 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meet Passions' Newcomer Amelia Marshall!
|
|
|
|
FanFare 
Home
About
Bios
Episodes
Photos
News
Features
|
|
Amelia Marshall (Liz) is no stranger to daytime television. But when she speaks about "Passions" there is a genuine enthusiasm in her voice for her new role on a show that's not, in her words, "typical fare." Amelia's got a lot to say about life at "Passions"-and she says it well! Read on for her thoughts on the cast, James Reilly, and diversity in daytime.
How did the role on Passions come about for you?
It came about the old-fashioned way-I auditioned for it. I had no idea that there was a part coming up. In fact, about a week before my agent called me about it, my girlfriend and I were talking and she asked if I'd ever do a soap again. I said, "Sure-I like working!" She mentioned that maybe something would come up. But I said, "If you're not twenty and you're African American...these parts don't come up that often." A week later, here's this audition for a contract role!
How did the audition process go?
I had more tension and anxiety about this audition than I've had in quite a while. I think, primarily, it was because I find James Reilly hysterically funny in the way he tells stories and his ideas. And I have done substantial years in soaps, so I felt a great pressure to do my best and hold my own. I have never screentested for a soap role before-I've been very fortunate. So this is the first time I went through the complete process. It's a lengthy process so I had a little anxiety about it. I even dreamed about it. I dreamed I was there on the set and not a line came to my head! I woke up the next morning and I got the script out to study! I actually screentested with Chris Douglas (Brian). It was very easy with him. I think we felt some sort of connection. And now that I've been working with him, I can see what it is. I think we both have a wicked, bent sense of humor. It might be getting us into trouble! We both tend to take things lightly. We don't walk in with a lot of tension or ego. We're both completely devoid of ego. We just have a lot of fun.
What was your reaction when you found out you got the part?
I was ecstatic. I had to pull over because of course I was on my cell phone. If it was bad news, I didn't want to be driving. And if it was good news, I didn't want to be driving. After I got off the phone, I turned around to my son who was in his seat in the back and I said, " Marshall, Mommy has a job." He said, "A job? What's a job?" I thought...oh God, this is bad!
What were you told about the character of Liz at that point?
Nothing! About a week before I started I called Jackie (Briskey, Passions' Casting Director) and I said, "Help! What can you tell me?" Basically, all I got was that I was on an island and I owned a hotel...that's it! Everything is revealed as we get it.
How would you describe Liz?
She's very strong. I think there's a wonderful vulnerability underneath, but she's cloaked it in such a way that you don't always see it. I like Liz a lot because she's not afraid to say what's on her mind. She's able to be confrontational but not out of anger-just out of clarity and truth. It's a lot of fun for me because a lot of the characters I've played have been much more concerned about the appearance of "properness" versus just getting into the thick of it. It's fun to jump in there! I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when she starts to make more acquaintances.
You mentioned some differences with your other daytime roles--how is Liz similar to the other daytime roles you've played?
I feel like I've always played strong, intelligent women-women who have a sense of direction. They are on a path and they are going somewhere...preferably up. Liz is interesting because we have yet to reveal how she ended up on this island, but you know there are perhaps some choices that she made that were not quite the right choices-because there is that pain and vulnerability right under the surface. I think that maybe Liz has come to her strength and intelligence later in life rather than early in life.
Was there anyone particularly welcoming?
Lindsay (Korman, Theresa). Even at the audition, while I was in the makeup chair, she came over, introduced herself, and said good luck. Little touches like that make you calm down. She was so sweet my first day.
Was it hard getting into the swing of daytime and its quick pace again?
It has been an adjustment, I'll admit that. I thought it would be easier, but I really have to do my homework. I thought about something just last night. I did an episode of "Strong Medicine" and we worked very closely for five days. The next week, when I wasn't working, I was depressed. It was like missing something and wanting something. It occurred to me that I'd gotten to know those people. Over that five days, we bonded. That aspect of being back in daytime...I am loving it! I like going to work with a smile on my face.
You attended Dana Sparks' (Grace) annual summer bash. What was it like getting to know the cast outside of work?
I had my three-year-old with me, so I figured I'd go, spend an hour, and head back home. Well...four hours later! I had such a great time. I had never met Justin (Carroll, David) because our schedules never overlapped. I got to the party and my son saw the kayak in the lake and he wanted to go in it. I thought-oh great, I haven't been in a kayak in God knows when! And Justin, not even hearing my inner dialogue that I'm going to be a failure as a Mom, says. "Hey, you want me to take him out?" We strapped his little life vest on and Justin took him out and actually let him row. Tracey (Ross, Eve)-who has also been amazing-took pictures for me of those two out there in the middle of the lake. It's that sort of "welcome to the family" feel. It's like being at a family reunion but not yet knowing all my cousins!
Did you watch "Passions" before you got the role?
I did. If the television was on and I was channel surfing, "Passions" would be the show I'd stop on-because something wacky would be going on! I'd be flipping channels and see teens staring into the closet saying don't go into the fire. So, you have to stop and ask what fire...what are they talking about? It's not your typical fare.
You've worked with Jim Reilly before on "Guiding Light." How do you feel about teaming up with him again?
It's great. I just think he's hysterical. I sat in front of him at one of the Daytime Emmy awards and he kept such a hysterical stream of one-liners going on that night-it was the best awards show I'd ever been to. It was during that period of time when the writers of the Emmy's were not coming from daytime. The show was so belittling towards us. We were all so embarrassed-afterwards there was even a call to action. But that evening, he just kept me rolling! I know how wicked his sense of humor is and I love it!
What are your hopes for your character and storyline?
I hope I'll get to be the African American witch on the show! I've done "normal" daytime. I've played all of those emotions, had the big wedding, and had the lovers. Now I want to be a witch. Or we can even substitute that first letter with a "B!" I would adore teaming up with Tabitha. I like to have fun-and that would be fun!
"Passions" is known for having a diverse cast. How does it feel to be a part of that?
I don't even know if I can put it in words. AFTRA, our union, would have symposiums and during every contract negotiation, I was always on a committee. It has been so disheartening over the years to see the minority numbers dwindle on television. There has been no commitment. I can say that "Guiding Light" has an African American family but they are not on contract. There is no commitment to a story that would really feature them. We would make demands and ask and plead. We'd get lip service from all the networks, but nothing would ever happen. Then along comes "Passions, " which out of the box, has this diverse canvas. When I first came in, I realized they weren't replacing anyone, they were adding to! How do you describe something like that? I'm over the moon with it.
Have you received a lot of fan support about joining "Passions?"
It's been great. I was really surprised to find fan mail in my box my first week. They said welcome back to daytime. It's so sweet!
|
|
|
|
|
