Spencer: 'Help' boosts vet's profile, cultural issues

Octavia SpencerMontgomery, Ala. native Octavia Spencer knows she'll get laughs in "The Help,In . but doesn't start to see the tempestous, Jim Crow-era maid Minny to become comedically self-aware."Her existence is actually difficult. She's not easily amused," states Spencer, which has acquired raves on her behalf spirited, wealthy portrayal of Minny inside the adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel about existence for house servants inside the sixties. "I never carried out it should i be trying to become funny, never saw her getting a spontaneity. She mentioned just what she felt, and because of the context, it arrives funny."Before "The Help,In . Spencer's bailiwick since moving to La 15 years back was nailing one-scene moments in films and numerous TV series. Coping with a component-length role like Minny will be a change they clearly valued."I desired to create it, plus it actually was hard," she states. "However it might be a great lesson to know.InchMuch less enjoyable was waiting to know if she'd have a chance to see Minny, even though the level of smoothness was inspired partly by Spencer, who met Stockett eight in the past through her good friend, "The AssistanceInch director Tate Taylor.Taylor wanted her, but she figured DreamWorks might have other casting ideas, particularly an African-American actress who was simply more well-proven to auds."I believed it could undergo Mo'Nique, Jennifer Hudson and Full Latifah before it ever arrived at me," Spencer recalls. "Thx (DreamWorks Boss) Stacey Snider needed this kind of huge chance."Spencer initially thought she'd be considered a producer, and developing her own projects remains not definately not her mind."I've been writing concepts and remedies," she states. "By character I'm a detective. I really like calculating things out, which i understand that's what producers do."For the moment, though, she likes dispelling pals in Alabama in what they assume being the incessant glamour of Hollywood existence. It is not all limos, caviar and gowns."I inform them, 'Honey, there's nothing glamorous about blending into two group of Spanx.'"Lucky break: "I obtained a small sector in 'A Time to Kill,' after which it I showed up in this area to L.A. and Sandra Bullock put me in their short 'Making Sandwiches.' Because of that, one factor introduced to another.InchPreferred film: "If 'The Color Purple' is on, I'm going to be late for anything."Career Allow me to emulate: "Pour entirely Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alison Janney and Melissa McCarthy, change creating a Molotov cocktail."10 Stars To Check Out 2011:Benedict Cumberbatch Jean Dujardin Luke Evans Josh Hutcherson Felicity Manley Taylor Kitsch Brit Marling Elizabeth Olsen Octavia Spencer Shailene Woodley Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com