JAMCast Episode 169 Amber Midthunder

Legion Press | Crew Interviews | Cast Interviews | Amber Midthunder Interviews

April 28, 2022

The #JAMCast welcomes Amber Midthunder, a professional actress known for her roles as Kerry Loudermilk on "Marvel's Legion," Rosa Ortecho on "Roswell, New Mexico," and Naru in the origin story of the Predator in the upcoming feature film "Prey." Learn about her life getting into the entertainment industry, how her and Travis met and worked together for 2 seasons training fight choreography, and the ways in which she continues to find success in the acting world and her approach to improving her skillset and career.

[Archived Copy]

## Transcript

Amber: The more that you pour into yourself and give yourself a large skill set, the more you can take to your bosses and your creators and your showrunners and like, just have abilities in front of them, and the more that they have to choose from, the better that the art can be.

[intro]

Travis: What's up, guys. Today's guest is a professional actress known for her roles as Kerry Loudermilk on Marvel's Legion and Rosa Ortego on Roswell, New Mexico. Please welcome to the JAMCast Amber Midthunder.

Travis: What is up, gangster?

Amber Midthunder: Hello.

Travis: I haven't seen you in almost a year.

Amber Midthunder: No. Oh, we did see each other, I forgot about that.

Travis: Yeah, of course you forgot, you’re too famous.

Amber Midthunder: I haven’t been to this gym, I'm sorry. Yeah, I haven't been to this gym in like, pre covid for sure so like, 2019 I think.

Travis: I know. If these walls could talk...

Amber Midthunder: This actual room we did ninja training in, I remember.

Travis: We did, we did. We did ninja training all over this gym to be honest with you. And yeah, super cool. For those that don't know, though, I got the chance to work with you on Marvel's Legion season two and three, because you did season 1 in Canada, or where was it?

Amber Midthunder: Yeah, in Vancouver.

Travis: Okay, so yeah, I got brought on by Mike Gaines to help train this actress he said had some action stuff and, looky looky...

Amber Midthunder: Who is so good and experienced in action and she's a professional, she doesn't even need you. That’s exactly what he said.

Travis: We had so much fun, we had so much fun. But I'll never forget, the one thing that I'll say about you that I always respected is, most actors that I work with, I always have to tell them to chill, because they're always killing our stunt people. And you're one of those people that is so timid. You would hit someone and be like, “I'm sorry!” And I'm like, “that's their job.”

Amber Midthunder: You know what? That's actually something I really wish I could get over cause it's still a problem! After three years of Legion and like, I do stunts on Roswell sometimes, it's not like my character, really, but like, even when it comes up, because like, I love doing stunts, I really do. Like as an actress, I love doing stunts. But even like, I just did an entire action movie for six months, and that was like an everyday thing. I think it’s just a part of who I am.

Travis: You’re just too nice, you just don’t like hurting people.

Amber Midthunder: It’s like, everything is there, and the aggression, and like [mimics fighting noises] until I'm like “ooh!” and it's just this last moment where I’m like “I'm sorry! I really don’t wanna hurt you though!”

Travis: It's even funnier when we put a weapon in your hand and then you're even more like, “oh my goodness, oh my goodness!”

Amber Midthunder: It’s true, it's really scary. And I understand the concept that it's offensive that I think I could hurt a giant man who’s in armor, but I just really believe it’s- I'm that good of an actress, that I believe myself. I really truly believe I could hurt somebody.

Travis: But like I said, it is a good thing, because the alternative to that side is we go on sets where the actors just think we're crash test dummies. And they're literally going 120%, hitting you in the face, like literally just thinking you're disposable. And they just go through their scenes, and I've literally been hit by actors where they're just so in the moment. They're just hitting you full speed and I'm like, “I really wish that he was pulling back.” So you know, I respect both sides of the spectrum.

Amber Midthunder: I've heard of that happening. I think A, I don't want to be one of those actors because my mom did stunts. And I grew up, like, I have a lot of stunt friends, also, that I just grew up with. So I think I was always aware of some of the ideas or concepts about actors when it comes to stunts. And I never wanted to be one of those actors. And I feel like that is one that just, I think everybody thinks stunt people are cool. The people who don't know stunt people, obviously, on set, look at them and they’re like, “[gasp], the cool people have arrived!” And of course I think that, but I also have such a high respect for stunt people, that I want to help the job instead of getting in the way or just thinking that it's about me. You know what I mean?

Travis: Yes, which I value and I respect, like I said, it's so cool. I totally forgot for a minute that you knew a bunch of stunt people until I realized we had a connection with Phil Tan, legendary stuntman.

Amber Midthunder: Yes! Phil Tan!

Travis: I just saw Phil recently and it's so good to see-

Amber Midthunder: Oh did you?

Travis: Yeah his family's all grown up, his kids are all older now. One of his kids has a kid now itself and I'm like, wow, Phil’s a grandpa.

Amber Midthunder: That’s so cool! Yeah, his kids are crushing it. I miss Phil.

Travis: I know, I know, he's a good soul, he's done good for both of us. I appreciate you making the time to come here. It's been cool that we've actually kept in touch. There's very few actors from projects that I actually genuinely keep in touch with, with the exception of seeing them on set again. But I feel like we just love talking shit to each other online. We have a very love-hate relationship where we just egg each other on nonstop. So it's been really cool to see your progression to see where your career is gone. Because like I said, when I met you on Legion, I know you've had tons of other roles before, but that was like a really, really cool thing. And then to see you get such a giant role on Roswell was super awesome as well.

Amber Midthunder: Yeah, I feel like definitely Legion still has such a special place in my heart, because at the time I had never had a job like that. Like, I have been in and around the industry for a long time, and you know, I always knew that I wanted to act, but Legion was definitely the first time I had ever achieved something that was that large, and a job on that scale. And especially to be doing something that had so many elements. The show itself is really wonderful creatively, the art was really good, and then to have like things like stunts that I've got to do, we really did have the best people. Like, everybody in their department was the best at what they did. So that was so cool for me as a young actress, being in my first serious regular job, to be given that opportunity so early was really exciting. And then to be able to get to do stunts with, you're fine, but the other stunt people. You know, like, everybody here is really great. I had actually been to your facility once before with Phil Tan.

Travis: Yes, of course, thank you Phil.

Amber Midthunder: So then I was like, “oh yeah, the guy who owns this gym!” So it was just a super cool time in my life, and opportunity. And I feel like ever since then, I've had it in my brain that that set some sort of standard in my mind of what stunts should be, or what stunt training should be like, is really what we did together on Legion.

Travis: So I have to ask this, and I'm not meaning this in a- I'm not doing this in a mean way, I'm asking as a genuine question: When you got Legion, did they ask you if you had any previous training, or did you have to display any training, or did they just say “you got the role, now we're going to train you”?

Amber Midthunder: So, I had actually done martial arts growing up. I know you didn't think that.

Travis: Movie fighting is different! It's different, it's completely different.

Amber Midthunder: No, I did. So when I was in elementary school, I did jiu-jitsu. I did Brazilian jiu-jitsu from maybe grade four into high school. And I remember for a while I even was teaching kids classes and stuff like that. And then I would do American kickboxing on and off, just when I could or would not find a good place. And it was always just something that I was interested in, and it felt good to my brain and my body. And yeah, I had to put together the role so, Legion, when I auditioned for it, it was of course like - because it was a Marvel show, it was dummy sides, and there was no information about it, and it was under a code name.

Travis: Of course.

Amber Midthunder: And yeah, they asked for - I knew it was an action role, and I knew a little bit of the character breakdown. So I did the scene, and then they asked for any sort of pictures, video, of me just doing anything physical. They were like, “does she dance? does she do sports? has she used her body ever?” So I actually cut together a little action reel for myself.

Travis: I wish I could see it.

Amber Midthunder: It's on the internet.

Travis: Is it on the internet?

Amber Midthunder: Yeah.

Travis: I'm gonna find it.

Amber Midthunder: It’s not good, don’t watch it.

Travis: I’m gonna find it. I can’t wait.

Amber Midthunder: Yeah so it’s on the internet, and I’mma go delete it. And I sent it to them, and they were very impressed, and that was how I got the job.

Travis: Amazing.

Amber Midthunder: And then I got sent to you and you're like, “oh, she's never used her body a day in her life.”

Travis: It wasn't that. I just wanted you to be more aggressive. What was cool is that you were willing to commit to it. Because there are some actors that I've worked with before - and I won't name names - but they literally refuse to rehearse, and they just take it for granted. And they either (A) say, “let my double do everything”, or (B), they show up the day of and they expect a miracle to happen. And I’m like, “you haven't put in the work beforehand.” And that's one thing I credit you to. There would be times where, obviously we had set training times, but there would be times where, not through production, you would be like “yo, can we go train?” And I'd be like “yeah, of course.” If you're willing to get better, I'm more than willing to give the time to help you.

Amber Midthunder: Which I appreciated from you, also, because like you didn't have to do that, you know? But yeah, I think to me it was like, I just always wanted it to be the best that it could possibly be. So to me, I was constantly looking for ways to improve or get better. There was, I think, space as a person, and also as a character, and as an art form for you as an actor to improve. The more that you pour into yourself and give yourself a large skill set, the more you can take to your bosses and your creators and your showrunners and like, just have abilities in front of them, and the more that they have to choose from, the better that the art can be. Because it's their choice to include something or not, but if you don't have the ability, they can't include it from you. So I think I just wanted to make it as good as it could be. And like I said, it's something that I enjoy, whether it’s for a role or not, it is something I enjoy and it feels good to me. I think also just having that space that it could connect to my job, and also feel good for me in my life at the same time, was just a really fortunate aligning.

Travis: Yeah, totally. We have a lot of workshops these days where I get the chance to work with a lot of actors that are trying to break into the scene, and they take my workshops with the intention of being able to have some skills before they actually land a role. And I always champion the fact that like, yeah, it's good that you're taking the time to work on the stuff beforehand.

Amber Midthunder: You started that because you met me, you were like, “Listen, you guys need to have some skills before you come here.”

Travis: “Let me just help you all out.” I mean, that's why I wanted to ask you just what your opinion on that was, because as someone that's a series regular and a working actor on television and film now, I just wanted to see what value you thought there should be placed on actors actually spending that time preparing before they necessarily even get an action role, if that makes sense. I tell them, “hey, you might as well, have something in the can, have some footage ready so that when you get the call, you're not scrambling”. Cause I'll tell you, when there's a major role in Hollywood, our phone rings off the hook. And we know when a major role comes because we get requests for a hundred private lessons all asking “can you help me put 30 seconds to a minute on tape?” And I'm like, “you should have been doing this.”

Amber Midthunder: Yeah, 100%. I think that's infinitely valuable. If that had been something that had been a resource that I had at that time in my life before, like if I had met you before Legion, I would have been interested in that for myself, a hundred percent. I think that's super smart of you and I think that's super smart of any actor who is interested in doing action, or just wants to give themselves opportunity or see what kind of roles they’re interested in, you know? Because I also feel like if that's anything that I've learned from doing action, from doing different action roles, is that it's very much its own type of job, and that's something I think that you're interested in and committed to, or it's kind of really not for you. Because it is a big, it adds a whole element to like, your preparation, and what your shoot is like, and your mindset, and it's just a whole different element to the job of acting. So it's like, if you're not there to show up and really do it, then those roles might not be for you. So I think that's really smart in a lot of ways, to build the skill set or just figure out like, “maybe that's not for me, maybe I'm not an action person."

Travis: And one of the reasons why I wanted to have you on, obviously besides just our connection on Legion and what we've gone through, is I utilize you as an example in those workshops. And I tell this story all the time without saying the project, but I say, producers are a lot smarter these times. And also because of lack of time and money, they're more inclined to start looking at people and seeing what they can mold within a short time period in pre-production, before they actually get to set. And one of the other things that we were linked on is, on a film that you just finished completing, I actually got called in as a stunt coordinator to be there on the final chemistry reads for the last two actors or the last two actresses. And I ran you guys through a gambit of mobility and parkour and different movement exercises to help have a say in who they cast in the final project. And lo and behold, you walk in the doors, one of the two actresses. And I'm like, well I'm not trying to be biased, but I know that you at least already have a groundwork, because of the stuff that we had put in together. And it's also a story I tell actors to let them know, this is the importance that is now being placed on action. Where literally I was, hell, I was at a chemistry read. Where obviously they did dialogue. But they also had me run these actors through a mobility test, just to see where they were at.

Amber Midthunder: Yeah, 100%. I think people want to hire people who have at least some sort of ability, or like, it's a lot to build from the ground up, right? Like somebody who's physically inclined, or already has skill sets, or whatever. Because it is a lot to train for something and develop skills. Both years on Legion, we specialized in different weapons, I remember. So it was like, one year it was a hatchet, and one year it was a sword, and then there was also like, a stick- what was it?

Travis: A staff.

Amber Midthunder: A staff. I forgot. It’s been a few years.

Travis: A stick. A long bat.

Amber Midthunder: It was like a toothpick, but bigger? Taller than I was, but like, you know, toothpick, but painted. We focused on so many different weapons and it's like, just that takes so- There are people who devoted their whole lives to just doing one of these skills, you know, that it's like- is that true?

Travis: Yeah.

Amber Midthunder: Okay. There's people who've devoted their whole lives to doing just one of these skills. So to just show up and try to get really proficient at one, it's not impossible. Given the, you know, the time, and the right people, but you have to really know how and really be dedicated to that. So I think that like, yeah, building that as much for yourself as you can, people definitely want to hire people who already have as much ability as possible in whatever form that is, you know?

Travis: Totally, yeah. I mean, not to- I'm not saying you in particular, I'm just saying in general, a lot of times when it gets to these chemistry reads, most times it comes down to a feeling. And it's like, they bring in actors that are probably on most projects that are at a similar level, or there's something they see in each of these people, which is why they made it to the final two. And so if you can have one thing that differentiates yourself or really makes you stand out, obviously that's going to be the winning ticket.

Amber Midthunder: Yeah, exactly. I think no matter what, if you're auditioning against five other people who are exactly the same as you, you want to have something that pushes you forward. Or if you're with two other people who are, you’re all complete opposites, it's like, you want to be as fully whatever you are as you possibly can be, right? And convince, and kind of sell that this thing is the best thing. So it's like whatever opportunities- It's really just about giving yourself opportunities. As many opportunities as you can give yourself to do stuff that you enjoy, or you’re inspired to do, or that is valuable. It's like why would you not be doing that?

Travis: Now I know people are gonna wonder what project it is that I'm talking about where I just was there as part of the final audition.

Amber Midthunder: Say it...

Travis: So let's talk about it, as much as you are allowed to. The project is called Prey, and I will let you describe it in further detail as one of the costars of it.

Amber Midthunder: It is- I am the star.

Travis: I love how you said that!

Amber Midthunder: Travis!

Travis: I love how you said that. Like “I’m first billing, thank you very much, thank you very much.”

Amber Midthunder: Number one on the call sheet, I’m very proud of it, ok? Ok.

Travis: That's going to be the intro to the whole episode.

Amber Midthunder: It's a really big deal, okay?

Travis: It is a big deal though because you went from TV to feature film.

Amber Midthunder: No, it's not a big deal for me. It's a big deal because it is literally the first female indigenous protagonist of a movie ever in history.

Travis: And that's why I'mma let you speak on it.

Amber Midthunder: You’re like, “I just learned that just now, but yeah this is a big deal for history and women and indigenous people and whatever.”

Travis: No I did know this! Come on. You know, I just always downplay things, but I’ll let you hammer it home.

Amber Midthunder: Yeah, yeah, sure. You downplay everything except the Red Bull Special Ultimate increase. Yeah, so Prey is the fifth installment of the Predator...

Travis: Yes.

Amber Midthunder: ...franchise. I’mma say that again, so I sound like I know what I’m talking about. Yes. So Prey is the fifth installment of the Predator franchise. It is set in the 1700’s, so prequel, and it centers around a Comanche community. Specifically, a Comanche girl, in her society, who wants to be a warrior. And, I think that's kind of all I can say about it. But yeah, it was really cool. We shot it in Canada for, like, six months, lots of action. And like I said, it is the first time that an indigenous female is the protagonist of an action movie, so.

Travis: And I have to ask you this, because I wasn't there. How physically challenging was it?

Amber Midthunder: Oh my God. It was so hard. It was so hard, Travis. You don't understand.

Travis: When I read the script I was like “oh, this is an action movie.”

Amber Midthunder: I don't think I understood. I think my brain did a denial thing when I read it, because I was like, “that's fine” and looked at the dates of how long it was going to be, and I literally worked every single day. I shot every single day. So we went to Canada. This was when they still had- Canada was locked down, to like, nobody who wasn't an essential worker could come. So we got there, mandatory two-week quarantine, and then we went into a four week training camp. So I was there, you know, every Monday through Friday, and then sometimes we would do other stuff on the week at, you know, they'd give us other stuff to do on the weekends, and then started shooting. And I literally shot, like, I was there before crew call, and then after wrap, every single day, for the whole- until we- it was April to September. So that amount of time. So just under six months. But yeah, it was crazy. And it was a lot of just like... being outside, and running.

Travis: Which I know you don't like.

Amber Midthunder: It was horrible! It was like, listen, I don't mind- like I said, I like action. It's just like-

Travis: The running.

Amber Midthunder: The running. I love fighting. I love weapons. I don’t love running.

Travis: Yes, I know this.

Amber Midthunder: But no, it was just so much, just like everything. There were so many weapons, and like, things on our body, and like, you know, just like constantly outside, and the terrain, and the weather was changing. It went from 100 degree days, where we're in full buckskin, til by the end we were shooting nights and it was like 20 degrees outside. You know what I mean? There were just a bunch of action sequences and rehearsals and it's like, by the time you're doing like- I'm shooting all day, every day, there’s still action that we need to rehearse. So it's like, where do you fit that time in? And that's the other part of being an actor, and especially on an action job, that you’re like, okay, you have to think about that stuff, that that’s another part of yourself that you're giving, and you're making space for that effort, but... yeah it was a lot. It was a lot of stuff.

Travis: That's what happens when you're the star.

Amber Midthunder: “I was the star of the movie!”

Travis: But I gotta ask, like, what was that like, the transition from going from TV world to feature film? Was there any major differences that you noticed, and anything you preferred or disliked in the experience between the two?

Amber Midthunder: Yeah. It's very different. I mean, you know, it's not my first movie ever if you knew anything about me.

Travis: I know this, but it's your first major major starring role.

Amber Midthunder: Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's always different, and I think especially doing a movie, doing a big studio movie like that. I think there's just a lot more space to take time to focus on things, and there’s so much, like, being detail-oriented. And with action that's especially interesting, because it's like, that's what I love about action, is not just action for the sake of action, but action for the sake of story. Everything from how you move to like how... you know? It's like, just the way I'll watch it in previses, or even in the final product of a movie, is like, how much time do you spend tight on an actor's face? How wide are you? There's so many different ways to tell story, whether it's narrative, or it’s action, or it’s dialog, or whatever, that doesn’t- that's no different when you're doing an action sequence. So yeah.

Travis: And after so many seasons on TV and then going to film, do you have a preference between the two?

Amber Midthunder: No, I think as long as it's really good content, I don't really care where it is. Because I do feel like I've had that experience in different ways, doing different types of television, because Roswell and Legion are both very different. Like, the experience of shooting those shows are very different from each other. So they're all- I think each story, and each show, and each team, is really its own universe, in my experience. So it's really just the quality of the content and who I'm working with.

Travis: Do you know when the project’s slated to come out?

Amber Midthunder: Sometime this summer, on Hulu.

Travis: Oh, wow, ok. Now I know, obviously you spoke to having an indigenous role is something that is very very important, and I know it's close to your heart as well.

Amber Midthunder: Yes. You just learned this five minutes ago.

Travis: I knew this already, come on. I could clearly tell by the final people that were at the chemistry reading what the roles were, obviously, you know what I'm saying? But just from a personal perspective, why was that so important to you?

Amber Midthunder: I mean it's a really big deal. It's a big deal in so many ways. I feel like I could talk about that forever.

Travis: Yeah, that's why we're here.

Amber Midthunder: This is a podcast, duh, we’re here to talk.

Travis: This is for you to explain, exactly.

Amber Midthunder: I mean like, to have the honor and also the responsibility to represent indigenous people, and specifically Comanche people in this way, like, our history of being represented in entertainment and in media is not very full, or very good, or very accurate. So to have the opportunity to tell a story that is about a girl, who is a full person, and you get to see somebody, and also it's a period piece, you don't often see that. I think whenever you see indigenous people in anything, and especially in period pieces, it's always really one dimensional, and it's really watered down, and it's often very stereotypical, in the sense that it's either very savage, or it's just very stoic, spiritual, whatever, and like, that doesn't do anything good for our people and that's not even true. So to be able to tell a story, where you get to see a bunch of characters too, that's the other thing, is a lot of times when you have an indigenous role, it's maybe like, one character, compared to, you know, 25 or 50 in a movie or a TV show. And it's like, how can you put the responsibility of representation on one role? In this story we get to have so many people, and they have different personalities, and social dynamics, and stuff like that, so that part of it was was really neat. And then to be able to, you know, show indigenous people and indigenous women as warriors, and being strong, and like looking- cause we don't really have anything to look to for a lot of hope or inspiration, you know? To have a real indigenous person to just, first of all to do it, and say “anything is possible for any of you.” To say “wherever you are, if you're living on the rez, if you're wherever, your dreams are very achievable.” And to say “look, we have this thing for hope and strength!” And we can hold our own story, we don't have to just support somebody else's.

Travis: Super cool. What is your personal background, for those that may not know?

Amber Midthunder: Ethnically?

Travis: Yes.

[Transcription to be completed.]