TV VIEWERS VOICE

At our Viewers Voice Conference last October we had a luncheon for the kids in the entertainment business. At that event we had a special awards ceremony emphasizing excellence for work done by outstanding young actors.

The first award given out was for outstanding performance by a young actor or actress in a feature film. It went to Tyler Hoechlin’s supporting role as Tom Hank’s son in “Road to Perdition.” This was fifteen year old Tyler’s first major role and many critics said his convincing portrayal of a young man who both idolizes and fears his father was the best part of the movie.

Tyler always had dreams of being a major league baseball player. “I never would have started acting if we hadn’t gotten this postcard in the mail,” he says of an advertisement seeking talent for acting classes. “I thought it would be something fun to do and an opportunity to make some extra money.”

Right now he’s successfully juggling an acting career and playing shortstop on the high school team in his hometown of Corona, California. Recently he took a trip to Romania for the lead role in the upcoming indie feature “Train Quest.”

Tyler was chosen from more than 2,000 hopefuls for the part in “Road to Perdition,” including his own brother, Tanner, 13 who was originally called in to read for the part. “But my agent convinced them to see me as well,” says Tyler. “And my brother agrees its better that at least one of us got the part.       

This well mannered teen is also doing great in baseball. In 1998, he was inducted into the Youth Baseball Hall of Frame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and hopes to someday play for the San Francisco Giants while acting in film in the off-season.

Tyler just signed with Walden Media to play Jim Hawkins in a contemporary version of “Treasure Island” opposite Jeffrey Wright. Production begins this January in Vancouver.

I had time to talk to Tyler at our luncheon, and he was a very nice young man. He attended the event with his brothers and parents. Here’ what he had to say when he accepted his award: “Thank you, this is my first award, definitely my first picture … not too bad? Thank you, see you again next year.” A young man of not too many words, but very talented and someone you will see much more of in the near future. There have already been rumors that he’s being considered for an Academy Award nomination.

The second award was given for outstanding performance by a young actor or actress in a network or cable television movie. This honor went to newcomer Kelsey Keel a fifteen year old actress from Fairfax, Virginia. Kelsey won an Emmy last year for her portrayal of Tiger Ann Parker, a twelve year-old girl in 1950s Louisiana who lives with her mentally handicapped parents. Old enough to realize the gravity of her parents disability; she struggles to come to grips with these unsettling circumstances. “My Louisiana Sky” is a thought provoking and touching coming of age drama that premiered on the Showtime Cable Network.

I interviewed Kelsey after the luncheon and asked her what her future plans were and she replied: I go to school on-line right now and I want to go to Law School, maybe become a lawyer. I don’t really know I’m taking it as it goes.” I also asked her what she does for fun and she said; “I’ve been playing the drums for about eight years and I play the piano and the bass guitar and my mom owns a dance studio and I dance a lot. I do just about anything.” I have a feeling, like Tyler, your going to hear a lot more about this young lady. She not only talented and pretty but has a great personality. Watch for the full interview I did with Kelsey on a future Viewers Voice TV Show, Mondays, 6:00 p.m. on Channel 14 in West Allis.

Our last award was for Outstanding Career Achievement by a young actor or actress. Fifteen year-old Shawn Pyfrom ywon hands down. Anyone who has watched TV or gone to the movies has seen this young man. Shawn is one of the most visible young actors in the business. At any given time you can turn on your TV and see him in countless series he has done or visit your local theatre and catch him in a major feature film. Shawn has appeared in the following feature films; “Max Keeble’s Big Move,” “Pay It Forward” and “The Day in the Life.” TV shows include “Reba,” “State of Grace,” “The Division,” “Touched by an Angel,” “7^th Heaven,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to name a few. He also played Danny on the movie of week “The Partridge Family.”

This young actor is so much fun to be around. His great personality and quick wit, including his always smiling face makes him a pleasure to know. Shawn started his career in Florida soon after coming out of diapers and has been acting ever since. Commercials were his first step to his climb to success. Shawn’s a straight A student and in his spare time can be found listening to R&B, rollerblading, going to the movies or just hanging with his friends. To know Shawn is to love him.

This was the third year Viewers Voce has had a luncheon for young actors and actresses and every year it gets bigger and more popular. I have to admit it’s the event of our conference that is the most satisfying. These young people are our future stars and from the ones I’ve met that’s very encouraging.

Nothing to do with the entertainment industry, but my son, Dan and daughter-in-law, Stacy have recently presented my husband Jim and I with our seventh grandchild, Christopher James Rhode, born December 8th and weighing in at 6lbs 12 oz. Another future star in the making and not being prejudice but the cutest baby you’d ever want to see. Until my next column let your voice be heard.