FORGET PIVOTING: CREATIVE COMMUNITY NEEDS A NEW TERM FOR ONGOING CHALLENGES
As the two-year anniversary of the arrival of the pandemic approaches, Donna Spencer is sick of the “P word.” The artistic producer of the Firehall Arts Centre says the cycle of announcements, postponements, cancellations, capacity caps and COVID-19 variants has trashed traditional business models. https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/local-arts/forget-pivoting-creative-community-needs-a-new-term-for-ongoing-challenges
IT MAY TAKE MORE THAN A SUPERHERO TO SAVE MOVIE THEATRES
“Over the holidays, and prior to going to 50 per cent capacity again, we saw amazing numbers,” said Ken Mont, executive director, B.C. Southwest Operations, Cineplex. “Our holiday season was largely driven by Spider-Man."
CULTURAL EXPRESSION OR STEREOTYPING? WINNIPEG FILMMAKER CONFRONTS THE STEREOTYPES FEATURED IN HIS OWN WORK
For the longest time I avoided touching the subject of South Asian identity in my films, but I've realized there's room to tell stories that go beyond stereotypes. And this question of identity in art goes beyond the South Asian experience. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/indian-canadian-filmmaker-cultural-identity-in-art-1.6259789
ART SHOULD BE A HABIT, NOT A LUXURY
More than two-thirds of U.S. adults say the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences.” Still, only 30 percent attended a concert of any type in 2017; 23 percent went to an art museum; 6 percent attended a literary event. Fewer than half actively created art of any kind. https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2022/01/art-consciousness-happiness-exercise/621374/
JOHN LEGUIZAMO SAYS HE AVOIDED THE SUN ‘FOR YEARS’ TO STAY LIGHT-SKINNED FOR HOLLYWOOD ROLES
Leguizamo was speaking to the Academy as part of the organization’s “Seen” interview series. The actor revealed that he is going to run for Governor of the Academy in order to better enforce change in the industry. https://variety.com/2022/film/news/john-leguizamo-sun-light-skinned-roles-1235163979/
AGE AND ACTING: HOW TO AGE YOURSELF UP OR DOWN FOR A ROLE
Most times, especially in film, you will be cast as characters close to your own age. But there are certainly exceptions. So how do you play an age that you aren’t without pushing or making a caricature of it? Here are some things to keep in mind. https://www.castingnetworks.com/news/age-and-acting-how-to-age-yourself-up-or-down-for-a-role/
MARVEL’S BOX OFFICE SUCCESS: WHAT ACTORS NEED TO KNOW
Should you be training specifically to become an action hero? Your craft would be better served by focusing on the priority of all stories: We need to see actors telling their truth. Physical fitness is important in this field, but so is imagination—especially if you end up being cast in movies with special effects. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/marvel-spider-man-success-actor-advice-74602/
BEING GREAT AT AUDITIONING DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE A GREAT ACTOR
Kristen Stewart is a bona fide movie buff. When asked for her go-to performance for acting inspiration, she starts listing them without drawing a breath. Here, the “Spencer'' star shares her love-hate relationship with auditioning and reflects on her child acting years. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/kristen-stewart-worst-audition-story-interview-74613/
UPCOMING
TRAINING
ROGUES WEST ACTORS STUDIO - VANCOUVER'S PREMIERE BOUTIQUE ACTING STUDIO
Two innovative ZOOM webinars The Power of the Actor on Film & Why Meisner? on Feb 8th & Feb 10th
Nurture your creative self and join award winning actors, teachers and mentors Christiane Hirt & Sophie Hirt for 90 minutes of information, practical examples and Q&A.
Cost: Each only $40 incl gst - which will be credited when registering for a 4 week class in the next 3 months.
Christiane & Sophie offer over 40 years of mentoring, teaching and industry experience.
Christiane Hirt: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0386709/
Sophie Hirt: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5412426/
Email: rogueswest@gmail.com to register.
More details: https://www.facebook.com/events/4883650871696577/
TONY ALCANTAR DIALECT COACHING
YOU asked and WE answered: We're back LIVE starting in February. 2400 sq ft of face-to-face excitement at The Beaumont Studios, 326 W. 5th, near Broadway/Cambie.
* SCRIPT ANALYSIS: 9am-noon with Francesca Bianchi
* STANDARD AMERICAN FOR ESL ACTORS: Noon-3pm with Tony Alcantar
4 week classes. Sign up now, 12 actors, max.
Sharpen your skills for 2022 bookings!
For info: https://www.tonyalcantar.com/classes or info@tonyalcantardialect.com, 604-418-1192
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 Winter 2022 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!
UPCOMING EVENTS
PUSH INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
January 20 - February 6
PuSh is Vancouver’s signature, mid-winter cultural event, taking place each January. PuSh delivers groundbreaking, contemporary works of theatre, dance, music, and multimedia by acclaimed local, national, and international artists. https://pushfestival.ca
VANCOUVER SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
January 28 - February 6
This year’s festival features 51 uniquely captivating films across six programs, including 13 films in our popular genre-based After Dark series. https://www.vsff.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.
