‘TRACKER’ GETS HUGE CALIFORNIA TAX CREDIT TO RELOCATE FILMING TO LOS ANGELES The CBS series, produced by 20th TV, had previously been based in Vancouver. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tracker-season-4-moving-filming-los-angeles-1236585142/
FILM ADVOCATES CALL OUT BC OVER POLICIES IMPACTING INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS “The big issue in BC compared to other jurisdictions
across North America is that we are one of the only jurisdictions that require the ‘state’ to rate your film.” https://victoriabuzz.com/2026/05/film-advocates-call-out-bc-over-policies-impacting-independent-filmmakers/
MAGGIE KANG, CREATOR OF
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, RECEIVES KEY TO THE CITY The creator of the Oscar-winning animated film KPop Demon Hunters now holds a key to the city of Toronto, where she grew up. After taking part in a panel about the film's success at Departure Festival, Maggie Kang was surprised on stage by Mayor Olivia Chow. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/maggie-kay-kpop-demon-hunters-key-to-city-9.7191622
SANDRA OH SAYS HOLLYWOOD WAS ‘HARDER TO REACH’ AS AN ASIAN ACTRESS COMPARED TO EARLY SUCCESS IN CANADA “I was fortunate enough to start my career in Canada, where I felt
accepted right away. Hollywood is a different game that took me years and luck. It was just harder to reach.” https://people.com/sandra-oh-hollywood-canada-as-asian-actress-exclusive-11963726
LILLY SINGH TO RECEIVE THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’S WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT CANADA
HONOR The Canadian actress and producer will receive the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Toronto. The tribute recognizes Canadians whose success opens the way for industry change and access for members of underrepresented communities. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/lily-singh-thr-women-entertainment-canada-1236586327/
HOW FILM FESTIVALS HAVE INFLUENCED THE BUSINESS OF INDEPENDENT CINEMA Film festivals were once considered the end destination for independent films, a final bow before a movie quietly disappeared. That perception has shifted dramatically. Today, festivals function
as commercial engines, transforming unknown projects into marketable properties. https://www.moviemaker.com/how-film-festivals-have-influenced-the-business-of-independent-cinema/
SEATTLE WANTS MORE TV COMMERCIALS MADE HERE TO BOOST LOCAL FILM
INDUSTRY For years, local film buffs have yearned for Seattle’s golden age of cinema — the era in the late 20th century when the city was a backdrop for big-budget Hollywood productions that have since skipped Seattle in favor of filmmaking hubs like Vancouver, B.C., and Atlanta. https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/local-media/seattle-wants-more-tv-commercials-made-here-to-boost-local-film-industry/
CELEBRITIES ARE POPPING UP ALL OVER BROADWAY. IS IT MAKING THEATRE WORSE? The shift speaks to a
practical reality — money. Staging a production on Broadway has never been cheap, but the cost of producing a play has nearly doubled in the last 10 years, with ticket prices also seeing an increase. In this high-stakes environment, casting celebrities offers a form of security. https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/broadway-celebrity-crossover-9.7189762
HOW SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH BUILT 'GREEN HOLLYWOOD' As Sir David Attenborough marks his centenary, one achievement is often overlooked: how the world's famously soft-spoken naturalist helped create an industry employing thousands and earning millions, centred on Bristol. So how did David
Attenborough create not just landmark programmes, but an entire industry? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg4pkqv1lewo
THE STANDING OVATION IS NOT A DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY The festival markets may be declining, but data shows festival audiences growing.
For festivals ready to adapt, that's great news for filmmakers: It's where the real opportunity lies. https://www.indiewire.com/news/analysis/film-festival-attendance-distribution-strategy-changing-1235192825/
ACTING 101: TECHNIQUES EVERY
BEGINNER SHOULD KNOW The idea of an acting technique can seem overwhelming, especially for a beginner. It can feel like everyone else knows a secret language that you don’t. These techniques are a variety of systems and tools to help you gain access to the craft, and although it might seem complicated at first, you’re not alone in your intrigue and confusion. https://www.castingnetworks.com/news/acting-techniques-for-beginners-actor-tips/
STOP PLAYING THE OBVIOUS: WHAT RICHARD GADD TEACHES ACTORS ABOUT DEPTH, NOT STEREOTYPES The actors who stand out are the ones who resist obvious choices and instead bring layered contradictions,
like strength with vulnerability or stillness with internal conflict. https://www.castingnetworks.com/news/half-man-richard-gadd-sophie-gardiner-hbo-interview/
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THE MAGIC CHAIR WITH SAMANTHA ALEXANDRA A Kids Acting Workshop with Pivot Theatre May 31 | 10am-12pm This playful and imaginative improv
workshop invites children 8 to 12 to explore creativity, collaboration, and storytelling through one simple object - a chair. Using improvisation, movement and purposeful play, participants will discover how a single item can transform into anything they imagine, from a bus stop to a pirate ship, and how collective imagination can build entire worlds. This course encourages creative thinking and flexibility, helps to develop teamwork and communication skills, and to build confidence through
self-expression and performance, while introducing children to the basics of improvisation and storytelling. https://www.pivottheatre.ca/workshops BIZ STUDIO: PROFESSIONAL FILM+TV ACTING CLASSES FOR KIDS+TEENS 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! https://www.bizstudio.ca/classes DIALECT COACHING - TONY ALCANTAR & ASSOCIATES 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 or [email protected] https://www.tonyalcantar.com THE MEISNER TECHNIQUE | ACTORVAN STUDIOS TRUTH. PRESENCE.
AUTHENTICITY. Train the foundation every screen actor needs! Consistent Meisner practice strengthens actors' listening, impulse, emotional availability, and authentic moment-to-moment work — essential skills for self-tapes, auditions, and booking-level performances. This class supports serious GROWTH in craft and CONFIDENCE. Small class sizes ensure each actor receives focused attention in a supportive, professional environment. Our students have
developed stronger work habits, deeper performances, better auditions, bigger agents, and more BOOKINGS. Only a few spots left — register today! https://actorvanstudios.com/product/the-meisner-technique-level-1/ RAILTOWN ACTORS STUDIO Classes are open for registration! New to us? Click here: www.railtownactors.com/interview * Acting on Film/On Camera classes with John Cassini & Janet Kidder * Scene Study classes with Brian Markinson, Frank Cassini, Janet Kidder * Voice and Movement for the Actor with Kendra Anderson Details for all Classes: www.railtownactors.com/classes We look forward to hearing from you!
COLD READING SERIES May 11 At the CRS we cast brand new scripts on the spot and watch them fly in front of a live audience. This month features scripts: ‘Sonnets to Orpheus’, a play
by William Rubel; ‘Bad Times Behind’ part 1, a feature, by David C Jones; and ‘The Light at the Edge of the Known Universe’, a podcast by Scott Wood. https://www.coldreadingseries.com
IGNITE! May 13 - 17 Celebrating its 25th
Anniversary, the festival includes the production of two new One Act Plays by local emerging playwrights and a Visual Arts exhibition. IGNITE! is an eclectic festival that celebrates excellence in emerging art and that is programmed and curated entirely by members of the Youth Panel at The Cultch. https://ignite-youth-festival.com
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS FESTIVAL May 25 - 31 Head down to Granville Island for this year's festival and enjoy spectacular performances from around the globe for kids and families of all ages! The 2026 Festival will feature circus arts, puppetry, theatre, dance, and music shows plus lots of arts activities created just for children. https://www.childrensfestival.ca
REVOLVER FESTIVAL May 22 - 31 rEvolver Festival is the latest ongoing evolution in Upintheair Theatre’s history of Festival production and presentation. The festival takes place each May at The Cultch in East Vancouver and
other alternate venues across our city. It features new performances and premieres reinterpretations of existing works by Canadian artists. https://upintheairtheatre.com/revolver-festival/
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