LISA CARNAHAN: A Rising Hollywood Star

USA(SANEPR.com) October 9, 2007 --

Lisa, tell us about your childhood in the fields.
I was allowed to run around on the open range as a free spirit during my childhood. I chopped cotton for $0.25 cents an hour when I was a kid. It was really important to my parents that I learn the value of a dollar. My grandfather was my baby-sitter, he was in his 70’s when I was born. He lived to be 97. My childhood was priceless. It came as quite a shock when I went to school and I had to be repeatedly told that girls were not ‘allowed’ to do what ever they wanted like the boys were.

Tell us something about your life as an organic farmer?
While in college, undergraduate & graduate school I raised certified organic fruit & vegetables in the spring and summer. At the time, we were the state of Oklahoma’s largest organic produce company. We had total control of the operation from seed to delivery. It was a difficult time for cultivating crops due to persistent drought conditions. I discovered a high demand for organic produce with very little supply. We used a French intensive farming method of high yield, low maintenance, and low water usage. We also had a side project where we contracted to grow seeds of endangered species to help increase the population. I enjoy entrepreneurial business adventures. This was my first lesson in growing a business. The organic farming served several purposes, 1) helped pay for my education, 2) allowed me to stay close to home at the time my grandfather of 97 yrs was in failing health. 3) I wanted a real business experience.

What was your work for the Government?
I worked for the Medicaid-managed care, mental health role out in Texas. My work was to help the poor and indigent educating them about their benefits and choices. Also, sat on the boards of Dallas Mental Health Associations adolescent outreach committee, youth and family services board; the children’s health insurance board, and many others.

How did you trace your ancestors and what interesting things did you find out?
My mother is very involved in genealogy. In the 13th century, Durmit McMurry invited the English over to Ireland to help him fend off one of his neighbors from whom he had stolen his wife. They are just now sorting out the English and Irish troubles this year. My family is steeped in American tradition; my 10th great grandfather is John Page the founder of Williamsburg Virginia, who also donated the land for William and Mary College. I share a grand father with President John Tyler. I am also interwoven with many other early American leaders. We have the letters and diaries of many of the women on my mother’s side of the family. One is a diary of my great great grand mother who traveled down the Mississippi to New Orleans took a ship to port in Houston and then a stage coach to college in Texas in 1852. My great great grandfather on my dad’s side, as a young boy saw his father murdered in a saloon gunfight in Plano Texas, during the range wars. Basically my ancestors have either caused or been heavily involved in historical events in England, Ireland, and America from the 13th century to the 19th century. However, we have been on good behavior for the last century. I guess you could say I could still go either way as a trouble-maker or cultural icon.

Which was your dream when you came to live in L.A.?
My dream was to be able to work in the entertainment business as an actress, and tell some interesting stories.

What inspired you to become a model and actress?
I think it fits my personality best. I am interested and intrigued by many professions and paths that a life can take. If you’re an actress you get to sample many of these lives and it’s all make believe so there are no real life consequences. I am really intrigued by the human experience. In addition, I love being part of telling a story that contributes to the human experience.

Which of the professions do you like the most, modeling or acting?
Definitely, acting. Although it has been my experience, that modeling is a lot like acting. Modeling is just one frame of film.

Tell us about your passion for traveling.
I like to explore, I think it is because I grew up in a very isolated area. Many people were afraid to leave familiar surroundings. My parents had an understanding of this fear. They made an effort to encourage me to appreciate and not fear things that are different. They wanted me to feel comfortable no matter where I was or who I met. My favorite style of traveling is having a destination in mind with no point-to-point plans on how to get there. I like to just follow the end of my nose. Letting the place introduce it’s self to you. Some times a wrong turn can be the best part of the trip.

Do you have any interesting anecdote from your travels or from your working to share with us?
I remember my first impression of England, “Wow this place is really old and authentic” unlike the states where you find that “The Alamo” is next to a very large Mall. I got separated from my group and horribly lost in London one night shortly before the tube system was to shut down, and I met two Sikh’s who rode the subway back with me to where I was staying, walked me home so I would arrive safely. I did not think anything of it until I was informed that one of the other girls was robbed on her way home.

You say you have a good sense of humor. Have you used that in a film?
Yes, it is necessary for character development and to be a team player on a film set. It is important to ‘find the funny’ no matter what the subject matter, genre of a film. Some of the best advice I have ever received was to ‘just have fun with it’, ‘laugh at the world’.

You studied psychology. Did that help you when you need to play a character?
Yes, it gives you more resources to draw from. It also helps out when you want to let go of a character and be yourself again. The training allows you to develop a strong mind so you can give yourself emotional freedom.

What movie would you like to talk about?
Inspector Mom and Casualty Friday. The inspector mom episode was a wonderful experience. Danica Mackellar is the star of the show and she saw me at the auditions and wrote a part for me in Casualty Friday. Brad Keller the director gave me a lot of latitude with the character. My character is the pill-popping, drug addicted, plainspoken, quirky, sister of the CEO who is murdered, and then inherits all of his money.

Tell us about your latest films.
Wisteria, is the story of a vicious, child serial killer in the early part of the 20th century. My character received a shocking letter that describes perverse acts that he would like me to do to him. The War at home, was a great part. I play the flat chested office worker that is ignored because of her boob size. I am not flat chested in real life so I wrapped my chest to appear flat chested for the audition. I did not realize at the time that I would have to wear the wrap all day for the performance. It’ was not a problem; however, it was a little embarrassing when they found the role of duct tape in my purse at the security check point the day of the shoot. I quickly explained that it was ‘movie magic’. The Heckler is about the bible verse ‘ love your neighbor as yourself’ this film was produced for the 168th film festival. It’s a dark comedy about women who are neighbors that can’t find love for each other until they love themselves. Seeing is a film that is a tribute to Run Lola Run. It is about trusting your instincts and avoiding trouble. It took 5 hours for my hair to be put in cornrows. We shot it in 24 hours in HD. I also did all of my own stunts. Between takes, people would come right up to me and touch my hair and start conversations with me. I thought people would be afraid of some one who looked very different, but it was just the opposite. Indefinitely is a great film, I play the best friend of a fellow who is a wedding video maker that falls in love with the bride and breaks up the wedding…with my help. I love this character, she is the conscience and motivator for her friend. I hope that someday we can do the feature length of the film. The characters are so original – hthe writer Mark Plivinsky has a real knack for characters that walk right of the page and into an actors heart.

What are your projects for the near future?
I am slated to do a Western film that takes place in the 1800’s, my character is loosely based on Barceló from Santa Fe, New Mexico.