Andrew Helm
Encyclopedia
Andrew Helm is a latter 20th century and early 21st century American
actor
and writer
. He is most notable for his work as "Evil Kevin" on "The Hunted" webisode
s created by actor, Robert "Bob" Chapin. In addition, he is known for his work in the story department of the syndicated television series "Queen of Swords." Executive Producer
and series creator David Abramowitz named the character of "Dr. Helm" (portrayed by actor and medical student Peter Wingfield
) after Mr. Helm.
with a Bachelor Arts degree in Media Arts, after which he left his home in Northern California
and moved to Los Angeles
to become a writer.
Before making it as a writer in Hollywood, Helm worked in other positions in the film industry. In the mid 1990s, Helm was hired to be a member of the sound department and boom operator
for the 1995 film "Tornado Run."
His big break came when he met Laura Brennan who was Script Coordinator
for the syndicated TV series "Highlander: The Raven
" which starred Elizabeth Gracen
. Also working on "Raven," at the time was Creative Consultant
, David Abramowitz. Abramowitz took Helm to work with him as an assistant on his next vehicle, "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World."
In the second season of "Lost World," Fireworks Entertainment
, along with Paramount Pictures
(and a host of European investors), picked up a new syndicated TV series idea. When David Abramowitz got involved, the series became "Queen of Swords." Abramowitz accepted the Executive Producer
position on "Queen of Swords" and hired Helm to be the new script coordinator
for the series.
"Queen of Swords" only lasted for one season, but by that time, Helm had developed acquaintances with other actors and swordsmen in Los Angeles
. That, and a fan-base he had developed, allowed him to become part of the "Highlander: The Series
" fan convention scene. From 2001 to its demise in 2006, Helm appeared at Fan Odyssey conventions in Culver City, California
run by actor Valentine Pelka
's American contacts. This provided some income for downtimes and allowed Helm to network with his fellow "Queen of Swords" alums Roberta Brown
, Elizabeth Gracen
, and Robert "Bob" Chapin. Swordplay skills that were used at the conventions were practiced at the former Westside Fencing Center in Culver City.
At the same time as "Queen of Swords" came to an end, Helm and Robert "Bob" Chapin started work on a new kind of entertainment. Though not a popular concept in 2002, Chapin developed the idea of a comedic, vampire-slayer, webisode. Chapin starred as the hero ("Bob") while Helm wrote episodes of "The Hunted." Eventually, he took on the role of "Evil Kevin" and finally became "Bob's" goofy friend, "Andrew." Names did not need to be original in "The Hunted." Other "Highlander: The Series
" and "Queen of Swords" alumni participated in the webisodes. These included Anthony De Longis
and Roberta Brown
. As the Internet
expanded and high speed internet became the norm in most households, webisodes increased in popularity. Prior to high speed internet, it had taken a long time to download videos for viewing when dial-up was used. Webisodes could be watched in real-time. Then, when the vampire
craze hit with "The Twilight Saga," Helm and Chapin's work in "The Hunted" increased in popularity.
Andrew Helm's work in the world of entertainment expanded after that with workon some of the most popular science fiction works in cable television. These included Mutant X
, Flash Gordon
, Area 51
, and Shrek 2
. In addition, Helm was afforded the chance to work on the highly acclaimed cable series "Monk
" with actor Tony Shalhoub
.
The natural progression of a screenwriter is to the role of producer. Helm ultimately earned that title with "A Gothic Romance" in 2004. "A Gothic Romance" was a short film starring former fencers from the Westside Fencing Center.
In 2011, Andrew Helm wrote a the script for an updated remake of the "Amityville Horror" films with "The Amityville - The Legacy 3D" distributed by Dimension and Miramax.
Andrew's sister, Linda Helm, appeared with him in his film "A Gothic Romance".
Andrew has taken stage swordplay lessons from actress and swordmaster/fight director Roberta Brown
.
... aka Reina de espadas (Spain)
... aka Tessa, à la pointe de l'épée (France)
... aka Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World (Canada: English title)
... aka L'immortelle (France)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. He is most notable for his work as "Evil Kevin" on "The Hunted" webisode
Webisode
A webisode is a short episode which airs initially as Internet television, either download or stream as opposed to first airing on broadcast or cable television. The format can be used as a preview, a promotion, as part of a collection of shorts, or a commercial.A webisode can be an episode...
s created by actor, Robert "Bob" Chapin. In addition, he is known for his work in the story department of the syndicated television series "Queen of Swords." Executive Producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
and series creator David Abramowitz named the character of "Dr. Helm" (portrayed by actor and medical student Peter Wingfield
Peter Wingfield
Peter Wingfield is a Welsh born television actor, well known for his television roles as Dan Clifford in Holby City, Dr. Robert Helm in Queen of Swords and Inspector Simon Ross in Cold Squad...
) after Mr. Helm.
Career
Andrew Helm graduated from California State University, ChicoCalifornia State University, Chico
California State University, Chico is the second-oldest campus in the twenty-three-campus California State University system. It is located in Chico, California, about ninety miles north of Sacramento...
with a Bachelor Arts degree in Media Arts, after which he left his home in Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
and moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to become a writer.
Before making it as a writer in Hollywood, Helm worked in other positions in the film industry. In the mid 1990s, Helm was hired to be a member of the sound department and boom operator
Boom operator (media)
A Boom operator is an assistant of the production sound mixer. The principal responsibility of the boom operator is microphone placement, sometimes using a "fishpole" with a microphone attached to the end and sometimes, when the situation permits, using a "boom" which is a more intricate and...
for the 1995 film "Tornado Run."
His big break came when he met Laura Brennan who was Script Coordinator
Script coordinator
Script Coordinator is a role in the production of a film or television series. The script coordinator is responsible for producing each draft of the script and annotating it for ease of use for the production team....
for the syndicated TV series "Highlander: The Raven
Highlander: The Raven
Highlander: The Raven was a short-lived spin-off from the television series Highlander, continuing the saga of a female Immortal. The series followed the character of Amanda , an Immortal who had a recurring role in Highlander: The Series...
" which starred Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Ward Gracen is an American actress who won the title of Miss America in 1982. She was born Elizabeth Grace Ward but should not be confused with another Elizabeth Ward who worked as a television actress during the first half of the 1980s....
. Also working on "Raven," at the time was Creative Consultant
Creative consultant
Creative consultant is a credit that has - particularly in the past - been given to screenwriters who have “doctored” a movie screenplay. It is often given by producers in lieu of official credit. Those given this credit in the television field work closely with an Executive Producer, Head...
, David Abramowitz. Abramowitz took Helm to work with him as an assistant on his next vehicle, "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World."
In the second season of "Lost World," Fireworks Entertainment
Fireworks Entertainment
Fireworks Entertainment was founded by Jay Firestone in 1996 to produce, distribute and finance television shows and feature films. Fireworks was acquired by Canwest Global in May 1998, and was later sold to ContentFilm, a British company, in April 2005...
, along with Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
(and a host of European investors), picked up a new syndicated TV series idea. When David Abramowitz got involved, the series became "Queen of Swords." Abramowitz accepted the Executive Producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
position on "Queen of Swords" and hired Helm to be the new script coordinator
Script coordinator
Script Coordinator is a role in the production of a film or television series. The script coordinator is responsible for producing each draft of the script and annotating it for ease of use for the production team....
for the series.
"Queen of Swords" only lasted for one season, but by that time, Helm had developed acquaintances with other actors and swordsmen in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. That, and a fan-base he had developed, allowed him to become part of the "Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985...
" fan convention scene. From 2001 to its demise in 2006, Helm appeared at Fan Odyssey conventions in Culver City, California
Culver City, California
Culver City is a city in western Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 38,883, up from 38,816 at the 2000 census. It is mostly surrounded by the city of Los Angeles, but also shares a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Culver...
run by actor Valentine Pelka
Valentine Pelka
Valentine Pelka is an English actor who has starred in film and on television.-Biography:Pelka was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire to an actress mother and a civil engineer father. His mother is Irish, and his father is Polish. His sister is Kazia Pelka an actress who starred in Brookside, amongst...
's American contacts. This provided some income for downtimes and allowed Helm to network with his fellow "Queen of Swords" alums Roberta Brown
Roberta Brown
Roberta Brown is an American actress, writer, and swordmaster. She is most notable for her work on the syndicated TV series Queen of Swords. In Queen of Swords, Roberta worked onscreen as sword double for female characters played by Tessie Santiago, Bo Derek, and Paulina Galvez. In addition, she...
, Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Ward Gracen is an American actress who won the title of Miss America in 1982. She was born Elizabeth Grace Ward but should not be confused with another Elizabeth Ward who worked as a television actress during the first half of the 1980s....
, and Robert "Bob" Chapin. Swordplay skills that were used at the conventions were practiced at the former Westside Fencing Center in Culver City.
At the same time as "Queen of Swords" came to an end, Helm and Robert "Bob" Chapin started work on a new kind of entertainment. Though not a popular concept in 2002, Chapin developed the idea of a comedic, vampire-slayer, webisode. Chapin starred as the hero ("Bob") while Helm wrote episodes of "The Hunted." Eventually, he took on the role of "Evil Kevin" and finally became "Bob's" goofy friend, "Andrew." Names did not need to be original in "The Hunted." Other "Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985...
" and "Queen of Swords" alumni participated in the webisodes. These included Anthony De Longis
Anthony De Longis
Anthony Charles De Longis is an American actor, stuntman, and choreographer.-Career:*De Longis is well known for his recurring role during the first two seasons of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager, as First Maje Jal Culluh, leader of the Kazon-Nistrim.*A very experienced swordsman, he is also...
and Roberta Brown
Roberta Brown
Roberta Brown is an American actress, writer, and swordmaster. She is most notable for her work on the syndicated TV series Queen of Swords. In Queen of Swords, Roberta worked onscreen as sword double for female characters played by Tessie Santiago, Bo Derek, and Paulina Galvez. In addition, she...
. As the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
expanded and high speed internet became the norm in most households, webisodes increased in popularity. Prior to high speed internet, it had taken a long time to download videos for viewing when dial-up was used. Webisodes could be watched in real-time. Then, when the vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
craze hit with "The Twilight Saga," Helm and Chapin's work in "The Hunted" increased in popularity.
Andrew Helm's work in the world of entertainment expanded after that with workon some of the most popular science fiction works in cable television. These included Mutant X
Mutant X (TV series)
Mutant X is a science fiction television series that debuted on October 6, 2001. The show was created by Marvel Studios, and it centers around Mutant X, a team of "New Mutants" who possess extraordinary powers as a result of genetic engineering. The members of Mutant X were used as test subjects...
, Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon is the hero of a science fiction adventure comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by and created to compete with the already established Buck Rogers adventure strip. Also inspired by these series were comics such as Dash...
, Area 51
Area 51
Area 51 is a military base, and a remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base. It is located in the southern portion of Nevada in the western United States, 83 miles north-northwest of downtown Las Vegas. Situated at its center, on the southern shore of Groom Lake, is a large military airfield...
, and Shrek 2
Shrek 2
Shrek 2 is a 2004 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film, produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon. It is the second installment in the Shrek film series and the sequel to 2001's Shrek...
. In addition, Helm was afforded the chance to work on the highly acclaimed cable series "Monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
" with actor Tony Shalhoub
Tony Shalhoub
Anthony Marcus "Tony" Shalhoub is an American actor of Lebanese descent. His television work includes the roles of Antonio Scarpacci on Wings and sleuth Adrian Monk on the TV series Monk. He has won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work in Monk...
.
The natural progression of a screenwriter is to the role of producer. Helm ultimately earned that title with "A Gothic Romance" in 2004. "A Gothic Romance" was a short film starring former fencers from the Westside Fencing Center.
In 2011, Andrew Helm wrote a the script for an updated remake of the "Amityville Horror" films with "The Amityville - The Legacy 3D" distributed by Dimension and Miramax.
Personal
Andrew is married. He and his wife chose to make Burbank their home for many years. In August 2009, during the wild fires in Southern California, Andrew commented, ""We're close enough for a nice little apocalyptic plume."Andrew's sister, Linda Helm, appeared with him in his film "A Gothic Romance".
Andrew has taken stage swordplay lessons from actress and swordmaster/fight director Roberta Brown
Roberta Brown
Roberta Brown is an American actress, writer, and swordmaster. She is most notable for her work on the syndicated TV series Queen of Swords. In Queen of Swords, Roberta worked onscreen as sword double for female characters played by Tessie Santiago, Bo Derek, and Paulina Galvez. In addition, she...
.
Acting credits
- "The Hunted" (2003–2009) Webisode—Evil Kevin
- FleshFleshIn vertebrate animals, flesh is the colloquial for biological tissue which consists of skeletal muscles and fat as opposed to bones, viscera and integuments. Flesh may be used as food, in which case it is called meat....
(2006) Video—The Manager - A Gothic Romance (2004) Video—Perry
Story and writing credits
- Gemini DivisionGemini DivisionGemini Division is an American science fiction series of five-to-seven minute long episodes created by Electric Farm Entertainment which went into production in March 2008. Based on an original story by Brent Friedman the online series was developed by Joshua Stern. The show currently airs on...
(2008) TV series (script coordinator) - Death RacersDeath RacersDeath Racers is an American B movie directed by Roy Knyrim. Released direct-to-video on September 16, 2008, the film stars the hip hop group Insane Clown Posse and wrestler Scott "Raven" Levy.-Plot:...
(2008) (V) (screenplay) - Flash GordonFlash GordonFlash Gordon is the hero of a science fiction adventure comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by and created to compete with the already established Buck Rogers adventure strip. Also inspired by these series were comics such as Dash...
(script coordinator) (12 episodes, 2007–2008) (9 episodes, 2007–2008) - Area 51Area 51Area 51 is a military base, and a remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base. It is located in the southern portion of Nevada in the western United States, 83 miles north-northwest of downtown Las Vegas. Situated at its center, on the southern shore of Groom Lake, is a large military airfield...
(2005) (VG) (dialogue writing producer) - Shrek 2Shrek 2Shrek 2 is a 2004 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film, produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon. It is the second installment in the Shrek film series and the sequel to 2001's Shrek...
(2004) (VG) (writing producer) - A Gothic Romance (2004) (writer)
- The HuntedThe HuntedThe Hunted may refer to:* The Hunted , film noir featuring a woman just out of prison after a jail heist* The Hunted , directed by J. F...
(2 episodes)(2003–2009) - Rise to Honor (2003) (VG) (writing producer)... aka Jet Li: Rise to Honor (USA: promotional title)
- MonkMonk (TV series)Monk is an American comedy-drama detective mystery television series created by Andy Breckman and starring Tony Shalhoub as the titular character, Adrian Monk. It originally ran from 2002 to 2009 and is primarily a mystery series, although it has dark and comic touches.The series debuted on July...
(2002) TV series (script coordinator) - Mutant XMutant X (TV series)Mutant X is a science fiction television series that debuted on October 6, 2001. The show was created by Marvel Studios, and it centers around Mutant X, a team of "New Mutants" who possess extraordinary powers as a result of genetic engineering. The members of Mutant X were used as test subjects...
(2001) TV series (script coordinator) - "Queen of Swords" (2000) TV series (script coordinator)
... aka Reina de espadas (Spain)
... aka Tessa, à la pointe de l'épée (France)
- The Lost World (1999) TV series (assistant to writer)
... aka Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World (Canada: English title)
- Highlander: The RavenHighlander: The RavenHighlander: The Raven was a short-lived spin-off from the television series Highlander, continuing the saga of a female Immortal. The series followed the character of Amanda , an Immortal who had a recurring role in Highlander: The Series...
(1998) TV series (assistant to writer)
... aka L'immortelle (France)