Actress Tara Reid says she committed to her character and played the role seriously in the low-budget, television disaster movie Sharknado and its sequel Sharknado 2: The Second One, even though she frequently found herself in absurd situations. The first Sharknado -- about a freak weather occurrence that dumps man-eating sharks on Los Angeles -- was a ratings hit and became a social-media phenomenon last summer. The sequel once again places Reid's character April and her ex-husband Fin, played by Ian Ziering, in the midst of a shark-infested storm. This time around, the action takes place in New York City.
"Even though the situation was crazy, you had to play it serious," the actress told reporters in a recent teleconference. "If you were playing it, laughing all the time, the story line wouldn't even make sense. It's like taking it serious in such an absurd, crazy environment and that's where the jokes come in. That's where it gets funny, so you really do have to commit to your character and also know what you are playing. And being in that situation that you're in and playing it serious, then there comes in the humor."
So, did all the media and fan attention surrounding the first film change the way she viewed her job going in to Sharknado 2?
"It was exciting that the first one was such a hit, but I don't think that changed how we performed or affected us any way like that," Reid told UPI. "We were hoping to make another big, fun film that people would enjoy."
Asked what the atmosphere was like on the set of the sequel, Reid replied, "The vibe on the set was great."
"We got lucky. Everyone truly got along in the movie and had a great time with each other and I think that shows."
Sharknado 2 is scheduled to premiere on Syfy Wednesday .