What would you ask Amber Benson?

I would really love to hear about her role on Buffy: when Joss told her and Alyson that they are to become lovers, what was her reaction?

how did she see the relationship progressing on screen and did she think there was room for Willow and Tara to show more physical affection earlier than shown, rather than go with what Joss went with, which was magic as metaphore for love/sex? If she could, would she change anything in the way it was written and how?

Does she think the treatment this relationship recieved from the writers was in any way different than the other, heterosexual relationships on the show?

How did she feel about Tara getting killed and its aftermath for Willow?

And finally - will she marry me (sadly, only kidding on this one). :)

I’m tongue-tied.  Could you ask her if she can undo a knot? 

Just kidding, looking forward to that interview Malinda.  Would like to know what's next on her plate?  You know, if it's not.....me?

sorry, couldn't help it.

What's her favorite word?

Does she know if she's going to appear in the "season 8" Buffy comic?

Between Chance and Lovers, Liars, and Lunatics, which was her favorite film to write/produce/act in?

ACK. Y'know, if I could meet one actress, Amber Benson would be it. She's amazing. It'd be really great if my brain didn't go completely blank after reading this blog. .________.;;

Anyway, good luck with the interview, MYSTERIOUS CONTRIBUTING WRITER. ;D

Can't wait to see Race You to the Bottom... along with everything else she has in the works.

Oh the possible questions...

"What was your favorite role to date?  Why?"

"What are your upcoming projects?" (ie.  Where can we next see you?) :)

 "What brought about your film 'Chance'?" What prompted the story and your desire to persue that wonderful project?

I'm sure I could come up with a billion questions but those three just jumped out at me.  Whoever gets to go interview her...you are a lucky lucky person.

"Nothing is impossible and there is no such thing as a lost cause"

I think I'll need a paper bag to breathe into. Luckily I can still type.

1.) Do you think that your pro-gay career opens or closes doors for you? Does it create some sort of 'glass-ceiling' effect or do you find that many people are coming to you with projects?

2.) What's more important for a novice writer/producer coming into Hollywood: gumption to make that crucial pitch on the spot, strong networking abilities, or a perfect script?

3.) Here's a geeky one: Do you keep in touch with any of your co-stars, especially from such "big-name" projects as 'Buffy' or 'Taboo'?

4.) Here's an extra geeky one: What music are you listening to right now? In your bio several years ago you listed Jeff Buckley as your favorite artist and my musical tastes have been forever changed for the better.

5.) Is it true: Southern girls are the best? =)

Now that I am done I must go "Squeeee!" around the living room.

Loved Amber Benson in "Once More With Feeling" episode of BTVS. Any musical projects in the pipeline?

Anymore collaborations with Christopher Golden?

Because I'm a dyke, I have to ask, you seem like a pet person - any pets? If so, what kinds?

Thanks for taking my questions.

Gosh. Lucky lucky person interviewing Ms. Benson.

Questions:

What's your favourite book?

Who's your favourite writer?

Who's your favourite musical artist?

Out of all the projects you've been involved in, which has been your favourite and why?

What was it like working on Girltrash?

Which has been the most challenging role so far in your career?

Can't wait to read the interview.

1.) Which character that you've played would you most likely have a lesbian relationship with, theoretically ?

2.) If you weren't acting, do you think you would still be in entertainment or outside of it?

3.) What prompted you become a vegetarian?

4.) Where do you see yourself in ten years?

5.) What is you favorite current band?

6.) How did you get involve with Angela Robinson's GirlTrash?

7.) Can you describe your character,Svetlana Dragovich, on GirlTrash?

8.) If you had creative license, how would you have altered the BTVPS storyline?

9.) What genre of movies or television do you enjoy the most?

Hopefully these aren't too many questions, I can't wait to see whose questions are chosen. Love Amber Benson......

Bia

I recall you mentioned previously that your favorite movie is "Antonia's Line"? If this is true, can you tell us why? Who's your favorite character and what's your favorite scene from the movie?

Can you respond to some dialogue that fans had regarding the topic of weight and body image on Buffy? Lots of folks seemed to feel that Tara was one of the few characters to demonstrate an appropriate image of "real women"- what do you think about this, and how has weight and body image played an issue in your career?

If you could write a phenomenal movie in which you would star as your dream character, what would your character be like and what sort of situation would she be in?

What was the casting process like for you as you proceeded through auditions for Buffy? Was Tara the original role you tried out for? When reading the slides, how did you envision her? What advice did Joss or any of the other actors offer on how to portray her? 

Oh my God, I adore Amber Benson beyond all reason. So does my little sister- she even named her bunny rabbit Tara. We always tune in to watch her when she does a guest spot on any show, like Cold Case and Supernatural.

Here are my questions:

When did you know you wanted to become an actress?

What would be your dream acting role?

Aside from Tara, who would you say was your favourite Buffy character?

What would you say is the most challenging role you've ever played?

I'm actually too excited to think of some sensible questions, but I've always wanted to know about her:

Some actors seem to gravitate toward certain type of roles (consciously or not), does she?

If yes, what's behind the pull?

If no, how does she keep herself interested/invested in the role(s)?

i can't believe they've opened up the forum for us to ask her questions... I guess I'll just have to rattle off my list of questions I've thought of asking her: (puts on journalist hat)

1. How did you get involved with Girltrash?

2. What drew you to work with the LGBT community on films?

3. How would you describe your fans?

4. What would you say has been your favorite role to play: whether on television, in movies, or in miniseries (eg: Girltrash)?

5. As a writer, what is your favorite genre to write for?

6. What do you miss the most about being a cast member on Buffy?

7. What upcoming films are you directing/writing/acting in?

8. What are some of your favorite television shows (besides Buffy-jk)?

oh amber...beautiful and talented. doesn't get much better than that.

i would ask:

who would be #1 on your own personal "afterellen.com hot 100 list"

~Renée

trust your heart if the seas catch fire ~ e.e. cummings

Holy crap she's hot. Anyway, I've been a fan for a bit now...all the way back to "The Crush". I'm also an Uber-Buffy fan...so that makes her golden in my book.

Ah yes, the questions:

- Favorite Indie movie (that you weren't involved with)?

- Favorite book/author?

- Favorite Buffy episode?

- Why didn't Tara make a come back? I mean...how many times did Buffy die?

- Would you take part in a Buffy movie or "reunion" ep? Wishful thinking...

- How did you feel about Kennedy pushing up on your character's woman only a couple months after she died? How rude...

- What are your thoughts the "Once more with feeling" sing-alongs?

- And just because I can't help myself... Making out with Alyson Hannigan awesome, no?

- I'd ask you to marry me, but someone already beat me to it...*sigh* lol :)

I am what I am. Love me or hate me. Just consider me.

I am in the same camp of those that are suddenly short of breath and a little tongue-tied.  I don't have any new questions to add to those above. 

I will throw in another marriage proposal though.  Give the girl some options.  ;) 

*goes ring shopping*

ETA:  Okay, I guess I have a question.  I'm not sure how to pose the wording though.

There are mixed feelings in the fandom regarding Tara returning to the Buffyverse via the Season 8 comic.  Would you like to see Tara return to the fold?  If yes, how would you like to see her return and/or be portrayed?  Do you still feel an investment in how Tara is remembered and/or developed?

Ohhh, being able to talk to Amber... so jealous :)

1) If you could do any project with anyone (dead or alive) what would it be, and who would it be with?

2) Would you ever consider doing Theatre (especially Broadway) over movies?

3) Would you ever do another TV show, or was Buffy enough for you?

4) Are you up to playing any other lesbian roles in the future?

5) What is it like to work with so many other well known lesbian icons in GirlTrash?

6) Do you plan on attending any more fan conventions (whether it be a ComicCon/DragonCon for the sci-fi world, or anything from the lesbian world) in the future? (please, please, please, please, please?)

--What is the writing process like for you? Do you start with an outline of some sort? Do you write the story linearly from beginning to end, or do you start with ideas or scenes that interest you and fill in from there? Or some other method I can't even fathom?

--Not that I don't adore Christopher Golden, but have you ever considered writing a novel on your own?

--Any chance of getting copies of the plays you have written?

--What is your favorite genre to read? Or are you a complete reading whore who will read anything? :)

--I am joining the plea for another con appearance. I am suffering from a definite lack of Amber contact. I'll even buy dinner.

Also: Here is a shameless plug to the readers of this fine blog for The Essence of Amber, Amber's official discussion forum. You can find all kinds of info about Amber and her projects and appearances, as well as meeting hundreds of other Amberholics.

http://p092.ezboard.com/The-Essence-of-Amber-Forum/bamberbenson

I always thought that Amber played Tara in Buffy beautifully. She made shy people and especially me not feel so bad about not knowing what to say.

I think someone already asked this but what was it like being the only or one of the only people on Buffy who did not fit the stereotypical weight of an actress and how did that make you feel?

Also What do you feel like you've acomplished in life that is worth rerembering to you?

Everyone took my questions... All I have left is-

Amber, Why are you so awesome?

- and I stole that one.

"I can explain why I like, but not why I love."

Amber is my favorite actress, and when I finally have a chance to possibly ask her a question, nothing comes to mind.  Argh.

I haven't gotten to check all of the questions, so I apologize if this is a repeat, but the only thing I can think to ask is this:

What is your dream project, whether in film, writing, or whatever?

what do you enjoy about working on comics?

in what way is the working process different from working on a movie/for tv.

about the tv-series: would you have liked to portray tara different in some aspects that joss didn't want? if yes, what would you have changed?

I truly do have mad love for Amber Benson and BTVS in general.  My questions are as follows:  1.  What do you think of the Buffy fanbase that is still so fanatical after all these years?  2.  Do you feel that support from the LBGT community has helped or hurt your career?  3.  Do you keep in touch with any castmates from Buffy?  4.  UBER-Geek question:  Who really COULD NOT sing when it came time to do the musical episode?

Everyone took my question! Well, I still have a couple :P Thank you, AfterEllen, for this opportunity! Amber, you ROCK!!!

- Your impact as Tara had a huge impact and a whole generation of lesbian/bisexual viewers. Did you think you’d have this much of an impact when you picked up the role? 

- The Willow/Tara relationship inspired a lot of fan-fiction. (stories written by fans of a show, centring on a favourite pair, where the characters explore situations outside of the show.) Have you every read any of it and if you did, what did you think of it (and the concept of fan-fiction itself)? 

-  Were you prepared for the huge fan base you gathered from your Buffy days and how does it make you feel you hold a special place in so many peoples hearts? 

Who you gonna be if you can't be yourself,
you can't get it from t.v., you can't force it on
anybody else.-- Ani Difranco

There were rumours that Joss planned to bring you back in season 7 but you were busy at the time, if you wern't that busy would you have gone back to appear in Buffy?

What did you think of kissing another girl in front of the camera?

(because most of the "responsible" - for lack of a better word - interview questions seem to be covered)

1. If you got sucked into Harry Potter-land and zapped into a 1st year student at Hogwarts, what house do you think you'd get sorted into?

2. If you were able to be somebody else for one day and get a glimpse into their life, who would it be?

3. What's your favorite vegetable? Or fruit. I wouldn't want to discriminate.

And I have to ask because I have no shame - Will you sing to me, like Tara sang to Willow? (a girl can dream, right? too bad there are no musical causing demons just lying around waiting to be summoned...)

Yay! An interview with Amber! :D

* I heard you're going to star in a Dutch movie. Are you excited about shooting in the Netherlands? And have you ever been here before? Can we come visit you on the set? ;)

* Will you be attending any (European) conventions this fall by any chance? ;)

* What is the last weird gossip you heard/read about yourself?

* What was the last concert you went to?

==============================================
Everybody knows that good news always sleeps 'till noon

She is lovely, i met her at a signing here in my town. She is so small and cute in person, and her mother is hilarious :-D

Obviously,  Amber has a huge following within the LGBT community as a result of her fantastic portrayal of Tara Maclay in BTVS. Given her multiple talents as an actor, director, writer and producer, has she ever considered - or will she ever consider - writing, directing and acting in a movie with a fully-fledged lesbian theme?

Amber!!

Out of all the lines you had to learn.. do you have a line or a dialogue you keep repeating in your head because you like it so much??  (please a Willow-Tara quote!! *fingerscross*)

When I read all of these questions and when I see how massive the reaction to you as a person really is -you have about 50 proposals on this page lol- does it annoy you or flatter you that the gay community is so in love with you? (I don't recommend for you to say that it annoys you.. it's just that I could imagine that as a  (yet) heterosexual person it could be quite unpleasant to walk down the street and have an escort of 5 dykes for the next 20 blocks.. most likely would I be one of them..haha)... So do you feel we mistake you for a lesbian sometimes? 

Well.. I guess none of us would mind if you were.. ;) 

Another one:

I have to say that the Willow-Tara relationship was just one of the most beautiful told stories on TV for a long time, and for me, being a young gay teenager, this relationship meant a lot more. I mean, we all watch tv and are eager to find something as perfect and beautiful as portrayed... and most of the time the relationships that are shown on TV are between a man and a woman and that leaves us gay people with a feeling of loneliness and anger and unhappiness. And it might sound stupid but this very relationship being portrayed as something as precious and beautiful as it was, meant so much to me and to a lot of other gay people because it was shown that a gay relationship is just as fulfilling and just as much worth as a heterosexual one.

When Tara died -and this is going to sound very quirky and tacky but i was un-outed and a small little gay teenager searching for acknowledgement- but there was something inside of me that mourned for very long time. It was not just that this character was dead, it was that I put so much hope in that thought that this relationship is working and there is nothing bad about that and all of a sudden Tara is being killed... leaving me with that feeling that there IS something bad about it that has to die. (I told you: quirky teenager-logic) 

So, to my questions.. are you aware of the impact of Tara and Willow?

Did you talk to Joss whether it was neccessary to kill her?

Don't you think that the way she died was way too brutal and cruel?

Did you cry on your last day of shooting?

are you sad about the way the realtionship was brought to an end??

Thank you for not returning as evil!!! :):):)

This is another reason why I love AfterEllen, all of the interactiveness of it all!

Questions for Amber that center around writing:

1. How does she keep motivated to write, or does she have no problem with finding motivation?

2. When it comes to writing stories and/or collaborating with other writers/artists does she find that she has more constraints with time or with motivation?

3. Has she ever had writer's block? If so, how did she defeat it?

4. Who has been her favorite person to collaborate with?

Questions for Amber that center around acting/directing:

1. I know that Amber has directed two movies. What really catalyzed her interest in directing films?

2. Strictly Sexual (the movie) has had some of its promotional materials filtering through the web at large. Could she talk about the characters and the movie? Why would someone want to see this movie?

3. Which acting project is she going to do next?

4. Does she have any plans to direct another film in the near future?

Personal Questions for Amber:

1. As a woman in showbiz, how do you deal with the pressures of your life? What do you do to relax after a hard day's work?

2. Are there people out there who you feel have paved the way for the type of work you do?

It would figure I wouldn't see this thread 'til 5 minutes before deadline...

 1. Has Amber read any of the latest Season 8 Buffy Comics? 'Cause they're awesome!

2. Is Amber going to be writing any more comics in the future?

3. This is statement more than a question LOL I just read a recent little interviewer asking about Amber's queer fanbase and geek fanbase and how much crosses over. But, there are also queer geeks--like myself--which I have now decided to call "queeks".

Ok, so I am MADLY in love with Amber Benson and my partner doesn't like it but I digress....

Does your working relationship with Angela Robinson mean there could potentially be any guest appearances for you on The L Word in the future? If they offered, would you do it?

I am currently enjoying a warm blueberry muffin, and I'd like to share it with the lovely Amber Benson. Would she prefer the muffin stump or the muffin top?

"There is no formula. You learn to love by loving. "
Aldous Huxley

Do you find it hard to be so amazing?

Other people have said that being cool is hard, so I'm wondering how you deal with the pressure.

*chuckle*

Do you find it hard to be so amazing?

Other people have said that being cool is hard, so I'm wondering how you deal with the pressure.

*chuckle*

*BOOM!!!*

Sorry, my mind just exploded at the thought of asking Amber Benson questions and actually getting a response...

Okay, better now... *smirk*

Question 1:  Will you be making a return visit to the CW series, "Supernatural" this coming season?

Question 2:  Since you are a writer of comics...Have you been asked, or have YOU asked, to work on the "Buffy" Season 8 comics?  If so, would you bring back your character of Tara as a ghost, or some such enitity, just to bring some closure to the character's storyline?

Question 3:  What is your next directorial project?

Question 4:  Have you seen any of the other "Buffy" actors since it ended?

And, question 5 has nothing to do with entertainment...Your portrayal of "Tara" has brought you much respect from the gay and lesbian community; but, have you received any reaction from the Wiccan community over your role as a witch?  I ask this because, being a neo-pagan myself; I always found your character of Tara to be a very positive portrayal of what a pagan "should" be.

Thank you, Amber.