What Do They Want with Earth?

(Studio Notes — Vancouver)

One of my earliest roles in Vancouver was in a science fiction short called Close Contact, directed by Ron Heaps. I played a journalist at a press conference, asking the President about an alien encounter. My line was:

“What do they want with Earth?”

Said it directly to the actor playing the President, who responded with a long, serious monologue I no longer remember. But I remember the production.

On set in Vancouver. Somewhere near Deep Cove.

We filmed in a university lecture hall dressed up like a government press room. Beige walls, paper signs taped to doors, overhead lights that buzzed a little too loudly between takes. I wore a slightly oversized blazer and held a notebook I’d been told not to write in — it would mess with continuity.

There’s a photo from the shoot. You can just make me out from the side, notebook raised. It’s not a hero shot. But it’s mine.

Still from "Close Contact"

These roles aren’t the ones you lead with — not the highlight reel moments — but they shape your rhythm. I like remembering that version of myself: trying not to blink too loud while asking a question no one could really answer.

You can find more recent work — indie sets, character roles, no aliens — here.

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Liv Hansen is a Danish actress based in Copenhagen. She works across film, voice, and independent productions, with a focus on character-driven roles and understated storytelling. www.livhansen.net