Amidst the madness of Christmas programming that is ultimately coming to an end with the advent of 2019, there are several interviews that were inadvertently postponed until I had a moment to do them justice. In the case of Nicole Oliver, she is one of the most understanding and long-suffering of these ladies as she continues to agree to interviews with me even when she sometimes has to await their posting dates. While Christmas On Holly Lane is officially concluded with airing dates for the season, I know it was a popular film (I enjoyed it immensely and saw it more than once) in both the U.S. and Canada. However, the marvelous thing is that 2019 is going to be a year of incredible possibilities and opportunities for my good friend Nicole, and it is an honor to finally share what she and I chatted about this past fall.
RH: Nicole, how nice to chat with you again!
NO: Always nice to chat with you, Ruth. Very busy time for me.
I understand you had three auditions today?
Actually five auditions. Sometimes that happens like that…last-minute.
I cannot imagine! Of course, you are my third interview today.
You know what I find so funny? All you want to do is do what you love, and I really believe that if you put it out in the universe, it will come back to you. Not necessarily come back to you in the way you want it to come back to you or the timing that works best for you. You always need to be ready to walk through that door when it opens. Some days, a whole wack of doors are open, and you’re like, “Okay, here we go! It’s time to run!” Then it’s easy for us to complain about it, but when it comes down to it, you just gotta feel grateful for all the opportunities.
I absolutely agree with you one hundred percent, Nicole. And because of your busy schedule, there are some great things out there that people can see you in now. I actually knew about The Hollow because I’ve been paying attention to the tweets from you and others involved with this show. And actually, my daughter, Martha, discovered The Hollow before I even told her about it. I also told her that you are one of the voices, so she kept her ears open for your signature voice. And then we started discussing all the people who are playing the various characters. In fact, she was going to binge the whole thing at once, but then her friend asked her to wait so they could watch the rest of it together.
That’s super fun!
Then I knew about Narcoleap. I’ve been following the journey of this show almost since the beginning.
Narcoleap, yes, this is a web series, and Kate Green has put together an incredible crew along with a great writer, David Schmitt. And the cast is also amazing. I mean, the resumes are out the yin-yang, right? It was just an incredible group of people to work with, and everything you probably would have wanted and hoped to have in a show. With Aleks {Paunovic} and Chelsey {Reist} and just everyone else.
But it’s good to note that we didn’t have access to all the equipment that a regular network show might have had. We had two cameras and it made us really have to be creative with our characters and storytelling, which I loved. I loved using my experience of having done this for so many years to create a show like this. I appreciated the fact that there were so many people who were willing to get in and work even when we encountered some situations that might have made some people go, “I don’t know about this! I haven’t done this before!” But we all figured out to make it work, and for me, it was great to figure out how to make it all work for me.
What I have seen of this series…you know, sometimes people’s expectations are low because this is just a “web series,” and so often, they get a bad rap. But in my opinion, Narcoleap is definitely on the same level as the network series I have seen in terms of acting, story and production value.
I will take that as high praise. What we all have tried to do is ground it in truth. The characters are being placed in extraordinary circumstances, but if we can ground it in truth, then we can bring out elements of the story that are meaningful in terms of relationships. If we can make all that seem realistic, then it will make all the extraordinary bits seem possible.
I talked with Madison Smith about the series this past summer right before it launched.
That young man…I have a prediction. He’s well on his way to really big things very soon. He is just wonderful. He’s got this really wonderful combination of sincerity and approachability and strength. I consider him one of my ones to watch.
Definitely!
It is wonderful to see everything happening for him. I would love to play his mother sometime in the future. But, of course, playing Chelsey’s mother was pretty amazing. Everything has been just wonderful for this show.
I understand big things are happening with Narcoleap.
with Chelsey Reist
Very true. Not only can you find this series on the web–you know YouTube and all that–but season one can also be watched on TELUS Optik TV and the CBC TV App and digital platform. I understand that Kate and the filmmakers are in the early stages of raising money for season two which we really believe needs to happen. So many unanswered questions from that first season. And the show has received many awards at various film festivals and web series festivals around the world. In fact, the series and some of the actors were nominated for the Canadagraph Awards, which is where the fans vote on their favorite shows and actors. It might not seem like a big deal, but the fact that we were nominated right along with other network shows…that’s huge! We are definitely ready for a season two, and all these accolades can only help us get there.
Another thing to think about is that season one is comprised of eight episodes, ten minutes each. All of those episodes could easily be expanded if a major network wanted to pick the series up. You could easily build more tension and have more coverage in each of the episodes. So no matter what happens with the series, I know that we are ready to follow more of the story and to even find out more about Chelsey’s character’s family. Obviously, the family is not a normal family. And as far as the kids who are watching the show, using their terminology, it’s getting lots of downloads and likes, and it’s performing brilliantly. I think there’s lots more to discuss and watch in the land of Narcoleap.
I agree, and as I told Madison, I don’t think there’s anything else out there quite like this show. There are elements that probably remind you of other shows, but nothing else quite like Narcoleap.
With Kate Green and Chelsey Reist
In terms of tone, it kind of reminds me of the Jennifer Garner show Alias. But when you consider the current offerings, almost all of the sci-fi shows out now are based in the future and based around space. I think the idea that it could happen to you or happen at home is something that makes this show unique. It’s everyday life with everyday people with extraordinary abilities. That’s what people tend to like in the Marvel and D.C. world, right? Without calling the main girl a superhero, at least from a science fiction perspective, we’re going back to a genre of sci-fi that hasn’t been around for a while. And I think it’s about time for a comeback.
Have you heard anything about a season two of The Hollow?
I am afraid I cannot say anything about that! As you know, we sign all these non-disclosure agreements, and because I already have children, I can’t give away my firstborn if I say anything. So if I say anything, they’ll take them away! 😮 In fact, I used to joke during the My Little Pony conventions when people would ask me questions about the show that I wasn’t at liberty to answer, I’d say, “You know, I’d love to tell you, but if I did, these black S.W.A.T. guys from Hasbro will drop from the ceiling, and they’ll take me away and you’ll never see me again!”😉 So no, I can’t answer anything. Sometimes I try to figure out why we are sworn to secrecy like we are, but I guess everything is just moving so fast with social media. Something is posted and twenty seconds later, it’s gone. Original ideas are also hard to come by, so when they get one, they need to protect it profusely.
I understand completely. And like I always say, since this is a Netflix show, if people want a second season of The Hollow, they need to ask Netflix for it.
Yes, and make sure you watch it and tell your friends to watch it too. All those things are ways to hopefully ensure another season happens.
And we also saw you in a Christmas movie this holiday season, Christmas On Holly Lane. It was on UP TV here and on Super Channel Heart & Home in Canada.
Yes, that is correct. I hope you and all the fans enjoyed that one.
Yes, I absolutely loved it. Great movie. A terrific cast as well.
You know how that role came about? The director heard of me, and while it’s not the biggest part, boy, Ruth, I milked it. The director said, “I want to work with you. Will you come play with me for a couple of days?” As an actor, sure, I want to do lead roles and all the rest of it. But this industry is first and foremost about relationships. So hearing those words from that director is probably the highest compliment I could hear. I went and played, and I hung out with my friends, Karen Holness and Jaime Callica. I did a lot of improv on set and made everybody laugh, and I had a really good time. And that’s what life’s about. With everything, it’s supposed to be fun. It has to be fun at this point. So those kinds of experiences are really lovely gifts.
Now, my understanding is that you are directing now?
Voice Director, Molly of Denali
Yes, so the last time we chatted, I talked about options. As you get older in this industry, how can you keep yourself viable? And really in any industry, how can you keep yourself interesting and growing? So I put it out there that I wanted to direct, and I am now voice directing three animation series. One for Netflix, one for YouTube, and one for PBS. Hopefully, I can say more later because I would love to talk to you about them. What I can say that the PBS one is called Molly Of Denali. Also, all of these projects are female-driven, important, frivolous and fun. In fact, the projects go from being really important and significant for our time to being frivolous and fun. And I think that’s what animation does so well. I’m also acting in one of them too. I figure if Angelina Jolie can do it, so can I. 2018 was all about changing and growing, and I predict it will continue into this new year. I am also in talks with people to actually direct some live action stuff in 2019. So that is my next goal for this year. I think it’s important to have women in those positions to help tell stories so we can have another perspective. I’m still doing everything; I’m not giving up anything. I’m not throwing the baby out with the bath water. Maybe just adding a little extra bubble bath.
Voice Director, Molly of Denali
I’m so glad this is happening for you, Nicole! It’s great to see that even though you’re getting older, you’re not really slowing down as far as work is concerned. That is very inspirational for someone like me. You’re continuing on pursuing your dreams in the business, and I really appreciate that you do that.
Thank you, Ruth. I’m just open to possibilities. I’ll never forget one of my very first auditions that I did way back in the day was for a one-liner for a show called The Great Defender that had Kelly Rutherford and Peter Krause and Michael Rispoli in it. It was for Fox. I went in for the audition for this one line, and I booked it. Then they said that it was for the receptionist at the law firm so it might recur. It was just something like, “They’re here to see you now, Bob.”
I went in for the read-through, and there was an issue where the lead actress couldn’t be there. So they asked me to read her part in the read-through. And the next thing you know, they’re all whispering to each other. And they wrote a completely new part for me where I was playing the lead’s girlfriend based on Marisa Tomei from My Cousin Vinny. So from one line, I suddenly got four episodes. So you never know. So if somebody says, “Hey, come play,” I feel it’s our job to go, “Sure. When and where?” It’s our agent’s job to take care of the business end of it, but it’s our job to go, “When and where?” And you never know when your next big opportunity is going to come from. You might as well be ready and accepting and give everything your all.
Nicole, thank you so much for chatting with me. I love your perspective always. And I also appreciate your patience with me!
Ruth, I recognize you are busy too, and I am just glad we get to connect as we do, and it is always a joy to chat with you. I am very excited for this year!
As a woman who continues to prove that she can do it all, i.e., have a career while still maintaining a strong family and personal life, Nicole is a reliable professional whose unique and refreshing perspective is always endearing and motivational. She could spend her time complaining like a plethora of women in Hollywood do today, and yet, Nicole chooses to take the role of positivity and inspiration. Every time I speak with her, she is personable, supportive, and charitable, and she is consistently willing to share her very essence with me coupled with her signature sense of humor (the woman has the most uncanny sense of humor delivered completely deadpan with authenticity). Some people in the industry may experience burnout when they have invested multiple years within the business, but all too often, those are the people who pursued this profession with misplaced motivation. Nicole is a lifelong learner, and every time I chat with her (or even review our conversations), I invariably find myself viewing something from a new viewpoint or even being challenged in what I thought I believed. Perhaps not everyone appreciates those kinds of exchanges, but knowing Nicole as I do, I relish all the time she has invested in me over the years in truly enlightening me about so many things within what is sometimes a very complex industry.
If you did happen to catch her in Christmas On Holly Lane (or even her Hallmark movie from last year, A Gift To Remember), you might have her virtuosity fresh in your mind. Moreover, if you watch My Little Pony (Princess Celestia) or The Hollow (Tree/Spider-Woman), you may be well aware of her current prowess in voice acting. If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out Narcoleap, I invite you to take the plunge and binge it today! Additionally, while you are investigating all these current works of hers, I would suggest that my readers pay a visit to all of Nicole’s links below and follow her where applicable. She does a fairly consistent job of keeping her fans aware of her upcoming works, and with all that 2019 has to offer, I do not believe any of my readers will want to miss a single update from this phenomenal woman. As an artist who persists in achieving personal and professional success no matter what obstacles may emerge, Nicole is a paragon in the film/TV community to what every professional should aspire. She has remained true to herself and her ideals, and no matter how many people may wish to attack her dreams or goals, she has continued her quest for genuine excellence while maintaining a considerate disposition and an attitude of humility. To be honest, she is a role model for other women in the business, and it would be marvelous if more industry professionals followed her lead!
FOLLOW NICOLE
