Interview with Rachel Risen of The Temp Life

With The Temp Life starting its fifth season on Monday, DCTV creator Daryn Strauss checked in with actress Rachel Risen about what to expect from the highly successful comedy!

Photo credit: Mark Rywelski

DARYN: How did you get involved with The Temp Life?

RACHEL: It was shortly after The Hayley Project finished its season. Wilson [Cleveland] invited Jato Smith and Andy Park (The Hayley Project directors) to direct the next season of The Temp Life. They asked me to play Nick’s arch nemesis, Alina, and I happily accepted.

DARYN: When we last saw your character Alina Doloris, she puked in front of Celltons CEO Eve Randall (Illeana Douglas) and the Executive Board and found herself demoted. How will she cope?!

RACHEL: Ha ha! She’s not coping very well as you will see this season. Alina has returned with a vengeance! Working with Illeana Douglas was incredibly cool. She has such a presence about her. The cast and the crew all felt challenged to bring our “A game”. It was really exciting.

DARYN: As someone who temped for many years, I’ve met many recruiters as crazy as Alina! Have you ever temped?

RACHEL: I have never temped or worked in an office oddly enough. But I have bartended for years and met many “kookachoos”!

DARYN: What are some specials skills you have on your resume?

RACHEL: Hmmm, I’m double jointed, and have a creepy doll eye. I also have an awesome scream perfect for horror films. Maybe one day I’ll get to play a creepy winking killer baby doll!

DARYN: When you were a kid, did you always want to act, or did you dream of other careers?

RACHEL: I was super silly as a kid. I always wanted to act. My sister and I would spend days preparing plays, putting together costumes, programs. Then we’d invite people over to see our “oh so brilliant” production of “Corduroy and The Missing Button.” That was our favorite. Acting to me is storytelling, and I’ve always loved telling stories.

Rachel Risen & Tony Janning Photo credit: Mark Rywelski

DARYN: One of the fun things about The Temp Life is the costuming. Many of you get to undergo some wild transformations! Who was responsible for Alina’s glasses and hairdo?

RACHEL: After reading the script, I could see she was slightly insane. Wilson is so great about letting us run with it, and building the character the way we want too. I felt messy buns and dorky glasses fit the bill.

DARYN: Let’s talk a little about how Wilson Cleveland works. He’s produced a bunch of successful shows and has several in the works. Does he leave room for improv or do you all stick to the script?

RACHEL: He’s such a talented and amazing human being. He sees past stereotypes and lets us create. I would say we definitely stick to the script, seeing how we have such badass writers. But improv is a huge part, and he’s all about it. The more options the better. It’s a hilarious cast, and he gives us a lot of freedom.

Rachel Risen & Mark Gantt

DARYN: Wilson has again put together an impressive cast for this season. Who did you get to work with?

RACHEL: I was pretty lucky. I think I had a scene with pretty much everyone between this season and last. I loved working with Mark Gantt and Craig Bierko this season. We had two really fun scenes. But Thom Woodley (stalk him, he’s hilarious), Taryn Southern, Sandeep, Tony Janning, Milo Ventimiglia (so cool), Jessica Rose, and more, I mean Geez Louise if you love web TV, you may touch yourself over this season.

DARYN: Any actor/actress you haven’t worked with yet that you’d love to work with?

RACHEL: I would love to have worked more with Rachael Hip-Flores. She’s adorable this season. I think she’s just so sweet and wonderful.

DARYN: You’re a NYC-based actress who has appeared in several web series since 2008. A lot has been made of this “LA Bubble” in web series. Over the past few years, do you feel that this has changed?

RACHEL: There is a lot of great stuff going on in New York. Is there more in LA? Absolutely. I realize that every time I go out for the Streamys. But it’s a small growing community. I think everyone who does it out there knows everyone doing it out here. At the end of the day, we’re all part of this amazing movement that is web television. As long as we keep creating, and supporting each other’s work, it doesn’t really matter where we are located.

DARYN: Lastly, any news on Season 2 of The Hayley Project?

RACHEL: No news as of yet. Lots of ideas have circulated. I’m still hoping for another season as I would love to put my Hayley Investigator pants back on. We have such amazing and loyal fans. I still get messages a year and half later. So to answer your question, stay tuned!

Watch the Season 5 Premiere Monday, Dec 6th on My Damn Channel.