Absolute-Claire: AOL Chat with Claire Danes (3/15/99

OnlineHost: We are happy to present one of the stars of the upcoming movie “The Mod Squad,” Claire Danes!

Claire Danes: Hi!

Question: Claire, did you have to read for this film or did they already have you in mind for the part? If you did have to read, did you go up against any well-known actresses?

Claire Danes: No, they offered it to me, so I didn't have to read. That is one of the great luxuries of having film credibility. It was utterly thrilling to be able to have a conversation about a role instead of having to give an idea of a performance.

Question: You have worked with many great directors; whose direction did you enjoy the most?

Claire Danes: Every director I've worked with has been great for different reasons. I like Scott a lot because he was very open and encouraged us to become involved in his process. He had a very clear vision. I knew exactly what to do. They've all been great.

Question: Have you had the opportunity to meet any of the old cast of the TV “Mod Squad”?

Claire Danes: Yeah, I've met Peggy Lipton, who is incredible. I ran into her coincidentally at various functions. She's so beautiful and so accessible and was very supportive of our film. She was groovy! Michael Cole I also met at a barbecue that the producers had before we began filming. He was very nice also.

Question: What it is like working with Giovanni Ribisi?

Claire Danes: He's awesome. Giovanni is a favorite of mine. He's so warm and so hilarious and it was very easy to act with him. He was very dedicated and really encouraged me to push myself in my work. There was no room for laziness in Giovanni's company.

Question: Who were your role models growing up?

Claire Danes: Oh, that's such a hard question to answer. I had a few mentors. I really relied on older people helping me. My gymnastics teacher was really awesome, and my dance teacher. I don't know. I don't want to give you the traditional and predictable answer, my mother, but she's been a really good role model.

Question: I just wanted you to know that I have watched “Romeo & Juliet” about a hundred times, and I was wondering if Leo is a good kisser?

Claire Danes: LOL Uh, yeah he is a good kisser. He's a great kisser!

Question: You were great in “Pesky Suitor,” are you only doing films now?

Claire Danes: Wow, you've done your research! I'll work on any project that is well written and has a really good director attached to it. Those are my two requirements, and if they fulfill it, then I'll work on it.

Question: How old were you when you got into acting?

Claire Danes: I started taking classes when I was 10 at Lee Strasburg's in New York and started working professionally when I was 12.

Question: What was your favorite movie to work on?

Claire Danes: I liked all of them for different reasons. I swear on my life that I liked all of them for various reasons. I liked “Romeo & Juliet” because it was amazing to be able to speak Shakespeare's words. I liked working on “Polish Wedding” because I love Gabriel Byrne and being in Detroit all day long. “Mod Squad” was really groovy because I got to be in Los Angeles with a group of really energetic artists. The things I remember about films are the places in which I shot them and the people whom I worked with.

Question: What kind of music do you listen to? Do you like Mozart or Nine Inch Nails?

Claire Danes: LOL I don't know, I can get kind of lazy in harvesting music. I rely on my boyfriend rather heavily, who is a musician and who is obsessed with music. I sort of follow his lead, which is a little lame. But there is little incentive for me to follow music in college because I'm not one of those people who can listen to music and concentrate on work at the same time. Benley, I love Benley and the Pixies. I really enjoy Pulp. It's all good. I love the majority of it.

Question: Do you feel more "at home" in Hollywood or on a college campus?

Claire Danes: Well, I feel most at home in my home in New York City with my boyfriend. LOL I feel at home acting, but not at other places.

Question: Could you at all relate with your character, Angela, on “My So-Called Life”?

Claire Danes: Absolutely. I was the same age as the character was when I made that TV show, so I couldn't help but relate to her experiences. But we have very different personalities.

Question: Is “The Mod Squad” a remake of an older TV show?

Claire Danes: Yes, indeed, it's a remake of an old television show.

Question: What TV show would you like to see on screen?

Claire Danes: Uh, ahh, (singing). “Square One” or “Facts of Life”!

Question: Are you still going to do “Fora Plum” with Jodie and if so, when?

Claire Danes: I don't think I can answer that.

Question: What is the weirdest thing a fan has done to meet you, and what did you do?

Claire Danes: Hmm! I'm going to sing again! I don't know. I've done weird things when I was a fan and I've done weird things to meet people. I tried to convince the director of “Romeo & Juliet” to put one of my boyfriend's songs on the soundtrack.

Question: What is your favorite type of movie to act in?

Claire Danes: I don't discriminate against genres. I suppose dramatic films. That's where I thrive. But I enjoy doing all different kinds of work and I think it's really helpful to be flexible and attempt to do different kinds of work.

Question: Do you go online often or is this your first time?

Claire Danes: Well, I'm a bit addicted to email, but I don't really explore the Internet very frequently.

Question: What are your predictions to win Oscar?

Claire Danes: Oh! I hope Cate Blanchett wins. She was incredible. She was really amazing in that movie.

OnlineHost: What about best movie?

Claire Danes: I haven't seen all of them. I've seen about one of the entire group, probably “Elizabeth.” I don't know, everybody raves about “Life Is Beatiful.”

Question: What was it like working with Norm MacDonald on “Saturday Night Live”?

Claire Danes: Norm! He's great. That was such a fun experience to work on “Saturday Night Live.” He was, surprisingly enough, very funny. LOL

Question: Claire do you get to kick butt in this movie?

Claire Danes: Yeah! I do! I seek revenge. I blow up stuff and you know, beat up my ex-boyfriend. Kind of groovy stuff.

Question: Do you do your own stunts?

Claire Danes: I did a majority of them. I didn't jump out of a moving vehicle, though. I let my stunt person do that for me. She looked bored on the set, so I threw her a bone.

Question: When does “Mod Squad” come out?

Claire Danes: March 26th! Go go go!

Question: How was it working with Matt Damon on “Rainmaker”?

Claire Danes: He's great. He's really enthusiastic about what he does, very dedicated to whatever film he works on. Really bright, very charming. Good man, good man. I'm a fan.

Question: How is your character in “Mod Squad” different than others you've played?

Claire Danes: She's a California Dream Girl. She's flawless, or that is how I perceived her. I think my other characters had certain dilemmas or disabilities. She's a super hero, so she's not... or she's more complex than the other characters I've played.

Question: So you think you'll produce or direct your own projects someday?

Claire Danes: Uh, why not? I have no idea. I still have a lot to do in my acting. There is a lot further I could go with that so I don't think I'm ready to stray from that yet. But, you know, who knows? Maybe I'll get anxious and bored one day.

OnlineHost: Thank you for joining us. Remember Britney Spears will be with us on March 25th.

Claire Danes: Bye! Thanks!

Portions of the transcript may be edited by AOL to correct spelling, punctuation and/or remove any material that violates AOL's Terms of Service.