Washington stands to lose out on future productions because it can't compete with the incentives offered in Vancouver to the north and Oregon to the south, which both offer lucrative benefits to lure projects.

 

Most people remember Peter Stormare as the stone-faced killer in Fargo--the peroxided guy who got sick of Steve Buscemi's yammering. He's done more than a dozen films and TV shows since completing Small Town Murder Songs, a highly original Canadian film opening here July 8.

 

Like any good, never-toot-your-own-horn Canadian, Nia Vardalos has always been loath to discuss her long-standing friendship with mentor Tom "the-most-beloved-man-in-Hollywood" Hanks. Since they met over a decade ago, the two have collaborated on several projects - the most high-profile being Vardalos's 2002 sleeper hit movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which was made for a paltry $5-million (U.S.) and went on to gross $369-million worldwide.

 

There's no place like home. Just ask Charmaine Husum. She's worked professionally as an artist since 1995. "My reputation as an artist and my prairie work ethic landed me the job of on-set scenic artist for Terry Gilliam's film shot in Saskatchewan, Tideland," Husum pointed out. "During the shooting of Tideland, I was asked to repaint the doll heads that are featured in the film. They had been sent to us in a hurry and were not up to the specifications of our director," she explained.

 

Screenwriting sounds like a terrible job that's in decline, but one that everyone wants to do. As paradoxical as that seems, the evidence is compelling. There are fewer writers working and Hollywood studios are making fewer movies. The number of screenwriters who are earning any money in 2010 fell 13 per cent from the previous year, down to 1,615.

 

The province has topped up the B.C. Arts Council's budget with $6.75 million from the 2010 Sports and Arts Legacy fund, bringing the council's total budget to $16,831,000, in line with last year.

 

The New Brunswick government is investing almost $66,000 to help fund three television pilot programs and is promising to reintroduce incentives for the film industry.

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UPCOMING TRAINING

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Starts July 18th

An all inclusive two-week intensive designed to take you from passion to profession. By combining the best of the original Matthew Harrison Weekend Intensive, On-camera Audition Technique, On set/on camera with Film and TV Director Jason Bourque, as well as defining your brand, and your career steps. This is your opportunity to cover everything the professional actor needs from craft to business. Culminating with feedback from industry experts, and a specific 'next steps' plan of action for your professional artistic career.

 

July 15-17 | $195

This is your chance to showcase your best work for top Casting Directors of Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Toronto. This 2-day format will get you in the room with all the pressure of a real room audition setting. Two Actor's Foundry coaches are there to support you and ensure that you get your best out in front of the people that need to see it.

 

*Intro to Voiceover: "The most comprehensive V/O class in the city". Commercials,narrations, cartoons, voicing for movies, where to get work and more. Only 5 students for max. mic time. Next weekend workshop July 23/24.

*Home Studio Setup: Bring your laptop and we'll set you up with free software and teach you to edit. Thursday July 28th.

Registration and info at: http://www.soundswrite.ca or call 604-985-5532

 

Hollywood producers trust Tony Alcantar with their stars: Oscar-winner Halle Berry, Stellan Skarsgard, Zhang Ziyi. You can trust him too! Tony is Vancouver's #1 dialect coach, recommended by agents, casting directors and other industry professionals. Learn with confidence the most requested dialects and accents required for the Vancouver market. Book that role!

Contact: 604-418-1192, tonyalcantar1960@gmail.com

 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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Every Thursday until September | Billy Bishop Legion

The CRS takes the best new scripts Vancouver has to offer, casts them cold on the night of the reading, and then watches them fly in front of a live audience.

 

July 27 | The ANZA Club

The Celluloid Social Club, monthly screenings featuring the best in independent provocative short and feature films & videos followed by a Q&A. No Minors. Prizes galore.