Answers to Ask Me Anything

Well, it's the day after Christmas(post below) and I said that I'd do this post today, so here it is.

The questions are asked by Arda, James, and Solace(thank you for asking! :D) 

What do you do to prepare for auditions? 
Well, the first thing I do it make sure I know what I'm supposed to be doing for the audition. Do they want me just to show up, do a monologue of a certain length, or a song of a specific length, or even a cold reading from the script? After I know what they want to see, I make sure it has relevance to the part I am trying out for. For example, if I am auditioning for an angry, troubled character I will do a monologue or song that exemplifies that trait. For singing, my singing teacher and I choose a song that shows off my main talents and ability to do technically difficult pieces . If they want a monologue of a song, I practice it in front of a mirror until I have it down. If they plan on doing a cold reading and I don't have the script, I try to at least watch the film and get an idea of how the character is(and how I would say the line- I never copy how an actor does something when I'm trying out for the same role). And when I show up, I am hopefully called back or cast(I haven't auditioned in a while, though :( ).

How to you find/pick a song and/or monologue?

Finding a monologue is the bane of the person auditioning's existence! Truly, it is. It is near impossible to find a good monologue online(they are either childish, full of the F word, or are Shakespeare). I would recommend using a monologue book(you can buy those online) or even taking a paragraph from play(if they say you can and they want a short one). 

For songs, my singing teacher and I look at what I've learned and choose one I've done recently that fits the part and shows off my talents, especially the ones they are looking for. If I'm trying out for a nice, innocent girl, I'd use a song that showed the softer side of my singing voice, and we'd probably go with a introspective or romantic piece. Recently, when I tried out for Once Upon A Mattress, I sang "Good Morning Baltimore" (A Capella, mind you, which means without music), since the character I was auditioning for was a belter and I sing in my chest voice the entire song. It is important for an actor to create a song portfolio so that finding a song is much easier. 

Are there any stories that you would like to see a musical version of?

Since there is already a Harry Potter musical, I'd love to see a Star Wars musical( A GOOD one of course) since it is, after all, a space opera(that isn't what space opera means, but yeah, couldn't resist XD). Lord of the Rings would be amazing too to see as would The Hobbit(they could use the amazing "Song of the Lonely Mountain". Anything, if done right, could be made into a good musical. Just look at Wicked and es Miserables :) 

What is your opinion of 3D?
I enjoy 3D when done right, such as with Avatar and Hugo. However, I don't like how, now days, almost all movies are made into 3D. I think that should only be done when it's got a reason to be, especially since a lot of people, especially older ones, can't see the images as well in 3D as in 2D.

What Star Wars novel do you most want adapted into a movie/TV series?








I'd love to see a movie/TV seires based off the Jedi Apprentice series, the Jedi Quest series, Secrets of the Jedi, Young Jedi Knights series, Junior Jedi Knights series, Wild Space, Shatterpoint, and Legacy of the Jedi. It would be awesome to see such characters as a young Obi-Wan, Siri Tachi, Jaina Solo, Anakin Solo, Tahiri Veila, etc. It would definitely be a dream come true!! :D :D To see characters such as Siri and Jaina on the big screen would make me jump up and down in excitement. Hopefully, if that did happen, I could have a role.  I'd also love to see a film version completely like the Revenge of the Sith novel(using Ewan and Hayden in their roles, of course). I'd love that!!! :D :D 



What other novel do you want adapted into a movie?



            Ever since I first read this series, I've wanted to see them be turned into movies. They are by the author of The Hunger Games trilogy and I find this series to be superior to that trilogy, so I don't understand why they haven't been made into films- they would be amazing movies. 






     The Chaos Walking trilogy would also make wonderful films- they are an example of what good science fiction for Teen's should be; it has an extremely original idea, and very complex characters which would make for wonderful movies with the right director, writers, and actors(I'd totally play Viola if I could) :) 





          Both my sister and I agree that these books would make awesome movies(we've decided we'd both work on these movies together as directors). The story has two very cool characters and a great plot- plus the whole idea of an alternate history of WWI makes for an interesting ride. 

Other books I'd like to see as movies are the Abhorsen trilogy, the Seventh Tower series, Sea of Trolls trilogy, The House of the Scorpion, Power of Five series, and of course, my own books! :D XD I'd say Ender's Game but since they're already making a film of it, I won't be able to(YAY!) 


What change from the Harry Potter books to movies do you consider the worst?
Pretty much everything in the fourth movie- they cut out a lot of things, such as the Quidditch World Cup, S.P.E.W, and the development of Hermione and Ron which I didn't like- the fourth book had been my favorite at the time, so I was very disappointed with the movie. I also don't like how they changed the Quidditch match in the third movie- in the book, Cedric caught the snitch when Harry fell(and offered to replay the match since he didn't feel it was fair), but in the movie that didn't happen. Another thing I didn't particularly like was that it was Cho who told on Dumbledore's Army instead of it being her friend, like it was in the book. 
Oh, and Fred's death in the movie was so LAME! In the book it's very well done and sad(since it happens right next to Harry) but in the movie it's real quick and you don't feel sad about it. 


What is your favorite video game?

Well, for a start, I really love the Lego Star Wars games as well as the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings ones. Clone Wars: Republic Heroes is also totally awesome and a game I love playing it!! I pretty much love all the Star Wars games I've played(as well as the Harry Potter computer games). Other games I've really enjoyed playing were Little Big Planet(which I've played with my friends on their Playstation) and Infamous(which I played a little at my friend's house- it was such a fun game and I loved climbing buildings and blasting people with lightning*the good guy character's lightning was cooler than the bad guy, in fact*) 

How did you start becoming a Harry Potter fan?

I'm sure you'll all be surprised by this, but before I read the books, I didn't like Harry Potter for some reason(I think it was because I was jealous because I wanted to have powers). However, my parents convinced me to give it a try, so I asked my aunt to give to be for my ninth birthday. My dad started reading to my sister and I and we fell in love with it on the first chapter. And, well, the rest is history. 

What are you most excited to see in the next Hobbit movie?
Since not everyone has read the book, I won't spoil anything, but I'll say I AM looking forward to the climax at the end- that should be pretty awesome to behold. :D 

What are the best moments in your life?

Hmm, good question. I'm not going to say anything typical since the little things in life aren't the best moments in my life for me(though I do appreciate them a lot). For me, I'd say

Performing. I love the sensation of becoming another person, of stepping into their lives and exploring who they are and getting to interact with others(interacting with other actors is something I truly love and I wish I could do it more often). Acting is definitely something that makes me happy and while it can be stressful at times, many of the best moments of my life happened when I was performing. Having people you don't know, even months after your performance, coming up to you and telling you how much they enjoyed seeing you, is something that just so wonderful. The best performances for me were- Pepper in Annie, The Red Queen in Through the Looking Glass, Peter Pevensie in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, the second(of three) Wickersham brothers in Suessical, soloist in Godspell, and one of the girls in the film I made with some of my old friends. Such good memories :)

Being with my friends- whether it was playing Robin Hood, Star Wars, making films, or just talking with friends of long ago or chatting/emailing with my friends from now, it is something I enjoy greatly. I don't have many friends, but the times I do have with them are important to me and definitely are some of the best moments of my life. I am very thankful for the memories and for the fact that I can connect with people online.

Celebration VI - That was definitely one of the best moments of my life- never have I fit in completely in a group of people. Typically at places like this, I stand out and people find me odd, but at Celebration, we are the normal ones and we aren't outcasts. There truly is a place for us :)

Writing - Besides acting, this is a way for me to get into other's people's heads and discover things about them. Finishing a book, or even just a difficult scene, is something that I love and crafting characters that feel as real as actual people is such a gratifying feeling. Creating stories is something I've always loved doing and is something I will continue to do.

What did you want for Christmas this year?

Jedi Apprentice books(after Christmas at my Mom's side of the family, I will have the entire series, YES!), others books, action figures, and the like. I got quite a few good presents(I'll do a post after I have Christmas at my Mom's side of the family).

And of course, I've love to be in a movie, TV show, or play and to have my books published(and made into films with me as the main character).

Thank you all for participating in this and for the questions- they were all really good ones :).

May the Force be with you....Always

Jedi Shena Tokala signing out