Funny and down-to-earth, actress Jill Morrison, a BC native, had always known she wanted to be in “the biz.” Now appearing in the new show “Package Deal” as well as a number of flicks, including a title that is showing at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), Morrison gave Crave readers a glimpse into her life, her professional aspirations of one day work behind the camera, and her personal hobbies like cooking.
1- Tell us about the current projects you’re working on.
Currently I am working on a western for Hallmark – it is called “When Calls the Heart,” produced and directed by Michael Landon Jr. It takes place in a coal mining town and I play Carla Noonan, a woman whose husband used to abuse her, and she is the only one whom is glad that her husband is dead. But she is left pregnant and with a child. It is lovely to work on a dramatic piece, because I usually work on comedies. It is a recurring role as well.
Recently I also worked on a film called “Step Up 5,” and it was a mostly improvised comedic role playing a snippy demanding casting director, which was so much fun to do. It’s funny because in the western I am pregnant and named Carla, and the movie I just wrapped, “Baby Boot Camp,” I was also named Carla and pregnant.
2- I understand you do both television and film – do you prefer one medium over the other?
I love both film and TV, and I enjoy them both so much for different reasons. Working on a show as a recurring character is amazing and interesting because you can allow the character to develop with the storyline and the other characters, and the writers get to know you, they write and develop the characters as you go which is so wonderful and fulfilling.
I love film because of the enormity of it all – the joy of going to the movies and seeing yourself on the big screen. I have been lucky enough to do some amazing features, but as well to perform in many movies of the week, which makes me happy to think audiences are cuddled up on their coach to see the movie. And with my new TV show, “Package Deal,” [I enjoy] wondering what your character is going to be up to next week. “Package Deal” was a dream come true – the forum of the sitcom made me feel like I had arrived home. I think I would be happy if I could do sitcoms for the rest of my life. Nothing like hearing all that laughter.
3- Any other projects in the pipeline?
The next few months will be spent working on “When Calls the Heart.” I have a movie in VIFF right now called “Leap For Your Life,” which was voted the must-see film of the festival. The little while will entail lots of promotion for that movie. On Monday, September 30th “Package Deal” comes out and I believe it will be quite a hit, so I see a second season coming up. I will also be making my way down to LA for pilot season in the hopes of more sitcom work.
4- Ever worked behind the camera or had any desire to do so?
I have never worked behind the camera, and I would love to. I also teach acting at a school in Vancouver called the Vancouver Acting School. This is great because it allows me to be really clear about the perspective of a director and producers and the visions of stories, how to see them as a whole rather than just the part you are going out for. I spend a great deal of time directing people, and feel that it’s something I could be really good at. That being said, I would love one day to go to school for directing, to really learn all about the technical side so that it is something I could do one day. I do dream of being the director one day but know how developed this skill is, how much I don’t know about it, and how much I want to learn about it. Because I do know and feel that, I have a really good eye for storytelling.
5- You love to cook in your spare time – any favourite types of food you like creating? Any signature dishes?
I absolutely love to cook. It is one of my passions. I come from a family of good cooks so It was inevitable. I really believe in fresh home cooking, using food from the earth, nothing processed. I think the key to my dishes is the time that I put into it. My lasagna and my stuffing have taken me years to perfect, and I love to make them for my friends and families (often at their request).
6- Who do you look up to in the business?
I look up to so many actors. I will say the inevitable answer, which is of course Meryl Streep. She is inspiring in so many ways. I find I can watch Kate Winslet acting and learn from her by just watching. She is incredibly skilled and honest. I really pay attention to actors whom when I watch them I forget they are that actor, but believe they are that person. And then I try to figure out how they do that. I pride myself on trying to continue to grow, and not just looking up to these actors, but also learning from them too. I find Melissa Macarthy extremely inspiring and just lovely and hilarious. I love the unconventional actor. I am very drawn to the work of John Lithgow, because he can be hilarious in a sitcom and then scare me to death in something like “Dexter.” That range and ability to transform his energy is very inspiring. I feel like this answer could go on and on, because I do love so many actors.
7- What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I think people would be surprised to know that I am actually quite introverted, because I have such an extroverted side – but I really enjoy time on my own, with my dog, in nature. It’s a side of me that I need and crave.
Photo: Kyle Cassie
