Continued from Part I 

Part II –  Taping our Scenes 

Written by Lucy (aka Soap Gal)

By late morning, everyone’s roles had been assigned, and taping for the first group of performers had begun.  Just as in the auditions, we were again split into groups, corresponding with the scenes we would be acting in. 

Obviously, not everyone could be on the set at the same time, so while one group taped their scenes, others were busy studying and rehearsing their lines in the rehearsal room, and others were observing the events taking place on the set.  At noon, we were served a nice catered lunch, giving us yet another chance to get up-close and personal with the OLTL actors during our “work break.”  (Pictured left to right: Aline, Michael, Lucy, Sally)

Interesting Tidbits:

Ilene Kristen (Roxy):  Ilene told fans she had to struggle with how she would do the scene when Roxy had to flash Max after their wedding in Vegas.  Ilene had to show her bare back to the camera, but wanted to be a bit modest for James DePaiva (Max), so she stuck 3 pasties on each breast, and was all set for taping!

Erin Torpey (Jessica): Erin was scheduled to take part in the Daytime Encounter event when it was scheduled earlier this year, but when the date was postponed, Erin had to cancel because she was scheduled to be a bridesmaid at a friend's wedding on that same day.  One OLTL actor reports that it looks very likely that she will be leaving the show.  However, at this time, “she’s in contract negotiations and is not even confiding in her co-workers just yet.”

Teddy Sears (Chad):  Teddy was actually looking for a modeling career before being hired by OLTL, and claims to have had no acting experience prior to that.  He says he is currently very happy at One Life and would love to have an on air romance.  With whom????  Teddy would love to get together with KDP (Blair), but when this writer reminded him that Blair would only be using him, Teddy quickly responded with a chuckle, “I don’t mind, I’d love to have a romance with her anyway!”

Happy Birthday Michael (Dr. Larry):

Michael Storm's birthday was the day before our Daytime Encounter.  So, just before the end of our taping, the stage manager directed Michael to come out onto the middle of the set, making him think that it was part of his scene.  A true professional, Michael stepped out onto the set, but it was clear that he looked very puzzled because it wasn’t part of his script.  As soon as he was center stage, the cast and crew sang a rousing “Happy Birthday” song (with Ty standing on a table behind me throwing pages of the script over our heads like it was confetti)!

The Script:

After lunch, it was back to “work.”  The entire premise of the script surrounded the Grand Opening of "Ty’s Bar & Grill."   The four OLTL actors played characters who shared their own given own names. (Perhaps causing less confusion for cast and crew).  Because there was such a large number of "supporting actors" involved in this storyline, I’ll focus mainly on the background of the major roles that the OLTL actors played.

Teddy Sears plays an aspiring poet at the bar, surrounded by several of his groupies. 

Ty Treadway is in the midst of a messy divorce, due to the fact that his wife ran off with their male nanny (played by Michael Storm).  Ty's ex-wife shows up at the bar with Michael in tow, offering Ty several thousand dollars from the sale of their house. 

Ilene Kristen (Ty’s sister-in-law & ex-lover) enters the bar with some thugs, demanding Ty’s money!  Of course, as in any good daytime drama, Ty ends up getting shot towards the end of this storyline, and falls to the ground. (Pictured:  Ty, Michael)

According to the script, a few of the female bar patrons were supposed to rush over to Ty, remove his shirt, and start performing CPR.  The character of  "Violet" was supposed to push the others away and take over the role of giving Ty CPR.  Hence, the reason why many so many of our participants auditioned for the role of Violet!!!

But alas, as in the real world, time can run short and lines can get cut – and in order to stick to our allotted schedule, that’s just what had to happen.  The stage manager and director knew just where to cut the scenes so that it would make sense to the story.

After being shot, Ty jumped up from the floor, and gleefully announced, “I’m okay – It was just a flesh wound!”  This scene had to be taped a few times, because it had several people in it – If one person misses a line or a mark that is pertinent to the scene, then everyone involved in that particular scene has to do a retake.  An interesting aspect I noticed about Ty, was that he said his lines a little differently every time he did a retake of a scene.  He’s a great ad-libber, as was Michael Storm who added his own personal flair in many of his scenes.

Now that I personally have had the opportunity to take part in every aspect of what happens “Behind the Scenes,” I have a greater appreciation of what our beloved soap stars face everyday.  I realize now what a tough job the actors have.  They may not always get the roles they audition for, and even when they do, they are at the mercy of the writers.   A daytime actor has to learn many, many lines every day, in contrast to the few we, as guests were given on the day of our "Encounter.”  But, in my humble opinion, their toughest job has to be instilling personality to the characters they are portraying, because they are the ones that fans grow to love or hate every day that we see them on the air!

Click here for part I 

Click here for OLTL stars autographs...