oriana

[Hunter]

Hi Oriana

Just out if interest -- I remember a sci-fi TV series from around 1991 called The Finder which aired in the U.K. I was only about 6 when i saw it but I remember it being interesting (something to do with a shopping centre clock that can take you to other dimensions??).

Anyway, I was looking for VHS tapes of this the other day (since a similar good aussie sci-fi "the girl from tomorrow" has just come out on DVD) only to discover on a web page you were IN IT!

Wow, that was a surprise. What was making a sci-fi different to a soap? Do you know if the finder is available or not as I'd love to see it again.

P.S. I think it's wonderful you interact with fans on the msg board, so few actors do that sort of thing these days...

[oriana]

Hi there Hunter!

I was only in one episode of the 13 part series.... and it was similar to doing a soap except that it was at a real shopping centre rather than in a studio set. There were no special effects or costumes or makeup to make it feel like a Sci-Fi for me.

It was a good little series for kids though... great story.

It was called 'Finders Keepers' here and I don't know if it is on DVD. sorry I can't be of more help. Nice that you noticed though

Cheers

O

[dee16]

Oriana

How did you get the part of Susan? Did you have to audition or were you spotted from another tv show/film. If it was an audition how many went for the part and why did anne henderson stires (think i spelt her name right!!) not come back as Susan.... Which is a good think really coz we would never have met you on this forum!!!!

Dee

[oriana]

Hiya dee ;D

glad you had a memorable Florida holiday btw

um...OK hang on to your hats folks coz if you're not a die hard fan then this may get confusing! Heck it may get confusing anyway....LOL

First... the original Susan Palmer then Todd... Ann Henderson (I think that's the spelling) left S&D and fell in love with an American Sailor (or so the story goes and that's in real life not as Susan! ).
She then moved to the US with the said sailor... they got married, hence the added Stires to her surname I think?? Maybe Chris knows more.... maybe she already had it from her parents but I thought it was the added married name....(and she either got married before going to the States or after - not sure)

Soooo, anyway, apparently when asked to come back and play Susan - she wasn't interested or had something else she was doing... or maybe she was just "living happily ever after in the US of A"

And so anyway....lucky for me.... I got to be Susan!

Seriously though....Not sure where she is now.. but I hope she's very happy and well... I heard from ppl on set she was very sweet and a lovely person. Therefore she really suited Susan....
Mwhahahahah then I came along!

I had auditioned soooo many times for the Grundy Organisation and had played guest roles in numerous television shows they created that it was soooo funny that for the part of Susan I just got a call from my Agent and was told I had the part!

So persistence pays! Ahahahahhah

and well that's the end of the story.... or is it...?

(You'll have to excuse me tonight... I've been writing a film for a deadline....and I can get very silly when my mind is thinking of plots etc and I am suffering from sleep deprivation

.....I came in here toooo .... well you know... procrastinate... ummm... to hang out and have fun....

I better get back to writing coz it won't write itself!

It's coming along nicely btw.... it's just sometimes one needs to just do something else to relieve the tunnel vision and then get back to it and spot all the mistakes! ;D

Ciao me lovelies...

Anon

O
xox

[Chris Daly]

oriana said:

First... the original Susan Palmer then Todd... Ann Henderson (I think that's the spelling) left S&D and fell in love with an American Sailor (or so the story goes and that's in real life not as Susan! ).
She then moved to the US with the said sailor... they got married, hence the added Stires to her surname I think?? Maybe Chris knows more.... maybe she already had it from her parents but I thought it was the added married name....(and she either got married before going to the States or after - not sure)

Yes - I think you're right, Oriana. I think she was credited as Ann Henderson at the start of the programme. She married John Stires and went to the US with him.

Here's a pic of them both:

www.sonsanddaughters.tv/ann.jpg

[oriana]

Well done Chris! Picture and all...

Gosh.... I can see why they cast me to replace her...

We could have played sisters! She would have been the taller sister though ;D

Well, there ya go....

(ps... gosh the 80's was a 'colourful era' with fashion, makeup especially eye shadow and all those accessories! )

[dee16]

Great news!!!

I just read that Orianas son has got a part on neighbours. You must be so proud Oriana. Have to admit i'm not a big neighbours fan anymore, only watch it every now and again but I will certainly be looking out for him. Please give him my congratulations. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Dee

[oriana]

hi everyone,

sorry I've not been in here for awhile... life has been very busy and exciting.

I've just finished directing a sample scene of a feature film I'm teamed up with in the Project Greenlight Australia competition. We made top 50 in Australia and with this scene hope to make top 16. The winner gets a million dollars to make and direct the film! Fingers crossed!

YES! My darling 18 year old son won the New South Wales division of the Australia wide search for the next Neighbours big star. There were 7,000 entries. So he did very well to get to the top 5 for the boys roles. (They were also casting a girl's role - and sadly I don't have any girls, just 3 beautiful boys.)

My son Etienne went to Melbourne last week to compete against the other state winners and he didn't win the role on the show. The guy from Adelaide who looks more like the role won it. You see they have already cast the older brother part and so it was always going to get down to who looked more like they could play the younger brother.

I am so proud of him though... it has been a WIN/WIN scenario. My boy has met all the people who cast the roles and they know what he can do, so it is only a matter of time until he is chosen.

There's been a lot of publicity here about "Mother and Son" and "Family business'... Stories about him following me into soap etc. Has been very exciting and a wonderful experience for him.

He toured the set and meet all the cast and had a ball!

So, no you won't see him yet darling Dee.... but watch out for him... he's still young and has more training to do.... but he has what it takes and I think he'll do very well in the future, on TV and especially in films - yes you can tell I'm a proud mum and a big fan of his

Oh and more fun stuff....I'm doing an interview for a internet radio soap show tomorrow via the phone and it will be on next week. Dee has the link... could you put it on here Dee please.. ;D

hahaha you'll get to hear what my older voice sounds like now after life's wear and tear...

and Chris I'll try to get your website some publicity too in the interview....

well that's about it for now...

I'll update when I can....

Hope you are all well and enjoying your English Summer..... it's bloody freezing here in Sydney at the moment

ciao

O

[dee16]

here is the link.

www.thesoapshow.com/index.htm

I found the site just by chance. I got a new pc and was googling everything under the sun and came across this website...

[Chris Daly]

Thanks for all the news, Oriana! ;D

[woombai jane]

Well done Etienne! Superb auditioning to get to the top 5.

Orianna, as a Drama teacher, has he ever had lessons from you? If so, then that's one h***
of an endorsement...

[oriana]

Hi me lovelies!

awwww shucks woombai... yes he is in a couple of my classes this year. Yes he did very well and he really did them all on his own... he went down to Melbourne and faced the judges and all the hype on his own... I was filming... so he's come of age now and can stand on his own without his mummy

and I have good news... I found out today I have progressed to the top 16 in Project Greenlight Australia! I directed and produced a scene from the feature film myself and a team mate entered that got us into the top 50 and the judges approved... so I went from 50 to 16... I find out in two weeks whether I've made the top 8 next... it's a tough competition... but it's been fun!

Ok it's nearly 1am here and I've been emailing all the actors and crew who were involved to congratulate them so better get off to sleep now. Have to teach tomorrow. I know there are some questions on other threads and I'll try to get around to them when I can....

Oh and my interview is on this week on the internet radio soapshow site... www.thesoapshow.com/interviews/main.htm

I talk alot about Sons and Daughters... and there was even a question from someone called Dee....hmm was that you Dee? LOL!

bye for now

O

[Susan]

Hi Oriana

How exciting for your boy! It sounds a wonderful opportunity for him and like you say, time will ensure he will be the chosen one another time but in the meantime, wow! (I love neighbours....even more so now Stefan Dennis is back there again ..I remember him from all those years ago (vaguely!).

Also congrats on getting to 16th place. Fingers crossed you will get further & its all a learning curve as they say. Looking forward to your interview!

All the best

Susan

[James]

Hi Oriana,

Congratulations and here's hoping you get into the top 8. Now to listen to the interview.

Cheers for now.
James

[woombai jane]

Thanks to dee16, checked out the I.Radio Soap Show.
Was too early to catch your interview Oriana, but thanks for the date check.
Wishing you and all your team all the very best as you get nearer the finals.
Break a leg and knock 'em dead...