DollhouseTVForum Exclusive Q&A with Miracle Laurie

Message from Miracle:

Hey all, so I know these are way overdue, but I figure better late than never. Let me thank everyone for taking the time to ask such great questions and say such flattering things. Since I've done a few podcasts since this post initially went up, I figured I'd re-do my answers and pick some fresh questions that haven't been asnwered already. I tried to pick questions that many people asked and also threw in a couple fun ones. Again, thank you for waiting I hope you enjoy.

chiprocks1:
I kinda knew that your character would be revealed to be a sleeper Doll. Was this always the intention from the start that Mellie would in fact be a sleeper?

I always knew I'd be a doll, just not how it was going to be revealed. Joss originally had another story src for her in my first episode, but the Network didn't like it. Mellie was just kind of a happy accident that turned out to be a really cool story arc and a TON of fun for me! The "3 flowers in a vase" scene is a lot of people's favorite, and one of mine too.

BuffyBot08:
If Dollhouse were to return for a second season (hopes to God it does) will mellie or November make a return?

I think most people know by now, but yes, I'm DEFINITELY coming back for Season 2. I have no idea how, in what form, what purpose I serve, if I was actually "released" or not, or if Paul and I will somehow get together or not. At this point I have just as many questions as you do. Haha No matter what journey Joss sends me on, I can't wait to get started.

Unregistered Guest:
What is it like being physically different from most of the other women in the cast? Does it ever please you? (and if it DOES, just remember, there are a myriad of girls watching who LOVE when you strut your stuff.)

Let me start by saying thank you to those of you who have said ridiculously kind and sweet thigns about my work on the show, but also about my figure. It's a very satisfying feeling to have one of the most influential creators, producers and writers in the industry fight to have "normal-sized women" on his shows. To have Joss Whedon say, "You're beautiful, sexy, strong and normal and there should be more women like you on TV and I don't know why there aren't" feels incredible, as you could imagine. I think everyone wants to be skinnier than they are, it's just the way it is. But for me, the most important thing has always been about health and being the best version of yourself that you can possibly be without comparing yourself to anyone else. When you start going down that road you'll only drive yourself crazy. So, I'll continue to strut my stuff as long as you strut yours.

Unregistered Guest:
When Dololhouse (hopefully!!) gets a second season, how would you like them to address the Ballard-Mellie love story?

I don't know what's going to happen with the two of them, if anything. I think it wold make sense for them to at least come into each other's lives again now that Mellie is actually Madeline. Personally, I'm very interested to see what happens between the two of them.

AlanD:
The scene in Man on the Street where you "switch on" for the first time is possibly the best single moment in the series to date. As Adelle said, "it did not lack for poetry". The look on your face as you switch is absolutely phenomenal, with the change in the eyes and that subtle kick-ass grin. You really sold it well. Did it require a lot of takes and direction from Joss to get that moment on film? Or are you a natural at channeling your inner killing maching?

A lot of you have commented on my "switch" in Man on the Street. So again, let me say thank you. That scene was challenging on a couple levels, but honestly some of the most fun I've ever had. I had to do our Chinese food scene, the sex scene, and that fight scene all in one day and it was only my 3rd day on the show, period. Was I intimidated? Uh-huh But was I thrilled to do all that? You betcha! The first half of the fight scene when I was the victim was a little intense. But when I got be the bad ass, that was a TON of fun! I've always wanted to kick ass and be tough! It was awesome. And our stunt coordinator, and stunt people were terrific. They were really good and thankfully really patient with me while I got into the zone so I could get my ninja skills on. The switch itself was interesting because they wanted a really specific look and when I saw the final shot I was like, "yes! Good job kiddo! You didn't mess it up!"

KC:
We know that you're also in a ukulele band called Uke Box Hero, but who is your partner in that band? How did it start? Are you from Hawaii?
Elspeth:
Can we expect a Uke Box Heroes CD at any point?

Well... I grew up as a Polynesian dancer in the Hawaiian community out in Orange County, CA. My mother was a dancer and then a singer/M.C. for her local Halou (group). So basically, I've been dancing since I could walk. A few years ago, my mother, 2 sisters and another woman formed an all-female Hawaiian music group. My mom played bass, my 2 sisters played ukulele, the other woman played guitar and they all sang. A good friend of mine and I were their dancers. One day my sister handed me her uke and said, "here, try, you'll like it". I said, "no, no... I;m just the dancer". Well, she taught me my first song anyway and I fell in love with it. I was given an early birthday present (my first uke), took it home, my man saw it, picked it up and was a total natural. Needless to say, we then got him an early birthday present too. We started off just playing for fun and learning together and singing together. We only played Hawaiian music at first and then we thought, "well if we can find the sheet music, there are probably a ton of songs that would rock on the ukulele." And as it turns out, there are. So we decided to form our little ukulele cover band, Uke Box Heroes. We basically just pick songs that make us happy, make sure they sound good on the uke and then just rock it out. We play everything from the Carpenter's to the Eurythmics, Hall & Oats to Hawaiian music, and Fleetwood Mac to modern bands like Elbow and even some of Chris' orihinals. We're working on getting our music up on iTunes, etc. so stay tuned. www.myspace.com/ukeboxheroes.

Erica:
I was just wondering what your favorite part of working on the show is.

That is almost an impossible question to answer. This experience has been amazing on many levels. As an actor, being able to work with such a brilliant and courageous person like Joss has been a complete delight. He has gathered such a great team around himself too. There are a lot of shows on television right now and as an actor you're lucky to get a part on any of them, but to basically get your dream job right off the bat is a little ridiculous. With every script I was handed, I became happier and happier thatI was a part of this show.

Tied with that, is the fact that I was surrounded by exquisitely kind, fun and talented people that were beautiful both inside and out. Everyone in the cast and everyone on the crew and staff was a pleasure to be around.

RavenU:
If you could be another character of the show for an episode who would you be?

I think it would be equally fun to play either Adelle or Topher because they are by far the most "morally gray" (to put it nicely) characters in the whole show. As an actor, that's quite something to play with and I think Olivia and Fran are just a blast to watch. They're magic.

What item do you wish you could take home with you from the show?

You mean which item DID I take home from the show? Haha Not telling. Ever.

Mandystrevens:
I'm a big fan of Paul and Mellie, you two are great together. You and Tahmoh already knoew each other before the show? Because the chemisry between you two is incredible, I love all the scenes you two did together.

First of all, thank you. I liked Paul and Mellie together too. Tahmoh and I actually met the day before we were supposed to start shooting together and I think all we did was literally shake hands and get each other's names. The next day I served him lasagna and then we made out. Then like 2 days later we "did it" and then I killed a guy. I was very lucky that with all that I had to do on one of my first jobs, I had someone like Tahmoh creating a safe environment for me. Tahmoh was a real gentlemen from the beginning and we got along instantly. We had a wonderful time exploring their relationship together and I am lucky to call him a friend.

Elspeth:
I saw that you were recently at your first convention, how did you enjoy it? Would it be something you would be interested in doing more of?

I had a WONDERFUL time at Starfury T1 in Birmingham, UK this year. Special "hello and thanks for being awesome" to those that attended from me and Chris!

I just did my first U.S. convention, Shore Leave, in Baltimore, MD (and hello to you too, my friends... especially my poker buddies) and that was fun too.

As of right now, Tahmoh, Mark Sheppard and myself are slated for Staryfury's ECHO-1 in the UK next May... so that should be a hoot and a hald. Buy your tickets now!

CLStan:
Do you think that Joss can write a musical character for you? (One that you can play your Uke with?)

Well... we'll see. Haha I have no idea. Joss is aware of my Polynesian dancing, uke playing and love of singing, so we'll see what he does with that. I'm not really sure our little show could fit in a musical number, but if there's a way, Joss has the will. You never know.

Snowybaby:
What was the first thing you did when you found out that you had gotten this job?

Probably screamed, laughed and cried all at the same time. Then I told my man, my family and my best friends.

Queenanthai:
Is there remotely any chance that Dollhouse will live on in comic book form, like Buffy and Angel?

Joss has answered this more eloquently than I can, but basically he said, that will probably never happen because the story doesn't really lend itself to that medium. I guess we'll just have to stay on TV for now. *sigh*

KC:
I forgot to ask when your birthday is. You don't have to give the year. Thanks!

This Saturday, actually... August 2st. I'll be 28 years old! Woo hoo! I love birthdays. Any fellow Leos out there? Woot woot

Activeonthemovie:
What's it like to play a number of different characters on the show?

For most of the season I just played one, Mellie, and I loved it. The episode in which I playted the most characters was actually Omega. I came in as November (doll state), then got imprinted as the Bounty Hunter (you can see clips of those deleted scenes on the DVD, by the way), and then was released as Madeline. Of course you have that milisecond of fear as an actor that they're all going to seem the same, but the truth is - they aren't at all. They're all fun in their own way and as an actor, it's a dream come true to be able to do you thing. And the most fascinating thing for me was interacting with Paul as those 3 different characters. As the doll, I didn't know who he was and I was just being polite, you know... like you do when you're a doll. As the bounty hunter, I called him "furniture" and then later I punched him in the face with my gun because he was in my way. Then as Madeline, I looked at him as a stranger that was somehow allowed to be there while I concluded my business with the Dollhouse, but didn't really mind. Living all of those moments, compared to being infatuated with him for the previous 11 episodes, was quite an interesting experience for me.

skinner65:
Also as a new alumni of a Whedon series how are you coping with the fan attention? We can be a fairly intense bunch.

It feels good and it also reminds me that there are a bunch of people out there that I can't let down. You're all extremely loyal to Joss and his work and we're a part of that now and therefore also bare that same responsibility. It will definitely inspire me that much more for next season. And the fans I've been lucky enough to meet are extremely sweet and full of excitement for the work we do and that's lovely. I see it as pure love coming in, so why not return it? On that samew note, thank you to those of you who are my Facebook fans, and those of you following me on Twitter. I'm kind of archaic when it comes to the internet and technology in general, but I'm learning. It's a ton of fun to read your comments and have that connection and instant communication.

Again, my apologies for taking so long to get these to you and I hope it was worth the wait.

Enjoy Season 2. I know I will.

Be well. xoxo ~Miracle~