Jessica, how did you get involved in "Idle Hands?

I got involved in it probably in March of 98, and I auditioned for it. That's how I got it. [giggles]

What's your background?

"Idle Hands" is actually my first movie, and I filmed "Never Been Kissed" a week after. They were both like two and a half month shoots, and these were my first two studio movies. They just happened to be released at the same time.

You have another big thing coming up too, with "Dark Angel."

Yes, it is! I got connected to that with James Cameron. [It's about] A genetically enhanced girl, she has really special DNA, and she runs away from this government facility when she's little with a couple of other kids. They don't find her. She wasn't supposed to run away. The government is kind of after her, looking for her. She doesn't have a social security number, she doesn't have a name, she doesn't have a family, she doesn't have really anyone. She kind of has [people] that she's sort of friends with, but she can't be real friends with them, because then they'll know her secret. Nobody knows this about her. She's a cat burglar at night and a bike messenger during the day. It's supposed to be set in the 21st century in San Francisco. She's a cat burglar, so she wants to get money to find her other siblings, so she can have some sort of base, some sort of connection with somebody, because she feels so away from everyone. In the process, she falls into the arms of this guy who is sort of on the underground too. He doesn't have any of those things, but that's because he gets dirt on the government and gets it out and tells people what's really going on. They're both sort of running from the government together and being a voice for the people. At this time in the future, it's supposed to be that the government really controls everything and that normal, civil people don't really have a say in anything. They're just sort of put in certain places.

How involved is Jim Cameron?

He is writing it, co-writing it with Charles Eglee, who did "Moonlighting" and "Murder One." He's a genius man. They're both co-writing it, and he's the executive producer.

Will he direct the pilot?

It's a possibility. We're not sure yet. It's not ruled out, but it's not for sure.

When can we expect to see it?

It's for Fox, and it plans to premiere in 2000. It's supposed to be the future of TV.

How do you feel about signing on for a show that might go for five or six years?

I would be honored to do a show that would be going for five or six years. I'd feel blessed that I could be a part of something like that, especially with James Cameron, because he is so genius. I'd feel honored that I could be a part of that.

How old are you Jessica?

I'll be eighteen then end of this month. I've been doing this since I was twelve.

Did you audition for "Dark Angel," or did they just call you?

It was definitely an audition process.

Did you get to meet James Cameron?

Yes. I've met with him a few times. He's an amazing guy. He's really great. Sweet. He's like the guy next door. He dresses normal, he acts normal, he just has this genius mind and creates these amazing movies.

How was filming "Idle Hands" different from filming "Never Been Kissed?" You went from an all-guys cast to a total chick-flick!

That was the difference. This was a bunch of guys. Most of my scenes were with Devon. It was mostly like me and the crew, vs. "Never Been Kissed,"which very much like being at high school again. (Actually, I say high school because everyone had been at high school but me.) This was great, because I got to really know Rodman, the director, and the producers, Jennifer and Suzanne Todd were amazing. They were like my girlfriends. They were really sweet, and we just got to hang out... it was good.

What's it like working with Drew?

It was amazing. I love her. She's really professional, and she sets this amazing tone where everyone just wants to work 150 percent and go beyond their expectations of themselves and of their work. She really has such a gung-ho personality, and she's sort of rooting for everyone. Everyone just loves what they do, and wants to work really hard for her and themselves. She really encourages people to set goals for themselves as well.

Were you happy with "Idle Hands" when you saw the final cut?

Yes, it was funny. Once you see the movie, it speaks for itself. It's definitely more of a campy, dark comedy than a horror movie. It's pretty gory, but I don't think it's really a horror movie as much, and I love that about it, I think it's great.

Do you think girls your age will like it?

I hope so! You know, I mean, we're by no means people that anybody should look up to as examples, any of our characters! But I hope kids can sit back and laugh at it and enjoy it, because that's what it's meant for. And adults. It's for everyone.

Are you worried that kids might get some bad ideas from this movie?

I don't think so. I think if they're going to look up to our characters, something's wrong in the home life. I mean, it's really obvious how much we are off-the-wall, anti-heroes. We're all very cartoon-ish, very extreme, all of our characters. Molly [Jessica's character] is actually the only one who doesn't get any of that weird stuff going on, but she's very centered in what she is. She barely knows this guy, and she pulls him into her house. I don't want...I don't think kids are going to see her as something to look up to. They just see her as [being] groovy. She's cool, she rides a motorcycle, and then I get all like Sigourney Weaver when I do that stuff with the rope - that was fun! I got to pretend I was tough for three seconds.

Instead of the pool scene-ending, you get tied to a car. What were those scenes like to film?

The pool was definitely more difficult because of the diving board. I was just laying down trying to hide. But they had this fire on the diving board, and that freaked me out. But it was okay. We had all our safety stuff, and we had our clothes painted, but still, the car scene was much easier. Except for when I got close, that was kind of scary. It was like, "Oh my God, I hope it stops!"

Are you claustrophobic?

I can sometimes get a little claustrophobic.

How long were you up there?

The whole day that we did it. But it was fine. You know, it was part of the job, and I had plenty of stunt people around me, and they always offered to put the stunt people in there, so it was great. Jennifer and Suzanne Todd are great like that. They would never ask me to do anything if they felt unsafe with it.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to go to the beach when it's nice weather. When it's cold, I love to go to the mountains and hike. [I'm] Kind of an outdoorsy person, but then again, I'm also one to just hang out at home and cook for whoever comes over, you know, just be with my friends.

When will you start work on "Dark Angel?"

We're going to start, I think, in the end of July, because it's a mid-season premiere. They want it to premiere in 2000.

No idea yet of where it will be set?

Yeah, I'm sure they have an idea of where they want to shoot, but they can't really finalize anything until everything's perfect.

So you're ready to pack and go wherever?

Yeah, I am. I'm so looking forward to it.

Are you going to squeeze in one more movie role this summer?

Maybe. There are a few things that are potential.

Did you have time off?

Yeah, completely. I had a lot of time off after "Never Been Kissed."

What did you do on your first day off?

I slept for a couple of days. That's pretty much all I did. And then after that, it was pretty much all those holidays, so then I really got to be with my family and be part of the holidays, so that was really great. I made cookies, individuals presents for everyone, I got to spend time with my little cousins, took them to Disneyland, and it was good.

Have you graduated from high school?

I did. I graduated when I was sixteen.

Any thoughts of college?

I am thinking of correspondence, of doing it sort of at home. I think I'm working for a while (hopefully), and if I don't...I'm just going to try and do this as long as I can, and if the business doesn't want me to be in their movies anymore, then I'll go back to school.

Does it feel strange to have two movies coming out at the same time?

I don't know. I don't really have anything to do with it. I just try to do my work, and that's just coincidentally what happened. [smiles]

How was the "Never Been Kissed" premiere?

It was great. It was like a class reunion, because we all worked together for like two and a half months, every day for really long hours, and then we didn't see each other for so long. Being able to see everyone again was fantastic.

How was the audience reaction?

It was great. It was so unexpected, because usually, sometimes it can be, you know, people see the movie for the first time, and you never know how they're going to react and you're just so passionate about the film that you're in. The reaction was amazing. We were all really surprised, like, wow, this is good! They were really rooting for Drew, and really happy for her. This is so her movie. She is 100% behind it.

This is coming to the point where you're really going to get recognized. Does that scare you?

There's already like 50 of them. I don't know, if people recognize me, I'm flattered that they saw something I'm in and acknowledge my presence. I'm like, wow, thanks! You know? I can't say, because it's never really happened to me. I could wear a hat. I don't think that will be a problem.

How do you deal with the gory stuff like fake blood and slime?

You just don't touch anything. Anytime you can, wipe it off and they'll reapply it. You just have to make sure, because you have blood and stuff on your hands, not to touch anything like magazines or your clothes. everything is continuity. Don't touch your face, or you'll end up with a big streak. I'm sure I've done that a few times. It's not gross, it's fake. I've even tasted it. It's like syrupy. [grins]