Actress Ren Hanami has been turning in some versatile performances lately, including her upcoming role an FBI Profiler on the witness stand for the Lifetime movie, “Hunt for the Labyrinth Killer.” Premiering on the next work this Saturday, August 3rd, 2013 at 8/7c and previously titled “Presumption of Innocence,” the film stars Michael Nouri (“Flashdance”) and chronicles the return of a serial killer.
Ren also transforms herself into the spunky Grandmother Fa for the premiere professional stage production of Disney’s “Mulan,” currently playing at the well-known Tuacahn Hafen Theater in Utah. And, she recently joined the cast of the fan-fave audio drama series, The Katniss Chronicles: Part II,” bringing several characters to life.
We recently caught up with the busy actress to find out more about her current projects and another one of her own she’s working on called “Ninja Mom.”
HOLLY: What can you tell us about the Lifetime movie "Hunt for the
Labyrinth Killer"?
REN: I play the role of the FBI Profiler who is an expert witness at the trial of a prominent judge played by Michael Nouri. It will be on Lifetime TV tomorrow night. It reunited me with my classmate Anne Ramsay from UCLA Theatre.
HOLLY: You play an FBI Profiler giving testimony -- what was that like and
how did you prepare for the role?
REN: My martial arts Sensei works for the FBI. He connected me with one of the agents who works with the FBI Profilers in Washington, D.C. He was able to help me with the attitude and behavior of someone in that position giving testimony. He also gave me some information about the description of their position which was incorporated into one of James Avery's lines as the judge.
HOLLY: And, currently you've switched gears to play the Grandmother in
"Mulan" -- how's the show going?
REN: The show is sold out every night and the families love it. I have had so many children come up to me and say, "You are my favorite." Disney created a very lovable character of Grandmother Fa that I get to play every night. It's also new for me to play a role in which I have to paint on so many lines instead of glamorous make-up. It's a lot of fun.
HOLLY: You've also recently lent your voice for the online audio drama,
"The Katniss Chronicles: Part II" -- what's it like bringing such a
popular story, as The Hunger Games, to life?
REN: "The Katniss Chronicles" is exciting on so many levels. It is such a popular series. The producers of the audio series are young, talented, enthusiastic entrepreneurs and I cannot wait to see their company Fanboy Comics take off in a big way. I get to play 5 different characters which really stretches me as a voice actress. I wasn't a fan of the stories until working on this project. I'm learning and getting into it as I go. I'm enjoying talking to other fans about it. I'm learning things that will help me with my "Ninja Mom" series and hopefully the fans of "Katniss" and "Hunger Games" will become fans of "Ninja Mom."
HOLLY: You seem to have some major versatility in your career -- do you
prefer one medium over the other? Or one type of character over the
other?
REN: I really love television and film the most because they reach a larger audience. With "Ninja Mom" my ultimate goal is to support The Ninja Mom Foundation in educating about bullying and domestic violence, helping battered women's shelters and reducing the violence as much as possible. I also grew up with television, cartoons and movie musicals so it's really in my DNA. I started out on stage in musical comedy and love it, so I will always go back to it for a good show or a good role. I still have Broadway on my bucket list.
HOLLY: Lastly, tell us how your fans can find more about you.
REN: I'm very accessible to my fans. I love interacting and hearing from them. So they can use social media, my web page and sign up for my newsletter.
Twitter: @renhanami and @NinjaMomMovie on Facebook: RenHanami and NinjaMomMovie link or link
Ren also transforms herself into the spunky Grandmother Fa for the premiere professional stage production of Disney’s “Mulan,” currently playing at the well-known Tuacahn Hafen Theater in Utah. And, she recently joined the cast of the fan-fave audio drama series, The Katniss Chronicles: Part II,” bringing several characters to life.
We recently caught up with the busy actress to find out more about her current projects and another one of her own she’s working on called “Ninja Mom.”
HOLLY: What can you tell us about the Lifetime movie "Hunt for the
Labyrinth Killer"?
REN: I play the role of the FBI Profiler who is an expert witness at the trial of a prominent judge played by Michael Nouri. It will be on Lifetime TV tomorrow night. It reunited me with my classmate Anne Ramsay from UCLA Theatre.
HOLLY: You play an FBI Profiler giving testimony -- what was that like and
how did you prepare for the role?
REN: My martial arts Sensei works for the FBI. He connected me with one of the agents who works with the FBI Profilers in Washington, D.C. He was able to help me with the attitude and behavior of someone in that position giving testimony. He also gave me some information about the description of their position which was incorporated into one of James Avery's lines as the judge.
HOLLY: And, currently you've switched gears to play the Grandmother in
"Mulan" -- how's the show going?
REN: The show is sold out every night and the families love it. I have had so many children come up to me and say, "You are my favorite." Disney created a very lovable character of Grandmother Fa that I get to play every night. It's also new for me to play a role in which I have to paint on so many lines instead of glamorous make-up. It's a lot of fun.
HOLLY: You've also recently lent your voice for the online audio drama,
"The Katniss Chronicles: Part II" -- what's it like bringing such a
popular story, as The Hunger Games, to life?
REN: "The Katniss Chronicles" is exciting on so many levels. It is such a popular series. The producers of the audio series are young, talented, enthusiastic entrepreneurs and I cannot wait to see their company Fanboy Comics take off in a big way. I get to play 5 different characters which really stretches me as a voice actress. I wasn't a fan of the stories until working on this project. I'm learning and getting into it as I go. I'm enjoying talking to other fans about it. I'm learning things that will help me with my "Ninja Mom" series and hopefully the fans of "Katniss" and "Hunger Games" will become fans of "Ninja Mom."
HOLLY: You seem to have some major versatility in your career -- do you
prefer one medium over the other? Or one type of character over the
other?
REN: I really love television and film the most because they reach a larger audience. With "Ninja Mom" my ultimate goal is to support The Ninja Mom Foundation in educating about bullying and domestic violence, helping battered women's shelters and reducing the violence as much as possible. I also grew up with television, cartoons and movie musicals so it's really in my DNA. I started out on stage in musical comedy and love it, so I will always go back to it for a good show or a good role. I still have Broadway on my bucket list.
HOLLY: Lastly, tell us how your fans can find more about you.
REN: I'm very accessible to my fans. I love interacting and hearing from them. So they can use social media, my web page and sign up for my newsletter.
Twitter: @renhanami and @NinjaMomMovie on Facebook: RenHanami and NinjaMomMovie link or link
DragMeToHell
OKAY,
Yesterday, Saturday, I saw DragMeToHell...something was wrong in the sounds, cause it was WAY too loud, which was cool, cause it was more scarier that way, but it was still a GREAT movie!!! So, if youre thinking about seeing a GREAT scary, twisted, lcif hanged ending, movie...then go see DragMeToHell at your local theatre today!
__________
It was everything I thought it would be...scary, cool, great, even a little bit demonic! It is a great movie, that you need to see and it will make you think that you are being cursed by the Aluminie! Or whatever the curse is being formed by...Three Days, and only one mistake to end your life! If you think you can handle it...go see it!
Just remember what I'm about to say: DANGER AWAITS THEE...AND SCARY INTENSE PARTS MAY HOLD YOU TO A NIGHTMARE!!!
(no , only a few cuss words used, and a good scary movie that makes this cinema a good pick!)
OKAY,
Yesterday, Saturday, I saw DragMeToHell...something was wrong in the sounds, cause it was WAY too loud, which was cool, cause it was more scarier that way, but it was still a GREAT movie!!! So, if youre thinking about seeing a GREAT scary, twisted, lcif hanged ending, movie...then go see DragMeToHell at your local theatre today!
__________
It was everything I thought it would be...scary, cool, great, even a little bit demonic! It is a great movie, that you need to see and it will make you think that you are being cursed by the Aluminie! Or whatever the curse is being formed by...Three Days, and only one mistake to end your life! If you think you can handle it...go see it!
Just remember what I'm about to say: DANGER AWAITS THEE...AND SCARY INTENSE PARTS MAY HOLD YOU TO A NIGHTMARE!!!
(no , only a few cuss words used, and a good scary movie that makes this cinema a good pick!)