Angell Conwell – Family Time

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) right now, “Family Time” is a sitcom I’m apart of is airing on Bounce TV. We’re actually in our fourth season. It’s an interesting story because the network has been growing since the first season. So, as the network is growing the show is growing. We’re in our fourth season and people are finding it now because the network was much smaller when we first started. It’s just a really cool scenario and I love the show. I love working with everybody. People seem to love it. Then, I just finished a film with London Brown (“Ballers”) and it is a TV movie called Merry X-Mas. It’s about relationships and it is a holiday film that will be released on the network TV One. I really, really love the movie. I think at this point anything I attach myself to is because I believe in it and see the quality in it. Of course, I will also be back doing a few episodes of “The Young and The Restless” where I play a lawyer. That’s always fun because of the legal jargon. It’s always a good time!

Q) How your character Lisa originally described to you?

A) Lisa was described as a mother of two with a good sense of humor. That was pretty much it. When I read the script I really just connected with the character. I felt the writer (also the creator) was having conversations in my life. I felt like he knew me. I felt like the character and I were one. When something is well written it is a blessing because as an actor you don’t have to do as much work and as much digging to try to connect with the character. All you really have to do is color it in and give the character life. Do your thing with it, especially when you work with a director that trusts your work and that they cast the right person. I love her. I add quirkiness to her. I consider myself quirky and clumsy. My actual clumsiness truly comes out. So, a lot of the takes end up being used because it works for the character.

Q) What has it been like working with costar Omar Gooding?

A) I have known Omar since 2000. We were in Baby Boy In that film, our characters were in a relationship and we remained friends ever since then. I didn’t know he was playing the husband and he didn’t know I was playing the wife. I think we found out at the table read or the night before. It was very weird! It was weird that we were playing love interests because a decade prior we were in a film in a relationship and now we’re married on a sitcom. It was divine order and maybe this life thing isn’t some random accident. Everything happens the way it should and when it should.

Q) What are some scenes that you are most looking forward to fans seeing this season?

A) We had so much fun filming this season. Each episode has its own flair. I feel like for me as, an actress, I have grown a little bit because I was able to finally at least start to chip away at throwing physical comedy into my character. Like I said, I’m a clumsy person so this was a way to embrace. Something that I never liked about myself was my clumsiness so the fact that I was able to be really physical this season and find a way to make it work it felt really good as an actress because you always want to go. Actually, the holiday episode is a Christmas/Kwanza episode. We wrote that episode with my costar that used to be on “The Young and The Restless.” That is kind of a big deal and I’m looking forward to seeing the episode that I was a part of writing. It will be the first time having that exposure with something that I have written.

Q) What have been some of your favorite behind the scenes moments?

A) We always have a good time so things don’t necessarily stand out since it is a steady flow of good energy. It’s interesting seeing the kids grow up. The kid who plays my son, Bentley Kyle Evans, Jr., is completely taller than me now. He is towering over me. It’s very weird! We were doing a photoshoot and I kept looking up at him thinking, “When the heck did that happen?” It’s those moments that mean a lot and that you kind of see are sentimental. We overall have a good time and we shoot very quickly. So, I have to be honest, sometimes it is a whirlwind. It happens so quick and there are so many people involved with wardrobe, hair, etc. So, there is always someone there because there is so little time. There is someone always there doing something to you like altering your clothes, putting on lotion or touching up your makeup. We have all become very close because we are in each other’s personal space all the time. It is an all around great energy on set. We have a lot of comedians on the show and they always surprise the crap out of me by doing something to make me break character. So, those moments never get old. Salt N Pepa were on our show and I played Pepa’s daughter in a pilot. It was the first job I ever booked in Los Angeles and it was a pilot for CBS and I played Pepa’s daughter. When they guest starred on the show it was a weird memorable moment for me to have it come full circle. They kept looking at me like, “Wow! She was a little girl! She was ten years old!” There are a lot of those great moments.

Q) What makes Bounce TV such a great fit for “Family Time?”

A) They care about quality programming. They are very specific about what they have on their network and our show is growing. I feel like this an authentic feel and it is just a timing thing. I think it is fresh. It’s a fresh feel. They are very invested in the programming and our show is fresh. We’re all fairly young so we’re like the millennial parents. It’s a fresh, new feel and it just makes sense. The direction the network is going – it just all makes sense. It’s because the show was new and the network was new at the time, when I say it really made sense it did. The timing was really divine and I’m a believer. I believe everything happens as it should. It really just weaves together perfectly. It was a timing situation. Timing is very key in life and sometimes we have more control and other times we have no control over it. With that, it was clear that we were meant to be there.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes?

A) Gosh! Yes, definitely. It’s always really awesome to see people’s opinions of what they love and gravitate towards. I like hearing what they like from jokes to outfits. They let you know what they like so it’s always a good time. I am always on the fence about social media. I do like talking to people and I think it is also necessary. Then, when I’m not able to keep up with everybody I feel bad. If you don’t monitor your time on social media, a whole three or four hours of your day can go by! I do love to connect with people, but I feel bad when I’m not able to complete the conversation with everybody. I think it is the Leo in me. We want people to feel that they are attended to and sometimes it is hard to do that. Sometimes it can be overwhelming and sometimes it is crickets.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of your work?

A) It’s very appreciated! It’s such a journey and I feel like everything I’m involved with is so different. There are people that do keep up with everything I have done. Sometimes they have seen things I’ve been in that I haven’t even seen! I’m always grateful for that because people have things to do and people have their own lives to live. Anybody who actually takes the time to support and show love is extremely appreciated. There are a lot of people that don’t do that. I’m definitely in a place where I notice the lovers and I feel that way more than anything else. Much appreciated and necessary. A lot of times actors feel they are doing wrong because there isn’t a lot of support. But there is no way to reach a goal or whatever you are trying to do alone in this life and definitely not in this business. So, the supporters and fans hat follow your work are necessary. If they’re not doing that then there is on space for the talent (actors). We need them!