Amber Benson @ The Essence of Amber

Amber chatted at AOL/TV Guide Online on September 26th, 2000. Here's the transcript. Thanks for sending it to me, Jena.

TV Guide Online: Tonight we are chatting with Amber Benson from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Hi, Amber! Thanks for coming!
Amber Benson: Thanks for coming and visiting us today.

Question: Hi, Amber. What qualities do you most admire about your character, Tara?
Amber Benson: That she's very courageous and, even though she's shy, she does what has to be done. And she's really sweet.

Question: Were you a fan of the show before joining the cast? And, if so, was it strange being on the inside of the "Buffy" universe?
Amber Benson: I knew Alyson before the show and got to see her. The show is awesome and very well done. It's very strange to be on the inside of Buffyland. Where else can you eat lunch with vampires?

Question: Is it hard being an actress, and how many hours does it take to film one show?
Amber Benson: It's definitely work to be an actor, but it's enjoyable work, so I love doing what I do. And it takes eight days to shoot one episode of "Buffy." You can have an eight-hour day or a 16-hour day. It depends on whether you are lucky or not.

Question: Tara, what is your favorite "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" episode?
Amber Benson: I love "Restless," the season finale from last year.

Question: What's your most embarrassing moment?
Amber Benson: I'm really klutzy. I'm always tripping over stuff. I'm always trying to not walk into the camera. I was shooting a scene in a TV show and I kept sneezing. Glen Frye of the Eagles was opposite me, and when we were filming, he said, "Can we please stop? Amber needs a Kleenex." That was really embarrassing, and I don't mind sharing.

Question: So have you been accepted as a regular now, or do they still play jokes on you on the set to break you in, like they have done other actors in the past?
Amber Benson: Hmm. No, they've been pretty nice to me. I haven't had any big jokes played on me. They've all been really nice. It's an awesome group of people to work with.

Question: What music do you listen to?
Amber Benson: Gosh, I have eclectic tastes. I tend to listen to more singer-songwriter, alternative kind of things.

Question: Hello, Amber! I know your character has been getting a lot of negative attention, and I'm disappointed that they won't give your character a chance! Does Joss Whedon have any surprises in store for us concerning Tara?
Amber Benson: Well, all I can say is at the moment we are filming Tara's backstory, and I think you are all going to be in for a really big surprise. I'm on the set right now. I definitely think it's a big responsibility, and I only hope I can do it justice. I can only hope there are more role models for gay teenagers and young adults. They're doing it very responsibly on the set of "Buffy." I just hope I can live up to it.

Question: I vaguely remember a scene where Tara and Willow were banishing something; it didn't work, and Tara acted all evil on us. Why?
Amber Benson: They're going to have to wait for Tara's big episode. It will explain all.

Question: How did you first get into acting?
Amber Benson: I started as a dancer when I was a little kid. I realized I didn't like dancing as much as being onstage and having people clap for me. That's how I segued into acting, the shortened version.

Question: What is the difference between television and the big screen for you? Was it a big adjustment?
Amber Benson: TV moves a lot faster. They do -- what film does in three months, they do in eight days. You really have to be together; you have to know your lines and be in control of what's going on around you; whereas in film, you have a little more time to get things together. And you gotta hit your mark.

Question: Is that a real stutter? Or do you just do it for the character of Tara?
Amber Benson: It's real. Don't make fun. I'm kidding. It's not a real stutter, but there [are] a lot of people that do have [a] stutter. It personifies the shyness, the stuttering. It makes it easy for people to identify with her.

Question: Do you have a boyfriend or boyfriends?
Amber Benson: Not at the moment. I don't have a boyfriend. I'm preferring to go the single way for a while; it's much simpler and pleasant.

Question: How are you and Tara alike? Would you consider yourself a shy person or very outgoing?
Amber Benson: I was very shy when I was a kid. 'Cause I got into the dancing and acting, I realized you don't have to be shy -- you can put on a happy face and function. Even though my stomach starts screaming on the inside, I've learned to deal with it.

Question: Over here where I am, we don't get "Buffy" until 10PM EST. Is there anything you can tell us about the season opener?
Amber Benson: It's really cool. Nicholas Brendon is absolutely hysterical. He's funny, funny, funny -- you'll love it.

Question: Have you ever done any serious research on witchcraft? Did you believe in it before your part on BtVS, and do you believe in it now? I have always been a nonbeliever.
Amber Benson: Well, I was always very curious about the occult. I think lots of young people are, 'cause you're curious about dying. I was interested; I'm opened to believing, but I haven't seen anything to this point in my life.

Question: Hi, Amber! If you could remake any movie or make any book into a movie, which role would you love to play?
Amber Benson: I always loved Joan of Arc, and I was supposed to have had a stab at that, but I've gotten a little old right now. She was supposed to be 13, and I have a good 10 years on her. That's about it, I guess. Or maybe some film noir redo -- the "Thin Man" series. I could be Myrna Loy.

Question: I think your character, Tara, is a good addition to the show. I didn't think Willow would love anyone after Oz, but seeing Willow with your character proves me wrong.
Amber Benson: That's very sweet. I think you have to keep an open mind. When someone loves somebody, regardless of gender or race or religion, you should respect them. Love is love. We're all just jealous of Tara and Willow.

Question: Is your life any different now that you're a big, huge famous megastar, or are you still friendly with the little people, like your neighbors?
Amber Benson: My neighbors kick ass. I totally hang with my neighbors. If I ever got a swelled head, my mother would dunk it in the toilet so fast. I'm not a big movie star, just an actor that is really, really lucky.

Question: What is your all-time favorite movie? And do you have any pets? If so, what's its name?
Amber Benson: Favorite movie -- I love "Antonia's Line." I do have pets. I have a dog named Penny -- she's a Dalmatian; a calico cat named Benetton; and my dad has two other cats -- Eurythmic, who is Himalayan, and Brittany, who is a tabby cat.

Question: Are you planning to make any movies this year?
Amber Benson: I have two films coming out. One is "The Prime Gig" with Vince Vaughn, and another film a friend directed called "Hollywood, PA." It's one of the first independent films to be broadcast live on the Internet. The first one should be out in January, and the other one later next year. I'm always looking for new stuff.

Question: My friend is a huge fan of your show. What's the email or address she could write to for fan mail?
Amber Benson: I don't know offhand, but if you write to WB Television, they will definitely forward it. They're very slow, but I do get it.

Question: Is there anything that you've always wanted to do other than acting, like singing or something? Your character is so cute with Willow!
Amber Benson: Writing. I love to write. We're hopefully putting on a play next spring that I wrote. One of the guys -- Jeff, who was in the Watcher's council, who chased after Faith -- is going to be in it.

Question: Hiya, Amber! Firstly, I think that you're an *awesome* actress and individual. Secondly, can you give us a couple spoilers as to what's happening tonight and a few episodes from now?
Amber Benson: LOL. Well, all I can say is Buffy becomes a demon, and Dawn is really Nicholas Brendon's real sister, and there is going to be an all-naked "Buffy" in three weeks, and Joss Whedon is making a cameo in the third episode. He's going to be holding a toaster.

TV Guide Online: Thanks, Amber! LOL! We'll be watching!
Amber Benson: Enjoy the show tonight.