http://www.rroarm.com/2009/11/interview-deanne-bray.htmlFor full interview, with some mild spoilers and non-Heroes stuff, follow the link above. Quoted below is the Heroes-related answers that
aren't spoilery.
QUOTE
Random Ramblings: (From HERO) How much do you know or understand about synesthesia in the real world?
Deanne Bray: I read an article about a woman who could hear explaining what she saw when she played the violin. Specific notes gave out specific colors. Pretty neat to know that some people actually have synesthesia*. I don't know of any deaf people who have synesthesia though.
RR: (from HERO) Do you get to provide any input on how the ability is displayed?
DB: I do email the writers some of my ideas. Sometimes they take them, and sometimes not. I'm having fun painting the character, Emma, as we go along.
RR: (HERO) What elements, like American Sign Language, would you like to see incorporated into your character's story?
DB: I would like Emma to wear two hearing aids so I can play her as a person I think she grew up to be. Right now she doesn't wear them because she is disconnected from the world for some time now, due to a tragedy she blames herself for.
RR: (Requiem191) What made you want to play Emma?
DB: She is brilliant, fascinating, funny, and has a mind of her own. Dares to be different.
RR: (Teorwyn) What is your opinion of where the show is headed?
DB: Before being cast on the show, I watched it religiously! I loved the scifi idea and the writing. Never did I know that I would be in it. I know that the ratings have dropped but I hope that it will turn around and be popular again like the first season.
RR: (LibraGrl304) What is it like working with Louise Fletcher?
DB: She's a sweetheart.
RR: (SaberProductions) In the episode "Hysterical Blindness", were you and Milo actually playing the piano together?
DB: Yes. We had rehearsal. We played the piano together and it was fun!
RR: (Alessandra) Do you know how popular your character is?
DB: I have no idea. I just focus on what I need to do and make the best of it for Heroes. I am not only doing Heroes. I am a long term substitute teacher (what feels like full time) teaching English Literature, American Literature, and Reading. Have been teaching since September. My assignment is done after Thanksgiving with CSDR. Currently, the students and I are excited about a field trip. I'm taking 30 students next year to see a play at DeafWest Theatre that has an impact on American Literature.
RR: (Alessandra) What is the most difficult part of playing your character?
DB: Reading the actors' lips. I try to add lines of playing Emma who doesn't catch everything a person says. For instance, if someone says "My name is Megan." Then I'd have Emma gesture for Megan to come closer so I can see her lips and say "Your name is..." Then the person would repeat "Megan". Little things like that. Sometimes the writers allow that. Of course, before doing it, I would ask the writers before the day we shoot the scene.
I'm happy to be working on an episode right now, 4x13, where one character understands my ASL and it will all be in subtitles. The character signs some as well. It's not Peter or Emma's mother, I can tell you that much.
RR: (cLEmbeaR) Have you felt any tension or discomfort with the Heroes cast and crew? And amusing behind-the-scenes stories?
DB: No tension. After working hard with my students while teaching, I come on set feeling happy to be in a different setting to work. I love being at the studio. It's like being back home (I grew up hanging out at the studio while my dad worked as a crew member in many shows).
RR: Alright, now on to some questions from me, instead of all the awesome 9thWonders members whose questions are above. First off, I'm curious about the casting. Since I'm a spoiler-hound, I saw when the casting call went out for deaf actresses to play a new character. Did you have a lot of competition for the role?
DB: I don't know if its the same for hearing and deaf performers. There aren't very many deaf actresses, compared to hearing actresses. I am not sure how many auditioned for the role of Emma. But I'm glad to own her now!
RR: Who has been your favorite cast member to spend off-screen time with?
DB: Milo and Masi.
RR: Are you worried about your character's future in Heroes, with the "curse of Peter"? After all, female characters he gets close to don't exactly end up well off... *Laughs*
DB: I'm not worried.
RR: If you could play any role, nothing stopping you, what role would you choose?
DB: Someone like Emma, but I would love for her to have the ability to read minds, because its so much easier than reading lips!
Interview with Deanne Bray
Nov 7 2009, 02:29 AM
I am the law in my sector. 
Which one; Jordan, Rayner, Gardner or Stewart? I tend to lose count who's the law in 2814 these days. 
