Mike and Emily interview Mike Szewczyk and Chad Hendrickson from www.dkpinball.com:

Coming in 2011, Biodroid Productions S.A. will be releasing a Third-person action strategy game for the Playstation 3. The game has slowly been building up lots of momentum and has recently peaked much interest with fans of the cyberpunk genre. While there isn’t a abundance of information on the game as of yet, I recently spoke to Marie Lynn; a amazing actress who is currently the inspiration and face behind the main character of the game.

The face of Replika.

Q. Games have basically become an incredible venue for actors and actresses to lend their talents to these games, especially in the last ten years. Now that you’ve essentially started in the acting side of video games, will you be actively searching for more roles in games?

A. Absolutely! Depending on my contract with Replika, as an actress I’d love to. I’ve always been a big fan of video games and have always dreamt of being involved with them as an actress.

 Marie has recently been working with Timberwolf West on a few of their horror movie projects.

Q. In a film, you’re portraying a character and presenting yourself to the audience as that character, but in a video game you’re playing a character that in the end; the player is essentially going to become you. The personality of your character now meshes with a variety of different players and each one will play your character different. Do you think that this provides a tougher challenge for you playing a video game character rather then a character in a film?
A. If anything I’d say its easier. People will play the game’s character with their own personalities and their own choices, all I have to do is give them an outline and they will run with it.

 

Q. What talents are you lending for the character of Replika? Voice overs? Modeling?

A. Specifically right now the face of Replika.

Marie could very easily have a supporting role in a Need For Speed game. Come on EA, make it happen!

Q. The character of Replika seems to be a very “Kick ass first and ask questions later.” kind of lady. Would any of your roles in previous pieces of work be useful in playing the role of Replika?

A. Haha… she definitely is. My role in the webseries, "The Journeys," has a pretty tough attitude sometimes and some roles that I’ve done in scene studies for acting class for sure. Namely roles played by Angelina Jolie.

 

Q. What is your favorite video game?

A. Replika (hehe) Other than that, I like Halo.

While the full details of the game haven’t been released, the game seems to be a cyberpunk’s wet dream.

Q. How did you get the role of Replika?

A. I heard of a casting for it and submitted my photos and information.

 

Q. Outside of Replika, you’ve been extremely busy with photo shots, being featured on Television shows like CSI: NY, Dollhouse and a variety of films. What are some of your latest projects and where can new and old fans view your latest work at?

A. I have recently been signed on to be the lead role in Tim Whitfield’s feature film "Burlesque Massacre 2." I will still be working with the great crew and director Fred Copeland from the sci-fi webseries, "The Journeys." I just did a small part in short action film, "Crusader" directed by Dana Skvarek II out in Arizona. I also just did a cameo in feature film, "Burlesque Massacre," with Tim soon to be released. As well as an episode in the horror/drama webseries, "Diary of a Black Widow," by Timberwolf West Entertainment and Y-not Productions. I also worked with fantastic writer Andy Shatner and director Justin R. Romine in Chicago on the exciting new vampire short, "Afraid of Sunrise," soon to be released. I’m about to film a small part for feature film, "Photographic," and also partake in Tim’s new webseries that’s currently in development. I’ve also just been cast in writer/director Todd Coleman Smee’s short film, "Voltage," set to shoot middle of February. However, I’m always on the look out for more!
Anyone who’s curious to see video clips and updates on release of my projects can access all information on my website www.ActressMarieLynn.com. There is also a contact section there where you can get a hold of me directly if you have any questions, comments or ideas for new projects!

Q. What are your thoughts on the latest trend of 3D technology that seems to be used quite heavily on the latest films and games on both the big screen and the small screen?

A. I think its a great invention and can add a lot to a movie-going experience and has the potential to add a lot to video games making the player feel even more in the game. I also believe however that it’s not right for some movies. While it can be a great action packed experience in movies with a lot of graphics and special effects, its not necessary for drama type of films or mainly story driven plot lines.

Want to read/see more about Marie? Check out http://www.actressmarielynn.com

 

Q. What is your first video game memory?

A. Nintendo!!! Mario Brothers! I used to LOVE playing that I remember. That and we used to play, "Bubble Bobble," which we all thought was so awesome. haha…

Q. Out of all roles you have played, what was your favorite and why?

A. Oh goodness…. Wow, good question. I honestly think I have to say my role in music video, "Future Fear," for Unleaded Logic. I got to be different than my normal life and live in this crazy mental patients character. We had an outrageous location at an abandoned asylum that I would have never gone to if it hadn’t been for filming which was a lot of fun. I also got to do a little bit of action too in the role which I love. It was dramatic, artistic and meaningful. I think the whole thing was also extra exciting for me since it was my first role. The whole experience was just great. However, that is a tough question, because really they are all my favorite. I just love working and being on set and doing something creative. I love experiencing different characters and working with creative people. Each role is always something different, and I love them all.

 

I’d like to give a big thank you to Marie for taking the time to answer my questions! Look for additional interview with her in the future as development on Replika continues!

 

LINKS: http://www.actressmarielynn.com, http://www.timberwolfwest.com/, http://www.replikagame.com

 

Those of you who have followed video game broadcasting for a number of years, no doubt know who Amanda Mackay is. She made her video game hostess debut on G4TV’s Pulse a few years ago and went on to host a number of video game specials on MTV, eventually working with Gametrailers.com to host GTWEEKLY and GAMEONE. Most recently she has been hosting segments on the Spike TV’s Gametrailers TV; a cable broadcast show of the website, hosted along with Geoff Keighley and Daniel Kayser.

The first few episodes have aired with rave reviews among the gaming community and Amanda Mackay has taken some time for us here at Unleaded Logic Dot Com for an interview!

Mike Mertes: We know you’ve hosted a number of different shows for Gametrailers.com, but how did you get involved with working with them in the first place?

Amanda Mackay: Very soon after I left G4 I got a call from Jon Slusser at GameTrailers asking me to come out and cover a gaming launch for them. The site had been posting video game trailers for awhile and were looking to expand the site by making their own videos and covering gaming events. About a half hour into that first shoot, they talked to me about covering the upcoming E3. Of course I said yes, and at the end of E3 they pitched a weekly show called “GT Weekly” to me. I thought it was a great idea and so away we went. I have been with them ever since, and am proud to be a part of their tremendous success.

Mike: Speaking of all the shows, now that you’re on TV each week, is it more hectic to get a show produced compared to the work needed on GAMEONE or GTWEEKLY?

Amanda: It is more hectic because there are many extra steps involved in getting the show ready for broadcast (closed captioning, etc), and so the show has to be ready a lot earlier than it used to. The GT team does a great job making sure nothing gets overlooked each week.

Mike: Do you get to work in close proximity with Geoff and Daniel for the shows or are you all placed at different locations?

Amanda: We don’t often host segments together but we’re always all together behind the scenes. We spend a lot of time together at different events and have a lot of fun!! Daniel and I have been known to bust out the karaoke during late nights in Tokyo.

Mike: On a more individual note, you’ve worked on several side projects in the past like movies, among other things. Do you have any current movies or side projects you’re working on?

Amanda: I’ve been doing a lot of work for Spike’s website. Right now I’m in the middle of a film festival tour and they also had me cover the Adult Entertainment Expo (aka the Porn Convention) in Las Vegas. That was … interesting, ha ha!!

Mike: Out of the three current game systems what is your favorite and why?

Amanda: I hate picking favorites but I guess the Xbox 360 because it had the best games last year. Looks like that might change in 2008 though.

Mike: What game systems did you play growing up?

Amanda: Every system Nintendo made and a few from Sega.

Mike: Out of the many places you’ve been to on location for Gametrailers, what was your favorite?

Amanda: Definitely Tokyo. I love everything about Japan except the whale hunt!!

Mike: You’ve mention on your blog that you’ve recently had a lot of travel time lately. What is your week typically like when it comes to getting segments filmed?

Amanda: No week is typical for me but to give you an example, last week I was in San Francisco, right now I am in Miami and next week I will be in Austin. I’m pretty sure my dogs are going to disown me.

Mike: You’ve really started to attract quite a fan base, what do you think about sites like MySpace and others that let you interact with your fans?

Amanda: I think they’re great. I love using myspace to hear from people who watch the show and I try to answer all their questions. I am an internet junkie and I don’t know how humankind survived without it.

So there you have it folks! If you haven’t taken the time to check out Amanda on Gametrailers TV, you can watch it every Friday night at 1AM Central time on SPIKETV or you can watch every episode that has aired right on Gametrailers.com.

Also don’t forget to stop on by at www.amandamackay.net or Amanda’s Myspace page to see what else is new in the world of Amanda Mackay!

Thanks again for taking the time to answer some questions Amanda!