Throwback Thursday: Jessica Amlee responds to fan questions! (December 2009)
Q: Hi Jessica, my question for you is, what is one funny thing that has happened while on the set of Heartland that you think should be included in a blooper reel on the next DVD? Thanks and congrats on a wonderful third season! Your character is still as funny as ever. "Do you have to be so harsh? I just lost a loved one." So sad, but so funny when Mallory was talking about her chicken. Posted by: Kathryn on November 30, 2009 at 12:06 PM
A: Thanks for the question Kathryn! Well this is kind of embarrassing but here we go. The scene where Badger kissed me they used a real butterfly. Some of the crew members were joking around that the butterfly was angry, I knew they were joking but then I got it in my head. So when they let the butterfly free of course it lands on my hand. I shook my hand and it wouldn't get off, so I screamed and did some kind of weird dance to get it off. Everyone laughed except me...
Q: Hey Jessica. Congrats on Heartland. You do an amazing job on the show and we look forward to it every week. My question to you is: What's it like doing scenes with Shaun Johnston (Grampa Jack)? You two are so good together. You make us laugh every week. Thanks! Posted by: Sid on November 30, 2009 at 12:37 PM
A: I love this question because I'm glad you like watching our scenes as much as we like filming them. Shaun is like a second dad both on the show and in real life. We get along just like how we do on the show, so it makes the scenes we do together very easy. We often end up laughing ourselves!
Q: Hey Jessica! you are such a good actress on the show!!!! You are so silly and fun!!!! My question is: Are you outgoing and bubbly in real life our are you more shy and calm? Thanks, Court. Posted by: Courtney on November 30, 2009 at 02:22 PM
A: Thanks Courtney! This is kind of hard to answer because my mood changes a lot. I am pretty goofy and I'm sure my friends and family could back that up, but sometimes I am calm. I can get shy pretty easily but not around people that are close to me.
Q:Hey Jessica! Wow, you've had so much experience already as an actress and you've still got so many more incredible years ahead of you! =) ~Is there some other career that you may be interested in pursuing in the future, or are you an Actress all the way? Keep up the great work! I look forward to seeing you in many more projects to come! I am an actress as well, though not nearly as experienced as you yet. Maybe we will work together one day. =) Posted by: Laura on November 30, 2009 at 03:02 PM
A: I hope we one day get to work together! I have been acting since I was 4. I don't really see the point in stopping any time soon when I have worked so hard at this one occupation. I would love to direct or even produce, behind the camera stuff. If I were to choose one thing if i weren't in the business I would be a highschool counsellor, or something with kids.
Q: I love love you in Heartland. You like totally rock..... you are so one of my favourite characters. Hm mm lets see.... we saw in Season 1 that Mallory does not like horse poo... so had you ever been around horses or ridden one before Heartland or did you have to learn to ride ?? Posted by: jen on November 30, 2009 at 03:20 PM
A: I have been around horses all my life and rode them since I was little. My friends and I worked at a barn like three years ago so we could take free vaulting lessons. So I have cleaned up my fare share of stables (unfortunately).
Q: Hi Jessica! First of all you are amazing! I love your character and the way you play her! I have many favourite lines from her! My question is: Do you and 'Mallory' have anything in common? If yes, then what?
Thanks! Savanah from Ontario! :) Posted by: Savanah on November 30, 2009 at 03:43 PM
A: That is very sweet Savanah. I think our biggest thing in common would be our sarcasm and sense of humour. Our biggest difference is - I don't like getting in other peoples business. I have learned it just gets you into trouble. Mallory hasn't really got that concept yet :P
Q: Hey Jessica! I'm a big fan, and want to become an actress one day too. You are one of my biggest inspirations. I ADORE Heartland! :) My question is: Do you have any advice on how to get there (being an actress). Cuz I live in a small town in NB, Canada. And there are no managers or auditions. Thanks, Rebecca Posted by: Rebecca on November 30, 2009 at 05:15 PM
A: Hey Rebecca =)! If there are no agencies or auditions go for school plays and expand your acting ability however you can. Even doing things like learning monologues from your favourite movies or shows can help a lot. So if you ever really wanted to pursue acting you can move to one of the cities and you'll already have some skills you have learned yourself.
Q: Hello Jessica, I think you are an amazing actor and you add spice to Heartland! My question is: If you were to have any horse from Heartland (season 1, 2 or 3) which one would it be? Mine would be Spartan or Pirate (I have asked Jack this question already though but I was wondering what it would be for you.) xoxo Posted by: Christie on November 30, 2009 at 05:25 PM
A: I would have to say Copper just because he is my horse on the show and I have rode him for three years. His real name is Midget (Midgy) and we are pals and although he is slow, I love him anyway.
Q: Hey Jessica! My question is: Which guy would you rather have Mallory go out with, Badger or Jake? Posted by: Lizzie on November 30, 2009 at 05:36 PM
A: I think that both their characters have great qualities. Jake is the gentleman and Badger is the rebel, their totally opposite! So I don't know ahahaa, I call a tie! =)
Q: Hi, Jessica! As so many others here have mentioned, you've made an incredibly entertaining character out of Mallory Wells, and Heartland would not be the same without her. I think you're incredibly talented, and hope you have a very rewarding career should you choose to make acting your life's work. Now, I'm aware that there was no 'Mallory Wells' in the Lauren Brooke book series, so here's my question: Did you have any expectations or hopes and fears when the show first began about how fans of the book version of Heartland might react to your character? (We all know how fans can be about TV/movie adaptations of beloved books, right?) Thanks for taking the time to answer fan questions! -TC Posted by: TC on November 30, 2009 at 09:23 PM
A: Wow thanks a lot TC! Maybe now I would have that fear, but I was twelve when the show started. We didn't even have an audience yet! I was more in lala land that I got to work on a great show, so it never really crossed my mind. They needed a younger generation for the show, so I was happy to take the part!
Q: Hey Jessica! Well I have to say you play the funniest character ever! You are amazing! Any who my question is... who is your favourite singer or band? Love you and thanks. Kohl xo Posted by: Kohl on November 30, 2009 at 09:51 PM
A: Well thankyou Kohl =). My favourite bands would have to be The Beatles, Kings of Leon, Mgmt and currently Rascall Flatts. I am going through a huge country music obsession right now. Cow town is starting to get to me!
Q: You make the character of Mallory hilarious, all I can think of is you kissing Ty before going away to your boarding school - I actually laughed so much! What has been your favourite episode out of all three seasons? Posted by: Emma on December 01, 2009 at 04:10 AM
A: I love the first episode of the second season. It still gives me chills when the wild horse walks out of the dark to TY and then Ty looks at the house and Amy turns her light off, gaaah I love it so much!
Q: Hi Jessica! I really enjoy your performance as Mallory. I think what I really admire is that you make Mallory really funny, but you also make her more than funny. She's not a comic sidekick, and she's not a somewhat annoying neighbourhood kid who sole purpose is comic relief. Instead, she becomes a real person who is as important to the viewers as any of the older characters. We all really care about Mallory as much as we enjoy the humour she adds. Everyone is interested in Mallory's love triangle, and even though someone has already referred to this, my question would have to be about that episode with Badger/Jack Knight. Was that your first kiss scene in a production and what was it like, as an actress, to perform a scene like that? I'm no actor, but I've been in a few amateur film productions and I can just imagine that filming a scene like that could be embarrassing and really hard. Or was it fun? Posted by: Key on December 01, 2009 at 10:38 AM
A: Thanks a lot Key! That scene could have been really awkward since both Jack's mom and my mom were watching... (against our will). I get along very well with Jack. He's a very cool and sweet person. Plus we had a great director Dean Bennett, so it wasn't uncomfortable. I think how it was edited and written made it a great first kiss for Mallory.
Q: Here's my question: Were you impatient for Mallory to become a more mature character (being involved in a love triangle, having family problems, etc), with more demanding acting skills? In season 1, of course, Mallory was basically the comic relief, whereas now she's getting a little more drama... which you're portraying very well! Good job, girl, and keep up the great work. Posted by: Twe on December 02, 2009 at 07:55 AM
A: Yeah I love challenging myself as an actress, although being the comic relief can be fun. I don't want to add too much drama to Mallory because I think she is smart enough to stay away from all that. For me though personally before Heartland all the shows and movies I ever did were dramatic and serious. Mallory is my first funny character and I've learnt a lot.
Q: Hey Jessica! like everyone else had said, great job with your character, and thanks for all the hard work you do:) my question is: what do you like to do on set when you aren't busy filming?? Posted by: cou on December 02, 2009 at 01:24 PM
A: When I am not busy filming my favourite thing to do is be with my friends and family. I live in Vancouver so when I get home I try to do nothing but go to my high-school and be with my friends (who are the greatest in the world!). Board games with my dad, mom and brother are fun pastimes of mine too =) Also going to the gym with my best friend Maddie is a new ritual.
Q: Hey, first I want to send you some greetings from Germany. Every Friday night I'm waiting to watch Heartland. The show is great and I really enjoy your character discussing with Jack. It's always fun. Now my question: Do you enjoy riding Copper and is he like your own horse to you? Thank you very much for answering the questions! Posted by: Nienna on December 03, 2009 at 01:17 PM
A: My family on my mother's side is from Germany, my grandpa even taught me some German! I love Copper (Midgy) he is so gentle and wise. We get each other, sort of a connection. I would say Midget is like my own horse, I care about him like he is anyway.
Q: Hey Jessica. First I have to say you are doing a really good job. So I was wondering what would you consider as your dream role and why? Keep up your good work! XOXO Posted by: Charlotte on December 03, 2009 at 03:19 PM
A: Thanks Charlotte! My dream job would be anything to do with action and stunts. Scenes that would keep me on my toes!
Q: Hey Jessica! you are a really funny character to watch on the show and I was wondering if acting was something that you had always wanted to do or if you just stumbled upon it? Posted by: Holly on November 30, 2009 at 08:35 PM
A: Hey Holly! Ever since I was four years old I wanted to act because of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson (Full House was my favourite show). I told my mom and she found me an agent the next week. As I have gotten older it has become more of a passion then a "job".
Q: Hi Jessica. I'd just like to say thank you for all the amazing work you do on Heartland. Mallory is amazing - you act her very very well! Okay, now for my question - Is it hard fitting schoolwork around filming? Thanks! Posted by: 3blindmice on December 01, 2009 at 12:57 AM
A: Yes it can be, but luckily I have a great tutor on set with me (Sandra). When I am home though I go to my high school just like every other grade ten student.
Q: Hey Jessica :) I wanted to tell you that I think you are doing an amazing job portraying Mallory, and I love the way you have helped her grow up. She is so much more mature than she was in the first season. You are also hilarious! My favourite parts of the episodes are when Mallory is taking things way out of context or making things overly dramatic. I also wanted to tell you in a non- awkward way, which is impossible, that you are so pretty! haha. Now for the question: What does a typical day consist of while you are working on an episode? What part is your favourite? Posted by: Madeleine Smith on November 30, 2009 at 06:55 PM
A: That was sweet, thanks Madeleine! It is usually an early morning. I go to hair and make-up, put my wardrobe on. Then most of the times I go to school after that, then to do scenes, then home. My favourite part is doing the scenes when there is a lot of cast members, they are the most fun!
Q: Love how you play Mallory!!! She is hilarious. Q: In real life do you try to fix everyone's problems or do you hate when people meddle in others lives? Love the show!!!! Posted by: Donna on December 01, 2009 at 07:24 AM
A: Hey Donna! When it comes to people having problems I like to keep out of their business. I like to think I am not a snoopy person, because I don't really like when people gossip or try to change what you believe. I think there is a difference between giving advice and being snoopy aha.
Q: How did you get to be on the cast of Heartland? Posted by: Kristin on December 01, 2009 at 04:42 PM
A: I was lucky enough for the head of CBC to want me to audition for the part. I met with Heather Conkie the show runner and writer. I guess she thought I did an okay job! The next week I was off to Calgary.
Q: First off I just want to mention how happy I am that Heartland is a Canadian show! Jessica, you're brilliant as Mallory! My question is, if you could be a character in any novel, who would you be and why? -Looking forward to more great Mallory moments in the show. Posted by: Chelsea on December 01, 2009 at 05:18 PM
A: Thank Chelsea! If I could be a character from any novel it would have to be one of Sara Zarr's novels. She is my favourite author. She tends to write very strong and independent female characters. They always go through huge dilemmas and come out stronger.
Thanks to everyone for the great questions!!!
- Jessica
Mallory: We need to immobilize your arm.
Badger: You sound like you know what you're doing.
Mallory: Lou made me take a first aid course when I first started working at Heartland. -- This might throw a wrench in your riding lessons with Jamie.
Badger: What?
Mallory: You know... You and her...
Badger: Are you kidding? The only reason I'm taking lessons is so I can go riding with you.
Mallory: Oh...
