CARTOONS OR REAL, LIVE ACTORS IN "ONCE UPON A WISH" ??

These are real actors in this Series - most of them professional, others on the verge of becoming professional!

The children principals have all worked in movies, commercials and in theatre.

Wee Willie Winkie, Richard Hooper, and Hans, John Hooper in "The North Wind's Gifts" also are National Ice Skating champions. Both boys are now living in Los Angeles where they are pursuing their acting careers.

Our youngest actor, Michael Lisch, telephone boy in "P's & Q's" is already making his mark in National commercials.

OUR REGULAR STARS:

"Petrina", Katy Wottrich, lives in Austin, Texas. She had a principal role in "Perfect World" with Kevin Cosner and Clint Eastwood. Her residuals will be taking care of most of her college expenses!

"Fairy Godnana", Helen Griffiths, a former educator, now screenwrites, acts in, directs and produces this Series. As a professional actor she has had several principal roles in movies - e.g. with Robert Urich in "Stranger at My Door", on "Days of Our Lives", in theatre, as well as in National Commercials. Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, (Xena's hometown). After seventeen wonderful years in Austin, Texas, Helen and her husband have semi-retired on the beautiful, serene Lake Richland-Chambers just out of Corsicana. Future stories are being cooked up ready for shooting!

"Old King Cole", "The Town Crier", and "Mr. Proper", Cian Connery, was a full-time actor/director, especially in theatre,and had written, acted and directed a series performed throughout Texas schools, on water conservation - The Dowser Dan Series. He was also First A.D. (assistant director) for the "Once Upon a Wish Series" We salute his memory after sadly losing him to cancer in 1998.

The Background children (extras) are in training as actors and learn valuable lessons on film protocol while out on the Set. Some even help as crew, doing clapboard, gophering!

ON LOCATION

Kenny is ready with the clapboard. Three-camera shoot.

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(At Right) Camera crews set up as the Director goes over lines with the actors.

Apart from the Castle Ballroom in Old King Cole's Palace, (which was shot in Concordia's Lutheran College TV Studios) all scenes are shot on location. This often means a longish trip for actors to reach the Set.

Because many Episodes are set in the past, actors have to don some rather weird outfits to suit the times. (These costumes are designed and sewn by the Director - Helen! Katy's mom, Lisa, pitched in to help with the ballgowns on "Old King Cole")

We also have to be aware of anachronisms - using something in that time that wasn't even invented yet! Fairy Godnana can wear whatever she chooses, as she's from all times!

'Billy' Answers the Phone Politely in "P's & Q's."	'Susan' Appreciates Politeness!

Some of our locations include: The quaint little town of Salado, Texas; Jourdan-Bachmann Pioneer farm (twice); Zilker Park Gardens; The Austin Nature Center (cave); Austin Airport Concourse; The Homestead at Wells Branch; The Austin Petting Zoo; Northcross Mall - Austin.