Talking With Samantha Ireland

This edition of Talking With focuses on actress Samantha Ireland, who proves a survivor alongside Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones in this summer’s biggest thrill ride feature film ‘Twisters.’

Considered a re-imagining of the original ‘Twister’ film, the new version follows a former storm chaser who reluctantly heads back into the stormy world to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. Of course, a charming but reckless nemesis emerges to give her a hard time. But it isn’t long before the two must work together to save lives, including their own, as multiple systems converge over central Oklahoma.

Samantha appears as a mother who gets caught in the life-and-death situation with her daughter.

Anime fans everywhere will recognize this Texas native by her voice. Samantha voices Nora Valkyrie in the animated action-adventure film and TV franchise, RWBY. In addition, she hit the big screen in the feature film Blood Fest, premiering at SXSW and in a limited theatrical release.

To learn more, we are Talking With Samantha Ireland:

Why did you want to be part of the new film ‘Twisters’?

Samantha Ireland: As an actor, every time I audition my main goal is to “book the room”, which means being prepared, and professional, and bringing myself into the character so that the Casting Director knows that when there is a role that is right for me they will bring me in to read again. This was my first time reading for this Casting Director so, of course, I wanted to make an impression but also the original TWISTER was such a formidable film for me growing up (it was the VHS tape that was on repeat in our house) that it felt effortless for me to drop into the stakes of the scene. And fortunately, I booked the role!

The action scenes look incredible. Did you do anything specific to prepare?

Samantha Ireland: I needed to be well-in-tuned with the abilities of my body. I worked with stunts in prep the day before we started filming the action sequences and I needed to be honest with them about what I could and could not do. Thankfully, I was able to do everything that was asked of me. One of the movements we worked on was climbing down a pool ladder into an empty pool, which feels not only funny to do but the pool ladder steps are much closer together than a normal ladder, so I did feel rather silly trying to get that simple movement into my muscle memory. But once we started filming I was able to focus on my character as well as being mindful of what the Director and DP needed me to do for camera technicalities and not have to worry about falling into a pool.

What was the set like in between takes?

Samantha Ireland: Jovial. Focused. When the actors weren’t needed due to set-ups we would be placed in a room for “holding”. It was December when we were filming for summertime so the crew was always making sure we stayed warm when possible. Us actors all got to know each other and when the little girl who plays my daughter, Aila Grey, was there we would be having Thumb Wars and playing card games. The times we stayed on set in between takes it was inspirational to watch all the craftspeople do their work from the camera and sound teams to the set dressers. To see the best of the best doing their job on this big of a set felt like living inside movie magic.

Do you have a favorite scene from the movie? And, was it also your favorite to shoot?

Samantha Ireland: I love so many scenes in this film, truly, but I will say it’s kind of a toss-up between the first scene of the film and also the scene I am in. I hope that doesn’t sound conceded. The juxtaposition from the beginning of that first scene to the end of it rattles you and the action sequences set the tone for what we are in for as an audience. The scene I am in brings us back to that emotional place that we were in at the beginning of the movie but takes us a step further and the action is at an even higher stake. And the words my character says as we’re desperately trying to survive the tornado mirror the same words that Kate’s lover says at the beginning of the movie… it gives me chills even just thinking about it.

What do you think moviegoers to take away from the film?

Samantha Ireland: “WHAT A RIDE!” Honestly, this movie is so incredibly reminiscent of the 90s and early 2000s blockbuster movies I grew up going to see in the theater. I feel like the past couple of years there has been a specific sphere that blockbusters have been orbiting around and for some reason, I didn’t feel too drawn to them. This is just my kind of movie. Charming characters with undeniable chemistry. Edge-of-your-seat moments. An action film with heart.

We have to ask; have you ever been caught in an actual storm?

Samantha Ireland: There was a time in college when I was driving back to school and a tornado warning was issued. The sky was so dark, hail hitting my jeep, and the weather-issued warning was blaring on the radio. I was wondering if I should pull over and try to get into a ditch, people were parked under an overpass, but I just kept driving praying I would be okay. Then an announcer came on the radio warning that a tornado had just touched down near a local Walmart and when I didn’t see a Walmart near me I booked it and just drove away. Not as dramatic when I look back on it but it in the moment I was terrified.

In general, where do you start with a new role; and does that change depending on the genre?

Samantha Ireland: I start with reading the material, examining the relationships, and then seeing what my character's needs and wants are and then I’ll start memorizing. Of course on certain projects, like animations and video games, memorization isn’t necessary. Being cognizant of the genre the project is in and the team you are working with and being familiar with their past projects can help inform you of the nuances you can play within the project bu mainly, my preparation is the same for any role I approach.

What inspires you the most creatively?

Samantha Ireland: People who make art. Whether the art form is filmmaking or chalk drawings on a sidewalk. I am so inspired when an artist shares their work with anyone, could be at a huge art museum or a husband reading a poem to their wife that they wrote. It’s such a vulnerable thing to do and space to be in. Society can make us feel weary of being vulnerable to others. But to me, sharing ourselves in the way of art, and sharing our vulnerability is a superpower.

Finally, is there anything else you’re working on that we can watch for?

Samantha Ireland: I am not working on anything at the moment. I do have a couple of short films I have made that are online that you can find on my YouTube and Instagram accounts @the_sam_ireland. There's also an anime television series that I am in that has been going on for over a decade. It’s called ‘RWBY’ and it’s recently been acquired by VIZ Media, so that’s very exciting. We hope to continue making the series. At the moment you can watch Volumes 1-9 on Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime Video.

Keep up with Samantha Ireland on Instagram: @the_sam_ireland and TikTok: @the_sam_ireland