Jeryl Prescott is what people in Hollywood call a triple threat. She not only acts but writes and directs as well. She added a fourth hat, that of producer, with her short film “Multiple Choice” in 2006. She has appeared in such films as “Skeleton Key” and “Vacancy 2” and on such television shows as “One Tree Hill,” “Brothers and Sisters” and “Hawthorne.” 2011 will find her co-starring in the film “Bolden!,” a fictional look at the life of jazz musician Buddy Bolden. The film co-stars Jackie Earle Haley, Anthonie Mackie and Michael Rooker. Jeryl can now be seen in the new television series “The Walking Dead.” Movie Mikes had a chance to talk with Jeryl about her role in the show and what to come in the future.
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Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your character, Jacqui, in “The Walking Dead”?
Jeryl Prescott: The character was created by Frank Darabont. She is not in the comic book series, so you have to watch the show to see how she fits into this world. She’s the kind of woman who can surprise you. Jacqui is a southern woman. I’m from the south, and the southern women I know and love are often nurturing, but fierce and bold when necessary, and really unpredictable
MG: What has been the best part about working on the show?
JP: The Walking Dead team is such an amazing collection of human beings! No BS. From the producers to the cast and crew, everybody connected with it. It’s like the coming together of some perfect force. For me especially, doing my first recurring role on a series, it is such a divine experience. As for my favorite thing, probably watching the zombie magic up close, having lunch with zombies, talking with them between takes–surreal.
MG: Were you familiar with the comic series?
JP: No, but I am now. I have the Compendium. It requires a bit of weight lifting to carry it around. And it’s only 48 of the stories! There are like 76 of them. I like to think of it as a giant graphic novel, and it’s fascinating.
MG: How does working on a TV series, like “The Walking Dead”, differ from doing movies like “The Skeleton Key” or “Vacancy 2”?
JP: It’s such a different experience. With “The Walking Dead” it’s like we’re making a new movie every week. We’re basically making a new, complete movie every week. The benefit is that you get to stick with the same character week after week, which is nice. But the challenge is that you’re processing, mentally and emotionally, a chunk of experience in the course of the week. But in a film, you have months. And you’d have those months to read through it. But on “The Walking Dead” the scripts may change overnight. I mean we might not even have a script “locked” until the night before we shoot. So the challenge there is enormous.
MG: Are you a fan of the horror genre in particular?
JP: It must speak to my aura. It must read “she’s perfect for scary stuff.” It’s an amazing little trend as my career develops.
MG: What else do you have planned in the coming months?
JP: Pajama parties at my place for The Walking Dead on Sunday nights! And I’m in an upcoming film called “Bolden!”, which is actually being introduced to the world right now by a companion film called “Louis,” which is a silent film. It is being presented in six or seven major cities with live musical accompaniment by Wynton Marsalis (who is also one of the films’ producers) and his orchestra. And it is a fascinating and unique film experience. It focuses on the early childhood experiences of Louis Armstrong. And it’s a way of introducing to audiences the time period when Buddy Bolden lived. (Note: Buddy Bolden was one of the greatest musicians in New Orleans at the turn of the 20th Century and was instrumental in the creation of both ragtime and jazz. The film is scheduled to open in 2011.) It really will be a great experience.
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