Community, Sport, and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong remains under fire for the way she distributed $3.25 million earmarked for the arts from the 2010 Sport and Arts Legacy fund. In a phone call, Chong insisted that the funds have all been distributed, and that a full accounting of where the money went will be published as part of the government's public accounts this summer.
http://straight.com/article-651136/vancouver/arts-legacy-funding-details-under-wraps

NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA SEES JOB CUTS
How much is a dozen Oscars on the mantle worth to the Canadian government? A $6.68 million chop to the annual taxpayer subsidy for the National Film Board of Canada over three years is evidently the measure of Ottawa's appreciation, resulting in job and production cuts.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/national-film-board-canada-job-cuts-cinema-closures-308730

SAM ROCKWELL'S MADE A CAREER OUT OF PLAYING ODDBALL LONERS
Sam Rockwell is groggy and sniffling at first after a post-lunch nap. You have to cut him some slack -- he's in nearly every scene of the currently filming indie thriller A Single Shot, which means he's up at 5:30 a.m. every day and in the makeup chair an hour later, for a day that can last 14 hours.
http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Rockwell+made+career+playing+oddball+loners/6422144/story.html

WHY CHOP DOWN THE ARTS?
Faced with such drastic sums, it is true that the amount of $191 million to Heritage Canada -- including a $132.3 million cut to three federal agencies involved in the film and TV industries -- seems to disappear before the enormity of the stakes. This government has chosen a cut of 10 per cent to the budget of the CBC, Telefilm, and the NFB.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jacques-bensimon/canada-budget-2012_b_1410043.html

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UPCOMING TRAINING

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DIALECT COACHING | TONY ALCANTAR
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

ARTIST'S WAY CREATIVITY COURSE/ 90TH CLASS!!
Starts Tuesday April 24th 2012
10 Weeks | 7-9pm |Only 8 people in class!
Become unblocked! Be happy pursuing your acting passion! Gain abundance with huge rewards! Break through limiting beliefs! Get out of a rut and move forward! Music, drama, spiritual growth, future projection, daily writing/morning pages and learning to honour yourself, are some of the experiences that you will benefit from and experience throughout this course. Through the Artist's Way book , Maryse Schembri's creative exercises and assignments, excellent facilitation and group support you will move quickly in the direction you are meant to go.
http://www.maryse.org Please call 604-220-9384

BIZ STUDIO
Registering Now: April-June Classes for Kids (5-7; 8-11) and Teens (12-17)
Small group professional film and television acting classes for kids and teens. Six students max. Instructors are all working actors and veteran teachers. Classes are held at a working casting studio. Check our website for the free 32p "Confidence on Camera Handbook", audition postings for kids+teens, video tutorials including Stuart Aikins' excellent 10part "Advice for Actors", and of course schedule and class info www.bizstudio.ca

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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REEL 2 REAL FILM FESTIVAL FOR YOUTH
April 13-20
Reel 2 Real is dedicated to showing the best in culturally diverse, authentic programming for youth.
http://www.r2rfestival.org/

WOMEN IN FILM NETWORKING BREAKFAST
April 17
This month with guest speaker Karen Lam of Curio Media.
http://www.womeninfilm.ca/cgi/page.cgi?evtid=309&_id=57

CELLULOID SOCIAL CLUB
April 18 
The next event will be hosted by Mackenzie Gray and feature special guest Mina Shum ('Double Happiness').
http://www.celluloidsocialclub.com/