Sundays at Tiffany’s: Q&A Conference Call with Alyssa Milano
December 4, 2010 by Allison Toner
Filed under Feature, feature overlay, Television
Actress. Entrepreneur. Producer. Philanthropist. Humanitarian. Twitter Enthusiast. In a recent conference call interview, one of my favorite actresses, the lovely and talented Alyssa Milano, gave us the lowdown about her newest role and producing stint in the Lifetime flick Sundays at Tiffany’s. Plus, Milano, alum of the iconic shows Who’s the Boss? and Charmed, dished on her extensive career, what she looks for in characters and her favorite piece of Tiffany jewelry.
Based on the novel by James Patterson, Sundays at Tiffany’s stars Alyssa Milano as Jane Claremont, a successful businesswoman, soon to marry her finance Hugh (Ivan Sergei). As a girl, she visited Tiffany’s every Sunday with her mother, Vivian (Stockard Channing) and her imaginary friend Michael (Eric Winter). However, as she is preparing to marry Hugh, Jane’s world is turned upside down when her childhood imaginary friend Michael reappears.
Why should people watch the movie?
AM: “I think the best thing about it is actually how romantic it is. It was what I was most attracted to when I read the script. It’s really like a modern day fairytale in some ways. It was such an original concept, which we don’t see so much anymore.”
What did you enjoy most about filming?
AM: “When you are away on location (Toronto for 6 weeks), it is so much easier to stay focused on the task at hand because you don’t have normal daily distractions. I was so crazy about this cast. Everyone did an amazing, amazing job.”
How was it reuniting with Ivan Sergei, who was also on Charmed?
AM: “It was so great. I worked with Eric Winter before too. We did a pilot for ABC that did not get picked up. So to have both of those guys there, it was awesome and so much fun. Anytime you are reconnected with people you’ve worked with before it’s such a great feeling.”
How was it working with Stockard Channing?
AM: “Oh my goodness. I don’t even know where to begin with that one. It is exactly what you would hope working with Stockard Channing would be like. I’ve always been a huge fan of hers and more so after working with her. She is lovely and smart. Her instincts are always dead on. Working with her is a great reminder, why after 30 years of being in this business, I still love my job and it is because I get to go watch people like her work and still learn.”
What do you have in common with Jane?
AM: “I think it might be easier to say what we don’t have in common. Out of a protection mechanism, she became a suppressed romantic. The most interesting characters to play are flawed and have to go through this journey. She goes through this arc—she was hardened off to love and through magical circumstances she learns to love fully. I was never not a romantic in real life. Our business drives might be similar. But the differences that we have attracted me to the role.”
Most challenging part of the role?
AM: “Coming up with a character that was hardened off and protective of herself. There is a distinct change in Jane between beginning of film and the end. Didn’t want her to come off as too icy or bitchy in the beginning.”
Did the James Patterson novel help with character?
AM: “You gain a wealth of information from the book. The great thing about making a movie from a book, it is a lot clearer in [the] book and [you] have background. Called it the bible of the story.” Side note, James Patterson completely endorses the movie. See video here.
There is a nod to Audrey Hepburn in the film. Is she one of your fashion icons?
AM: “She’s an inspiration for so many reasons, especially because she was a UNICEF ambassador before it was a thing.” Milano has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2003. Alyssa also does her part in other ways—she tries to be “green.” Both she and her husband are buying electric cars and Alyssa grows an organic vegetable garden. Plus, Alyssa owns 5 dogs and 10 horses, which are mostly rescue animals.
What do you look for in potential roles?
AM: “The complete package is something that I know that will produce a great movie. It’s such a crapshoot to make something great anyway. So many are elements involved. I look for things that I know will help that. A story based on a James Patterson novel definitely helped. Other creative elements, cast, directors, producers are always super important to me. Have to work together to make something great.
As far as characters go—I love playing women that you see grow on camera. Whether that means they start out flawed and end up in a different place than where we first found them. I’m really attracted to flawed characters. It’s more challenging to portray something that is more real than something that doesn’t exist.”
How does producing compare to acting?
AM: “Producing a project—it makes you a little bit more emotionally invested. I think when you’re hired to just act, it can be difficult to completely grasp the vision that everyone has. When you are also producing, you know that vision like the back of your hand. You’re more emotionally aware.”
Favorite piece of jewelry from Tiffany’s?
AM: “A heart necklace with a pearl on it and it was my favorite because it was the first thing my husband ever gave me. He was smart, he threw me the blue box.”
Would you be interested in a Charmed follow up movie?
AM: “I would love that. I don’t know if it’s a possibility. But I would absolutely love that.”
Alyssa Milano is the complete package. She was charming, open and so generous with her time and thoughts. So, for all of you fellow Alyssa Milano fans, remember to check out this sweet holiday film. I know I will. Sundays at Tiffany’s premieres on Lifetime on December 6th at 9PM. Preview it here.
For more interviews and television reviews, click here.
Images courtesy of Lifetime Television.
This movie has already chilled me to the bone and the thermostat has been set right all day long. That was just the trailer. Imagine what the movie has in store~~~!