Valerie Jobe

She played in Shawn Lealos‘ Dollar Baby I Know What You Need as Alice Gibney.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Valerie Jobe: Har. Asking who I “am” is a bit like asking a reformed cocktail dancer who she is and how she got to be where she is today; probably a story filled with a sorrowful childhood, that ends with a happyily ever after somewhere down the torrid line of life with a twist that leads to a lifetime of wondering. Bluntly? To the point? Non-memory filled? I am a 30 year old wife and mother to four great kids with a college degree in journalism. I live with my family in our newly purchased house in Moore. I am in the process of setting up a pottery studio in my home to fulfill my dream of being a self proclaimed starving artist. I love to work with my hands and building pottery and throwing it on the wheel allows me to express some of deepest thoughts and dreams into pieces of art that I hope speak to people in their own ways.

SKSM: How did you become involved in I Know What You Need?

Valerie Jobe: I attended college locally and I was trying to get involved in theatre again. I kept an eye on the billboard for the Drama Club on campus for auditions and I saw a flyer about a Stephen King Dollar Baby film being done in a nearby city. I called, got an interview, thought they would never pick me in a million years, and about fell over with joy when they did. They told me when they chose me that I had beat out two other girls from a talent agency too. I was very excited.

SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?

Valerie Jobe: I actually auditioned for both female parts. I thought I did pretty good, but was extremely nervous as this was my first film outside of necessary school projects.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Valerie Jobe: None that I want printed! Actually, Shawn tried really hard to make sure we were relaxed and comfortable with our lines, wardrobe, and other stuff. During the breaks we would sit around and talk and take silly pictures with the cast and crew. We would laugh and have a good time and forget that we were momentarily stressed out about the previous scene. Sometimes we would get carried away and the five minute break turned into 10, 20, or even a trip to Burger King.

SKSM: You worked with Shawn Lealos on this film, how was that?

Valerie Jobe: When Shawn has a vision of what he wants in a particular shoot he has a way of expressing it like a true artist does. You get all excited and start talking fast. It is sometimes difficult to think the same thing that someone else has already played out inside of their head, but he made it work. He was also open to ideas that we had as actors and would always talk us through everything.

SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?

Valerie Jobe: It should probably be said that we do not keep in contact and that may be for the better too. I am not sure I want that directly quoted either.

SKSM: What did you do after I Know What You Need?

Valerie Jobe: After this film, which was a major learning experience for me, I went on to become president of the Drama Club at my college. The club had gone extinct since the previous year all the members had graduated, and I pulled it back up and we did very well on campus. The Society of Performing Artists did charity events, bake sales, the whole nine yards, until I graduated. I was also editor of the student newspaper where I won several awards for my writing. I stayed active in theater and even got to play the lead role in Lysistrata before I left. It was the jewel in my crown for my college theatre career. I did a few other independent films for friends but nothing real hard core.

SKSM: Voodoo is an important part of the story. Do you believe in it, or did you have personal experience with voodoo?

Valerie Jobe: My grandmother raised me as a Spiritualist. Which in not so many words means that I try ro be one with nature and the sometimes strange things that cannot be explained. I believe that what you hand out to the universe comes back to you times ten. Voodoo and its rituals can sometimes be nothing more than a village asking for a good crop this year, but I believe that true deep-rooted evil does exsist and needs little help in spreading its disease around.

SKSM: Are you (or were you) a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Valerie Jobe: The second book I EVER remeber reading as a twelve year old was Christine. That book was the door for me that opened up an endless mountain of books that inspired me to become a writer. King’s words and his sheer unadulterated and unassuming expression in his books is simply amazing. He has a way of writing that allows my mind to play the movie in my head as I read. I have always been an avid reader and have taught my children the same love and respect for books that I have to this day.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything else you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Valerie Jobe:

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