Actress Ellen Dolan (Margo Hughes, As the world turns) talks about the amazing gifts he received from acting in the telenovela As the world turns. It also reveals plans for an upcoming independent film project.
Susan Dansby: Well, let’s talk about what’s next for you. So are you going to make a movie?
Ellen Dolan: I’m going to be in a movie at home in Iowa. Coming full circle.
A director of ours years ago, Larry Carpenter, who is now in a life to live, he was working in Iowa. And these people contacted him because they had gone to college with me and had done musicals with me. And they said, ‘Let’s go find Ellen, now that she doesn’t have a contract.’ And it turned out to be the right script at the right time. And they feel it to me, and I loved it.
Susan Dansby: And what is the name of the movie again?
Ellen Dolan: Is named molly’s girl. And you know what I find really funny about this? They used to be “art” movies. So they were called independent films. And then they were called low-budget movies. Do you know what the legal and contractual name is for them now?
Susan Dansby: Than?
Ellen Dolan: Ultra low budget. It’s like cigarettes. I want a charcoal tip. Two of them to be exact. Ultra low budget. Let’s be very, very clear. Nobody is making money.
Susan Dansby: So don’t even think about it.
Ellen Dolan: Do not even ask. Pay your own parking. Just introduce yourself, put on your lipstick and talk. But it’s a really lovely little story. And when I film it and it comes out, I’ll talk to you again.
Susan Dansby: I would love that. I absolutely love that. And I really appreciate you talking to me today. And I wish you the best. It has been an honor and a privilege to write for you and Scott all these years.
Ellen Dolan: Oh boy, it sure was tough there towards the end. But we did. And you know, honestly, it was time to go. It really was time to go. But, I will tell you, I was blown away by how excited I was on the last day. Absolutely stunned. I look amazing in every photo. And I look like my grandmother, Mary Alice. Not even the pretty grandmother. The really not-cute grandma.
Susan Dansby: I know it’s hard after all these years to go out with just one thing. But what is the conclusion of your time in As the world turns? Your Margo years?
Ellen Dolan: Look, now, that makes me cry. The bottom line is that I have a really easy cry trigger. I keep telling people that I’m unemployed now, and all I know how to do is memorize lines and cry on cue. And I’m not that good at memorizing lines. I’m just left as emotional baggage.
I was injured. It provided me with a truly unbelievably beautiful life. Highlight: Can you imagine an actor who doesn’t make any money deliberately dating and raising a family?
I had a family. I have a beautiful girl. I never would have been able to do that if I had been an actor chosen by the USDA. I landed in a lovely little place where I could go to work and play every day.