ZDF-online: Mrs. Flannery, you've played for almost 15 years the role of Stephanie
Forrester and since 1991 you're directing "The bold and the beautiful". Do you still have a life outside the soap?
Flannery: Definitely, I can distinguish between Stephanie and myself. "The bold
and the beautiful" is for me like playing in a bid sandpit. However I'm not only the mother in the soap but also in the studio for the crew.
ZDF-online: Did your cast mates accepted you as producer at once?
Flannery: Yes, it goes unproblematic and normal. When I make a mistake they stop acting and tell me what's wrong. I'm only directing in parts where I'm not appearing. That makes it easier for the cast mates.
ZDF-online: Do you have an influence on the roles as the producer?
Flannery: No, not at all. That's the job of the scriptwriter.
ZDF-online: Before �The bold and the beautiful� you played film roles too. What's
different from the production of a soap?
Flannery: The people work together for years and not for a few weeks like in movies. That�s another atmosphere. More friendly, more normal and somehow familiar.
ZDF-online: What do you like most about "The bo1d and the beautiful"?
Flannery: Facing the one-hour daily soaps like "The Young and the Restless" offer the "The bold and the beautiful" as a half-our format the more pleasant work. We're having less pressure and can get up to shoot scenes several times when we aren't satisfied with the first go. Besides "The bold and the beautiful" is very good filmed. We're shooting in
beautiful decorations and catch the eye with our modern fashion.
ZDF-online: Are there any other reasons for the success of the soap in your opinion?
Flannery: I think it was a good decision to set the soap in Los Angeles and not like usual in other daily soaps in any American village. Here's the myth of Hollywood and the dream factory which we sale as well. Especially in foreign countries.
By Fr�d�ric Ulferts