After Paramount came Sony's panel, the studio promoting its two big genre films scheduled for this Fall - "The Grudge" which is a Japanese horror film US remake and a sequel to a very large cult hit "Resident Evil" based on a video game, both of which only recently released their main trailers. The later I missed due to interviewing and other work commitments sadly, but for the former there was a bunch of good stuff available.

Showing off an extended version of "The Grudge" trailer (more ghost, more Sarah), former Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar turned out to answer questions. I spoke with her one-on-one several minutes beforehand about how she became involved with the project and what we can expect.

Gellar is excited about the project as mainly she's "twice gotten to do something incredibly groundbreaking. It's very rare that you get to be part of something that's never been done before, and to be part of the first film to be made for American audiences with the original Japanese director is just an incredible honor, and I've a really proud feeling that I get to show something no-one has ever seen before".

How'd she get involved in this remake? "I'm a big fan of Japanese cinema, not just psychological but action films like "Hero" - I just love the whole style. That's part of the reason why I was so intrigued by it, the filmmaking style and the shots are so innovative, and visually it's just stuff you haven't seen before. I came home from Vancouver and I got a phone call and they told me the story, they said watch it tonight, read the script but the deal is you've gotta go tomorrow. So mistake #1, watching the original "Ju-On" at 10:30 at night [shivers], but I loved it - not just the female characters but the thrill and the thing about Japanese films is that it takes you there and leaves you and I just really wanted to be a part of it. Of all the projects I've been offered this was the one I pursued. I stalked Sam Raimi for six months as well, not sure if the restraining order is still in effect (laughs)".

A lot of the shots in the trailer seem very similar to the original but that was deliberate: "There were these shots the director did in the original and they would sort of come around someone and then in and then out and you were part of that person's thoughts. You don't see stuff like that and it sticks with you. There's a couple of the scenes like the shower sequence or that hallway shot - what he does is... there's a subtle repetition which you don't realise until you learn how these characters are connected".

Any sequences that particularly stand out in your memory during the filming in Japan? "I enjoyed the whole process, I really did. I've been making film & television since I was four years old and this was like learning everything from scratch. It was truly making art I guess, there was a pride that goes with it that's different. The joke is I'm going to go over and union-ise Japan because those actors and crew work too hard...could you imagine (laughs)".

Are there any scenes that people will be talking about when they walk out of the theatre? "My husband said there's three sequences that everyone will be talking about. Everyone will be talking about Kayako and the stairs, that's all I will say. Which was completely done without wires, without pads and without a stuntperson. The little boy Toshiyo is very different - when was the last time you saw a little boy in his underwear that was very scary. The shower scene does standout actually we heightened it a little and shot more footage for it. At least for me it was very scary, nothing like taking a shower with a bunch of Japanese men".

The effects are all practical? - "There were no effects. I remember asking questions - is there a rig? is there a wire? Everything's practical. Literally it's amazing, you just do it. How do I get through this window? You jump through it. But it's glass? We'll break it first. It's a very different approach to filmmaking".

Gellar revealed she would love to do work in Italy, Spain or England if the chance came up. She'd also love to do more of Japan as they only shot in Tokyo and explored a bit of Kyoto. She says she doesn't think they're doing a third "Scooby", but she's hoping to be a part of Richard Kelly's next ensemble.