Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - August 26 2013

Published: Mon, 08/26/13

INDUSTRY NEWS
BC FILM'S PHOENIX MOMENT
From the ashes of a major industry downturn, a new indie scene is rising. At first glance, these are indeed bleak times for Vancouver film. However, looking beyond the grim, I have found a growing tribe of film veterans banding together, leaning into their passions and reviving the struggling industry.
http://thetyee.ca/ArtsAndCulture/2013/08/08/BC-Film-Indie-Moment/

SPACEY SAYS TV MUST ADAPT TO VIEWER DEMAND OR DIE
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey says television has overtaken cinema as the home of quality character-driven drama, but the industry risks failure if it doesn't recognize that viewers want control over what they watch, and when.
http://metronews.ca/scene/775044/spacey-says-tv-must-adapt-to-viewer-demand-or-die/

LEA THOMPSON TO STAR IN TV MOVIE 'MY MOTHER'S FUTURE HUSBAND'
"Back to the Future" star Lea Thompson will play a widowed mother whose daughter tries to fix her up. George Eschbarner, who worked with Thompson on 2008's "The Christmas Clause," is directing. Currently in production in Vancouver, it is slated for a 2014 premiere.
http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/lea-thompson-star-tv-movie-my-mothers-future-husband-exclusive-112806

A CAREER IN HOLLYWOOD AS ONE LONG FOOTBALL GAME
You've surely heard the phrase, "It's a marathon, not a sprint"? Here are some other sporting words I find even more apropos to Hollywood: "Celebrate first downs."
http://hollywoodjournal.com/industry-impressions/a-career-in-hollywood-as-one-long-football-game/20130816/

ELYSIUM DIRECTOR NEILL BLOMKAMP: 'YOU'D HAVE TO CHANGE THE HUMAN GENOME TO STOP WEALTH DISCREPANCY'
The South African's stylish movie parable, starring Matt Damon a futuristic working-class hero, is sci-fi with a social conscience.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/17/elysium-neill-bloomkamp-interview

CANADIAN FILMMAKER ARRESTED IN EGYPT
Toronto-based documentary director John Greyson and his traveling partner haven't been heard from since Friday, when they called a friend to say they were being detained in Cairo.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/canadian-filmmaker-arrested-egypt-608726

THE NO. 1 MISTAKE YOU AND YOUR AGENT ARE MAKING
"The agent-actor relationship is like a marriage." How many times have I heard this in my 30-plus years in this business? Newsflash to actors and agents who subscribe to this notion: No it isn't.
http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/no-1-mistake-you-and-your-agent-are-making/

GENDER FLIPPING IN HOLLYWOOD
It's no secret that this summer's movies suck for women. Yet Jodi Foster has a leading role in the new action movie Elysium. How'd she score it? Foster makes a point of having her agent specifically seek out leading-man scripts that can be flipped. More actresses might want to do the same, because there really is no reason that the main character can't be a woman.
http://msmagazine.com/blog/2013/08/19/gender-flipping-in-hollywood/
UPCOMING TRAINING
TARLINGTON TRAINING
Auditions for our Showcase and Masters programs Sept. 7th.  Call to book an audition time.
Enrol in our adult workshop Sept. 8th with instructor Peter Grasso and guest Stuart Aikins. Actors will get sides well in advance to memorize. We will analyze the script and explore choices for the role. Work will be recorded and sent to you via a link. Stuart will come in for the fourth hour to watch the prepared scenes and give feedback to the actors.
Call 604-664-0135 or e-mail us at ttraining@canadafilm.com.
Check out our web site at www.tarlingtontraining.com.
SOUNDSWRITE WORKSHOPS
*Voiceover Intensive Sept. 21st/22nd
Learn to voice for narration, commercials, animation, audiobooks, Walla and ADR for film. Find out where the jobs are and how to set up your home studio. Constantly reviewed as "the best voiceover course in the city". Small class=max mic time.
*NEW!! ACTING for Voiceover: Sept 28th/29th
Voice casting directors want actors! We're thrilled to be joined by top Vancouver acting coach Jeb Beach who'll give you the skills you need to win auditions. Keep what you record for your demo. Beginners to intermediate. 3 coaches, 2 amazing days. Up your game!
Register online or by phone at 604-985-5532. www.soundswrite.ca
DIALECT COACHING | TONY ALCANTAR
Hollywood producers trust Tony Alcantar with their stars: Oscar-winner Halle Berry, Stellan Skarsgard, Sam Rockwell, Joel Edgerton, Elizabeth Banks, etc. You can trust him too! Tony is Vancouver's #1 dialect coach, recommended by agents and casting directors. Learn with confidence the most requested dialects and accents required for the Vancouver market. Book that role!
Contact: 604-418-1192, tonyalcantar1960@gmail.com
ACTING INTENSTIVE WITH ANTHONY MEINDL
2-Day Vancouver Acting Intensive with Anthony Meindl of L.A.'s #1 acting school - Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop on September 14th and 15th, 10AM to 4PM each day. Intensive location is at AMAW Vancouver, 788 Beatty St., B2 lvl, studio A. Intensive will cover cold reading, scene study, auditioning and business of acting.
To register/info: Barbara@anthonymeindl.com.
AMAW
students include Shailene Woodley (star of Divergent and Golden Globe Nominee), Trevor Donovan (90210), Ian Harding (Pretty Little Liars), and many more of young Hollywood's up-and-coming actors.
www.anthonymeindl.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
COLD READING SERIES SEASON
Every Monday, until Sep 2 | The Backstage Lounge
At the CRS we cast brand new scripts on the spot and watch them fly in front of a live audience. Local musicians are also invited to share their work-in-progress in the "unplugged" musical segment of the evening. The CRS is the place for Vancouver's artists to meet one another, share their work, and create more.
http://www.coldreadingseries.com

MONDAY NIGHT LIVE
Every Monday | East of Main Cafe
East of Main Cafe and Project Limelight Society present Monday Night Live, a unique series of storytelling nights featuring film industry professionals. Everyone has a story to tell. We provide the topic and up to 7 minutes to tell a true story, in front of a live audience.
https://www.facebook.com/events/485729518160833

FALL AWAY HOME
Aug 21 - Sep 1 | Stanley Park
Boca del Lupo Theatre returns to Stanley Park with a modern fairy tale about a young girl who, in an effort to help others, falls down a hole and finds herself falling all the way through the planet. Created in tradition of Boca's much lauded and beloved FREE outdoors all-ages specatulars.
http://www.bocadellupo.com

VANCOUVER LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
August 30 - September 8
VLAFF promotes dialogue among cultures and explores the art of contemporary Latin American cinema through the eyes of its filmmakers. Since 2003, VLAFF has provided audiences with the unique opportunity to watch inspiring films and interact with guest filmmakers from across Latin America and the diaspora.
http://www.vlaff.org
Do you have an event or news item you think would be of interest to the Vancouver acting community? Would you like to include a notice about an upcoming class or workshop? For more information email Kenji Maeda at kenji@productionheads.com.