Red Gum Interview - Valley of the Sun [Article printed to an online entertainment journal, 17 May 2013]
The day is strangely overcast as I flash my visitor’s pass at the security gates to Red Gum Studios, a middling-sized film lot in the heart of Anaheim, California where I am due to meet popular culture icon, Zelda Hyrule. We’re discussing her involvement in Valley of the Sun (in production), a new western film highlighting action, romance and drama.
It’s a madhouse out front and I have to give my name spelling it two different ways before I’m whisked beyond the barrier away from mere mortals and into the wild, wild west. A world smelling of cow pies and baked beans.
Though a tour of the set is breathtaking - I’m especially impressed by the functioning stagecoach and sounds of real steel spurs clanking down barn-wood boardwalks - I’m beyond thrilled to be ushered inside the studio for lunch. We’re offered the use of a conference room but I want to be in the action, as close to on camera as I am ever likely to get, and choose instead to meet with Zelda at craft services.
I’m seated by the time she arrives, a giant cup of coffee glued in her left fist, shaking my hand with her right. She’s wearing a smock over vintage costumes designed by Bernadette Baron, a precaution against food and drink stains. The shooting schedule is extremely tight.
I start by asking her how she’s enjoying the project.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be working on it!” she proclaims, setting down her coffee so she can speak uninterrupted. “We’re shooting it now through mid-June and even though I came in after the project was well underway, I feel like I’ve been accepted into the gang.”
She grins widely, the straightest teeth I’ve seen since late nineties Invisalign commercials and continues, “I’ve met some amazing, truly incredible people on the set, both in front of and behind the camera. The level of talent blows my mind!”
I mention she must be one of the great talents and Zelda just blushes, shaking her head and dismissing the compliment entirely like a well-trained leading lady feigning modesty. But there’s nothing false about her; completely down to earth, endearing to the last girlish giggle.
This is her very first film role, she explains, commenting on the exceptionally long hours and how she isn’t quite used to rising before the chickens (of which there are dozens roaming the set). She does mention her horseback riding skills, however, childhood pastime now a coveted line on her resume and proving useful on this particular project.
“I hate to use a cliche, but it’s a lot like riding a bicycle!”
Luckily, cliches are only overused because of how true they have proven, a fact which I point out before asking her more about the stunt work which comprises a significant portion of the day’s filming schedule I’m handed upon arrival.
“So far I’ve been doing all my own stunts,” Zelda beams proudly - as well she should! Though body doubles are on hand, our budding star mentions she’s refused ever last offer. “I know they have one and a lot of the time I think it might be easier and faster for them if they do call her! But I’m really glad that I’ve been given the chance to try all of this on my own. The challenge is good for me. I’m learning so much!”
Our food arrives via overeager, over acne-ed pages: spring salad and lemon fish fillet and it is refreshing to see Zelda dig in without pretense and eat. Between bites I ask what her biggest challenges have been so far as she clearly has no trouble staying stick thin with such a healthy appetite.
“The acting!” We both laugh but Zelda could not be more serious. “No, really. I think I might be putting a lot of pressure on myself, since I want to prove myself worthy, not just play at it, like some of my critics have claimed. I can do this, I want to do this and I won’t let anyone down. Learning the acting along with learning the lines, the horseback riding, the love scene, the bar brawl... the learning curve is steep but I’m climbing it.”
Naturally, I want to hear more about sex and violence, immediately probing for further details which she happily provides. Almost as thrilled to discuss them as I am to listen while we eat lunch and sip our coffees.
Despite contractual restrictions, she gives me all the saucy details beginning with, “Ah! Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies!” and ending with a wink. Sorry readers, you will simply have to wait and see for yourselves exactly what happens between Sally (Zelda Hyrule) and West (John Cassidy) - I know the name his horrifically cliched! - when the film premieres late 2013/early 2014.
The bar brawl, however, is open season and I squeeze every last detail from her mother of pearl lips.
“I was expecting it to be crazy and chaotic, but it was super controlled. Every movement is so carefully calculated it’s like being a giant chess piece in a game between two masters. It’s absolutely wonderful when things go according to plan.”
Zelda goes on to inform me about the recent accident on set, gossip I am already privy to by virtue of being a journalist. She catches my drift and chides sweetly, “I’m surprised that wasn’t your first question! Rumors fly, you know.”
I do know, but I explain the gratification behind people coughing up information willingly and she grins, nodding eagerly like a dashboard bobblehead. Gossipy girls always understand but she sets the record straight anyway.
“I’ve never so much as smacked another human being in my whole life and the first time I do it leads to a broken nose! It was a complete accident!”
The nose in question belongs to the film’s Stunt and Fight Director, Jon Snow. I do some digging and discover that like Zelda, he’s bred of money (and titles) but being the son of a Yorkshire Lord hasn’t affected him. Feet still firmly on the ground, he’s as quiet and unassuming as Zelda is smiles and hand gestures.
Zelda calls him over from his own lunch not two tables away and he tells me in his deep and oh so dreamy English accent, “This crazy bint popped me one over a box of choccies.” Dusty jeans, dark curly hair, rugged muscles like the large black stallion he’s been purposefully falling off of all morning. It’s obvious where the some of the rumors have germinated, his dry British wit concealing all truth of fact and leaving me guessing over my half eaten salad.
Luckily, Zelda translates cheek into fact. “We were rehearsing a scene and I... well, I popped him one. It was a complete accident! I have to repeat that over and over! I would never hurt Jon on purpose! He’s an absolute love!”
Down to our dessert and running out of time, I have to ask what’s next for Zelda, assuming this project takes off as well as the dozens of stalking photographers and fans give reason to believe.
“I was thinking maybe I should take a look into television next. I don’t know, I want to try everything!”