~MY INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR MAX DECKER~

Thank you and Welcome Max! Can you tell us what you have been doing since we last saw you as Carlos Reyes on All My Children?

Since All my Children I have been acting and running my acting studio. I have done 17 guest stars on TV from North Shore with Jason Momoa to being opposite LL Cool J on NCIS LA. I have two movies on Amazon Prime both Horror films. John Burrs Muse and the new Bigfoot Horror Thriller film Hoax with Brian Thompson and Disney’s Hutch Dano.

Have you kept in touch with any former castmates?

I haven’t kept in touch with anyone from the cast, I have run into Will DeVry on set recently when I ran into him on GH set and we caught up for a couple minutes.

If you were ever to bring Carlos Reyes back, what would you like to see?

Oh man!  If I ever got to play Carlos again I would like to him comeback as a broken jaded man who’s gone through a rough path from being on the run from the mob.

Would you ever consider doing a soap?

I really would like to work with William DeVry and Maurice Bernard also Kelly Monaco. Those guys are solid. They tried finding a place for me on Days of Our live with a couple small roles but I think it wasn’t the right timing. But the show that I would love to work on is General Hospital.

What are you working on that you can tell us about?

Right now I just finished a film that was produced by James Franco’s production company that’s a readaption of The Count of Monte Cristo. I get to play one of the main antagonist that sends the lead character away.

What is your dream project?

Dream projects that I have is working on rewriting Fight Club in a play format to start putting up as my studio for performances for people to see. I d like to have an attempt at a run on GH if they would give me the opportunity that would be a dream.

Thank you for again for joining me!

Thank you Lisa!

~SPECIAL FEATURE-MY INTERVIEW WITH THE BAY'S ERIC NELSEN~

MY INTERVIEW WITH ERIC NELSEN

Hi Eric and welcome!

Tell us about your character on “The Bay”

My character Daniel Garrett has seen a big transition the last two seasons. He has had to come to terms with his sexuality all the while alienating himself because of it. He was terrified because of his Christian faith, that the way he felt was wrong and sinful. He battled with what he felt and what he was taught is right. His turmoil and then transformation is seen throughout the newly released season 3 on Amazon. I know the story line will impact and relate to a lot of peoples lives. It has been a dream to play. 

What was your experience like on AMC?

I have nothing but incredible stories from working on AMC. It was my first contracted series regular role on daytime television so a job that will always hold so much meaning in my heart and career. It was like entering into a family. The cast dynamics, relationships and trust that had been developed over the years between the cast was transparent to me on day one. I felt blessed to have been able to call them my own and I hope we can all do it again sometime.  

Would you ever consider doing daytime?

Yes, I would. I try not to limit myself in this career. I consider myself extremely grateful for any roles that come my way. If I feel an attachment to a character or story, I will dive right in...regardless of TV class or genre. 

Do you have any other projects lined up?

I do. I am currently working on season 4 of 'The Affair' for Showtime. It is an incredible show, one I am having a blast working on. We've been shooting in Montauk, NY...which happens to be one of the most beautiful places in the country. So it's a bit of a dream come true. 

In addition to 'The Affair', I've got a VERY scary horror movie going to be released in the coming months. It stars Academy Award nominee, Mickey Rourke and myself. Keep an eye out for "Nightmare Cinema." It will scare the pants right off you! 

Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?

Not since birth but definitely since a young age. I started working as a professional actor at the age of 13. When my family and I moved to NYC from south Florida. I actually started off as a competitive dancer which eventually led me into acting and then singing. I got a chance to star on Broadway with Ariana Grande when I was 17 in a musical called '13 the Musical'. I did plays and musicals throughout my teenage years and then developed my passion for TV/film acting. Now I am hooked in the tv/film world but would like to return to Broadway again in the future. 

What actor would you like to work with that you haven’t yet?

My little brother, Matt Gumley. Him and I have both been professional acting for 10+ years but have NEVER gotten the chance to work off of each other. The closest we ever got was both getting cast in an episode of a crime drama for CBS back in 2012 (The show was called 'NYC 22') but none of our scenes were together. IT WILL HAPPEN. I can't wait for that day. Hopefully it will be soon

Thanks so much Eric for joining me!

~SPECIAL FEATURE~ MY INTERVIEW WITH FAYE FOLEY

MY INTERVIEW WITH ACTRESS/MODEL

FAYE FOLEY

Thank you so much Faye for joining me.

For those who do not know, please tell us who your famous great grandmother was.

My great grandmother is Agnes Nixon, sometimes referred to as the "queen of daytime  drama”. She created iconic soap operas including All My Children, One Life To Life, and Loving and worked with many more. She was also an incredible social activist and a feminist before either really had titles. She brought awareness to important issues like racism, gay rights, women’s health, poverty and much more through her writing and the characters and storylines she created. She was also an incredible great grandmother who  taught me more life lessons just through her being than anyone ever has or could. She was the most generous person I have ever known and never asked for anything in return. I miss my Aggie every day and love her dearly.

You are an actor/model. Any projects you can tell us about?

I just shot an exciting beauty campaign for a very well known company but I can’t really talk about it yet.

This spring I worked on a film called “The Darkest Minds” starring Amandla Stenberg, Mandy Moore, and Gwendoline Christie and directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson. It is based on a captivating Young Adult novel about kids fighting for their basic freedoms in a dystopian not- so -far- off future. I played the lead character (played by Amanda’s) best friend. It was such an honor to get to meet and work with Amandla, an actress I have long admired and Jennifer who worked on the Kung-FU Panda movies which I love. Th talent involved with this film is tremendous and I am thrilled to be part of it. It will be in theaters September of 2018 and I am counting the days. I think its going to be a huge hit!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

When I’m not working on a project or audition I’m either at school, doing homework or chores or hanging out with friends or my dog.

I also like to hula hoop and practice aerial arts, martial arts and archery.

What actor would you like to work with in the future?

I absolutely adore Will Ferrell and think it would be so fun to work with him. I think I have seen every movie he’s been in.

What shows do you watch right now?

I just finished watching "The Handmaid’s Tale". I hadn’t read the book so I was pretty shocked by the intense plot and almost couldn’t stomach it at times. But the acting was extraordinary and the cinematography stunning. I also have been watching “That 70’s show" a lot. I find it pretty relatable to being a teen these days and I also got to meet Kurtwood Smith who plays the dad while working onABC’s  “Resurrection”  where he also played the dad. He was super sweet and it makes it even more fun to watch. If I'm going to watch TV or film I comedy is usually my first choice but I’ve actually lived off the grid for most of my life with no television. I’ve been making up for it a bit the past year or two though. 

Any advice for any up and coming actors?

I would tell them to take risks. There are so many variables to being cast that are out of the actors control that you might as well be memorable. That way even if you don’t get the part you may be thought of for a different one. Push yourself to take on various characters, emotions, and choices with interpreting the script rather than type casting yourself and sticking to what feels most comfortable. That way you can keep growing in your craft.

Thank you once again for joining me Faye.

All the best to you!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support!

MY INTERVIEW WITH DARLENE TEJEIRO

>
> Hi Darlene! Thanks so much for joining me.
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>
> Tell us how Daytime has impacted you.

   All My Children was my first professional acting job. I'm so grateful to have been a part of such a wonderful ensemble. The first year on the show was incredibly rewarding as I learned a great deal on how to deal with memorizing an enormous amount of dialogue within a short period of time.
But most importantly, To have the opportunity to delve into the emotional and psychological  life of a character (Anita Santos) on a daily basis is in essence why I'm an Actor. To explore the complexes of human behavior, and to create her inner life through me with truthfulness and authenticity. Thank you "All My Children" thank you "Anita Santos" for allowing me to create a character I will always cherish and love.
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>
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> What actor that you haven’t worked with yet, would you want to star with.

I would love to work with Kiefer Sutherland. He's an extraordinary talent. His work is truthful, intense...never a false moment. I've watched all his films! Including ,"The Lost Boy's" I think I was around 12 years old when it was playing in the theaters. l was truly obsessed. I think I saw "The Lost Boys" around 20 or so times.
>
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> If you weren’t an actor, what would you do for a living?

I don't want to think about it! Lol. I don't believe I would be anything else. If I was born today? I would still grow up to be an actor.
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> Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Daydreaming with a little glass of wine.

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> Would you ever consider doing daytime again? 

Yes!!! In a heart beat!! 

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> What advice would you give to up and coming actors? 

Do not listen to the naysayers! Do not look for validation from anybody! Do not get off your path because of someone else! Stay on your train and DO NOT GET OFF!!! Work on your craft! Be consistent. Stay persistent!
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> Thank you again for joining me!
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~MY INTERVIEW WITH CADY MCCLAIN-APRIL 12, 2017~

                MY INTERVIEW WITH CADY MCCLAIN 

Hi Cady and welcome to the Spiel once again.

You have started the "Seeing is Believing" campaign. For those who are not aware, please tell us about it.

The campaign is over but people can still contribute to the Indiegogo page and get fun perks like t-shirts and a coffee mug that looks like a camera lens!

The project is a series about women directors: interviews with amazing women who direct films and television. We talk about why they decided to be directors, the process of their creativity, and leadership skills that are important, especially when you are a woman!

What are your thoughts on ABC regaining the rights to the characters from AMC and OLTL?

Good for them! They invested the most into those shows, they should own them. Hopefully they will find a place online or on cable to make them available to all the fans who so want to relieve those stores. They are playing “Dark Shadows” on Hulu, so I don’t see why not!

Would you ever go back to daytime?

I look at it like “Never say Never.” Because something always happens. But I am focusing on directing now. I was just nominated for an Emmy for my directing work on Venice the Series, which is a soap, so who knows? I think the future is friendly.

Who is your dream actor to work with that you have not yet?

You know I never had that thought. Ever. I didn’t look that far down the road. I look just ahead of me. I wanted to work with Michael Knight, and I got to. David Canary, Peter Bergman, and of course my favorite, Jon Lindstrom. I have been very lucky.

Thanks again for being here. All the best to you!

~~MY INTERVIEW WITH LIZ VASSEY (EX-EMILY ANN SAGO, AMC)~

                                                           MY INTERVIEW WITH LIZ VASSEY

It's such a pleasure to have you here! Thank you and welcome to The Soap Spiel.

LV: Absolutely. Thanks for inviting me.

 What can you tell us about your time on AMC?

LV: Wow. How many pages do I get for this thing? I’ll try to keep it to a paragraph or two. It was, hands down, one of the best times of my life. I was 16 when I got the job, and I moved to New York with my mother and grandmother. We’d been living in Tampa, FL so it was a hell of an adjustment -- but from the second I stepped into Manhattan it felt like home. This many years later and it still does. 

As far as my actual time on the soap, I think it was unparalleled training for being on TV. I had only done theater for the most part before I booked AMC, so getting used to having a camera inches from my face was a skill I had to learn. I also got to watch the best actors and, quite frankly, try to copy what they did. I’d love to say I’m lying. I’m not. David Canary, Cady McClain (who is still a dear friend), Michael E. Knight -- I mean…come on. It was a terrific class in not only how to act, but how to act like a decent human being on set. 

And I met some wonderful friends during that time. I can't overstate how much fun Kelly Ripa and I had being young and ridiculous in NY.  We shared a dressing room in the studio and hung out a lot outside of work. Bill Timoney and I weren't on AMC at the same time, but we met through castmates and ended up doing a cabaret act together at a bar downtown.  He's now like family to me. Honestly, I can’t say enough about my time on that show. It was magic for me. 

 We lost the creator of AMC, Agnes Nixon last month. What was your experience like with her?

LV: Honestly, I didn’t know her well at all. I was very sorry to hear she’d passed because by all accounts she was a lovely woman. I am in awe of the sheer amount of television she created. She was prolific and inspiring beyond words. 

I met you in NY while you were on AMC. I was 19 and a friend of mine and I went to see you sing. Do you still sing?

LV: I do! I’d like to sing more, but I have done some charity events like “What A Pair” in which I got to get up and do songs with other TV actresses. Marg Helgenberger and I did it together one year and it was huge fun.

What is your favorite storyline as Emily Ann Sago? 

LV: Basically anything involving Candice Earley and Vasili Bogazianos (Donna and Benny). I loved them dearly as people and had so much fun anytime the three of us were together. 

What is your guilty pleasure?

LV: That’s a great question! Hmm. I’m not a guilty person by nature, so that’s tough. I love single malt scotch, but I love it proudly. Oh! I know. “Grease 2”. I’m not lying. I LOVE that damn movie. My friend and I quote it far more frequently than you’d ever believe. I feel that “Let’s bowl, let’s bowl, let’s rock-n-roll” should go down as one of the all time great song lyrics. And YES, I’m kidding. But that movie does make me smile. Each and every time I’ve watched it. Which has been a LOT. I mean, baby- Michelle-Pfeiffer singing “Cool Rider”? That’s gold!

What projects are you working on now?

LV: I have switched my focus from acting to writing for the time being. I wrote an episode of CSI in my last season and absolutely fell in love with it. Since then, I’ve sold four TV pilots and I’m waiting to hear if a TV movie I sold is going to be made. At the moment, I’m adapting a book series into a TV show, I’m working up a pitch with producers for another show, and in January I’m going to start a crowdfunding campaign for a documentary about long distance runners between the ages of 50-100. The athletes I’ve met have been incredibly inspirational. One of the reasons I wanted to make this was because I am an avid runner myself and a huge fan of not only the physical benefits, but the mental ones. The other reason was this: the entertainment industry is without a doubt ridiculously ageist and I want to show people of this demographic in the badass light they deserve. 

Here’s a link to the Facebook page: 

 https://www.facebook.com/TheHumanRaceDoc/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Who would you like to work with that you haven't already?

LV: Another good question. I would LOVE to work with the director of “La La Land” and “Whiplash” – Damien Chazelle. Speaking of “La La Land”, I think Emma Stone is just about the most talented actress out there at the moment, so let’s throw her in the mix. I love pretty much everything Danny Boyle has directed. I think Dan Fogelman is an incredible writer. And I would do anything in any “Star Wars” movie ever. 

Such a pleasure! Thank you again for being here. Love and all the best to you!

 LV: Thanks again!!

 

 

~MY INTERVIEW WITH BILL TIMONEY~

                                                            MY INTERVIEW WITH BILL TIMONEY

                                                (EX-ALFRED VANDERPOOL, ALL MY CHILDREN)

                                           taken after Bill's performance on Broadway in "All The Way"

Hi Bill! Welcome to The Soap Spiel!

Hi Lisa -

Thanks again for inviting me onto The Soap Spiel. 

You are known for being Alfred on AMC. Tell us what that experience was like?

I had an extraordinarily good time working on AMC. Casting director Joan D'Incecco gave me my Big Break when I was still in college; she auditioned me to be Devon's new boyfriend "Wally" in '78. I didn't get the role, but the show put me to work as a background extra, U-5 player, stand-in (for young "Tad" when he had exams at school) and audition reader. They auditioned me for "Greg," too. In '82, they decided to bring back Tad (the boy had run away), only this time he'd be a savvy street-hustler. I read for the role, got a callback, but the job when to the brilliant Michael E. Knight. AMC's new producer was Jackie Baban; after seeing my Tad callback, she said "why doesn't Greg have a college roommate yet? Let's make him a preppy nerd, and have Bill play him." And we were off to the races.....! I was delighted to receive the opportunity of my first professional role, and I'm grateful to Jackie, Joan, and all the writers and directors with whom I worked. I had So Much Fun!

Tell us what you have been up to since we last saw you on AMC?

Susan Lucci urged me to "go west" and try my hand at LA prime time sitcoms in '86. I made the move, but was not successful. I returned to NYC for some lean years - bartending, graveyard shift paralegal, etc. I then swore that any non-acting jobs I took would be industry-related. I worked as a stunt coordinator for cheesy horror flicks, a stage combat coordinator for university Shakespeare stage productions, stand-up comic, etc. I did a nightclub act with the late great Perry Stephens (Jack Forbes, "Loving"). In the early '90's, I worked my way into a kind of voice-acting called "ADR looping." My voice is in hundreds of movies and TV shows, from HBO's "Sex & The City" to Showtime's "The Affair." I also specialize in dubbing foreign language programming, especially Japanese animation. I've voiced lots of roles on "Pokemon," and I'm best-known in the anime community as Parn, the hero of "Record of Lodoss War," otaku club president Madarame in "Genshiken," and naughty cat Setora in "Queen's Blade." For many of my anime-dub titles, I adapted the scripts, cast the other voice actors, and directed the recording sessions.

Would you ever go back to daytime?

Only a very few actors can afford to turn down a job, so I would go back to Daytime in a heartbeat. AMC brought Alfred back on a cameo basis from '98 (Michael Knight tracked me down in the California desert where I was working on the Bryan Cranston movie LAST CHANCE with news that AMC was looking for me) to 2007. I had a blast each time I returned. I have a strict policy of always saying "yes" to work, regardless of the role, the salary, the location or the schedule. I firmly believe that "works begets work."

We lost so many in the daytime community this past year. Agnes Nixon most recently. What has Agnes meant for your career?

Ms. Nixon once met a friend of mine in a social setting. He identified himself as a pal of mine. Agnes said"you tell Bill that, even though the Erica's and the Opals get all the attention, the show wouldn't work without roles like Alfred and the performances that he delivers." I really appreciated her saying that.

Do you still see or talk to any of your former castmates?

I'm close with Liz Vassey ("Emily Ann Sago"). When Liz joined the show, she was sixteen. She and her Mom took an apartment on 8th avenue. My girlfriend at the time and I would go up to their place with Chinese food and videos of classic movies. I like to think we helped them adjust to the big city. I'm enormously happy for Liz and admire all she's achieved, from her successful acting and writing careers, to her fantastic marriage to David, to her work mentoring under-privileged girls. She is an amazing woman! I stay in touch with Carmen Thomas ("Hillary") via emails and Facebook. She met for lunch in Los Angeles last year - we hadn't seen each other in many years - and she said "there are no lines on your face? How come you don't have any wrinkles?" I answered "probably because I don't have any children."   And I try to see Mr. Wonderful Peter Bergman ("Cliff") whenever I'm in LA; Peter and his wife are friends with our best friends, actor Bryan Cranston and his wife Robin. My wife Georgette and I do projects with the Cranstons whenever we can - the four of us did the Neil Simon play CHAPTER TWO on the Jersey Shore (where we live) some years ago, we worked as voice actors on Bryan's movie TRUMBO, I was a producer on the film Bryan made with Robin LAST CHANCE.... when Bryan booked the play ALL THE WAY, he hired me to help him learn his lines as LBJ. The director then put me in the show; in March 2014, Bryan and I made our Broadway debuts together! He won a Tony, the show won a Tony, and I played a role with Bryan in the HBO film version that aired earlier this year. Some of our adventures are chronicled in Bryan's memoir "A Life In Parts," which hit the stores a few weeks ago. Some people from my AMC saw the show, and they came backstage to meet Bryan. Susan Lucci greeted me warmly, which I appreciated. When Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos came backstage, he introduced himself. I told him that the two of us had played a scene together on AMC in the late '90's - as Pine Valley's banker and Adam's flunky, Alfred had denied an indignant Mark a loan. He didn't remember, and I didn't expect him to (Marcy Walker once said of me, "Bill remembers EVERYTHING!" And it wasn't a compliment!). When Mark started to introduce me to his wife, Kelly pushed him aside and loudly announced "I KNEW BILLY TIMONEY BEFORE I KNEW YOU!!!" I've always dug that woman, and I couldn't be happier about her supremely impressive success as a professional and as a Mom.

What projects are you working on now?

 In the past few years, I've acted on episodes of PERSON OF INTEREST, BLUE BLOODS and MR. ROBOT. I played the recurring role of "Senator Royce" on the first season of the SyFy Channel TV series 12 MONKEYS. When I'm not acting, I'm writing (Nickelodeon hired Bryan and me to write a script for a TV movie some years back, but then other writers changed it so much that our names aren't on it. The finished film is titled JINXED). I did a scene with Bryan in his movie THE INFILTRATOR, but the scene got cut for time. When I'm not acting or writing, I coach other actors. I also do workshops for corporate clients showing their employees how to use improvisation exercises to improve creativity, listening and speaking skills. I get to travel to places I would never see in my acting career ] have a "blink and you'll miss me" bit as a homeless man in the beginning of Bryan's new movie WAKEFIELD....I have a nice scene with Melissa Joan Hart playing her TV news producer "Max" in the Hallmark Channel's TV movie BROADCASTING CHRISTMAS (which begins airing on November 23rd), and I'll be seen in the indie feature film DELENDA (starring Shirley MacLaine's granddaughter)next year. Currently available on downloading sites is the animated feature film THE STAR MAKER, about a little boy who rides his rocket sled into the galaxy to save the stars. I voiced the role of the boy's robot sidekick, and it's one of my all-time favorite jobs. It's a kids' flicks, but there' lots in there for adults to enjoy. I imagined the robot to be a bit like Alfred Vanderpool, which helped me find the character. I hope AMC fans will check out THE STAR MAKER.

What advice would you give to up and coming actors?

 Study. Take class in a very specific acting discipline....then take another one that contradicts that previous approach. Acting is all about your own creative process, not about adhering to any one philosophy. Don't take things personally (easier said than done), and perceive of mistakes and disappointments as healthy learning opportunities. Learn to cook - going out to eat all the time kills a young & hungry actor's budget. And read the Bryan Cranston book "A Life In Parts" - his insight into craft & career and his generous advice is essential! I now coach other actors as a side business, and anyone who wants to engage my services can find me on Facebook. Finally, find something else in your life that fulfills you, something completely separate from your acting pursuits. It grounds you. Georgette and I are passionate about animals; we share our lives with dogs and cats... and we choose to live next to a forest so we can look after the deer, raccoons, opossums and foxes that share our territory. We cured our local alpha female fox of mange last year, and she rewarded us by permitting us to observe her young pups from a fairly close distance. It was glorious!

Thank you so much Bill! It was a pleasure to meet and talk with you!!