Soap Opera Villains Seminar
January 28, 1998
Click Below to see more pictures:
Villains Seminar Pictures
Villains Seminar Pictures Page 2
Seminar with:
Stephen Nichols (Stefan, GH), Kimberlin Brown (Sheila, B and B at the time)
, Michael Corbett (ex Y and R), Joe Mascolo (Days).
---------------The
Seminar-------------
***First things first. Guess where I get to sit? Oh second row back center
(no one sat in the first row- the stars did at beginning of show and then
they were left open).
***They show some clips advertising what the museum does. The actors are
led to the the front row seats as this is on. Then they play clips of the
actors on their respective shows; Kimberlin's scene was awesome- it
was her with a security guard (I dont watch Bold and Beuatiful) and she is
trying to switch the results of the blood test and he spins the vials. Stephen
really seemed to get a kick out of it and he and Kimberlin whisprered to
each other as the scene played. Joe's clip was of Stefano trying to keep
John from breaking up Kristen's wedding to Tony. Michael Corbett of The Young
and The Restless turned in several scenes- shooting Christine and Nina at
a costume party, and some realllly hideous clip with a hideous makeup job
of a scar saying "KILLER" on his forehead. He winced out loud "Oh Gawwwwdddd"
when he saw it. So the actor agreed- bad clip. (I am not saying bad actor
I am saying bad clip).
***They saved the best clip for last. Stephen's. It was with Laura, but
they really had to show him as a villain and I think all the clips were pretty
old clips- not current. Very powerful scene , and ahem , not to be biased
or anything but if this were the Emmys he would have won=-). Ok so after
the clips are over, they introduce the stars. I dont remember the intro.
I could just kick myself, but then I'd be in pain and wouldn't be able to
write the rest of this thing. You wouldnt want that, right? Uhhhhhhmmmm.
Right? C'mon somebody here (gulp).
***So I have a clear view of all the actors onstage.( Joyce was sitting
to my right). Stephen is to the left of me but VERY close, and and Kimberlin
Brown straight ahead of me on Stephen's left. To Stephen's immediate right
sat Joe Mascolo, Stefano Dimera of Days of Our Lives, and to Joe's right
was Michael Corbett of the Young and The Restless. If I remember correctly
the moderator/host for the evening was the Vice President of the museum.
****The moderator was very good. He asked
some very pertinent questions. He did his homework. And he seemed genuinely
interested in the whole topic and conversation- what the actors had to say.
I liked the guy=-)
****The topics of conversation regarding villainy and soaps ranged from
women villains vs. bitches (Kimberlin Brown was very well spoken, she impressed
me), to the "chemistry" or romance of the villain and the hero -the rivalry-
on daytime, to the motivation and psychology of the individual villains (it
was REALLY interesting to see how well these actors knew their characters
and what they had to do to bring them full force on screen. These were actors
who took their work seriously and really thought about and cared about the
role they were playing).
***Also asked often was "Does anything your character does ever crossover
into unacceptable for you as the people playing the roles?" Kimberlin said
she had a beef with her character Sheila having a babys birthmark surgically
removed , and Joe said he didnt like the use of guns and thought it was
unneccessary in showing power so he never agrees to use guns in his scenes.
(Stephen said later at coffee that he didnt like when Stefan threatened Lucky
indirectly to Luke).
***Actors were asked how much input they were allowed in creating/writing/playing
these roles. They were asked what they do for example if they are totally
against something their character does. Basically all the actors said they
go in, do their job and make it make sense- they have to make everything
believeable. Joe says Stefano's motivations were his love and total devotion
to his children, and Kimberlin has made up a story to herself about the
character's history (Stephen really perked up when she said that. I think
he liked that she did that). Stephen said everything Stefan does and everything
he ever has done "wrong" is for his SON.
***Again the question about how much input
the shows allow the actors is raised; Michael Corbett and Kimberlin are both
from Bell sows and they both say that their job is to act and the writers
job to write and they try not to interfere with each other. They are kept
very separate. Joe Mascolo said similarly that they have brilliant people
at the helm of the show and they/the actors don't really need to interefere.
Stephen said that Tony (Luke, GH) and Genie (Laura, GH) change scripts for
their characters all the time (UM so much for the last weeks panel discussion
that said Tony never did that LOL) and that most of the time it was for the
better and they really knew what kept their characters' integrity. Stephen
really respected Tonys and Genie's work. The other actors seemed appalled
and said "OH we would never", but Stephen went on to say that he really likes
that collaborative environment, where people are willing listen to your thoughts.
He said thats what a show is supposed to be- a collaboration for different
talents and thats the only working environment he really could thrive in.
**Kimberlin said that her character was a real villainess, not a simple
"bitch" like what exists all over daytime and primetime. I suddenly just
spoke without raising my hand and said Sheila is the exception though because
most women "villains" commit one hateful deed and then they have to be reformed
whereas men can be villains for decades on soaps. I think she agreed. Then
she explained Sheila's reasoning- that Sheila did everything for love. "For
example" she said, "I want HIM" pointing to Stephen (who she was flirting
with all night - in a friendly way of course but hey he is so adorable you
can't help it). Then she looks up at the audience at these two girls behind
me and says "And so do you apparently" Kimberlin continued, "So as Sheila
I would simply have to kill you and get you out of my way. See its all for
love" (not a direct quote, but close enough). We were all ROTFL. It was
hysterical. Stephen enjoyed it of course!
**Michael Corbett said the difference between playing a good guy and a
bad guy was that as a good guy you flip through each script praying you won't
be killed off, and as a villain you read through each script hoping you dont
kill too many people off. I thought that was really well said and laughed,
so did everyone.
**Someone...I think Jennifer/Kayla asked Stephen about working on GH again
with Mary Beth in the roles of Stefan and Katherine. Stephen said VERY
passionately that he was sick and tired of the comparisons to Patch and Kayla,
that this was a totally different show, completely new characters, a very
different sort of love story. Stephen said that he thought that their story
really suffered because of the different writers and all the behind the scenes
changes; he said that he had been in a story meeting (I think he and Mary
Beth but I dont remember for sure) with the writers and that they agree with
his suggestion that this couple really hasnt been solidified and that their
needed to be more of a real connection/solid love there before this whole
Helena thing was set into place. )
**Joe and Stephen commented on the similiar names and Jewelry of their
characters; Stephen said when they told him the character's name on GH, he
said "there already is a Stefano".
*** Stephen elaborated on why its so important to him to be included in
the creative process of what this character is all about; he talked about
his work ethic that his grandpa taught him and how he feels you have to try
to make anything, including daytime television the best it can be, and that
you really have to strive for that in your acting- to take the extra step
to make a scene work for you. Whether that means talking to the writers or
the producers or whomever. He said he cant stand when people settle for
mediocrity in daytime and it becomes too easy to just show up for the paycheck.
He was VERY VERY passionate about this, it was like he needed to say that
and get it out of his system...perhaps because of the earlier point in
conversation when someone said that actors should act and writers should
write. He also said he is very hard on himslef and prone to take things a
little too seriously but that this was part of his creative process- to be
able to collaborate with others, as you do in theatre and film. He said he
doesnt go to the writers very often though but the fact that he has the
opportunity to do so is important.
------------After
the Seminar----------
As the stars left their chairs, once the seminar was over, audience members
aproached their favorite stars. Stephen could not have been sweeter, he stopped
to talk to us and took pictures with several people. As soon as he saw Joyce
he smiled, lit up and kissed her right on the cheek "Hi Joyce!"
It was a very casual conversation, just about 15 to 20 people gathered
around him and he was in the center talking away. The first thing he said
actually was "I don't think I belong here!"; meaning he didnt see Stefan
as the villain. This is when I just went "Well hey me either" and totally
calmed down and saw him as just a regular guy I could talk to. I opened my
mouth and words came out that slightly resembled complete sentences
Someone told Stephen how wonderful his last answer about striving to be
better in daytime had been. He looked relieved, and said in passing that
he's glad they appreciated that and that he knows he probably sounded too
serious but he really meant it. Everyone there let him know we agreed
whole heartedly with what he said, and he really seemed to appreciate it.
One of the security guards asked us to please stop taking pictures because
it messed with the security cameras, so Stephen said "oh is that why? Because
it messes with the cameras!? Ok then take pictures everyone!!" jokingly as
he laughed. But they were closing the seminar room and so he said, "Ok everyone
I guess I have to go then..." Joyce let him know we could meet with him in
the lobby and he was like "Oh ok I will meet you in the lobby!".
-----------The Lobby----------
(This is not all exactly in the order it happened, just some highlights
I remember)
The man comes out of the lobby smiling as about 15 cameras snap his picture.
He was the only star to come out specifically to greet the fans, although
Kimberlin came out to the lobby on her way out and posed for pictures with
Stephen when asked by his fans. He was so sweet with her and talked with
her for a bit, and she had him hug her belly (she is pregnant); there was
a really sweet moment when he had his hand on her belly (is that the PC term
?
Kimberlin left, and Stephen stayed talking to us about all sorts of
things...from an old issue of Soap Opera Digest someone had brought for him
to sign (Sexiest men cover) to
Guza (not enough airtime but Guza is really working hard on cleaning up other
stories right now and that he would get back to writing for them). Stephen
said that it was hard with Tony gone for 10 weeks and Genie away- that this
took away a chunk of story for him, but that he hoped things were going to
get back on track soon.
He posed for picture after picture so graciously. Joyce asked him to pose
for one for Kathy J (who couldnt make it) and his face lit up and said sure
anything for Kathy, and he stuck his tongue out and pulled his ears back
making a funny face for the picture. Too cute!!!
Ok more picture posing (this lasted for about 20 minutes) and then Stephen
said, "Well I really am hungry and should be heading home, bye everyone"
. I heard Joyce go up to him and say goodbye to him and tell him we would
be eating at KooKooRoo's across the street. He said, "Koo Koo Roos? Funny,
thats where I was going!" (We knew that couldnt be true - the man was saying
he would come to dinner with us!) Gasp. Thud.
Suddenly, panic struck. All of us had to go get our cars from the museum
parking lot (they were closing). And Stephen was parked elsewhere! What if
he walked across the street to Koo Koo Roos, did not see us there and left!
Joyce had come in the car with me so we told her to run after Stephen and
let him know what was going on while we moved our cars. Joyce, the lucky
tree, got her time alone with Stephen!! (Are you all green with envy?)
---------Nightmare on Rodeo
Drive---------
We get the cars parked and attempt to remain calm as we walk over to the
Koo Koo Roos. But Joyce and Stephen are crossing the street back towards
us. Gerri lets us know, "Koo Koo Roos is closed, so is Starbucks". Our hearts
sink .
----------The Coffee
Bean---------------
Joyce offers Stephen some coffee at The Coffee Bean and we all sit outside
in the chairs and tables there. There were 8 of us.
As we are getting chairs situated right, Stephen gets on Gerri's cellular
phone and calls his wife, Lisa. He was SO sweet on the phone.
So we make ourselves comfortable at the Coffee Bean, Joyce getting Stephen coffee . I sat across from Stephen.
To ask me exactly what was said for the hour and 20 minutes we spent with
him is an impossibly hard thing so I will just write highlights I remember.
Remember this is not in order of events, its in order of memory.
***We told him Kimberlin was great, and he really said he could tell she
was good from that clip and that he really liked that she had made up a back
story for her character.
He said he wouldnt mind working with her (kind of in passing).
***Someone asked him about scenes with Nikolas, and he said he really
loved those too and that Nikolas would be getting his voice back soon because
the show knows viewers aren't too happy about him not being able to speak.
***Someone brought up Guza's first day back and the shooting, a few of
us were talking about that..I said I thought it was strange that Luke had
this long scene (with Nik in the ambulance) and Stefan had a rather short
one with Nikolas that day (I just kinda said it in passing) and he nodded
and added that they really needed to show Luke's humanity though..I said
yes I agreed because he had been a little too arrogant for a bit...Stephen
said yes but that's a part of Luke's character.
***The lack of airtime for him: Yes he said he was upset about it too and that this was the first time since he joined the show that this happened where he would only work a couple of days a week sometimes.
***We talked more about how we didnt see Stefan as the villain at all.
***Stephen said that an ABC executive, high up, called him out of the
blue without him having talked to anyone about his concerns, and she said
that ABC was well aware of his lack of airtime and not to worry that they
see the problem.
*** WE ASKED HIM HOW HE FELT ABOUT WORKING WITH MARY BETH AGAIN. HE SAID
THAT THEIR STORY HAS REALLY SUFFERED WITH ALL THE WRITING CHANGES. HE SAID
HE CAN'T STAND THE NEGATIVE COMPARISONS TO STEVE AND KAYLA, THAT THIS IS
A DIFFERENT EVERYTHING- SHOW, COUPLE, STORY. HE SAID THAT EVERYONE KNOWS
THAT A BETTER STORY MUST BE WRITTEN- THE SHOW HAS HEARD FROM THE VIEWERS
AND THEY LOVE STEFAN AND KATHERINE, AND THEY KNOW THAT THE STORY IS SUFFERRING
RIGHT NOW.
***Someone asked him if he had seen Titanic and he said Leo Dicaprio reminded
him of himself at that age. He didnt like the movie though. We talked a bit
about the Golden Globes, and the tribute that actor made to Jack Lemmon.
***Stephen and Joyce had a film discussion. She told him she liked this
actor named Bruce Greenwood and that he reminded her of Stephen...Stephen
answered he liked the actor already LOL.
***When asked, he said he loved working with all of his old Days costars
and someone reminded Stephen that he used to call Wally Kurth (Ned, GH) dimples,
Stephen laughed=-)
***So we all started feeding his ego LOL telling him how much we love
that play or that movie or that play. He was very humble about all of it
and appreciated the compliments. We told him Pheonix was airing on sci fi
channel and that the love scene was cut because it was so steamy. He seemed
a little surprised and then told us a little story about filming that.
***I told Stephen my favorite thing he did was The Lizard King and he
seemed surprised that I had been there and I said something REALLY stupid
about it really being like this other dimension going into that play. He
said he had it taped and that he just watched it the other day for the first
time in years, and that he really liked the play.
***A girl that looked like she was about 12 saw him on her way out of
the Coffee Bean and said, "Oh my gosh!! You were Steve! I used to watch you
when I was 3!!!" she was really funny and down to earth; Stephen loved the
unexpected attention. He said "Well what you're 13 now?" and she was like
No I am a senior in High School! So he talked to her for a bit and could
not have been nicer. He really got a kick out of it, you could tell
***We got on the Steve vs. Patch comparisons thing again, and I mentioned
how I didnt think any of his characters resembled the other at all. Someone
brought up the Biker being like Steve and I was like"Uh the biker on Matlock
was like a surfer guy on a bike" and he laughed and agreed. Eros I think
mentioend how wonderful he ws on GH and then Stephen kind of joked "well
if I am so wonderful how come I havent won the Emmy?". So we fans
gathered all started in on how those Emmys are bogus anyway- the same
people getting nominated every year, and that its like the people in daytime
dont watch daytime.
*** Someone asked Stephen if he still knew sign language; he made a face
like saying he felt guilty but no. He said they were teaching Dylan, his
youngest daughter, some sign language, and that she was making up her own
"signs"/gestures. It was so cute. He imitated her "sign" for purple.
***We asked him about his stay in Utah at the Sundance Film Festivval.
He said he was joking around with someone at the local station and said "hey
I want to do the weather..and they said "Ok". " SO Stephen did the weather
report there and had a blast!! The tv station even told him, if he ever needs
a job...
In Conclusion...
Once we were done, we posed for more pictures with Stephen.
I cant believe that Stephen was so wonderful to us, he really didnt have
to even come out of the seminar room- none of the other actors did. In fact,
in line before the seminar, we were talking to people who had been at the
other seminars and commented on how uncool it was at these small little events
that many of the stars didnt stay and greet fans even for just a little bit.
Stephen went above and beyond, he really did. And he was natural with us-
didnt have a stage face on, wasn't cautious about what he said and he was
so patient with us. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it is to know
that an actor you really respect so much is also such a devoted artist and
truly wonderful person.
The seminar was very interesting, very lively, very thought provoking
and made you gain a whole new respect for these actors. And meeting Stephen
afterwards is simply beyond words. I couldn't possibly tell you how happy
I was.