http://www.filmannex.com/search/most_recentUpdate interview with Raquel Riskin A little background info for those that don't know you: Born in Edmonton, Alberta. Lived there till age 4. From 4-9 I lived in White Rock in a condo on Marine Drive (in front of the actual big white rock) going to private school and being dropped off in an NSX.... then from age 9-17 I was in New Brunswick living on 100+ acres of land playing paintball and snowmobiling with the boys until graduation when I moved back to Vancouver.... Now I consider myself a Yaletown girl at heart as that is where I feel the most comfortable and at home :) How long have you been doing this? Acting/Modeling? When did you start acting and why? I've been acting for a few years now although it's been my dream since I was about 12. Before that I had planned on being a prima ballerina but after 7 years with the Royal Academy of Dance my mother and I moved and I had to find another passion. I found drama in school right away and was lucky enough to have the lead in the play every year and that was at a few different schools as we moved quite often when I was growing up. When I was 13 Kathy Lee Gifford gave me some advice on the telephone... she said "find what you love doing and get paid to do it - that's what you should do with your life"... that's why I am an actress :) What do you like the most about your profession? My favorite aspect of my profession is that I will get to experience so many different professions, in a way. I'd love at the end of my career to be able to say that I was a doctor, a police officer, an astronaut, a teacher etc etc. How much fun is that?! Love it. What do you like the least? Every profession has it's highs and lows... Of course there are stressful times but stressful times usually mean challenge and the result of overcoming those challenges result in satisfaction so in reality there is nothing about acting to not like! It's all part of the process :) Who was the most interesting person you have met thus far in your career? and why? I've enjoyed meeting everyone who I've worked with thus far.. I've been so lucky in that I haven't had any negative experiences on set - everyone has always been so fantastic! To choose someone as the most interesting is impossible... Who are your heroes? My father is my hero. He is successful, intelligent, but most of all he is loving and kind... he has the most generous heart in the world and I appreciate and admire him. If you could be anyone (actor, actress) who would it be? and why? I wouldn't want to be anyone else because I know how important it is for me to make my own unique path. However I can definitely tell you who's careers I would love to have... I think Rachel McAdams is fantastic. She's a young woman with an already full career and her choices have been so different and so great! From Mean Girls to The Notebook and now The Time Traveler's Wife - I can only dream of having a career like hers. Another person who's career I admire is Angelina Jolie. As cliche as it may sound I truly admire her choices. From Gia to Tomb Raider to The Changeling... she has made kick ass powerful choices and she has made equally powerful vulnerable choices. I hope to have a career as diverse as these magnificent women. What do you do to research the type of character you are playing? eg. give examples of characters she's played or for example, if she had to play a deaf person, what would she do to gain perspective on that character? It really depends... There are so many aspects to dissecting a character. You've got to really think about where they're from, what is their religion (if any), their level of education? How does the character feel about herself? How does she feel about the other characters in the scene? What insecurities does the character have and why? For smaller parts often times the stereotypes that people try to avoid may be exactly what is called for -- however for larger roles it really is important to research what the script tells you about the character and then fill in the blanks on your own. How far does an acting school go to teach you about finding out about the character you play? or is that part left mostly up to the actor/ess to find out about for themselves? Acting is a subjective art form and therefor some people may take a lot more or a lot less from acting school. There are schools that are perfect for some that maybe aren't the best choice for others - it's a very personal choice to decide which acting school to attend but the progress that can be made is so unmeasurable that I would recommend it to anyone. Of course we know of several actors who maybe didn't have training when they made it big - but many of them did. Hilary Swank won an Oscar for Boys Don't Cry and another for Million Dollar Baby -- she has a coach who she worked on during both of those films. Athletes train during the off season and I don't think acting is any different... it's always beneficial to work on your craft. What do you do to relax before a big scene? Slow deep breathes... reading... sipping water... being warm and cozy... How do you prepare for a scene? I go over it in my head and when I have the chance to rehearse a scene with the other actor(s) involved I always take advantage of that. What would be your favourite type of scene to act in? eg. fairy tale, action, horror, etc I am most looking forward to action films although I'm also excited about the opportunity to really challenge myself with drama/romance etc. What kind of personality do you work/play best with? Applies to acting, friendship, etc. - eg. easygoing, very demanding ... I work best with people who are also serious about doing what we do to the best of our abilities... It's always preferable to be in a relaxed and comfortable environment - relaxed and friendly - but only to a point. I want to be in a work environment where people are having a great time but also not losing sight of what we're there to do... of the story that we're there to tell. Is your life changing by the increase of work you receive? Do things change personally, or at work for you - eg. popularity - and how best do you think a person copes with this increased attention? I haven't reached a point where I'm affected by strange amounts of attention or anything... Of course it's nice with social networking to receive positive messages via Facbeook and Twitter when people see me in something they don't hesitate to reach out and I think it's really sweet. I get messages via my website sometimes as well and that's always really uplifting and motivating. I've always known how important the support of my family and friends was to me, but I underestimated the support of a total stranger. I really appreciate all of it :) How have you changed as a person with the increase of roles? eg. more confident, self aware, etc I haven't changed as a person. I can't speak for other people but personally when I book a role while of course it feels great, it's not like I ever hit a point of "I'm here". I have SO FAR TO GO to be anywhere near satisfied with my career (maybe it's my tragic flaw) but every role I book just pushes me harder to go further. It just propels me and motivates me to want more. I don't think I've changed as a person and to be honest I hope that I don't! When are you completely satisfied with your work? I've never felt complete satisfaction because I see myself as being at the very beginning of my career.... I am impatiently waiting for what's to come and I won't be completely satisfied until I look back on my life and have done the things that plan to do.... What are you currently working on? I've been lucky enough to be invited on to the cast of a new show called "The Lot" which is currently being plugged in the USA so we'll see if and when it ends up getting picked up but if so I'd be heading there to shoot asap! I've had some exciting articles published lately for example in July I had a 6 page spread with interview in FHM India, and a week later I had a 5 page spread and interview in Quebec's Summum Magazine. As for now I am constantly training and prepared for whatever auditions come my way! Is there a secret to gaining roles? is there a magic formula for success? There's definitely no secret to any of this. Acting is a career that is similar to gambling as far as I'm concerned. When you go to Vegas, you can have a table filled with poker players and all of them may be equally great at what they do, but someone's got to win the pot. You never know which cards you'll be dealt, or how the hands will all play out. There are so many variables that are out of your hands... all you can do is bring your A game every single time and eventually the odds will be on your side. That's it! How hard do you push yourself to be better? By constantly training and working on my craft. I am always striving to be better and I know that I am only at the beginning of my journey so I'm not going to slow down any time soon. What would you change if you could? If I could I would have my career in full force right now... unfortunately that's not something that I can control. Patience is a virtue that I am forced to work on every single day. Do you sometimes feel there are two different Raquel's where one is strictly an actress/model and the other has a whole different side to her? Definitely! When it comes to my work there is a certain side of myself that I would prefer to show vs the more laid back and silly girl who can let loose around friends. Don't get me wrong, I am always myself - however there is a time and place for everything and sometimes you have to pull yourself together and be the professional lady that the situation calls for! If you become famous, do you think you'll ever wish you could come back to this exact moment to start it all over again? Some say the journey is the best part to succeeding compared to hitting the finish line. Which do you prefer - the journey or the finish line? I don't think there is a finish line for me. I will never feel that I am "there"... I'm always going to want more, always going to want to improve. So I guess it's safe to say that I believe the best part will be the finish line which is why I am fighting so hard to get there... I just don't think I'll ever feel that I'm there ;) Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? I see myself with a steady acting career and a family. What do you do in your spare time? hang with friends, read, listen to music, play an instrument, study acting? I enjoy reading, socializing and eating out. Of course some dancing and shopping is fun and spa days fill in the gaps quite nicely ;) If you could change the world, what would be the first thing you'd do? I would create a financial institution that assisted the wealthiest of the wealthy in giving a small percentage (which is still a TON of money) to those in need. Cat person or dog person? I love all animals :) Contact Info: Deb Dillistone at Red Management. deb@red-mgmt.com 604-998-8077. FAN PAGE: www.facebook.com/RaquelRiskinOfficial TWITTER: www.twitter.com/raquelriskin IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1754311/ http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/raquel-riskin-update-interview/16734http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/raquel-riskin-update-interview/1673422 11 2010 14:43:01 +0000Show Title: Fringe Episode: 8 - Entrada Network: Fox Show Time: Thursday, Dec. 2nd at 9 pm Character: MP In his first appearance on Fringe, Nigel Vonas is given one important scene to show his work. This is a great role that has strong recurring potential. The scene is with Colonel Broyles as he receives information from the MP (Nigel Vonas) that is very difficult to swallow, and leaves the colonel thinking of the consequences. The information seems to have come from the Secretary, but we are not privy to this information. Many questions are left unanswered. We would love to see more about how Vonas’ character is connected to Walter Bishop. It is apparent that the two are working together behind the scenes. The connection could become very important. Bring him back!! Please show your support for Vancouver’s Nigel Vonas and post a comment after the show at: http://fringe.community.fox.com/ To post a comment, please SIGN-UP to FOX (top right hand corner - quick sign up) Please post comments in either the GENERAL DISCUSSION section or OTHER CHARACTERS OR CAST MEMBERS forum Let’s all help turn a one-scene role into a recurring character! Thank you in supporting Nigel! http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/support-nigel-vonas-as-mp-character-in-fringe/16162http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/support-nigel-vonas-as-mp-character-in-fringe/1616216 11 2010 15:47:17 +0000Syrie Wongkaew – played the role of Tyra in The Harvest Project. Syrie started her acting at the age of eight in Thailand, where she had a lead role in a mini-series called 'All about English'. Syrie went on to star in several theatre productions in Sydney, Australia and later based herself in Canada landing the role of Tyra in The Harvest Project. While Syrie’s formal training is in graphic design and communications, she has been a student of food for all of her life and now she is sharing that passion with the world. Syrie is currently training to be a chef in Sydney. Recently Syrie became the New York Times guide to Australian & New Zealand food. Syrie’s passion as a food loving Australian is shared through http://australianfood.about.com Having traveled extensively and lived in Australia, Thailand and Canada, Syrie has been exposed to and has developed a taste for international cuisine. For several years Syrie has been creating and adapting recipes and writing about her culinary adventures on her popular website, Taste Buddies - http://allthingsnice.typepad.com. Syrie also works as a freelance food photographer and food stylist. From Syrie Wongkaew: From its humble beginnings, Australian and New Zealand food has come a long way. Australasian chefs are now combining a profusion of ingredients, sourced from all over the world. Their innovations are setting taste buds on fire. Please join me on a tour of Australian and New Zealand food. Together, we'll explore cultural icons such as meat pies, barbecues and Pavlovas, to modern Thai/French fusions. Interests: travel, design, hiking, writing, travel, syrie's interests include food (of course), eating sustainability (locally and organically; wild seafood - not farmed, nor trawled) and ethically (organic & free-range). she also has an abiding interest in photography, the outdoors (camping, snowboarding) and travel Links: http://australianfood.about.com/ http://allthingsnice.typepad.com/ http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/australian-actress-to-food-artist-wwwhpfilmstvcom/13950http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/australian-actress-to-food-artist-wwwhpfilmstvcom/1395028 07 2010 23:50:34 +0000THE HARVEST PROJECT If you have ever dreamed the “impossible dream” or rooted for the underdog this story is a must read. In 1998 Darren Rozak lost his best friend Bill to brain cancer. This painful loss inspired Darren to take pen to paper and he wrote “Drop Off,” a script depicting Bill’s adventurous life. Darren received offers for his script. However, Darren also wanted to direct the movie and those who wanted to purchase the script did not want Darren in this role. Frustratingly, negotiations broke down and Darren came to the realization that he would need to “carve his own path.” The journey has been a long, emotional roller coaster of intensity. Darren has met with tremendous support and extreme obstacles. He eventually realized that “Drop Off” was too financially ambitious for his first project as an independent so he wrote “The Harvest Project,” secured a close knit group of investors and assembled an impressive cast, crew and production team. In March 2006, Darren stepped out onto the set of his first full feature film. As writer, director, producer and investor he fully experienced the exhilaration and intense stress of a twelve-day shoot. With no room for financial error, only those closest to him knew how he reworked and rewrote many scenes to “save the story” when the shoot fell into technical jeopardy on day four of filming. As an independent filmmaker, with a finite budget you don’t have the luxury of adding days to your shoot or cost over runs. Fortunately, as writer Darren was so closely tied to the story he was able to make it work. Nevertheless, Darren’s journey was far from over. For over two years he faced post-production challenges and endeavored to overcome the obstacles necessary to negotiate an as yet illusive distribution deal. Regardless, after ten years of refusing to accept that it couldn’t be done “The Harvest Project” premiered October 30, 2008 at The Ridge Theatre in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/the-harvest-project-the-journey-wwwhpfilmstvcom/13906http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/the-harvest-project-the-journey-wwwhpfilmstvcom/1390626 07 2010 01:37:45 +0000Raquel Riskin is a actress and model, based in Vancouver, Canada - played Amanda in The Harvest Project. The sexy brunette was recently featured in the flick Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Recent interview links: http://www.spike.com/blog/exclusive-interview/96455 http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2010/05/raquel-riskin.html http://sharpformen.com/2010/04/26/sharp-woman-raquel-riskin/ http://www.examiner.com/x-31557-Vancouver-Acting-Examiner~y2010m5d12-Chat-with-Raquel http://paratipos.com/2010/04/exclusivas-fotos-raquel-riskin-modelo-y-actriz-canadiense/ Official sites: www.raquelriskin.com twitter @raquelriskin FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raquel-Riskin-Fan-Page-Official/110139432338707 http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/raquel-riskin-model-actress-shining-in-vancouvers-lights-wwwhpfilmstvcom/13685http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/raquel-riskin-model-actress-shining-in-vancouvers-lights-wwwhpfilmstvcom/1368515 07 2010 01:13:51 +0000THE HARVEST PROJECT - PRESS RELEASE What if in order to save the life of someone you loved, someone else has to make the ultimate sacrifice? Harvest Project Films announces it has completed production on feature film "The Harvest Project", a psychological thriller set in the world of the black market human organ trade. The Harvest Project asks one question: What would you do to save the life of someone you love? By the end of the movie it is apparent that the answer might not be so clear. This is a story about the consequences of desperate actions, of blind greed, and of startling sacrifice. An ensemble cast of talented, up and coming actors including Nigel Vonas, Sebastien de Castell, Syrie Wongkaew, Krystal Vrba, Sebastian Gacki, Willis Taylor, and Raquel Riskin, tell this story of desperation, greed, and sacrifice, prompting those willing to answer to see if they could go to such sinister lengths. Written and directed by Darren Rozak, The Harvest Project will leave audiences torn looking for answers to the dubious morality questions posed by this movie. An extremely driven group of post production personnel, including editor Randall Lee, sound designer Yannis Fyssas, music composer Gregor Phillips, graphic and special effects guru Arlend Engar and director of photography Shannon Kohli, brought this story to realization.http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/the-harvest-project-press-release-2009/3070http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/the-harvest-project-press-release-2009/307030 03 2009 04:20:40 +0000