I found this story on Larisa Oleynik (from Alex Mack, 10 Things I Hate About You, A Time for Dancing) that I think is just a magnificent read. It’s a solid piece, that gives everyone an update on her, and a detailed picture of the character she is. Long-time fans will be happy to know she hasn’t changed at all really.
Quote:
Larisa Oleynik admits she's a little out of training; not particularly primed for the incoming questions. "I haven't thought about my whole career or whatever, in quite some time," she says, with a giggle. It's her first interview in a couple of years. The 23-year-old actress has maintained a low profile in her four years away studying at New York's Sarah Lawrence College, where she graduated in early June with a Bachelor of Arts degree. But despite her absence from the public eye, certain characteristics of hers—her effervescent, girl-next-door nature—have remained intact. And so has her propensity to laugh—and laugh a lot. These qualities are highlighted when she outlines her day before our conversation. "I got up, I made myself coffee, and then I worked really intently on a jigsaw puzzle for about two hours," she explains, before adding, "I'm kinda lame (laughs)."
It was this down-to-earth, almost coy temperament that saw her rocket into the spotlight at age 12, when she was cast as Alex Mack, a girl who accidentally acquires superpowers, in "The Secret World of Alex Mack." Having developed a strong cult-like following in its four seasons, the series was and still is one of the most successful in Nickelodeon history.
On the back of that success, Oleynik would then land the part of Bianca Stratford in the 1999 teen-hit, 10 Things I Hate About You. The popularity of the film, alongside a recurring role on "3rd Rock from the Sun," and three impressive independent film performances would see her labeled by many as one of the hottest young actresses in the world. But Oleynik decided—against the urges of industry experts - to put the acting pursuits on hold and attend college. "Everyone tries to talk you out of going to college," she says. "The consensus being that people are just gonna forget about you, you know, and that's the way the business works." But she had an indifferent opinion. "I kinda feel that hopefully if [acting] is what I'm supposed to be doing, and it's something that I'm good at, that that's not gonna have changed by just taking a little break from it," she explains. "I don't think I've really lost any momentum."
Her choice to pursue college was fuelled partially by the desire to have a full, uninterrupted school experience. Although she attended the same school from Kindergarten to 12th grade, Oleynik says her presence was "intermittent" because of acting commitments. Oftentimes the school would fax her work, and she would study with the assistance of a tutor in between takes. "It worked out pretty well," she remembers, "but it was still a little hard because whenever I would go back to my regular high school I was always behind, and I couldn't go out with my friends on the weekend because I had makeup tests to do. That was a little bit tricky, and I think that's part of the reason why I really wanted to take time off and go to college."
Furthermore, Oleynik saw it as an opportunity to refresh after nearly 12 years straight of professional acting. "I've been acting professionally since (pause), god, eight I guess," she points out. "So it's something that I've been doing for so long, that I think I really needed a break from it. I just wanted the time to be in school, and be around my peers." College also would assist her, she figured, perspective wise. "I think it's really important because, you know, if I'm gonna be acting I have to have some kind of foot dipped into real life and not just Los Angeles," she says, laughing. "Because it's a not a very real place to live. It can be, but I was needing to get away from a while." Oleynik feel she achieved the latter in college, and will be wiser for it. "I feel like I'm going back into it [the acting] now with a bit of a stronger head on my shoulders and stuff like that."
Oleynik did partake in one project while in college, which was offbeat indie film, Bringing Rain, shot in between her junior and sophomore years. The zany boarding school-set film, in which Oleynik is Ori Swords, an upbeat, innocent student, was launched at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival. "The director was only 24, it was a young cast, and so it was like one big party!," Oleynik says. A party that as Oleynik explains she was a last-minute addition to. "The director had a friend that he wanted for that part, and something fell through at the very last minute," she explains. "Literally only a few days before they started shooting—I think it was the Wednesday and they started shooting on the Monday—they called me up. I was in Los Angeles, and they were in New York, and they sent me the script, and it was basically like, 'We're sending the script to a couple actresses, and whoever responds the quickest gets the part.'" After quickly reading the script, she was on the phone within 20 minutes to accept. "I said 'Yeah, yeah, I want to do it.' Fly me to New York.'" She pauses a moment, and then jokingly adds, "Actually, that's not true. I flew myself!"
The 5'7" brunette says she had a familiarity with the personality of her character, hence it wasn't overwhelming to take it at such short notice. "I think it was a good role because it was similar enough to things I had done in the past, so I felt comfortable and didn't need months and months of preparation." It presented just enough of a challenge too. "The character herself wasn't mature, but the material was, so if you compare it to a movie like 10 Things, it's not necessarily the same type of high school movie," says Oleynik.
Always looking for a challenge, it comes as no surprise that Oleynik picks her role in independent film, A Time For Dancing, in which she plays Juliana, a brilliant young dancer stricken by cancer, over her more commercial works as her favorite part to date. "I loved the script, I loved working on it, and it felt like—it felt like the first time I ever was responsible for really acting," Oleynik says of the film she commenced working on just after graduating from high school. "It wasn't just, you know, I could rely on giggling, or being cute, or having superpowers, or whatever. It was like, 'Okay, this is a movie dealing with serious issues. I better be prepared.' It was definitely like a maturing experience for me, and I think it turned out pretty well… it was really the first time I felt I got the whole acting game."
Currently, she is planning a move back to Los Angeles to resume life as a full-time actress. Her future parts, she hopes, will project positive messages to the audience. "I definitely think that movies have the possibility to be something positive, and are really becoming teaching tools for a lot of kids growing up," Oleynik says. "Like, more often than not…kids grow up learning a lot from the movies, and I would just like to be able to bring something positive. Realistic, but positive. Hopefully I'm gonna be able to choose projects based on that."
Oleynik also has a few actresses she wouldn't mind working alongside. "I'm obsessed with Sarah Polley," she reveals. "I've seen almost every movie that she's been in. She represents something in actresses that few strive for, so she's someone I would like to work with…she's kind of a role model, even though she's my age. I guess I'd have to move to Canada for that though (laughs)." Another is Susan Sarandon. "Susan Sarandon, hell yeah," Oleynik enthuses. "She's pretty kickass."
When pressed to comment distinctly about her attitude towards the future, Oleynik alludes to her recent graduation ceremony. "You know, at the graduation ceremony, there's all this talk of like, you know, 'You're going out to the world,' and 'It's your time,' and 'You have the power to change things,' and you get really excited about that, and I hope that I can kinda hold onto that for a while. I hope I don't get too cynical living in Los Angeles!" Whatever the ensuing months and years entail, one thing is for certain, the buoyant actress won't be taking herself too seriously. "I've had a pretty charmed life, so there's nothing that I need to take too seriously right now," she says, accompanied by that oh-so-signature million dollar giggle.
I am familiar with the writer, Mike Altamura. I speak to him on the occasion, and theres something I have to express. He is not a “name” as they say, in entertainment circles. That is because he is mainly known as a pro wrestling and sport journalist. At 15, he was Senior Editor of The Wrestling Enquirer, and at 16, turned back a six-figure contract with another wrestling magazine because he refused to “sell out”. I respect him for that. He took the hard road, and that is why I have written this.
I am interested to hear what everyone thinks.
Thanks, Clarrie James Shizzle.
Mod Note: Edited out spam and redirected it to the more appropriate forum
It seems we get these people once a month or so. They have some spammish story about some movie or tv star that they are obsessed over, and they only make one post here spamming it, not even coming back to discuss it (not that we reply anyway, but still).
You tell me, you're the one that posted this thread.
I was just making a statement that most of the people that register here and post threads like this never come back to further the discussion. Thus, it appears as spam.
Originally posted by Intolerance You tell me, you're the one that posted this thread.
I was just making a statement that most of the people that register here and post threads like this never come back to further the discussion. Thus, it appears as spam.
In the spirit of encouraging newbies instead of spammers...
I'll bite. Despite the fact that the article was long (read like a script for an episode of Biography), one thing jumped out: if you go to college after a career as a child actor, it's tough to get back in.
I agree.
I think the successful actors are the ones that continue to work on and off while going to school a la Natalie Portman.
OK shizzle...ball's in your court...don't make an ass out of me here...I do that enough on my own...just ask Tay.
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I think you raise a good point. Oleynik only did one film in here time away at college, and from what I know, it was at a film festival - never hit the cinemas or anything like that. Whether it was a good decision to go to college or not, I guess, will be dictated by how successful she is this second time around. There may be some difficulty breaking back in, 'cause she has lost a lot of the name she had from Alex Mack, and the teen films. But she is a heck of a talent as an actress, or at least was when we last saw her, so I am expecting some bigger and better roles to follow.
Clarrie, welcome to cinemablend. i hope to read more of you in the future. got any favorite books?
i don't really know who this actress is other than through the above article. i saw 10 things but it's been awhile. Sarah Polley's a pretty good role model as actresses go. i think Larisa will do fine, and with any luck those college years may come in handy to her.
Originally posted by Arctic Deus, i like your style . and your new sig too.
Clarrie, welcome to cinemablend. i hope to read more of you in the future. got any favorite books?
i don't really know who this actress is other than through the above article. i saw 10 things but it's been awhile. Sarah Polley's a pretty good role model as actresses go. i think Larisa will do fine, and with any luck those college years may come in handy to her.
when did you last see her btw?
Thanks Arctic! *blushes* I like your avatar...wish the "pre-blended" ones offered something that went so well with my nick.
Thanks for replying too, shizzle. I note that you still haven't posted outside of this thread...don't let the mods intimidate you! They're nice guys who are just doing us all a favor by running a well maintained board...and we love them for it. *insert rear-kissing smiley here* You should check out some of the other forums, post a time or two.
Anywho...I kinda hope we don't see Larisa for a while. I think it would behoove her to stay in the shadows a while...DO SOME THEATRE...*proudly flashes his LIVE THEATRE FAN CLUB card*. Looks like that's what her degree might be in too.
I think if she waits until she hits her mid twenties to thirties to really break back into mainstream movies she will distiguishing herself from the Lindsey Lohan/Mandy Moore types by letting America fall in love with her when she's a little older a la the current Kate Hudson.
But, that's just my humble opinion.
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"Protect your chicken from Dokken"
Originally posted by Arctic what kinds of avatars would you be more interested in Deus? maybe we can get a few more added theme wise. no specific requests mind you.
i was just thinking of changing mine pretty soon here actually. had this one since before the ezyboard days i think, which was awhile ago.
Nah, not on my account. I kinda like the idea of selections only...hearkens back to the good ole days of Peter Piper Pizza and the Arcade Prize Store...so many tickets...such and such a price. I just haven't settled on the right prize for my tickets yet.
Thanks though!
Where did you get "Arctic"? (I like the Arctic in Wonderland Sig )
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"Protect your chicken from Dokken"
man i hated that kind of thing though because all the minimal ticket prizes were always really cheap and cheesy. and it seemed like that's most often all i could get.
arctic because i live near the arctic circle and love it here. used to be arctic empress, empress being my tarot card of choice. it got shortened to arctic when we moved to VBulletin.
Yeah, those prizes were pretty cheesy...I just kept saving them up for something really cool, but I don't think I ever bought anything...I probably have about 2594 tickets in a box with a bunch of my old stuff in my parent's attic somewhere.
OK...'nother sig question: the one with Angelina...you can make out filmhobbit.com in the background. What's the story there? Is that a banner from some event or just clever photoshopping?
PS...still waiting to hear back from shizzle here!
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"Protect your chicken from Dokken"
the angelina sig is one of my favorites. it's paintshopproed. this site used to be called filmhobbit.com. i've been meaning to change it to cinemablend, but i don't think it will look as good.
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