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The Lightsabre Interview Rena Owen
Welcome to
Lightsabre. She was the willowy and
regal Kaminoan Taun We in Attack of the Clones and dedicated Senator Nee
Alavar in Revenge of the Sith. It’s
our great pleasure to introduce to you Rena Owen. Q - Rena, welcome to
Lightsabre. A -
My pleasure to be a part
of Lightsabre! Thank you for the invitation!! Q – You’ve been directed
by Steven Spielberg in AI, played the
role of Mary in the fourth Crow movie and acted alongside Temuera Morrison in
Once Were Warriors but you are internationally best known for your roles as
Taun We in Attack of the Clones and Senator Nee Alavar in Revenge of the Sith. How exciting is that? A – It is a really good buzz to be a
part of a world that means so much too so many people around the world. I’ve
had so many wonderful experiences and made many new good friends, and let’s
not forget, because of it, I have been immortalized in plastic! Q – Tell us of your
experiences working on the final two Star Wars movies. What special memories have stuck with you? A – With Attack of the Clones, I had an absolute blast! Taun We was a
babe. I had so much fun with her and working with Ewan, Temuera, and Daniel.
Taun We was my first ever alien, and a hard act to follow! To be honest, playing a human in, Revenge
of the Sith, was boring in comparison. But needless to say, another wonderful
experience to be on the Episode 3 set for 3 weeks. In terms of special memories, it is the
people you connect with that sticks in my mind. And that includes everyone I
worked with on both episodes. Q - Tell us something
of your career. How did you begin in
entertainment and what led you to where you are today? A
– I was born to be
an artist. I write, act, direct theatre, and am now also producing a feature
film. I have a need to be creative, whether that is through acting, writing,
or whatever. I’ve had a long career in Theatre, Television, and Film. I started in London in the mid 80’s, where
I trained at the Actors Institute, and I’ve had a creative career ever since.
For more background info, people can check out my website-www.renaowen.com Q – What has it been
like to be a part of the Star Wars phenomenon? A- An honour and a pleasure. I’ve learnt so much
through fans. I am grateful for the opportunities it has brought me, and the
new friendships!
Particularly, travel opportunities for conventions. I am grateful! Q – You’ve had lunch
with the Star Wars Chicks, been spoiled by the 501st and now
interviewed by Lightsabre. What do you
think of Star Wars fandom? A
– You guys rock! I
admire loyalty, commitment, and dedication! Q – You’ve been
fortunate to land two totally different roles in Attack of the Clones and
Revenge of the Sith. How did you come
to play both of these parts, and what was the audition process like? A – The casting director had seen Temuera and I in the New Zealand film, Once Were Warriors, which George also saw, and wanted both of us in Star Wars. Nee Alavar was an invitation to return for the final episode.
Q – You also enjoy
teaching drama, when you have the time of course. What is it about teaching the art of acting
that you enjoy? A
– Giving. Passing on
what you have learnt through your own experiences and helping others to
fulfil their dreams. I consider it a privilege. I believe that investing into
the soul of another is one of the ultimate contributions we can make in this
life. Q – You worked with Temuera
Morrison in Once Were Warriors and again in Attack of the Clones. What was it like working alongside your
good friend again in such a totally alien environment? A – A
lot of fun! I love working with Tem, who I love. I will always be a fan of
his. He is one of the nicest guys I have ever worked with. A consummate
professional and an awesome brother. I have a great role for him in the film
I am producing. Q – There’s talk of a
Star Wars TV series. Given that you
have joined the circle of actors who have played more than one part in the saga, would you consider another role on a television
incarnation? A – Absolutely! I would welcome the opportunity!! Q – You trained as a nurse and moved to London in 1982, where
you eventually found your path to entertainment. Do you believe you would have felt as
fulfilled if you had remained a nurse, or was acting your one, true vocation? A – Hard
to say. But I do know that I’m glad I had the courage to follow my heart as
opposed to the expectations of others. Having said that, nursing has been an
excellent background to what I do now, as it’s all about the human condition. Q – In fandom and the wider world we constantly hear stories
about George Lucas – what he’s like to be around on set, his direction
techniques. How did you find it
working with one of cinemas biggest names?
A - I
loved working with George. Contrary to many other reports, George is a really
good director and I found him to be great with actors. He is very humble,
down to earth, a really nice guy, and focused on the work. I felt very privileged to be a guest at his
recent AFI Life Time Achievement Award event. A really special occasion! I try to be the same person on a set
whether I’m working with a first time director or someone like George. It’s
just about doing my best work and being there to serve the director’s vision. Q – What’s next for
Rena Owen? A – I’ve completed a role, playing a Courtney Love kinda character, in an
independent film shot in Minnesota. A lot of fun was had and all going well,
the film will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival next January. The film I am producing is a long-term
project with an on-going work load for me. I have a few conventions coming
up. Along with the usual demands of life, domestics, love, friends, family
etc. I also seem to be too busy?! Q – A quick question
about our site, Lightsabre. Any
comments? A –
Congrats! It is a really
comprehensive, slick, informative, fun, site!! Q - It's been a great
interview, and thanks for being our guest on Lightsabre. Just one final question. Taun We, Senator Alavar and Mary are
stranded on a desert island with no food and no means of escape. Taun We has her cloning knowledge, Alavar
her political savvy and Mary her association with a spirit of vengeance. Which one of the three manages to escape
the island and how? A
– They all survive. You see unknown
too many, Taun We and Obi-Wan Kenobi had an affair. The give away line… Taun We: “Welcome Master Jedi, we were beginning to
think you weren’t coming…?? Senator Nee Alavar, with her
political mind, convinces Taun We to black mail Obi-Wan, saying if he doesn’t
rescue them, she will inform Yoda of their affair, and he would lose his
senior Jedi position. All Mary can do, having been
married to a preacher, is pray. She is not comfortable with blackmail, but
also wants to be saved. So she prays fervently in tongues for forgiveness and
deliverance, whilst Taun We summons her good Jedi lover via telepathy. Mary’s
fervent prayer helps the signal to get through! Obi-Wan, has no choice but to
rise to the telepathic call. Consoling himself with the knowledge that at
least he’ll get to see Taun We again! Like the true hero he is, he rescues
them in a Star Wars Jedimobile??!! P.S. Taun We and Obi-Wan are very
happy to be reunited, but nobody must ever know about this affair, especially
George, or Yoda!! P.S.S. Unknown to anyone, Taun We
bared Obi-Wan Kenobi’s child. A wayward son she called Gollum!! |
