What interested you about the role of Christine in A Family Affair, and how are you similar/dissimilar from the character?

What interested me about the character of Christine was the fact that she is pure, knows what she wants, is honest with her feelings and is not afraid to go ahead and make huge life decisions without regret. She is an ideal girlfriend. She is one of those characters that honestly doesn’t have “issues” and that was probably the biggest challenge for me to play. I tend to want to fight a bit more for my characters and not allow my characters to be too accepting. But that is not the character of Christine so that was a challenge for me, but a good challenge.

Was this the first lesbian character you played, and how did you prepare for it?

The first lesbian character I played in film was a Los Angeles based journalist named Beth Rosen in the film, Three on a Match. Beth desperately wanted to have a baby with her girlfriend, Claire. Beth found out Claire actually slept with a man, the man they wanted to father their child, but sleeping with him was not what Beth had in mind….so the drama develops.

To prepare to play the role of Beth, who happens to be a lesbian, I prepare just like any other role. If I have the possibility of actually working with the other actor before the shoot starts then that is the ideal situation. I did in fact spend a few days working with my co-star on that shoot. We broke down the script and discussed the love scenes as I do with men whom I have had love scenes with. I am very open about sexuality so I just lay it out on the line and say, “look I am going to just go for the kiss, Okay?” “ I always offer to “practice” making out as it pertains to the scene so I rehearse the scene completely before we get on set. I know that sounds very strange but it’s a very technical thing. I want my fellow actor to feel comfortable with me and hopefully the feelings are mutual. But always in the spirit of professionalism.

What kind of viewer reactions has your character in A Family Affair received? Did this surprise you?

People all over the world love the character of Christine. She is a beautiful spirit and her pure heart is inspiring across the board. I am very pleased and thankful that the lesbian community has embraced my performance of Christine. Did it surprise me? Just a little bit. I think as an actor you are always concerned with how your performance will be perceived and I am overwhelmed by the positive response.

You are appearing in an upcoming Showtime documentary about transgender transitioning because of your work as a speech therapist with MTF transgender clients; how did you get into this line of work?

The MTF Transgender Community and the psychology of it have always intrigued me. As a professional speech coach, with my own practice, in Los Angeles I work with a lot of actors and professionals from all over the world on accent reduction and addition. I teach the Linklater Technique of vocal resonance and placement and found that I could “re-assign” the voice for a MTF client. I produced a short film a few years a go and my cinematographer was a transitioning MTF. I observed that “her” voice did not match the body “she” was going for. I studied the path of “transitioning” and I attended different meetings and open houses in the Los Angeles area and acquired a few clients and started honing my craft of creating a full, rich, resonant voice for my MTF clients.

Tell us about your background (where you grew up, hobbies, etc.)

I grew up in San Diego California. I was a very active 4-H Member as a kid and spent 5 to 6 days a week in ballet class throughout my childhood and teen years. Ballet was the most important thing to me as I was growing up. I danced in numerous ballet productions with California Ballet Company, New West Ballet Theatre and North Coast Ballet in San Diego.

How did you get into acting?

I got into acting in college. I received a scholarship to attend The United States International University / School of the Performing Arts in San Diego, California. I auditioned in dance, singing and acting. I started out as a Musical Theatre Major and was cast in a “straight” play (which means not a musical) and was able to convince my professors that I belonged in the Acting Major Program where I received a BFA in Acting and then onto The University of Arizona in Tucson where I received a full scholarship for graduate school and received a MFA in Acting and Directing.

You've been involved in a lot of different creative outlets: ballet, music videos, commercials, theatre, movies, animated voice-overs etc. Which is your favorite and why?

Out of all the outlets that I find myself performing in…. my favorite medium to work in is the film medium. I love the process of film-making. I love the diligence and artistry shown by the cinematographer and his crew. I love the technical aspects of film and the instant family that is created on a film shoot.

You've appeared in numerous independent films; what has been your best experience working on a film? Your worst?

All of my film experiences have been a blast! To pick one over the other would not be fair. As long as I am working I am very happy.

If you could play any role in the past or future, what would it be? Why?

If I could play any role in the past or the future I would love to have played “Ophelia” in Zefferelli’s film Hamlet from the early 1990’s. Helena Bonham Carter is my favorite actress so I would love to do anything she has done or will do because she is so phenomenal.

What would your fans be surprised to know about you?

My fans would be surprised that I love gothic and industrial music. They might be surprised that I have a very dark sense of humor and I am not afraid of any taboo subject.

For more info on Erica Shaffer go to her official site; you can also contact her at ericashaffer411@hotmail.com