The May Queen, edited by Andrea N. Richesin, is a new collection of essays by 27 writers, poets, artists, and musicians, including Erin Cressida Wilson, Michelle Richmond, and Laila Lalami.
Today Kim Askew (of Kim Said and Romancing the Tome) shares her interview with fellow May Queen contributor, Heather Juergensen.
Heather produced, co-wrote and starred in the hit indie film Kissing Jessica Stein and has written screenplays or teleplays for Miramax, Warner Bros., ABC, and VH-1. Her work has been honored at the Chicago International Film Festival and the Indie Spirit Awards.
KIM: Where in L.A. do you live? What do you love/hate about living in L.A.?
HEATHER: I live in the Hancock Park area of L.A.
Love and Hate... at the moment I'm seriously contemplating moving back east, so the love side may be a little thin. It sounds shallow, but the thing you end up loving about LA is the sunshine and the fact that you can at least be in the running for zillions of TV and film jobs. The hate side is definitely the spread-outedness. I'm a city girl (Brooklyn, NY) and deeply love the feeling of jostling against other people and feeling their energy rubbing right up next to me. In LA you look out at the world through windows... houses and cars. It's okay if you have great music playing, but it almost always feels isolated.
KIM: When Nicki approached you about contributing a piece to TMQ, what convinced you to do it?
HEATHER: I'm not really sure. I think it was the newness of the experience for me. I will almost always take the experience over not the experience. I also recall being intrigued by the idea of women from all walks of life writing on a common theme.
KIM: Was it harder/easier than you thought it would be? Did you enjoy the confessional aspect or do you prefer giving a voice to characters you've created?
HEATHER: I think it was just about as hard as I thought it would be. It was fun to write prose, since I usually write in Action Lines and Dialogue. The confessional aspect did not bother me, at least not consciously. I think Nicki had to nudge me to go farther in this regard; I preferred to pontificate on the dismal state of affairs in Hollywood and society. So perhaps deep down, I do prefer to present my deepest feelings through a character. It's safer in some way. Although the heart palpitations of stage fright certainly FEEL dangerous!
KIM: Do you have a particular favorite among the essays in the book?
HEATHER: I'd say my favorite was Julianna Baggott's "A Hungry Balance" as far as having the biggest impact on me personally. As someone who is contemplating having children, but worried about the impact it will have on my work, this essay surprised me and made me think about this issue from completely new and unexpected angles. It's also fabulously written and brutally honest. My other favorite, just in terms of a great ride, is Tanya Shaffer's "Of Sweethearts and Sperm Banks." That one is like the quintessentially great cocktail-party story that just makes you smile.
I could go on and on about bits and pieces of many of the essays that affected me or made me think. I'm very taken with the entire collection.
KIM: Tell me about your short film The Suzy Prophecy . Where can we see it?
HEATHER: At the moment, only on my AVID. I would like to premiere it an a NY festival -- my favorite is MOMA's New Directors, but that just passed, and I'm not sure if I can wait another year. We'll see. Premiering a film, even a short, is important. I may go with Edinburgh because my mother lives in the North of England and then she could see it!
KIM: In the film Searching for Debra Winger , Whoopi Goldberg says, "Longevity is everything. We have outlasted most of the people that used to hire us." Your way to approach it seems to be to create your own roles and projects when possible. What are some of your other current and upcoming projects?
HEATHER: I have a script about a girls track team in the 1960s... it's an exploration of women's beauty issues in a pre-feminist context. I am producing (and co-starring) in my husband Kevin Hench's film THE HAMMER, shooting in LA this June. Making a movie is like pushing a huge boulder up a mountain... when you finally get to the top, it's exciting, but it takes a hell of a long time to get there.
KIM: You studied psychology as an undergrad. How have you used what you learned in the biz?
HEATHER: I studied at McGill, and they take a very biological approach, so the honest answer is "I haven't." The biz is confusing and right now I'm going the route of "know thyself" to help me move forward.
KIM: Do you remember some of the things you wanted to be when you "grew up"?
HEATHER: Yes. As a girl, I very distinctly wanted to be both a writer and a teacher.
KIM: If you weren't a screenwriter/actress, what other career would be tempting?
HEATHER: I love holistic healing. Sometimes I fantasize about being an aromatherapist or an interior decorator. How's that for confessional?
KIM: The year is 2015 and you've been nominated for an Oscar. What's the dream project/role and category for which you've been nominated?
HEATHER: Oh, that's a hard one! I spend my whole life not getting my hopes up for things I would really love as a way of fending off disappointment. But I will do my best to answer honestly. The category is for acting, and my role is a surprising one which shows very distinctly different colors (a la Naomi Watts in Mulholland Drive ).
KIM: Is there anything you feel like you absolutely MUST accomplish during your thirties?
HEATHER: Make another movie.
KIM: Who are some of your favorite writers/screenwriters and what's currently on your nightstand?
HEATHER: Right now I'm nuts about Alexander Payne and I also would go see anything of Steven Soderbergh's. I admire Soderbergh because he puts the not-so-great stuff out there right next to the incredible stuff. It takes balls and humility, both of which lead to great art in my opinion. Oh, and after seeing Good Night and Good Luck , it occurred to me that I'd really like to work with George Clooney. Not just because he's 1997's Sexiest Man Alive. He also seems to be a damn good director.
On my night stand at the moment? Honestly, The May Queen . Also, "Off the Beaten Path: Connecticut." I'm trying to figure out where I'm going to live next. I'm very big on research.
KIM: What most inspires you creatively?
HEATHER: My own solar plexus, and funny things I run into in the world. Weirdos and misfits inspire me, but then again, so do beautiful sunsets and pretty vistas. I think the challenge of creativity is staying in touch with what's truly inspiring you at any given moment and then having a piece of art handy to channel it through.
Attend readings for The May Queen in Philadelphia on April 25, Brooklyn on April 26, and Los Angeles on May 12. For more details, visit The May Queen.
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