Chat with Actor/Writer/Producer Jacqueline Samuda

April 26th, 2003

The lovely and talented writer/actor Jacqueline Samuda (Nirrti on Stargate) joined us at the Our Stargate Forum for an hour and a half where she kindly allowed us to grill her about Goa’ulds, writing, Peter DeLuise and Martin Wood, RDA and dog biscuits, women in the industry and more!

Any added comments are indicated inside of brackets. Without further ado, here is the chat…

J_SAMUDA: Hi everyone! C'mon, let's go!!

Do you ever get nervous when starting a new role and how do you cope?

J_SAMUDA: I get really excited actually. Sometimes nerves come in right before going into the scene, but preparation works wonders.

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Hi thanks for sharing your time -- You've been on a few seasons of SG-1, How have your experiences contrasted with each other? For example, how was the morale on the set for each visit, what episode was the most fun to shoot? (Sorry for the long question...)

J_SAMUDA: The first show was the most positive set experience I'd had to date. Every subsequent one was just as much fun and just as warm. Last time, though, RDA's schedule meant he wasn't there as much, which was too bad.

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Would you consider yourself a method actor or is there another school of acting you follow?

J_SAMUDA: I've studied every method, and different ones suit different circumstances. I use method for very heavy emotional roles, Stanislavski underneath everything, and Meisner on occasion, too.

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Hi, Jaqueline, greetings from Spain. What was it like working with Corin Nemec?

J_SAMUDA: Corin is very composed and very focused. I actually wanted a little more face to face with him in Metamorphosis to see if I could shake him up a bit, but our "seduction scene" was side by side which made it tricky...

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What actors, writers and directors do you most admire and why?

J_SAMUDA: Judy Davis by far, Alan Ryckman, kubrick, Kurosawa, Bryan Singer

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Hi from Venezuela...on set, what do you think has been your best moment?

J_SAMUDA: I always go back to the exit scene from the second episode I did... (darn what was the ep name?) after saving Cassandra and being released by O'Neill. The eye contact and subtext was sooooo fun!

Rite of Passage?

J_SAMUDA: Yeah!

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Are there any causes or charities close to your heart?

J_SAMUDA: I volunteer constantly with arts orgs in Vancouver, Women in film chiefly (I've been pres for two years). Also, my nephew is Diabetic so that charity as well

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What do you look for first in a role?

J_SAMUDA: Great question. I look for the need, what the character is fighting for, then how I'm going to get from whom.

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How strange was it when you saw yourself talking in the 'Goa'uldy' voice the first time, and do you have to speak a certain way so it sounds right?

J_SAMUDA: It was VERY weird. I thought I sounded like a cross between Kermit the Frog and Julia Child (famous cooking show host). I learned to use a deeper voice in the next ones, which made the voice more intense, like the male Goa'ulds.

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If you could film any novel and play the lead what would it be and who would you choose to be in the cast with you?

J_SAMUDA: Madam Bovary -- with Colin Firth!

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Some actors take up fencing, horse riding or a musical instrument either for fun or to strengthen their position during auditions. Is there a particular skill you have acquired either for fun or for a part?

J_SAMUDA: I played flute for many years but haven't picked it up in a while; I've done some martial arts and pretty well every sport including Olympic-style rowing; I LOVE dancing! I'm taking salsa right now.

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You mentioned in the Q&A you did for us that Nirrti might not really be dead. Any chance we’ll see more of her now that Stargate has a 7th season? How would YOU bring her back?

J_SAMUDA: All I can say is that when I first read the script, Brad Wright pointed out that no one REALLY dies in Stargate, not to mention I'm an alien who dies next to a DNA machine. I have lots of ideas as to how to bring her back including one favorite, but I actually hope to pitch them so I better not say what they are...

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What mental place do you have to get into when playing a Goa'uld?

J_SAMUDA: I am the Queen of the Universe.

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As someone who has not only played Nirrti but has written an episode you must have had to think long and hard about the psychological make-up of the Goa'uld. How do you see the Goa'uld's relationship with their host? Do you think they are influenced by their host in any way?

J_SAMUDA: I think the choice of the host is the most critical one for the Goa’uld. In other words, how does the Goa’uld see itself, then pick the body to match. The evil female/androgynous power of Nirrti is perfectly suited to my Goa’uld. Yes, the influence is like looking in a mirror and being encouraged by what you see.

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How difficult is it to go onto a set where everybody already knows each other and pretend to have a history with the characters?

J_SAMUDA: That's why Stargate was so amazing for me, because every regular cast member welcomed me like we were old friends already, then Peter DeLuise did a lot to help by reminding me that I'm the big shot in every one of my scenes and to milk it!

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Two-parter: Why does it matter to a species that looks like an eel that their human hosts should be beautiful, for instance? Is it because of the gods and goddesses they are emulating and the way the human psyche responds to physical beauty or do you think the Goa'uld actually adopt a human aesthetic once they enter a human host and take a vicarious pleasure in the way their host looks?

J_SAMUDA: The hosts are beautiful because they are gods and gods recognize that beauty can be a tool of power. Definitely vicarious pleasure.

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If you could write another female character for SG1, either played by yourself or another actress, what kind of character would she be and would you want her to be hero or villain?

J_SAMUDA: I'd love to write a female hero who is strong and sexy and creative in her handling of situations... well actually kind of like Amanda's character!

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How did you come to collaborate on the writing of Metamorphosis? How did that work? Did you already know James Tichenor ahead of time?

J_SAMUDA: I actually didn't develop the story with James. I pitched the concept of the DNA machine and its purpose and potential disastrous results. that went into the story room, and when James pitched his story, he incorporated my ideas into the pitch and they liked it. I first met James on set actually!

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Would you consider writing an episode of SG1 that didn't include Nirrti? If so what would it encompass?

J_SAMUDA: In fact, the DNA machine concept didn't include Nirrti. I was just lucky that James and the team saw her as the perfect character for the story. I have several ideas for the show and only one includes my character. There's so much more fun stuff in sci-fi to draw from.

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This is a long one and will take a couple postings! The SG1 casting department seems to realize there is more to the world than just 20 something anorexic looking women. Many of their female characters are played by healthy-looking, vital women like yourself, Amanda Tapping, Teryl Rothery and Suanne Braun. Is this the norm for Canadian productions over those in other parts of the industry to see the value in not being so youth/weight driven? Do you as a writer/producer/actress see more trends in Canadian production to give more types and ages of female actresses a chance in casting?

J_SAMUDA: No, we definitely have lots of shows that like the thin LA model-types too. I'd like to see more latitude in casting until we catch up to England's standards, where the best acting always wins! I think we're slowly starting to create a star system here and then the casting will depend partly on the charisma of the performer, not just the appearance.

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Nirrti is the smartest, toughest Goa'uld we know :) She always has an angle, am ambition. If Nirrti attained the absolute power she seeks, what then would her goal be?

J_SAMUDA: Thanks so much. Her ambition? Find an evil King to play with.

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Looking back on the SG episodes you've appeared in, do you have a different perspective on Nirrti now than when she first appeared?

J_SAMUDA: Yes, now she's not pretending to be cooperative.

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Was working on the Stargate set any different from working on other sets. If so, how?

J_SAMUDA: The friendliest. I've never had the pleasure of watching RDA ride a bicycle around the lunch truck on other sets. Some sets are tense, and people keep to themselves. This show has been around long enough that there are lasting friendships.

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Have you written scripts for other TV shows/movies? If so, tell us a little bit about them?

J_SAMUDA: I have three features and several shorts, and a spec episode of Dark angel that has been a great writing sample. One feature is a thriller with a female lead that has a Fugitive quality to it. another is a black comedy about a voice-over performer and the third is about three couples in England which is both funny and dramatic.

What was it about Dark Angel that led you to use it as a sample?

J_SAMUDA: It was being shot here and it had a nice combination of sci-fi and action which I wanted to experiment with. Strong female lead, too.

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You mentioned in your Q&A you researched Nirrti's mythology as preparation for the role. What, of what you learned, did you incorporate into your portrayal of the character?

J_SAMUDA: The androgynous but still sensual quality and no apologies for being evil.

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This question comes from someone who read your Q&A: Did RDA and Michael really eat REAL dog biscuits? Don't they make people sick?

J_SAMUDA: I must admit I had a little bite, and you would too if RDA offered it. They taste like hard oatmeal cookies with no sugar, and I think that's pretty much what these ones were. Yes, they were real!

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We've heard lots about those naughty guys in the cast and their 'puff and ruffle' in front of beautiful female guest stars. How bad were RDA, Michael and Chris with you?

J_SAMUDA: Chris is pretty puffy and ruffly. Michael was actually on the quiet side when I worked with him, and I just loved RDA so if he was puffy it must have looked good on him.

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Is there any guest actor or character that's been on the show that you'd like to work with in an episode?

J_SAMUDA: I loved working with Dion Johnstone and Alex Zahara and I'd love to again. I've always wanted to have more to do with Gary Jones "Technician." ; ) Peter Williams would look good coming back from the dead. It would be fun to appear with Apophis.

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In your Q&A you said you might have an idea for a new story to pitch to the SG writers/producers. Did you "pitch" it? Or is it still a "might?"

J_SAMUDA: I pitched three and one was of some interest. however, it turns out a separate story that was already going forward had one thing in common with mine, so oh well. I'll go back with more when I can.

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Have you talked to Brad Wright at all about possibly writing for the proposed Stargate spin-off? It would be great to see more female writers working in the Stargate universe again!

J_SAMUDA: I'm working on it...

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There are four parts to this one. As a writer and actor, and someone for whom the role of women in film is important, what is your opinion of the writing/depiction of Stargate's female characters, Sam Carter and Janet Fraiser? If you could improve Carter and/or Fraiser in any way, what would that be? Do you have a stand out episode or storyline for Carter or Fraiser? Is there a specific challenge you'd like to see Carter face in the future?

J_SAMUDA: Sam Carter is a leader and fighter, and Janet Fraiser has that wonderful blend of mother-type and fighter. I think they're great characters for a sci-fi show, competent, strong but still recognizably women. I loved 2010. What did you think of the episode where Carter is followed home by an invisible alien who loves her?

Good one :-0

J_SAMUDA: Re: challenge for Carter, I always like the hard choices, between heart and work. Along those lines...

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A lot of posters here at Our Stargate are very keen on the friendship between Daniel Jackson and Sam Carter and love to watch them solving scientific problems together. As a writer, if you were challenged to write an episode which showcased these two characters, what would that story be?

J_SAMUDA: Maybe something like one of the old Star Treks, where the two are off-world and the planet intoxicates them somehow so they fall in love but just for one show!

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Another two-post one! It seems the TV/film industry is behind the rest of society in promoting women into positions of power (Bonnie Hammer being a notable exception). Stargate has no women among its full-time writers or producers, for example, though it has lots of women fans ;-). Do you think this perception is correct, and if so, why do you think the disparity persists? What do you think can be done to change it?

J_SAMUDA: Well, it's a self-admitted 'bit of a boys' club' but I don't think it's a stubborn decision. They are in no way resistant to me pitching, for example. I think it's a fair microcosm of the larger industry where women may have to stand out more first before they are hired. so that's my approach, good attitude and persistent good work. I believe they will be as open to hiring me as anyone else...

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How do you think television and film products would change if more women were calling the shots?

J_SAMUDA: I think there would be more parts for women, which sounds good to me. Also, less blowing things up for no reason...

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Do you find the television, theatre and film industry to be more open to women in positions of "power"? Is there more equality?

J_SAMUDA: It's a slow process, and some countries are well ahead of others. Like women in positions of political power, slowly but surely.

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Why do you think there is a relative lack of female directors and writers who are in the public eye?

J_SAMUDA: Perhaps because the filmgoing audience has more men, and so the perception is that the product must be generated by kin. Not sure, really. Let's change it!

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Is there anything you would like to see change in the showbiz industry?

J_SAMUDA: I'd like to see less "formula" in films. Let artists' visions keep their integrity instead of a million studio cooks in their with their spoons.

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Last year, you came over to the UK to attend a Stargate convention, can you tell us a little about that? Did you have any idea of what it was going to be like, and if so, did it live up to those expectations?

J_SAMUDA: I had NO idea what it would be like. Everyone else had done them and was so relaxed. Suddenly I feel like I'm backstage at a rock concert with thousands of happy screamers on the other side of screens, and I'm being asked to crouch inside of a sarcophagus so I can pop out of it like it's a big cake. It was my birthday, and it was strange and absolutely wonderful. I had a blast!

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Are you a Canucks fan??

J_SAMUDA: Yes, I am a Canucks fan as of two games ago; watched the game last night and it was a riot.

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Hi Jacqueline, thanks for coming. what has been the funniest moment shooting Stargate? Greetings from Spain

J_SAMUDA: You're welcome, everybody! Funniest moment was a Jaffa falling asleep during a scene and snoring. Peter DeLuise woke him up and asked him if we were disturbing his rest. We couldn't stop laughing. He's a regular Jaffa so everyone just teased him in a fun way. This Jaffa actor had probably been in ten episodes; big guy and they had the costume for him already, so very convenient.

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I hope that's on a blooper tape we might get to see sometime.

J_SAMUDA: Oh I don't know about a blooper tape. There was a great one at the 100th ep party. So good.

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Does Peter Deluise do a lot of funny stuff?

J_SAMUDA: Peter Deluise is one of the funniest guys on set. He's very fast and efficient and great communicator but always with a sense of humor.

How is he with the actors, Jacqueline?

J_SAMUDA: He is the best, having been an actor he knows just what to say in the fewest words to get the right effect.

He's very much admired for the performances he draws out as is Martin Wood.

J_SAMUDA: Oh, I love working with Martin Wood. Such a great guy and wonderful director.

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Did you work much with Michael Shanks?

J_SAMUDA: I have barely done anything with Michael.

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Jacqueline, I'm really sorry they didn't have a bigger confrontation with Nirrti and Jack. I loved the "look" at the end of Rite of Passage.

J_SAMUDA: Thanks, me too. I loved DOING that look, and it was so cool that RDA stood off camera and acted with me when he could have let his stand-in do that apart.

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We often heard there are many pranksters on the Stargate set. Have any pranks ever been played on you? ;)

J_SAMUDA: Working with the regulars is always cool. I've managed to avoid being "prankified."

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J_SAMUDA: Thanks everyone. I've had so much fun. Thanks for inviting me. I'll see you later. :-) Thanks to everyone for a fun experience with my first live chat. Bye for now! :-)

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Thank you for your time, Jacqueline!

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