Tag Archives: Twitter

April 18, 2012

Exclusive Interview with the beautiful Gina Holden

By Karen Ford

Welcome back readers.  Hope you like the new look.  And with a new look comes new things.  I have had the pleasure recently to interview the lovely and talented Ms. Gina Holden.  So sit back with a nice cuppa tea (or coffee if that’s your passion) and enjoy this lovely read.

Gina accepting her 2010 Eyegore AwardWhen I first heard of Gina Holden, was on Twitter when she followed me.  Unsure who she was (back then) I googled her name.  It was then that I realized she was on the TV show Blood Ties, then later on Flash Gordon.  Both great characters I’m sure, but her more recent work is what makes her eye catching.  And because of all her hard work and dedication in the horror genre, she’s won a 2010 Eyegore Award.  One of many, of that I’m sure.   Anyway,, let’s get on with the interview.  Hope you all enjoy it.

KF:  You have been a very busy woman. Is there anything you’re allowed to tell us in what you have been doing?

GH:  Where to begin! It’s been a very busy year! Lots of personal changes, as well as a busy pilot season. So I’ve been juggling personal things with 2 castings/day plus testing, etc. Also having guest starred in Fringe this year was a highlight. It was a fantastic time.

KF:  With all the roles you’ve played, what one was your favorite? And what one was your least favorite? 

Aliens vs Predators RequiemGH:  Looking back is too difficult to choose. Each and every role had been a gift and led me onto something else, is some way shape or form. I’m fortunate to only have had one challenging personality to deal with my entire career. But I’m so grateful for all it taught me. It prepared me for a side of the industry I had not yet been exposed to. So it, ironically is the experience I am most grateful for! And, I have to make mention of the Haunting Hour team, producers and crew. It’s my favorite production to work on. It’s like going home every time I join them for an episode!

KF:  Is there a tv show or movie that you would have loved to have been apart of?

GH:  Great question. But all of my favorite movies/shows are fantastic with the cast that helped make them great…know what I mean? But if I had to choose, I would have loved to be a part of “Running on Empty”. Or anything Star Wars related!

KF:  Do you watch your own performances? And do you say, “oh I could have done that better.”?

Gina Holden on Blood TiesGH:  I do watch my projects! But I try not to pick them apart. I put my heart and soul into everything I do, so to go back and want to change it, takes away from the process and what I was going thru at that time. It’s easy to pick yourself apart, but again, what good does it do? I certainly learn from every performance I give, and hope to continue to grow and always be better. However it is really neat looking back at my earlier work, and watching my growth over the years. I was so green and naive! It’s pretty special to see. I’m very grateful for everyone that has helped me over the years. From directors, to fellow cast and crew. We are all part of the process.

KF:  On Twitter, you talk about Coco, she’s cute by the way, does she go everywhere with you? Or is there someone you leave her with when you have to fly to your next job?

GH:  Coco Freebird is the best! She is a crazy little Manchester Terrier and comes with me everywhere! She has taught me so much about patience! LOL. She has so much energy and is different that other dogs. She needs full time care and a ton of exercise, so my full time job is caring for her. And I love every minute of it! She is not a good flyer, so if I fly to a location, she stays with family.

Click here to connect with Gina Holden on TwitterKF:  Speaking of which, how are you liking Twitter?

GH:  Twitter is a great way to connect with fans and friends. It is really fun. It can however be abused and used for negative things, so I make it private if I’m feeling violated in any way. But for the most part, it’s lovely and I am so grateful for the tremendous support I have with my twitter family. It’s really great.

KF:  Do or have you done many conventions? Any funny or weird stories to tell?

GH:  I have done a couple! and can’t say I have any crazy stories! I love cons and any that I’ve been to, I’m just as weird as anyone else there! We are a special breed, and I love being part of the scifi genre for that reason. It has the most passionate engaged fans, and I am one myself. I have a cool SAW event coming up this year…that’s going to be fun!!

KF:  If you didn’t become an actress, what job could you see yourself doing?

GH:  Before I ever acted, I did many jobs! I always knew this was what I wanted to do, but being a bit of an over achiever, I wanted to make sure I had my college education, and other work experiences, before I went fully in the direction of my dream. Graduating college is one of my greatest achievements. I love fashion, business and there are many other things I could see myself doing. But if I had to pick something more specific, I would say producing. It is amazing because it allows me to enjoy a different side of a business I am already familiar with.

Gina HoldenKF:  What advice would you give someone just starting out or wanting to get into the industry?

GH:  Do it only because you love it. Not for some money lottery or fame. You will be very disappointed if that’s your motivation. Make smart choices, and always work hard. Never take for granted how much work it takes every single day. If you are comfortable, you aren’t working hard enough.

KF:  What message would you like to say to your many fans reading this?

GH:  Thank you. Sincere, humble thanks for sticking with me, supporting me and pushing me to always do better. I don’t take any of this for granted and I could not do it without all the support I have in my life from fans, family and friends. Thank you.

KF:  Is there a fan mail address where people could write to you?

GH:  Fans can find me on twitter “holdentome” or write to my agency. Address on my official site “ginaholden.net“

KF:  You probably answered this in other interviews, but is there a charity that you’re involved with or give to?

GH:  I work with many different charities. But I volunteer a lot with the food bank. I am very open to many different causes, but not attached to any one specifically. I just keep my eyes and ears open, and help out where I can.

KF:  Are there any little tidbits you’d like to share with us? Likes or dislikes, pet peeves, accomplishments and goals.

GH:  Likes: being outdoors with coco
           dislikes: SMOKING
           pet peeves: nail biting/chewing!
          Accomplishments: all of my successes and my failures-couldn’t have one without the other!
          goals: the sky the limit.

I wish to thank you all for taking the time to visit IN THE KNOW.  And especially I’d love to thank Ms. Gina Holden for granting me this wonderful opportunity to aid in getting to know her just a little bit more.  Thanks Gina, you’re awesome!! xo

Karen Ford

Besides twitter and her official website mentioned above, you can also leave her a message on her official FaceBook page.

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December 13, 2011

My Highlights of 2011

By Karen Ford

I got this idea from a friend of mine when reading her blog.  With a slight difference is that I shall write about the highlights of my 2011.  Though, I’m not sure weather to write from present to past, or vice versa.  Or to mix it all up from what I remember most of all in my 2011 year.  I guess I could go with the most memorable, which sounds more appealing.

Me and MyleneThe first thing that comes to mind for my most memorable is when I got to meet up with Mylene Dinh-Robic from The Listener.  She was here filming a guest spot on Republic of Doyle back in August.  I wrote all about our adventure here if you want to go back and read the whole thing again.  It was a day that will never be forgotten and forever treasured.  My daughter, Denise, loves her to pieces and I think the same flows from Mylene as well.  She even used the picture of her and Mylene as part of her school project, “Favorite moment” or something like that.  I bet she’s still talking about it to whoever listens, LOL.  Mylene, you’re a one of a kind darlin’.  You have this essence that flows from you to whoever or whatever you touch and I’m honored to call you my friend.  And yes, I teared up when I typed that, 🙂

Me and David Nykl at Scifi on the RockMy other awesome thing that happened to me was back in April, when David Nykl came here for our convention, Scifi on the Rock.  He was so funny and just a joy to talk to.  But what I will remember most of all was when I asked him if he minded if I get a picture of him with my daughter.  I told him how old she was and that depending on the content, she watches Stargate Atlantis with me.  He agreed, so when my hubby came by with the kids, I took Denise inside.  I would have told them all to come in, but we were on a time limit as it was.  So holding onto Denise’s hand, we hurried to where I last seen David.  He was still there watching the costume contest.  So we grabbed a couple of chairs and put them next to each other.  She was nervous at first, wanted me in the picture.  Maybe I should have, but I wanted her to have her moment with him.  I had mine from the day before.  I got her to be a little less nervous when I told her that “this is Zelenka, from Atlantis, remember?”  Of course David smiled.  She relaxed a bit, gave a cute smile and I took the shot.  With that, I told him thank you and hope he has a safe trip home.  He’s a good hugger, 😉  Mike Savva was there to same convention, so with our chats from the weekend, I gave him a hug and told him to have a safe flight home.  Then Denise and I left to head back to the truck.

Of course now that she’s seen where I go every year, she wants to come to the next one.  Oh oh, what have I done ?! LOL.  But it’s all good, I’m on the committee now.  Which brings me to my next highlight.

Yes, after 2 years of Darren asking me, I’ve joined the Scifi on the Rock convention committee.  What an awesome bunch of people that you will ever get to meet.  And I’ve also helped with a guest who will be coming to April 2012’s convention.  So how cool is that?

The Sci-Fi ZoneThough this next one is still an on-going project but it started up back in October.  That is the new Scifi talk show created by Darren Hann, named by a friend of mine from the UK and hosted by yours truly, ME !! *Facepalm*  The name of the show is The Sci-Fi Zone and it’s filmed here in Mount Pearl at a gaming center – Midgard Gaming.  When I was asked by Darren to help get the word out for his previous production – Dracula, he told me that “I have plans for you.”  Which coming from him can be scarey.  But in a good way, it’s just that you never know what he’s got going on in his head.  He’s so creative when it comes to filming ideas, that he does make it loads of fun to work on.  When I was asked to be apart of  his Stargate – Doctor Who cross-over, that in itself was interesting, I just couldn’t pass it up.  I had that much fun filming that one, that I ended up with 2 different characters to play.  Sorry, getting off topic a bit,, back to the show, LOL.  I was so nervous when we filmed the first 6 webisodes (first 3 are on YouTube already), that now we will be filming 6 more in the first week of January.  So if you have any ideas as to what topics you would like to see us chat up about, feel free to send your comments to thescifizone@gmail.com, or you can just make a comment below this post.  But as time went on, you will see that I’m relaxing a bit more.  So hopefully where time has gone by a little, I will continue on with the fun and laughter and witty topics that it will be enjoyable to watch.

During Easter, a friend of mine from the UK came here for another visit.  Though, this time she brought her daughter with her.  Unfortunately the weather wasn’t cooperating at all, plus Brett ended up getting sick.  We all went to my hubby’s work, they had a Easter party for the kids, so with our guests in tow, we went to it.  The girls were having a great time, unfortunately, we ended up having to leave my friend there at the Delta, with the 2 girls so we could rush Brett to the hospital.  With that many tests they done, and ended up having to stay in the hospital for the night, I felt so bad that my friend came all this way and I was in hospital.  I know she didn’t mind, she knows I’d do the same for her, but this was her daughters first trip here and it ended up starting off crappy.  But needless to say, Brett ended up just being dehydrated so had to keep pumping in the water or some sort of juice into him.  So now, I have a glass of water on the table for him.  That way, every time he passes by, he’ll take a sip.  But it was scarey and one I won’t have being repeated ever again.

Then there’s my new twitter friends.  Three of them are in the entertainment industry.  And in three different genres.  One if i’m having a bad day will DM me, another I skype with when the timing is right, and the other listens to my rants.  Albeit, I think they each get their share in that one, LOL, sorry guys, but I love you all for caring that much about me to ask if I’m ok.  I’ll treasure each of you. XO.  Though, twitter is a place where I like to have a bit of fun, but I am professional when I need to be.  Especially when trying to line up new guests for our convention.

I think that’s the biggest things that I wanted to recap on.  I’m not going to do no New Years Resolution cause I don’t follow through with it.  Instead I’ll just say I’ll TRY to write in here as often as I can.  Until then, I’ll end this with this: I wish you all a great day, a joyous Christmas and a safe and wonder New Year.

Karen

XO

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