Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - April 11 2022
Published: Mon, 04/11/22
INDUSTRY NEWS
B.C. FILM, TELEVISION WORKERS ONE STEP CLOSER TO STRIKING
The Directors Guild of Canada, B.C. District Council says 92.2 per cent of members supported the move, among the 86.2 per cent who cast a ballot. The union represents creative and logistical staff including directors, editors, location managers, production assistants, and others. It is the first time the union has called a strike vote.
RICHMOND FILMMAKER DEMANDS CHANGE IN B.C. PUBLIC BROADCASTER
A 2022 audit reports that over the past seven years, only 1.7 per cent of Knowledge Network’s $2.054 million fund for kick-starting original programming went to production companies with “majority racialized” owners and staff, and zero dollars went to support Indigenous film companies. https://www.richmond-news.com/local-news/richmond-filmmaker-demands-change-in-bc-public-broadcaster-5247808
WINNERS AT THE CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS
Night Raiders and Scarborough, two of the most acclaimed films to emerge from Canadian cinema this year, have each won five awards on the fifth evening of the Canadian Screen Awards.
WETA FX, KNOWN FOR LORD OF THE RINGS, OPENS NEW VANCOUVER VISUAL EFFECTS STUDIO
The Vancouver office will initially have a workforce of 75 visual effects artists before expanding even larger before the end of this year. Its work will include a wide range of television shows and movies, including James Cameron’s upcoming Avatar sequels. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/weta-fx-vancouver-studio
WHAT'S CANADIAN? REGULATOR WILL DEFINE WHAT QUALIFIES AS A CANADIAN FILM
The definition is at the heart of new legislation before Parliament that would require streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ to feature a certain amount of Canadian content, similar to the obligations long placed on traditional broadcasters.
ONTARIO EXPECTS ‘STRONG’ FILMING SUMMER AS PRODUCTIONS RAMP UP IN TORONTO
Justin Cutler, the Ontario film commissioner, told Global News he anticipates between 40 and 50 productions will be operating at the same time across Ontario during July and August. “I can confirm there is a strong slate of projects preparing for the summer and fall.” https://globalnews.ca/news/8704712/toronto-filming-tv-netflix-summer-2022/
WHAT ARE EYELINES, AND WHY DO THEY MATTER?
From an editing perspective, even the most sophisticated production can’t totally remedy sloppy or inconsistent eyelines. When done well, it’s a crucial component of filmmaking that’s invisible to viewers. When it’s not, viewers will sense that something is off, and they’ll be pulled out of the story. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/eyelines-film-guide-74961/
SENDING A THANK-YOU LETTER AFTER AN AUDITION? WHAT ACTORS NEED TO KNOW
While it may seem like a small gesture, many in the entertainment industry—from casting directors to veteran talent—agree that sending a thank-you letter after an audition is a vital practice for any aspiring actor. But where should you start? https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/thank-you-letter-after-audition-example-74971/
HOW IMPORTANT IS AN ACTOR’S NAME, REALLY? HERE ARE SEVEN INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES
Hollywood has a long history of actors changing their names from the ones on their birth certificates. The reasons to change them vary depending on the actors, but one common theme is a movement away from something perhaps more common — to less. https://www.castingnetworks.com/news/how-important-is-an-actors-name/
UPCOMING TRAINING
BIZ STUDIO: PROFESSIONAL FILM+TV ACTING CLASSES FOR KIDS+TEENS
Online or In-Person
Biz Studio has a twenty-year track record of training young actors who work regularly in film and television.
Our classes offer double the focused 1:1 time of any other school. Each class takes a maximum of six students, and each student also gets 30min of private coaching each week to help prep for class. This is the place for young actors ready to take their work to the next level! http://www.bizstudio.ca/classes
RAILTOWN ACTORS STUDIO
Our Classes are open for registration. Class dates have been pushed two weeks in consideration of provincial restrictions and our students' health and safety. Classes will continue in person with strict protocols and proof of vaccination required to attend class.
New to us? Click here: https://railtownactors.com/interview
* Acting on Film classes with John Cassini
* Scene Study classes with Edward Foy, Frank Cassini, Jennifer Copping and Brian Markinson
* Actors Instrument work with Edward Foy.
** NEW Writing for Actors with Leslie Murphy
Details for all Classes: www.railtownactors.com/classes
Coaching and Tapings: www.railtownactors.com/coaching
We look forward to hearing from you!
DIALECT COACHING - TONY ALCANTAR - IN-PERSON CLASSES!
L.A. producers trust Tony with their biggest shows & stars: Oscar winners Mel Gibson, Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton, Sam Rockwell, Emmy winner Martin Freeman plus Vince Vaughn, Joel Edgerton, Bob Odenkirk, Nathan Fillion, Stellan Skarsgard...FARGO, SHOGUN, LOST OLLIE, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, MANY MORE!
* Teaching since 1989, Tony is Vancouver's #1 dialect coach recommended by agents and casting directors. Learn with confidence and book that role!
Contact: 604-418-1192, info@tonyalcantardialect.com www.tonyalcantar.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
COLD READING SERIES
April 11
Join us this month for a reading of "I'll Be You" by Maria Soledad Sanchez -- When Rose is diagnosed with cancer, her twin sister Betsy pushes her to exchange identities so Rose can access Betsy’s health insurance. http://www.coldreadingseries.com
At Production Heads Network Inc, we acknowledge that our company is based on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
