I
had the pleasure to interview some time ago a very talented and beautiful
gymnast, Sunja Knapp. She started taking gymnastic lessons at
the age of 5 and quickly emerged as one of the most promising US junior
gymnasts. Sadly, her career did not last long due to several injuries,
one particularly on her knee. She stopped competing profesionally in
1988. Later on, she enrolled at Temple University and in her senior
year was the manager of their men's gymnastics team. She's now a sucessful
Animator Producer and resides in Los Angeles (Spanish version coming
soon)
Sol:
Tell me Sunja at what age you started being interested in gymnastics?
Sunja
Knapp: I became interested in gymnastics when I was about 4 years
old. I saw Nadia Comanechi on the Television and there was no stopping
me. I started classes when I was 5.
Sol:
Wow, that's a young age. Did your parents support you all the way?
Sunja
Knapp: Yes. Always. They were supportive throughout my short career.
Whether I came in first place or last place they would always tell
me I did a good job or that I tried my best.
Sol:
Your face is very familiar to me...tell me at what age did you stop
doing gymnastics in a professional set? and why?
Sunja
knapp: I stopped competing when I was 15 years old, in 1988. But
I was involved with gymnastics up until 1996, whether it be coaching,
participating as a competition staff member or managing a team. I
worked at Woodward Camp for three summers in college teaching beginners
and dance classes. I also managed the Temple Men's gymnastics team
in 1995-1996.
Sol:
Good, how did you handle the injuries that stop somehow your career?
Sunja
Knapp: I really loved being in a gym everyday and after spending
over ten years straight in a gym, I didn't know how to deal with walking
away.
Sol: Okay,
now we know you're in the animation production business, how did you
get interested in this field?
Sunja
Knapp: I moved to Los Angeles to learn production and ended up
falling into the animation world. I want to be around live action
film sets, but animation payed the bills for about 5 years.
Sol:
We also know you're a very good friend of Michael Rosenbaum, where
did you meet him? and what's your opinion of him as a friend?
Sunja
Knapp: I met Michael Rosenbaum at a Bruckheimer hockey league
game about 6 years ago. He is the most thoughtful and entertaining
friends that anyone could ask for.
Sol:
He's an awesome performer also
Sunja
Knapp: Indeed. Very multi-talented. A performer, a writer, an
actor, etc.
Sol:
You're right. Now, tell me what are the advantages of being in the
animation production business? what do you do exactly?
Sunja
Knapp: Animation is a fun business. You meet all kinds of interesting
and creative people. Especially the artists who do all the drawing
and design work. Also, you learn about the process of writing and
budgeting, production schedules etc. I was a production coordinator
and manager for the last several years.
Sol:
We know you're single...do you see yourself married with lots of kids
running around your home?
Sunja
Knapp: Maybe not a LOT of kids! But I hope to settle down and
experience motherhood someday in the next several years.
Sol:
At least we know they will look cute
Sunja
Knapp: ha ha. thanks.
Sol:
What's your most elusive goal in life?
Sunja
Knapp: My goal would be to write a screenplay and produce an independent
film someday. Be happy, healthy and in love, surrounded by family
and friends.. I enjoy.
Sol: What
do you enjoy doing while you're not working?.
Sunja
Knapp: Watching movies, hiking, hanging out with friends.
Sol:
Is difficult to find good friends in the entertainment business?
Sunja
Knapp: Oh absoluteley. Basically hard to find good friends in
Los Angeles, but once you do, it's a wonderful thing.
Sol:
Have you ever heard about Trinidad and Tobago before or my home country
Argentina? You have several fans in Argentina.
Sunja
Knapp: Not much. But I love learning about other cultures and
countries. I do???? I didn't know that I had fans anywhere.
Sol:
Yes you do, people around our age of course.
Sol:
One last question since I know you're a very busy lady
Sunja
Knapp: Okay
Sol:
What do you want the world to know about Sunja Knapp?
Sunja
Knapp: That I enjoy nature and the outdoors, and that I appreciate
honest people with good intentions!.
Sol:
Great thank you very much!
Sunja
Knapp: Thank you and it was nice chatting with you!.
