Interview: Danielle Nicolet talks SyFy's RED FACTION: ORIGINS
I recently had the opportunity to interview actress Danielle Nicolet, who plays Tess De La Vega in the Syfy Channel Original Movie Red Faction: Origins. The film premiered on June 4 at 9 pm, and is the first film based on the successful Red Faction video game franchise. The newest game, Red Faction: Armageddon, arrives in stores on Tuesday, June 7. Check out the trailer HERE.
Red Faction: Origins is set twenty-five years after the events of the popular 2009 Red Faction game Guerrilla, and follows Jake Mason (Brian J. Smith), the last remaining son of protagonist Alec Mason (Robert Patrick). Jake discovers that his sister Lyra (Tamzin Mechant), who was kidnapped 12 years ago, is still alive, and he sets out to save her.
Nicolet and I spoke breifly this afternoon and she revealed what interested her in the role of Tess, what her favorite video games are and more.
Nicolet has starred on TV shows like
3rd Rock From The Sun,
The Starter Wife, CSI
and others. She has had roles in a number of feature films as well, inclusing
The Jacksons: An American Dream, Loaded Weapon I,
and
Knuckle Draggers
.
Do you prefer working on TV or feature films?
I really enjoy doing both. They are entirely different experiences. If I had my druthers...I would do a film that turned into a series. That way, I could have the awesome excitement of traveling to a new place, making new friends and creating a character. Then I could settle in for a series, and live in one place, working every day with people I already know and love.
What interested you in the character for Red Faction?
Tess is such a blast. I knew I wanted to play her from the minute I started reading the script. She is a real pest to the hero of the film, (Brian J. Smith) which is what I loved about her. It's so obvious that she's crushing on him, and the less he notices the more she bugs him. It's something like a 3rd grade love affair with life or death circumstances.
Had you played Red Faction before singing on to star in the film? What are some of your favorite video games?
No, I didn't. I am anxiously awaiting my copy of Armageddon! I really like Call of Duty, The GTA games and Saint's Row...
I see you did some voice work on
Tom Clancy's HAWX 2
video game. What was that like working on project?
It was a blast. It was the first game I ever voiced a character on and I really enjoyed doing it.
When I first saw the trailer for Red Faction: Origins, I thought that it would be perfectly suited for a TV series. I am guessing it depends on how the ratings do for the movie.
That's what I've heard. It certainly would be a nice turn of events.
What was it like to work with all of the visual effects on Red Faction: Origins?
It was new for me, and I liked the make believe of it all. I haven't done a whole lot of work with space ships and outer space before. I loved it!
What are some of your favorite film genres? Which ones would you most like to be involved with in the future?
I love film in general. I know that I have a sci-fi film airing tonight, so it sounds like a "sell" to say science-fiction, but that's the truth. I'm also a sucker for a scary movie.
I really appreciate your time. Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers?
It's my pleasure. I just want to say thank you so much for tuning in, and I hope you enjoy our film as much as we enjoyed making it. It's not your average Saturday night SyFy fare! XO
Like many actors and actresses, Nicolet has also branched out into script writing. She recently finsihed a script for a screwball comedy, which she co-wrote with her friend and writing parter, Carrie Genzel. Be on the lookout for new projects that Nicolet is working on, perhaps we will see her script get optioned in the future.
Check out some stills from Red Faction: Origins below:
