HBO keeps fans clamouring for more True Blood! They tease fans with the waiting sucks videos and promo trailers every week. Last night fans were treated to the “Screen Test” video which features the cast in  test shots for the camera. No words were spoken but the actors still were able to convey many words just by the way they glamoured the camera. Yes even the non-vampire characters were able to enthrall us!

Of course I could not resist taking a deeper look in the video and the images. I noticed that the coloring was kept to a minimum. Visually this made for a stark contrast between the actor and  the muted background (which I loved. simple and clean made the actor the center of attention where they belong!) The first image above is actually the last image we see in the screen test video of the actors. It almost looks as if the background forms a halo around Anna Paquin.

The video starts with Anna Paquin looking directly into the camera. There is a subtle “come hither” look on Miss Sookie Stackhouse character here. Perhaps she is practing the coy, yet sexy Sookie for Season 4.

We next see the southern gentleman vampire Bill Compton also looking directly into the camera. Stephen Moyer keeps his character face as the sullen vampire but right before the video shows the next camera he looks up towards the sky perhaps wishing for someone or something (do vampires still pray?)

We next see quick glimpses into several of the other actors (Joe Manganiello, Alexander Skarsgard, Ryan Kwanten) before a longer screen shot is shown of Rutina Wesley as “Tara”. There is a difference in Tara in her gaze. The way she is glaring at the camera with an outward tough appearance but her eyes still show some pain. The events of season 3 have left a mark on her and it looks like we will see a bit more of that vulnerability. Tara is not known to be a weak and definitely kick arse! Rutina is amazing as this character. Hopefully season 4 will be kinder to her character. Another interesting thing I noticed is how strongly lit she is in in the screen test. The shadow she casts against the background is pretty evident. It seems that the “humans” in the screen test are casting shadows while those that are vampires do not cast as strong a shadow.

The next actor that has a longer camera shot is Alexander Skarsgard as Viking Vampire Sheriff Eric Northman.

Alexander Skarsgard caught my eye in how his “character of Eric Northman” changed right before our eyes. He went from the stronger, stoic Viking Vampire with the look on his face. (screen caps above) And then when he turns his face we see a “softer Eric”. Perhaps he is practicing the amnesia Eric in this screen test? (the eyes look softer) The screen cap below shows the “softer” vulnerable Eric. There is a little hint of a “smile” :

Oh and yes I see Joe Manganiello showing the smoldering, perhaps frustrated “Alcide” in these images.

The body language of running fingers through the hair can mean that the person is frustrated  or perhaps “preening” themselves because they feel attractive. No argument from fans that Joe is a very attractive Alcide. Joe has mentioned that there will be a lot of romantic tension in season 4 (can’t wait).

Sam Trammell as the shape shifting bar owner Sam Merlotte also showed a bit of a difference in his character. He also is strongly lit and casts a rather dark shadow. For some reason his eyes and demeanor show a bit a darkness in his character perhaps for season 4. In season 3 fans saw some flashbacks for Sam’s character that showed he was not always the sweet nice guy that he seems to be for his Bon Temps neighbors. Season 3 ended with his character aiming and shooting a gun at his brother Tommy Mickens.

The next image of Sam  (shown above)makes me question just what will we be seeing his character go through in season 4? He looks so keep in thought. For a few frames he doesn’t look the camera in the eye. What is he trying to hold inside? (emotions, secret?)

Love how HBO included Kristin Bauer van Straten in the screen test video! She is absolutely perfect in her portrayal of the beautiful, sarcastic child of Eric Northman -Vampire Pam! They even included the fabulous “eye brow raise”/eye roll that Pam has been known for on True Blood. You can just hear her “say something” snarky to go along with that look! (are you getting what I’m putting down?) It also looks like she is wearing the outfit we see in the Waiting Sucks video where she asks Marnie to “fix my maker”.

Another human with a lot to deal with for season 4 will be the wonderful Lafayette Reynolds. Nelsan Ellis is absolutely amazing as LaLa! The sarcasm of his words and the perfect timing to his delivery have always been some of my favorite scenes in True Blood.

We see Nelsan early on in the video adjusting his scarf on his head (his doo-rag). I see what looks like rosary as a necklace on Lafayette. Perhaps his new love Jesus has him wearing one for protection? In the latter part of the video we see Lafayette again but looking quite darker in his demeanor and spirit. Again the hardness in the eyes and the way he is looking into the camera makes me wonder what the heck is going to happen? I also do not remember Lafayette being that big of a smoker (ok not the ganja but a regular cigarette). He is savoring this cigarette quite differently. Love the eyelashes!

We don’t see a whole lot of Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse or Deborah Woll as baby vamp Jessica Hamby but what we do see is great. Jason seems to have a lot on his mind as well. When the video ends on the HBO page we see an image of Jason as if in prayer. Wonder what he is praying for (or hoping to escape?)

It will be fun to see Deborah Woll’s character Jessica have some fun this upcoming season. In the screen test it looks like she is growing a bit in maturity. (pretty serious look on her face) that or she could be dealing with a mean protestor?

Yes waiting sucks! But hopefully HBO will keep sending us these fun videos to have fun with and keep us guessing! True Blood season 4 starts on June 26,2011.