Post by jag11 on Mar 18, 2007 13:12:48 GMT -5
From the March 20, 2007 issue of CBS Soaps In Depth (pp. 68-69)
Spreading Her Wings
Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) talks about moonlighting in a Lifetime movie
When Phyllis left Genoa City last fall for some much-needed R&R at some fancy -schmancy spa, her portrayer was doing anything but kicking back. In fact, Michelle Stafford spent her three-and-a-half week break from Y&R shooting Like Mother, Like Daughter, a movie that premiered on the Lifetime network February 18.
"It's exciting to see a new city," Stafford says of being on location in Ottawa, Canada, where the movie was filmed. "You're working all the time, so you're not really [doing a lot of sightseeing,]" she qualifies, noting that playing Dawna Williams, the movie's lead, often meant a grueling shooting schedule of being in front of the camera for 10 to 12 hours a day. "I had days off here and there, but not too many. I got to experience Ottawa, which is their capital, and it's really a beautiful city to see and walk around. And I had some friends who live in Montreal come up to see me, and that was fun."
As much as she relished being on location north of the border, though, Stafford admits that being away for an extended period also helped her appreicate Los Angeles. "I really love L.A.," she smiles. "This is my home town. Being away from L.A.... it makes the heart grow fonder."
Of course, the actress didn't leave everything behind--specifically being recognized as her alter ego, Phyllis. Indeed, Canada is a major Y&R market, which meant Stafford had plenty of fans approaching her. Considering she was trying to step into another character's shoes, did being hailed as Phyllis distract her from the role at hand? "No. People are really sweet," insists the Emmy winner. "My thing is, if you're in the public eye and you're putting yourself out there and then you get [angry] because people recognize you, then you've got an issue. If I ever had an issue like that, I would stop doing what I'm doing."
Still, Stafford admits there were a couple of incidents that threw her off. "There was a time when I was on the phone and a couple of girls started screaming," the actress recalls with a laugh. "I was frightened! They were screaming, and I thought somebody was attacking them. I was like, 'What? What?' Then I realized they recognized Phyllis. It was funny."
Less funny was when Stafford was preparing for a scene where she had to walk into a building, and an irate fan took her to task. "I was standing there, and this woman walks by, and she's like, 'You look like that girl, Phyllis!' I said, 'Yes, I am.' And she said, 'I hate you!' I was just about to do this scene, so that doesn't go over big with me," she says, now chuckling at the memory. "But she's like, 'Keep away from Nick. He belongs with Sharon! I had a great time, but I probably could have done without that, right?"
Spreading Her Wings
Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) talks about moonlighting in a Lifetime movie
When Phyllis left Genoa City last fall for some much-needed R&R at some fancy -schmancy spa, her portrayer was doing anything but kicking back. In fact, Michelle Stafford spent her three-and-a-half week break from Y&R shooting Like Mother, Like Daughter, a movie that premiered on the Lifetime network February 18.
"It's exciting to see a new city," Stafford says of being on location in Ottawa, Canada, where the movie was filmed. "You're working all the time, so you're not really [doing a lot of sightseeing,]" she qualifies, noting that playing Dawna Williams, the movie's lead, often meant a grueling shooting schedule of being in front of the camera for 10 to 12 hours a day. "I had days off here and there, but not too many. I got to experience Ottawa, which is their capital, and it's really a beautiful city to see and walk around. And I had some friends who live in Montreal come up to see me, and that was fun."
As much as she relished being on location north of the border, though, Stafford admits that being away for an extended period also helped her appreicate Los Angeles. "I really love L.A.," she smiles. "This is my home town. Being away from L.A.... it makes the heart grow fonder."
Of course, the actress didn't leave everything behind--specifically being recognized as her alter ego, Phyllis. Indeed, Canada is a major Y&R market, which meant Stafford had plenty of fans approaching her. Considering she was trying to step into another character's shoes, did being hailed as Phyllis distract her from the role at hand? "No. People are really sweet," insists the Emmy winner. "My thing is, if you're in the public eye and you're putting yourself out there and then you get [angry] because people recognize you, then you've got an issue. If I ever had an issue like that, I would stop doing what I'm doing."
Still, Stafford admits there were a couple of incidents that threw her off. "There was a time when I was on the phone and a couple of girls started screaming," the actress recalls with a laugh. "I was frightened! They were screaming, and I thought somebody was attacking them. I was like, 'What? What?' Then I realized they recognized Phyllis. It was funny."
Less funny was when Stafford was preparing for a scene where she had to walk into a building, and an irate fan took her to task. "I was standing there, and this woman walks by, and she's like, 'You look like that girl, Phyllis!' I said, 'Yes, I am.' And she said, 'I hate you!' I was just about to do this scene, so that doesn't go over big with me," she says, now chuckling at the memory. "But she's like, 'Keep away from Nick. He belongs with Sharon! I had a great time, but I probably could have done without that, right?"