ASK POPPY: FAN Q & A WITH POPPY MONTGOMERY

Many of you have submitted RAISING WAYLON questions for Poppy Montgomery. Below are selected questions, along with Poppy Montgomery's answers.

Jackie, Santa Rosa
Hi Poppy, you are my absolute favorite actress! I loved you in Blonde, and I am a devoted fan of WITHOUT A TRACE (I am partial to the Sam and Martin chemistry myself!). I can't wait to see you in this movie. My question is how does working on a movie differ from working on a TV show?
Poppy Montgomery: It's not really different. Both are shot on film. But sometimes on a TV show there's more of a time crunch. We're trying to film more pages in a day than on a movie schedule.

Todd, Coudersport
They say working with children and animals are two of the hardest things for actors to do. Do you find this to be true?
Poppy Montgomery: Not with Jeremy! He was a little 40-year-old. He was more mature than I was!

Kerry, Sacramento
How did it feel to not have to wear the FBI "uniform" for a while? Did you miss Samantha while you were shooting RAISING WAYLON? How does costume affect your character development?
Poppy Montgomery: How people dress is really telling about their characters. It was great to be in different clothes than what I wear on the series. Julia has more of a carefree, hippie style. She'd wear stuff I wouldn't wear in real life.

Jeremy, Millburn, NJ
Hi Poppy. Did you EVER finish Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix? If you didn't, that's okay. It's just that I would know who died and you wouldn't!
Poppy Montgomery: Jeremy [Bergman, who plays Waylon]! No, I didn't. But now that you have, I've got to finish it!

Cheryl, Gaspe
Hey, this show was awesome. I really wanted to know, Poppy, if your hair is naturally curly, or do you curl it yourself, because its really nice. I know this is a dumb question, but hey, my hair sucks and I really need something new.
Poppy Montgomery: I curl my hair with a curling iron. It's really easy. You can do it!

Eryn, Detroit
I absolutely loved the movie. It was really fun to watch. Did it say in the end that you and Reg were getting married? I wasn't sure if that is what I heard.
Poppy Montgomery: Waylon says he's going to be Reg's best man. But we've left it open as to when Reg is getting married, or to whom.

Linda, Barrington
Who was the other couple who wanted to adopt Waylon? I thought they were his grandparents, and my coworker thought they were the next-door neighbors. (I enjoyed your performance in the movie VERY much!) Thanks for the answer.
Poppy Montgomery: They were Waylon's best friend's parents.

Mrs. J.B.
What is the name of the judge, please? I know I've seen her in other films. You were great, by the way, but don't give up WITHOUT A TRACE. That's a great show.
Poppy Montgomery: Elizabeth Hawthorne played Judge Caldwell. She's one of the leading actresses in New Zealand, where we shot the film.

Shorty, Melbourne
Poppy, please tell if me this will eventually come to Australia. I don't need an exact date or even year; I just need to know it will come!
CBS: Sony Television will be distributing the film internationally. It will eventually be seen in Australia.

Bethany, Tallahassee
Where can I purchase this movie? It's really good!
CBS: Sorry, there aren't any plans to release the film on VHS or DVD right now.

Shell, Geelong, Australia
What's your favorite line or scene in the movie?
Poppy Montgomery: I loved every scene, especially the one when I can't sleep in Waylon's parents' bedroom and go talk to Reg about switching rooms.

Sarah, Burbank, CA
Hi Poppy! Do you find that it's harder to play comedic roles on camera, considering you didn't have immediate feedback from an audience, and the timing of the scene can often be interrupted by cuts and takes and camera setups? Or does it just flow well sometimes because of cast/crew chemistry? And do you prefer injecting a little comedy into your roles, or just doing straight-up drama?
Poppy Montgomery: I've never done comedy before a live audience, so I wouldn't know the difference. (Actually, I've never done comedy before this movie!) But there was a great flow in this production because of the people involved, both crew and cast.

Michelle, San Francisco
What did you like about filming in New Zealand, and what did you do for fun there? Since it was filmed last summer, did you celebrate your birthday there? I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie!
Poppy Montgomery: New Zealand was beautiful. It was so cool to go to a different country. The people were warm and lovely. I did celebrate my birthday there. Thomas Gibson bought me a huge bouquet (he handpicked each flower himself!) and we had cake on the set. It was really fun.

Dusty, Marion
Hi, Poppy. I have found myself falling in love with your acting. I am sixteen and hope one day to become an actor. I was wondering what advice you have for young hopefuls like me. My second question is: In RAISING WAYLON, you act alongside one of TV's greatest leading ladies, Doris Roberts. What was it like working with someone of that magnitude? And what is she like in real life?
Poppy Montgomery: Doris is an angel. She has so much energy and a positive outlook. I learned a lot from working with her. She's really special and a true professional.

Laura, New York
When filming in New Zealand, what was your favorite way to wind down? Hang out in the hotel lobby looking for boys? Keep your co-producer awake? Drink wine? Eat fried oysters? All of the above? XO
Poppy Montgomery: All of the above! Hi, Laura [Brownson, the co-producer]. You are so funny to write to me through the website!

Ruth, Chicago
What was your favorite part of filming RAISING WAYLON?
Poppy Montgomery: I loved every aspect of it: the location, the script, the crew, the comedy. I never worked with a kid before, so that was fun. Jeremy Bergman and I sang Eminem songs together.

Michelle, Geelong
Has making this movie made you think more about having your own kids soon?
Poppy Montgomery: No! But it did make me realize how much responsibility and time is involved in raising children. That's important.

Devanie, Tampa, FL
You're quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses. Was this role easier or more difficult to play than Samantha on WITHOUT A TRACE in terms of your own personality? Oh, and speaking of the show, you have great chemistry with Anthony LaPaglia. Will Sam and Jack ever get together again?
Poppy Montgomery: I wouldn't say one was more difficult than the other. The two characters are very different. Julia is more spontaneous, more improvisational. As for Sam and Jack: I don't know. You'll just have to tune in to see.

Lara, Palo Alto, CA
Hi Poppy, I am a huge fan of your work on WITHOUT A TRACE, and I was wondering how this role in RAISING WAYLON differs from your work on that show, and if you did anything different to prepare for this. Also, I am a big fan of your co-stars from both projects, Anthony LaPaglia and Thomas Gibson. Your chemistry with Anthony is one of my favorite things about WITHOUT A TRACE, and I am looking forward to watching your performance with Thomas. So, I was wondering what it is like to work with both of those guys. I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous of your job. It must be fun to work with two such cuties. I'm really looking forward to seeing you in this movie. Good luck.
Poppy Montgomery: Thank you! I love Anthony, and we were all so thrilled for him when he won the Golden Globe. Thomas is an excellent comedian with amazing timing. He's also tremendously gifted as an actor. They're both amazingly talented, and they both bring up my level as an actor. How did I prepare for the movie? I worked with my acting coach, and ate a lot of cupcakes!