What attracted you to the part of Jessie McGruff in 'The Chester Story'?
  Jessie is a textured, real woman, and it was a pleasure playing her.  When I first read the script I recognized the obvious similarities to myself, especially the Southern roots.  But what was deeper and even more attractive was her struggle to balance her love and responsibility for her son with her wish to be independent and make her own way in the world.  She is already dealing with mothering a teenage boy who wants to be independent in his own right, a less-than-glamorous job, and an estranged husband who's never been there when she needs him.  From the very beginning she's trying to make it all work, make it all better.  When she receives the news that drives the movie, it just makes it all that much harder to deal with.  But she does so with pride and love, and I admire that.  I also love her because in so many ways she represents what I know of being a Southern woman. I think the stereotype is of a sweet little thing, not too smart, who bakes casseroles all day and goes to church three times a week.  That is a part of some Southern women's experience (although I don't think that's limited to the South), but Jessie is more a good ol girl, strong, intelligent, and resourceful.

What sort of experience was it filming on location in Wilmington?
Wilmington is so beautiful!  We were there at Azalea Festival time, and there were flowers everywhere.  Huge pink and white blossoms in drifts along the roads and in peoples yards.  It was amazing.  It was also nice to walk along the beach at the end of a long day shooting, or go into town and get coffee or eat at one of the little restaurants (I swear I don't work for the Wilmington Tourist Board).  My house in the movie was in a gorgeous spot, right next to the water with a big wraparound porch in front and a dock in back.  Except for the mosquitoes (the only downside to big gardens by the water at low tide), it was bliss.

Which films do you prefer being a part of, smaller films like 'The Chester Story' or larger studio films such as ''The Legend of Bagger Vance'? 
Besides the fact that the roles are usually larger in smaller films (not that I'm knocking whatever I do in a big film, the work is too hard to come by not to appreciate it), I tend to gravitate toward indies, even as a viewer.  Songcatcher, the independent film that I did prior to The Chester Story, is a good example of why.  In that film, I was playing a proud mountain woman, high up in the hills near Maggie Valley in North Carolina.  There's a scene in the film where I walk in on a country church service, take focus, shoot a gun typical dream-actor stuff.  Before I come in, an argument has erupted among the townspeople, including Aidan Quinn and Janet McTeer.  So here you've got stars and unknowns, everybody's filthy and sweaty, gnats everywhere, and we've got this pivotal scene to do with only so long before we lose the light.  When you know there's no option of coming back to the setup because you only have so much film, money, and time, everybody pulls together to get it done.  It raises your game and your focus, and you know that you're all depending on each other.  I think that kind of focus and teamwork shows in the final product.  It was even more so that way in The Chester Story.  When things don't go as planned in an indie, you don't have the option of just throwing more money at it to solve the problem.  There's no time or patience for tantrums or ego-driven neediness.  There aren't trailers to retreat to, so you're pretty much right there in the middle of the action all the time.  And I love that!  If the guy next door won't turn his lawnmower off while you're filming, you put a microphone in the car and play the scene in there with all the windows rolled up.  If a big storm blows up out of nowhere (welcome to Wilmington), you move the telephone booth inside and play it there.  It certainly keeps you on your toes.  And there's a definite closeness that comes with knowing you're all creating a wonderful thing together  and again, I think that shows up on-screen.  Teri Hatcher and Rhoda Griffis and I wouldn't have used a trailer if we'd had one. It was much more fun sitting on the floor in the house poring over magazines and getting to know each other.

What has been your most challenging acting role so far?
Several years ago, I did a new play in which I played a very damaged woman with multiple-personality disorder.  That was pretty intense, and I'd love the opportunity to do that kind of thing again. I love any role that will teach me something new about human beings.  In terms of film, Jessie was certainly the largest role I've had, and that comes with certain demands.  Besides, the obvious the increased responsibility, shooting major emotional changes out of order, never enough time to rehearse and play, last-minute adjustments that threaten to throw you, etc. there was a real challenge with Jessie to keep her real and involved in her circumstances without making her dreary.  I think she is a woman with a sense of humor and a real love for life, although this particular part of her life doesn't get to include much of that.  So we have to see glimpses, let a gesture or a look speak more than it might otherwise.  She has to keep a certain façade going for her son, to take care of him and let him believe that everything's going to be okay.  And of course she also has to be likeable, so audience members can get on her side and be hopeful for her.  It's a fine line, and it's hard to get it right all the time.  So the challenge is to get it right as often as possible and hope that the overall effect works.

Who did you hang around on-set with during production?
Mostly Rhoda and Teri on the days that we were all shooting together (which were never enough - I LOVE them!).  And Cody Newton and I actually spent a lot of time together, mostly talking about skateboarding and extreme sports.  He's completely into all of that, and I know just enough to be able to appreciate it and talk to him about it without feeling like a complete old person.  He's a very cool kid, and I'm always appreciative of any young actor who doesn't spend all of his time talking about what projects he's worked on or what stars he knows.  There was a great down-to-earth vibe on this set, and that helped us all do our work.  And Teri and especially Rhoda and I continue to stay in touch, so if nothing else happened with this movie I will always cherish the friendships I've made from it.

What projects are you currently working on?
Teri and I are actually working on a treatment for a film based on a Southern story--more great women characters (for us to play, of course!)  Assuming the details get worked out, I may be working on another independent film in L.A. this fall about the poetry slam scene.  And I'm getting ready to leave for Edinburgh, where I'm performing at the Fringe Festival the first week of August.  

What was it like working with costars Robert Treveiler and Teri Hatcher?
Rob and I have known each other for years, and I always enjoy working with him (although I think there were only two days that we actually shot together!).  He has an easy, supportive way about him that is great in person and on film.  Teri and I have become friends, in part because we're contemporaries and just plain like each other, but also because I think we worked very well together.  I know that she enabled me in so many ways. We have a pretty challenging scene at one point in the movie, and she was completely there for me the entire time, whether the camera was pointed at her or at me.  That to me is the mark of a truly giving and professional actor, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her, both as a person and as a great talent.    

Tell us about working with Director/Writer Rebecca Bagley...
Every now and then you meet someone who is doing exactly what they should be doing with their lives, and I think Rebecca is one of those people.  She has a unique gift for storytelling, not only as a writer but also in directing those words and images in a beautiful way.  She was always willing to listen to us (and she did have an opinionated group on her hands), but she also had a clear idea in her head of how she wanted it.  More importantly, she knew how to get us there without sacrificing what we brought to the table.  Of course we all hope that the success of this film leads to more good things for us all, and I can't wait to see what Becca comes up with next.  Besides, she's one of the sweetest and most welcoming directors I've known.  Starting a new project is always a little unnerving, especially when you're starring, and she immediately put us all at ease.  And she's so appreciative!  I've never seen someone love a project more.

The Chester Story has been bought by a US distributor and is going to be released theatrically.  How do you think it will be received? 
I think audiences will love it!  The characters are interesting individually there is definitely someone for everyone to relate to--and it's great to watch their stories spin together as the movie progresses.  I think it is definitely feel-good without being Hollywood-schmaltzy.  And the entire movie, start to finish, is absolutely GORGEOUS (kudos to Harlan and his crew).  I think sometimes the industry forgets that sometimes a sweet, simple story can be a good thing, too.  Don't get me wrong, I adore big action movies, broad comedies, etc.  But we can't forget to speak to the heart.   

What do you believe that audiences will get out of this film? 
That there is always hope.  That we shouldn?t be afraid to take risks.  And that we should go to Wilmington when the azaleas are blooming because it is soooo beautiful.
Interview
Actress Andrea Powell - 'Jessie'