onscreen
onscreen
‘I just feel so lucky and privileged to have this job in the first place. I’m just appreciating what I’ve got, because nothing lasts forever.’
Marie Low, Sam Rowe and Devan Pankhania report on meeting Melissa Walton (2001-6) (‘Loretta Jones’) on the Hollyoaks set in Liverpool.
As various actors and actresses wandered past, Marie Sam and Devan were obviously excited as they have a passion for acting. Melissa took a break from filming to give us a (VIP) backstage tour. Seeing how scenes were shot with a single camera and the compact studios was fascinating. Then in front of the ‘shops’, we began our interview. Devan: Who was your favourite teacher at Bablake? Melissa: I had a few, definitely Mr Drury; Mrs Friebe, I absolutely adored; Mrs Foster… and I really loved Mrs Timothy for French. Mr Prescott obviously, a complete legend. They were all brilliant! Marie: What did you do with your time after Bablake? Melissa: I went to Stratford upon Avon college, got myself an agent in London and used my free time to go back and forth to London for open auditions. I was planning to go to drama school or London, however this Hollyoaks audition was the only one not in London, so it’s a good job I didn’t move there.
a date with
Sam: Did you pursue acting alone or did you try other things as well? Melissa: I always knew this was what I wanted to do. At Bablake I always did plays, like Samurai, continued singing and dancing, and I was in the Chorale. Sam: You obviously did Battle of the Bands. Melissa: Yes, I loved that. Sam: What was your reaction when you got the part in Hollyoaks? Melissa: I was so shocked. I was shopping in the Bullring with a friend. We were standing outside H&M and my agent rang me. For general TV auditions, you either get a call or you don’t; if you haven’t got a part, you won’t get called at all, so I was very emotional and I ended up sitting on the floor with my friend also crying with happiness. Devan: Which celebrity would you most likely want to be marooned on an island with? Melissa: Easy question, Megan Fox. Devan and Sam: Yeah!! Pretty sure we would agree.
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the wheatleyan 2008/09
Marie: How long do you spend on set every day? Melissa: This week I’ve been in every morning at half seven and been finishing between half seven and half eight at night, which has been really tiring. Some people even come in for night shoots! Devan: What do you most like and least like about your job? Melissa: I just feel so lucky and privileged to have this job in the first place. I’m just appreciating what I’ve got, because nothing lasts forever. Hollyoaks is a soap about young people so they aren’t going to keep me forever! I’m trying to think about what I don’t like… it’s probably that I don’t know when I’ll have free time. Marie: What are your least fondest and most fondest memories at Bablake? Melissa: Oh, there’s so many, I really love Bablake and still do. I made some amazing friends who are still my best friends to this day, and I just buzzed from going to school every day. Loved every minute! I loved playing netball and had so much fun in our academic lessons. I worked hard and played hard! Devan: What advice would you give to Bablake pupils who want to go into your profession? Melissa: Definitely get your exams out of the way first and do as well as possible, then you can look at getting an agent and moving forward from there. Sam: Where do you see yourself in five or ten years’ time? Melissa: I have no idea to be honest, that’s the thing with acting, it can take you anywhere. I’m still considering drama school or university to get a degree. I’m kind of a geek really and miss the whole teacher/classroom feel and getting my book out! Sam: What would a Bablake 6th former have to do to get your number? Melissa: Well do you want it now? I can give it you now. Sam: There you go Wheatleyan readers; I’m getting Melissa Walton’s number. With Melissa’s permission we will be putting the ‘Either… or’ questions we asked her online soon… bablake school
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