Interview with Mandy Musgrave
1. TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER IN “16 TO LIFE”
I don’t really know what to say about her. she is outrageous and wild, fun and outspoken. she is just the girl that you know you can trust because she is too blunt to lie and even though it is disrespectful and crude at times, you respect her brutal honesty and honest nature.
2. HOW DID YOU PREPARE TO PLAY THIS CHARACTER?
you know i didn’t get much preparation for her. i actually had to pass on the audition 2 times because i was so sick and finally i was better and they had not found their “Darby” yet. so i went in that day and gave it a shot and Becky was just so amazing and made me feel comfortable to make different choices and just go for it. so i had fun and ended up shooting one week later! lol
3. WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE WORKING ON LOCATION ON THE MISSISSIPPI?
well to be honest it was scary for me. i knew no one, it was freezing, the clothes we wore were so tiny to boot in the chilling temperatures, there were only 2 restaurants in the entire town and one bar which is where we found everyone every night LITERALLY! but it was the most generous town, they were so kind hearted and giving and they would wake up in the middle of the night to help us if we needed something, our cast and crew worked so wonderfully together. we kept each other laughing day in and day out. we had delicious food and great coffee, crisp mornings with the freshest air you can imagine. ohhh i felt home sick then but now whenever i think about my time spent there i know that i took it for granted. for i miss it terribly now.
4. WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DOING IN THE FUTURE?
anything and everything as long as it is a challenge.
5. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT ACTING?
the fact that i can pretend to be someone else for the day. and even if others like that character or hate her… it doesn’t matter. its not me! it makes me feel comfortable to be someone else. i can get claustrophobic and uncomfortable in my own skin. but when i am in another… there are not limitations, there are no rules… and it feels great.
6. WHAT DO YOU LIKE LEAST ABOUT THE WORK?
the criticism and the let downs, the fact that you cant always get something no matter how passionate about it. and even if you see yourself portraying a character better than someone else, it doesn’t mean its meant to be yours or that the rest of the industry will see it your way. its a stressful job but at the same time it is the most luxurious.
7. WHAT WAS THE BEST MOMENT FOR YOU IN SHOOTING “16 TO LIFE”?
waking up every morning and walking a nice calm walk in the cool air across the railroad tracks and meeting up with everyone to have some coffee while we all talked about how cold it was even though we talked about it EVERY DAY for a month lol.