An Interview with Anarosa Butler
The prolific FMV star discusses her experiences acting in some of this generations best FMV games, including the forthcoming THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. 
FMV WORLD: Hi Anarosa! Thank you very much for taking the time to sit down with us today.
Anarosa Butler: You're very welcome! Thank you so much for having me.
Your full name, Anarosa De Eizaguirre Butler, is rather unique. Could you tell us a bit more about its history, if you don't mind?
That's kind of you to think that. I am indeed half Spanish and half Irish. My mother is Irish and my father was Spanish. I was born in Madrid, Spain and as I child we lived between Spain and Ireland. I am very lucky to be bilingual in English and Spanish.
You have been in the acting business for around fifteen years now. What was your acting journey like?
Wow, how long do you have?? Acting is such a fickle mistress and at the start of my career, after I graduated, I was extremely hungry. My first professional gig was a professional short film shot in Malaga and in Spanish called Marina: La Ultima Bala (2005), directed by Richard Jordan. It was a baptism of fire in terms of screen acting. I was still studying my undergrad in Liverpool at the time. I was very nervous! Then for many years I accrued acting work in indie movies and a lot of theatre work, particularly kid's theatre, which I thank for a lot of my skills on stage. Children are THE ULTIMATE audience endurance test. If you can win that crowd over, you can work any crowd.
Obviously, there is the inevitable "no", which is a pre-requisite if you want to make a living being an actor. I found a lot of people didn't want to employ me! I waitressed throughout those years, and in call centres as well as a very short-lived stint of selling door-to-door. Trying to maintain momentum was difficult, and there were times that you hit lows, but I never thought about giving up. Acting is my second respiratory system. In fact, the arts in general. So with that in my mind, I got my Masters from the University of Dublin, lived in Dublin, waitressed, also got into radio at that time and spent a summer in New York studying at the Stella Adler Studio in New York. Then, 5 years ago I decided to move to Barcelona and now live between Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin and London. I'm very lucky.
How did you come to act in your very first FMV game Contradiction?
The extremely talented John Guilor, who plays Ryan Rand in Contradiction. He is a friend I met through the iconic Rupert Booth 
(who is my best friend in real life!). Well, John was involved in casting Contradiction and he kindly suggested me for the role of Emma, and thus this journey began back in 2014!
Did you meet Rupert Booth on the set of Contradiction? Rupert and I met in Manchester in 2009. He directed a project called 1599: A True Story of the Elizabethan Court (2016)
. He got my sense of humour and I got his. Thus a friendship was forged. In fact, Rupert has also been a mentor to me. He's a GREAT friend.
In Contradiction, your character Emma has some pretty dramatic scenes. Do you enjoy those types of scenes?
I can't speak for all actors but a huge percentage of us do like a good dramatic scene! It's like we think we are 'proper acting', whatever that means. Once you get a tear out on camera, inside you're going, "YES! I'M CRYING." I'm obviously exaggerating, but we do get a kick out of it. I do at least.
Could you tell us a bit more about your character Alyx in the upcoming FMV game The Dark Side of the Moon?
Alyx is a computer genius who lives in a world where she is completely misunderstood. Through her search for the truth she meets Dean, played by Darren Hall
, and in a world that has turned its back on both of them, they find an unusual and heart-warming alliance. I absolutely love Alyx. I fell in love with the character as if she's the little sister I never had.
Where did you draw your inspiration from to play Alyx? Is she anything at all like you?
Alyx is inspired from friends and colleagues that I have known throughout the years. The fun thing about acting is that you discover aspects of yourself that may have been lying dormant. I am not a computer genius, and I find it easier to relate to people, however I didn't realise I had so much in common with her until we started developing her character.
Alyx seems to believe in the existence of aliens. Do you?
(Laughs) I guess the question should be, is it comprehensible to think that 'WE' are the only form of life existing in the whole universe?
In Contradiction, The Shapeshifting Detective, and The Dark Side of the Moon you are playing completely different types of characters in different genres? Do you enjoy playing such diverse roles?
I am so fortunate to have been given this opportunity. As I mentioned previously, acting is really a journey of self-discovery. Yes Emma, Bronwyn, and Alyx are superficially very different, but people in general share very similar attributes.
I always enjoy playing characters that are far cooler than me. For example, Bronwyn in The Shapeshifting Detective is so sultry and self-assured. Emma in Contradiction was clearly very broken through a serious of circumstances. Or indeed Alyx, who sees life through a completely different lens. To answer your question, YES :)
You have an extensive list of acting credits on IMDb. Are there any projects that you are particularly proud of?
Thank you very much. I am EXTREMELY proud of the feature film Thank You Come Again! (2017) 
directed by Stephen Clarke Dunne. It was a project that was 5 years in the making and it's a true testament to will power and determination. It received a cinematic release and it was a proud moment for me. I was so proud to be part of the team.
A little bird told me that sequels are planned for The Dark Side of the Moon. Would you like reprising your role?
That bird is correct. It is early days, and yes we have been busy in the background planning a future for Alyx, however we are realistic and are hoping The Dark Side of the Moon is enjoyed! If the fans approve then we will go forward. Let's see what the mob says! (laughs)
What are your projects for 2021? Anything FMV related?
I've just signed to a new management team and I'm a workaholic, so I am hoping to be busy! And FMV has been so accepting of me, I can only pray for more opportunities in that genre.
Well Anarosa, thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions, and we will see you March 12 in The Dark Side of the Moon!
Thank YOU very much, it's been an absolute pleasure! ★
Anarosa Butler can next be seen in the forthcoming THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON available March 12.
Follow Anarosa on Twitter and visit her website for more information.
