America Online Centerstage

OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Lifetime Television; licensed to America Online, Inc.

OnlineHost: Your emcee for this event is AOLiveMC13 (LouMD).

AOLiveMC13: Welcome to the Odeon, Ms. Martin! I understand you have a movie coming up on Lifetime. This might be a good chance for you to tell us about it.

LifetimeTV: Hi, It's nice to be here in cyberspace, thank you for being here! It's called "Hidden in Silence," and it's about a Polish, Catholic, 16-year-old who saves 13 Jews from the ghetto and hides them during WWII and winds up saving them.

AOLiveMC13: That sounds like an exciting movie. Well, let's get started with some questions from our audience. Here's our first one:

LifetimeTV: Great!

Question: Hi Kellie. You're a lovely and talented woman. I was wondering if you ever socialize with other artists around your age, perhaps up-and-comings?

LifetimeTV: First of all, thank you for the compliment. I have grown up with the kids who have been acting; I go to school with Sara Gilbert and I pretty much know most of the kids on series TV, but I am at school now.

Question: Do you plan to do any more work in Hollywood i.e., Hollywood movies?

LifetimeTV: I just worked in Hollywood, in December, called "A Daughter's Courage" and I worked in Los Angeles frequently when I wasn't working on "Hidden in Silence." I'm doing a pilot in a few months most likely in Los Angeles.

Question: Miss Martin, what do you think of Independent Film?

LifetimeTV: I haven't done an independent film in awhile, but I love the idea, because it gives new film-makers an opportunity to work alongside the more established film-makers and directors.

Question: Being a child star, do you feel like you've missed out on being a "normal" kid?

LifetimeTV: No. I don't feel like I missed out, though I didn't have a normal high school experience, which is why I'm in college. But I am very happy with my choice.

Question: Tell us about what you did to prepare for your role in "Hidden in Silence"?

LifetimeTV: I wanted to do a story about WWII for a few years now. I worked at The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, and I read a lot of books. I was preparing without even realizing for about two years, when I started reading about it. But I didn't talk to the girl who I portrayed until after the movie was finished, because she didn't need to see us to recreate such a painful experience.

Question: What are the last three books you've read (not assigned by Yale) and what did you think about them?

LifetimeTV: "Custom of the Country" by Edith Worton, "Jane Eyre," and "Wuthering Heights." I loved all of them, and I think I really identify with female writers. I love the rawness underneath all of the high brow society talk of the novels.

Question: Are you in touch with any of the cast of "Life Goes On?"

LifetimeTV: Yes. I keep in touch with Patti LuPone, Chris Burke (Corky) and Chad Lowe (Jesse). I love them too much to lose touch with them, they were family for 4 years!

Question: What are you majoring in?

LifetimeTV: History of Art...and my favorite period is turn of the 20th century photography, the Stiegelitz Circle!

Question: What do you think is the most difficult part about being a college student and an actress?

LifetimeTV: Having to make up my tests and having to fax my teachers my papers, it's really annoying. But otherwise, I struggle as much as anyone here, and I'm always excited if I get a B+!

Question: Kelli, what did you think of the last episode of Life Goes On?

LifetimeTV: Well, I don't think I could watch it. It was too hard. It was called "Life Goes Off," and as we were filming it, we knew it would be the last time that we would work together. So, it was not one of my favorite episodes. It was really horrible! It was bittersweet. We knew we did a good job, but we also knew that we had to leave.

Question: What would you think of appearing with other former (Life Goes On) cast members like Bill Smitrovich and Chris Burke (In a TV-Movie), and/or guest appearing with Michael Goorjian on "Party of Five"?

LifetimeTV: Either of those would make me very happy. I wouldn't mind doing either.

Question: Has your acting and the characters you portray had any effect on your own persona?

LifetimeTV: Yes, absolutely. I have affected them and they have affected me in a strange way. I bring so much of myself to each character I play, no matter how different she is from me and with certain story lines, like the AIDS story line from "Life Goes In" and "Hidden in Silence" and the Holocaust, I couldn't help but take it home with me. So more than the character necessarily, it was the story line that affected me and doing those types of stories also spoiled me because I don't want to do stories that don't say something and affects the viewers.

Question: What can you tell us about future "Christy" episodes or specials on CBS or any other network?

LifetimeTV: Your guess is as good as mine. I don't know where Christy went, she left no forwarding address and I don't know where she is.

Question: Since Life Goes On you've had a low-profile getting media attention . With two new movies in the wings, where can we expect to see you appearing in the near future?

LifetimeTV: The next movie will be "A Daughter's Courage" which should be on NBC in April or May. I play a recovering drug and alcohol abuser and Patti LuPone plays my mom and Jonathan Brandis plays my boyfriend.

Question: Hi Kellie! Lemme ask...are you disappointed with the treatment CBS gave Christy?

LifetimeTV: Yeah, absolutely. I felt like it was a very well done show that never found it's niche. It just wasn't the right time for this show. But CBS was very supportive in the beginning, they just didn't have a place for the show.

Question: Did Pamela Bellwood play your character on Life Goes On; as an adult?

LifetimeTV: Yes, very astute observation!

Question: Kelli- Your work in the final episodes of Life Goes On was magnificent. What did you draw on in this portrayal? Also, what's Patti LuPone like to work with?

LifetimeTV: I really don't know what I drew on. I think I had a lot of respect and tolerance for what the writers presented us with. I was friends with our AIDS advisor (who had AIDS) so, he was always there. And Chad and I worked well together. So, that's the only explanation I can come up with. But thanks for the compliment. As for Patti, she is one of the coolest people ever, and I think she is incredibly talented, so funny on the set and she gives a lot to any actor who works with here. I could go on for longer than I'm online about Patti!

Question: In "A Friend to Die For" you played your first "evil" (disturbed) character. Any ideas what you'd like to do next in that regard?

LifetimeTV: I'd like to play a blind girl and I'd like to do a story about the Civil War, otherwise I'm open to anything.

AOLiveMC13: Here is a comment from one of our audience members:

Comment: As a teacher in East TN, I'd like to say your role as Christy Huddleston has been very inspiring for both myself and my students....thank you!

LifetimeTV: Thank you for showing it to your students! That's really why we did it, so people like you saw it and related to it!

Question: What do you like most about being an actress?

LifetimeTV: Traveling! Getting to work in Prague was amazing on "Hidden in Silence." Working with amazing directors and actors. And I love "that feeling" after doing a good job on a scene. Unfortunately, that happens all too rarely.

Question: You've played some rather varied rolls on television, is there any type of roll, i.e., comedy, or something that you'd really like to try?

LifetimeTV: I'd love to do a Meg Ryan kind of role from "When Harry Met Sally" type of thing.

Question: Do you combine school and acting or only do acting during vacations?

LifetimeTV: I try and only do acting during vacations, but occasionally they overlap and that's when I get really crazy!

Question: Where do you go to school at present?

LifetimeTV: I go to Yale.

Question: Hi Kellie - Is there ever any talk of a Life Goes On reunion? Also are you planning any feature film work?

LifetimeTV: There has not been talk of a reunion unfortunately, but I would love it. Becca will always be my favorite character. If a feature film is offered to me, I would love to do it. But right now, I'm not doing any.

Question: What do you do in your spare time when you are not acting or attending classes?

LifetimeTV: I take pictures, I'm taking photography. I go to a lot of museums in New York City and Tai Kwan Do. I also like to go to Paris as much as possible, but that doesn't happen as much as I like. I have a small obsession with Paris!

Question: Good evening Kellie. I was wondering if you're star-ism might cause some type of difficulty socializing, or even with going to Yale?

LifetimeTV: It doesn't cause much difficulty. People at school are a lot more impressive than I am. They think what I do is great, but probably a little less noble than some of the things they are doing at Yale.

Question: I really enjoyed "Matinee" and I thought you were particularly good in that film. What was it like making it?

LifetimeTV: It was long! It was 3 1/2 months in the summer in Florida. It was long and hot. But, I loved working with Joe Dante, the director.

Question: Did you do the voice of Daphne on Pup Named Scooby Doo, and are you doing any more voice-over work in cartoons?

LifetimeTV: Yes, and it scares me that you know this. The last voice over I did was a Goofy movie, about a year ago. And I also a couple of Aladdin episodes with my boyfriend, who played Aladdin.

Question: Kellie, I understand you participated in a play at Yale last year. Any chance you'll be in one this year?

LifetimeTV: Yes, I would love to do another play. It was a great experience. I don't know how good I am at theater, but it is something that I would love to work on!

Question: I understand your movie was well received when it premiered at the TV academy---does that give you hope for a nomination?

LifetimeTV: NO! Not necessarily, that doesn't make a difference. But I certainly wouldn't mind if that happened!

Question: Hi Kellie. My Wife was your stand-in on Life Goes On. She says hello, as well. Question, when is LGO going into syndication?

LifetimeTV: Tell your wife I said hello! I don't know if it is going into syndication.

AOLiveMC13: We have time for one final question.

Question: The listserv (your most loyal online fans) came up with a FAQ (Freq. Asked Questions) would you consider answering them?

LifetimeTV: Yes. Sure, I'll take a question now.

AOLiveMC13: This is our last question of the evening.

Question: Hey what is your best acting job ever?

LifetimeTV: My favorite acting job was "Life Goes On" but "Hidden in Silence" was truly one of the most amazing experiences. So be sure to tune in on March 6 at 9pm ET/PT. Thanks for talking to me, it was a lot of fun and I promise the movie is really good. I think you'll enjoy it!

LifetimeTV: Also, chat with Marion Ross on Monday, March 4 at 9pm. Keyword, Lifetime.

OnlineHost: All good things must come to an end. Time is up for this event.

AOLiveMC13: Ms. Martin, thanks for being our guest tonight and taking our questions. You have been a terrific guest. Thanks, Audience, for being here and submitting your questions.

AOLiveMC13: Goodnight, Everyone!

OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Lifetime Television; licensed to America Online, Inc.

This transcript reprinted with permission from Lifetime Television and America Online (licensed through Rob M. VanHooren)