Vulture recently interviewed Kristin Bauer van Straten (Pamela Sywnford de Beaufort) about everything from Magic Mike to Wal-Mart sweatsuits and of course True Blood season 5. Its main purpose was to discuss the heartbreaking release scene that was filmed for this past Sunday’s episode “We’ll Meet Again.” In the process of the interview, Kristin not only reveals what it was like having to shoot such a scene with a good friend but also how the sock of destiny can be used for the greater good.
The cast that acts together also supports each other in other projects. Kristin did just that when she attended the premiere of Magic Mike starring her cast mate Joe Manganiello (Alcide Herveaux). Despite playing a moody character on True Blood, the actress says that Joe is quite funny in real life and now that she’s seen the film, certain images in it will remain very vivid to her, which is why she’s now trying to get Joe to donate one of those infamous flesh-colored socks for charity:
“I’m actually trying to cajole him into … well, I’m going to Africa soon to shoot a documentary on elephant poaching and the illegal ivory trade during this hiatus. I’m doing a kick-starter campaign and the cast has donated amazing True Blood items. I’m trying to get Joe to find a sock for me. After I saw him in Magic Mike, I was like, “Joe. You don’t have to say if you wore it or not …” I saw Stephen [Moyer] auction one and I know I can save a lot of elephants with that sock. I think if I talk about it a lot he’ll be pressured into giving it to me.”
After Magic Mike the interview moved on to the subject of wardrobe and Pam. In the first two episodes of season 5, Pam was cursed with wearing a yellow sweatsuit from Wal-Mart with kittens on the front. While Kristin did say she normally loves the outfits she wears full of leather, rubber etc.. in this case the sweatsuit was great because she had to be outside in the cold and could wear long underwear under it.
The reveal of how Pam became the vampire who would later wear that sweatsuit to turn someone she didn’t like was perfect to her portrayer. Kristin says while the move to demand that she be turned was ballsy, she can now understand why Pam is so happy being a vampire and is so loyal to Eric (Alexander Skarsgård). She left her human life behind happily but how she did it was a bit of a shock.
But not as much of a shock as having to film what will become a very memorable scene in True Blood history. In an interesting turn, Kristin tells writer Denise Martin that she not only found out about it from her script but also came very close to not wanting to shoot the scene:
“I wasn’t warned that would happen, so I really cried while I was reading it in the script. Alex [Skarsgard] and I talked and he said, “It’s so sad!” and I said, “I hate it. I’m not going to do it. I’m not gonna film it.” We went to executive producer Alex Woo, who wrote the episode, and complained. I went, “Why do I have to be released? I don’t want to be released,” and Alex went, “I don’t want to release her.” We argued with him about all the reasons Eric could protect Pam without releasing her, but they all just, you know, laughed at us and said “Action!” and we had to film it.”
Having to film the scene wasn’t easy however. Even though Pam and Eric will still have a relationship, this marked a very big and sad change for the pair which meant lots of tears for Kristin who is also good friends with Alexander:
“In the table read, I cried. In the rehearsal, I cried. When the camera was on Alex, I cried. I just thought it was so sweet and touching and emotional. I mean, the bond is going to be the same. Alex and I pretty much feel like the difference now is that Eric’s just going to have to call Pam on her cell phone. She’ll still give her life for him in a second. But yeah, I cried so much. My nose was running, and I said, “I know you’re going to turn my tears red in post, but what are you going to do about my snot? Can you take out snot in post? Because it’s going to be hideous.”
Pam also has new responsibility with a new progeny in Tara (Rutina Wesley). Being a mother for her will translate into tough love according to Bauer van Straten which is good considering Tara is tough herself. And considering they spent season 4 trying to kill each other, exploring how to have an immortal relationship will be interesting.
Kristin is still shooting the season finale so the end to this season is still uncertain. But one thing that isn’t is Comic Con. She will head down to the event next weekend with the rest of the cast and says that it’s still unreal every time she goes there:
I have a picture from the dais from our very first panel. It’s so overwhelming. Intellectually, I know millions of people are watching our show, but you can’t get the impact and the feel of that until you’re at a place like Comic-Con. I remember the first time we went, Alex and I kept looking at each other like, “Wow, this show is really popular.” It’s lovely. Without the fans I don’t have a job, so I really do look forward to it. It’s also one of the only times we’re all together as a cast. Table reads and Comic-Con.”
Source: Vulture.com- “Kristin Bauer van Straten on Her Vivid Magic MikeMemories and Emotional True Blood Moment”
Image Credits: Nikki Nelson, WENN and Kevork Djansezian/WireImage
