Ben & Travis Chat
"Passions"-Julian and Ethan Crane
September 14, 2000
Actors Ben Masters and Travis Schuldt, from NBC's "Passions," answer questions about their roles on the hit soap opera.
NBCPassions: Welcome to NBC-Passions-Live! Tonight we are chatting with Ben Masters and Travis Schuldt from NBC's hot soap, Passions. Ben and Travis play father and son Julian and Ethan Crane.well, at least they think they are father and son! Ben and Travis are ready and waiting to answer all your questions.so ask away! And now a word from our lawyers: BORING BUT NECESSARY INFORMATION You agree not to use offensive language or personally attack any other participants or third parties. You are solely responsible for all of your communications, and you agree not to violate or infringe upon the rights of others. NBC and Talk City reserve the right but are not obligated, to edit or delete any information that it deems to violate these ground rules. NBC and Talk City reserve the right to suspend access to anyone who violates these rules. NBC and Talk City also reserve the right to republish, disseminate and broadcast any materials posted. Now, with all that stuff out of the way, We can finally say, Welcome Ben and Travis!
Ben: Welcome this evening everyone! I'm so happy that you stopped by to chat! My foolish son is running a bit late, so we will just have to wait and see when he arrives! But I'll answer your questions until he arrives.
Theresa: Ben, is it easy for you to have such an attitude on the show or does it take effort?
Ben: The way the part of Julian is written, makes it quite easy to have that attitude. It's in the part. But I do enjoy having that attitude, I enjoy being better than everyone else in Harmony.
Jessi: Travis, what is your favorite thing to do after a hard days work?
Ben: Travis is here now!
Travis: Hello all! Sorry I'm late. I was working late. Glad to see everyone is tuned in. I like to go home, take a dip in the pool in my apartment complex, sit back and relax and maybe watch a TV show, or read a philosophical novel
Stu: What was your first impression of each other?
Ben: I thought Travis was a fantastic looking young fellow. Bright, and a lot of fun to work with.
Travis: When I met Ben, I was really excited, I thought he was a very interesting guy, and I loved his sense of humor, and I thought of how much fun I would have working with him. I thought I was very fortunate to have him as my father, and was very excited about our scenes together.
Sweetjenna2: What do you feel is your best characteristic? Why?
Ben: My ability to learn lines on this show. Because it definitely comes in handy.
Travis: The best quality is that I always pay attention to the road when I am driving.
ShayShaina: Is it stressful to have to be around the same people every day?
Ben: I find it actually very relaxing, because you learn people's rhythms if you will, and it's much easier than working with new people. And we all get alone very well, which helps a great deal.
Travis: I agree with Ben. Everyone who works on this show, they really enjoy each other and I think that shows in our work.
Tonaughty2bnice-gues: Travis, are you anything like your character?
Travis: I'm similar to my character in certain ways. The way Ethan feels about family and morals, I have similar qualities.
Theresa141: Hey Travis! I love ya on the show and I think that you're an excellent actor. I was wondering how you liked working on Passions and with Lindsay Korman? Can you gives us any spoilers on Ethan & Theresa? Thanx!
Travis: I enjoy working with Lindsay and I enjoy working on this show. Lindsay and I really have a great time working on Ethan and Theresa's relationship. Some spoilers? I would say stay tuned to see what the outcome of the wedding will be.
SebaaHeidi: Ben, how in the world are you able to keep a straight face when Julian and Suzanne are playing their "games"?
Ben: I merely put myself into the moment, meaning that I believe at that time what I'm doing is very serious. I may be dressed with bull horns on and a cowbell, but at that particular moment, I think that it makes total sense.
Ricki 17: Hi Travis! how do you enjoy playing Ethan Crane, the son of the wealthiest man in Harmony?
Travis: Hello! Playing Ethan is a lot of fun. Sometimes I get frustrated with Ethan because he always does what everyone tells him to do and not what he should do for himself.
Cheri: Do you both have any clue what's going to happen weeks before it happens, or are you clueless like me?
Ben: We know a month before you because we shoot a month in advance. But aside from that, we are as clueless as you.
Passionsfan4lifelove: Love those facial expressions of yours, Ben! Where do you come up with these lovable, funny faces?
Ben: I have a coffee table book that shows lobbies of different mental institutions across the country and I pick various poses from some of the patients.
Tiger Chic 85: How did it feel the first time that it hit you how many people were watching the show? It's a new show and lots of people didn't think it would do to well, but I have to commend you on your talent and dedication!
Travis: From the beginning the whole cast worked really hard, as well as the crew to make this show a success. And seeing that we are doing better and better really makes us happy.
Ben: One of my favorite quotes, I believe it was from Tracy Ross, who plays Dr. Eve Russell, was "I knew we had something special on our hands when Grace Bennett floated out her bedroom window."
SebaaHeidi: Travis, everybody on the newsgroup has been debating endlessly on the ages. How old is Ethan? Do you know Chad, Sheridan, and Luis's age, too?
Travis: What I do know is that Ethan just graduated from law school, so I would guess that would put him in the 20 something range, and I think the same goes for Sheridan, Luis, and Chad.
Mrs Travis Schuldt: Travis and Ben, what is a typical day on the set like for you both?
Ben: It really depends on what is shot that day. If there are special effects like fire, or floating in the air, it may be a very long day. But on a typical day you are usually lucky enough to work either in the morning or in the afternoon. And it's just a LOT of fun.
Travis: A typical day is kissing Gwen and Theresa all day.
Nikki: Ben, why don't you want Ethan and Theresa to get married?
Ben: Ben doesn't really care one way or the other. Julian on the other hand has a problem with it. I think Julian thinks deep down Theresa loves him.
WackyJul: I would like to tell Ben that Julian is my favorite character because he is so hilariously devilish. Where did he get the inspiration on how to play Julian that way?
Ben: Most of the inspiration comes from James Reilly, who created the show, and the character of Julian. I have brought a few things of my own to the part, and I think those odd moments and mannerisms come from watching a lot of movies and observing people, and in real life seeing sort of snotty east coast WASPS in action.
Sweetjenna2: What has been your funniest "goof-up" on the show?
Ben: Actually today, it's not quite a goof up, but there was this hot love scene between Luis and Sheridan, my sister. And when Luis got up and went into the other room, I went into the room and got into bed with my sister as the cameras were rolling. This was not part of the show, it was just something I did.
Travis: I just think of one of the fantasies Theresa has about Ethan and getting married, at the end of the scene the camera panned left to the rest of the church and you see like about ten of the crew guys with tissues patting the tears from their eyes because they are so happy for Theresa.
Cookiesncreme2000: Hey Travis & Ben! Travis, I just wanted to ask you if now, since your character has revealed his true feelings about Teresa, you think the role of Ethan will be harder to portray? Thanks a lot guys! (Ethan & Teresa Forever!)
Travis: I don't know if it will be more difficult or less difficult. I just look forward to how that relationship will change Ethan.
PiscesGrl13: If somebody told you five years ago that today you would be starring in a soap opera, would you have believed them?
Ben: I would not have believed them. I feel very fortunate to have stumbled into all this. It has made my life much more interesting than it was! And it has given me a sort of second shot of chasing after my youth.
Travis: I would not have believed anyone had they told me I would star in a soap. But I agree with Ben, and feel I am very fortunate to be on this show. And I am also chasing my youth.
Cutie: What do you like about being on a soap opera
Travis: The amount of work. We spend as little as two days a week, up to five days a week doing scenes. It keeps you busy and out of trouble.
Ben: I think in this particular situation it has been a real blessing to be able to create a character from the very beginning, and basically control how the character acts in any given situation. A soap is the hardest type of acting that there is. It's acting on the run, as I like to call it. It's hard work, but very fulfilling. Especially with this group of people.
Sweetjenna2: Travis, would you ever let your family control you like the Cranes control Ethan? What about you Ben?
Travis: I don't think it's a question of whether you let your family control you or not. I think Ethan's family controls him the way they do because they have always worked that way. Look at the relationship between Julian and Alistair, Alistair controls Julian. Therefore, Julian controls Ethan.
Dobs21: Travis, are you happy with the way your character's storyline is headed?
Travis: Ethan's storyline I enjoy because it's dealing with something that is a part of everyone's lives. And that is love. To Ethan, finding the woman he loves with his whole heart is the most important thing in his life.
Pookinha: Ben, your bio says you enjoy gourmet cooking, what is your specialty?
Ben: Let me tell you about the bio. When this started, over a year ago, I was asked a series of rather odd questions. One was "Do you enjoy cooking?" And I said "Yeah, sure!" I like to roast chicken and cook on the barbecue. If that is gourmet cooking that's news to me. I basically eat Lean Cuisine for dinner, because I refuse to become a huge walrus roaming into the studio every day.
Janet: Is there anything that you would really love to see your character on the show do or experience?
Travis: I would like to see the Crane side of Ethan come out.
Ben: I would really love to do Grace Bennett. What I mean is, I would really love to do a tomato soup cake with Grace Bennett.
True Passions Lover: Hi Travis! I just have to tell you one thing before I ask my question. I think you are so incredibly hot! Ok, now my question. If you could choose any other character than Ethan Crane, who would you like to be?
Travis: I would like to be Tabitha. I think all the conflicts that she cooks up would be fun.
Moeshe: Ben, why is it so hard for you and Ivy to get along?
Ben: Because she is a venomous witch! No, it's because it is written that way. I personally would love it if they got along. I personally love Kim, who plays Ivy.
AbErCrOmBiE GUy: Do people recognize the both of you when you go out? And if indeed they do, how do you feel about it?
Travis: I get recognized every great once in a while. But when I do get recognized, I am always interested to know what they like or dislike about the show, and what comments they have about my character.
Ben: Every so often someone says to me: "You're on that show. What's the little doll like?" I really don't get recognized that often, but when I do it's pleasant and I talk to the people, and they usually want a picture and I take their address down and send them a picture.
Bri: I was just wondering how you guys got into acting, and if it was really hard to land a role on Passions?
Travis: I got into acting in high school, and then I went on and studied it in college. I worked really hard and I was at the right place at the right time when I got the role on Passions.
Ben: I too started being in plays in high school. I was a theater major in college, I went to New York from Oregon when I was 21 or 22 and worked for many years in the theater and television, and things like that. I tested for the part of Julian like everyone else tested and that's how I got it. It's all difficult, but it wasn't the worst experience getting the part of Julian.
Cotton: Travis, Do you always follow the script exactly, or do you find yourself using a few of your own words as you go?
Travis: I follow the script as best as I can. Because Ethan comes from a very upscale education and lifestyle, where I myself was schooled in Public School, and did poorly at grammar.
Belle Fan: Ben, how did you come up with those hilarious answers in SPW's "Ask Julian" column?
Ben: First of all, let me say thank you for your question! At least one person seems to be reading that column. I sit in my hotel room and think about those twisted answers, it takes me quite a while to put them together, but I enjoy doing them and the answers come from the same place where my portrayal of Julian comes from. A bad place.
Sweetjenna2: Who's the craziest person on the set? The funniest?
Ben: I think Travis is the funniest!
Travis: I think Ben is the funniest!
Ben: And I think Travis is the craziest
Travis: And I think Ben is the craziest!
EthanTheresaTogether: Travis, what was your most awkward kiss with Lindsay?
Travis: Darling, kissing Theresa is never awkward
Ben: When I watch those two kissing on my television set in the dressing room, I'm afraid that one is going to be sucked down the others throat, I'm afraid they are going to hurt themselves! These young passionate people!
SweetMalibu: Do you ever get so carried away in your character you kind of think it is your actual life?
Ben: Constantly <laughing>. I leave the studio some days and am in the supermarket and think "Who are these people?! Why don't they get out of my way? I should be the first in line at the checkout!"
Travis: Whenever I find myself worrying or cowering from something or someone, I think than that "Damn It, I'm being Ethan!" And I need to step up to the plate and take a bite out of life.
Lee U Girl: What inspired the writers to have a witch on the show?
Ben: I think you would have to ask the man who created the show, Mr. Reilly. I don't really know.
Sweetjenna2: Who were you most intimidated by when you first started on Passions?
Travis: Ben Masters! And Juliet Mills. Ben wasn't intimidated by anyone.
Ben: I was intimidated by the beautiful women on this show. Their boundless beauty and heaving bodies made me sweat and shiver.
Travis: Ben, Ben, Ben.
MisSy: Travis, what are your life goals?
Travis: To enjoy life to its fullest, and to make the best of every situation, whether good or bad.
Andromeda: Do you have any unusual talents
Ben: I can blow saliva bubbles into the air off the tip of my tongue.
Travis: I can take my tongue and touch the top of my nose with it.
NBCPassions: Unfortunately, we've come to the end of our chat. Thank you, Ben, and thank you, Travis, for joining us. Any thoughts you'd like to leave us with?
Ben: I would like to leave you with a thought! I would like to thank everyone who watches our show, because the ratings are almost three times what they were when we started. It shows people are enjoying us and I just can't thank you all enough! Please keep watching.
Travis: Yes! Please keep watching. Hearing what you have to say about the show really does make a difference for us. We wouldn't be in the position we are in without you. Thanks for watching, Talk to you next time!
NBCPassions: Thanks for joining us for tonight's live chat with Ben Masters and Travis Schuldt. Keep checking www.nbc.com/passions for information on future chats with the cast of Passions! Do you have comments or questions about this chat or anything you've seen on the NBC television network or www.nbc.com? e-mail us: NBClive@nbc.com Transcripts of this event will be posted soon at nbc.talkcity.com All of us at NBC.com and Talk City wish you a fantastic day, and we look forward to seeing you soon! Produced by NBC and Talk City, Inc. Copyright 2000. All rights reserved.
