 Actors
in daytime often find themselves in the middleman position. Unlike film
actors, they aren't seen in a variety of roles; it's not as readily acknowledged
that they're actors playing parts. Because a daytime actor plays a character
who is seen daily, viewers are given a window into a life and sometimes,
it's a life they'll seek to emulate. Actors try to live up to those expectations.
To counteract the helplessness
they feel, actors take the offensive. When alerted that a tricky storyline
is approaching, they do they do their research. Susan Haskell, whose OLTL
character, Marty, was gang raped by a trio of frat boys, made sure that
she did a lot of reading and talking to rape victims and crisis centers
before tackling the scenes. "I had a major concern that the storyline was
handled correctly so it would encourage women to [deal with] things the
right way and feel better about themselves," says Haskell. "There is certainly
a pressure to do that."
But Haskell did even more.
At her direction, callers to the show's office who were moved by the rape
storyline were given phone numbers of rape crisis centers; Haskell supplied
similar information. "I can't pretend to counsel anyone, because I am not
a counselor," says Haskell. "My responsibility is to direct [viewers] to
the right people."
The need to reach out does
become overwhelming. Fans who write to actors make them feel like they
can make a difference, which often compels performers to try.
Many actors who reach out
to their fans do find that they've indeed offered hope. Incest and rape
survivors decide to confront their attackers. Addicts get help. Some viewers
just find that having a problem in common with their daily "family" gives
them strength. And that's what it's all about. |
