Specialist Cally
How did you land the role of Cally?
Well, my agent set up an audition. I auditioned. I got the part. I wish I had a more interesting story for you.
Originally, Cally was supposed to be killed off in “Bastille Day”, the 3rd episode of season 1. Instead, Cally fought back and bit off the attacker’s ear. What was it that convinced the directors to keep Cally as part of the show, and consequently make her more prominent?
You can never truly be sure why producers, or writers for that matter, decide what they do. As you can imagine, I wasn’t terribly inclined to ask too many questions; I was pretty happy Cally recovered from her gunshot wound. However, I do like to think maybe they saw a spark in Cally that lead them to develop her more, but you never know, it could have just been they liked my bangs!
Cally running away from the evil Cylons.
What was it like to transform Cally from a rather innocent and cute flat character into this dark and troubled woman? And slightly related to that, how much of Nicki found its way to Cally? Or perhaps – vice versa?
The progression of Cally’s character was definitely an interesting one. I guess it’s a case of “be careful what you wish for.” I didn’t want to be just another innocent, helping hand on the deck crew, but once the drama started, it never stopped! I enjoyed every minute though. What actor wouldn’t want to wind up a raging, pill-popping, mechanic mother married to a robot?!?
What were your feelings about being killed off? Is it hard to have the kind of on-screen decline and demise that you suffered?
It wasn’t a walk in the park; the whole experience was rather emotional, if that’s what you mean. It took a while for it to actually sink in, so filming the last episode was bittersweet. In the end I saw it more of a tribute than a demise. I thought the whole episode was really well done. However, since then Cally hasn’t been held in very high regard, which is a little disappointing.
From the interviews that you did that I read or listened to, where you detailed the whole process of fleshing out Cally’s final episode, I got the feeling that you actually had quite some influence on that episode, that the directors really listened to you. Is the set of BSG generally like that? With the actors on a ‘loose leash’, free to add their own interpretation of the script?
There are many elements that contribute to the way an episode will be run, including the director, the writers, what sort of action in taking place, etc. I was very fortunate to be working with Michael Nankin, who has a very rich visual aesthetic and an organic, collaborative approach to the filming process. So we talked a lot before, about meaning and ideas, but when it came time to film he just let me do my thing. In general, we have a lot of discussions between actors, writers and producers, but I wouldn’t call it a ‘loose leash’ per se. At the end of the day, there’s a specific story to be told.
Sharon, a gun, Cally. What could possibly go wrong?
Due to not only the show itself, but most certainly also due to your stunning performance (and I’m not just trying to be nice, I really mean that), I really felt Cally’s confusion and despair as she wandered through the hallways of the ship with Nicholas in her arms, and I was truly sad when Cally was blown out the airlock (Cally’s ‘Swan Song’, as you described it). The thing I’m wondering about – what do you think it is that makes some shows and/or characters really connect with their audiences in a way that makes them feel truly sad when it’s over, while others do not? What is that magic ingredient?
Well, first of all, thank you. Partly I believe it’s a two way street, the audience has to be open. But from my own experience in watching actors, I feel moved when they are moved. If the actor is connected with his or herself and believes what he or she is doing, then I’ll go there with them. If it appears that they’re thinking about what they’re doing or controlling their expression, I don’t buy it and it feels contrived. Sometimes it has no importance even what they’re doing, it could be their laundry, but if they’re present and engaged, I’m interested.
That’s… interesting…
I’m definately curious as to how OS News secured this interview, but it kind of makes sense. I’m a BSG fan and so is my Writing professor strangely enough. It is kind of surreal that the big three Sci Fi shows are all gone, but maybe the TV movie format makes more sense.
I wanted to tell you a story about private jets, expensive cars, and Cuban cigars on a tropical island, but I figured the truth would get out one way or the other.
I… Emailed her.
Nicki Clyne, beauty and talent. A good interview too, looking forward to hearing more about the social networking site for students. Keep up the great work Nicki
Honestly, the interview is a little underwhelming. That said…
SPOILERS
My take: 😉 Cally’s story is the only aspect of BSG that has made ANY. SENSE. AT. ALL. in the fourth season: the choice of the “hidden four” demonstrated conclusively that the show’s creators had completely lost their way and would chase any plot twist, no matter how ridiculous. Never mind Baltar’s anti-success in everything he does. (Does he even remember that he started the series as a scientist?!?)
Nicky’s acting has made Cally’s part all the more compelling, and even though it was depressing to see the character’s untimely end, holy cow at least it made sense. I wonder if Tyrol will ever have his questions regarding the mysterious circumstances of her death answered.
Sad, but so true. The so called creative ‘geniuses’ behind this show really turned out to be unimaginative, uncreative, and just plain boring. There is so much missed potential they could have done with this show, instead it turned out to be a very un-imaginative West Wing in space. They spent about 100x more showing lame scenes of worthless political fighting, elections, cabinet meetings, etc.. than actually exploring anything beyond some idiot debates.
This will be the first TV series I have watched in some time where I will be glad it ended. What is truly sad is some idiots have given the green light for Ronald Moore to “re-image” the classic movie The Thing. Anyone want to take bets now on badly this will fail at the box office?
p.s. Any article that breaks away from this childish, idiotic flame infested fanboy OS wars is a blessing!
Edited 2009-02-11 20:19 UTC
“p.s. Any article that breaks away from this childish, idiotic flame infested fanboy OS wars is a blessing!”
…so what your saying is, Windows 7 is better or worse than BSG?
More importantly, is the Cylon source code publicly-available? And if so, under which license?
The number of unnecessary remakes is getting to be absurd. I can’t imagine Moore being able to improve on John Carpenter’s version. That’s almost as bad as the prospect of a remake of The Evil Dead, or the rumoured Darren Aaronofsky remake of Lone Wolf and Cub (as a western, of all things).
I’m dreading the day when someone comes with the brilliant idea of “re-imaging” A-team or Sledge Hammer.
Agh! You mustn’t say such things!
The only real consolation is that it guarantees that the Rifftrax guys will never run out of bad films to mock.
Russell Crowe IS Sledge Hammer
The A-Team is already slated for a remake. I will sandpaper my eyes in January, just enough that they may heal by Dcember, and hopefully avoid the whole sorry mess. Sheesh, I even heard BRUCE WILLIS is associated with it :-\
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01/29/a_team_movie/
Oh god no. The end of days is truly upon us.
At least the people involved are a competent bunch and not Roland Emmerich or Uwe Boll.
in the re-imaged A-Team, people actually get killed and curse a lot.
I strongly disagree! Quality of episodes vary in season 4, that is true, but I wouldn’t blame writers for that. As far as story telling is concerned, I consider it being brilliant. Other thing is that directing sometimes sucks. Two last episodes were great – but the one that aired just before them – was poorly directed, and I didn’t enjoy it at all – even though it included some really dramatical elements of story.
“p.s. Any article that breaks away from this childish, idiotic flame infested fanboy OS wars is a blessing! ”
what? oh dear are you are in for a surprise. Now everyone will talk about how much BSG sucks and doesn’t make any sense.
great interview, great show — puts all the fluff on TV to shame.
Nicki was also a bit player in the first (or was it second?) episode of the second season of Dark Angel (“Bag ’em” – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0554561/ gives more info.) She played a transgenic (X6) who Max (Jessica Alba) named “Fix-it”. Oddly, there’s another link to Cally – Aaron Douglas (Chief Tyrol) was also in an episode of Dark Angel.. later in that season (“Exposure – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0554570/ for more info.)
I also loved her in Tiki Bar TV. I remember when it was released and I almost fell off my seat 🙂 Almost as odd as when Alex Albrecht was in it. Lala is still “da bomb” though :-))
Is she writing her own OS? That would make it OS News.
No, it’s not OS News. It’s sort of like charity. You got to allow the geeks that come here the chance to pretend that they talk to women once in a while. Otherwise the only contact they will have with women is their obligatory softporn desktop wallpaper.
I think it was good for a change!! I haven’t seen interesting stuff in a while!.. go go Thom!
They never should have used Windows 95 on the frakin cylons. Then again, anyone who uses octagonal paper deserves what’s coming.
This is the last place I’d expect an interview with a Galactica actress! Very well done, and she’s such a down to earth girl (and looks a bit like a girl I once dated).
I liked the way she yearned, quietly, for Chief during the early episodes – she played that whole arc so well. Galactica is one of the few shows that has gotten stronger the further it’s gone. The finale should be great.
“Define “projects.” Does enlightenment count?
I felt quite geeky when my first thought after that answer had to to do with window managers…”
That was hilarious!
This was a nice diversion from the ordinary, but I can’t believe Thom forgot to ask Clyne the ultimate question – Mac or Windows?
Other than that one glaring omission, it was a fairly good interview. Many thanks to Clyne for taking the time for the interview.
It is now official. Netcraft has confirmed: BSG is dying.
It is now official. Netcraft has confirmed: BSG is dying
You don’t need to be the Amazing Kreskin to predict BSG’s future. The hand writing is on the wall: BSG faces a bleak future. In fact there won’t be any future at all for BSG because BSG is dying. Things are looking very bad for BSG. As many of us are already aware, BSG continues to lose market share. Red ink flows like a river of blood.