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Erin Daniels
chat transcript
4/4/2004sho_moderator: ERIN DANIELS (Dana Fairbanks) recently heated up the screen in "One Hour Photo" as Michael Vartan's mistress and starred in Rob Zombie's "House of 1000 Corpses." She also wrapped up a recurring role on the critically acclaimed NBC series "Boomtown" and was seen in guest starring roles on such series as "Law & Order," "Dellaventura," "Action," "The Outer Limits," "Philly," and "Jack & Jill." In addition to her television work, Daniels has also appeared in the films "The Chill Factor" and "Wheelmen."
erin_daniels: I'm so glad that everybody's here. Fire away! Hope you liked the show.
therose: Erin... your comedic delivery is flawless... how hard is it for you to accomplish such a seemless performance?
erin_daniels: Therose, first off, I'm so beyond flattered it's not even funny! As far as the timing is concerned, I think it's the amount of sarcasm that I was brought up with that allows me to do what I do. Call it practice. I've been doing it my whole life.
originalkaters: Erin, i love your character so much! and its odd how much i can relate to Dana. I was wondering, how you felt about your character being one that alot of younger gay woman relate to?
erin_daniels: I'm extremely proud of that. I couldn't ask for more, actually, it's kind of a dream role in that respect.
db75: If the writers came to you and said that they were going to have Dana have an affair (whether a one night thing or an ongoing thing) with one of the other main characters (Shane, Bette, Tina, Alice or Jenny) and they wanted you to pick, who would you like to see Dana have the affair with?
erin_daniels: db75, Ivan.
skygurl: Hi Erin! What's in your CD player right now?
erin_daniels: In my car, because that's where I listen to most of my music, because I spend so much time in my car, is the White Stripes, Kings of Leon, Tenacious D, Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, and Kelly WIlliams, who's a country artist.
erin_daniels: A little bit of everything!
iluverin: Do you really like cats as much on the show
erin_daniels: No. I'm that talented! Just kidding. But it's still no. I'm allergic to cats, actually.
shortymeg22: I love the show and I love you. What advice do you have for people that are in Dana's situation with her parents?
erin_daniels: Shortymeg22, that's a tough one. It really is a personal decision. I myself have not been in that situation, but the friends who have--and if I had been in that situation I think the advice I would give is to be honest, with yourself first. Be true to yourself. I think that's probably the best advice I can give. Keep your fingers crossed, and love yourself as much as you can.
sharkbait1979: Erin, if you had the chance to act opposite any actress or actor, who would it be and why?
erin_daniels: I think it would be Frances McDormand. She's so talented and she's so honest and in-your-face. She's a REAL actress. And she's cool.
peree1: Hi Erin, great work so far! :) My question is what makes you different from your character Dana on TLW?
erin_daniels: Peree1, well, first off, Dana is gay and I am not. Aside from the obvious, her being a tennis player, and me never playing tennis before I got this part, we actually have a lot in common. I identify with Dana because she's so goofy and insecure, and I know how that feels. I have my own insecurities and my own awkwardness, but being honest about those things is such a pleasure for me. I find relief in playing Dana because she's so human.
kymberleigh: Are you athletic in real life?
erin_daniels: Kymberleigh, now I am! I play tennis at least twice a week, if not more. But mostly because I have to.
onetrickpony: were you surprised by the positive response of the Dana/ Lara relationship? and would you like to see Lara come back and have it evolve more?
erin_daniels: I was surprised by the positive feedback to the relationship, but not completely surprised. The relationship was such a positive one. I would love to see Lara come back, for the sake of the show, but also for Dana's sake. Lara was the best thing that ever happened to her.
dayna: What was it like working with Rob Zombie?
erin_daniels: Dayna, it was a blast. The man is brilliant, and such a nice guy. One of the most creative people I've ever met.
girlfriends: were the love scenes hard for you considering that you are not a lesbian?
erin_daniels: No they're not particularly difficult. There's a trust that exists between women and actresses usually that I think sometimes exceeds the trust between a man and a woman in a love scene, because women understand, "Can you put your hand on my thigh to cover my cellulite?" I had no problem with it whatsoever.
rare: Erin how has your life changed since The L Word?
erin_daniels: Rare, I get recognized more often. I find myself thinking more politically than I have probably ever before.
kat: Hi Erin! Was the role of Dana the character that you auditioned for? Or did you just read blind?
erin_daniels: I originally auditioned for the part of Bette, and then I auditioned for the part of Alice, and at that audition, they asked me to read for Dana. And we all know how that one ends!
lovethelword: Hey Erin-I think you're one of the most talented actresses on the show. So funny and real and it looks like you have fun acting. Are you ever in a mood where you just don't feel like acting or does it come as easy as you make it seem?
erin_daniels: First of all, lovethelword, that's incredibly sweet. And there are definitely times when it's hard to find the energy and the mental and emotional stamina to do what I have to do. Especially for emotional scenes. But that's when you really have to put your personal issues aside and jump into the work, which can sometimes relieve the tension or the problems that I would be having that would be keeping me from working.
farfrumstr8: Are you more sarcastic in real life or on the show?
erin_daniels: Yes.
sweet_sangria: What do you find most challenging about being in such a groundbreaking show?
erin_daniels: The most challenging part for me is the importance that it has for some people's lives. It's sometimes a very scary prospect to represent a community of people who haven't had representation in the media before, and I sometimes feel that much more pressure to get it right, because it is so important. I'll work that much harder to try to get it right, because it has social relevance, whereas a lot of things in this business don't have as much weight.
pisly: What scene so far was the most fun to do?
erin_daniels: Pisly, one of the scenes that I'm most proud of is the scene with Jenny and Dana at Jenny's shack. That I'm proud of because it's so funny. But the most fun to do was the dancing scene on the yacht, of course! I had a blast. I was dancing to "Put Your Back Into It."
toricceli: You mentioned you've become more political. What do you think about gay marriage?
erin_daniels: Toricceli, I think what are we waiting for? It's only a matter of time. I'm sad that it hasn't happened already. I think if straight people have the right to marry and divorce, then gay people should have the right to do exactly what they want to do with their lives as well. It's pretty cut and dry for me. We all have the right to be in love, we all have the right to marry.
maddog815: does the L word crew hang out with the QAF crew?
erin_daniels: Someone just asked me this at the dog park! Not very often, actually. They shoot in Toronto for a good part of the year, and we shoot in Vancouver. But we do run into each other every once in a while at functions.
wahmei: What, if any, issues or apprehensions did you have going into your first season of TLW?
erin_daniels: Wahmei, none, really. The writing was great, the subject matter was great. It was a show that was different and about women and about a group of women who've never been represented before. This show actually pulled me back into the business, I liked it so much.
pridewmn: I hear your grandmother has her friends over to watch the show...how have your other family members and friends reacted to this show?
erin_daniels: That is too funny! My grandmother will be thrilled to know that you know this. My whole family loves it. My friends love it. I have gotten a really wonderful response from everyone in my life. I'm really very lucky that way.
marlene: What's the best part about filming in Vancouver, and have you filmed at the local women's club there?
erin_daniels: Marlene, Vancouver is beautiful, to begin with. The summer there is unbelievable. The people are so nice. People actually obey traffic signals, it's unreal. Also, it keeps me focused, which is a plus, because I'm not in LA, distracted by other work or other social obligations. And yeah, we shot at a women's club down near Gastown called Milk and Honey, I think.
dragonstareyes: Do you think Dana's parents will ever accept her? My parents are just like her's and I was wondering if it could happend for her, then it might happen for me.
erin_daniels: Dragon Star Eyes, first of all, I would hope so. I want to see Dana's parents embrace her. Dana thought that her parents would stop talking to her. They didn't. THey may be in denial, but they aren't dismissing her. And I would love to see Dana's parents accept her. I know that it won't be easy, and I think it's important to show that, and that it will take some time, but I would love to believe that eventually, yes, they will.
dansergirlie: Have you gotten any negative reponses to this show?? If so, how do you respond to that?
erin_daniels: The only negative response I've gotten or heard of, because most people will keep those opinions to themselves around me, but most of the negative responses have been in the press or the media. And honestly, everyone's entitled to their opinion. And even if they don't like the show, they're still talking about it.
lauren: Erin, What is your favorite movie?
erin_daniels: I have a few. I'm a cheeseball, just to warn you. I love When Harry Met Sally. I admit it, it's true, I love it. I love Being There. I actually loved Bridget Jones's Diary. Brazil, and I love The Neverending Story. No one's seen that movie, but I love it.
erudite: Erin -- did you ever watch Pam Grier in action in the old Blaxploitation films? If so, what was it like to meet her for the 1st time?
erin_daniels: Erudite, of course I did! She's Pam bleeping Grier! I met her at the table read. She was great. She was so cool. She's so easy to be around that you forget that she's Pam bleeping Grier, and she turns into Pam, maternal sister. She's the coolest.
nomore: what do you think of your new hair?
erin_daniels: Nomore, I think it's great for Dana, but I have naturally curly hair, and bangs on anyone with naturally curly hair is just cruel. I've been trying to grow them out since we finished last season, but they may come back. I'll do it again for Dana.
nvgrrrrl: Have you considered taking on more comedic roles - you're facial expressions are hilarious
erin_daniels: Thank you, and yes, dying to do more comedy. It's my true love.
oaktree: Loved the wall slam in that one episode with the boat party....how many takes did it take to get that scene?
erin_daniels: I had bruises, it's true. It took a few. Not to mention the practice wall slams before we shot it. But it was well worth it, of course.
drummergirl: On the episode where Dana came out to her parents, was that her mom kissing the other girl in the barn?
erin_daniels: Drummergirl, the answer is yes.
taylor: Erin, Do the writers allow the actors to provide input into their character's futures?
erin_daniels: Yes they do. They actually come to us and ask us what we think and are very open-minded about our input. It's really nice, it's a luxury.
laganza154: Have you ever had a pet come between you and a dating partner in real life?
erin_daniels: No. But I did have a cat once that used to attack an ex-boyfriend's feet every time he slept over. I should've known then that the cat was right. So, if anything, the boy came between me and the cat. And yes, I am allergic to cats, but I rescued him and got attached.
julis: Erin- What do you like to do in your "free time" ( away from the L word?)
erin_daniels: Julis, I play the piano and take lessons. I do play tennis. I enjoy writing. I write a lot. I like to try new restaurants with friends and travel when I can.
sho_moderator: Please enter all the questions you have for Erin Daniels in the bottom submission window. We receive thousands of questions during the chat, so yours may not be answered, but we are definitely receiving them and putting through as many as we can.
redxtasty: WHAT IS YOUR SIGN
erin_daniels: I'm a Libra. Thanks for asking. Although I wouldn't call myself balanced.
pluckyplatypus: Did you do a lot of theater at Vassar?
erin_daniels: Yes I did. But I wasn't a drama major. I was an Art History major.
weltatem: How does it feel when you get it "right?" What's that like as an actor?
erin_daniels: Weltatem, that's up for interpretation. But I think I know what you mean. You can feel it when you get it right. And it's exhilarating, it's a rush. It's usually preceded by lots of hard work. So it's very gratifying. It's awesome.
lizziec143: Do you want to write for shows
erin_daniels: Yeah, sure. That would be a blast. I think I'll take my time getting there, but I think it would be a hoot.
jaymeg: where is your favorite place to travel?
erin_daniels: Jaymeg, I admit it, I like Paris. That and the Caribbean. For very different reasons.
cowan: who do you credit your success to? anyone inspire you in high school?
erin_daniels: I'm very stubborn, and I had a lot of opposition in high school and closer to home, and if anything, it was my determination to prove everyone wrong, to prove that I could do it, I think mostly to prove it to myself, really.
lword25: Do you have any brothers and sisters? If so, are they in acting as well?
erin_daniels: Lword25, I have one sister, and no she is not in the business at all. And she's very happy about that!
hotpinky173: What advice would you give young actors...in acting..like myself?
erin_daniels: Just keep trying. Don't give up. If you are passionate about it, no matter how hard it gets, persist. Practice. Like a muscle, it only gets stronger if you work it out.
heather: Erin, Who is the most funniest cast member that you work with?
erin_daniels: Heather, everyone's funny, of course, in their own way. However, I think that Leisha's hysterical.
smaria: Erin, I liked your hair pre-Shane do. Will you have any input on your appearance for next season?
erin_daniels: I agree. I would love to kiss the bangs goodbye.
ortontaylor: were all of the cast members in the car truly singing and whistling to the indigo girls... Who has the best voice?
erin_daniels: Yes, we were, for a very long time. Over and over and over again. Leisha has a great voice, actually. That's her other career.
southernyankeey: How do you feel about being a lesbian sex symbol?
erin_daniels: Oh how you flatter me! Why the hell not?
wee_ko: Hi Erin! I'm amazed by your ability to portrait dramatic situations as well as hilarious scenes. Which ones do you enjoy most? Thanks!
erin_daniels: wee_ko, actually being able to combine the two was a goal I had for myself this season. I like them both equally for different reasons. They're both challenging.
rachael: what is it like to have so many fans loggin online just to talk to you?
erin_daniels: It's mind-boggling!
buttin: Which character do you personally identify the most with?
erin_daniels: Actually, Dana. I'm a dork.
sho_moderator: Do you have any closing comments?
erin_daniels: Thank you so much. Thanks for watching the show and supporting me and the rest of the cast and crew involved. Keep watching! And thanks for being here tonight.
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