Stars and Contest Winners
January 24, 2000
Taylor Anne Mountz, Travis Schuldt, Alicia Ziegler, Ryan Gessell discuss in an online interview the ins and outs of acting in the hit soap opera, "Passions".
NBCLive: Welcome to NBC Live! Tonight we have a very special evening planned, as two of Passions' hottest stars, Taylor Anne Mountz (Kay Bennett) and Travis Schuldt (Ethan Crane) will be calling the winners of the first ever Passions Online Casting Call to announce the good news! The winners have been decided by an online vote in which YOU got to choose the next stars of Passions, and now you can continue in the fun by learning the results at the same time they do! Once the results are announced, you can ask Travis, Taylor Anne and the new "stars" of Passions whatever's on your mind! 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.
TnT-fan: What do you think of the idea of the casting call?
Travis Schuldt: I think it's a great idea - it gives the audience a chance to participate in the show, and bring in new viewers.
Taylor Anne Mountz: I think it's a creative and fun way for fans to get involved, and I can't wait to announce the winners!
POPsicle: Are you excited to meet the winners?
Travis Schuldt: Yeah! I can't wait to call them! It's a privilege to give people good news.
ViolaB: What advice would you give these two new "stars" for when they appear
Taylor Anne Mountz: Prepare to work with a really great, goofy bunch of people!
Travis Schuldt: Relax, be yourself, and have fun. Finally that's what I do - it took me a month or so, though
Melinda: Do you think Passions should have more online casting calls in the future?
Travis Schuldt: Sure!
Taylor Anne Mountz: No!
WYnot: What should they expect when they come to the set of Passions?
Taylor Anne Mountz: Be prepared for a long work day. It's very fast paced, so always be on your toes, and be listening for when they call your name! That means you have to go to the set now.
Travis Schuldt: Be ready for a good talking to by Bret or Roy. They're the stage managers. They'll tell you what to do, so always be listening for when they call your name, when to come on set, when to go to makeup, when to go to hair, etc.
Dither: Who do you think they should play?
Travis Schuldt: I thought that maybe one of them could be my sister.
Taylor Anne Mountz: There are a lot of open-ended characters on the show that have been mentioned. So I'm sure it will be a character that comes in and stirs up some kind of trouble.
ETHAN4EVER: How do you get involved in acting?
Travis Schuldt: I just kind of started through choir, and doing musicals in high school. I did a play in my senior year, called Pandora's Box. It was written and directed by a student in my class. I've always been desiring attention, so this is a great way to get it!
Tweety6545: Hi Travis. First I want to say I love you and how do you like doing scenes with Liza Huber? And do you hang out with anyone from Passions off the set?
Travis Schuldt: Well I enjoy working with Liza. We have a great time on set, and a fun relationship. We keep finding new things between them, like a sense of humor and working on the whole Theresa situation triangle. We find that fun And sometimes very complicated. Off the set, I hang out with a lot of people, like Galen and Dalton, most of the guys. I keep trying to hang out with Taylor Anne, but she's too busy!
Gloss: If you could change one thing about your character, what would you change?
Taylor Anne Mountz: It would be to not be quite so determined, and to cultivate other relationships with other people to fall back on for support.
Travis Schuldt: I'd like to have my life NOT run by all the women in it! That's pretty general, not that I don't like women in my life!
ETHAN4EVER: How old do you have to be to audition?
Travis Schuldt: It depends on the role. The youngest person on the show is 15,
ETHAN4EVER: I love Galen Gering! Did he really get engaged to his long time girlfriend?
Travis Schuldt: Yes he did! It's true. I'm now phoning the female winner I'm pressing a "1" We're on a conference call now with our winner. Her name is Alicia Ziegler! Congratulations!
Alicia: I'm VERY excited! I'm SO nervous!
Travis Schuldt: Well, you can relax, you've got the job!
Alicia: All my friends are calling me.
Travis Schuldt: How long were you sitting by the phone?
Alicia: All day! I thought they might call at 5:30, so I waited all day.
Travis Schuldt: Did you kick people off the phone just in case?
Alicia: I said "I have to wait and see."
Travis Schuldt: Did you watch your audition online?
Alicia: My computer wouldn't download it. I tried to watch it. Did you see it?
Travis Schuldt: I tried too, It was the same kind of experience.
Sudsy: Why did you decide to audition?
Alicia: I had two friends who wanted to audition for the show and they needed a female to try out with them, and then I decided to make my own tape and send it in.
Bimini: Do you want to be an actor?
Alicia: Yes! I've been trying out in the business for about five years, and this is the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me!
Evelyn: What was your reaction when you found out you won?
Alicia: I almost dropped the phone! I haven't been able to breathe yet! I was SO excited - I still am
FANtastic: What are you most excited about?
Alicia: The opportunity to work with NBC and new people and new faces; doing something I love, going after my Passion.
Gerbera: Which cast members are you most looking forward to meeting?
Alicia: Travis, of course!
Travis Schuldt: You're in!
Alicia: Was that a trick question?
Hanseatic: Who do you hope to do a scene with?
Alicia: Travis, of course!
Imogen: How long did it take you to make your audition tape?
Alicia: About an hour. I wanted to rehearse it, but not have to over-rehearse it. I didn't want to be reading the lines. So it took me about an hour?
Travis Schuldt: Where did you do your scene Alicia?
Alicia: On a friend's porch, inside a little studio. Nothing too exciting.
JESSamyn: What do you currently do? Are you in school? Do you work?
Alicia: I attend Chapman University in Orange CA. I'm a freshman, majoring in film production. I don't work, just do auditions. But now I'm working!
Koala: Are you nervous about appearing on Passions?
Alicia: No. I'm just excited.
Travis Schuldt: You should be!
Leon0: When you submitted the tape, did you ever think you might win?
Alicia: Uh-huh. I almost passed out when I saw I was one of the finalists! It's so random, so anything can happen.
Star2b: Casting call winners.how did you feel when you found out that you were a finalist? Then when you won? How long will your roles last?
Alicia: I was so excited when I found out I was a finalist. I got a T-shirt and a necklace, and pictures of the cast, the boys I have no idea how long the role will last.
Soapsudsdish: CCW, when you first started watching Passions, did you ever imagine you would be on it? Congratulations!
Alicia: Oh thank you! No, not at all. I've been watching the show ever since I auditioned, getting caught up on it. I did the tape back in October, so it's been a long wait. Then I had to do networking, and call everyone, and tell them to vote! So I have to thank everyone who voted for me. I went to my friends and said "Pl-e-e-e-e-e-ase"! You learn a lot about how ambitious you really are. I met a lot of people from out of state, who emailed me and asked if I was the girl on "Passions". One friend has been emailing me like crazy!
Soapsudsdish: Casting call winners, which actor or actresses are you most looking forward to working with?
Alicia: That's a given! Let's just say, everyone. I don't have any specific one.
EZGuest: Winners: Congrats! Do you guys have any hopes or expectations for who you're characters might be?
Taylor Anne Mountz: I just wanted to say congratulations, and I'm really looking forward to working with you. I'm calling the male winner now. I've got him on the line, and we're talking now! Our winner is Ryan Gessell, and he's on with us now. Congratulations Ryan! How are you feeling?
Ryan Gessell: I'm very excited! I've been waiting by the phone for over an hour now!
Taylor Anne Mountz: Are you an actor Ryan?
Ryan Gessell: Definitely! I live in LA, in Westwood.
Taylor Anne Mountz: When did you send in your tape?
Ryan Gessell: Thanksgiving, so it's been a bit of a wait. Yesterday was fun, knowing that I'd find out today. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I was a finalist, and then 5: 30 rolled around.and then 6:30 rolled around.and here we are!
Taylor Anne Mountz: Did you check out the website after you sent in your demo?
Ryan Gessell: Yes, it took me about 3 hours to get in and it looked like a dubbed Japanese movie! (But I liked it).
Taylor Anne Mountz: Where did you do your tape?
Ryan Gessell: In a friend's living room.
Bubblegumgal: What are you most excited about?
Ryan Gessell: I'm most excited to be able to pay my rent! And to work on the show
Katsy99: Where do you see "Passions" in five years?
Ryan Gessell: On NBC.
NBCSoapFan: What was your reaction when you found out you won?
Ryan Gessell: I wasn't sure if it was a crank call or not - I have friends that would do something like that! When I was put on hold, I figured out it was legit - I made myself numb to it, just because with so many people I didn't really expect to win. So it will probably hit me later on.
Taylor Anne Mountz: Alicia, the female winner is on now too.
Ryan Gessell: Hi Alicia!
Alicia: Hi Ryan! Are you excited?
Ryan Gessell: You bet!
Travis Schuldt: Did you watch each other's tapes?
Alicia: No, I didn't see him. Do you have black hair Ryan?
Ryan Gessell: No - that must be somebody else
Harvey: Which cast members are you most looking forward to meeting?
Ryan Gessell: Harvey, that's a loaded question! I'm looking forward to meeting every single one of them.
Natalie: Who do you hope to do a scene with?
Ryan Gessell: With Taylor Anne, I'd have to say!
Travis Schuldt: Good answer! Smart guy!
Ryan Gessell: Yeah, I'm watching myself
Taylor Anne Mountz: Who do you think your character will be related to?
Ryan Gessell: I don't know - maybe I'll be Timmy's uncle Ryan
Camerashy: How long did it take you to make your audition tape?
Ryan Gessell: It took me about half an hour of pre-production to make my tape, then editing took probably a couple of hours.
Meg Dreams: You guys are awesome. I hope to someday be on a soap as well, do you have any advice?
Ryan Gessell: Make a lot of friends in the country who will vote for you!
Taylor Anne Mountz: Be persistent!
Travis Schuldt: Get a good agent!
Pinay1112: Where can I send both of you mail to get your autographed picture?
Travis Schuldt: Try www.nbc.com/passions, and there's an email address there.
Jbones: Are the winners' parts are going to be large or small?
Ryan Gessell: that's a good question. We don't know.
Alicia Ziegler: Let's hope big! Think positive!
Travis Schuldt: I have a question for you, did you ask your buddies to vote for you?
Ryan Gessell: Yes I did, and now they all get Passions Daily News every day! You know, Travis, had you voted, you would have known that!
Travis Schuldt: I don't vote!
Sweetness28 15: I'm 15 years old and I want to be in the next casting call but I'm too young. Next time are they going to make the age limit younger?
Taylor Anne Mountz: We're thinking about it. I'm not, but they are.
Travis Schuldt: Are you in college Ryan?
Ryan Gessell: Yes, I go to UCLA. I'm majoring in theatre.
Silverbelle 825: What kind of storyline do you think will be created for the new characters?
Alicia Ziegler: Probably something romantic.
Travis Schuldt: You can bet it will be very passionate, romantic, and new How does your family feel about this?
Alicia Ziegler: My mom told everyone in the phone book!
Ryan Gessell: My mom is online right now, reading. I was on my cell phone with her when you called. Hi Mommy!
Travis Schuldt: Did your parents ever give you a hard time about wanting to be actors?
Alicia Ziegler: No, they were 110 percent supportive.
Ryan Gessell: My dad majored in theatre at UCLA.
Travis Schuldt: Where were you born?
Ryan Gessell: L.A.
Alicia Ziegler: Oxnard CA.
Travis Schuldt: We filmed in Oxnard the first month of the show!
Sassyladi22: When will the winners start on the show?
Taylor Anne Mountz: sassyladi, that's a good question.
Travis Schuldt: We don't know.
Theresafan: Who would your dream character be, Alicia?
Alicia Ziegler: My dream character would be someone nice. Nice, pretty and powerful. Preferably rich too
Gr1z31: What made you guys want to be actors?
Ryan Gessell: An addiction. It's something that I HAVE to do. And something that I love to do. Stop laughing Alicia!
Alicia Ziegler: I started when I was 8, and it just sort of happened. I didn't really go after it.
Taylor Anne Mountz: For me, it's an outlet, a way to put all of my emotion into it. It's a form of expression, and a challenge.
Travis Schuldt: It's the only way I know how to make money without working very hard!
Ryan Gessell: Amen to that!
Alicia Ziegler: It's the hardest form of work there is!
Crystaldreams2k-gues: Do you think the writers with have Theresa win Ethan's heart? We think she should win his heart over.
Travis Schuldt: Honestly, we have no idea. She's going to have to talk to Gwen first, and the way she's going now.
EZGuest: Do you guys like how your characters act? Taylor Anne, do you like the fact that your character is sneaky and kinda mean?
Taylor Anne Mountz: Yeah, I love it! It's really fun to play, and I get to do all these outlandish schemes that are really fun. Reilly, the creator, comes up with great stuff.
EZGuest526: I spent the last hour printing out your pics. What do you think about anyone being able to connect to the net and look you guys up?
Travis Schuldt: It's very flattering, and also kind of nerve-wracking. We're all just people here, and people are downloading your picture and wanting to know what you did today so it's unsettling at times, but it's part of the job.
Taylor Anne Mountz: I've never had that kind of exposure, but I'm really flattered by it.
Ajk4578: DO you guys work many hours a week?
Taylor Anne Mountz: Yes.
Travis Schuldt: Yes. 3 or 4 days a week, on average.
Taylor Anne Mountz: I'm 17, so my legal maximum is 10 hours. And I have to balance my school work with my work time.
Bubbaish: Was it fun to tell the winners the good news?
Travis Schuldt: Oh yes! It was a lot of fun. Alicia, I hope I didn't drag it out too long! Are you still here?
Alicia Ziegler: Yes, I'm here!
Taylor Anne Mountz: I had a great time. I thought it was really fun, and I was excited too, and anxious to hear his response.
NBCLive: We are almost out of time today, thanks everyone for joining us and congratulations to the winners! Any last words for our audience before signing off?
Taylor Anne Mountz: Watch Passions!
Ryan Gessell: Send us fan mail so they keep us on!
Alicia Ziegler: thank you NBC!
Travis Schuldt: Yee-HAW! Thanks, fans, for joining us in the chat room and enjoying this moment with us and Taylor Anne and Ryan and Alicia.
NBCLive: Thank you for joining us tonight for this ground- breaking event! Make sure to keep checking the Passions website, www.nbc.com/passions, for exclusive information on the winners and details of when they will be appear- ing on Passions! Also, be sure to check the site for information on upcoming chat events with the stars of Passions! Do you have any comments or questions about this chat, or anything you've seen on the NBC television network, or at www.nbc.com? Email us: nbclive@nbc.com. All of us at NBC and Talk City wish you a fantastic evening, and we look forward to seeing you soon. This live chat event has been a production of NBC.comNBCLive: and Talk City, Inc. Copyright 2000, all rights reserved.
