Speakers: <ZimaSisters>; Madeline Zima <MadelineZima>, Vanessa Zima <VanessaZina> and Yvonne Zima <YvonneZima>
Hosts: Public Access TV <PATV> and Paul Blaich <WebShark>
Guests: Barb Ritchie <BarbRitchie> and Dream Weaver <DreamWeaver>

AUDITORIUM CHAT TRANSCRIPT:
STARTS 09/11/99 10:09:08 AM PST

<PATV>   Voice check.
<PATV>   Paul, please voice check.
<WebShark>   Voice Check.
<PATV>   Madeline, Vanessa, Yvonne,  please voice check.
<ZimaSisters> Hello.

<PATV>   Hello and welcome to everyone.  I am your moderator, PATV (aka Public Access TV).  My co-host is Paul Blaich (aka WebShark).  Today we are holding a "moderated" chat with the Zima Sisters; Madeline, Vanessa and Yvonne.

<PATV>   Now to introduce 3 young ladies, that really don't need an introduction, but I'll try anyway...

<PATV>   The youngest of 3 hard working actresses, best known for her recurring role on NBC's top drama "ER", she starred in "The Long Kiss Goodnight" with Geena Davis and just last night saw the world premiere of her new movie, "Storm Catcher" on HBO.
Everyone please welcome, Yvonne Zima.

<PATV>   She's the middle sister of this terrific trio, she starred in the critically acclaimed "Ulee's Gold" with Peter Fonda, she also was a semi-regular on ABC's drama "Murder One" and she is currently filming a guest-spot on a new show for ABC called "Snoops".
Everyone please welcome, Vanessa Zima.

<PATV>   Last but not least, You've known her as "Gracie" on CBS's "The Nanny" with Fran Drescher for the last 6 years, she made her film debut in the thriller movie "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle", and was most recently seen on PAX-TV's "Chicken Soup for the Soul".
She turns 14 years old next week, please welcome, Madeline Zima.

<PATV>   Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you the Zima Sisters.

<PATV>   Say hi ladies.
<MadelineZima> Hi.
<VanessaZima> Hello.
<YvonneZima> Hey.

<PATV>   Great!  This is how today's "moderated" chat will take place;

<PATV>   How to ask questions. - We have set up a special room called the QuestionRoom.  It will collect your questions for review by the hosts.  Simply goto the QuestionRoom and type in your question, then return to the Auditorium for the rest of the chat.
<PATV>   The Zima Sisters may at any time skip over or veto any question by simply saying "Pass".  We will then go on to the next question.
<PATV>   Please remember that there is a certain amount of "Lag Time" between seeing a question asked and then seeing the answer.  Remember we are typing here not speaking.
<PATV>   Lastly, please DO NOT attempt to send private messages to the Zima Sisters or you will be "kicked" off this server.  Also try not to bother the Hosts, we are busy enough trying to make this Chat session work. Thank you in advance.

<PATV>   Okay lets get started!
<WebShark>   Yes!
<PATV>   We have some prepared questions to begin with to break the ice.
<ZimaSisters> Great.

<PATV>   Are those your real names or stage names?
<MadelineZima> Our first names are our real names, our last name is a stage name.

<PATV>   Do you guys have nicknames, like Maddie or Nessa or Y?
<VanessaZima> Nessa.
<YvonneZima> Vonnie.
<MadelineZima> Mad, Maddie, Madsters.

<PATV>   All of the current top young stars are known by their initials by using their middle name, like JLH (Jennifer Love Hewitt) SMG (Sarah Michelle Gellar) MJH (Melissa Joan Hart), RLC (Rachel Leigh Cook) and JTT (Jonathan Taylor Thomas).  What are each of your middle names?
<MadelineZima> Rose.
<VanessaZima> Jane.
<YvonneZima> Marie.

<PATV>   Any other brother's or sisters?
<MadelineZima> No.

<PATV>   Have you done a movie or tv show with all 3 of you in it?
<MadelineZima> Yes, we did an indy film where we played sisters.
<PATV>   What was the name of that movie?
<VanessaZima> "Roses".
<PATV>   Has it ever been released? Say on video with a different name?
<YvonneZima> No.

<PATV>   Do you have any pets?  What are their names?
<YvonneZima> No.

<PATV>   What do you want to be when you grow up, IF not actresses?
<YvonneZima> I want to be a writer.
<VanessaZima> A director, actor or producer.
<PATV>   Do you hang out with other showbiz kids?
<VanessaZima> Not really.
<PATV>   Sorry, I jumped a question ahead.  But is all of your first choice to be an Actress?
<ZimaSisters> We all will probably be actresses, but keep in showbiz in either directing, producing or writing.

<PATV>   Do you hang out with other showbiz kids?
<ZimaSisters> We all have some showbiz friends who are actors who we've known for years like Evan Bonifant, Ashly Tisdale, Eric Von Detton, Gabi Boni, Jake Richardson, etc.

09/11/99 10:30:06 AM PST
<PATV>   What do you think of fame and all this web-stuff?
<MadelineZima> the web sites are really flattering and fun, we check them on and off.
<PATV>   Are you going to startup your own website(s) or online fan club(s)?
<ZimaSisters> We don't really have plans to.  We are really busy acting right now everyone's working on really great projects that involve a lot of time for instance Madeline has to learn the violin for her next movie role.

<PATV>   Do you go to public school (when you're not acting)?
<ZimaSisters> Vanessa does but she might be tutored if she gets any busier this year.
<ZimaSisters> Madeline is tutored.
<ZimaSisters> Yvonne goes to private school.

<PATV>   Were your parents in showbiz before you started acting?
<YvonneZima> Mom was a dance teacher and actress in regional theater before she had us.
<VanessaZima> Dad works for a drug company, as a statistician.

<PATV>   Do your parents help pick your parts?
<ZimaSisters> We usually agree, but it is ultimately up to us.

<PATV>   I've invited some special guests to ask some questions today.  So lets continue with them. Lets start with WebShark (Paul Blaich, webmaster of Paul's Gallery Online).
<ZimaSisters> k.

<WebShark>   To all: Are you happy about these un-official sites being up?
<MadelineZima> It's interesting and surprising. I am flattered and laugh at all the interest in me and my sisters.
<WebShark>   To all: Do you have any sites that you have seen that you like other than PATV's? (My site is only dedicated to Madeline at the moment but will feature all sisters shortly).
<MadelineZima> We think the Gracie Zone is funny and clever.
<WebShark>   Well as I close I'd just like to say I think your all great actresses, Good Work and Good Luck!

<PATV>   Next up, Barb Ritchie (webmaster of The Really Unofficial Nanny Home Page) with 2-3 questions... Barb you have "voice".

<BarbRitchie>   Me? Yikes... Have you heard from anyone since the Finale?  Any idea what any of the other cast members are up to?
<MadelineZima> Ben is going to college now in Washington D.C and I saw he did a commercial for Burger King. Nicole is doing film work.  Lauren(C.C.) and Rachel (Val) just had babies and are busy being moms.

<BarbRitchie>   Maddie, what was your favorite episode?
<MadelineZima>  Imaginary Friend, and the episode where I wore harem girl clothes.
<BarbRitchie>   LOL--that was a great outfit!!

<BarbRitchie>   What was the taping of the Finale like for you?
<MadelineZima> It was insanity. I didn't think I would cry because I was glad to see it over, but I did because I love so many of the people on the show so much.

<PATV>   Was the whole family at the The Nanny finale taping?
<ZimaSisters> We all made it there by the final scene.

<BarbRitchie>   Thanks--I'll give someone else a turn now.
<PATV>   Thank you Barb, Next is DreamWeaver (webmaster of ChildStarlets.com), you have "voice".

<DreamWeaver>   How much extra pressure do each of you feel to try and be "better", or "as good as" your sisters?  I grew up with two brothers and I would think that there's a bit of competition to try and "measure up" to each other, is that so?
<VanessaZima> A few years ago, before I started working. I was unhappy that Mad and Yvonne got so much attention from being on television, but once I started working and the critics said wonderful things about me I no longer felt like I had to compete with them, because I was great in my own way.
<YvonneZima> I wanted to be like Madeline when I was little and it happened early for me so I never felt like I had to compete with my sisters.
<DreamWeaver>   Yes, I'm sure being the "middle" sister is very difficult, I'm glad you are having the success that they are too. :-)
<MadelineZima> I'm the oldest and was sucessful. Your younger sisters compete with the oldest child. I'm really supportive of their careers.
<VanessaZima> Thanks.

<DreamWeaver>   Madeline, is it flattering to know that your sister wants to be like you?
<MadelineZima> Yes it is, but my sisters are sometimes even better actresses than I am, I learn a lot from them, especially Vanessa.
<DreamWeaver>   Well, you can always be proud of your great career so far so I'm sure you won't ever have to feel jealous of anyone.
<MadelineZima> Thanks.

<DreamWeaver>   My two brothers and I used to fight alot, when you guys are home just being sisters do you fight, and if so, who sides with who, and who wins. :-)
<VanessaZima> Of course we fight. Me and Madeline usually gang up on Yvonne. Our fights are about who took whos clothes and where they hid them.
<DreamWeaver>   That's funny, in our family it was always me (the oldest) and the youngest against the middle.  I feel sorry for Yvonne now if the two biggest are ganging up on her. :-)
<MadelineZima> I know we are big bullies.
<YvonneZima> I live on sympathy.

<DreamWeaver>   Yvonne, I saw the premiere of "Storm Catcher" on HBO last night, you did an excellent job as always.  What's been your favorite movie so far (other than ER), and what are you going to be in next?
<YvonneZima> Fav is Long Kiss. I just finished a movie called Love and Other Indoor Sports, An ER eppy and I'm finishing up a television movie with Peter Strauss called Cowboy Dad where I play his daughter. I love.
<DreamWeaver>   That's fantastic!!, I can't wait to see your upcoming projects. :-)

09/11/99 11:00:27 AM PST
<PATV>   Thank you DreamWeaver.  We got a bit of a late start, so lets get to some of the attendee's questions.

<humble> To all: have u done any commericials? if so, which ones?
<MadelineZima> I did a downy, Vicks, Fisher Price, mc donalds. It was so long ago I forget almost all of them.
<YvonneZima> I did a pop tarts.
<VanessaZima> I did some but got downgraded. We're too busy now to do commercials.

<hooligan_13_august> To Yvonne: I'm wondering if you play soccer in real life because of that scene in ER?
<YvonneZima> Not really, but I got a consultant to help me look better at it.

<PATV>   In The Long Kiss Goodnight you're thrown out a hole in the wall, on ER you made a diving save as a goalie and in Storm Catcher you made a diving catch.  How many film takes does that take to get it right?
<YvonneZima> It depends on the budget. In Storm Catcher just one. I missed Storm Catcher how was it?
<PATV>   GREAT!  It's on all month on HBO.

<hooligan_13_august>   To all: Do you play any kind of instruments and what kind of music do you guys like?
<YvonneZima> We have a piano. I play violin a little. Nessa and Mad play air instruments.
<MadelineZima> & <VanessaZima>  We like alternative rock.
<YvonneZima> I like everything including classical.

<PATV>   Now Madeline, you have to learn to violin for "Sandy Blossom Orchestra" Right?
<MadelineZima> It's Sandy Bottom. And it's real hard to get vibratto. You can't believe how hard it is to coordinate things to look half way good. and I hate doing sloppy work.
<PATV>   It's for SHOWTIME.  When does that start filming? Do you know when it will be shown?
<MadelineZima> I fly up to Toronto on Monday. Most of these movies air about six months after filming. Unless they want to air them on sweeps months.

<PATV>   To Vanessa: When you go on location, like to Florida for Ulee's Gold, do one or both of your parents go with you?  And if so what do they do when you and your sisters are all at jobs?
<VanessaZima> Mom went with me to Ulee's Gold, while a nanny was with Yvonne in Canada and a cousin was with Mad in the Bahammas filming The Nanny. Dad never goes with us.

<PATV>   To Vanessa: We heard a rumor that you auditioned for "Beethoven's 3rd"?  Did you get the part?
<VanessaZima> Afraid not. It was just another one of many disappointments. Hee Hee. No I really didn't care about that one.

<PATV>   To Vanessa: On the set off Ulee's Gold, what advice did they give you around the bees and did you ever get stung?
<VanessaZima> Peter's dad Henry was actually a beekeeper so Peter wasn't afraid. He only got stung once. I never got stung, but we drove through a swarm of bees that looked like a horror movie. We got our windows up in time.

<Joak> Hi Madeline. I´m Joaquin from Argentina. I was in L.A. last January and I attended three tapings of TN. I had a great time there. This Thursday is your birthday isn´t it? Do you have plans?
<MadelineZima> I'll be filming, so I guess the crew will get me a cake like they usually do. I will have a party belated after I wrap the movie.

<PATV>   To Yvonne: The Long Kiss Goodnight was an "R" rated movie, full of "salty" language.  How do your parent's feel about you being exposed to that?
<YvonneZima> My life as an actress is separate from my life as a kid.

<hooligan_13_august> To Madeline: For The Sandy Bottom Orchestra are you guys doing any location filming in Wisconsin?
<MadelineZima> I don't think so. Most movies now a days are filmed in Canada because the Canadians make it more attractive to producers with tax breaks.

<PATV>   The Nanny just ended production this year after a six year run.  But is there talk of a reunion, say in five years when Gracie should graduate from high school?
<MadelineZima> No I hope not.

<PATV>   To Vanessa: What are you going to do for your 13th b-day?
<VanessaZima> I am going to have a dance party with boys too.

<PATV>   To Yvonne:  When will you be on ER this season?
<YvonneZima> I already did episode five I think and another in October would probably air around November.  I don't really know.

<PATV>   To Madeline & Vanessa: Do your parents let you date?
<MadelineZima> & <VanessaZima> Not really but ... sometimes I do.

<MeatballM2M>   Is it hard to act part of a family in films when the people there are people you barely know?
<MadelineZima> That's why they call it acting.

<PATV>   To Madeline: Did you get to keep any props or clothes from your 6 years on The Nanny?
<MadelineZima> They were so cheap. You don't want to know.

<humble> To all: Do you have any favorite actors or actresses?
<MadelineZima> Whoopie Goldberg. I met. She's fantastic.
<VanessaZima> Winona Ryder. Mad met her. She's so sweet.
<YvonneZima> Geena Davis of course, Bette Davis, all the Davis.

<hooligan_13_august> To all: What do you guys do in your spare time?
<MadelineZima> We all do backhandsprings on our tramp, swim, and ride horses, bikes, normal things like that.

<Nicolette> Do you keep in touch with family members like cousins?
<MadelineZima> We live on opposite coasts so it's hard, but we invite them here when they can come.
<PATV>   Most of your family is back East, just your immediate family is here on the West Coast?
<MadelineZima> Except for a cousin, a second cousin and two aunts.

<PATV>   Do your parents let you wear make-up - outside of work that is?
<MadelineZima> We have to sneak it on.

09/11/99 11:30:12 AM PST
<DreamWeaver> To Vanessa: I saw you in both "Ulee's Gold" and "The Visitor", you were great, what's next for you now?
<VanessaZima> Well. right now i am doing a David Kelly project called Snoops I am having a blast on the set with Gina Gershon. She's awesome.
<VanessaZima> Snoops will air on Halloween night ABC.

<lotsm> To Madeline: Did you not have fun fiming "The Nanny" that you don't want to return for a reunion?
<MadelineZima> Some people who were on the show were not as pleasant as others.
<PATV>   That's too bad, but I guess that is true of all work places.

<PATV>   How tall are you guys?  What is your "REAL" hair and eye color(s)?
<MadelineZima> Five foot six, brown (hair), green (eyes).
<VanessaZima> Five four blond (hair), blue (eyes).
<YvonneZima> Four ten, brown (hair) green (eyes).

<PATV>   To all: How does it feel to wear the same clothes every day for days on end during a movie shoot?
<MadelineZima> They have five or six sets so they're clean, but it can be a bore if the clothes are ugly and have stage dirt on them.

<hooligan_13_august> To all: Do you guys ever visit the PATV's fan club and read the messages left?
<ZimaSisters> Yes we do. Pat's site is so amazing. We can't belive how much effort He puts into it.  We've seen Hooligan's and KK girl makes us laugh. She is pretty slick.
<PATV>   Thank you.

<PATV>   To all: Do you carry a beeper around with you, in case your agent calls?
<MadelineZima> Mom does.

<WebShark> What are your real birthdays to check with all the "rumors"?
<MadelineZima> my birthday is 9-16-85.
<VanessaZima> is 12-17-86.
<YvonneZima> is 1-16-89.

<PATV>   To Yvonne: When were you on "Roseanne" (the year) and what was the episode (title please) about?
<YvonneZima> Can't remember. I was with Martin Mull and Rosean in her restaurant. She loved me and gave me twenty dollars for being a cute kid.

<PATV>   To Vanessa: On The Visitor, you played a girl with crutches, what was the hardest part about acting with a disability?
<VanessaZima> That wasn't hard. What was hard was being in the room with smoke and aches under the armpit from the crutches and I got some bruises from the falls I took on that show, since there was a lot of action in that eppy.

<DreamKate> This is Kate from New York City.  I don't have a question I just have a comment for Madeline Zima.  I just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed your character of "Gracie"  I, like Gracie, lost a parent at a very young age and have been in therapy since age 7.  I used to be the exact same precocious child you portrayed.  I justed wanted to say thank you.
<MadelineZima> That is sweet and I guess I'm glad. I never really thought that my character was like any one out there in real life. Sometimes I had trouble believeing her myself.
<DreamKate> Yes, it's scary how much the character of Gracie and I have in common.  Of course, I'm all grown up now (I'm 19) but I used to use the same psycho-babble and ironically enough, my fav painting has been The Scream since I was 8. [Editor's Note: This last comment by DreamKate has been added for completeness, it was not part of the original chat.]

<PATV>   Okay we have about 15 minutes left.

<WebShark>   To all: Because you are loved so much are you worried about people pretending to be you online?
<MadelineZima> We never thought about it. Do they?
<PATV>   I'm not sure, I have never encountered anyone trying to be you.

<PATV>   To all: Have you ever been in a movie where they used a stunt double for you?
<ZimaSisters> All of us have. Yvonne's had Laura Dash work for her many times since she's always doing action adventures.

<Nicolette> Do you like to travel to do movies?
<PATV>   Have you ever travelled outside the United States for a part?
<MadelineZima> & <YvonneZima> Canada, Canada, Canada, Canada, Canada, Canada, Bahamas.

<PATV>   To all: If you were on Celebrity Jeopardy, who would be your favorite charity?
<MadelineZima> Aids for children.
<VanessaZima> Leukemia kids.
<YvonneZima> Save the environment Sierra club and Homeless charities.

<PATV>   To all: Do you help each other rehearse?
<MadelineZima> & <VanessaZima> We coach each other all the time. But Mom is our main coach. She's the best in the biz.

<PATV>   To all: Do you get invited to movie premieres or Hollywood parties?  What was the last one you attended?
<MadelineZima> We go sometimes. I am excited about being invited to parties at the Toronto film festival by Showtime.

<PATV>   To all: Do you read/care about your reviews?
<MadelineZima> We care a lot. So far our reviews have been very kind. Most kids don't even get reviews. They really love Nessa, but they like me and Y too.

<PATV>   To all: Which do you prefer doing, movie or tv roles?
<ZimaSisters> ....movies.

<PATV>   To all: How many auditions do you go to in a week/month?
<ZimaSisters>   Several every week that we aren't actually acting on a project. About ten a month. We book jobs more than most of the girls we know.

<PATV>   To all: Do you get to keep the clothes or jewelry from your acting parts?  What's the coolest thing you got to keep?
<MadelineZima> My designer prom dress from The Nanny (Nicole's wedding).
<YvonneZima> I kept everything from Long Kiss.
<VanessaZima> My clothes from Wicked were cool.

<PATV>   To all: Do you get a weekly allowance?  How much?
<MadelineZima> I don't care about money. Nessa does so she gets about twenty, not always regularly. Y gets about the same.

<PATV>   Lastly, do you know when or if Madeline's "Second Chances" or Vanessa's "Wicked" movies might be coming out?
<MadelineZima> Wicked is a great movie, I hope they get their act together. They sold it once and then busted the deal. You won't miss much if Second Chances never comes out.

09/11/99 12:00:28 PM PST
<PATV>   Okay for all of you that have been asking - BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!  This will be posted online today so don't worry if you can't write it down now.
<PATV>   Send fanmail to;

<PATV>   And the biggie you can Send email to; Zimasisters03@aol.com.
<PATV>   Be sure to send a thank you to the Zima Sisters after this chat.  They deserve it!

<ZimaSisters> We want to thank all our fans for their support. We do read everything in Pat's fan club and we listen with interest.  But things are taking off right now. We are hot right now so time is harder to find.

<WebShark>   I would also like thank the Zima Sisters for coming!

<PATV>   Thank you to everyone for attending, we hope you enjoyed the Chat.  A transcript of the entire chat will hopefully be online this weekend.

<PATV>   A BIG thank you to my co-host Paul Blaich, and of course the Zima Sisters, Madeline, Vanessa & Yvonne.  See you in the movies!

<ZimaSisters> You're all welcome. This was a blast!

<PATV>   Wave bye everyone!
<ZimaSisters> Yeahhhhhhhhh!
<WebShark>   Thanks Pat, Great Job Everyone!

ENDS 09/11/99 12:03:10 PM PST