Pink Raygun Interviews: Nicki Clyne
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Cally Tyrol is either the toughest or the luckiest woman in scifi. She’s looked down the barrel of many guns, has been in front of a Cylon firing squad and even got thrown into deep space without a space suit. Nicki Clyne, the woman who gives life to Cally on Battlestar Galactica, talks about the challenges of the role and how it’s changed for her over the years.
Pink Raygun: What drew you to acting?
Nicki Clyne: I’ve always loved performing, from playing dress up to doing dance routines in my back yard; I think acting grew out of that natural desire to express myself as well as my curiosity about why people do what they do. I also feel very lucky to have had a drama teacher in high school who encouraged me to explore the power of theatre to move people and also to understand myself better in the process.
PRG: You’ve worked on the Battlestar Galactica mini-series, TV series, and the webisodes. How was working on each different?
NC: When we filmed the mini-series, I really had no concept of where the show was headed, if anywhere. Not only that, but my role was obviously much smaller. So, although it was a very fun and exciting job, I pretty much considered it a job. Now I feel as if I’m part of something much bigger. I think Battlestar can be a powerful initiator for people to ask questions about the way the world operates, if we’re open to the discussion of course.
I’m also very supportive of using current technology to further integrate viewers’ participation and access. The experience of filming different aspects of the show mostly contrasts in relation to the process. The webisodes were very quick and low-budget which, while stressful at times, also allowed for some more flexibility and experimentation. I think the show in general has developed a great momentum where it all feels very organic, where everyone is very supportive of each other and most concerned with creating the best product possible.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Cally card Signed by Nicki Clyne
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NICKI CLYNE signed photo CALLY BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
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PRG: What scene or episode was the most challenging for you? Why?
NC: I think the most challenging so far has been working with the baby. Not only has he grown exponentially in size but his temperament can be rather unpredictable. Having said that, I usually find these scenes the most enjoyable because it forces Aaron and I to stay very present in order to work with whatever the baby comes up with, whether it’s laughs, cries, regurgitated food, etc. Definitely keeps us on our toes, and sometimes at work very late.
PRG: What, within your work on Battlestar Galactica, are you the most proud of?
NC: I’m very proud of Cally’s evolution overall and I like to think that the work keeps improving. I have the feeling that the more I find my voice as an actor, the more Cally seems to be finding hers, or vice versa. I feel fortunate to have explored the topics we did in the later half of season three in regard to ruling class hierarchies and the stressful, but relatable, relationship problems. So I’m proud of taking Cally places that we had yet to experience with her in the earlier seasons.
PRG: How about outside of Battlestar Galactica? (this doesn’t necessarily have to be related to acting)
NC: I hesitate to name anything in particularly because I think it’s natural to feel most proud of your most recent work. In a way, I’m proud of everything I’ve done, good and bad, because it’s a representation of where I was at the time and a good measurement of my growth. I’ve learned from all of my experiences and wouldn’t trade them for anything. Except maybe that one movie about the. . . jk!
PRG :Your character on BSG has grown over the seasons from this mousey deckhand to an opinionated leader on deck. How do you approach the role differently now than when you started?
NC: My approach has changed in a few ways. Firstly, I have a lot more information on my character, which certainly helps. For instance, I’m not as liable to be shocked when I read a script that says, “I just joined up to pay for dental school!” I also feel like I have a lot more compassion for Cally’s struggle the more I explore her relationships outside of the hangar deck. It’s no longer just a matter of life or death, running from the cylons, it’s much more about what’s best for her as a wife, as a mother, and even still a somewhat mousey deckhand.
PRG: Do you aspire to move beyond acting? Perhaps writing or directing?
NC: I definitely have aspirations to write and direct. I don’t see it so much as moving beyond acting as the natural progression of building complexity as an artist. I think the more one understands the process of creating, the more potent the expression can be. Just as it is important for a director to understand an actor’s process, I think it’s equally beneficial for an actor to understand where the writer and director are coming from. I have a lot of ideas rattling around in my head so I hope to learn how to manifest them in the near future.
PRG: Is there a particular actor or film that has been influential to you?
NC: I find myself consistently moved by Meryl Streep’s performances because of her deep commitment and respect for her characters, no matter what their objectives. I also love watching actors who constantly reinvent themselves in their work, like Daniel Day Lewis, Cate Blanchette, Peter Sellers, and Christopher Walken is always a classic. When I was growing up, I couldn’t have watched the Wizard of Oz or Labyrinth enough times, so they definitely influenced my creative and somewhat delusional imagination.
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