don’t know what happened but somehow this got posted as an earlier post instead of a current post. oh well.

sorry - the mail bag is coming in typed form this time - mostly because it’s a bit quicker. i have about one million questions to answer so this felt a bit easier and more relaxed for holiday time.

I was just curious as to what your favorite things were to do while you lived in Austin.  Any favorite bar or club?  Restaurant?  Also, I know we’re getting a little old for it, but if you do go out on halloween, what costume would you wear, or would you go as Daphne?*

- Josh

yeah - it’s kind of hard to remember now because it’s been three years since i lived in austin. i like whiskey bar and red fez for going out. for music, i usually went to emo’s or wherever the band i wanted to see was playing. i also went to elysium a lot on sunday nights when they had 80s night. i hope someone from austin remembers that.

and i have been known to go as myself from different eras for halloween - high school brea is a favorite of mine. but i’ll probably steer clear of daphne since i already look like her…because i am her.

*i think this was actually sent at halloween. that’s how far behind i am in my email mail bag answer things.

I was wondering what you like to do on your time off when your not shooting Heroes or doing other work related stuff? Basically, what’s a fun day for Brea?

- Shane

a fun day for brea is working! i actually like my job.

but not working - it’s going to the movies or reading a book. i’m sort of boring.

where is your favorite place in the world for going on holiday and why???

- Brandon

portland, oregon because it’s where my mom lives.

In “I Am Become Death” there was the moment where dying Future!Daphne returned home and her back was all burned up. I was wondering, how extensive was the makeup process there?

- Dominique

pretty extensive especially considering you guys only got a quick glimpse of the burn wound. i was fitted for a back piece that was covered in burned-looking-skin a few weeks before (you’re going to have to ask a special effects person how all that stuff works). it took about three hours to put it on on the day of filming (that’s not including the wig and regular make-up process).

In one of the episodes of “Friday Night Lights” that you did, there’s a scene where you and Landry are talking about music, and you list off a bunch of metal bands, like Mayhem, Carcass, and I forget what else.  Anyway, I was wondering, did you really know about all of those bands, or was that just in the script?  I was a bit surprised that someone working on that show would know so much about those bands, so I was wondering if it was their doing or yours.

- Korey

writers are cool! so they know about those kind of things just like you and me. so a lot of it was written. i also threw some bands in there that i remembered from when i played in a hardcore band and some bands my friend brett told me to say. i tried to change it up every take (because FNL lets you improvise a bit) so i’m not sure who wrote the final bands. although i don’t think they used cattle decapitation - which was my idea.

Does the turtle in the show have a name?

- Morgan

i think it’s elvis but greg calls her shelly.
Assuming you have seen every episode of Heroes what is you  favorite episode?
- Reed
probably episode 6 of this season because i’m in it a lot!


Have you read any comics of super-speedsters, like the Flash, to prep for your Heroes role?
- Vincent
yep. i read a lot of Flash (i’m a fan of the Geoff Johns stuff mostly), Supreme Power, and some old X-Factor.


I wonder when you see a shot like in Sylar’s house in the future, when Claire is about to shoot Peter, and your character is speeding all around with motion trails behind you, etc…..what does a scene like that look like when you’re shooting it as far as what you’re literally doing on the set?
- Bo
well, it looks silly and complicated. the short scene where daphne and peter are fighting had to be filmed in two separate pieces. milo took all the punches without me being there so he could be going regular speed. then, separately from him, i went it and hit the air where he’d be so they could speed it up to make it look as though i was moving super fast and he was moving normally. kind of confusing and it feels very odd to just be running up and hitting where he would be. then, we had a moment where we moved the same speed right before i switched out with a stunt double who hit the wall for me when peter punches daphne. then, i get back in on the floor and lay there hurt. so that one part took about 4 or 5 hours, not including all the stuff leading up to it. that scene of everyone in the house took a whole day (a 14 hour day) to shoot. so, like i said, kind of complicated. we just have to trust the directors to know what they’re doing to make it look so awesome in the final product.

still working on my book list for 2008. until then, enjoy these things.

predictions for the new year and recaps on the smashing darling blog (that i contributed to).

ustream highlights of 2008 (with me in it!)

continuing the end of year lists, i present the movie list. granted, there are many movies i haven’t seen (especially december ones) so i apologize in advance. of the movies i’ve seen, these are my favorites.

1) the dark knight - as much as this was hyped, it lived up to the hype. the acting was amazing as was the overall darkness of the film. really - i couldn’t have asked for a better batman movie.

2) man on a wire - documentary about a man who walked between the twin towers on a tight rope. an amazing documentary about something i knew nothing about. a lot of people didn’t see it and if you’re one of them, i’d change that asap.

3) iron man - everything i wanted in a summer blockbuster - funny guy, stunts, action, pretty girl. done.

4) milk - if sean penn doesn’t win a million awards for this, i’ll be angry. this movie is incredibly timely and does a great job of paying homage to an important history.

5) cloverfield - i’m surprised this was this year. i guess i saw it right when it came out. loved it. scary and innovative.

6) baby mama - laughed my ass off.

7) hellboy 2 - beautiful and action. what more can a girl ask for?

8 ) death race - this movie had way more story than it even needed. cars racing until the death? that’s something that could keep me in my seat - but death race went beyond the typical action movie.

9) wall-e - adorable robots. nuff said.

10) wanted - i’ll never get enough angelina jolie. same could be said for james mcavoy.

11) slumdog millionaire - i just saw this and i had to make my top 10 into a top 11 specifically to include it. amazing in every way - visually, acting and the story - all great. i know it’s not in many cities but the moment it hits your local theater or video store, i would suggest renting it.

here’s a trailer below:

just in case you didn’t have enough animated daphne in your life.

thanks @hellogeri!

some places to see/hear/read me:

here’s a link to an interview i did with Saturday Night Magazine.

and here’s a link to Television Zombies - a podcast where i did a guest commentary (it’s at the end).

the year ends and i make lists. first and foremost, top albums of 2008.

in no particular order:

1) the kills - midnight boom

i heard this album being played in another room at a friend’s house and ran over to hear more of it. i loved the kills’ last album and this one is even better. hopefully they’ll keep putting out albums in the years to come.

2) the ting tings - we start at nothing

i don’t know how i lived without this album. when people mispronounce my name, i have a little moment to myself where i say, “that’s not my name” in honor of the ting tings.

3) tilly and the wall - o

one member of the band is a tap dancer. what more could you ask for?

4) theresa andersson - hummingbird, go!

adorable, talented, and easy to listen to. this album was an immediate favorite this year.

5) she & him - volume one

i have yet to find an inappropriate time for the she & him album. cooking dinner? yes. getting up in the morning? totally. going to bed at night? good for that too. always appropriate. that has to be a sign of one of the best albums of the year.

6) santogold - santogold

i’m surprised this came out this year. i feel like i’ve been listening to it forever - perhaps because it is so addicting. she is brilliant.

7) mates of state - re-arrange us

any time i have somewhere important to be, the newest mates of state album is all i can listen to. it gets me pumped. i’ve even made up my own harmonies at this point.

the mae shi - hlllyh

this album fulfills a lot for me - good beat, crazy songs, sticks to a theme, clever music videos. feeling fulfilled.

9) hot chip - made in the dark

if you didn’t buy this album this year, don’t hesitate and go get it now. electronic dance and fun at its finest. has light and dark moments that produce an amazing album.

10) girl talk - feed the animals

girl talk has perfected the art of sampling and mashing. don’t go to the gym without it.

11) los campesinos - hold on now, youngster…

i had to add an 11 to my top 10 list because this album was too good to be left out. “you! me! dancing!” is an amazing song. you can’t help but love it.

for those of you who didn’t get to come to the austin event, here are a few photos.

me signing photos.

we’re running! get it?

the crowd at the alamo drafthouse post-heroes episode.

me and john talking. yes, i picked one with a dumb face. (insider info: i used to work with john many years ago at the UT college radio station).

thanks again for everyone who came to the event. here’s a link to all the photos from the event. hope to be back soon!

here’s an interview i did with screen junkies with max powers (who many of you may know better as @michael_bay - fake michael bay on twitter).

Max Powers Inteviews Brea Grant - Watch more Free Videos

you can also go to the screen junkies website here.

Hi! juliedarling here to interrupt your regularly scheduled Brea list (~ insert loud high pitched noise~)

OK, now that I’ve got your attention, Brea has asked me to guest post today with a juliedarling list. Why a juliedarling list you ask, and who is juliedarling anyway? I’m the co-founder of www.smashingdarling.com, a site where you can find over 450 of the hottest indie fashion designers you’ve never seen. It’s my job to rock indie fashion, find hot new designers, and keep people like you looking smashing … and I love doing just that.

So, in the spirit of allowing our waistlines to expand a little during this holiday season (because we deserve it!) I’m going to focus on the one thing that won’t make you look fat, EVAHHH …  Jewelry!  Here are a few of my favorite things out there this season:

1. One of my  all time favorite jewelry designers on the site is Reverie. I recently got to see some of her pieces in person and was amazed at how incredibly large they were in person. THEY’RE HUGE! They are each unique,  all made from vintage elements, and they are all absolutely gorgeous.

http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/spring-time

2. Confession time … juliedarling has a bit of a ring problem. So, I couldn’t have a jewelry list without at least a piece or two of my favorite finger-wear. Cynthia Jones’ Modern Ring is simple and fun. It’s enameled copper and comes in yellow, silver, brown or white.

http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/modern-ring

Cynthia has a whole line of jewelry to go with this ring, so don’t forget to check out her store here: http://www.smashingdarling.com/store/cynthia-jones

3. Juliet Rutigliano’s jewelry can slide into my closet any day of the week. The thing I love about her pieces is that everything moves, really speaks to the kid who likes to play. And who doesn’t like a little play?? This Chain Bang Bracelet is so delicate, so casual, but you can also dress it up with anything and everything. Can’t go wrong with this one!

http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/chain-bang-bracelet

4. Dina Varano’s Spine Pendant is gorgeous. Actually gorgeous doesn’t do it justice, it’s just beyond smashing! http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/spine-pendant Can be worn in front, or in back to give you that sex kitten appeal. Rowrrrr ….here’s a view of someone wearing one of the spine pendants in the back.

http://dinavarano.blogspot.com/2008/10/sexy-spine.html

5. And we can’t forget the men in our life, ’cause we know they need all the help they can get. go robot! is one of juliedarling’s absolute favorite jewelry designers. I don’t just own a few of his pieces myself, I covet them. This Cold-Rolled Ring is something no man should be without.

http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/cold-rolled-ring

Hope that gives you a few ideas of things that I’ve been drooling over lately. If you need any hints or suggestions for that loved one, or you just want to know what to put with that piece you have in your closet you can either comment below, email julie(at)smashingdarling(dot)com, or head over to twitter and look for @juliedarling. Would love to point you in the right direction.

love this. see you guys there!

here’s a blog/video with me and christine from tristinstyling.

here’s the video below. but i’d suggest reading the explanation on christine’s site - otherwise it might not make too much sense.