Amanda Walsh Talks Wargames: The Dead Code

Recently I had the chance to speak with actress Amanda Walsh about her role in the upcoming “War Games: The Dead Code” which is coming soon to DVD by MGM. The film follows up the 80’s classic “War Games” which starred Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy and Dabney Coleman. I found Amanda to be a very lively and intelligent lady with a great wit and I want to thank her for taking time from her busy schedule to speak with me about the film.

GVK: What attracted you to the part?

AW: I had seen the original and I am a big fan of pop culture. My family and I moved around and we did not have a television so I have a big chunk of the 80’s missing.

GVK: What type of research did you do to prepare for playing Annie?

AW: I re-watched the original “War Games” and a lot of films on hackers and people on the run to get a greater understanding of the genre since I had not done an action film before.

GVK: How did you prepare for the physical nature of the part?

AW: I studied dance before but it’s not the same type of physical performance. I did a lot of exercise but I probably should have done more running because it was really tough running in the cold weather. I remember shooting a scene where a car is chasing us at 7:30 AM. Matt is athletic and I was really proud that I was keeping up with him. Later on I saw him running on his own, and I realized he had been holding back for his running scenes with me! I also went to do some Yoga on a day off from filming, but ended up pulling something that made it harder to run.

GVK: Are you a tech head or a gamer?

AW: I am neither. I have to admit I haven’t read the instructions on every gadget I have and I am sure that my phone can do so much more. I did do some research though on chess and building mousetraps on Facebook like Annie uses in the film.

GVK: What are some of the moments that stand out for you during filming?

AW: The cold. Also, I thought that the skirt Annie wore was very practical in a northern climate especially when she had to run. I had never been so cold, which is saying a lot as I grew up in Montreal where we filmed. It was well below zero and I could not stop shaking especially when we shot the scene laying on the ice. There were many nights where I would go home after filming and put my comforter in the dryer so I could bundle up at night in a warm blanket. They made jackets for us out of those things you put in your gloves to keep your hands warm. I had been in films before where I was in a swimsuit and we had to pretend that it was summertime, but it was so cold while filming this movie that I did not want to let go of the jacket when it was time to shoot.

GVK: It is funny that you say that because Matt had mentioned how cold it was. People always say how great it must be to be on a film set, and how lucky I am in what I do. While I love what I do, people do not realize how much work goes into making a film and how while on set, it is often very long and unglamorous and while I do not get exposed to it nearly to the extent that you do, I respect how much effort is put into making films. So, what do you like to do in your spare time?

AW: I live in L.A. and I like to hike, spend time with friends, and I am taking up surfing. I also like comedy and to write when I can motivate myself.

GVK: What do you have upcoming?

AW: I have “The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” with Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Michael Douglas. It should come out in February 2009.