Thursday, May 4, 2006

Hey, little late with the journal! Thought I’d catch you up to date on things.

 We are in our 6th season of How Do I Look? Pretty great for a small show that started out with me changing in my car, and ambushing some poor, unsuspecting girl called Angie. We have gone from strength to strength, and now have our own Style House, and I have a dressing room that I don’t have to share with a stick shift! Excellent. I find myself very absorbed by the fashion world, for me it combines social change, art and individual expression. I enjoy talking to the ladies, and the odd gent, who find their way, voluntarily or otherwise, onto my show. They represent individuals who have floundered along the way with how they see themselves, and it is extremely rewarding for me to spend the time with them, hopefully ushering them towards a more stylish tomorrow. The art aspect of fashion, of course, is to be found during fashion week in NY, London, Paris, when one is exposed to such a feverish buffet of possibilities. That is when I marvel at all the artfully displayed runway shows, and make mental notes of the direction we will be heading. That then in turn leads to the interpretation by the designers of social change, as they see it. Why were so many models wearing facemasks on the runway during the Milan and Paris shows? Is it a muffling of the female voice, or just art? Why did Prada and Marc Jacobs send dark, savage city collections down the catwalk? Is that how they see the world? Love it all.

Have also been spending my time putting together an organization that I hope, in the future, will raise money to help aid the women and children that are suffering in Darfur. Like you, I am sickened by the atrocities that continue to occur, practically unheeded, in the Sudan. When things our end are up and running, I will send more information your way.

As you may know, I have just finished a few days on General Hospital. A lesser woman than Anna Devane would have felt tremendous pressure returning to her roots, but as you will see come May 12, she just breezes on in! Bob Guza and his team of talented writers put together a storyline worthy of even the most jaded Scorpio fans. The only thing missing was a good location shoot! I sincerely hope you like it. The usual suspects, Emma, Tris, Tony and myself, were joined by other characters, that shall remain anonymous, and everything descended into general mayhem. Albeit well written, witty and emotional mayhem. I had some sweet scenes with Kimberly; we had been talking about what would happen between Anna and Robin when next they met. There are quite a few issues to be addressed. To say the least.

Returning to the old studios brought back memories of Gloria Monty. I was saddened to hear of her passing, but felt so fortunate that I had had the opportunity, a few years ago, to tell her how much she had meant to me as a young actress trying to make sense of everything. She had really taken me under her wing at the time when I began in 1985 or so, being very specific about what she wanted from the character of Anna, but also giving us actors the most incredible amount of room to experiment and discover. I remember when they were searching for the character of Robin; Tristan and I were involved in the audition process, and they brought a few delightful 7yr old girls up to the stage. After we rehearsed and shot the audition scene, Gloria asked us to improvise together with each child, about anything. Tris and I were accustomed to this, as it was very much how Gloria operated, but it was fairly daunting for little girls. Until Kimberly! She was just as comfortable as could be, talking about whatever entered her head as Tris and I fed her improvised lines. Needless to say it was a unanimous decision, and our daughter was cast! Gloria believed in giving the actor as much responsibility about their characters as the writers, directors and producers. She felt the cast lived with their characters 24/7 and probably knew them as well as anybody. Gloria was a tremendous leader, innovator and comrade. She will be missed. 

Onto the subject of my family, the one at home! They are all very well, thank you. Cash is now 20 months, and a comedian in the making! And Dylan is 5 years, going on a teenager. Who knew they answered back at this age? I sometimes struggle to think of a suitable comeback to a FIVE year old! Talk about needing a good scriptwriter in the home! There’s a job opportunity!

I hope you are all well and enjoying life. Thank you for staying in touch via this website. And thank you for all your continued support.

All the best,

Finola

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