~SPECIAL FEATURE-LAURA KAI CHEN~

                                                                            MY INTERVIEW WITH LAURA KAI CHEN

Laura Kai Chen

pic credit: Tim Yates

Why acting?


I have loved plays since I was a kid. I love going to the theatre and it increased ever since taking Lit in college.


Any projects in the works?

yes, but I can't discuss right now.



Guilty Pleasure?

Oh, good question! Baking. The cakes I bake are Momofuku Milkbar cakes (the chocolate passionfruit cake is insanely good.



Advice for up and coming actors?


As for advice to actors, here is what I’d say: be brave, and bring yourself to every audition, scene, or job. It is hugely vulnerable, but we are infinitely more interesting than any idea we might try to play. Real people are fascinating, and you must believe that you are enough.




Thank you for taking the time out to speak with me.



Thank you, Laura! All the best to you!

~TALK TO ME TUESDAY-MY INTERVIEW WITH JILLIAN CLARE~

                                                                                                        MY INTERVIEW WITH JILLIAN CLARE

First off, congratulations on directing “To the Beat”. What was that like?

It was so much fun! I was definitely a little nervous, this being my first time directing, but once I got my feet in the water, it was a blast! I loved it so much and I can’t wait to be behind the camera again!

When was that moment that made you realized you wanted to become an actor?

When I was very little, six or seven, I had a touring one woman production up in the Pacific North West, where I’m from. It was a thirteen song show, and I did it because I loved singing. A talent scout saw one of my shows and asked my parents if I’d ever considered acting, and of course Didn’t really know what that was. So I took an acting class, and that was it. I knew right then and there that I’d be doing this for the rest of my life.

Is there anyone in the future you would like to work with that you haven’t?

Oh man….that is a VERY long list. I’d love to work with the Duplass brothers, Greta Gerwig, Darren Aronofsky, Kate Winslet, Robert Downey Jr., Natalie Portman, John Cusack, Tom Hanks, Shonda Rhimes, Baz Luhrmann, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese…the list really just goes on for a mile. I’m so inspired by so many people in our industry. I can’t wait to be able to work with the people I’ve looked up to for so long.

Any projects in the works?

My new film :Pretty Broken” is set to premiere at The Newport Beach Film Festival May 1st! From there, it’ll go to other festivals until distribution! I just signed on to star and produce a new film called “Roasted”! It’ll be my first lead role in a romantic comedy, which is super exciting! I have a few other scripts in development as well.

What shows are you watching these days?

Everything! I mean, major binge watcher. If there’s a new show on Netflix, I binge it within a week of it’s release. I like to stay in the know and see what others are creating! But the show I’ve watching since season one that is still on is Grey’s Anatomy. Can’t stop watching that show!

I am so excited for Ladies of the Lake season two. What can we expect?

A lot of surprises! This year starts off with a major bang and it only gets crazier from there! The new cast members were so much fun and really brought it! The overall feel and style has changed too - it’s darker and more cinematic. I can’t wait for it to be released!

~~~MY INTERVIEW WITH JEN LILLEY~~~~

                                        MY INTERVIEW WITH JEN LILLEY

                                         (EX-THERESA DONOVAN BLACK)

                                                          PHOTO BY BRAD EVERETT YOUNG

I just watched today's and it was pretty epic. Congrats! 

When you saw the scripts leading to your exit, what do you think? I was so overwhelmed by the exit.  It's EXCELLENT.  I think it's some of the smartest writing I've ever seen.  It's tragic and classic, a true modern day version of Romeo and Juliet.  Some fans have found it to be unbelievable, but if they understood how dangerous certain mafias and cartel leaders are, they would realize it is VERY believable.  I am so grateful Theresa went out like a hero.  She went out fully developed, with a full arch.  It was beautiful and selfless, and I think they tied so many lose ends up in a full and perfect bow.  It's flawless.  

Would you ever do daytime again?

 I would happily return to Days of Our Lives on a recurring basis.  That's my family.  I'd go back recurring tomorrow if they'd have me.

Have to ever been "star struck"? 

 Absolutely.  After I did The Artist, I got to go to Weinstein's Oscar party, and I saw Meryl Streep.  It took me 45 minutes to muster up the courage to say hello to her.  She was incredibly gracious and kind.  I made her cry (happy tears)...but that could have just been a performance.  She's THAT good.  That same night, I saw Tony Bennett perform for the private party.  I started crying. I love him so much.  I called my mom in the car on the way home and told her if I died now, my life would be complete.  She was horrified.  haha, but seriously.  Can you ask for more?

"Its Tinsel Time" again...any plans for another Christmas CD or regular?

 I'm currently selling Tinsel Time again on my website and itunes and all other digital platforms.  I will definitely do another Christmas CD in the future, just not this year.  I'm currently working on a regular album, but I don't want to give any details on that yet.

http://www.imdb.com/name/ nm2373595/
www.jenlilley.com

Twitter: @Jen_Lilley
Facebook.com/JenLilleyFanPage

Women in Film

Congrats on being a foster parent!!! I'm so happy for you. Can you tell us what led to this decision?

That's a LONG story.  And something to do a complete article on.  But in short, I have found the foster care system in the United States to be a road paved with good intentions, but leading to hell.  It's the most broken system in the U.S.  And I figure, none of us can take on the world, but if we do our part, and do what we have the power to change, we do actually change the world.  So Jason and I became foster parents to change a foster kids experience. So many foster homes are horrible, dangerous places.  Ours is happy, safe, and full of love.  We're doing our part to love on abused, neglected, and at risk children.  And our love will have a ripple effect.  (seriously, we can chat more about it, but on phone.  I could never type fast enough).

Any other projects in the works? 

Yes! I've shot 3 movies and 2 TV shows since I left Days in June.  And on Saturday, I fly to Vancouver to shoot another movie.  I'm the lead in a Romantic Comedy :) More details on that later.

The others are 

Mommy, I Didn't Do It premiering on Lifetime Jan 1

Galileo (in post production)

The Wedding Do Over (in post production)

Grey's Anatomy (aired in October)

Encounter (a new original series for Pureflix) that is available on their website.

~TALK TO ME TUESDAY~ JULY 19, 2016~

MY INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER SEAN (PAUL, DAYS)

Hi Christopher! Welcome to The spiel! It's an honor to have you!

For those who are unaware, Please tell us what you are currently working on besides being Paul on Days.

 I'm currently working on The Bay airing on Amazon Prime and was the main bad guy on Hawaii 5-0

What would you like to see for Paul in the near future?

Happiness for him and those around him and of course to see Sonny soon :)

If you weren't an actor, what career would like to have taken?

A pilot. Wanted to fly Huge Boeings.

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

MEL GIBSON! Always been a huge fan.

Favorite thing to do in spare time?

Work on creating scripts, hear philosophies of others and I love playing video games online with my father with our headsets.

Any other projects in the works?

I have a production company so we are creating intellectual properties now. Hopefully to continue to pave my path and a path for others to follow that are ethnically ambiguous.

Such a pleasure to talk to you. Thank you for being here!

~TALK TO ME TUESDAY-JULY 14, 2015~

• MY INTERVIEW WITH HIRA AMBROSINO

                                                              (TORI NARTIA, DAYS)
  
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• Hi Hira! Welcome to The Soap Spiel!! Thank you for joining me!
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• What has it been like to be on such a legendary show?
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  Hi, Lisa! It has been absolutely wonderful being on DAYS OF OUR LIVES. The cast & crew are the best group of people. A show does not stay on the air for 50 years accidentally. DAYS OF OUR LIVES has stayed on because of the enormous talent in front of as well as behind the camera. I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.
  
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  Are you currently working on anything?
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  I am always working on different projects! I will be on the season finale of CW's JANE THE VIRGIN. I will also be in the new Jared Jewelers commercial. I am in a current Wells Fargo commercial. I am on a couple of other projects I cannot tell you about, yet!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  What is your guilty pleasure?
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• My guilty pleasure is good wine. Good wine with good dinner. Hmmmmm.
• Not "Hmmmmm." I meant "Mmmmmmmm.

• What do you like to do when not working?

• I have SO many things I love to do when I am not working! I love to cook. I love to play classical piano. I love talking to friends. I love talking to my kids. I love watching good comedies and dramas. I love museums. The list goes on & on...

What advice would you give to up and coming actors?

• It is difficult to give advice to young or up & coming actors, because there is no rule or advise that works for someone else in Hollywood. But what does work is studying your craft and pursuing what you love. You can't go wrong by doing that.

• What made you become an actor?
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• My inspiration to become an actor goes way back to when I was a little girl growing up in Japan. I was always so fascinated by people on the screen -- both television and movies. I thought it was fascinating that the viewers could "feel" something just by watching actors act.

       Thank you so much for being here. It was such a pleasure!

Thank YOU so much, Lisa! xoxo

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~TALK TO ME TUESDAY-MAY 19, 2015~

                                                           

                                                            MY INTERVIEW WITH LUCAS KERR

                                                        
                                                            (CLINT, DAYS)

                           Hi Lucas, Thanks so much for joining me on the Spiel! Welcome!

Thank you very much! I'm happy to be with you today. I enjoy getting out and saying hi to the fans. So, thank you for having me. It's literally my pleasure... Ya know, I gotta say, DOOL fans are the best fans I have had yet! I'm really happy to have had the opportunity to experience the whole soap culture. It's been memorable!

                           What was your experience like on Days? 

My experience had it's ups and downs. There's a lot of work to do in a short period of time so I had to stay disciplined and focused. Working with phenomenal talent made my life much easier. Most of my scenes were with the super talented Jen Lilley and Molly Burnett, so that was really fun. Jen Lilley was awesome! She really showed me the ropes of the soap world. Being an outsider, that made a big difference.

                           Is that the last we saw of Clint? 

You never know! I guess it depends on how badly the fans want to see me back! Again, I'm thankful for the amazing run I had with Days. I take life one step at a time. So, if it comes back around, I will evaluate where I'm at and the opportunities at hand. It would be a pleasant surprise though.

                          Would you consider doing another soap?

Sure! I would consider it. It just has to be the right fit for me.

                         Are you working on anything now?

I'm set to film a new Sci Fi Thriller called THEM, sometime in August. I landed the lead villain role so that should be really fun. I'm also guest starring on CSI Cyber May 13th which I'm looking forward to checking out myself.

       
                          What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I feel like I'm always working! But when I'm not, I like to try new things. For example, I went formula 1 race car driving and I think that was one of the best experiences of my life. It was euphoric!

                           What made you go in to acting?

I just feel in my heart this is one of the things God made me to do. Growing up, my dad called me a superstar more times then I could count. So, when it came decision time to really chase after acting, I think my father naming me "Superstar" all those years was prophetic for what I would become. Many actors inspired me growing up like Tom cruise, Will Smith, and Brad Pitt. As I grew in my acting career that list has grown quite a bit.

                          Thank you once again Lucas for being here! 

I loved it! Take care and thanks for having me! Twitter: @thelucaskerr Instagram @thelucaskerr

~TALK TO ME TUESDAY-MAY 5, 2015~

                                    MY INTERVIEW WITH MARIE WILSON

Hi Marie and thank you so much for joining us on The Spiel!

Tell us about your appearance on Days as Bree.

It’s been fun portraying such an ambiguous character, and working with Daniel Cosgrove and Kristian Alfonso has been an amazing experience. EVERYONE at the studio has been so welcoming :)

What else are you working on at the moment?

I just wrapped on a short called “The Last Word” which is about how one family dealt with a deaf child and society's different opinions on how to deal with it in the ’70’s.

What made you become an actress?

It was a natural progression from modeling into commercials into television….I just did what I enjoyed and ended up where I did.

Favorite and least story line that you have ever worked on?

There were so many favorites!!!!…..I really enjoy storylines where there is a lot of action/mystery and the storylines that involve being outside when it’s below freezing are a little challenging for me :)

Guilty pleasure?

….always chocolate….

Favorite thing to do when you are not working.

Depends how intense my work schedule has been…..always like to escape into nature on hikes or read a good book or get a relaxing massage…..just some time to myself.

Thank you Marie!! It was a pleasure to have you here! All the best to you!!