Interview conducted via email on March 17th, 2006.

Julie “XT” Ruffell: So the rumour is, this is all your fault. How did it happen?

Trish Ellis: I plead the 5th!! Wait...can Canadians do that *g* Seriously, I think I would totally pin the blame on Roach for getting me hooked onto the “Witchblade” TV series in the first place! From there, I went on to collect the whole “Witchblade” and “Tomb Raider” comic series' in 2005/2006 (still missing a few “Tomb Raider” books...the hunt continues) and of course then I had to read them. That's when I noticed quite a number of crossovers with “Witchblade” and “Tomb Raider” working together and actually [they are] very good friends, which then got the wheels turning in the cobweb infested space I call my head. That's when the thought struck me one quiet afternoon. "Wouldn't that be awesome to have the two of them in a movie together??" And of course I had been talking to Roach at that exact moment and blurted out those words to her. The two of us got giddy with excitement at the prospect, so she said "You write it, I'll make it". And the rest, as they say, is history!

XT: Why did you choose to use existing characters rather than create your own?

ELLIS: I never had any intention of writing a script to be made into a movie, it was all just a fluke really. I saw the TV show/movie, read the comics, made the suggestion, wrote the script and there you have it! *G* The idea of having “Witchblade” and “Tomb Raider” together in a movie hit me as a fun, playful suggestion. Scenarios and adventures started bombarding my mind. It was just a matter of making a stray comment one day that got blown way out of proportion and now we're creating a monster! LOL Maybe one day I'll actually create characters of my own and Roach will make me a movie of them too!

XT: Why Witchblade and Tomb Raider?

ELLIS: Since being introduced to the TV series and the “Tomb Raider” movies, I was hooked. But then I got into the comics and found a whole new level to these women that the TV series and movies totally missed and never tapped into, which really was a shame. There was so much more to them...so much more of a story, so many more levels to these women than what TV and the big screen showed us. And that, I suppose, is the true origin of how “AWAKENINGS” the movie was conceived.

XT: Have you written fan fiction before? Is this your first script?

ELLIS: Quite a few years ago I had a short story published in a sci-fi/fantasy magazine. Aside from that, I piddled around with writing various short stories (that never saw the light of day), and I even wrote a novella (no book deal there either), but I concentrated more on my artwork. I have always considered myself an artist first...writing was a fun pastime.

XT: What is your favourite line in the movie?

ELLIS: I don't know if I would say I have a favourite line, but two lines that do stick out the most are :Pez - "Oh the bitch is just getting started." And Geran - "Face you? A woman? Two steps behind and your head hung low, that's where you belong." There are a few other little quips in there that I like, but really make no sense when taken out of context. Just trust me that there are many other good ones too *g*

XT: What scene or moment are you looking most forward to seeing completed?

ELLIS: Hmm, now that's kind of a toughie cuz I most look forward to seeing the WHOLE movie completed LOL. But if I actually had to narrow it down...I think it would have to be.........oh I don't know........that really is a toughie, so not a fair question! *G* For action it would be the big shoot out at the airport. For emotional, it would be the airplane scene. Oh and the big face off with Geran...oh ya, that'll be a good one too. And Croft's introduction. Hmm, that wasn't really narrowing it down was it? Well, that's my answer and I'm stickin' to it *g*

XT: As the Associate Producer, what do your duties include?

ELLIS: Slave labour comes to mind. haha. Basically, I do all the grunt work that the producer (H.R. Crystal) needs doing. She needed someone to keep track of all the cast and crew [and] that became my job. Organize cast and crew’s schedules, get “AWAKENINGS” on the net and so many other things that I couldn't begin to list them now. Basically, she says jump, I say how high and would you like coffee with that *G*.

XT: You are also doing designs for the film. Where do you get your ideas?

ELLIS: Where do I get my designs huh? I guess it really depends on what's needed for each particular design. Once I find out what we're looking for/what we need, I start seeing what the comics offer and what the TV series and “Tomb Raider” movies offered (assuming the design is something used in those mediums). Then I let my imagination run free and see where it takes me and try to come up with something that's the same but totally separate from what's been seen before and make it uniquely mine. If it's a design that's never been used before in the comics or TV or movies, then sometimes I'll use references to give me ideas, but pretty much let my imagination do the walking.

XT: There's a lot of imagery and metaphors in "AWAKENINGS." How do you choose what images you are going to show and what they represent?

ELLIS: Whoa...now there's a deep question if ever I was asked one! *g* Lemme see, short answer I'd have to say that basically the guts of the story had to be written out first. Once the guts of it were done the correlations started being made to other parts of the story and so they were all worked in. Then the subtleties started rearing their sneaky heads and slowly crept through the story until finally they actually became the power of the script. And there you have the footnote response *g*

XT: How did you meet Roach?

ELLIS: I was a starving artist mooching for webspace to host my art gallery. Actually, that was the second meeting. The first meeting was several years ago when I was doing artwork for the XWPVS (“Xena Warrior Princess” Virtual Series) I think we talked a small handful of times, but we only really got around to knowing one another and becoming great friends when I was doing my impression of a begger *g*. And since taking pity on me on that second meeting, we found we had more reasons to talk and get to know one another and develop a great friendship.

XT: Describe your writing area.

ELLIS: My writing area??? LOL Now that's funny cuz there is no writing area, it's officially known as my computer/Art area! On a good day the area is nice and clean and organized. On most days, I have notes, books, models and paper all over the place along with fantasy knickknacks (dragons, swords etc) and family photos. However, every time I start a new project the clutter is completely cleaned so I can start fresh. Somehow along the way the clutter always sneaks back.

XT: Are you most like Croft or Pez?

ELLIS: Neither really. I'd say I'm uniquely me with my own views and approach to life.

XT: What are you currently reading?

ELLIS: I'm currently reading three different series of novels. One is Terry Goodkind,s “Sword of Truth” series. The other is Terry Brooks' “High Druid of Shannara” series and lastly David Weber's “Honour Harrington” series. I read a book from each series as the bug hits me. I like to mix it up.

XT: What comic books do you read and what is your favourite series?

ELLIS: Well way back when, my favourite comic books use to be the “Uncanny X-Men” and “Excalibur.” But then I had stopped reading/collecting comics for ten years (give or take a bit) [because] they were just getting ridiculous...all art and no story, so many crossovers you got dizzy from being dizzy, not to mention the whole bit about ten different covers to the same issue. I only recently got back into it because of Roach. That's right...it's all Roach's fault I became addicted to comics again. And the comics I'm addicted to??? Need you ask?? “Witchblade,” “Tomb Raider” and “Sojourn.” Unfortunately, “Tomb Raider” and “Sojourn” have both been discontinued. I'm sure as time progresses I'll find more comics to get hooked onto and fill those voids.*g*

XT: Who's your favourite kick ass female character?

ELLIS: I always loved Amanda Tapping's “Stargate” character Samantha Carter, but I have to admit that “Stargate's” current season hasn't done the character justice. Instead, I really love Vala, Claudia Black's character on “Stargate.” Unfortunately, she's not a regular on the series. And of course I love Aeryn Sun, Claudia Black's character on “Farscape.” She has the perfect mix of fun, humour, smarts, kick ass skills, bravery and she gets to use big guns *g*