What led you to a career in the entertainment business and how did you get your start?

When I was around nineteen, I booked a commercial which then led to my getting some work on an Aaron Spelling television show (now I’m dating myself), “Savannah”. While I was on set, I was captivated by the energy and decided then and there that I was going to work in film...

I had no idea where to start, so I went back to college (a couple years later), and majored in film and theatre production (double major). During my matriculation, I met a film teacher who explained for me not to worry about what film school I went to (I wanted to go to NYU—but I paid for my own college so that was out of the question) and made it quite clear that it was WHAT you did while you were in film school that mattered and encouraged me to utilize the facilities on campus and DO something.

I teamed up with a creative gent named Scotty whom I met in a film theory class and together we were unstoppable; between his creative genius and my passion and our [combined] determination… we developed a 30 minute outwardly “gay themed sci-fi” entertainment talk show where we interviewed celebrities from different press junkets and then spliced in the clips throughout the episode and voila, “Rocket” was born.

Without boring you to death, there were many hiccups in the beginning (our forgetting to put the sound on, me forgetting what question I was supposed to ask Woody Allen, me trying to tell a funny story to Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson and totally bombing! I still haven’t brought myself to watch that footage), lots of mistakes that we learned from.

Yet, I must admit this was the best experience in production I had by far. This is how I met the director, Mr. Garry Marshall during a press junket for “Princess Dairies I, who eventually gave me my first writing gig on his film, “Princess Dairies II”. Who would have thought that would have happened… All from just doing something that we loved, taking the initiative, time and dedication.

Please tell us, briefly, about your career and what projects you worked on?

I stayed in Atlanta for some time and worked as a Associate Producer on a local Real-Estate talk show, “Atlanta’s Best New Homes, and also produced a documentary and a couple of commercials. My then boyfriend had bought me a decent camera and Apple G4 to edit on so, I was having some luck with landing some work through referrals, etc.

The documentary was for an organization called GOAL (Girls Outdoor Adventure and Leadership) whose main goal was to bring girls together from different socio economic backgrounds and teach them team building skills, which would in turn encourage self confidence and team work.

However, I yearned for the west coast, it filled my every thought. I finally said my goodbyes to everyone, knowing in my heart, I wouldn’t be coming back. Truth be told, it was tough and I was scared to death, but I knew that if I didn’t do it, I might regret it one day. I thought to myself, “Do I want to be one of those parents who say…I wish I would have done this Johnny”. Nope. I wanted to say, “I wanted to do this, I did it, I sucked or I did it, I met your Dad, etc, etc.” (You get the point).

As luck would have it, Mr. Marshall hired me for Princess Dairies II as a punch-up writer several months after my arrival...thank goodness, because things weren’t going so well. If memory serves me correctly–I was handing out hotdogs at a film event in Malibu. Alllll my dreams were coming true. LOL

I worked directly under Mr. Marshall and seasoned writer, Marty Nadler for the stint of my contract and realized then that all I wanted to do was write. Well, truth be told, the guy who washes your car in L.A., is a screenplay writer and the meter maid is a playwright. Everyone is a writer; I wasn’t a novelty.

After I worked on a handful of nondescript commercials and hip hop music videos, Marshall hired me once again to assist him at his theatre during the run of “Happy Days, The Musical” and I was thrilled. Working with him was always a pleasure—his whole production team is nice and that is unusual in the biz. I kept a notepad close by at all times, writing maniacally—observing, listening, and writing, always writing.

Soon after, “Happy Days”—I traveled to San Francisco, where I fell in love with the city. And for real, I fell in love, love. The real thing! But, there is no film work up here (or barely is). And if you think the competition was thick in L.A., it was a tighter knit group here. But, as always, I was determined.

I met a very cool group of indie filmmakers out of Los Gatos and worked in the Costuming Department under the amazing Daniella Turner who taught many tricks of the “costuming” trade. “Car Babes” was a blast to work on—it was my first indie outside of Atlanta, GA, and the spirit was a different animal than the studios. I loved it; it felt like I was back doing “Rocket”. I ended up acting in “Car Babes”---I always say, ‘I’m an actress by default’. Usually, the actor doesn’t show up and then I hear the director yell my name. “You can play a hussy, right?” Sure, who can’t?

I realized that I thoroughly enjoyed costuming as well and it broadened my horizons and made me a bit more marketable. I then booked: “Eyes Of A Killer”, (Actor/Costume Designer), “Two Mothers” (Costume Design), “My Name Is Khan” (Locations department).

Most recently I worked on “The Magic of Christmas”, where I play a pregnant mom…talk about type casting, right? Guess I couldn’t play a convincing hussy while pregnant.

What has been the most challenging part of your career?

Eating right. LOL.

No seriously, L.A. is tough and intimidating, everyone is their own best cheerleader and I sucked at cheering, especially for myself. I mean, I could do the splits---wait, that doesn’t not sound right. Ok. Moving on.

The toughest part was the inconsistency. You always had to hussel; I guess it’s the name of the game (unless you have a writing agent). I couldn’t always count on Mr. Marshall to do a film and I had to make a living.

So, you look for odd production jobs to pay the bills and usually end up eating on the $1.00 menu at McDonald’s. I swear I gained my most weight in the city where you stand in line at the Coffee Bean and feel judgmental gazes sizing up your hiney from behind dark, uber-cool sunglasses as if you’re auditioning for a part and you’re just trying to wake up for crying out loud….

Don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed every moment of my existence in L.A., though there were ups and downs, break-ups and car accidents. I learned a tremendous amount about myself and that was worth the move. I became stronger, more confident and I grew up. I needed to grow up. So, I can now tell my son, “I wanted to move to LA, I did it, it was a struggle, but I survived, I met my soul mate and look, you’re here” and I wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe I’ll make that a t-shirt.

What was your favorite project and why?

All my experiences have been memorable, thus far. But, if I have to pick…my top would be “Rocket” because of my partner, Scotty Mullen and because we could be as crazy as we wanted, without any higher up telling us to tone it down. We covered pregnant bikini contests, weird cat shows, I was rocketed off to save the universe by interviewing John Travolta (and ended our interview by asking him if “he still had his moves”. He said, “of course” and we both started dancing in our seats). Scotty, dressed up in drag to interview Nina Vardalos, from my “Big Fat Greek Wedding”, it was an adventure.

Other than that I would say, Princess Dairies II because of it being my first studio feature film and because of Marty Nadler and Garry Marshall. I enjoy sitting around with writers, doing research, spinning ideas, phrases, dialogue, coming up with scenarios. It was the best and is still what I enjoy the most.

What I enjoy about filmmaking is that it’s a collaborative effort and if and when you meet a group of filmmakers that you bond with, it is well, art at it’s best, I think.

Tell us five words OTHER people use to describe Tamara?

Happy, eclectic, out-going, loving, wear my heart on my sleeve, passionate,

Who has influenced you the most in life thus far and how?

Wow, that’s a toughie. There have been several individuals that helped form ‘lil Miss Tammi:

1. My Grandmother: She was a wonderful mother, wife and she was a firecracker! She always seemed happy (even though she hardly had anything it seemed from the outside) and her eyes were so understanding and loving—I could tell what she was saying without her even saying a word. She made me want to be a better person and she just wanted me to get married. Sheesh, she was always so worried about me getting married. I always told her that I was just picky (true...very, very true) and just couldn’t settle to settle like most women I knew when they hit 30 and weren’t cleaved to a man or woman for that matter. She didn’t get it or maybe she did because she would just smile with her baby blues and nod knowingly. She was and still is my angel.
2. A woman who I met through life’s journey…Dr. Terry Tirrito. Though I have lost touch with her, I think of her often. She is an amazing Mother, teacher and author and intellectual. She raised her children then went back to get her doctorate and pursue her passion. Her zest for life and her career were unparalleled. I wanted to grow up to be just like her. I miss her very much.
3. My Grampa Charlie—who recently passed away: He was proof that you don’t have to be related to someone in reality to be family. He adopted me as his own when I was around 11. Giving me a word of the day every time we spoke (up until 2 months ago) telling me that I was different and could do anything I set my mind to early on. I do not doubt that he is one of the very reasons I am infatuated with words and poetry. A couple of his favorite words were: pithy, indubitably and popinjay.
4. A dear friend of mine from my teens, a Mr. Walton Goggins. He is a forever friend. One that I know would never judge me but, would tell me like it is, even if it stung for a moment. He continually enlightens me and proves that though you have achieved much success, humility is a quality most appreciated.
5. Last but not least, Garry Marshall. He gave me opportunities I didn’t realize would allow me to become not just a more well rounded writer, but person, as well.

You are getting ready to embark on the most prolific role in the world, that of a mom, how does it feel?

I must admit it is wonderful, exciting, and petrifying at the same time. This was my miracle, this blessed little baby boy.

I dreamed of having children for a long time and honestly thought that it would not become a reality, but my love child is coming soon and that is simply breathtaking to me.

I have never felt this range of emotion. I feel that any mistakes that I made are non-existent. I thought moving to California and starting over would be the biggest chapter of my life, now I realize that it was simply the introduction. My new beginning will start when I see my beloved little boy.

I am also a soon to be stepmother and I love my soon to be step- daughters and completely get along with their mother, which is wonderful. I feel like we are the new and improved version of what a family should be. Why do so many step mom’s not like the mom’s? I mean, it’s all about the kids, people. Pay attention. You’re affecting them, their future. Quite being so damn selfish, that ‘s what I think. BE the bigger person and show them that it’s really about love. That is what life is about, loving each other, growing together. If you part with that one person you once loved, you can still care for them, you can still want their happiness and success. Show your children, lead by example.

What kind of mother to you hope/anticipate being?

I read a quote the other day by Alice Miller, It read: “Children are messengers to us from a world we once deeply knew but we have long since forgotten." I have a feeling I will be learning a lot about myself from this little messenger. Appreciating the small wonders of life, ladybugs, daffodils, motorcycles? And just taking day by day, showering him with love, listening to him, really listening to him—I think will be important—and I believe if I love him unconditionally that that is the best that I can do. Encourage him to be himself, engage him in whatever activity he expresses interest in, challenge him, educate him and simply hold his hand. The other day, my significant other said, “You know, Tam. We are his introduction to this world.” I never looked at it like that before. Wow! How exciting. So, I think I’ll look at it through his eyes, and we’ll do a lot of discovering together.

What about the world would you like to see change or improve during your child's lifetime?

I would like to see gay marriage recognized and legal and I would like to see a cure for AIDS (there’s a doctor close in San Francisco). I would like to see people stop judging others by their religion—that’s what causes all wars from the very beginning of time, it seems.

And for everyone to stop wearing Uggs in the summer. hahaha

Other than motherhood, what's sort of projects would you like to take on?

I would like to write a novel, and plan on making a documentary or two.