Remedy has uploaded the third in a series of interviews which takes a closer look at Alan Wake 2's brilliant cast. Previously, we've seen Peter Franzén, as well as Melanie Liburd, and Ilkka Villi in the spotlight, but in their new video they sat down with the actor behind everyone's favourite waitress, Jessica Preddy.
While the video is brief, it gives us plenty of new information; from Preddy's approach to the role and her version of Rose Marigold, to how the character has changed in the ten years she's been away.
One particularly interesting snippet that Preddy reveals is the workshop process for the character,"A lot of references we talked about in the workshopping were sitcoms from the 1950s or 60s. It's like Rose will watch something and mirror something because she knows that's what is a normal act for a human to do. But she doesn't quite do it, in a completely human way. "
It's an aspect of the character which is lurking under the surface, but is obvious when pointed out. It's also likely to be an aspect about Rose that makes her very relatable or easy to empathise with for a lot of people, without them being able to pinpoint exact what. Just to name one of the main possibilities is social anxiety; being so anxious about a group gathering that you are literally going through test conversations in your mind, and trying to sound "normal" before people arrive. On top of that, Rose is also a deeply likeable and warm character, neatly fitting into the weirdness around her while also feeling like a safe haven. That concoction is the reason that character is highly loved.
As I mentioned before, it's a short video but packed with goodness. You can check it out in full, below...
Question: What's it like playing Rose?
Jessica Preddy: I have to say it's a little bit intimidating, stepping into the shoes of Rose. I know the players all adore her so much, and that's a lot to take on. You don't want to let anybody down. When I was doing prep work for Rose, and throughout the casting process, I really did lean a lot on the thematic elements from the first Alan Wake game. And then I went, and I looked at some of the references to really embody that sort of small town feel that Rose has, but again, like we've talked about, she's different in the sequel.
[Introduction] Jessica Preddy: Hi, my name is Jessica Preddy. I'm here to play the role of Rose.
Question: Describe Rose?
Jessica Preddy: Rose... when we pick up with Rose again, she has lived through some experiences between the last time the player saw her and where we're picking up with her now. She is drawn by the darkness a little bit more. It's insidiously crept into her head a little bit. So, when the players see Rose for the first time in the sequel, they'll recognize elements of the Rose that they all fell in love with, but something has changed. She's not aggressive. She's never mean. She's not a malicious character. In her world-view, she's always doing the right thing for Alan, but there's a little bit of a darker feel to her this time.
Question: Where did you draw inspiration from?
Jessica Preddy: A lot of references we talked about in the workshopping were sitcoms from the 1950s or 60s. It's like Rose will watch something and mirror something because she knows that's what is a normal act for a human to do. But she doesn't quite do it, in a completely human way. And I think when she interacts with characters like Saga. Saga clocks onto that very quickly and is thinking, "Hang on a second. What's going on here? What's going on in this character's mind?"
Question: How does Rose feel about Alan?
Jessica Preddy: In addition to running the Oh Deer Diner and helping out at Valhalla Nursing Home, I think Rose's third job is President of the Alan Wake Fan Club. She is absolutely obsessed with him and not in an infatuated or a crush kind of way. This is like her life's calling to be the vessel through which Alan Wake speaks. She's constantly looking for messages from him in anything she does. And she takes that very, very seriously. And it will push her to do things that she, as Rose, would normally not do. But if she thinks Alan's telling her to do something, no questions asked. She will show up and she will be there and do whatever it takes to serve as the next stepping stone in his story.
Question: What's it like working on Alan Wake 2?
Jessica Preddy: I really think Remedy are pushing the boundaries of gaming with the Alan Wake sequel. I have worked on motion capture before, but never in a way that blends cinematic elements with the video game technology and the motion capture technology. And it's really exciting to be able as an actor to go in there, block it, flesh it out physically, but then also have this whole journey ahead of us at this point in time where we can shoot it like a film and really bring that filmic quality to the scenes when you're interacting with your other cast members. So it's completely different to what I've ever done before.
[In-Game] Rose: Oh my God. Eeek,
Jessica Preddy: I hope that the players are ready for this because it's a really exciting journey.
