As the main star of 3Way, Jill Bennett is a name to know. An out Hollywood actress with a great career ahead of her. Read on as she shares her story, and her thoughts on lesbian visibilty. To watch episodes online, go to www.3way.tv.

How did you end up on 3Way? What was the appeal (apart from knowing there was a chance you'd end up in a lip lock with Maeve!)?
 
I became friends with Nancylee, Paige and Maeve (the creators) last year.  Through the course of hanging out and them seeing my work, they wanted to work with me and asked me to come on board.  Getting the opportunity to kiss Maeve was a big selling point, but the thing that excited me the most was the chance to make some funny lesbian content that could be seen all over the world without the worry and time constraints of getting traditional distribution.  
 
 
Can you describe a day on the set?
 
Absolute chaos and insanity.  Don't get me wrong, the group we have are consummate professionals, but there's is definitely a fly by the seat of your pants mentality.  We have very little prep time or money, so the ability to adapt is a necessity.  All in all, we spend a good portion of the day laughing and it's always a blast to work with this group.  
 
 
What sort of feedback have you been getting about 3Way?
 
The ladies seem to really be enjoying it.  It took them a few weeks to get used to the abbreviated format of webisodes.  I think some were expecting the traditional 22 minutes of content...we just don't have the money for that much yet.  We have to get in a full storyline in 12 minutes which doesn't leave much time for character development or exploration.  That's where the confessionals come into play.  The audience gets to see a different more intimate view of the characters.
 
 
When did you realise that more and more lesbians were appearing in the media/film and tv?
 
About two years ago.  I'm still not happy with the way we are often portrayed - if i see one more pregnant lesbian storyline I'm gonna scream...but we're there now more than before. Sadly, we're often used as a plot device or villian.  But it's getting better, you just have to look at the positive side.
 
 
The L Word obviously opened a number of doors. But a) why have you never appeared on it? And b) can there be a downside to making lesbians cool? (I mean is it harder to get dates when newly out lesbians expect you to look like Bette! – Ok, I'm kidding!). But on a somewhat serious note, as the L Word begins its last season, what do you think the fate of lesbian TV will be?
 
I've only auditioned once for it, for the role of Max, strangely enough.  I read for Ilene, who wisely decided not to cast me in that role.  There is no downside to making us cool.  We still have a long way to overcome the lesbian stereotypes that much of the straight world places on us.  Not to say that the L Word should be the one and only representation, but it did open the door to the straight community and showed them a different side of lesbian culture.  The fate of lesbian tv is largely going to be in the hands of the gay networks - here and logo.  I doubt that another major network like Showtime will do another lesbian ensemble.  But look to the gay networks to fill that void - they are working toward the goal of more scripted programming.
 
 
Looking at your career so far, it is pretty impressive to see an attractive lesbian  not fall into the trap of playing it straight for the camera. So, I have to ask... Is this a conscious choice? And how easy/hard is it to make it in Hollywood as an out actress? Is it is an added fight?
 
I do want to work in the gay community as much as possible.  These are the stories that interest me and that I feel I have a strong connection to.  On the other hand, there isn't much money to be made working exclusively in the gay community, and I'm trying to make a living as an actor.  Ideally, I could continue to work mostly in the community and take jobs in the mainstream market every now and then to supplement my income.  It is a fight to be out and work in mainstream.  They do take that I'm out into consideration especially in television, where their revenue is based in ad sales.  Ad sales are all about appealing to a wide audience, and networks are loathe to hire someone who may cause controversy.   

What would be your ideal role?
 
A role in an ensemble comedy on a gay network.  
 
Who was your icon growing up?
 
All the funny ladies.  I loved Gilda Radner, Candice Bergen, Shelley Long, all the women of Saturday Night Live.  My screen idols were Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler - how very gay boy of me, huh?
 
Where can you be seen next?
 
Big screen - I have two movies coming out.  A romantic comedy called X's and O's and another romantic comedy (this one is lesbian) called And Then Came Lola.  On the small screen, season 3 of Dante's Cove.
 
What is your moto in life?
 
"Let it go."  Whether it's good news or bad news, life is constantly changing.  Learn what you can from the experience then let it go and move on to the next.