CynbytheSea Interview with Megan Fahlenbock
( Claire Brooks )



Q1.) Did you like your character in La Femme Nikita? Is she anything like you?

MEGAN: It would have been great to get a chance to explore her more, which would have happened if the episode became a spin-off series ... but it didn't. (Is she anything like you) Yes and no, which is good. I always bring as much as I can of myself to my characters in order to make them real for me, and in turn, real for the audience. But it would be boring to only play myself - I get enough of myself day after day!!! - so playing someone like Claire, who is much much more quiet than myself, who learns from watching instead of learning from jumping into things without thinking things through, was interesting. She is a lot like me in her need to be physical. She was a cheerleader in her old life which takes a great deal of skill an agility. Also, we both share a serious sweet tooth!


Q2.) At what age did you start acting? What made you choose this career?

MEGAN: I began doing plays in school when I was 11, and then I got into modeling and commercials when I was 13. I did my first movie made for television when I was 16. And then I quit the professional stuff but kept doing school plays. I felt like I knew I wanted to do this forever when I played Peter Pan in my Grade 6 production of "Peter Pan". I just loved the positive effect it had on the young kids at school and I guess I've always kind of liked being a public figure, but I ended up taking a break from it because I didn't think I wanted to grow up living the unpredictable lifestyle it involves. I got a degree in Anthropology at McGill instead of going to the National Theatre School and then I went traveling, thinking I would write an ethnography based on one of the cultures that intrigued me most. Instead, while watching a film in New Delhi, India, I realized I would not be happy with my life watching movies that didn't have me in them if I didn't pursue my passion. So ... I returned to Canada to begin my career. The funny thing is that I really love my unpredictable lifestyle - I wouldn't want it any other way


 Q3.) Do you like playing a bad and rebellious or a good nice one?

MEGAN: I like playing the bad girl I have to admit. It's just way more fun to play!

Claudia Conde~ Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Megan, I must say when I seen you for the first time..I seen a teenage Nikita..WOW!!

Q4.) What did you do for your audition to La Femme NIkita? and did you read with Peta Wilson?

MEGAN: I was given a few scenes from the episode to prepare and I was fortunate to have the week-end to work on them. I ended up going snowboarding up north for the weekend and while I was driving home Sunday night, my car slipped on some black ice while getting on the highway. It was so sudden but I thought it was over for me, and I was really mad because I really wanted to do that audition! I managed to steer the car to safety and to keep my mind off the treacherous conditions, I ran the lines for my audition through my head until I got home. I was very very prepared for the audition the next day, and I felt quite lucky to be alive which gave me an energy I needed for the role. Peta was not at my audition. But on set everyone called me "Baby Nikita", and Peta called me "Baby Sis".


Q5.) I loved the lollypops.. Are you truly hooked on them?

MEGAN: Well ... I would be if they were good for me! I do have a terrible sweet tooth and would eat wine gums, sour jube jubes and lollies all day if I could! I was truly hooked when I was younger but now I only indulge when absolutely necessary!

Deb Schwartz~ Michigan,USA
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Q6.) When you filmed in "Resident Evil", were there any constraints because the movie was made after a video game? And how was it to work with Mila Jovovich?

MEGAN: I wouldn't say constraints, per se, but there are definite stylistic requirements to make "Resident Evil" feel different from a regular film. Everything from the dialogue, the costumes, the lighting and the set helps to create the fantasy needed to make it look, maybe not exactly like a video game, but definitely not like a B-horror movie either. It is very classy and funky. I didn't get to work with Mila unfortunately because she wasn't in my scenes. But she is a really hard worker and is very dedicated to her craft. She has a big personality - she is loud and fun and very intelligent. I really wish we had gotten a chance to get to know each other because I think we are actually a lot alike and would have a lot of fun together. We could definitely cause some trouble!


Q7.) Your character Claire in the episode "Time To Be Heroes" in "La Femme Nikita" was most likely intentionally created to look like a young version of Nikita herself. Had you been given directions in this sense and have you studied her before filming the episode?

MEGAN: I was definitely hired to play Claire because they wanted Claire to look similar to a young Nikita, but she was her own character, so there was no direction like that. All new recruits have similar characteristics because it takes a certain someone to be able to leave their old life and be "reborn" as a spy/assassin. In that way Claire was like Nikita, but if we had seen more of Claire, we would have seen a totally different person. .


Q8.) Have you watched the show either before or after filming the episode on "La Femme Nikita"?

MEGAN: I loved the original French movie "La Femme Nikita" so I was very intrigued when the series came out. I thought it was very cool and I really wanted to be on it. It was a huge honor to get a chance to finally work on the show and I really loved the group I was working with. It was also a great experience working with Alberta Watson, Roy Dupuis and Peta Wilson of course.

Dana Vrajitoru~ Indiana, USA
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Q9.) I read you also did work as stunt woman, did you have any training for this? and what kind of stunts can you do?

MEGAN: I have always been very athletic which definitely provided me with a solid base for stunt work. I did get a chance to train specifically in stunts when I was offered the chance to be in a live-action stunt show in Bangkok, Thailand. I was a professional water skier for a number of years doing shows around the world, and one of these shows was in Bangkok. The park I was working in was developing a "James Bond" Stunt Show, similar to the type of show you can see at Universal Studios. The park, Safari World, hired a stunt coordinator from the U.S.A. to train a bunch of us and we all performed in the stunt show. I learned how to fight, high-dive and use heavy artillery that was originally used in the Vietnam War. I was also training a lot as a water-skier which involved jumping and barefooting, both of which are definite stunts! I have also played ice hockey since I was seven and I'm really into snowboarding, mountain-biking and wakeboarding. I always want to do my own stunts if I can, but if it is a really high-risk stunt, then production usually won't let me do it. I am learning that I don't want to do those stunts either.


Q10.) Besides acting, do you have any other interests in another career?

MEGAN: Of course! I wanted to be a Veterinarian, a Lawyer, an Anthropologist, a Psychologist, a Guidance Counselor, a detective and a spy of course ... I just couldn't make up my mind. So as an actor, I can be all of those things!


Q11.) Through my research on your biography, I was not able to find anything, could you fill us in?

MEGAN: Without disclosing my exact age because I look younger than I am ... I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 30, 197?. I have 2 siblings - Charlie and Annie. I started acting and modeling professionally when I was 13 but quit 3 years later because I didn't like missing so much school. I got a BA in Anthropology from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, which is where I started my professional waterskiing career. Two summers were spent in Montreal skiing at La Ronde and one summer was spent outside of Verona in Italy at a water park called Il Mondo di Caneva and another was spent in the town of Hassloch, Germany in the amusement park, Holiday Park. From there I spent two full years in Bangkok, Thailand, working in a ski show and a stunt show, and traveling. It was when I was traveling through India that I realized I wanted to return to Toronto to pursue my acting career. I had to start from scratch but I was already a member of the union, ACTRA, which helped me get a good agent to start me off. When I'm not working, I am usually doing something sporty or hanging out with my two kittens, Boo and Scout, or reading or cooking because the kitchen is where I do some of best creative work! I am also a writer, although I am not always super motivated to do it, so that is a bit slow these days. I also just bought a loft with my boyfriend so that keeps me busy as well. I love traveling so I try to do that as much as possible.

Chrissy Langeveld ~ Netherlands
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Q12.) Can you tell us about the stunt-work you were instructed to do on the LFN set or did you watch and learn from the stunt people there?

MEGAN: The only stunt work I did on LFN was the fight scene which involved a tumble. That's what made it a stunt. The episode was definitely filled with lots of action though, so it was a lot of fun. I worked with the stunt coordinator a lot to make my fight look good. My character was just learning how to fight as well so it didn't have to look perfect. I definitely learned some stuff, although nothing was really new to me.


Q13.) How heavy were the guns used on the set? Did they have different types? Did they work or just go 'pop' or 'whiz'??

MEGAN: They were really heavy when they were the real ones! Sometimes we just had rubber ones when we were running and didn't need to shoot them. The real ones were very loud and there was kick-back when they were fired. They could cause serious damage

Warren Stewart~ Perth, Australia
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Megan. such a pleasure to be able to visit with you

Q14.) Which type of film do you prefer? (action, thriller, romance and why?)

MEGAN: Thank you for having me! I'm not sure if you mean the type I like to work in or watch, so I'll make a choice and answer the latter. My choice of film to watch depends on my mood, but in general I always prefer a good drama with strong acting, like "Breaking the Waves" with Emily Watson. That usually involves lots of tears on my part, so if I'm not in the mood for that I love a good smart comedy, such as "The Royal Tenenbaums" or "Waiting for Guffman". I'm a big fan of Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller, as well as Christopher Guest. I also love movies that have different story lines that meet up or are somehow parallel such as the Robert Altman film "Short Cuts" and P.T. Anderson's "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia". Even though I myself would love to star in a huge action film, I don't always like watching them, mainly because I get bored by the typical story lines, bad writing and distracting acting. I also love foreign films, such as "Run Lola Run", "Amelie", "Amores Perros"... the list goes on and on and on. One of my most favorite movies is "Life is Beautiful" - it is a fantastic movie for so many reasons but what a love story! And then there are the Classics, like Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" which are beautiful and moving to watch.


Q15.) While working on "La Femme Nikita" were there any (bloopers, laughable, out takes) that you'd care to share with us?

MEGAN: I like to laugh a lot and I tend to be a bit of a joker so I know lots of silly things happened, as well as those moments where you can't keep a straight face but you have to because the scene is serious and the camera is rolling ... but one funny thing I remember happening took place during the fight scene. During the second take at the the very beginning of the fight sequence Cle accidentally punched me in the cheek (he was supposed to miss) and we both just kind of paused and looked at each other and I thought he was going to cry he felt so badly!. I thought it must have looked real, because it was, so I just continued with the fight, which surprised him, and the whole fight just continued in that vain. It looked pretty good actually!


Q16.) Do you ever correspond with any of the actors you meant while filming "La Femme Nikita"?

MEGAN: I do! I see all of them from time to time (except Brian Poth because he lives in L.A.) since we are all Toronto actors and it is quite a small world. .


Q17.) If you were ever placed in a position in real life that you portrayed in "La Femme Nikita", what and how would your reactions be to that situation?

MEGAN: I think I would freak out in a big way!!!! I would mourn the loss of my life and my friends and family I would never see again forever, for sure. I am a survivor though so I would make the best of my new life and ultimately ... I would love to be a spy!!!!!!!!! I would have a hard time killing people though

Thank you so much,
Sandy Meridith ~ Kansas USA
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Q18.) To be honest, when I first saw "Time to be Heroes"....I didn't like it....I thought this was an attempt to bring in "younger faces"..... But all of you won me over........!! Now it's one of my personal favs. Was the lollipop scripted or was it your idea?

MEGAN: It's really great to hear that you liked the episode so much. I totally understand why "Time to be Heroes" would have been a bit abrasive to fans, but I'm glad you warmed up to us. That was the hope because we were supposed to be the "new faces of section 5" in a spin-off series. Too bad that didn't happen. The lollipop was not scripted but the director, Jerry Ciccoritti, thought it would be fun if my character had some sort of "bit". I think the lollipop was kind of a play on the whole "baby Nikita" thing. I loved the idea, especially since my character was so quiet. It was good to have something to do, even if it was just the act of sucking a lollipop. It was also a really tasty lollipop!


Q19.) Did you ever regret taking a role? If so, why?

MEGAN: Well ... I do regret taking a small role on a big feature film that I won't name. I had auditioned for a much more interesting role that was really comedic and quirky. The writer, director and producer loved me in the role but the exec producer ended up wanting a well known model to play the part. The character was completely different than it was originally written and there was a token "boob" scene that was never in the original script ...Anyway, the director really wanted me in his film and he offered me this small part that he would elaborate on. It involved many days and money ..and as an actor you never know when your next job will come ... so I decided to take it because if nothing else came up for me that summer I would have been mad. The day after I accepted the role, a lead role in the MOW "Jewel" starring Farrah Fawcett, playing her eldest daughter, was offered to me! The days conflicted with the other film so I couldn't do it. I was mad! I learned my lesson though. I never do projects I don't really want to do. I still do commercials and short-term projects that pay the bills, but I will never do a part that doesn't interest me just for the money - life is too short for that!


Q20.) What/who do you like on television these days?

MEGAN: Most of my favorite shows are no longer filming, so I watch a lot of re-runs. I am a die-hard "Seinfeld" fan and I also love "Sex in the City". I am addicted to "6 Feet Under" and can't wait for the new season to air. I can't stand "reality TV" which is all that's on these days so I pretty much just rent movies


Q21.) Are you married, single, dating? Inquiring minds (like us!) want to know!

MEGAN: My dating days are over for now, although I'm not married. I have a fabulous boyfriend and we just bought a place together, so it's pretty serious!


Q22.) "Time to be Heroes" featured particularly awesome music ( "I Have an Attitude" comes to mind!!) which really melded with the storyline......is that something you are able to "work with" in the course of filming or are you pretty much clueless with that sort of thing...till you see the completed episode?

MEGAN: "I Have an Attitude" could have been the name of the episode it was so fitting! I don't think we knew that was going to be in the Ep. (I can't remember for sure). Unless we have to move/dance to a specific beat/rhythm or sing along to something specific, or if we are filming something that was inspired by a piece/pieces of music (like P.T. Anderson's "Magnolia"), we are pretty much clueless with that sort of thing.

It was a pleasure interviewing you. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Brenda Allison ~ Missouri - USA
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Q23.) Who inspires you?

MEGAN: Meryl Streep, Emily Watson, Christopher Guest, Jerry Seinfeld, Jessica Tandy, Shania Twain, Holocaust survivors, my sister.


Q24.) What is the best part about the filming industry that you enjoy?

MEGAN: I love the variety it has to offer. It is not an industry that bores me. Although it can certainly be boring on set, there is so much variety from job to job that it makes all the waiting time worthwhile. It is also very exciting because that big job always feels like it is just around the corner (that can also be very frustrating though.)


Q25.) What other field of work would you have chosen had acting not been part of your life?

MEGAN: I think I would have ended up becoming a TV journalist or a travel writer/host. I really wanted to be the female version of David Suzuki and host a nature show - I just love bugs and lizards and snakes! Who knows what the future has in store for me!


Q26.) If the opportunity arose, your at home, the phone rings, its not an agent, it's not about a film, it has nothing to do with your career, who do you want it to be?

MEGAN: The Lottery Corporation telling me I just won the 25 million dollar jackpot!

Cynthia Wilkerson ~ Texas, USA
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SPECIAL COMMENTS:
Thank you very much for your interest in "Nikita", "Time To Be Heroes" and me! Your passion for the show keeps "Nikita" alive, and makes those of us who took part in the show feel like we did our jobs well. Good luck to each and every one of you in your future endeavors.
Sincerely, Megan Fahlenbock

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