I recently got the opportunity to have a quick chat with Alesia Glidewell about her role as Alma Wade in the ‘F.E.A.R.’ franchise. Here, Alesia talks about her thoughts on a film adaptation of the game and about her new project, ‘Gloria Jesus’…
Hey Alesia. Thanks for taking the time out to talk to me. ‘F.3.A.R’ is currently in gaming stores right now. You play the role of Alma Wade – one of the most scariest characters I’ve ever seen in a game before.
I suppose the first question is quite simple actually. Have you had chance to play ‘F.3.A.R’ yet? What did you think of the end result?
I haven’t played it yet! My free copy must have gotten lost in the mail…
How did you get involved in the ‘F.E.A.R’ franchise in the first place?
I recall auditioning for the Alma voice and motion capture over at Monolith in Seattle. That seems like so long ago.
What is your favourite line to say as Alma?
I have a lot of favorites. Anything that involved shrieking or cryptic threats was right up my alley. Tapping into Alma’s character is oddly thrilling. The Mo-Cap too! I want them back! I want my babies back!
How has the fan reception been for you? Do people avoid you? Try to get you to say lines at conventions, etc?
People avoid me all the time anyways! Actually, nobody really notices or knows. I haven’t had much personal interaction with fans or been to any of the conventions. I’ve been wanting to go to Comic-Con for years now – (just for fun) – but I always seem to be working when its going down.
What do you think it is about ‘F.E.A.R.’ that makes it so popular? Obviously you have the horror and scare factor…but is there something more to it than that?
Aside from the horror and scare factor… I think it’s just a good first person shooter with a lot of action and cool visuals.
Where do you think the franchise can go now? Is there a ‘F.E.A.R. 4’ in the works?
Maybe I’d have a better idea if I’d played F.3.A.R.… I sure hope there’s a 4th!
Of course, games like ‘Tomb Raider’ and ‘Prince Of Persia’ have been turned into movies – could you ever see a ‘F.E.A.R’ movie coming out in the next few years, and if so – what would be the pros and cons of it? Do you think that they’ll release a few more games before someone suddenly realises the potential?
I could definitely see ‘F.E.A.R.’ as a movie and I’d be first in line at the box office when it comes out. If its done well it’d be a pro and if it’s done badly that’d be a con. I hope they would pick a killer director who knows action and J-horror really well.
Let’s talk a bit about you Alesia. What made you want to get into acting in the first place?
Hmm… Not sure. I’ve had a love / hate relationship with acting since I started. I was in Florida during middle school doing some commercial work and got to audition for a few feature films. The one that really got me into acting was ‘The Crush’. I made it through multiple call backs and just loved being that crazy girl. Maybe because I had it in me anyways. I was devastated when I didn’t book it. Some could say crushed…
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to pursue a career in acting or voice-over?
Commit to training, don’t stop having fun with it, and learn to accept rejection.
What does a Alesia Glidewell day usually consist of? I imagine it’s nothing like Alma’s…
Since I’m freelance I don’t really have a normal routine. Lately though I’ve been really digging microwaving turkey bacon and going for a hike. During productions it’s very very different.
Other than Alma, which video game character would you say is your favourite to voice? On a hunch I’m going to bet you’ll say ’Chell’ from the ’Portal’ series…
Alas, I never did ‘voice’ Chell. Just did the character modeling for her. Alma actually is my favorite to do. ‘Smash Brothers’ was fun too because I got to play around a lot and improv a few things.
What has been the most interesting piece of local / national news you’ve heard in the last month?
The snowball of changes all across the Middle East is pretty fascinating.
What’s coming up for you in 2011? I hear you’re in post production on a project called ‘Gloria Jesus’…
‘Gloria Jesus’ is a killer mockumentary I was fortunate enough to be involved in last year. It is the first film by Xavier Nellens out of Brussels and takes place all across the world. I hope it makes its way to audiences soon. I just wrapped up a fun little day job on the MTV show ‘The Dub Magazine Project’ and I’m in the final stages of post on my first feature, ‘Look At Me’. Also, my husband and I will be backpacking through Europe over the next couple of months and spending some time in Sardinia writing our next project. Then it’s Christmas in Qatar with my folks. 2011 is going to fly by!
Thanks for the interview!
Matt J. Horn 