Karen Shepard was a former US champion who showed her talents in several martial arts tournaments, just before appearing in the impressive Righting Wrongs. Except this HK production, Karen has acted in many US B movies such as Terminator Woman, Misson of Justice, The Concrete Jungle and The Privateers (2000). At last she has made several guest appearances in some TV series such as Hercule, in wich she fights Cynthia Rothrock for the second time of her carreer, and in Buffy Vampire Slayer, in wich she fights against the double of Sarah Michelle Gellar : Sophia Crawford. (From : HKCinemagic2)

1. How did you start in the movie business ?

I was the #1 rated women's black belt forms competitor in the USA at the time and I got a phone call from Tadashi Yamashita asking me to star in his movie in Japan with Eric Lee. (The name of the movie is "Shinobi Ninja".) I had a fantastic experience and knew from that moment on that was my destiny. I move to Hollywood and enrolled in acting classes, got an agent and pursued my new career.


2. You are a great martial artist, can you tell us more about all kind of styles that you learned ?

Most of my training is in Wun Hop Kuen Do, Kung Fu. It comprises Karate, Kempo, Judo, Jiu Jut Su, and various Kung Fu styles. It is similar to Jeet Kuen Do but we also practice forms.


3. How did you got your part in Righting Wrongs ?

I already had a name for myself in the martial arts world and I had parts in a couple of movies. I was contacted and pursued for Righting Wrongs. Actually, I turned it down 4 times before accepting it.



4. Was it difficult to adapt you to the rythm of the Hong Kong choregraphies ?

It definitely took some adjustment. It was a whole new world for me. The intensity and speed at which they worked was quite impressive. Also, I had to learn many, many moves at one time and in a short amount of time. Some master-shots had 50-60 moves in them and it was a real challenge to remember everything. Also, I wasn't used to the hard contact they expected. Cynthia and I were really slamming one another.


5. Can you tell us more about your relationship with Cynthia Rothrock and Yuen Biao ?

I did not get to know Yuen Biao very well. He was only on the set once or twice when I was there. Cynthia and I really were not friends at the time because we had previously been fierce competitors on the US national Karate tournament circuit. She and I were always battling for 1st place. I was rated #1 for two years before retiring, then she was rated #1. Since Righting Wrongs we have become friends.


6. How do you see the action in Hong Kong compared with the action in the USA ?

The action in Hong Kong is filmed better. They tend to show the entire body doing the movements. I hate the way most US action is filmed because they film too close. You can't see the action in full view and appreciate the movements. That usually means it is because it is either a stunt double or the action is not very good or the director is not very good. This is especially true on television.



7. Do you try to use what you learned in Hong Kong in your US movies ?

What I learned in Hong Kong was speed and power. Absolutely yes.


8. In the television show "Hercules : The Legendary Journeys" you fought Cynthia Rothrock for the second time of your carreer. How was the reunion with her ?

It was good to see her but everyone on the crew made it tense. The producers were promising a showdown between us. They were told that we did not like eachother and that we would probably really go at eachother during our fight scene. It made things tense and we really did give eachother some hard knocks.


9. What is the role you are the most proud of ?

Definitely "The Enforcer" on Hercules. It was the most fun and I think the character came out really good. Also, I had a lot of creative input on the second episode and was proud that the producers accepted my suggestions.



10. What are your next projects ?

I just finished filming a short-film titled "Midnight Expression". I had a lead acting role (no action) and it was fun. Some martial arts friends were in it with me, such as Chip Wright (Chuck Norris's stunt double).
I am set to star in a film called VSA: The Archangels Adventure. That will be a lot of action. You can learn more about it at this website : http://www.cvkproductions.com/CAST.html. You can actually view some of my film clips from this site also.


11. At last, what would you want to say to your French fans ?

Thanks for being interested and I hope to visit France in the near future. You can visit my website at http://www.KarateDiva.com If any martial arts school owners or promoters wish to sponsor me to teach a seminar, please contact me through my website.

Our warmest thanks go to Karen Sheperd for answering our questions.

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