Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - February 10 2014

Published: Mon, 02/10/14

INDUSTRY NEWS
VANCOUVER-SHOT 'PSYCH' TO END AFTER CURRENT EIGHTH SEASON
USA will be bidding farewell to long-running dramedy "Psych," as the cabler has announced that the detective series' current season will be its last.
http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/usas-psych-to-end-after-current-eighth-season-1201088165/

PUSH FESTIVAL TO SHARE DOWNTOWN CULTURAL SPACE WITH TOUCHSTONE THEATRE, DOXA, AND MUSIC ON MAIN
Four cultural groups will be sharing a new space in downtown Vancouver, following city council's approval of the partnership February 5.
http://www.straight.com/arts/582751/push-festival-share-downtown-cultural-space-touchstone-theatre-doxa-and-music-main

MICHAEL J. FOX SHOW CANCELLED AFTER JUST 15 EPISODES
The Burnaby-raised actor's self-titled sitcom has lost its prime time Thursday night slot in favour of Hollywood Game Night - a game show presented by Jane Lynch - after network NBC decided to pull the plug because of poor ratings.
http://www.canada.com/entertainment/Michael+Show+cancelled+after+just+episodes/9477950/story.html

B.C. ACTRESS MOLLY PARKER TANGLES WITH KEVIN SPACEY IN NEW SEASON OF HOUSE OF CARDS
Parker plays a third-term congresswoman who figures prominently in Francis's latest quest for power at the White House. That means lots of scenes for the B.C.-native opposite star Kevin Spacey.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/television/actress+Molly+Parker+tangles+with+Kevin+Spacey/9477736/story.html

CANADIAN FILMMAKING GETS A LITTLE MORE FEMME
Filmmaker Ingrid Veninger says the pitch for the script writing initiative Femmes Lab, "could have back-fired badly." The actor-turned-director-turned-Renaissance-woman was on stage at the Whistler Film Festival in December receiving an EDA award from the Alliance of Women Film Journalists.
http://metronews.ca/scene/934117/canadian-filmmaking-gets-a-little-more-femme/

NEW CALGARY STUDIO, SOUND STAGE EXPECTED TO BOOST ALBERTA FILM PRODUCTION
The $22.8-million studio is scheduled to be running by the summer of 2015, but no location has been announced. With several series being filmed in the Calgary area now, including "Heartland" and "Fargo" based on the 1996 Coen brothers Oscar-nominated movie, the demand for a new facility has never been greater, says Bruce Graham, president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development.
http://www.news1130.com/2014/02/04/new-calgary-studio-expected-to-boost-alberta-film-production/

TIPS TO KEEP YOUNG ACTORS GROUNDED AND REAL
"What is the one thing you look for when casting a young performer?" There are so many factors to consider here; age, type, hair color, height, weight, personality, charisma, preparedness, and talent are just a few of the many criteria assessed.
http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/4-tips-keep-young-actors-grounded-and-real/

4 WAYS TO NAIL DOWN YOUR TYPE
Let's get honest. While it's easy to look at others and get a sense of their natural type, doing the same for own your self can be daunting. Where do you even start?
http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/4-ways-nail-down-your-type/

THE 'BAMBOO CEILING'
In a recent New Yorker cartoon, a dog is shown lounging by a pool and saying to a pup: "YouTube's one thing, but cats will never make it on the big screen." A funny commentary, surely, but in America that statement could just as easily be applied to ethnic minorities, especially Asian Americans.
http://thetyee.ca/ArtsAndCulture/2014/01/30/Bamboo-Ceiling/
UPCOMING TRAINING

DIALECT COACHING | TONY ALCANTAR
Hollywood producers trust Tony Alcantar with their stars: Oscar-winners Halle Berry, Billy-Bob Thornton plus A-list stars Stellan Skarsgard, Sam Rockwell, Joel Edgerton, Bob Odenkirk, Martin Freeman, 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

ANTHONY MEINDL'S ACTOR WORKSHOP VANCOUVER
AMAW is now open in Vancouver! With some of TV's hottest shows being shot in Vancouver you will learn how to master the demands of tv/film acting from the acting studio that is producing the next generation of Hollywood stars. The on-going Vancouver acting classes focus on our exciting non-method way of working and will get you working the muscle of the moment and help you to trust your instincts, stop over-thinking, and do naturally what you always thought acting should be: easy, fun, empowering.
Classes are Mondays at 6PM. Email assistant@anthonymeindl.com to register.
http://www.anthonymeindl.com
SOUNDSWRITE
Work From Home in Your Fuzzy Slippers!
*Intro to Voiceover Intensive: Feb. 22 & 23
Learn to set up a home studio and voice commercials, narrations, audiobooks, animation & ADR for film. Find out where to get work & get a produced spot for your demo. 5 students = max booth time.
*DEMO Building Workshop - on now!
Build your pro demo through coached sessions one spot at a time as your budget allows, or get a produced demo in a week!
Register at www.soundswrite.ca or call 604-985-5532.
UPCOMING EVENTS
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL
February 7-15
The Festival was initiated with the objective to bring to North Vancouver unique outdoor and mountaineering films that would otherwise not be seen in the city, and to bring together communities of filmmakers and outdoor enthusiasts in a forum where they can discuss topics of mutual interest.
http://www.vimff.org

RENDEZ-VOUS FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL
February 7-16
The 20th festival is committed to offer artistic, cultural and educative programs and services that help to create a strong cultural identity for the Francophone and Francophile British Columbians.  VOP is also committed to participate actively in the development of the French-Speaking community.
http://www.rendez-vousvancouver.com

POWELL RIVER FILM FESTIVAL
February 11 - 16
The Powell River Film Festival, now in its 12th year of operation, produces an annual event in February dedicated to showcasing the finest current releases.
http://www.prfilmfestival.ca

WILLIAM F. WHITE NETWORKING BREAKFAST
February 18
This month's guest speaker is Nicole Porter, President of SHIFT Brand Integration Group, speaking on the topic:  Brand Integration, Product Placement & Branded Entertainment: A "New" Funding Model for Production Companies
http://www.womeninfilm.ca/cgi/page.cgi/_evtcal.html?date=2014-2&evt=89

JEAN-LUC CINÉMA GODARD
February 6- March 5
Easily the most important and influential filmmaker of the past fifty years, Godard is also, more than any other director, the cinema's great modernist - an innovative artist whose work has transformed and reinvented his medium.
http://www.thecinematheque.ca/jean-luc-cinema-godard

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN FILM FESTIVAL
March 6-9 | Vancity Theatre
Coinciding with International Women's Day on March 8th, VIWIFF will be screening engaging and compelling shorts and feature films produced by established and emerging women filmmakers from all over the world.
http://www.womeninfilm.ca/FilmFest2014.html
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.