Lauralee Bell – Nightmare Tenant

By starrymag | March 22, 2019

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

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

A) It has definitely been a busy few months. I spent three weeks making Nightmare Tenant and then went into a huge trial on “The Young & the Restless.” My memory skills were definitely put to the test without a break. It was strange. I almost felt more overwhelmed watching the trial on the air shows rather than the days we taped them. I had huge support from the cast as they saw how much the legal group had each day but the encouragement was there and really appreciated.

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for Nightmare Tenant.

A) The premise of Nightmare Tenant is that I play a single mother, Carol Allen, who is a doctor and has a daughter going off to college, the 3rd generation of Allen women going to the same prestigious university.  While excited, my daughter is concerned about me being alone and suggests that instead of being in a big house all by myself, I should take in a local college student so I won’t be alone. Carol assures her daughter that she’s fine, but the next day at work she ends up meeting a girl that could use a little assistance getting back on her feet so she takes her in. Long story short, once this happens my character’s world starts to crumble. You have to watch to see the reason why she does what she does.

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the film?

A) I wanted to be part of this film because I had a great experience working with this production company and Lifetime Movies last year. I also liked that I once again (same with Mistress Hunter) play a strong woman who takes control of her life in an unfortunate situation. With Nightmare Tenant, Carol is a great example that a single mom can raise a kind, driven, independent daughter while being a respectful doctor. She is a caring mother & physician with a goal to help all, which in this case, got her into a sticky situation.

 

Q) How was your character Carol originally described to you?

A) I was sent the script and immediately felt a connection because my kids are close to the age of Carol’s daughter. There is a scene at the beginning describing how it feels when your kid goes off to college. My character says, “I’ve known this day was coming for months, years but somehow it still snuck up on me.” Kids do grow up so fast and time does fly. I could relate!

 

Q) Was there anything you added to her that wasn’t initially scripted for you?

A) If I added something I don’t remember. My goal is to just keep a character as natural & believable as possible.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on this movie?

A The cast met at the last minute the night before we started filming. Jon Briddell, who played my boyfriend, looked familiar. He had done a film with Tracey Bregman so we immediately had a friend in common. Now, since making the film, I see him in commercials almost daily. The younger girls all looked familiar, but I hadn’t worked with them and Maahra [Hill] was so sweet. Either she had watched “Y&R” or her family member did. “The Young and the Restless” is great for so many reasons, but it definitely helps when you meet someone because it links people together.

 

Q) You are an EP of the film as well as well as acting in it. What were some of the challenges you faced pulling double duty?

A) It was very nice to be offered the EP credit on this film. I think after seeing that I really work hard when I commit to a project, the producers (who also did Mistress Hunterlast year) knew that the credit would mean a lot. Working on “Y&R” teaches you so much more then learning lines and performing. You understand cameras shots, angles, editing and looping, which can end up saving time. I can see if a DP is trying to adjust a shot to get what he needs and often help to make the adjustment before he even says a word.

 

Q) How did you shake off a long day of shooting?

A) With the schedule of Nightmare Tenant, it was hard to shake off a day because I’d be anxious to get home to check in with my husband and kids about homework, etc., but at least I was able to be at home and kiss and hug everyone daily before heading back the next day for another full day. If it’s “Y&R,” I shake off a day by cranking up my car radio and belting it out. Yup, I’m one of those that you look over at in your car and have to laugh at what’s happening in the car next to you. I sing and the legal words float out of my brain. [smiles]

 

Q) What advice did director Rob Malenfant offer that you took to heart while filming?

A) Rob was great. What a job it is to come in and take on that heavy load in a short amount of time. He was very calm considering all that was on his shoulders. Rob and I worked briefly doing some second unit work on Mistress Hunterso I had met him and was excited to take on this film together. Rob knew how important being real was to me. I told him if you catch anything that looks like a fake moment, we need to do it again.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming Nightmare Tenant?

A) I think even though we filmed so much at Carol’s home, the hospital really sticks out in my mind. When it was filled with lots of extras inside and out, it really becomes much more than a space where you are filming. It does seem real and I liked putting on that doctor’s jacket. It was like a cape a superhero wears.

 

Q) What makes working on a Lifetime movie so enjoyable?

A) I’m a fan of TV movies. I remember growing up and waiting for the Sunday night MOWs. Lifetime is really making their women characters so relatable and now there is also a bit more action and suspense. So as a viewer it has a bit of everything and as an actor it’s the same. One day you’re doing a fight scene, the next driving in a car, the next a workplace set, then in pjs in bed. Each day fun in its own way.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback to the film?

A) Social media is great and scary. With Mistress Hunter, I’d never experienced such kindness and positivity. I don’t think I saw one negative comment, which was nice.  I do believe if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it, especially on a personal site. Why would you follow someone if you don’t like them? However, I get my fair share of comments being related to my incredible parents, Bill and Lee Bell, creators of “Y&R,” but I can’t fault anyone for that because I do get it. I’m pretty good at letting things slide off. Negativity isn’t good for anyone’s health.

 

Q) We’ve loved seeing you on “The Young and the Restless.” What have you personally taken away from your time working on the show?

A) I’ve taken away so much from “Y&R.” Friends, respect for others, work ethic, trust, it goes on and on. We are a team. We have a common goal, to make the most entertaining show we can for our incredible viewers. Truly the best.

 

Q What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work that you do?

A) We can never express enough to the fans how appreciative we are. Days are busy, life is crazy but our fans stop and give us some if their precious time. How can you ever thank them enough? I loved that Lifetime Movies told us that Nightmare Tenantwould kick off their “Spring Breakdowns” for their Spring Break movies! And I love that fans have already set their DVRs or have written down to watch. Again, how can you ever thank people enough for that? We may not personally know each other, but we have a bond and I think that’s really special and I never take it for granted!!