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Introduction (01-05)
Alex's Head (06-88)
Alex's Resume
Acknowledgments
Articles
Biography
INSIDE THE HEAD OF ALEXANDRA TYDINGS
Introduction
Alexandra Tydings
[01] The first interview I did with this awesome soul was such a huge hit I was pestered to death to get a part 2, so here you go. I took a few questions that I got in feedback from some fans, and Alex answered them in her cool, honest fashion.
[02] I was lucky enough to meet Alex and Claire [Stansfield] in Chicago in January 2002. They were both so kind to me, talking to me like I was an old friend even though we just met.
[03] What can I say about Alex? My first thought is 'beautiful human being'. Each person we meet during our lifetime makes some kind of impact, and Alex sure has with me!
[04] When I was back on the Chicago Skyway on my way home from the Convention, I was close to tears. Both Alex and Claire made me feel special and that is such a wondrous gift one person can give to another. Thank you both.
[05] If I had one wish that fans could take from this interview it is: They maybe actors, but they are human beings with feelings. They are not the characters they play and if you show them respect they will show you it in return.
Alex's Head
Interviewer:
[06] Can you give us an update on Hourglass?Alexandra Tydings:
[07] We're coming along. [We're] working with a couple of classy producers, putting together financing, and dreaming about moving to Luxembourg.Interviewer:
[08] What are you working on now?Tydings:
[09] More writing. I recently appeared in a music video for a band called Telepop Music, directed by Claire Stansfield. The episode I did on Sheena recently aired (although I still haven't seen it!). And I'm getting ready to direct a short.Jenn from Texas:
[10] What are your prior roles? Before Hercules or Xena?Tydings:
[11] Hi Jenn from Texas! Before Hercules, I was in a film called The Sunchaser, where I played Woody Harrelson's wife. I also did a few TV guest spots - Vanishing Son and Red Shoe Diaries. I did some little independents in New York and Rhode Island - Angst, Alice, and Queerbait. Also lots of theatre - a one woman show which I wrote (it was my honors thesis my senior year at Brown) called "With a Hammer, Well Aimed". I played Peter Pan (got to fly!), the richest girl in the world in "Live Spelled Backwards". On stage with the Royal Ballet of London with "Isadora"... I'm getting tired now, you can find the rest on my website: http://www.alextydings.com
Terri from Maine:
[12] Are there times when you are on stage at a convention where you would like to grab a fan by the shoulders and say. "I'm Alex! Not Aphrodite!"Tydings:
[13] I'm sure I've done it. -Well, not the grabbing the shoulders part. Actually, I think most fans do have a sense that I'm not Aphrodite. It helps that I look almost nothing like her in real life.Stacey from Kentucky:
[14] Why do you think some fans cannot decipher between character and real person?Tydings:
[15] Uh, I dunno, psychosis? They need new prescriptions in their glasses? I heard a theory once that entertainment is our modern religion - going to the movies is like going to church and turning on the TV is like going to an altar in your home. Stories can teach, heal, and inspire; and that's all so massively personal. A character can symbolically represent all sorts of things, and the fact that this character is played by a real human who has her own life is really pretty irrelevant.Interviewer:
[16] At times does that put a damper on your feelings towards fandom?Tydings:
[17] I have a couple of different, not necessarily consistent, thoughts about that. One is that this is entertainment, not brain surgery. So, if people enjoy my work as Aphrodite and don't care to notice the distinction between me and a character I've created, big deal. My work is for the audience, not the other way around. On the other hand, it can be extremely surreal and somewhat uncomfortable to spend several hours with people for whom I am just a projection of their personal fantasy. Nothing inherently malicious about that, totally innocent in fact, but it can be exhausting. And on a rare occasion a fan may take Aphrodite's bawdy sexuality to mean that they are at liberty to cross certain lines with me. That I don't like. I like to be hanging out and having fun with you guys, not policing boundaries. All that said, I find the vast majority of fans to be charming, interesting, extremely kind and generous people.Interviewer:
[18] How do you feel about the Xenaverse?Tydings:
[19] From what I know about the Xenaverse, I think it sounds like an interesting, colorful, creative community which may get a bit caught up in internal politics from time to time, but in general has been a very special environment that is nurturing of freedom and difference. And I'm all for that.
Another view of the Xenaverse
(Send in the Clones)
Mark from England:
[20] Do you feel like you are part of a special fandom or is it about the same as any other series?Tydings:
[21] It is definitely special. Its focus on powerful female characters, the high amount of lesbian and gay visibility, and the incessant generosity is beautiful. Trekkies might argue that they're just as generous, and they may be - I wouldn't know. But I am constantly blown away by the generosity of Xena fans.Interviewer:
[22] What are you grateful for?Tydings:
[23] Being alive. Having so much love in my life. Family, friends, lovers, animals. The adventures, education, and opportunities I've had. My mentors. The amazing creative people I've worked with. The angelic people I got to meet while they were still on this planet, especially Aaron, Ruby, and Kevin. My mother for fighting so hard for me. Love, freedom, angels, dancing, laughter, sex, sunshine, rain, creativity, and renewal.Interviewer:
[24] What opportunity are you most happy you seized?Tydings:
[25] Going to Bali with my mother.Interviewer:
[26] Do some commercials make you cry?Tydings:
[27] Once.Interviewer:
[28] What is more precious to you? A Tear drop? A Hummingbird? Or A Snowflake?Tydings:
[29] Tears.Interviewer:
[30] What do you think the purpose of your existence in this lifetime is?Tydings:
[31] Love.Interviewer:
[32] What is your favorite type/flavor iced treat?Tydings:
[33] Haagen Daaz macadamia nut whatever it is.Interviewer:
[34] What was high school like for you?Tydings:
[35] Socially miserable, except for a few very special people who were just as odd as I was. Academically wonderful because of one fantastic teacher who taught me to respect my mind and love poetry. Lots of hair dye, foreign films, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and gay nightclubs.Interviewer:
[36] When sex was first explained to you as a kid, what was your first thought about it?Tydings:
[37] How come I can't do that now?Interviewer:
[38] When you hear the word 'actor', what do you picture?Tydings:
[39] Mel Gibson.
Mel Gibson is having problems with crop circles these days
Interviewer:
[40] What do you think of Shakespeare's work?Tydings:
[41] We all need much more of it.Interviewer:
[42] What is your footwear of choice?Tydings:
[43] Bare feet.Interviewer:
[44] What is your favorite character you created?Tydings:
[45] Aphrodite under Caligula's influence in THE GOD YOU KNOW.Interviewer:
[46] In 50 words or less, how was the world created?Tydings:
[47] Out of love and serendipity.Interviewer:
[48] Is the glass half full or half empty?Tydings:
[49] Depends on my mood, but usually half full.Interviewer:
[50] How did the attacks on September 11th effect you?Tydings:
[51] Made me determined to be with the people who matter to me. I became much more interested in learning about Islam and I listen to NPR (National Public Radio) a lot more now.Interviewer:
[52] What household chore do you detest?Tydings:
[53] Vacuuming.Interviewer:
[54] What bodily function do you most appreciate?Tydings:
[55] Orgasm.Interviewer:
[56] What is poetry for?Tydings:
[57] Everything.Interviewer:
[58] Where or what is the place you feel most relaxed?Tydings:
[59] In warm humidity, especially Fiji. Also, on any improvised adventure, especially if it involves camping and a road trip with an undesignated destination.Interviewer:
[60] The way the world is today, would you be afraid to bring a child into it?Tydings:
[61] Yep. But the same would probably have to true at any time.Interviewer:
[62] What is your idea of a perfect party?Tydings:
[63] All the people I love, lots of dancing, and a big canvas that we all paint on.Interviewer:
[64] What figure in recent history sparks your imagination?Tydings:
[65] Gary Hart.Interviewer:
[66] What does the word 'family' mean to you?Tydings:
[67] My tribe.
Amazons have a thing for tribes, too
Interviewer:
[68] What does the word 'friend' mean to you?Tydings:
[69] Having someone's back.Interviewer:
[70] How or what would you suggest for a new screenwriter to get noticed?Tydings:
[71] Write.Interviewer:
[72] Who in your family would you like to show off to your friends and why?Tydings:
[73] My great great grandmother. She beat cancer in her forties, built her own house in her sixties, thrived into her late nineties, and was an inspiration to everyone.Interviewer:
[74] What is your greatest fear?Tydings:
[75] Madness.Interviewer:
[76] What happened the last time you were sick?Tydings:
[77] I slept a lot and cancelled stuff. That usually works.Interviewer:
[78] Can you tell the fans a bit about Kevin Smith?Tydings:
[79] Kevin was a true gentleman. Smart, funny, and very caring of the people around him. Amazingly easy to get along with. A great drinker. A huge bright shining star.Interviewer:
[80] What would you suggest fans do to help?Tydings:
[81] Love fully every day. And if you want to send money, there is always Kevin's fund.[82] You have two choices to send:
Straight to the Fund at:
The Kevin Smith Trust Fund
c/o Auckland Theatre Company
PO Box 6513 Wellesley Street
Auckland
New Zealand
They take many forms of payment and it will benefit Kevin's family. He didn't have the best insurance coverage, it was a standard one like many up and coming actors have.
Or to show that Xenites do come together and you feel better giving to a familiar source. Mist from Sword and Staff http://www.sword-and-staff.com is taking donations.
From Mist:
[83] I have asked for information on credit card payments. I will pass that information along as soon as it becomes available. Also, please be advised that US Postal Money Orders are not negotiable in New Zealand. So if you plan to send a donation, do not use Postal Money Orders to do so.[84] All donations made through S&S will be forwarded to NZ from S&S and will include the name, address, and dollar amount of donation made by each person donating through S&S. But now that the fund is set up, if you wish to donate through S&S, please be sure to send any such donations payable directly to the Kevin Smith Trust Fund. As always, I'll forward your checks directly to the organization.
http://www.sword-and-staff.com
(MistNY@aol.com)
Interviewer:
[85] How are you holding up through this?Tydings:
[86] It's hard. Lots and lots of endings for everyone these days. Just reminds you to keep living and loving - as Katherine Fugate would say, "Carpe Diem" http://www.katherinefugate.com
Interviewer:
[87] What questions should I have asked?Tydings:
[88] Question: Why don't you go get some of that Haagen Daaz out of the freezer? Answer: That's a great question Murphy! I think I will ...
Haagen Daaz does a body good
Alex's Resume
Alex's e-mail address: alexandra@alextydings.com
Alex's mailing list: http://alextydings-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Alex's website: http://www.alextydings.com
Alex's new project: http://www.hourglass1.com
HourGlass announcement list for updates: http://hourglass_tv-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
"Taboo" video with Claudia Christian and Alexandra Tydings. Directed by Claire Stansfield.
http://www.claudiachristian.net/order_form.htm
Date of Birth: 15 December 1972, Washington, USA
Production Projects
Hourglass
http://www.hourglass1.com
Films & TV Series
Dodge's City TV Series (1999)
CricketHercules and Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus
Aphrodite (voice)The Sunchaser (1996)
Victoria ReynoldsRed Shoe Diaries 7: Burning Up (1995)
Lynn
(excerpt from episode "Burning Up")Angst
Alice
Queerbait
TV guest appearances
Sheena
Elena
"Treasure of Sienna Madre" (episode # 2.6) (2001)Xena: Warrior Princess
Aphrodite
"Many Happy Returns" (episode # 6.19) (2001)
"You Are There" (episode # 6.13) (2001)
"The God You Know " (episode # 6.12) (2001)
"Motherhood" (episode # 5.22) (2001)
"Married With Fishsticks" (episode # 5.15) (2000)
"Punch Lines" (episode # 5.11) (2000)
"Little Problems" (episode # 5.8) (1999)
"If the Shoe Fits" (episode # 4.12) (1999)
"Fins, Femmes and Gems" (episode # 3.18) (1998)
"Quill Is Mightier..., The" (episode # 3.10) (1998)
"For Him the Bell Tolls" (episode # 2.16) (1997)
Crabella
"Married With Fishsticks" (episode # 5.15) (2000)Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Aphrodite
"Love, Amazon Style" (episode # 6.2) (1999)
"Love on the Rocks" (episode # 5.18) (1999)
"Reign Of Terror" (episode # 3.18) (1997)
"Green-Eyed Monster, The" (episode # 3.7) (1996)
"Love Takes a Holiday" (episode # 3.3) (1996)
"The Apple" (episode # 2.17) (1996)
Catherine "One Fowl Day" (episode # 4.17) (1998)
Catherine the pig (voice)
"One Fowl Day" (episode # 4.17) (1998)
"Porkules" (episode # 4.16) (1998)
"Stranger In A Strange World" (episode # 4.5) (1997)Party of Five
Kerry
"Handicaps" (episode # 4.3) (1997)Vanishing Son
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
"The Visitor,"Red Shoe Diaries
"Love at first sight" (1992)
Lynn, "Burning Up"
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Kamouraskan for the beta.
Articles
L. J. Maas and Murphy Wilson [Amy Murphy].One Step Beyond ... Uber, That Is. WHOOSH #49 (October 2000)
The "Inside the Head of..." series in Whoosh issues #58, 61-66,68-72
Biography
Amy Murphy
Thirty-one-year-old Amy Murphy resides in Indiana, and is an avid reader of Xena: Warrior Princess Fan Fiction. If it exists in the Xenaverse, chances are she has read it! Murphy has also tried her hand at writing fan fiction, turning out two very nice pieces that reside on a couple of web sites throughout the Xenaverse.
Favorite episode: IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE (24/124)
Favorite line: "I Have Many Skills" Various episodes
First episode seen: TITANS (07/107)
Least favorite episode: LYRE, LYRE HEARTS ON FIRE (100/510)