First of all, why don't you introduce yourself to those of us who
don't already know you?
Hi, My name is Lindy Pieri. I live in South Norfolk with
my husband, dog, cat and rabbit!
What got you into acting in the
first place, and what can you tell us about your training as an actress?
I trained as a teacher so did drama as part of my
curriculum studies and then somehow ended up joining a Theatre Skills course when I went to enquire about classes for my
daughter! This was several years ago but having retired from full
time work I have recently attended classes in Physical Theatre, Mask, Puppetry and Acting for Film, all of which I really
enjoyed and gained a lot from.
Do
you still remember your first time in front of a movie/TV camera, and what
was that experience like?
My first time was just over a year ago. My husband acts
locally and was asked to be in a local film. I went with him and
we ended up being the parents of the bridegroom and doing 2 days on set. I loved being part of it all and made friends
who suggested where I could look for other opportunities.
Damage |
Please do talk about some
movies you have worked on, and what made those experiences special?
My first film Damage directed by Kris Smith is
memorable for being my first and it was set in the 1960’s, so it was a
new experience to have my hair and make-up done in the style
of
the era.
My second experience was for the promo for Hellraiser. This was great fun and
totally different from anything I had done before as well as my first time in a
studio with all the equipment, lots of cameras, lights, etc. I
also got to say hello to Pinhead!
Besides
films, you have also done quite a bit of theatre, right? So how does
performing on stage compare to acting in front of a camera, and which do
you prefer, actually?
I recently took part in some Immersive Theatre productions
with Future Cinema and Secret Cinema. These were great fun as they involved staying in character but working closely
with the audience and being ready to improvise when necessary.
I especially enjoyed Casablanca as it was set in the
1940’s and I love the make-up and costume of that era too! I recently did a workshop on acting for screen and was
told that my face was too expressive and that for film
everything has to be smaller whereas for stage it has to be bigger
and louder for the audience to see and hear. I like film in
that there is the possibility of a second chance if need be but in
stage you have the audience there... hmmm, I like both in
different ways!
Alice Cooper's Night of Fear |
I think there isn't a soul who
reads this who wouldn't be mad at me if I didn't ask you about your
experiences on Alice Cooper's Night of Fear - so yeah, please take
it from here!
Being a part of Alice Cooper’s Night of Fear last year
at Wembley Arena was an amazing experience. Just being backstage with all the walkabout performers and zombies
was great fun. It was on a ‘medical’ theme so I was
dressed in a hospital gown and attached to a medical drip with a zombie friend. We worked outside and in the foyer scaring people
and staying in zombie character! We got a lovely surprise when
we were led into the arena and then backstage where Alice
arrived for a photo-shoot! I was standing next to him and holding
his arm! We even had a little chat! On the way out myself and
friends Melanie and Lisa got lost finding the way out. We unwittingly ended up in the lift with the lead guitarist
Ryan Roxie who took us as his guests to the after-show party! A
photo of the 3 of us had been posted by Alice Cooper on Twitter earlier so perhaps he recognised us!
Going through your resume, one can't but
notice you seem to be cast as a zombie uncharacteristically often - any
explanation for this (and I do hope this doesn't come across as rude)?
Ha ha! My husband says it is because I am pale and
unhealthy looking! I have been a bit typecast and am looking at
other genres too! I think it is because the first shoots I did
were in that genre and having made friends I was asked to do other similar things. It is amazing how often I meet up with
people I have already met on a different set. It is a small worldI
I love SFX make-up (my daughter is a make-up artist!) so they
know I will sit and have myself turned into anything!
Besides
being an actress, you are also a trained puppeteer, right? So do talk
about that talent of yours - and how does it compare to acting?
I did a City and Guilds course in Puppetry and Performance
at Norwich Puppet Theatre, followed by the Theatre’s own
Advanced Puppetry Course where I completed the course with a 20 minute puppet performance of
The Tempest. I have
always liked puppets and during the course we had to make all our
own puppets so in making them the character of the puppet
slowly comes to life and you have a relationship with the puppet when you perform. It is different in that it is the
puppet who is the character performing and not yourself. We are
lucky to live so close to a Puppet Theatre and puppetry is an
art form that is generally thought of as for children in this
country but I have seen some amazing shows that were presented to adult
audiences so keep a look out and if you have never been to one, try to get to see an adult puppet performance!
Any
future projects (in whatever field) you'd like to share?
I am currently taking a distance learning course in
Special Effects Make-up which I am really enjoying. It is much
harder than it looks so I take my hat off to all the brilliant
make-up artists I have met! I recently auditioned for a role in a
1920‘s Black and White Silent Film, so I have my fingers crossed
for that - wish me luck!
Bladder Run |
How
would you describe yourself as an actress, and some of your techniques to
bring your characters to life?
I have a long way to go as apart from a couple of small
roles several years ago I only really started last summer! I
have mostly had supporting roles or small roles as well as some main roles in Student or Independent Films. I do try to
get into the character by thinking about how that person would
walk, talk, react and this is something I want to work on by
doing more workshops/courses and being involved in as many opportunities as possible. I am 59 and recently said to a
colleague on set that I had come into film rather late.
She replied that she had started last year at the age of 78!
Never lose sight of your dreams! She went off to do a commercial and was paid £200 for an hour’s work!
Actresses (or indeed
actors) who inspire you?
Lots but if I had to choose 1 I would say Johnny Depp as
he is filming in the UK at present and has a house in Norfolk!
Your favourite movies?
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Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned) |
The links below will take you just there!!!
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Many including the most recent film I went to see What
Maisie Knew which touched my heart.
...
and of course, films you really deplore?
Although I like SFX make-up I don’t especially like
films that have a lot of horrific violence for the sake of it.
Your website,
Facebook, whatever else?
www.spotlight.com/4373-0196-0931
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5108056/
http://www.castingcallpro.com/uk/lindy.pieri
http://www.starnow.co.uk/lindypieri
Anything else you are dying to
mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
No, just thank you for interviewing me and good luck with
your future projects.
May I say thank you to everyone who has given me a role in
a production and to those I have worked with on set/stage as well as thank you to my husband, friends and family for
their love and support.
Thanks for
the interview!
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