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Kam Heskin Shows That There Is A Lot More Than Meets The Eye
When KAM HESKIN, Beach's new Caitlin, graduated from college with a double major in political science and broadcast journalism, she had a big decision to make. "I had the choice to be a copywriter for a local television station or move to Chicago and do some modeling and acting," the Grand Junction, Colorado native tells Digest Online. "I decided to take a chance and moved to Chicago."
It wasn't long before she nabbed her first professional job -- modeling for a Montgomery Ward catalogue. Although she was attracted by the Windy City's theater community, the twenty-something actress decided that there were more acting opportunities in New York. A role in a film directed by Face Off director John Woo followed, and soon thereafter, Heskin landed the role of Caitlin, replacing original castmember Vanessa Dorman. "I think she has finally had enough," the actress shares of what's in store for the new Caitlin. "She'll start to be a little bit of a stronger person." The character will need an added dose of bravado, judging from what's in store for her this summer. (The show's spokesperson notes, "She'll be taking a cruise this summer with her husband [Cole], and a lot of unexpected things happen on it. It's part of seismic summer!") In other words, man the lifeboat, Caitlin!
Meanwhile, Heskin is delighted to have landed on her feet in Los Angeles, after braving nearly two years in New York. "I have more freedom now that I can drive and not have to be on a subway," she enthuses of the upsides of being a Californian. "Plus, it's less expensive here. The amount of space you get for your money doesn't compare -- my apartment is three times the size of my one in New York!" And there's one more thing Heskin loves about L.A. "I love the weather here. I like how sunny it is. It's a beautiful day everyday." Sounds like she'll fit right into the Beach.
DIGEST ONLINE: Has the show given you any notes about wanting to take the character in a new direction?
HESKIN: Well, I think so much has been happening to Caitlin. I think she has finally had enough. [Laughs] She'll start to be a little bit of a stronger person, and I feel she's tired of having all these people [on her case]. I think she's going to start sticking up for herself and take more control of what's going on.
DIGEST ONLINE: What can you share with readers about what's ahead for Caitlin and her storyline?
HESKIN: I finally get time away from everyone, and it's time for Cole and I but--
DIGEST ONLINE: Earthquake! It'll be a fun storyline I hear, a nail biter!
HESKIN: I definitely think it will. I read the scripts as they come, and I can't wait for the next day to read what's going to happen!
DIGEST ONLINE: The story of you landing the part is something out of a movie!
HESKIN: I read for someone from NBC in New York, and a couple of days later on a Thursday, I flew to L.A. to screen test. The next Friday morning, I was on a noon flight headed back to New York. The pilot made his departure announcement, and we were already to take off. Then, the flight attendant announced, "Kam Heskin, please ring your call button." I was thinking that maybe there was a problem with my luggage. My call button was broken, so the flight attendant came looking in the cabin for me, "Where is Kam Heskin?" I waved to her, and she yelled across the cabin, "You got the part! You have to get off the plane!"
DIGEST ONLINE: You must have been a bit disoriented!
HESKIN: Yes, and they couldn't get my luggage off the plane in time. I didn't know who to call or where to go initially. I dumped my bag out at the gateway, trying to find someone's phone number to call. I called my agent, because she was the one phone number I had memorized.
DIGEST ONLINE: Did you screen test with Eddie Cibrian (Cole)?
HESKIN: No, I believe Eddie was doing his CBS TV movie, so I tested with Tim Adams (Casey). He was so great, just the nicest guy. It was very comforting to work with him.
DIGEST ONLINE: Is it difficult being a recast or was that not even on your mind?
HESKIN: No, it was difficult at first, just because I wasn't sure what exactly was expected of me. And there was a rather intricate storyline around my character at the time, so it took me awhile to understand all the pieces of it. Now, I've been working a couple of weeks, things are going well and I'm feeling at home.
DIGEST ONLINE: Did you watch any of Vanessa Dorman's (ex-Caitlin) work?
HESKIN: I had seen a couple of Sunset Beach tapes. At the time I had gotten the part, I hadn't watched daytime because I've been so busy during the day. Then because this all happened so fast, I didn't have the time to watch to even watch the tapes I had received. Now, since I've moved here, I haven't even had a TV. [Laughs] My stuff hasn't come yet, and I haven't even seen my own work. But I do want to see the show from before I came on, too. That's important to me.
DIGEST ONLINE: Who has been particularly key in helping you learn the ropes of daytime?
HESKIN: All the different castmembers. Initially, I was working with Sarah Buxton [Annie], and she was very helpful. I've also spoken with Sam Behrens [Gregory] about the whole experience, because he has a lot of experience under his belt. Everyday I seem to work with veteran actors who help me out, like just yesterday I worked with Kathleen Noone [Bette]. She was talking to me about the character, and giving me advice.
DIGEST ONLINE: Are you a soap watcher?
HESKIN: I was hooked on Days Of Our Lives for years. In college, Days was the big show everybody watched. I watched a lot of primetime soaps, too, and have always been a big fan of Melrose Place and Beverly Hills, 90210.
DIGEST ONLINE: And now you're working for Aaron Spelling, too! You did a feature film with John Woo, who directed Broken Arrow and Face Off. What was that experience like?
HESKIN: It was a two hour movie pilot [called "Blackjack"] that was released theatrically everywhere else but here. Here it was released on video, but it'll be on TV in August. John Woo is a wonderful person. He's a very hard worker and very respectful and easy to talk to. When he talks, everyone listens.
DIGEST ONLINE: Anybody in your family an actor?
HESKIN: My mom was always an actress, up until she decided to marry and have kids. She traveled to Korea with the USO. She was Miss Montana. She was always big into theater. My dad is the opposite. He has an engineering and architecture degree.
DIGEST ONLINE: So did you get the acting bug from your mom?
HESKIN: I think it was. My mom has always been so expressive and artistic. In elementary school, she was always the one to help us put on the plays at our school. She always included us in that kind of stuff. She also read lots of stories to us. I think a lot of [why I became an actor] was because of her.
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