Real Name: AMBER WHITERBRIDGE Birthplace: APPALOOSA PLAINS Age: 28 Traits: EVIL, CHARISMATIC, DAREDEVIL, FLIRTY, IMPRESSIONABLE. If you’re looking for a dark sci-fi story with epic fights between good and evil, this movie is definitely gonna catch you! After his “Priest” and other amazing creations, the SS Productions team rejoins SIFF with another dark tale filled with strong, ancient themes. Interview and photos by ChristieL. (A special thanks to SS for sharing his pictures with us).
Ch : Amber! Welcome to our second issue of the spring! I heard a lot about "The time machine", and from the trailer it seems that it will definitely be outstanding! Can you tell us something more about this incredible movie? Am : Thank you. I'm excited to be here. The Time Machine is a big budget movie, which was scary for me, being unknown in the industry. I'm not allowed to reveal too much but it is basically about a demonic apocalypse, a battle between humans and demons, and humans are losing the war. The monastery is mankind's only hope, and they have a plan to save the world from Photos by SS Productions evil. They must fight this evil, not in the present, but in the past, to stop it from happening in the first place. The Time Machine is a mix between sci-fi and dark, supernatural fantasy with a thought provoking script. I play the role of Amelia, or rather a dual role. That's all I can say. Sorry.
Ch: We read in your biography that you grew up on a farm and then you moved to town. Most of our readers want to know; is it difficult dealing with a life like that? I'm personally afraid of cows! *giggles* Am: (laughs) Cows are harmless, honestly. They are quite sweet, docile creatures. I actually miss life on the farm, and I miss the animals. The city is daunting in comparison; everyone seems to be in such a rush and it is so compact. I miss the tranquility of the farm and the beautiful landscape. Although I love my home, I had to move to the city if I wanted to make a career of acting. I didn't want to end up married to a farmer, always wondering if I should have followed my dream.
Ch: We also heard about the...uhm...circumstance of the meeting with the talent scout...and about your incredible talent even it was your very first attempt in acting. Have you had other experiences on the stage? Am: Oh yes (laughs). That talent scout was insane. It was purely by accident that he found me. He had a flat tire and our farm happened to be close by. The thing I remember most was Photo by SS Productions how he kept on staring at me. My father was about to reach for his shotgun when the scout explained about The Time Machine. He thought I looked and sounded perfect for the role of Amelia. He asked me to read a few lines. As soon as I glanced at those lines I wanted this role, and I seemed to become Amelia. The scout sat in silence after my performance, with tears in his eyes. I didn't know if this was a good or bad thing. Apparently it was a good thing (laughs) and I was offered the role on the spot. Although I have some acting experience, these were only small productions in the local village hall. A world apart from a big budget movie. I was terrified, and excited. I imagined SS Productions as a scary director but he was just a regular guy, very down to Earth,
Ch: Now, back to "the time machine". The team said it'll be "A full length movie" Tell us your opinion about it. Dealing with a lot of characters and shots is like a jump in the dark, don't you think? Am: The Time Machine is SS Production's most complex work so far. The movie is around one hour long, is fully voice acted and has a lot of complex effects and techniques. I didn't think the crew would have enough time but they all worked extremely hard to make this movie happen. SS Productions hired a small island to film the movie on location. Photos by SS Productions
The scenery is truly breathtaking, incredibly beautiful, and reminded me of home. There was a large, impressive building on top of a hill which made a perfect monastery. The island folk were wary at first, they didn't like strangers on their island, but they soon warmed to us and even helped with the movie. The village dressmaker made some fantastic costumes for me and the rest of the cast. Without their help, the movie wouldn't have been completed in time. I also overheard SS Productions mention something about 'running out of hard disk space' (puzzled look). I had no idea what he was talking about but it sounded serious. Ch: tell us three of the most incredible/awkward things that happened to you since you jumped on this boat. Am: Well, we were on schedule and had just finished working on a difficult scene which had taken a few days to film. SS Productions checked the footage on his laptop and decided he didn't like the location. As a consequence we had to re-film the whole scene all over again. He works us hard, but he works insanely hard himself. I don't think I ever saw him sleep. Another thing happened when we were filming outside. An ice cream truck drove on by, right in the middle of the scene. Normally, this wouldn't matter but the scene is supposed to be set around 600 years in the past, and I don't think they had ice cream trucks at that time. Another thing which happened and really surprised me was one of the other cast. He was so polite and thoughtful. Let's just say that I wasn't looking for romance, it just happened. No names though, I promised not to tell. (shy smile)
Ch: Let's talk about your past. We read you've been on the stage more than once during your childhood. Can you remember how you started acting? Am: Because I grew up in a small village the school, being rural, didn't have many children. So most of us ended up having to act in school plays. I remember the first production I starred in was written by my teacher. This play was about 3 sisters, their life on a farm and how one of the sisters wanted to escape the farm and become an actress on Broadway. I guess that play inspired my own aspirations but I never thought it would actually happen. These things normally happen to others. I guess fate intervened the day the scout had a flat tire (grins).
Ch: Well, thanks for sharing with us your talent today. I can’t wait to see this awesome movie! Have fun at SIFF and good luck for your further projects! Am: Thanks for the opportunity. It has been a real pleasure *smiles*. “THE TIME MACHINE”: Trailer More from SS productions: