Interview by Paul Sloan

Sascha Knopf (The Worse That Could Happen, Shallow Hal, Expiration Date, He Was a Quiet Man) has signed on to portray Naomi OT 2343, a pivotal character from the upcoming Star Walker spin off – ‘Star Walker: Deuteronomy Nine’.  What follows is an exclusive interview by Paul Sloan on October 16th, 2006. It’s 4pm Tuesday afternoon, and Sascha Knopf arrives in a friendly, if not somewhat hurried mood. She’s just finished her usual full day of auditions and various media interviews. She’s dressed in classy and trendy fashion. Currently appearing as in the award winning film ‘Expiration Date’ playing in selected theaters in Los Angeles and New York, she settles down at the L.A. Star Walker offices for the following in-depth online interview.
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You’ve been very busy this past year. What’s been your favorite project thus far, and why?
Hmmm.  I guess I would have to say, “He Was a Quiet Man.”  I grew up watching Christian Slater films, and I got to really have fun with him.  He played such a meek character, while I was a sort of `villainess.’  I always envied Patricia Arquette after I saw “True Romance!”

Let’s go back to the beginning for a moment, where and how did you begin your acting career? 
Well, I started as a ballet dancer as a kid.  I was always a bit of a director.  I remember assembling my friends to do performances of “Peter Pan” (the Musical), where I was “Peter”, and the director, then we would do, “Annie,” my all time favorite, and several others.  My parents didn’t approve of the showbiz kid thing, though, and didn’t allow me to pursue a career in acting till I was in college.  Devastatingly, when I was about ten, I called a friend’s agent myself, who auditioned me, only to report that I was too “ethnic looking” for her taste.  At ten, I took that to mean that there was something `wrong’ with me, and it was quite debilitating.  I thought I was ugly, and a misfit.  It took me a long time to overcome that.  But I did school plays, and dance recitals, and went to performing arts camps.  It was at Camp Modin, in Maine, one summer, while doing a production of DAVID and LISA, with a wonderful group of peers, and a terrific counselor, that I fell in love with the theatre, and the magic that can happen there.

How would you describe your experience in New York?
My experience growing up in NY, or in NYC?  There’s a big difference.  There’s a lifetime to describe if you want to hear about growing up in NY, but basically I was born in Queens, NY.  My family moved to Woodmere, LI when I was about 6, then we moved to the north shore of Long Island after I finished high school.  I would describe where I grew up, when I grew up there, like Beverly Hills, without the celebrities, and we didn’t have money like everyone else, so it wasn’t so easy for me.  As a kid, you want to fit in, and wear what everyone else wears, have what they have, and my parents just couldn’t give that to me.  I couldn’t wait to get away from there.  Funny I didn’t go far.  I went to college in NYC, but I did graduate when I was 16.

Did you study a lot of theater while you were in New York? 
Yes and no.  I went to NYU, and got a BFA in acting so I guess you could say I `studied’ a lot.  We didn’t put on one play though.  A few one acts.  The best training I got was after college.  I studied with Susan Batson, who is now famed for coaching Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, all of Spike Lee’s films, etc., when she was teaching in a studio space next to the Port Authority bus terminal for twenty dollars a class.  The classes were all day long.  It was wonderful and intense.  She gave so much.  Another teacher that I will never forget, and I can’t seem to find anyone like out here is Sally Johnson.  I heard she actually sold her studio to a former student, that I was in class with, Brad Calcaterra.  But I really miss her.  It is her encouraging `voice’ in my head that keeps me going some days.  I’ll never forget that.

What prompted you to move to Los Angeles?
I did a movie called “BlackMale” with Roger Rees, and Bokeem Woodbine, which before it was edited, was kind of like “Raising Arizona” in feeling.  It had a real Coen brothers vibe, and I was the lead female.  I thought it was going to be an instant “cult classic.”  I packed my bags and headed west.  I was devastated after I saw the distributors screening in LA.  The producers got scared, I guess, that it was too `dark.’  It was a “black comedy”, and they decided to edit it into a “thriller.”  They took out all the jokes that weren’t necessary, changed the music, put Bokeem on the box cover with a gun, and so it went…

Whose work as an actor, do you admire the most, or have been inspired by?
I love Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Ellen Burstyn.

What is your primary goal when portraying a character?
My goal is to tell the story.

Could you tell us about your passion for photography?
My passion for photography has evolved from taking pictures of my pets into being a second career at this point.  It is not something that I was schooled in.  I have always had a good ‘eye’ for composition, and have been fortunate to have been shot by many famous photographers over the years.  In addition, one of my oldest friends is a wardrobe stylist, who taught me that aspect of the business.  I’m not really sure `how’ I know how to do it, or why it is coming to me so easily, but I will just say thank you to God, because I really enjoy creating.  I also feel that the photography will one day lead me to directing.

Do you plan on making some of your photographic work available to the public one day, can we look forward to a Sascha Knopf Photo Exhibit?  I hope so!  My first one will probably be of children.  Namely my nieces and nephew!  They’re amazing to photograph.

Are there any well known photographers whose work has influenced you, or who you would like to surpass one day? David La Chappelle is amazing. I love Annie Liebowitz.  She’s so cinematic.

How does photography and acting compliment one another for you? 
Photography is a great outlet.  It’s a little easier at times than acting because, I can just pick up my camera and take a picture.  I don’t know how they really compliment each other, except that they keep me sane.  I need to keep doing things creatively.  Whatever  it is, even if it is picking up some crayons.  

Would you say that either or both art forms of acting and photography has helped mold you as an artist? And if so, how?  Definitely both.  All art forms.  Music, dance, photography, acting…life itself is the greatest teacher of art. 

You received really great reviews for your role in ‘Expiration Date’, tell us a little bit about this film?
It is a romantic comedy.  I think it is like “Princess Bride” meets “Garden State.”  I am trying to let this film go right now, because some reviewers actually weren’t so kind with me.  I played a very quirky character, and some people found her quite abrasive.  It is hard to hear.  I did have one reviewer compare my performance to “Annie Hall,” and you can’t beat that, can you?  She did win an Oscar!

You also co-star with Christian Slater in ‘The Quiet Man’, what role did you play in this movie and when can we expect to see it in theaters? 
I played the company vixen.  I was really not so nice to Christian.  I think they are going to premiere it at the Sundance Film Festival.  But I am not sure.  I haven’t seen the film yet! 

How did you find out about Star Walker?
Tatiana is my neighbor and she was telling me all about the project. I was so curious about it.  It was like one huge mystery.  I kept hearing her talk about the people involved, how she held them in such esteem, and that she “was going to get this part!”  She was certain.  She was also certain, that I HAD to audition for Naomi.  So, I came the day they offered her the role of Shakira, to audition.  It was a super, fun day.  And then we went out and celebrated her victory.

What attracted you to the Star Walker project? 
Tatiana’s enthusiasm initially, telling me about how great the project was and Greg and Corey, and Eric, that there was so much passion for the project, I had to see it for myself.  And when I did meet them, and then finally got to read the lines with Tatiana, and felt our chemistry and Greg’s words coming through us, I felt a real connection to the project.

Star Walker: Deuteronomy Nine is a spin off from the Star Walker Universe and involves stories centered on three angelic beauties, what interested you in auditioning for the character Naomi OT 2343?
I loved the mystical, biblical, feel to the whole project.  It seemed somehow `important’ to me, as opposed to other scripts/projects that have come my way.  I could see the evolution of what will be…`Star Walker’.

What can you tell us about the Naomi OT 2343 character? 
Well, I am a warrior angel, but of the three I am the voice of hope in a sense.  I connected with Naomi’s reverence and optimism.

What do the numbers at the end of her name mean?
The three angels have numbers at the end of their names to add up somehow to make Deuteronomy 9.  It’s pretty fascinating.  Check out the website for all the calculations.  Greg has done extensive research!  I’m just in awe!

Is there anything you would like to reveal about Star Walker that few people know yet?
Well, I can tell you that besides the Star Walker: Deuteronomy 9 spin off, there is also Star Walker: EnGedi, and also Star Walker: Genesis. Star Walker: EnGedi  deals with a place also known as the Great Domed City, on the planet Daybaron, it has this huge dome over it on what is otherwise a very desolate planet in the spiritual realm/dimension of Star Walker. Star Walker: Genesis is an entirely different time line running backwards from where Star Walker begins in the late 1700’s all the way back to the year 33.AD I think.

Currently there is a Star Walker Radio Serial airing every Saturday morning on KMLB AM out of Louisiana and world wide via their internet presence, will you be appearing in any of these radio episodes? 
Yes, and we are doing a live radio interview this Saturday!

Will there be a Star Walker: Deuteronomy Nine Radio Serial?
Yes.

Can you tell us when will Star Walker: D9 air as a Web TV Series? 
We are hoping for next year. 

Can you tell us if any of the Star Walker:D9 characters will appear in the first Star Walker movie, or book for that matter? 
Of course!  All three of us will appear in the film, and the book…unless Greg decides to change things.  But, I don’t think Deuteronomy would exist without the ‘three.’

What do you hope to accomplish with your involvement with Star Walker? 
It is a joy to be involved with a project with so much passion behind it.  I feel that everyone has a deep respect for one another, and because of that the sky is the limit so to speak.  I really can foresee great things to come with “Star Walker.”  But, I believe I found a little family, and that is a very big accomplishment.

Thank you so much for sharing your time and inside information on Star Walker. Would you like to leave us with any lasting words of wisdom, or parting shots?
I’m thrilled to be a part of this beautiful project!  Hmmm….I don’t have anything really incredible to say… Greg’s the writer