Chat: Lisa McCune

Interviewer: Lisa thanks for joining us tonight to talk about your dynamic career and hectic life.

Lisa McCune: I'm looking forward to chatting with everyone so fire away with the questions.

Dunkin_Donut asks: How did you get started in your acting career and do you think you would have done anything differently in hindsight?

Lisa McCune: I started by just having a keep interesting in performing arts. I think now if I was of an age where I was starting out I would probably head overseas as that seems to be the way a lot of talent is going. I wanted to be so many things so acting gave me that opportunity. I got to have a glimpse into different people’s lives and find it really inspiring.

Flutters asks: Lisa you were on Blue Heelers for a very long time and one of the all time favourites - I wonder did you leave due to other commitments or did they just decide to revamp the show and bring in some new characters?

Lisa McCune: I was with the show for 6 years and I reached a point where I felt if I didn't move on I wouldn't have longevity in my career. It was my choice to leave and as I was so young and in the big picture I needed to get out and work with more people. I wasn't there for popularity reasons or because it was a cushy job but for the love of the craft and I want to be still doing this in my 80s.

Barney asks: How did you feel when your character Maggie Doyle was killed off in Blue Heelers? Do you think it was a positive event in your career?

Lisa McCune: Initially saddened by the choice of her demise in the show. In reflection I feel it was positive for Lisa McCue the actor who was at that time at the pinnacle of popularity so it gave me options as an actor.

XDancingTillFlamesX asks: Tell us about the boot camp you had to do to prepare for the first series of Sea Patrol.

Lisa McCune: We went to Cairns Naval Base and spent time there. We spent a couple of months on the boat. Kitted up in full Naval gear and expected to do everything they did. We did all training and exercises with the Navy. On the new series that starts tomorrow night on the Armidale Class ships we filmed out at sea on a 6 week period so spend a lot of time out at sea. I was exhausted as my baby was only 9 months at the time and there was lots of need for feeding etc.

Sarah M asks: Hey Lisa, I loved you in The Sound of Music and loved you even more in Cabaret. Do you prefer the theatre to screen or vice versa and do you have plans to branch out onto the big screen?

Lisa McCune: I love doing theatre and I love television but if the right film role every came along I would love to do it. But I won't do something just for the sake of it. Thank you so much for enjoying my Cabaret outing, as I loved it too.

Chilli_Crab asks: What had gone through your mind after you had won your fourth Gold Logie?

Lisa McCune: Honestly, I wondered if I would ever work again and was I deserving of such awards. I do consider the public vote very important and I was incredibly humbled and I hope to live up to the expectation and make people proud. It's great to win peer votes but wonderful to win public votes and it's very overwhelming and I am so proud.

Molly asks: Few music theatre performers I know have received as consistently good reviews as you, Lisa. But despite winning a Green Room Award and getting many positive reviews, a lot of people did criticise your performance in Cabaret. Do you get frustrated that journos today still hark on about some of the criticism levelled at you 5 years ago, most of which - in my opinion - was misplaced and largely based on ignorance?

Lisa McCune: I appreciate those comments. I think when you put your name to something there is a certain amount of criticism you expect. I adored doing that role and I think regardless of the criticism I grew with the performance. It gets you down but it's the way I chose to put in place plans to ensure I enjoyed it. It was an incredible experience and I'm so glad I did it. I hope that when people review your work, they have done their homework and don't go seeking negative comments. You expect someone who knows about the arts to write honestly and you take it on the chin if it's not so good.

scotty asks: Hi Lisa, You are an amazing actress. Why Sea Patrol?

Lisa McCune: Sea Patrol came at a time when I believed Australian drama was struggling. I felt there was a lack of shows on Australian TV that appealed to a large audience. I felt this type of role won't be offered to me all that often and I was excited about working in Far North Queensland too. It's simple in it's story telling but complex in the nature of shooting style and is difficult drama to make, and to me that was very appealing. I also thought it was a show about Australian heroes and I like that idea. Having young children it is nice to tell a story about protecting Australia and in some ways makes me quite proud to be involved in telling the story.

DzRBenson asks: Hi, Sea Patrol has become a huge success, Will this show see the length that blue heelers bought?

Lisa McCune: I don't know, that crystal ball gazing is to be answered by the Australian public's support. This will probably be 13 to 20 filmed each year as it's difficult to shoot. I think it has leg for sure.

FreddyFitler asks: Hey Lisa, Hope you’re going good. Just one question about Sea Patrol. Are all shots not on a real Armidale class boat?

Lisa McCune: A huge majority are on the boat. Some interior bridge and cabin scenes are shot on a set.

XDancingTillFlamesX asks: What are the differences between the old boat and the new boat? which did you prefer working on?

Lisa McCune: The differences are vast, 25 years difference in technology. The new boats have better living conditions. The character on the Fremantle has a wonderful sense of history and story telling from the crew. I went to the decommissioning of the actual boat we filmed on and it was very sad. The new ships are lovely too, they are more modern, have air-conditioning and great conditions on board. The instrumentation on the new ships are obviously more modern also. The Australian Navy crews seem very happy with the new class ship also.

Eddy asks: Having worked on Sea Patrol for the past year or so, has it given you an insight into the real life on the patrol boat and their role for Australia?

Lisa McCune: Yes and it's been a very positive experience. It's great to see young men and women spending a few years in the Navy and being so proud of what they do. Some of the young men are so impressive and they have wonderful manners, and a sense of duty and honour and have a direction.

I have two young sons but it does give you an insight into the protection of our borders and having armed forces in our country, and we hope they don't have to go into battle but it's good to know they are there to protect our boundaries. I have so much respect for these very intelligent young men and women.

On one of the boats we filmed on was the HMAS Launceston and she had a significant number of females on board. The girls were wonderful they really knew what they were doing and I was very impressed by the men on board and how they respected and worked so well with the women.

captainclo asks: What, in your opinion, has been your best role to play?

Lisa McCune: On stage the most difficult but rewarding was Sally Bowes in Cabaret. On screen at the moment probably Sea Patrol because of the difficult role being out to sea. I love the outside influences of Sea Patrol. Also I have an increasing desire to make new drama and am always looking out for good stories for the future.

kate asks: Lisa, who has been your most favourite actor to have worked with in your career?

Lisa McCune: I adore John Wood, Martin Saks is just the best fun. To be honest I enjoy everyone I work with, Marina Prior is a wonderful talent and Magda is a lot of fun. I can honestly say I've been very lucky with the people I've worked with. The guys in the main cast of Sea Patrol are very special and a great cast. I worked on a show with Matt Day and he's fantastic too. Blue Heelers was interesting as every week you were exposed to a whole series of actors and great talent. Ruth Cracknell was wonderful of course, I've been a very lucky girl.

cheeky1 asks: Congratulations on your body of work so far. Are we going to see more of the naughty Lisa and not the nice one so much?

Lisa McCune: I just need to be offered the roles. We shall have to wait and see.

laurencena asks: I thought it was so cool that the 60 minutes presenter said you were one of the nicest people he's ever met. Do you have a dark side?

Lisa McCune: Yes. The dark side comes from being overtired sometimes, or I get frustrated at work if things go wrong but generally I am fairly even. I work hard and I do have a certain expectation of myself and sometimes get a bit dark on myself. Generally I'm pretty good and I have a great partner and lovely healthy children. I think I enjoy exploring characters with a darkness about them. My character in Sea Patrol has aspects that are quite heavy and I enjoy exploring that because it's very different from my life.

Ducky asks: Hi Lisa. As Maggie Doyle was such a loved character on Blue Heelers, is it tempting add a bit of Maggie to Kate McGregor, or do you make a conscious effort to make her as different as possible? I also can't wait to see you in Guys and Dolls!

Lisa McCune: Essentially these characters have one thing in common which is my face. I approach them differently as an actor, they are very different women with different backgrounds and aspirations. Kate is based on women I've met in the Navy. You are also influenced by the script you get every week, and I feel as an actor they are completely different people. Fortunately for me coming along and doing another role many years later is a good thing. If Kate had come along closer to Maggie I probably wouldn't have taken the role. As for all of the other roles have been very different and every one I've enjoyed.

John asks: Does your husband enjoy being the stay at-home husband or does he like to get out and about.

Lisa McCune: Tim isn't a stay at home Dad, he goes out and does film work about 8 months of the year. We just try to make sure at least one of us is at home. He has a great relationship with the children and has been very hands on in their upbringing and has saved me from going insane! He does stay at home by choice when he can because he enjoys it.

Kylie asks: Lisa, with all your acting experience and now life experience with three young children, do you see yourself pursuing other options such as directing or producing?

Lisa McCune: I'm very keep to pursue some avenue of production. I have a huge folder of story ideas and books that I would love to get the film rights for. So hopefully if there is an opportunity in the next few years I would love to pursue some of those options. I've learned so much that I would love to put that back into the industry, not just for me, but for the industry as a whole.

Linda asks: How do you keep in such great shape after having had 3 children? You look fantastic!

Lisa McCune: The answer is 3 children! And not worrying about it at all. I don't have a set of scales.

jb asks: Lisa, I was disappointed to see Forensic Investigators finish up. What role did you play in the making of the show and did you have to research the story’s?

. Lisa McCune: I am very disappointed it's not being made any more also. I was just a presenter for the stories but had the research notes and got to travel with the crew. It was so interesting and I was exposed to lots outside my comfort zone. Having met Fiona Baker the producer I think she has some wonderful contacts and opportunities to make future dramas and hopefully she will pursue some of those in the future.

seiff3 asks: Did you have to have singing lessons prior to doing musical theatre?

Lisa McCune: I did singing lessons as I went through drama school and considered studying classical singing when I finished my education. I then decided it was a long road and I didn't have the voice for the long term so changed to story telling. I would prefer to be an actor who sings than a singer who acts - if that makes sense.

Mattcroft asks: What is a character/role that you would love to play and why?

Lisa McCune: There isn't anything specific. I would like to play a journalist. I find that profession really interesting and maybe when I have the time to work with a writer I could look at developing a character. I feel they tread a fine line between good and bad and the power of the press is fairly mighty and the right mix could be interesting for Australian television. There is no great role I'd love to play, it's more about people I would love to work with.

Dani asks: Hello Lisa, when you have undertaken the different roles (eg Cabaret & Sound of Music) have you found the public/your fans supportive?

Lisa McCune: Sound of Music definitely, Cabaret mixed, but that is what being a performer is about. I don't do it to gain favour, but because it's my calling and I love to entertain. You do it because you want to be involved in entertaining audiences.

sami asks: Lisa, how do you stay so normal in your industry. In every interview I have seen, you are so easy going and not stuck up like lots of celebs.

Lisa McCune: I consider myself very lucky I'm surrounded by a lot of straight shooters. I don't believe being a performer is any different from other professions. I really believe if you choose to live a celeb lifestyle you need to be prepared to deal with what comes with that. I want to live my life as normally as possible and so far I've not found it to be too invasive. I'm fairly honest and upfront and it's served me well so far.

XDancingTillFlamesX asks: Do you sometimes still get stage fright ?

Lisa McCune: Yes. I'm realising that stage fright is probably excitement. Adrenaline plays a large part. Once you have settled down the relationship in live theatre between the performer and the audience is really wonderful and once you are all in sync it really is quite sublime.

zippy asks: Congratulations on your wonderful career so far. Have you ever forgotten a line or had an embarrassing moment on Stage?

Lisa McCune: Yes. Two days ago in a preview of Guys and Dolls I gave the wrong feed line and fortunately it was picked up and we went on regardless. That's the great thing about stage and a live audience. It's very dynamic it's never the same.

mishkin asks: Out of all the roles you've played, which one would you want as your profession if not for acting?

Lisa McCune: I quite like the English girl singing in a German cabaret. Quite bohemian. I think that's about it.

kate asks: Lisa what’s the best part of being a mum & being able to work doing something you love?

Lisa McCune: I think I bring home a lot of fun things from work to home and the kids are exposed to lots of fun adventures such as up at Mission Beach when we are filming. I get to do what I love yet being a mum is one of the most enjoyable/difficult/huge things but an experience I'm so glad I've had that has enriched my life in so many ways. It's given me a depth of love I'd probably not have known otherwise.

rhea asks: Hi Lisa, it seems like your life is perfect right now, with your job plus the family. Do you feel complete?

Lisa McCune: I feel I'm working very hard and sometimes I feel I should put more importance on another part of my life, but I've found a good balance. I feel I'm in a good place and feel very lucky to have a great marriage and wonderful children. I feel blessed more than anything.

jord345 asks: What advice do you have to young actors who dream of being on shows like sea patrol?

Lisa McCune: I believe do as much theatre as you can and be involved in theatre. Read, and study drama. Make sure however you have something to fall back on as you need to go in fully aware of the pitfalls of the business. You must be realistic and life experience makes you a good actor. It's an industry that relies on youth and fresh talent and it is the old saying of being in the right place at the right time. There are so many examples of that happening.

ozbloke asks: Seeing as Australian Drama hasn’t been going too well lately, have you ever been tempted to go to Hollywood?

Lisa McCune: I went to LA for 3 days because I am open to do some American television as they make great television. But 3 days wasn't long enough of course. I think Aussie drama is looking great and Australians love Australian stories. I think we as a nation miss not seeing some good Australian drama on the screens.

Interviewer: Unfortunately we are out of time, do you have any last words before we finish up?

Lisa McCune: It's been really enjoyable, thank you so much for having me tonight.

Interviewer: This concludes our chat with Lisa McCune, Sunday March 30, 2008.