Reid ready for the spotlight

For 29-year-old Tara Reid, acting is not difficult; "That's really what I do," the young actress affirms. "It's second nature." In a recent phone interview with The Heights and other college newspapers, Reid addressed the release of her new film, Alone in the Dark, her reputation in Hollywood, and the future and beginnings of her career. For Tara Reid, every film is an opportunity to experience something new. "I chose Alone in the Dark because there is sci-fi, action, horror ... it's a very different kind of movie." Reid got her start in movies with horror sequel A Return to Salem's Lot (1987), after attending school with other well-known actors such as Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jerry O'Connell. "Horror films are fun movies to make," says Reid. For Alone in the Dark, she learned how to shoot a gun, as well as gain a better understanding of the importance of staying in shape. Reid also found appeal in the horror genre because it meant leaving behind her recent string of comedic roles in such films as Van Wilder and American Pie. "Comedies are a lot harder to shoot. It is harder to be funny than it is to be mad or scared." As for her future, Reid is very optimistic. In the past she has only had the opportunity to play younger roles, but now that she's older, Reid says that there will be "different kinds of roles you'll see me doing." When looking at possible parts, Reid looks at the director, the character role, and the package of the film as a whole. So far in her career, she has enjoyed getting the chance to work with such actors as Richard Gere, Kate Hudson, Natasha Lyonne, and Rosario Dawson. Reid hopes her growing maturity will allow her to attain future roles with such Hollywood heavyweights as Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep. The chance to expand her career by working with directors Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese also holds great allure for the actress. "I haven't touched on that level yet," says Reid. "Someday, I hope I will." Reid also addressed her tabloid image as a party girl. "It's out of control," she says. "I don't believe I do anything that no one else does. I have made 20 movies in less than 20 years. I work really hard. My personal life should not be the focus." Reid also said that she feels the attention the press gives her off-camera lifestyle has undoubtedly hurt her professionally in terms of how she is perceived. "It [the party girl image] takes away from me getting the really great roles." In fact, showing her ability to self-parody, Reid has signed a deal for a new television comedy pilot about an actress who gets in trouble with the tabloids. For Reid, it is a chance to achieve some form of "redemption." There was one topic that Reid was less than enthused to discuss - her recent wardrobe malfunction at P. Diddy's birthday party, where her dress fell partly off, captured by cameras. "The strap broke. It was an accident. It happens," she says. Reid then quickly but professionally asked that the interview move on. In regard to her new film, Reid says that co-star Christian Slater was an incredibly great pleasure to work with. "He is so giving in his scenes and is really smart technically. He knows all about different forms of lighting and how to best do a scene. He puts a lot of effort into it," she says. As for what other job in her career thus far has been scarier than working on Alone in the Dark, Reid quickly referenced something that might not jump to mind for her fans: the 1993 television series, Saved By the Bell: The New Class. The choices Reid has made since then, and that she continues to make, are intended to move her into a new class entirely. Her first step toward that, Alone in the Dark opens Jan. 28.

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