New Faces comes to face-to-face with Polly Shannon as she unravels her journey from the modeling industry to making her way successfully to the acting industry.

New Faces: You started acting as a child, and much is said about the difficulties of being a child actor in the industry, so how did you manage to transition between a child actor and professional in the industry?

Polly Shannon: I did mostly live theatre as a child and really loved it. I was constantly busy. So between school and drama, dance, singing lessons, rehearsals, and performances I had very little free time. There was not a lot of hanging out with my friends. I had very strict parents who enforced school first. I had to take all science in school and maintain A's to continue my after school practices. I think this taught me a good work ethic. I was very driven. As a young adult when others were partying I was studying to get better.

New Faces: What advice would you give to parents who want to get their children into acting?

Polly Shannon: Never let the child think this makes them special, or they'll have a rude awakening later.

New Faces: You also had a worldwide modeling career starting at the age of 13, what made you want to get into modeling and can you tell us a bit about that experience?

Polly Shannon: I was scouted when I was about twelve and had never thought about doing it before. I was 5'8 and a little too thin and they wanted to pay me money to take pictures. I was very into traveling and this provided me with a way to do that and make money that I was going to save for school. I got to live in New York, Tokyo, and Paris all before the age of 18.

New Faces: You ultimately gave up your modeling career to pursue acting, what made you want to pursue one over the other, rather than both together, as so many young stars do now?

Polly Shannon: Back then in Canada they really didn't take models seriously. My true love was acting. For a while I did both in stead of waitresing but as I got more into film and TV my agent at the time suggested I stop modeling and I did.

New Faces: You come from a small town, how did that help or hinder your acting start, for example, do you think coming from Los Angeles would have made a difference?

I think starting in Canada was the best thing to happen to me. I came down here with tons of experience and good contacts. I'd also be nowhere had I not studied forever with David Rotenberg in Toronto.

New Faces: You have done everything from small theatre to a popular MTV series, to the critically acclaimed movie, The Girl Next Door, can you describe what its like to do both the smaller and the blockbuster parts?

Polly Shannon: I approach every part with the same amount of respect. I do my best to give all my characters the fullness of life they deserve.ng others but it's premature to talk about them yet.

New Faces: You have received two Gemini nominations (the Canadian equivalent to the Oscars) for your roles in The Girl Next Door and The Sheldon Kennedy Story, do such accolades matter and do they create new opportunities for you?

Polly Shannon: Receiving recognition from my peers meant the world to me! It was an honour.

New Faces: Can you tell us about your upcoming roles and what you are working on now?

Polly Shannon: I'm doing so many things right now. Where to start? I'm attached to a couple of exciting films and there is buzz around a potential series.

I have a film called Hide, produced by wishbone films and directed by KC Bascombe, screening in Toronto just before the film festival this September.

I'm presently shooting a documentary about a special needs couple who are getting married. This is a subject close to my heart and very fulfilling.<

We've just finished the final edit for a short film I wrote and produced, entitled Miranda And Gordon, which will hit some festivals then air on Bravo. Keep you eyes peeled for a TV movie called Victor on CBC. It's the amazing and tragic story of the Olympic gold medalist Victor Davis. Written by and starring Mark Lutz.

New Faces: Finally, what advice would you offer for aspiring actors who want to get started in the industry?

Polly Shannon: The best advice I can give is keep studying! Don't think someone will just take a look at your pretty and make you a star. It's a battle and if you are lucky enough to be given a chance you'd better be prepared to shine. This industry is a little like running a marathon you need the training, the stamina and the drive to get to that finish line.

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