Page 40 - Demo

40 hip spot even now. I remember one of the other actresses and I jumped into the rooftop pool in the middle of October and everyone was looking at us like we were crazy so instead we pretended to be from Canada. MFM: What was the best part of playing Cassandra on Z Nation?PP: I loved working with my Z Nation family. When you see each other 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, for months on end, sure you drive each other crazy, but nothing compares to the camaraderie that you build. Also nothing beats getting to work on a character as unique as Cassandra for such a good amount of time. MFM: Did you identify with your character in a certain way?PP: I really related to Cassandra%u2019s will to survive. My parents are survivors of war, and I feel a lot of their experience has been passed onto me. I have been told that I hold myself together really well when shit hits the fan so I see myself in Cassandra in that respect.MFM: Did you do any special training in order to prepare for your role as Cassandra?PP: I got together with some great stunt coordinators. Daniel Locicero and Keith Cox both helped me prepare for some of Cassandra%u2019s big fight scenes. I also watched a lot of dance videos featuring Pina Bausch and studied animal hunting. MFM: What kinds of fan reactions have you experienced since Cassandra%u2019s death?PP: I was not sure what the reaction was going to be, but everyone has been really supportive. I was so overwhelmed with how upset fans were about Cass%u2019 death that I posted a thank you on my Facebook page. It reached something like 16,000 people which I thought was pretty amazing.MFM: What is your dream role to have in the future?PP: I would love to do a movie about Cambodia where my parents are from. I never grew up there, so I would have to relearn to speak Cambodian in a totally different accent and carry myself differently. I remember visiting for the first time back in 2001 and people could tell that I was American just by the way I walked. My family members were really impressed that I was able to converse with them, but I could tell I sounded different. It would be a beautiful challenge and a great way for me to connect with my background. MFM: Have you taken acting classes or have you learned and grown through each role you have done? How did you meet your first agent?PP: I have taken some acting classes, although I always feel like I could take more. I definitely grew as an actor by being on Z Nation and working with so many other great actors. I met my first agent via a friend who was a model. When she found out I acted, she sort of pushed me onto her agent, and I booked one of the first things I went out for. MFM: What do you do to stay in shape? Favorite exercise?PP: I really watch my diet. It not only keeps me in shape, but it makes me feel good mentally and physically. I love, love cooking, and I love food. But I have discovered that I can eat half the amount of food that I normally do and be more than satisfied. If I start getting hungry, I will drink some water first. If I am still hungry, I will have some nuts or some fruit. And if I am still really hungry then I will have a light meal. I try to do this as consistently as possible, but of course there are days where I veer off. When that happens, I try not to over eat and just pace myself at every meal. I also find that walking after a meal really helps. It is the only way I can explain eating all over NYC and losing weight. I think I just end up walking it all off. As far as exercise I have to do it first thing in the morning, otherwise it just does not happen. Usually it is something simple like a 30 minute walk or light hike, but I really focus on my muscles, my core, and my breathing while I am doing it. Otherwise, I will get online and do a 10-20 minute video where I focus on my arms, my abs, or my legs. I used to do a lot of boot camp and circuit training