interviews with michelle

TV Guide Online: Joining us tonight is Michelle Trachtenberg, the newest member of the hit show Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. Hi Michelle! Thanks for coming! Trachtenberg: Hey everybody, that's for signing on and chatting with me...This should be fun! Question: Does your character have any superpowers?? Kind of ..not yet revealed? Trachtenberg: Well, actually, that has not yet been revealed. But as for right now -- I am Buffy's sister. And we have all of our little tiffs, and normal borrowing of clothing that all sisters do. And I am her sister, and the mystery that has been set will be answered soon. Joss Whedon, the creator, would never leave you guys hanging for a long time. But believe me, we have some fun stuff planned Question: How did you get the role to be Buffy's sister? Trachtenberg: Actually I had worked with Sarah many years ago when we were on All My Children. And I had gone to visit her on the set prior to the audition because I had been a huge fan of Buffy and Angel. So I was really interested in seeing how it worked behind the scenes. Later on I got the call and met with Joss and Marti Noxon. And everybody involved in the making of Buffy. And I got the job! Sarah was really supportive, so that was really great. I mean come on - working on your favorite show...it can't get any better than that huh?! Question: I know Michelle must get about a billion of these questions all the time, but what is the Buffy cast like? Is it very nice and open, or maybe a little stuffy? Like egos. Trachtenberg: Actually, entering a show in its fifth season is always a little nerve racking. But luckily the entire cast and crew of Buffy have been so nice, and so welcoming, it's just been really great. We're all like a big family here. And I fit right in. And working with Sarah again is the best. So I'm really excited! Question: Hi, I recently made a website about you. I was wondering if you have ever looked at any other websites, and found anything really *untrue* about yourself, that offended you? Trachtenberg: Thank you first of all! You know, whenever I go on the internet, it's usually to research some school project. Not too much fun, I know! But I haven't actually read anything about me - so hopefully there's nothing mean out there! But thanks for the thought. Question: Do you like to watch your episodes when they come on, or is it redundant to you? Trachtenberg: I kind of always like to see the finished product, especially with all the special effects And I like to see how the monsters look on screen. So watching the show it's always fun to see how all the pieces of the puzzle are put together. Question: Hey, I like you in Harriet the Spy, anyway, Do you have a boyfriend? Trachtenberg: Thank you first of all, that's very nice! I do not actually. No. Question: What other things do you want to do other than act? Trachtenberg I've always wanted to act, it's my passion in life, and I feel really lucky that I found it this early. I've always considered writing or directing, but I would never stray too far from the biz. I love it too much. Question: Hi, Michelle what’s your favorite band? Trachtenberg: I actually like a variety of music. Anything that has a fun beat to it. I've recently been into the Latin crazy, with Enrique and Marc Anthony. I love listening to music. Anything that makes me dance. But a nice slow song is sweet too. Question: Who are your biggest role models and why? Trachtenberg: I have two really big role models. First of all, Jodie Foster, because I think she has done a terrific job in paving the way for women in Hollywood through all of her amazing accomplishments. And the second one is my mom, because she's always been a person that I can depend on and turn too. And she's so strong. She also gave me the best advice that I've ever received, and I give it to anyone when I get a chance. So I'll give it to you guys right now. It's really quite simple. Believe in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, you can't accomplish your goals. Know that you can do anything and anything will happen. Question: Does the set interfere with school, or are you finished with school...? Trachtenberg: Actually, no, I have school on the set. And every day I have to have three hours of school And everyone on the set is really great about getting me in school. I actually just finished a Spanish test before I called you guys, so this is a nice break! But school is very important to me. I think you have to have a background and education as a backbone for life. So no matter what, school is really important. Except maybe when it comes to geometry and Spanish, then....!! Just kidding! Question: What do you do in your free time? Trachtenberg: I do a bunch of stuff in my free time. I hang out with my friends, go to the mall and to the movies. I love to read and write. And I actually make jewelry, crystal and beaded jewelry. And recently Sarah got me into bowling. I like bowling, it's really fun. She's much better than I am, but she's had a little more practice... It's fun, we go bowling a lot!