we tend to have late calls and it goes on late. I remember as soon as I showed up being rushed into hair and make-up.
Did James do most of his own stunts?
Oh yes, James did the majority of his stunts, although he did have a stunt double as well.
So, what’s it like kicking James Marsters’ butt, metaphorically speaking?
James is the sweetest, most down to earth person. I was thrilled to have worked with him. He is so professional; he puts his whole heart into it. We spent hours fighting – I loved fighting with him!
How did they film your scenes – did they use a ‘real’ subway car?
It was on a subway on a soundstage at Universal Studios. It wasn’t a real subway, just the subway car itself.
How long does it usually take to choreograph Buffy fight scenes?
It all depends on what is involved. For the ‘Fool for Love’ episodes, I rehearsed for two days. We had a lot of rehearsal. For the Bianca Lawson fight in the library with six vampires in ‘Becoming’, we rehearsed the same day. That was a tough gig. I had to teach her to fight, I had to do her fight and then I had to do six different fights with all these different vampires. My head was spinning!
A lot of fans were surprised and saddened that you didn’t reprise the role of Nikki in Season Seven. Can you tell us what happened?
I received a call from the casting director at Buffy saying they were bringing the character back. I was told to come in and audition back in September. Then I got a phone call from casting saying that there was “a certain maturity” about me now, so I didn’t get the part.
You must have been very disappointed.
It was a blow for me not to get called back. I’m trying to get my acting career off the ground, and this might have put me on the map.
Despite that, you’ve obviously enjoyed the whole experience of working on Buffy and Angel?
I love both shows. I’m a huge fan. I think they’re genius. How can someone come up with such a great concept?
Bad Boys & Girls
Buffy Magazine takes a look back at Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Big Bads, from the Master through to the First!
Classic Scene
Spike’s Defection from ‘Becoming (Part 2)’.
Poster
James Marsters as Spike.
The Watcher's Guide 