May 1998 Q The Newsletter of the Ofkial Kung Fu The Legend Continues Fan Club Q Issue 11

The Women of Kung Fu:

Playing In The Sandbox

Nicole started out as a ballet the stage, stared at a11 of the peo- In grade 12 Nicole became dancer because, according to her ple, and peed her pants. involved in a school play, The mom, Nicole would not stop clap- Fortunately, Nicole was soon Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. After ping with the music. Her first per- weaned of this habit! However, her someone suggested that Nicole formance at three years oId was a professional pursuit of ballet was audition, she was offered one of dance recital in front of 1000 pea- dashed when Nicole blew out her ' the lead roIes and was forever after ple wherein Nicole sat down on left knee at the age of twehe. "bit by the bug." The original plan had been law school. but Nicole told her dad that she wanted to be an actress. Both parents supported Nicole 100% with the philosophy, "The worst thing would be to live your life wondering what would have happened if. .." Nicole went to theatre at Toronto's York University, then she was off to England to attend the British- American Dramatic Academy in Oxford. Nicole's first paid professional performance was at age 16 when she worked at the NAC in Ottawa for $21 1 weekly. She still has her first paycheck! Her first "real" act- ing job was Kelly on Kerng Fu: The Legend Continues. Nicole origi- nally auditioned for the rock-and- roll singer (Tyler) in the pilot episode. She sang for Michael coniintied on pg. 3 I Inside This Issue: I Women of Kung Fu: Nicole Oliver ...... Michael Dawson Interview ...... p.4 Sloan but was not cast as Tyler. included more physicality, like others about the speech he had Ten months later Tyler was no tracking someone and following written himself concerning Peter's more, and Michael remern be red through on an mst. Nicole journey; Michael Sloan and Nicole. She read for "Kelly laments that KtUy was always held Director Jon Cassar decided to just Blaine" (later named "Kelly hostage, stuck in a cave, or used as spring it on everyone. The scene Blake") which Ied to her first job, a bait to catch Peter. However, ended in a river of tears, not shower scene with Chris Potter, Nicole realizes that if Kelly had and a recurring character! been more physically involved, it Nicole's favorite KF: TLC would have been The Kel& Blake episode is A Shadin Christmas Show. Still, it would have been because she had the opportunity to nice to have the opportunity to work with the women from the "kick butt!?' When asked how Nicole and Kelly are alike, Nicole claims, "We are both very passionate, When Kelly was angry, she went all the way. We both have a lot of love for those in our lives;. we both care about the people around us." rehearsed, representing what was Nicole and Kelly rue also very dif- truly happening at that moment. ferent. "I do not whine mywhere Since KF: TLC ended production, near the way Kelly does. I am dso Nicole has guest starred in such a woman of the 90s. I would not series as Stargate, Deadman k Gun, tolerate half of the garbage that PSI Factoc FX The Series, and Kelly put up from Peter." Ouler Limits. Her favorite perfor- For Nicole t4e most touching mance was her role in Outer Lirnils moment on KF:TLC was when the with Brent Spiner, who was a pi:-,, zj , , .. 'a- +e,, find episode (Requiem) was shot. delight to work with in this "For me persunally I got my start episode. The role was a real dra- show: Kate Trotter, BeIinda Metz, on that show, and I had worked matic "talking had" piece with and Victoria Snow. The episode with a lot of the pp1e on the set lots of conversation which dlowcd was nicely written and a lot of fun for the past three to four years. The a long period of time with one from the fmt moment of joking show had grown- together- as we character. Nicole enjoyed working with Strenlich in the Saata ou~t as one character for an extended a11 the way down to the final period of time providing her the moment. Nicole praises the great opportunity to really develop the directing of Terry Ingram. performance from beginning to Nicole's hvorite KF: TLC scene end. is where Kelly gaes after Peter According to Nicole the best with the knife (Plague). Nicole thing about acting is, "I get to play claims it was just fun to do as an for a living. All the games that I actress, to be able to "go nuts!" played as a little girl-the stories I She enjoyed tbe incredible free- would dream up with my Barbie dom and physicality of that scene. doll and toys, playing in the sand- She adds that Chris was good to grew together. And now it was box. And I actually do it for a liv- work with and that Petet's over just as we fdly got it." ing!" The worst thiig about acting moments during that scene were Nicole remembers the inctedi bte is "waiting ...for that next role. In great. The episode demo& moment when cast and crew were most professions, a person can see real concern between the two char- standing around while Peter says progression: where you started, acters, and Nicole loved the We his farewell soliloquy in the how doing things lead to the next where Peter was holding Kelly. precinct; during that fmd goodbye, thing, promotion, or a better pro- If Nicole could have written a the looks on the crew's faces told conrinued on pg. 7 Kelly Blake scene, she would have so much. Chris had not told the duce films and other media. I'm a Michael DawsonL Favorite cot;tinuedfi.ompg. 3 firm believer that a person can Episodes ... ject, But as an actor, a person can accomplish anything if she is pre- audition for something six months pared to succeed with dekrmina- My Favorite KF:TLC Episudes to ago and be given a job in some- tion, hard work and dreams. That's Work On: thing else. There is no consistency. one of the most valuable lessons I Tournamenr, Temple, Dragonsw ing An actor ohdoes not know what ever learned from Kung-fu. II, Gunjghters, Rife of Passage, people are thinking or saying about "I'm also working on my book kcred Chalice of the I Ching, A the pexfommce. There mybe no about Northern Shaolin Kwg-fi Skaolin Treasure, Who is KCC, feedback for six months to s year. and Tai Chi. I've always wanted to Requiem h& Favorite KF:TLC And by then, you're on something write about the history, philosophy else." NicoIe quickly adds, "But I still wouldn't do anything else!" and benefits of these magnificent EpWa to Watch: arts, other than the selfdefense Nicole's birthday is February 22 Lacque~dBo5 Aspecls of the Sml, aspects. There are plenty of- fight and her favorite color is forest Temple, Retribution, The Promise, green. Her favorite movie star is mmuds. I'm not ignoring the self- Warning, defense aspects in my book, I'm Storm Requiem ... and many Susan Sarandon; her favorite TV just not focusing on them, The more... star is Christine Lahti, who Nicole book is almost completed and feels is very dynamic and a very should be available later in 1 998. Martial Arts Systems and Styles: powerful female role model. In the Northern Shaolin, Tai Chi Praying area of comedy, Nicole loves "And I still enjoy stunt perfom- (Mrs. ing (I worked most recently on Mantis, Seven-Star Praying Mantis, watching Tea Leoni David Duchovny), who reminds Nicole of SPY GAME and in the movie, Northern My-Jong Lohatl ("18 Law Horn"), Wang and Chen style Tai Chi a young Lucille BaI1. Nicole's ESCAPE FROM L.A.). I continue favorite TV shows are X-Files and to teach Kung-fu and Tai Chi pri- Chuan, Pa Kua, Hsing-I, traditional weaponry and Chi Kung. almost anything on the A&E net- vately and to smaIl groups. I love to work. She claims to be a "closet" teach, which is to share with others. action-freak and loved Air Force Teaching also endsme of where Favorite TV Shows: One. Older movies she counts I came from and how I began my Kung Fu (old and new), Twilight among her favorites are An Afair Kung-fu journey. Happily, it Zone, Outer Limits, Columbo, Star to Remember with Carv Grant and brought me to KRTLC, idto the Trek (Classic), Nightstalker, Dr. The GodfaNer. When kkod if she colleagues and friends who helped Who, Batman: The Animated Series had any other favorite things, me be a part of and contribute to Nicole replied, "I Iove the ocean. that dmdream," Q Favorite Films: The met of the beach and water is Kung Fu (TOS pilot), The Empire so paceful and relaxing." Strikes Back, Blade Runner, Circle of After beii asked if there was Iron, Planet of the Apes, Excalibur, mything she would like to say to The Last Temptation of Christ, Kmg Far= The Legend Continues Carpenter fans, Nicole replied, "Their support Immortal &loved, John is incredible. As a Canadian actor movies, any of the old Hammer and in a country that is hown for being Universal horror films. overly polite and not trumpeting its performers, or supporting the Bobbies: artists as much as Americans, it is Comic book and toy collecting, extremely flattering and makes you watching movies, swimming and feel really godabout what you are camping. Q doing that people care to take the time to watch and write. The fans keep me playing in the sadbox."Q