Esme Bianco – Chat Transcript

Ok I have editted down the transcript of Livecloud chat with Esme, by tyring to make it linear, cutting out repeated stuff and chaff, and focusing only on Game of Thrones  related stuff. If anyone feels mortified I have done this and it upsets them let me know.

For those who dont know Esme is playing the character Ros a New Character for the TV show who is not in the books. Ros is a ermmm ladyfriend of Tyrion Lannister, and it is unknown if she will feature in any later episodes if the series gets picked up.

What would be your dream role?
hmm
I always fancied being Elizabeth Bathory! Or Miss Havisham when I get old!
It’s hard for me to come up with a dream role, because I love having to work around a character I never even though of, or imagined being

That could be an odd transition – on stage, where gratification is immediate – to television or movies where you really don’t know what the reaction will be. Is that transition hard?
Yes, it can be hard About Yea High. I think that I’ve been modelling for lone enough to get used to not seeing the fruits of your labour for some time and not getting that immediate feedback but it can be tough working in front of the camera. A good director will ease this transition though

Is there anyone you would really like to work with?
I would absolutely LOVE to work with Tim Burton. I think he has the most superb artistic vision, and seems to see take things out of my imagination and put them on screen

Yeah, he’s brilliant, plus working with Burton almost gurantess you get to work with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter, lol
haha, well yes, I think most actresses would love to work with Mr Depp!

As which character?
A young version of the Queen! ORFF wit’ ‘er ‘EAD! I’d also love to work with Jonathan Glazer

How was your time on set for game of thrones. did those guys know what they were doing!?
My time on set was fantastic, I had such a nice time, and was very sad to leave.

What was it like working with Peter Dinklage?
It was excellent and very easy to work with as an actor. He kept me chuckling all day long.

A question about A Game of Thrones: did you get any indication that you may be showing up in later episodes or seasons should the show be greenlit after the pilot? There are a number of scenes/locations in the books where it could be appropriate for Ros to show up again.
In terms of my character coming back I really don’t know I very much hope so, and I hope it’s not out of the realms of possibility. But nothing is confirmed. The good news is that Ros isn’t killed off in the first episode!

For the Game of Thrones production, was your scene filmed at the Paint Hall studio in Belfast? It’s a massive space — what did you think of it and the sets that were built there?
No, I didn’t film at the studio – we filmed on location

Were there any greenscreens on the set where you recorded your scene with Dinklage?
No greenscreens

And more importantly, why were you knee deep in mud on location for an interior brothel scene!?
haha! Apparently that tweet was the cause of much confusion! when I arrived on location it was chucking it down with rain – so of course there were puddles – lots of puddles! But that’s not to say we were shooting outside

Did you get a chance to read the whole pilot script or did you just have sides for your part?
No I read the whole script The script was really amazing. They have a very talented team of writers, who are on set the whole time – they’re very supportive

You have to understand, a lot of us are getting our impressions of your scene off of scripts that are probably very old.
ah ok – so have the scripts been released?

Have you read the novel(s) ?
No I haven’t yet. I have a copy but it keeps getting swiped every time I want to get started on it!

Not too hard to become blonde and scruffy nowadays. Brings up a question/observation: you tend to have a chameleonic look (based on your website images). What was the styling like for Ros, other than very little wardrobe requirements obviously…

Well – I think it’s safe to say that Ros probably looks most like the ‘au natural’ Esmé, if that makes sense….

How did you get involved with GOT. What was the audition process like?
I have three auditions, which came through my agent

how do you find auditions?
they were really nice auditions actually, as far as auditions go! The scene was constantly being rewritten, so each time I auditioned the scene was slightly different, auditions vary enormously, some can be great fun, some are just totally terrifying, humiliating and best forgotten about!

You mingled with fans a bit after your shoot. Any plans to be part of a publicity run if/when the series is picked up. I know some folks in the states who would *love* to get their photos taken with you.
Yes, I’d love to be involved in publicity if HBO offer me the opportunity. It would be natural if they choose to focus more on the main characters though…

Do you find HBO seems to have a greater confidence in the abilities of its casting directors compared to others you’ve seen?
@About Yea High well it’s hard to say – as I am a relatively minor character I just auditioned with the casting directors rather than anyone from HBO – as I know was the case with some actors who were reading for the main parts. But the casting directors have done a GREAT job

Have you met George R. R. Martin when he came to visit the filming locations ?
Yes I met George – he is such a sweetheart. He obviously really loves his fans – he made such a big effort with them in Belfast.

Did you get the feeling that quite a bit of money was being invested in the pilot from your experience and what you may have seen while in Belfast?
It would be tough to say Legion, as I was only there for such a short period. But I definitely think HBO are making sure they get it right
Well I guess that depends on if you mean large production by money spent/reputation

what kinds of differences are there working on a bigger production like this, than say, commercials or music videos?
@Jill – the difference is always money. The bigger the production the more luxurious the shoot!
better food, often more set, extras etc
I would say more time, but music videos for example are ALWAYS a rush!

i read somewhere you were at a table read, and that it was the entire script, with most of the actors present. can you detail this at all? who was missing, how were accents, any standouts, etc.?
Drago was missing at that time I don’t think casting had been finalised
all of the kids stood out – they were amazing

And did you get to meet Sean Bean? Is he really capable of melting your face with his acting as they say he is?
Yes I met Sean – he is a very charismatic man. I wasn’t sat that close to him in the read through so he didn’t get to melt me! but he is certainly as talented as you’d expect