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The Jewel Staite FAQ

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Section 1: Who is Jewel Staite?

    A. The Basic Bio:
    Jewel's career found her early in life when a Sears photographer offered her any doll in the toy department if she'd appear in the store video. She turned him down; he was condescending. Soon after that she saw her first fashion show and, coming from a long line of clothes addicts, she just had to wear all those beautiful things. She soon discovered she could have them if she worked for them, so Jewel took her first modelling course at age six. After a couple of years modelling and doing commercials, she met an inspiring and dedicated director and teacher named Mikal Dughi who convinced her to get serious. Jewel began her study of the craft in earnest, pouring most of her modelling income back into acting & film classes. She's still doing that.

    Like many young Vancouver actors, Jewel attributes a lot of her passion for the craft to the time spent with Vancouver Youth Theatre (both on stage and on the road with touring companies). There's nothing like a three month tour de force ( hitting three different schools a day) to fine tune the work ethic. A couple of seasons at Vancouver Film School helped sharpen the on camera skills and provide that ellusive professional edge. In fact, at age ten she was chosen Best Actor (out of 500 films)at the Houston and Yorkton Festivals, for her touching performance in the short "Meeting Dad".

    Jewel has been very lucky to work with some big names and respected people over the years and has an amazing album of memories. Early on, she guest starred in the Canadian children's series The Odyssey. She's worked with Patty Duke, and co starred in TV movies with Henry Winkler, and John Ritter, and Linda Carter, and later guest starred in two episodes of Are You Afraid Of The Dark. She worked with Christina Ricci and Anna Clumsky in the feature Goldiggers and has a cameo in the feature Carpool. Last fall, Jewel guest starred on The X Files as the kidnap victim of a obsessed psychotic. Hey, she'll tell you, " it was a tough job getting mouth to mouth from David Duchovny but somebody had to do it."

    Since last year, she's been appearing as Catalina in "Space Cases", originating on Nickelodeon and recently picked up by the Family Channel and the Sci Fi Channel. SC fans are a special breed and are totally addicted to the sometimes bizarre live action comedy about five misfit space cadets who accidently launch an abandoned alien vessel. The kids get stuck "cruising outer space" for seven years with an extremely reluctant principal and a neurotic teacher. In second season, her character is invisible. This is because a previous commitment with Disney forced her to leave her buds and move to Toronto to start Flash Forward. This was very very difficult for Jewel. Space Case fans were furious and didn't know it wasn't her decision and some very nasty speculative comments were made on the Nick Show Posts. Not only that but she had to leave her best friends and start all over again in a strange city with a new show and all new people.

    The result of this earth shattering, tearful, life changing move is Flash Forward, a wonderful Disney/Family channel series which chronicles the lives of two best friends (Becca & Tucker) next door neighbors, born on the same day to best-friend parents. The inseparable pair are entering their teen years and testing their best friendship on an almost daily basis. It's touching, poignant, hilarious and Jewel found it a joy to work on. She made friends amongst the cast and crew which will last a lifetime and was, once again, heartbroken and devastated when the final episode was wrapped.

    Since that time she's been in constant contact with cast and crew members from both shows and often visits back and forth. Her phone bills are outrageous. After a wild and crazy three months in Hollywood (auditioning sometimes twice a day during pilot season) and trying out every new experience and LA party scene she could talk her mom into, Jewel walked away from the fast life and decided there was no place like home. She's back in Vancouver now, renewing old friendships, and playing hostess to a constantly changing visitor list. She's decided to take advantage of this break to train her voice and has a new passion and a new mentor in the music industry (Mr. Platter himself, Ray Caroll). She's rehearsing daily in the studio and attending acting workshops to keep her edge and hopes to join a touring company in the fall. In the last few months, she's been doing voice overs for a variety of animated series and is rehearsing a guest appearance on the new Super Dave Osbourne show, starting soon on Nickelodeon.

    Jewel is fifteen and the youngest of four sisters and two brothers. Her home base is Vancouver, B.C. but she hasn't seen it much in the last two years. She goes to school by correspondence and maintains a frantic social life by the Internet and phone. Jewel's goal is to have one of her novels published. Writing is not just a hobby, it's an obsession. She has a cat and a 3 lb Yorkie named Malibu who goes to the studio with her every day. She's still a bit of a clothes horse but the novelty wore off after she overdosed on Melrose, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive in LA, and Bloomies in New York and Canadian fashion capitals like Montreal and Queen Street in Toronto. She realized that Vancouver's Robson Street and Gastown fashion districts are right up there with the best. Besides, when you're at home, boxers and TShirts are perfectly acceptable, if not downright attractive not to mention appropriate - sometimes.

    B. Quick Facts:
    Height: 5'6
    Weight: 115 lbs
    Place of Birth: Vancouver, BC
    Date of Birth: June 2nd, 1982
    Click here to see EXACTLY how old she is
    Current Residence: Vancouver, BC
    Current School: tutoring/correspondence
    Favorite Subject: English or French
    Hobbies: writing, socializing, shopping, clubbing, singing :),
    Nicknames: currently Ms. Moss, Jujub, Jazzy G, Jewely Newmar, Princess
    Hand Preference: right
    Favorite Colors: green, baby blue, cream
    Favorite Sport: volleyball, basketball
    Favorite Athletes: Dennis Rodman
    Favorite Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Will Smith, George Clooney Favorite Actresses: Alicia Silverstone, Claire Danes, Renee Zellewager
    Favorite TV Shows: Saturday Night Live, music videos, Flash Forward (heh heh, j/k)
    Favorite Automobiles: Volkswagen Cabrio, Nissan Pathfinder, BMW convertible Favorite Cereals: oatmeal (yum), those sugary rainbow colored cereals, cornflakes, raison bran, Honey Bunches of Oat's RULE
    Favorite Foods: sundried tomato pasta, cheeseburgers, chocolate(I live for this), fruit pies, Reeces Peeces, Cookie Dough Haagan Dazs ice cream...I could go on. Favorite Drinks: iced tea, water, guava juice, apple juice.
    Favorite Music: R&B and some jewel stuff
    Favorite Song: right now it's Cupid
    Favorite Music Artists: 112, Allure, Blackstreet, Jewel, Foxy Brown, BIG, 2Pac, Tamia, Fiona Apple, No Doubt( ok actually just Gwen)
    Favorite Countries: USA, Canada. (specifically California, Hawaii, Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Boston) Favorite Animals: cats
    Things She Couldn't Live Without: chocolate, music, people
    Type of Computer: ? PC something or other... ?

    C. A Jewel Staite Interview
    What are your interests and statistics, i.e. height, weight, DOB, etc.?

    I'm 5'4, 118 lbs, my birthdate is June 2nd, 1982, and I'm into music, socializing, shopping, ACTING(of course, :P), singing when no one's listening, writing, and watching romance movies. I am a total, sickening romantic, I am somewhat obsessive, I love people, and I love magic. It's something I rely on I guess.....I have these thoughts like, "it was meant to be if I meet them" or "we were destined to become friends", so I believe in fate and karma.

    Who has been influentual in your life?

    There are many people that are influentual in my life, so many that I can't really count. My old acting teacher who put up with me from when I was seven until about twelve....She really is the greatest, her name's Mikal Dugi and she has taught me everything I know and I love her ability to influence people that they will make it if they try hard enough and all of their work won't be just for nothing. And of course, there's all sorts of movie stars that have influenced me in their own ways, like Winona Ryder in Mermaids---her performance blew me away. The beauty of Gwyneth Paltrow, the unbelievable chaos that goes with Gwen Stefani, the romanticism Claire Danes carries, the naivety of Natalie Portman......the list goes on and on forever. And my mother has influenced me quite a bit, especially since she has been so supportive and she's told me all the rights and the wrongs in this world.

    What goals do you hope to achieve in the future?

    There are no special "goals" I want to achieve. Right now I'm just having fun and I am doing something that I have always wanted to do, and the thought that people actually enjoy it just blows me away, I think it's hysterical that they actually watch the shows and they love the characters almost as much as I do. Both shows have such a great cast, I'm very lucky and I'm very greatful. I guess I've always wanted to be a respected actress that has played many different roles and someone that people like to watch....but mainly I just love being somebody else for a while. That's why I get so attached to the characters.

    How did you get involved in acting?

    I started out modelling and when that didn't work out with me, I got some good advice from my modelling/acting teacher to get an agent, since she said I would probably do better in that field. I started out doing commercials and when I was eight or nine, I did my first tv movie and a guest spot on The Odyssey. It was very exciting for me to tell my friends at school to "catch me on the tube at eight". They still haven't gotten used to it.

    Is acting anything like you thought it would be?

    I didn't have time to think. I was only six ;) But as I was training and getting up there and doing commercials, I was always taught that it wasn't all fun and games so I was prepared that it wasn't going to be just a "hobby". And it's not, it's my career and I am so happy I got into it when I did. Maybe it was fate...LOL

    What would advice would you give to someone that has a passion for acting?

    A passion isn't really enough....you have to have dedication, and be prepared to give up your life. You can't miss auditions for birthday parties if you want to get anywhere and you have to leave home for months at a time to shoot a television series. It's an amazing and wonderful field, but it's also very competitive and very difficult.

    Who would you like to work with in future projects?

    Anybody I talked about in the "people that have influenced me" question..;) Also Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Robin Williams, Julia Louis-Dreyfus(she is INCREDIBLE on Seinfeld), Robert Redford, Steven Spielberg, Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Heckerling, the list goes on and on and on....

    What was experience of filming The X-Files episode, The Oubliette like?

    It was one of the most amazing and exhilerating and draining experiences of my whole career. The whole feeling on the set was so intense, so quiet, and everyone was working really really hard, which is maybe why it turned out to be such a good episode. I love the X-Files cast and crew, I have so much respect for them.

    What do you think about Flash Forward?

    What do I think about it?? It's my baby, I love it. Sometimes I'm upset with it, but I always love it. It was definitely a learning experience and there was such a heavy bond with everyone on the set that it was difficult when we found out it was going to be on hold for a while. It was my home for six months, I got so used to the whole routine of driving to the studio and going to my dressing room with an egg Mc muffin and watching bloopers at lunch time....It was sad when it was all over, but I guess that happens.

    What are a couple of the experiences that occur in Flash Forward that have happened to you?

    It was like a regular family on set. It was me and Ben being best friends, Theo keeping to himself, Asia always making us laugh, me and Ben going out, Theo and Ben argueing, Asia and I turning down wardrobe....At the beginning we were all very careful what we said to each other, because we didn't know each other very well and we all wanted to make this phony, good impression. But in the third month, we really opened up and thats when things started getting interesting---but every arguement brought us a little bit closer until we were just like siblings on set. It was a big blow when it was all over. We cried for a long time, and we didn't realize what he had until we didn't have it anymore.

    What are your favorite episodes of Flash Forward?

    I like every one of them for little things, but my big favorites are Presents and Flossed in the Woods. I liked Presents because that's when Becca and Tucker finally show a little bit of feelings for each other, and the script was beautifully written and it was shot really well. Flossed in the Woods, the one where we all went camping, was actually a very moving episode. The cast comes together to get themselves out of a problem near the end and I thought it was totally realistic. And of course, I love That's My Baby, because Ben is HYSTERICAL in that one. I die laughing everytime I see it.

    What were your favorite Flash Forward episodes to film?

    "Flossed" was a great one to film because it was mostly shot at night when we were totally hyper on coffee and candy and screaming and doing the dumbest things just to get a laugh.....Everyone really bonded during that week, and some of the funniest outtakes were made on that one. Funny Like Me, an episode about a talent contest, was the best to film for me, because the director gave me so much freedom with comedy and the script was great and everyone did such a cool job. I haven't seen the final product yet, but I know that it was one of the best weeks we've had on the show.

    What do you think of Ben Foster, or "The Blond Guy," as most refer to him?

    Ben is an incredible person, and I knew that he was the first day I met him. He's really really tense about everything, he's totally intelligent, and he's one of the best actors I've known. I respect him a lot and I wish people would get to know him as ben instead of "the blond guy"...but I'm usually known as the nerdy girl. LOL (I guess you have to get used to that in this business). He's also insecure, like most actors are, so if he does a good job, he never believes you if you tell him. I love talking to him and I love him for listening.

    What do you think about Space Cases?

    I think Space Cases is a great show, maybe because I know everyone works so hard on that set to make it a great show. It's also one of my "baby's" because it was my first series and my first experiene working steadily like that for months. I loved it, and I can't believe how different it is from the Flash Forward set. Space Cases is always upbeat, the people are usually happy and joking and laughing and eating way too much and just being stupid.....and so supportive! We always made sure to tell each other we did a good job in a certain scene and we always felt good about ourselves. They are a wonderful group.

    What are your favorite episodes of Space Cases?

    I like The Impossible Dram and I like Kangaroo Court, because they're pretty "fantasy" like and I love that kind of stuff. "Dram" was great because it was beautifully written and "Kangaroo" was so funny, we were all so in character in that one.

    What were your favorite Space Cases episodes to film?

    Forever Young because of the food fight and Ricky Mabe, the guy who played young Goddard. Ricky is hilarious no matter what character he's playing and I love him--he's like my little brother.

    What was the transition like to go from Space Cases to Flash Forward?

    Like I said, both sets are very very different. Leaving Space Cases really upset me and it was hard to get over that and move on to a totally different group. I felt intimidated...but after a week on Flash Forward I was okay again. I adapt very well and both groups of people are like my families. I do miss "Catalina" very much...and I miss "Becca" now. But hopefully they will be re-lived sometime.

    What is your relationship like with the cast from Space Cases, and do you still keep in touch with them?

    Kristian is my best friend and I love him, and Paige is my sister who looks out for me and I look out for her, Rahi is my personal comedian, Anik is my idol, Cary is my mom, Paul is my dad, and Walter is the guy that keeps me on my toes, constantly teasing me--he's so cool. I do keep in touch with them as much as possible and I miss them very much. I miss the whole atmosphere of the Space Cases set...I would love to be back there.

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Section 2: Filmography

Show

Character

Date

Notes

Flash Forward Becca Fisher 1996 TV
(ABC/Disney)
Carpool 1996 movie
Space Cases Catalina 1996 TV
(Nickelodeon)
The Prisoner of Zenda Theresa 1996 movie
Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain Samantha 1995 movie
The X-Files
Oubliette
Amy Jacobs 1995 TV
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
The Tale of the Unfinished Painting(#51)
Cody 1994 TV
(Nickelodeon)
Liar, Liar Doriana 1993 TV movie
The Only Way Out Alexandra 1993 TV movie
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
The Tale of Watcher's Woods (#29)
Kelly 1992 TV
(Nickelodeon)
The Odyssey
Prophesy
Believers
Lobelia 1992 TV
Meeting Dad Megan 1992 Vancouver
Film School
Student Film
Posing: Inspired by Three Real Stories Jennifer 1991 TV movie

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Section 3. how can I contact Jewel Staite?

    A. E-mail:
    Jewel can be E-mailed at Jewelinc@aol.com

    B. Snail Mail:
    You can reach Jewel at:
    Jewel Staite c/o Carrier Talent Management 2nd Floor 1260 Hornby Street Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z1W2

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Section 4: What new things (ie moveies, shows, ect) is Jewel doing?

Jewel is currently in Calgary working on an episode for the new TV series "Honey I Shrunk the Kids".

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Section 5: Where can I find information about her on the net?

    A. Webpages:
    The Jewel Staite Homepage - http://geocities.datacellar.net/Hollywood/Academy/3908/jewel.html Jewels of the Heart - A Jewel Staite Site - http://geocities.datacellar.net/Hollywood/Academy/4311/ The Unofficial Jewel Staite Homepage - http://members.aol.com/jewelfire/index.html Budding Hollywood Starlet-Namesake Page - http://www.tc.umn.edu/nlhome/m606/haug0066/realbhs.htm The Jewel Staite Page - http://members.aol.com/wormie1138/jewel.html My (well, not really MY) tribute to Jewel Staite - http://geocities.datacellar.net/Hollywood/Hills/7753/jewel.html The Jewel Staite Fan Page - http://members.aol.com/nofeus/jewel-e.html Want a Jewel Staite Page? - http://www.fortuneCity.com/lavendar/ridleyford/17/index.html Jewel Staite and Asia Vierra - http://members.aol.com/JewelState/jewelinc.html Jewel Staite - http://members.aol.com/Gemini1785/jewel.html Jewel Staite! - http://scnc.fvl.k12.mi.us/~lenk/jewel/jewel.html Kiel's Jewel Staite Home Page - http://geocities.datacellar.net/Colosseum/5472/jewel.html Jewel Staite's Odyssey - http://pw2.netcom.com/~jivefive/odyssey/staite.html Jewel Staite Now! - http://fascination.com/pub/collin/jewel_now.html

    B. Newsgroups:
    There is a newsgroup on AOL the address is : aol://4344:1050.wb316.8388678.508188697 but you may have to be a member of AOL, I don't know. .

    C. IRC:
    There is an IRC channel being started - #JewelStaite Get info at:
    Jewel Fans on the Undernet - http://geocities.datacellar.net/Hollywood/Academy/3980/jewelirc.html

    D. Other:
    Now the only chat is at http://geocities.datacellar.net/Hollywood/Academy/3980/chat.html. That one is java based. Zabagabe took the other chat off, because Jewel wasn't going to be able to visit it any more.

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Section 6: Credits

Maintainers, Jewel Staite FAQ: Ryan Stewart (stewartcorp@hotmail.com)

Thank you to:
Alternity (for the Filmography and some additions)
Wormie (for the interview and for some additions)
Remy (for the bio)
Jewel Staite (for answering the "Quick Facts" and for being so nice)
Cher Staite (for helping me out with the new info)

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Section 7: History of the FAQ

7/12/97 - version .50 released
7/17/97 - version .65 released
7/18/97 - version .70 released
8/26/97 - version .80 released

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