Where are you from?

I was born in Montreal, but I live in Toronto now. I moved from Montreal to England when I was 13. Returned to Canada when I was 18 (4 years ago).

 
Is this the first movie that you have been in?

This is the first film I've been in, but I have skated in front of cameras before (television and skating shows).

 
Can you tell me a little bit about the role of Kristina Diaz?

It was a lot of fun, but hard work. The skating sequences had to be shot from midnight to 9 in the morning at the arena.

I was on the ice for 6 and 7 hours straight, but it was a great learning experience.

Kristina is a skater who has great artistic ability, but no confidence in that, so she tries to put all the pressure on her jumps which are not her strong point. In the film she battles herself and the pressures of her stepfather, who is one of the film's bad guys.

 
Can you tell me a little bit about how you got the role of Kristina?

I skated at Mariposa, Elvis' [Stojko] former skating club, and I met Glen Doyle there. I worked with Glen for about a year, and when this film came up he suggested me for the role.

 
Is it predominantly a skating role, acting role or both?

I was cast for my skating ability, but the director ended up giving me a few more scenes so my character is more constant throughout the film. So there are some solid acting scenes.

 
How long have you been figure skating?

I've been skating for about 16 years.

 
Do you compete or have you ever competed?

I competed in Canada and England, and was on the British Senior National Team. I won the Scottish Junior Championship and was Silver medallist for the British Championships.

 
Have you skated in other movies, TV shows or skating tours?

I've done a few European shows as a guest skater.

 
Glen mentioned that you did the skating choreography. Do you do skating choreography in "real life"? If so, in what capacity?

Right now I just do my own choreography, but eventually I hope to choreograph for young skaters.

 
What music did you skate to in the movie?

I skated to the title track from the film. It was written and performed by Joan Kennedy who plays my mother.

 
In one part of the movie Kristina Diaz skates as her mother sings at the gala. Did you actually skate while Joan Kennedy was singing or were the two events filmed separately?

No, I actually skate while she sings, but the song will be dubbed in for the final edit on the film.

Joan was on the ice with me while we filmed some of the gala scenes.

 
Where (what rink) were the skating sequences filmed?

Victoria Memorial Arena

[Lisa's note: The movie was filmed in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.]

 
Christina Cox plays the role of your older sister in the movie. What was it like working with Christina?

She was good. She has so much experience in film so I just followed her lead.

 
Glen was the artistic director for skating sequences so I assume that means you worked with him. What was that like?

Yep. Glen helped set up the camera angles for the skating scenes. He worked with Jalal [the director] to try and get the best angles.

Before we shot the scenes, I showed Glen my choreography to make sure it was in line with the way the story was written.

Glen was fun to work with. He's pretty kooky, but super professional. I had a blast.

 
What about coaching? LOL!

When we were shooting the skating scenes for 'Sometimes A Hero', I was surprised at how much knowledge Glen had of the jumps. He could tell each one apart and never got them confused. He could even tell me what I did wrong when I messed up. I guess after being around Elvis so many years and watching all his practices, he learnt to distinguish them!

 
I know Glen likes to joke around. Are there any amusing stories you can share?

Glen and Bryan Genesse were nuts!

They hadn't seen each other in about eight years, so when they got together they got a little carried away. They would run down the street acting crazy or doing their kung fu moves, I can't remember laughing so much.

[Lisa's Note: Bryan Genesse also trained at the Jing Mo Kung Fu Club as did Glen.]

 
What are you currently doing with your skating? Are you currently teaching? Are you currently working on any skating shows or tours?

I don't teach right now, I want to leave that for later on. As for right now, I'm waiting to hear from a few skating tours to see what they're looking for, and there are rumours I might have another role in a film to begin shooting early 2001.

 
Thanks for taking the time to do this e-mail interview, Roselle. Good luck in your future endeavors!

--Lisa T.