CynbytheSea Interview with Larissa Gomes
Naomi Hill


1.) How and when did you decide that acting was your thing?

LARISSA: I have always felt like an artist- interested in the creative process of any task. I have always been singing, dancing, painting and/or writing but it was not until i first took to the stage that acting bit me in the %#*. I realized how much I enjoyed the feeling of inhabiting a character and wanted to discover what that form of expression entailed.


2.) How was it like to work in LFN?
Was it difficult for you? Any fun memories?

LARISSA: LFN was amazing. I had so much fun. The cast and crew made me feel like a part of the "family" from day one. I welcomed the challenge of a character that appears innocent but is actually quite deceitful. I was fun to play. Memories??? Well, I do remember playing basketball on a makeshift court inside the studio we shot at- that was hilarious (since all the boys were practically all over feet)...and the rolling chair races we would have with the cast and crew...no one was safe....hahahaha.


3.) What are your current projects that you can share with us?

LARISSA: Currently I will be playing a law graduate on a new TV series for ABC called "In Justice" - It will air in mid-season. It is about a group of lawyers and investigators who work for a group called the Justice Project to appeal cases of inmates that are believed to be unjustly incarcerated. My character is "Tina Descantes".

Claudia Conde ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina
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4.) What did you feel the very first time you did a TV and stage role?

LARISSA: A mix of nausea and extreme enthusiasm. Ultimately my sweaty palms made way for a calmness I have never experienced before. I felt more in my element than I could have imagined.


5.) What got you motivated to become and actress?

LARISSA: I always wanted to experience the lives of other people, all walks of life. I was so interested in human behavior and acting allowed me to express myself artistically and portray the emotional depths that I admired from other actors work while growing up.


6.) How do you handle scenes where a bit of intimacy is involved, and is there a frame of mind you have to put yourself into when you do these scenes?

LARISSA: I handle intimate scenes differently in each project because of your fellow actors method of approaching them. So many of those intimate scenes are uncomfortable but I am always interested in communicating with the other actor about the discomfort so we can find the place with each other where the "characters being intimate" precedes the "actors being intimate".

John Leister ~ Adelaide, Australia
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7.) You have quoted "There are no ordinary moments." ,I too believe in this, can you tell me what brought you to come to understand this?

LARISSA: Much of acting (to me) is about truthfully portraying a depth of emotion that is required for the character you are playing. Some semblance of relativity and humanity to even the most seemingly loathsome characters is a goal as an actor I aspire to. And the discovery of most of life's truthful moments come in the ordinary ones. The things you "do" while you say what you are saying. The way you process all the things you observe and relate it to the connectedness we all have with each other makes each moment extraordinary. Because every moment we have a choice to act or react, reflect or remark in a certain way and that gives clues to a person's character.


8.) You have worked with many great actors throughout your film history, Who was one of the most interesting actors you have ever met? And which actor(s) would you like to work with, that you have not had a chance to do so?

LARISSA: I loved working with Mickey Rooney. He is a man who besides being a Hollywood living legend just tells it like it is. He seems to lack the ability to sugar coat and/or humor someone- a characteristic of honesty that I admire, although he was still very tactful. I would love to work with Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Emily Watson, Gael Garcia Bernal, Don Cheadle, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet (to name only a few).


9.) What was the most difficult role you have had to play to date, and how did you overcome the obstacles?

LARISSA: Probably Beatriz in the TV series "Bliss"- if only because I had to learn to dance the tango in just 3 days- and the actor i was working with had no dance experience so i had to lead him but make it look like he was leading while appearing graceful and natural. It was quite the challenge- but we had an amazing and patient choreographer and in the end there are always cutaways...hahaha.


10.) Where there any bloopers in the scenes you played with fellow actor Matthew Ferguson? And what were your experiences like in working with him?

LARISSA: There were many bloopers, a lot of fun experiences toying with the "head over heels" love Matthew's character had for me. Matthew is a very funny guy and a fine actor. I had a wonderful time working with him, he is a generous and sensitive actor and always made me feel very comfortable. We had good chemistry as actors.


11.) What are your interests outside of acting?

LARISSA: What isn't? I love to sing, dance, write music and I also write screenplays. I enjoy swimming, hiking and taking in a movie a day if i have the time. I am obsessed with traveling and discovering more about foreign cultures. I want to learn more languages and eventually be somewhat proficient on the piano- I have a background in criminology so I also have an interest in keeping current with world issues concerning this. I love to be involved in fighting human rights abuses- whatever I can do - it makes me feel like I am making a difference. And finally, I love to eat good food but have yet to learn to cook well- maybe this summer. mmmm.....until then, I know some good take out spots.


12.) When you are about to convey a character, What do you remind yourself , that you learned in acting school?

LARISSA: Listen. Feel. Discover. Emote. Listen.


13.) In a world such as "Section One", what type of operative do you think you would have grown to become, had the series extended?

LARISSA: Perhaps one of the most unpredictable.


And would this type of government agency appeal to you, to actually work for?

LARISSA: Not likely. I like to live my life as openly as possible. The thought of hiding all i wanted to express would make me feel like a prisoner.

Cynthia Wilkerson ~ Texas, USA
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14.) If you had the chance to write your "own" part, what character would you be and in what show or movie?

LARISSA: I would love to play a composer, the likes of Mozart come to mind. If there is a female counterpart out there- I would love to play it. Also - to play a revolutionary leader would be right up my alley interest wise. I am also fond of portraying a comical character actress whose real life was lived in extremes- someone like Lucille Ball. And perhaps even the role of a middle eastern woman- seems like a culture that for the most part represses its women would have rich and complex nuances to portray.

Chrissy ~ Netherlands
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Hi Larissa, first let me tell you I loved "Resident Evil: Apocalypse" awesome movie.

thank you- fantastic.

15.) In doing your audition for your role in "LA FEMME NIKITA" did you do your screen test with Matthew Ferguson?

LARISSA: Actually no. The role was not written in to become a recurring role but after shooting that first day, the writers wrote Naomi in as a series regular.


16.) In the TV movie, "The Royal Diaries: Cleopatra - Daughter of the Nile". Do you enjoy doing roles with this much history?

LARISSA: Absolutely. Part of the joy of playing a role for me is doing the research for a particular character. And what could be more full of tragedy and conflict than the story of Cleopatra? I loved it.


17.) Which do you prefer TV or the big screen?

LARISSA: There are great stories to be told in both TV and the big screen. If one allows me to be more truthful as an actor than the other, then it would be a preference. It all comes down to the story for me. Film can be more experimental than TV, so it can convey a story without censorship if that is what is required.


18.) Grease is one of my FAVORITE musicals I was able to see it one stage when you were playing RIZZO..What was that like?

LARISSA: A dream come true. My sister and i watched "Grease" almost religiously as kids and knew all the songs. I loved the sauciness and attitude of Rizzo's character, so I jumped at the chance to portray her on stage.


19.) Where does your musical background extend from? Do you see yourself doing more stage Musicals?

LARISSA: My background in stage musicals is limited, I've only done a handful. I love to sing so I naturally gravitated toward performing live. I was exposed to a lot of live theater, musicals and dance as a child because my parents enjoyed this as their nights out together and with the family.
Thank you so much Larissa..it was a pleasure.

No, thank you so much for the great questions!
Deb Schwartz ~ Michigan
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20.) Did it take a long time to film your scenes with Matthew? Anything in particular you had to repeat?

LARISSA: It took normally about 5 takes for me. There was nothing I can remember in particular that we had to repeat, no.


21.) What kind of music do you like to compose?

LARISSA: Ah....soul, blues, funk.


22.) I see that you are proficient in many interesting sports. Do you think that these skills have helped with your career?

LARISSA: Dance has definitely helped as an actor to be aware of your body and comfortable with how to change it to suit another character's physical traits. Swimming made me more competitive (in a healthy way)and i think and kickboxing equipped me with a much stronger sense of focus and concentration.


23.) Did you follow the series La Femme Nikita before or after your participation in it?

LARISSA: yes, I loved it before I worked on it. I remember being so excited it was to be made into a series because I loved the Luc Besson film.

Dana Vrajitoru ~ Indiana, USA
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24.) If you had your choice, what type of role would you rather do and why?

LARISSA: I love subtle, flawed characters with odds stacked against them. I also love strong characters with conviction and tragic circumstances. It is all drama to me. The most interesting characters are those that do not fit the mold. Cast.


25.) In La Femme Nikita, did you see anything outstanding or different the cast and crew worked through and did you feel that it made for a better environment on the set?

LARISSA: Working through the "language" of Section was a common adventure on set. We would often joke about the difficulties of speaking with such terminology. Also- the crew and cast were very down to earth and humorous, working with them was really fun.


26.) Can you please tell us of any of your future endeavors and how soon will they be taking place?

LARISSA: As I mentioned in one of the first questions, I am currently to begin shooting a new TV series for ABC called "In Justice". I will play the role of recent law graduate "Tina Descantes".


27.) If you had the opportunity to do only singing and dancing would you forego your acting talent and do only that?

LARISSA: I would not forego one for the other. The great thing about acting is the medium of film and theatre can encompass all of those things...writing, composing, singing and dancing. So far, I have had opportunities for both and as long as I can give it my full attention and focus I will continue to do both.


28.) Which, of the many things you excel in do you prefer?

LARISSA: I love the process of creating more than anything- so whether through acting, writing or singing as long as I feel inspired it's on!

Sandy Meridith ~ Kansas, USA
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29.) You are really pretty. Did you ever do any modeling before you became an actress?

LARISSA: Thanks so much for saying that- that is really sweet of you. I never did any modeling - I am so short, only 5"3- heehee. It seems like fun- I always like doing photo shoots.


30.) I think that I speak for most of the Matthew Ferguson fans like myself, among our group when I say that we are all itching to ask that burning question.
What was it like to have to kiss our favorite guy? (You lucky lady!)

LARISSA: Let's just say his girlfriend is a lucky lady! ;)


31.) How did you come to know several different accents? Have you used this skill often in your career?

LARISSA: I have been exposed to so many different cultures growing up and have always had the ability to mimic what I hear. This is perhaps the only reason. I have used this skill on more than one occasion luckily-I had an English accent, South American, Indian, New York and even a bit of a southern one.


32.) What would you say is the key to making a character believable?

LARISSA: Research. Invention. Spirit.


33.) Have you ever had to do anything really funny or unusual for an audition? If so, would you tell us about it?

LARISSA: Once I had to fall onto a mattress (for a commercial audition) over and over again and not say anything. It was very strange moment in my life.


34.) Have all your roles been serious ones or have you played any roles of a comedic nature too? If so, which is more difficult and why?
If not, would doing that type of role interest you?

LARISSA: I have played some roles with a bit of a comedic edge to them but not a full out comedic role. i would love to play that. I find it more interesting to watch when a character doesn't read or play funny but you find moments of absurdity that make the character funny. For me it is infinitely more difficult to be funny but it is a challenge i will welcome one of these days I hope.


35.) Please would you describe for us what a typical day on the set of LFN was like for you?

LARISSA: A typical day would consist of an early arrival, some hair and makeup work, some breakfast, a good conversation with the crew and cast, a breakdown of the day's shooting schedule, a read-through of any changes to dialogue for the scenes, possibly a rehearsal with other actors (usually not until we block the scene), work the scene as much as possible before shooting and get to work. And A lot of playfulness with cast and crew during the day. It was always a fun set for me to work on.


36.) Would you say you need to be quite an energetic person to be in the acting business?

LARISSA: Only when you are working! hahaha. Long hours, lots of memory work, and you need the stamina to be "on" when you perform. You learn very quickly that you need lots of sleep and good food to sustain you


37.) What are the hardest and easiest things about the job?

LARISSA: Hardest thing about the job are the long hours and the uncertainty of being in a business where your talent can be dispensable. The easiest thing (or I should say most rewarding) is the work itself and doing a project you believe in.

Natalie Helmig ~ Edinburgh, Scotland
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38.) You are proficient at so many things: acting, singing, dancing, sports. If you had to choose only one at which to make a living, which would it be, and why?

LARISSA: As I answered in a previous question, I would have to choose film because it allows me to do more than one of these things at the same time. The perfect medium for me I suppose.


39.) I think Grease's Rizzo is one of the greatest stage characters. Do you prefer theatre to screen, or vice versa? Why?

LARISSA: I prefer film for the above mentioned reasons but I love theatre for the process an actor gets to engage in that rarely presents itself in film. That is to play a character all the way through from beginning to end as opposed to shooting scenes out of sequence (as you do in film and TV).


40.) Who came up with the nickname of "Sugar Buns" for your LFN character, Naomi?
Was it the writers or Matthew Ferguson?

LARISSA: It was Matthew. Like I mentioned before is a very funny guy and he had a lot of fun with the Southern accent his character had. "Sugar Buns" was a natural extension of his character's vocabulary. He surprised me with it and I could hardly contain my laughter during one take.

Diane Whitehead ~ Indiana, USA
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SPECIAL COMMENTS: LARISSA GOMES
Thanks so much for your very insightful questions. It has been a pleasure to do this interview. I love the website. And yes, La Femme Nikita rocks!!!!

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