ILHM: Ms. O'Dea, it is an absolute honor and priviledge to have the opportunity to speak with you! Do you prefer Ms. O'Dea, Judith, or Judy?
JUDY: 'Judy' or 'Judith' would be fine, Carl. 'Ms. O'Dea' makes me feel far older than I'd like (laughs).
ILHM: O'Dea Communications offers students coursework on public speaking for the professional and non-professional speaker. What prompted to you create this new venture, and what do you feel is the most important lesson in oral communication?
JUDY: Life takes some incredibly interesting twists and turns as the years go by. Had someone told me thirty years ago that I would eventually be teaching oral presentations in the corporate world, I would have said no way. But that's exactly what happened! Back in 1980/81 I had just completed a theatrical run of the SOUND OF MUSIC. Having just bought a house in California, I had to make sure there was money coming in to pay the mortgage. That's when I ventured into 'Big Business' and within two years began teaching oral presentations at Hughes Aircraft Company. My film and theatrical experience helped immensely because there is such a great element of 'performance' in presenting.
I worked for Hughes/Raytheon for twenty years while still doing theatrical work when fun shows came my way. In 2002 I retired from Raytheon and continued teaching through my own company O'DEA COMMUNICATIONS. In answer to the second part of your question, I feel that one of the most important lessons we can learn in oral communication is to LISTEN and WATCH carefully. Oral presentation is two-way communication. By listening carefully to what people say or ask us in response our message, we can more accurately respond to them and understand what they are thinking. In addition, watching people's body language is one of the best ways to tune in to what people are truly feeling about our message. Body language doesn't lie!
ILHM: You have been quite busy between your touring, courses, acting, and being a Grammie! On top of that, you have completed a screenplay and audio tapes of your series "Ah, Women!" What can you tell us about your screenplay and short stories?
JUDY: My "Ah, Women!" short stories deal with the joys and heartaches we women experience over lifetimes. The core of each one actually comes from some of the more emotional experiences in my own life.
My screenplay - WHERE I BELONG - draws from my own evolution into 'self.' It's about a young woman's struggle to be what she was born to be - a strong, self-accepting gay woman in a world that is still so widely divided and fearful over the normalcy of homosexuality.
ILHM: You have been involved in several upcoming genre films in the past year, can you tell us anything about your current projects?
JUDY: Soon to be released on DVD are my most current film projects --NOVEMBER SON, a psychological thriller by Jason Paul Collum and another bloody grabber entitled WOMEN'S STUDIES. Both offered many wonderful physical and mental challenges; something I really love.
In NOVEMBER SON, I play a sort of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Meryl Streep kind of character who is in a day-to-day struggle to forgive herself for rejecting her gay son. This film is a follow-on to Jason's OCTOBER MOON in which I played the same character.
WOMEN'S STUDIES, on the other hand, shows what can happen when lofty feminist ideals go terribly awry. My character is Senator Gayle Hamlin, an outspoken politician who does her best to convince women that they are more powerful than they realize.
Both films offer lots of bloody twists and turns that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the final credits roll.
Oh, yes...and there is another film - Timo Rose's BEAST. I've a cameo in that fright flick. Hopefully, it will be coming out this year, too.
ILHM: As an actress, what has been the most positive effect your filmwork has had on your life?
JUDY: That's an interesting question. I would have to say that the influence that often comes with notoriety has had one of the most positive effects on my life. Example: In my presentations classes, when it is found out that I played Barbra in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, I am struck with how much MORE attentive and respectful the attendees are. This happens, too, in everyday conversations when meeting new people. It is an amazing phenomenon that truly has had a profound effect on my life.
ILHM: You have fans that span the world over; what are some of the most memorable moments you have had in meeting your public audience?
JUDY: One of the most memorable moments was when I was attending a horror convention in New York quite a few years ago. After the question and answer session, I turned around and asked a 12-year old girl why she liked horror films. Her reply knocked my socks off! She said, "I like to see all the different ways people can kill each other." How's THAT for an answer (laughs)!
ILHM: It is nearly impossible to separate you from your work on Night of the Living Dead. Can you tell us a bit about the production, your motivation as an actress, and your perception of how the film was going to perform prior to release?
JUDY: Gee, how can I answer all that? Let's take part #1 first. The production was done on a shoestring, as you know. All of us involved helped in as many ways as we could to help get the job done. It was a great learning experience both off and on camera.
Part 2: My motivation was to be as believable as possible, so I did my best to draw upon my fear of death and the creepiness of cemeteries to drive my imagination and, consequently, my performance.
Part 3: I think it's fair to say that neither I nor anyone else involved in the making of NIGHT had any inkling how audiences would react once the movie was released. And now, after 40 years, those of us "NOLD Originals" who are still kicking, find ourselves more grateful than you can imagine to all of you who have made our film the classic it is today.
ILHM: What was it like being caught in the midst of a hurricane on your last scuba dive?
JUDY: HA! It was awesome! Until you're in the midst of such fury, you can't quite imagine what it's like. Winds were gusting up to 165 MPH bringing down buildings, telephone poles, and electric wires as if they were matchsticks. It really makes one realize just how small, weak, and vulnerable we humans are when faced with the wrath of Mother Nature.
ILHM: You will forever be remembered in the annals of film history for your contribution to THE defining horror film. What lasting statement would you leave for all of your fans and upcoming filmmakers?
JUDY: To all of you who have supported NIGHT all these years, my deepest thanks and gratitude. You have helped make my life a blast, both on and off stage and screen. Bless you all!
ILHM: On a personal note, I want to sincerely thank you for your kindness and sincerity when my wife and I had the opportunity to meet you on your tour last year. It was a moment that we will remember forever, and do know that you have touched the lives of people around the world. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to speak with us and best wishes on each of your future endeavors! Please feel free to keep us up to date on all of your upcoming projects!!
JUDY: It was my pleasure, Carl and Cynthia. Good luck to you both with your new website and those screenplays you're working on.
Ms. O'Dea can be reached for enrollment in her Oral Communications courses or for work on independant films through her homepage at http://www.odeacommunications.com/! Also, be sure to check out Beast, The Ocean, Women's Studies, and November Son arriving on DVD throughout the year!
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