A Movie Blog by Craig Koban

 

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ASK NAOMI KYLE:

THE LUMINOUS AND TALENTED IGN HOST DISCUSSES HER LIFE'S ACHIEVEMENTS, PASSIONS, AND FUTURE CAREER GOALS.

 

September 24, 2013

 

 

photo provided by Ed Carlo Garcia Photography

There are arguably not enough superlatives that exist to fully encapsulate Naomi Kyle.  It's also impossible to not be a little – okay, scratch that…make that very – star struck upon meeting her, as I certainly was a month ago in San Francisco.  She’s a person that positively exudes natural beauty and a movie star-like radiance. 

Yet, there is certainly much more to this Ste-Agathe-Des-Monts, Quebec-born IGN personality than her limitlessly appealing façade: Beneath all of that lurks a swiftly independent and motivated woman with a singular and assured grasp of her present and future career goals.  Even better is that Naomi – despite her enormous popularity all over the globe – is one of the most down-to-earth and charmingly vanity-free people that I’ve have had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with, and one that’s disarmingly gregarious, kind-hearted, and self-effacing.   Within a few scant minutes of being in her presence she innately makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room, which is a thanklessly altruistic trait for a famous industry person to have.   

To watch Naomi on-screen – as I have for quite some time now – in her various gigs for IGN a few things become apparent: (1) The camera loves her and her thousand watt smile, (2) her fondness and unbridled enthusiasm for the material she covers – in all various forms – really shines through, and (3) she’s a genuine pop culture geek at heart.  You can't fake the latter.  She also has that ethereal "it" factor.  I can't describe it.  I can't really put it into words.  All I know is that she has that intangible array of attributes that so many in front of the camera only wished they had...but regrettably don't.  

In short: she's got it.  Most definitely.

If you need more proof of this then look no further than just about any episode of CHEAP COOL CRAZY, an IGN program that she hosts, which has just recently returned from hiatus.  This show is so delectably involving for how Naomi – in every episode – covers three products from either the video game or movie world: one that's dirt cheap, one that's undeniably cool, and one that's freakishly and crazy expensive.  Whether joyously pedaling the outlandishly nifty (like, for instance, STAR WARS-themed lightsaber popsicle trays or rubber MINECRAFT axes) to the insanely cost-prohibitive (like an actual working TRON light cycle or a pitch perfect replica of Jon Snow’s sword from GAME OF THRONES), Naomi’s borderline infectious, inner giddy child spirit comes to the forefront.  I screened all of the show's episodes again before writing this blog and one thing remains after a second viewing: Naomi is an authentically passionate and wholeheartedly motivated hostIt’s so damn hard not to like her on this or any of her other programs.   

Success seems to gravitate towards Naomi in just about every possible form.  There just may not be an achievement barometer large and all-encompassing enough to measure the amount of success that Naomi is going to attain going forward in her career.  For a woman in her mid-twenties, she has already achieved so very much in such a relatively short time.  After just a year of being in Montreal and pursuing her post-secondary education she went on to sign with Next Canada, one of the most prestigious and well established modeling agencies in the world (for a glimpse of Naomi in action, check out a truly remarkable 2010 modeling shoot she did for Elegant Wedding Magazine, which can be seen HERE).  By the young age of 22 she was a gaming podcast co-host with Gameloft.  Soon after that she became the face of IGN Entertainment as their on-screen media host/presenter.  Today, there’s no argument that she casts an incomparable and omnipresent shadow over the gaming industry and has developed a ferociously loyal social media fanbase following not just in North America, but all over the world (her recent travels to Dubai – which she reflects on below – is a testament to just that).  She has over 76,000 followers on Twitter alone, and for very good reason: Naomi cares for her fans, and something that she never seems to get enough credit for is being so personally giving with her time to all of her tweeps, responding to their queries ranging from the innocently trivial to the austerely noteworthy.  In an age when so many celebrities barely muster the time of day to connect with their respective fanbases, Naomi’s expressed loyalty back to her followers is nothing short of endlessly commendable.   

Next on her radar of career goals to conquer are the areas of writing, editing, and even producing, which seems – from my chat with her – like a natural off-shoot of her on-camera duties with IGN.  She yearns to be more fully multifaceted and savvy on the media front, and will indisputably go far in this area based on her eagerness and drive alone.  Oh, and acting on the silver screen is way, way high up there as well for Naomi.  She has appeared in the yet-to-be released short film WORST DATE EVER (stills from the film alone unequivocally prove her on-screen glamour street-cred in spades) and GEEKS (written and directed by Al White, a film that will most assuredly show a decidedly different side to Naomi’s personality, which the screenplay that I’ve read numerous times from cover-to-cover indicates).  To simply look at her and witness her complete command of her presence in front of a camera on IGN, there are no doubts in my mind whatsoever that we’ll be seeing the title card “Starring Naomi Kyle” quite often in cinemas in the foreseeable future.  I will certainly be the first in line to buy a ticket to screen whatever she appears in.   

College educated…world-class model…video game podcast host…renowned and respected IGN personality…and future movie star.  All in all, not bad for a small-town French Canadian gal.  Not bad at all.   

En fait, c'est merveilleux, Naomi.

Describe your upbringing in Quebec?  Being French Canadian - and bilingual! - must be something that you're really proud of.   It's still kind of startling how so many of your fans are surprised that you are a Canuck.  

I very much agree.  It sometimes boggles my mind when I get a tweet from someone saying, "Hey, I just found out you're Canadian.  That's awesome!"  It's always nice to hear validation of my feelings towards my country, not to mention that someone took the time to read my bio.  But I am indeed very proud and still very much miss where I'm from.  I guess part of that is the fact that I rarely get to speak French anymore.  It only happens on occasion and is almost always when I meet someone from Ubisoft (go figure!).  Quebec is special though in that bilingualism is very prominent there.  You hear both languages being spoken all the time, which can sometimes get confusing for out-of-towners.  Growing up in that environment, however, it's become second nature to me.  An example I always use is from when I was a baby: My first words were literally "Daddy amene."  Daddy being the obvious English word and "amene" being the French meaning of "bring."  Basically, making me the epitome of bilingualism...since the day I was born! 

You spoke to me regarding your writing pursuits while you were in University.  Can you elaborate more on that and towards what you studied while in your post-secondary studies?  How has that shaped you current role at IGN? 

A lot of people don't know that I actually started my college days studying to become a Jazz singer.  Random, I know.  There isn't much else to say about that other than it was a one year venture and when I switched to study film I never looked back.  Only now do I occasionally break out into song mid-prompter read.  Anyway, my writing pursuits only came during my second year when I joined a script writing course.  My teacher at the time strongly believed I should consider a career in writing, but my passion lied elsewhere.  Editing was what I really loved.  Looking back now I can see how these paths helped me to get where I am now.  My role on the video team - although unique - has allowed me to exploit every one of those past avenues, like that time I sang during an UP AT NOON bit, editing my own vlogs, and now writing articles...I can honestly say that I utilize at least some aspect of what I learned back in college.  Money well spent I suppose! 

 

 

You worked as a model early in your career (and still do to an extent).  Was there ever a period in the past when you thought that it was ostensibly going to be your primary vocation in life or was it but a stepping stone towards your other professional pursuits/goals? 

When I decided to try my hand at modeling I only ever saw it as a means to an end.  I was realistic that I might never be able to pursue it full time, so I focused primarily on my studies.  Modeling proved to be more beneficial to me than I had expected because it got me my first gig as an on-camera host.  Funny how that works. 

What's the grind like producing daily shows like the DAILY FIX and weekly segments like WEEKLY 'WOOD?  

It's my general understanding that producing is always a hard feat no matter if it's a feature film or a simple daily news show you're producing; there are always hiccups along the way and moments of stress.  Producing 'The Fix' however - and I can only speak for my two years at IGN - has become somewhat of a routine.  We know what everyone's role is and what needs to get done before we start shooting.  Script is being written by our dedicated writer at 9 am.  Crew is working in studio for set-up at 10.  And on my end, usually around the 10-10:30 mark, focus is heavy on reading the script, making adjustments, and prepping my emotional state.  Silly to be talking about emotions for a news video, but trust me, it's integral, especially if I'm experiencing a less than perfect day.  To make sure every episode has a consistent amount of bubbly authenticity I have to prepare myself both mentally and physically.  A number of voice/breathing exercises later and I'm ready to shoot.  Of course, hiccups do still happen, Avid crashes or lighting is finicky, but we simply tackle those once they arise.  All in all, our grind is pretty organized. 

Any chance that we are going to see you in more gaming videos in the near future?  I loved the one you did for TOMB RAIDER and SIM CITY (the latter one was a hoot!) 

Firstly, thanks for liking them!  I always enjoy working on off-the-cuff productions. Secondly, and to answer your question, there is definitely a huge chance of there being more of gaming videos in the future. For now you can catch the non-scripted me on Podcast Unlocked.  

You also blog on IGN and I find your style to be so agreeably personal, spunky, and deeply inviting.  Your voice really comes through in them.  Do you plan on writing more in the near future?  

I do!  My lack of posts has almost entirely been due to the exuberant amount of travel I've been on lately.  I haven't had a chance to sit down and think of my next post, something I plan on doing right after I send in these questions.  There is also the dream of writing my own scripts and maybe even a book down the road, but for now my blog is where you can find the bulk of my writing explorations.  

You have also told me that you have a passion for editing and producing.  How so and are you hoping that this will be explored more beyond your job as a daily on-screen personality/host for IGN?  

When I first joined IGN I thought, "This is great! I can work as a host and become a video editor to serve as a bigger part of the team."  Nope. Turns out being a host is very time consuming and so editing my vlogs is as far as it goes.  As for producing, I've developed an understanding as well as a passion for it through the two years I've worked here.  Seeing productions happen on a daily basis you naturally learn the inner-workings of it and gain a certain confidence.  I'm looking forward to flexing those muscles in the coming year producing videos within the context of the company.  

I watched your appearance on a recent - and highly fascinating - podcast where you discussed gender roles in video games, in particular as it related to male/female violence in the yet-to-be-released CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS.  To me, it seems like games are trying to level the playing field for female characters and female gamers, but there still remains some nagging double standards in this regard.  Do you foresee the playing field leveling even more in the next little while in the industry?   

I'm glad you enjoyed our podcast!  Though I'm relatively new to the discussion, I think it's highly probable that female gamers will be better represented in games in the coming years.  Just how gaming has become more mainstream, more games are being made to appeal to women now (i.e. CALL OF DUTY GHOSTS) and so the natural progression will be that women will no longer be an afterthought and rather just a part of the status quo.

You clearly have a deep drive to pursue a career in acting.  When did you develop the "acting bug"?
 

It began in Montreal when I started working my first gig as a host for Gameloft.  As an addition to my work there I took on acting classes to hone my on-camera presence.  When I moved to San Francisco I continued those studies and my acting confidence grew exponentially once I began hosting CHEAP COOL CRAZY; I could actually see the results and it was my manager's belief in me that finally got me to take acting seriously and start working in that field.  

Outside of being, of course, limitlessly photogenic, you really have such a natural, easy-going, and understated charm and allure on-screen in your work on the DAILY FIX, 'WEEKLY WOOD, and - my personal favorite! - CHEAP COOL CRAZY (which I miss terribly, but I'm so relieved that it's on the way back!).  Do you feel that your work in front of the camera on your IGN programs will provide a natural extension into your hopeful and future career in film acting? 

To a certain extent, I think it already has.  I haven't acted in any high level production (yet), but I am making headway.  What's great about hosting a show everyday - especially one that is based off of personality more so than let's say any old news show - is that I technically get to act everyday.  Exercising at least one of those muscles daily until it reaches perfection.  And with my continued study of the art of acting I should be able to develop a pretty solid skill set that I think can then benefit me on every audition and every set I go on.  A future career in acting, whether big or small, I think is highly achievable given the opportunity I've been given working for IGN.  Oh and just so you know, I miss CHEAP COOL CRAZY terribly as well, but there are more episodes coming soon!  Stay tuned. 

Movie still from WORST DATE EVER

 

Character teaser poster from GEEKS - photo provided by writer/director Al White 

You've already appeared in the upcoming GEEKS, written and directed by Al White.  What was the experience like working on a short film? 

The experience was extremely fun, but also hugely beneficial to my development as an actor.  GEEKS was my first time working as a professional actor, so it was a learning experience as much as it was a dream realized.  Everyone on set loved what I brought to Alyx and were immensely supportive.  I really took away something special from that shoot.

I personally had the pleasure of reading Al White's screenplay for GEEKS  - which is gangbusters awesome! - and have also seen the film's internal sizzle reel (which totally blew me away).  Describe the character of Alyx and what you hope that your fans will take out of watching you play the role?   

Alyx is the quintessential tomboy of the GEEKS bunch.  She has a troubled past and might be little a too anger fueled when it comes to conflict.  I like her character because it brings out that side of me that I never get to explore in real life: an angry, slightly disturbed girl who has a grudge against humanity.  Then there is the complete opposite side to her, which you only ever get glimpses of...the moments when she becomes more of a reincarnation of me: bubbly, shy, and little awkward at times.  I very much enjoyed playing her and I hope my fans get a kick out of her being such a badass.  

On a more personal note, you recently traveled to Dubai for IGN for their convention and it was quite extraordinary to see the extent of your fanbase all over the world.  Flashback, say, to the point when you were just starting out in the gaming industry; did you ever see yourself back then as someone that would go on to be as respected and loved by so many people from so many walks of life as you are right now?    

Never.  I certainly dreamed about it. Who doesn't?  But I never believed it would actually happen.  It just blows my mind sometimes when I think about how I got here.  Just a small town girl who loved games, movies and everything in-between.  Now a performer, never shy in front of the camera - I couldn't say that was me three years ago, not even in the slightest. 

Outside of working for IGN, the video game industry and your pursuit of acting, what other things are you passionate about that perhaps many of your fans are not already aware of?  

Well, I think it's quite obvious that my career is my passion at the moment, but it used to be and still is in doses, music.  I love discovering new tracks and staying on top of what is happening in the music industry.  I even worked in a music store for four years and used to attend concerts as a hobby.  But I realize that I can't devote as much time to it as I used to, which isn't necessarily a bad thing: the more passions I get to experience in life, the better!

Imagine that you have a special portal into the future: Where do you see *the* Naomi Kyle in the next, say, five-plus years?   

Where is this portal?  No seriously, I need to know.  But in all honesty, I see myself still at IGN producing videos with a recurring role on some sci-fi channel TV series.  Maybe even with a starring role in a Marvel feature film?  Who knows?!  The sky's the limit!  I'll just be happy if I'm still doing what I love and still have the energy to do it!

One final TOUGH and DEEP question: Canada - great country OR greatest country?  

Lorne Michaels, John Candy, Jim Carrey, Splinter Cell, Bioware .. need I say more?  We're number one ;)

INTERVIEW BLOG ADDENDUM

A very special thank-you to Ed Carlo Garcia and Al White for their photo contributions to this blog. 

 

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photo provided by Ed Carlo Garcia Photography
 

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