A Conversation with Alanna Ubach

A. THE BASICS

1. What is your full name? (Please include your middle name and the mystery of mysteries--the correct pronunciation of your last name!)

Alanna Noel Ubach---We usually say the "U" pronounced "You" (as in "Hey, You")---but it's perfectly acceptable to pronounce the "U" with a hard OOOOO sound as well. [We have it on good authority that the second syllable is pronounced "bock," rather than "back."]

2. When and where were you born? (Anything to say about it besides "Downey, October 3, 1975?)

Oct. 3, 1975, Downey, California--home of the country's first McDonald's. [Actually, it's the oldest surviving McDonald's, but you get the picture. It even has a museum!]

3. How tall are you?

I'm five one.

4. What is your eye color?

My eyes are blue.

5. Where did you attend high school? (All we have are vague mentions of the Stella Adler Conservatory and the Lee Strasberg Institute.)

6. Did you attend college? If so, where? What was your major? Did you earn a degree?

I'm a very well educated person!

7. What were some of your favorite/least favorite subjects in school?

I loved English and hated math...

8. Would you describe yourself as a good student?

I was a really good student--straight A's.

9. What is your ancestry? Is your surname German or Spanish?

I'm Spanish. My mom's parents were from Mexico and my dad's Puerto Rican. My surname is German. [It can also be Catalan.] No one knows for sure, but my dad's family is Castilian, and a lot of Castilians were originally from Germany.

10. Tell us about your family.

I have a very loving family with a lot of extended relatives (our family get-togethers are huge). I have a sister named Athena, my aunt who I'm very close with named Eloise...My dad Rodolfo and my mother Sidna.

11. Do you have any nicknames? What are they?

I'm sometimes called Little Chu.

12. Do you have any pets?

I have a big chow dog named Max.

13. What is your current relationship/marital status?

I have a boyfriend. He's handsome, that's all you're going to get from me.

B. AN ACTOR'S LIFE FOR HER

1. Why and how did you get into acting?

I've always wanted to act since I was little. I entered the Lee Strasberg Institute and got a kid's agent from a list they had for kids who wanted to make it a career.

2. What was your first acting job? (Paid/non-paid? Stage/TV/screen? Were you at Kathy Najimy's party for the Sister Act II kids where the gag photos were taken?)

I got cast in an AFI [American Film Institute] film called The Blue Men. It starred Estelle Parsons and I played this wacky little punk chick. We shot it on Catalina Island.

3. What was something you bought with money from your first paycheck?

I bought candy and a Madonna album.

4. What do you regard as your "big break?"

My big break was being accepted at the young people's program at the Lee Strasberg Institute. I worry about actors that don't get real training-- they usually have a quick stab at fame with one role, but they can't sustain a career after that. I'd rather put out the message that studying is so important, and getting the job after that is your reward. In New York, young actors understand that.

5. What are your thoughts on having been a child actress? What is your advice to those who might like to follow in your footsteps?

It was a lot of fun being a child actress. It suited me. I don't think it suits everybody, but I was in it because I had a passion, not because my parents wanted me to make money. If other kids want to do it, and they really like acting, go for it.

6. Most child actors don't successfully make the transition to adult roles. At what point did you realize that you had achieved this and that acting would be your career?

The line is kind of blurry for me as to when my first "adult" role came. Even as a kid I played a lot of mature characters. Some people say I have an old soul.

7. Can you imagine yourself in any other occupation? If so, what would it be?

I've always wanted to act and I can't think of anything else I'd want to do, honestly.

8. Discuss the movie Why My Daughter? What were your feelings when you had the part of Diana Moffitt taken away from you? Does being involved in a project that is based on real people and events have a deeper or longer-lasting effect on you than usual, or is it just another role?

Why My Daughter? was important at the time to me because it was based on this sad, difficult true story, and, as TV movies go, I thought it was pretty powerful in it's own TV movie kind of way. I forget exactly why they took away that role---I think it was because of the stripper dance scene, and I was still a minor, and in the state of Utah [Oregon, actually!] minors aren't allowed to suggestively dance on film. It was OK--I liked my role, but honestly, it was just another role. The particular role I played wasn't really based on someone I could study or imitate.

9. Please confirm or deny these possible "sightings":
--Were you in a California cheese ad?
--Did you do voice-over work for Maybelline?
--Were you in the movie Jeffrey?
--Your Beakman's World bio says that you were featured in Billy Crystal's HBO special Midnight Train to Moscow, yet you don't seem to be in it. What is the explanation for this?

I wasn't in any of the commercials or movies you mention, but I did do a Supercuts ad [Actually, it was two versions of basically the same ad.] that ran a lot and also a breakfast cereal ad and a [Discover] credit card ad. I'm not big on doing commercials because you usually have to wait in such long lines for the auditions, but now and again, it's OK. I got hired on the Billy Crystal movie, but at the last minute they wrote out the role. When you are just starting you put everything down you've been hired for on your resume, but I wouldn't put it on there now.

10. Your Beakman bio also says that you co-starred in the CBS/FBC series Esme. Tell us about this. (And what does "FBC" stand for?)

Esme was a pilot written by Carrie Fisher. I played Carrie Fisher as a young girl. Andrea Martin played my mom, Debbie Reynolds was my grandmother and we were all surprised that it didn't get picked up as a series. FBC is Fox Broadcasting Network, which is the same as 20th Century Fox.

11. You were in The Journey and The Visit for Family Theater Productions. Were you in any of their other productions?

I didn't do any other religious movies, but it was neat and a spiritual thig playing Mary. It also felt very old fashioned in the desert with the donkeys running around.

12. Discuss some of the characters you've played: Which roles have been the most rewarding for you as an actress? Looking at these characters as if they were real people, which ones are your favorites? Which ones would you most--and least-- like to spend time with?

My role in Legally Blonde was really rewarding, because I had so much fun working on the movie. I've had really rewarding experiences on tiny low budget films that you'll never see but where I had a cool time creating characters as well. I love almost all of the characters I've played.

13. In addition to singing, do you have any other specialized talents you can bring to a part?

My talents are for other people to determine. I know I have a lot of different characters inside me and I love playing totally different people all of the time and keeping people guessing.

14. How do you prepare for a role? Do you do any research?

I do research depending on the role. I try to get an idea of the concept from the director. and take it from there. I often ask permission to bring some of my own ideas to the character and sometimes have my own personal items on the set with me. For Serena in Legally Blonde, I went to a lot of nail salons.

15. Do you prefer doing comedy or drama?

I really don't have a preference between comedy or drama. It's all about the script, the role, director, other actors I'm working with...

16. How do you feel about watching your own work? When you are making a film do you watch the dailies?

I NEVER watch the dailies. I don't want to judge my acting when I'm immersed in a part.

17. What negative experiences have you had so far in your career?

The only negatives are rejections. Sometimes I deal with petty people who are in the biz for the wrong reasons: money, lust, greed, power...but, hey, isn't that the same in every business?

18. Have you noticed any particular "themes" emerge in your work? You have played a number of troubled characters over the years. Why do you think that is?

It's because I'm not troubled! I feel like doing the troubled characters I've done is a stretch and it's a lot of fun. Like I said, I've got a lot of characters running around inside me.

19. Someone once had a prophecy about Denzel Washington: "You're going to speak to millions of people. You're going to do great things." Do you think that there is a "higher purpose" to what you do? If so, what do you think it is? Do you feel any sense of responsibility to say, or to avoid saying, certain things in your work?

I have a responsibility to represent my culture, and be a good artist, and to make people laugh. I'm not a religious figure, I don't buy into the money/fame thing making me happy. If I can give a certain amount of people a certain amount of happiness, pleasure, diversion, whatever, then I'm content.

20. What are your thoughts on the controversy surrounding the dramatic depiction of the following?:
--violence
--profanity
--smoking
--nudity
--drug use

The reality is that all these things are prevalent in films and television. I think the important thing is that we have freedom in America. The freedom to make the films, and the choice whether or not to watch them is up to us.

21. We assume that auditioning is the worst aspect of being an actor. What is the second worst? What is the best?

The worst aspect of being an actor is not getting the part. The best is getting the part. The second worst is when you are stereotyped because of the roles you've played.

22. Have you had to do anything particularly difficult or unpleasant in the performance of a role?

I once had to kiss a guy who I hated. I won't say who that was, though. (I'm not sure if the kiss even made it onto the screen.)

23. Have you ever turned down a role? Why? (For reasons other than simple time conflicts, of course.)

I've turned down a few low budgets where I felt the writing wasn't strong enough or where they wanted me to take my clothes off, and I've had to give up a few roles for scheduling conflicts and that bummed me out. (A neat film called Finding North is one I remember, and last year I couldn't do a Betty Thomas film because of Legally Blonde.)

24. What roles have you tried out for, but didn't get, that we might recognize?

I lost out to Fairuza Balk playing opposite Tim Roth in a TV film called Starkweather. It was a few years ago and it was between me, Gillian Anderson and Fairuza. I came close to getting Sarah Jessica Parker's role in Dudley Do Right. Don't ask me anymore. It's too painful! Oh, I was also originally supposed to do Lisa Kudrow's part in Clockwatchers, but when she came on board, they switched me to Jane.

25. What, of all the things you have been involved in, are you most proud of? Is there anything that you feel was a particular failure?

I'm proud of all my roles, I'm sorry, they're all so precious I don't want to insult one of my characters by picking favorites.

26. Do you get recognized much when you are out in public? What do you remember about the first time you received recognition from a fan? How much fan mail do you get? What are your thoughts on the internet space that is dedicated to you? Are you going to have an official website in the foreseeable future?

I do get recognized out in public. When I got my first fan letter for Beakman's World I realized I was reaching more people than I realized. I do get a lot of fan mail, and I used to answer everything personally. I stopped doing that recently because it's overwhelming and you aren't supposed to touch the mail this month. I'm flattered by my unofficial websites and the care that you guys put into it. I will have an official website eventually.

27. Rank the following in their order of importance to you: money, fame, artistic achievement.

Artistic Achievement is first and the other two I don't think about, I only concentrate on Artistic Achievement.

28. Name some of your favorite actors. Who has most influenced you professionally? Who would you most like to work with?

All the greats---Robert De Niro, Danny De Vito, Whoopi Goldberg, Helen Hunt, Benicio Del Toro are some of my favorites.

29. Do you have any interesting or amusing behind-the-scenes stories for us?

An amusing one was in Renaissance Man: I'm in The Tigers' stadium with Danny De Vito and we were the only ones in the stadium, but it looked like there were many people in the stadium, but we were the only ones.

30. Tell us about being an acting teacher. What made you decide to do this? Are you still doing it? Where?

I'll coach friends for their auditions when they ask me, but even though I've been asked to teach, for the moment, that's something for when I'm a bit older. [I guess we can't believe every report we see on the internet, can we?]

31. What made you decide to co-write a movie? How did you decide on the subject matter? Which do you prefer, writing or acting? Why? Is writing something you think you will do again? Do you think that you would ever like to direct?

I was inspired by watching other films. The Wizard of Oz and Pulp Fiction were my inspirations for the first film I wrote. I also read a lot of Tom Robbins, and it just came naturally. I like to write and act---they're very different, but as long as I'm expressing myself creatively I'm happy. I'm working on another script now and perhaps I'll direct a film someday...

32. What path do you want your career to take? What do you want to be doing in five years?

I want a very long career. I want to keep landing interesting work and work with really talented, respected, exciting people. Who wouldn't?

33. Rank stage, film and television in your order of preference. What influences your decision?

I really can't put a priority on any of them, it ALL depends on the job and the role. All of them have been good for me.

34. Ally Sheedy has said: "For anyone, but especially for a young woman--acting can be a ruthless, cruel, painful journey that can also sometimes be wonderful." Please comment.

I don't agree with Ally Sheedy. I think it's a great journey and I enjoy every moment of it. I refuse to accept that it's harder for our gender. Too many actors try to make excuses!

C. COMING ATTRACTIONS

1. Please fill us in on the general theatrical or video release dates on the following films:

--The Perfect You
I don't know when The Perfect You is coming out...that reminds me, I have to call the director.

--Graduation Day
Someone said they saw Graduation Day on Lifetime last week--check it out and let me know!

--Nobody Knows Anything/McClintock's Peach
McClintock's Peach--Who knows? But they've got some great actors in that one.

--Slice and Dice/Divorce Chili
Divorce Chili--That was a lot of fun to shot--I know it's almost been distributed several times. I'm sure it will find its audience.

--What They Wanted, What They Got
What They Wanted is doing the film festival circuit.

--Christmas with J.D.
I wasn't in Christmas with J.D.

--Blue Moon
Blue Moon had a theatrical release last year. I imagine it'll hit the video stores soon. I play Rita Moreno as a young woman.

--Life After Donna Dell
Life After Donna Dell is the film I wrote and I guarantee you that we will get the movie made, but not quite yet....

--The Sterling Chase/Graduation Week
Graduation Week is the same as Graduation Day, in fact I think its name is Week, not Day.

--We Met on the Vineyard/The Big Day
The Big Day is in your video stores now.

--Pink as the Day She was Born
Pink as the Day hit a lot of film festivals but I'm not sure whether it got distribution.

--Hits!
Hits! should be in your artsy video store.

2. What else do you have coming up?

Teamo Supremo, a cartoon that'll be released next February on Disney or ABC. I play the main two leads, a little Mexican boy superhero [Skate Lad] and a little girl superhero [Rope Girl]. The third superhero voice is Spencer Breslin's (The Kid). That's coming up, and I just shot a pilot for NBC with Rob Estes and Bonnie Somerville [Tikiville]--I'll keep ya posted.

3. Do you have any movie or TV work gathering dust in the can that looks as if it is never going to see the light of day?

Who knows? Only time will tell. As you can see from the above list, there's a lot of stuff in the can, but once I shoot it, it's not my responsibility to get it in the movie theatres.

4. Do you know if you are going to be in the Legally Blonde sequel?

I certainly hope I'm in the Legally Blonde sequel.

D. JUST LIFE

1. Describe yourself.

I am enigmatic........

2. What did you do yesterday?

Yesterday I fed the dog, had dinner with my family, studied for an audition and took a nap.

3. What do you do for fun? What are your hobbies, interests and spare time activities?

I spend time with friends and family. I love hiking. I like spending time with my friends and I swim a lot. It's L.A., so I also spend a lot of time in the car listening to music.

4. Would you appear on a celebrity version of Survivor?

I wouldn't appear on a celeb version of Survivor unless it was a mockery of it.

5. Do you play any musical instruments?

I play piano and a little guitar. I love to sing.

6. Do you speak any foreign languages? What foreign language(s) did you take in school?

I speak Spanish and studied French and Spanish in school.

7. Name some of your:

--favorite books/authors:
I love On the Road by Jack Kerouac and Music for Chameleons by Truman Capote. {Interesting, considering that Capote said of Kerouac's work, "That's not writing, that's typing!"}

--favorite movies:
I loved The Opposite of Sex, Taxi Driver and Harold and Maude.

--favorite TV shows (past and present):
I love All in the Family and I Love Lucy, Mad About You and Friends.

--favorite/least favorite foods (Can you cook?):
Indian is my favorite food and Deli is my least favorite. I'm a good cook.

--music (types, performers, etc.) What is in your CD player right now?
For music I like P. J. Harvey, Madonna and Bjork. Madonna's in my CD right now.

8. Are you superstitious?

I'm not superstitious.

9. Are you a morning person or a night person?

I'm a morning and night person. I prefer being awake to being asleep.

10. What is the most unusual gift you have ever received?

I got a snake from a close friend once but I had to give it back.

11. What are some of your pet peeves?

Snoring is my pet peeve.

12. How has your life changed in the past five years?

My life has changed in that I've been working so much that I spend less time with my friends that I'd like.

13. Compare living in Downey, CA to where you are living now. (We've read conflicting reports: Are you LA or NYC based now? What influenced you to relocate to NYC?)

In Downey I knew my neighbors, and my neighbors in L.A. are usually working out of town. I'm L.A. based, but I still spend a lot of time in NY, working--I also just did a play in Chicago. [The Vagina Monologues, July- -August, 2001]

14. What are some of your best personal qualities?

My best personal qualities are my sensitivity and my creativity.

15. What are some of your less-than-great personal qualities?

I don't recycle as much as I should.

16. Name something you can't resist.

Something I can't resist is wearing a coat on a cold day when I'm outside.

17. Are you introverted or extroverted?

I'm both introverted and extroverted.

18. Do you have any phobias? What worries you or makes you afraid?

I don't have phobias. I'm fearless. I take that back. I'm afraid of war.

19. If you were your own mother, what advice would you give yourself?

Learn from your mistakes.

20. Are you easily bored? What do you find boring? What do you do when you get bored?

I'm not really easily bored. I find long car rides boring, and then I play music.

21. When was the last time you cried? What caused it?

I banged my big toe yesterday, I cried. I also have to cry tomorrow at an audition.

22. Do you make New Year's resolutions? If so, do you usually keep them?

I make New Year's resolutions, and I try to keep them.

23. Are most of your friends in or out of show business?

I have friends both in and out of the business. Some of my best friends are from when I was a little kid, and they do all kinds of things--chefs, writers, dancers, financial analysts....

24. What qualities do you feel are important in a friend? In a mate?

I look for loyalty in my friends and in my mates.

25. What qualities do you find impossible to put up with in a friend? In a mate?

I hate when my friends or mates don't call me back.

26. You've been in two Touched by an Angel episodes. Have you ever had any sort of spiritual or supernatural experience yourself?

I was raised Christian but I've taken a lot of advice from a lot of psychics, too. I'm open to all kinds of religions. I haven't had an epiphany lately.

27. When you get home from work, what is the first thing you do?

I take off my shoes.

28. Do you have much experience with the L.A. club scene or the celebrity party circuit?

I tend not to go to L.A. parties, premieres and stuff...I like to see movies in my own time without cameras everywhere. I think all the hype and publicity is pretty boring. They could feed a few homeless people instead.

29. Mel Gibson or George Clooney? Or neither? Or both?

For what??????

30. How are you similar to most people you know? How are you different?

I'm the same because I'm a carbon based life form. I'm different because I'm my sister's sister.

31. What are some things you'd like to change about yourself?

I'd like to read more than I do.

32. Do people say that you have a good sense of humor? Do you?

People say that I have a good sense of humor and, as a matter of fact, I do.

33. Would you rather be on Letterman or Leno? Why?

Both. They're both really funny--different, but funny--and I'd like to meet them both.

34. If you could be a man for a day, what is the first thing you would do?

If I was a man, the first thing I'd do is pee standing up.

35. If you could spend time with any people, past or present, living or dead, who would they be?

I'd spend time with Elvis. Who wouldn't?

36. Do you get involved in practical jokes much? If so, are you usually the victim or the perpetrator? What is the best practical joke you have ever been involved in?

Every once in a while I play practical jokes. I'm usually the perpetrator. The best practical joke I've ever been involved in--hmmm...wow--they're too naughty to mention.

37. Have you ever had a non-show business job? Have you ever been fired from a job?

Yes, I worked in a shoe store. I've never been fired from a job, though.

38. With whom would you most like to be trapped on a desert island?

The owner of a cell phone that's international who can get us off the island immediately.

39. Do you have any distinguishing marks, tattoos or body piercings?

I have one tattoo on my back. It's half a heart. I got it for fun.

40. What people have most influenced you personally? Who are some of your favorite people currently?

My mom and dad have been my biggest influences. My sister Athena and my mom.

41. Do you have any quirky talents? (e.g., Can you sing in Lithuanian? Play the Peruvian nose flute? Imitate a guinea pig?)

I'm a great whistler. I can speak pig Latin very fast.

42. Have you ever broken a bone?

I've never broken a bone. 43. Did you have braces as a kid?

I had braces as a kid.

44. Are you good at keeping a secret?

I'm good at keeping secrets.

E. ODDS AND ENDS

1. Complete this sentence: My feelings about this interview are I'm honored that

you care.

2. What would you never want to be asked? (No need to provide the answers, just the questions!)

I'd never want to be asked what I look like without clothes from a girl.

3. What have we not asked you that you would like to be asked?

You've basically covered everything.

4. Do you want to ask us or tell us anything?

Thank you for the interview.

F. TOO PERSONAL?

Have you ever had plastic surgery? What are your thoughts on this subject?

I've never had plastic surgery, but if they made a new invention for making people taller, I'd be the first to have the surgery.

G. JUST FOR FUN

Would you rather be able to sweat cheese or vomit marbles?

You've got to be kidding.