As
a writer I enjoy searching for new and diverse talent to interview.
Helene Leclerc caught my eye as the announcer in Man of Tai Chi. Her
beauty and grace on screen are enchanting. I researched the web and
found virtually no information on her. Thanks to the far reaching tentacles of Facebook, I contacted Helene and found her to be a highly intelligent, and lady with a dynamic personality. Enough of my babbling, time to
enjoy Helene, her beauty, and brains with the EXCLUSIVE photos from Olivier Yoan https://www.facebook.com/pages/Olivier-Yoan-Photography/145108345524239. Helene has a brand new website 2014 with videos, photos and new contact info @ http://siwanhelene.wix.com/helenesleclerc
With
your diverse background, I noticed you speak five languages: English,
French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish: give my readers more info about your upbringing,
study background, etc...
I
grew up in Hong Kong which is a Cantonese and English speaking city.
I lived with my french speaking dad and studied a french curriculum
at the French International School. On weekends I would visit my Cantonese speaking mom. As for English, I studied it at school 7 hours
a week and had an English speaking nanny. I basically grew up
speaking 3 languages and by the time i was 11. I started studying Mandarin intensely at school then took up Spanish when I was 13. At
school I was always more interested in arts, languages, and
philosophy, so it was natural for me that I chose a literary
curriculum in senior high. I graduated with a french literary
baccalaureate with a major in English and mandarin and took Art for
extra credit. After high school I started studying translation and
interpretation through a long distance course with a university in
France. However just before i was 21 I realized that interpretation
was not something I wanted to do despite the fact that languages was
my forte and dropped out. Between that apathy and the dropping out, I
was filming Man of Tai Chi.
.
Mastering
the linguistic aspect of each language, much like an interpreter,
what are some of the challenges?
I
don't really see many challenges in Mastering those languages. First
of all I only mastered French and English. I speak the other three,
but i'm not a 100% fluent. As for learning them, at first I used to
mix up some words in Mandarin and Spanish as I was learning them
simultaneously. But afterwards I didn't really feel like I was making
efforts to learn words as I took a real interest in the language i
was getting familiar with, and that included movies and music, I
would even start thinking in that language. Since I grew up speaking
3 completely different languages, i guess my brain isn't formatted to
just one. I know a lot of people translate in their head before
speaking the foreign language… I just think. I guess learning a
language academically was difficult for me, with the grammar and the
rules but when I left school my language skills greatly improved as i
was learning by just talking to say Spanish or Chinese people, much
like learning my first three languages.
Knowing all of those languages must open many doors in the modelling business. On
a tangent, how did you get into modeling? Was it a planned goal, or
something that happened by chance?
I
met one of my best friends when i was 16 and she was modeling part
time. Eventually she became full-time and would take me out with them
to "model parties". That is when i discovered modeling,
before that models were like the Lochness Monster for me, not quite
real. By the time I was 17 and in need of financial independence, I joined my first agency.
Posing
in front of the camera, nerve-wracking exciting, exhilarating? Maybe
describe some of your emotions.
Haha,
first time I did a photo shoot i was transformed. I knew right there
and then that thats what i wanted to do. I had never felt so
comfortable and self confident. In life i'm much more of an
introvert. You wouldn't normally catch me being a social butterfly.
But with a camera, its like talking to a deaf mute friend, you can
say so much with no words. It is even better if I am working with an
artistic photographer. It is like we speak the same language and get
in sync.
With
regards to your preference in your modeling photos, do you have a
favorite style, mysterious, playful etc?
I
really love doing quirky High Fashion and Natural nymph like styles.
Man
of Tai Chi, what was the process for you to become involved with such
a fantastic film? Auditions? How long was the rehearsal?
I
did two casting videos before being flown to Beijing to meet Mr
Reeves, On that same trip I did a camera test. I went home and a few
weeks later my manager called me with the good news! I didn't see any
of it coming, it was like being swept of my feet and transported to
one amazing situation and then an another. I was dumbfounded most of
the way, expecting at any moment to wake up. The only rehearsals I
would do was just before filming, with the camera and everything.
Being 'The Announcer' requires a great speaking voice, in addition you
beautiful appearance, maybe describe your portion of the filming of
the announcing scene, and how many days if you remember were you on
the film set?
I
was on location for 2 months in Beijing and on set only 20 days.
Everything on set would be ready before I got there. Once I was there
all made up and dressed up, I would be given instructions on where to
walk and Mr Reeves would tell me what he wanted from me, i would
suggest some things i wanted to try and then voila, I would do the
scenes. Most of the time I would do the scene over and over again
like it is to be expected. I did once get a scene on the first take…
that was cool, especially since I thought it was rehearsal. But then
I heard "it's a wrap!"… I got so confused.
How
about nerves, describe your process for learning lines for Man
of Tai Chi.
I
knew the lines already by doing the audition videos. I must have done
each video something like 20 times before one of them was chosen to
be sent. It would be nerve wracking though on set filming and i would
forget one word. But despite some moments of being very nervous, i
pulled though.
Was
it difficult making the transition from model to actress, especially
for that role?
Not
at all, at least not for this role. Modeling is a type of
performance, at least it is for me. That is why I like it. I don't just
pose, i'm acting out an expression, a feeling, a moment. I am someone
different in each shoot.
Bad
girl roles, vs good girl roles, do you have a preference?
No,
bad girl or good girl for me its the same. They are both human with a
background and certain emotions and a train of though. I think I
would like to do both. The one thing though is I find that good girl
character are given more depth. That is something that I would much
prefer.
More
about Helene L. I noticed in your modeling pictures you have words
tattooed around your left breast, what do they say? Meaning?
"Amato
omens, Fidito nemini" is Latin for "Love all, Trust in no
one".
Definitely words to live by, switching gears, chat
about some of your favorite films and actors.
I
don't know if I have a favorite group of actors, i have actors I like
and others I don't. My favorite movies have to be The Devil's
advocate, The Matrix, Good morning Vietnam, The Intouchables, the Fifth
Element, Dangerous Liaisons, The Beloved, The Inglorious Bastards, A
Monster in Paris, Amelie Poulain, La Vie En Rose, Good Will Hunting,
City of God… to list a few…
Rock
Climbing is listed as a past time, what are some of your other
hobbies?
I
recently took up photo editing. Swimming I guess you can say is a
hobby of mine. But mostly when i'm not working, i'm surfing the
internet or watching movies and TV series, or out with friends and
family. Test shooting is also a hobby of mine. I like to collaborate
with talented photographers like my good friend Olivier Yoan
Passebecq, and do art.
Wrapping
up, talk about some of your short term and long term goals? More
modeling, acting?
I
think I would like to model until my youth gives up on me. But right
now i would like to extend to acting and performance in general. I
would really like to have the opportunity to play a deeper role than
Female Announcer, play more with emotions and interactions, possibly
even physical feats. Right now I am looking into acting classes and
workshops to develop, play, and gain self-assurance, so I will
probably be moving out of Hong Kong this year… maybe Paris...
Thank you for taking time out for the interview Helene, and for my valued readers be on the lookout for more on Dan's Movie Report!
