Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - February 22, 2016

Published: Mon, 02/22/16

INDUSTRY NEWS
VANCOUVER SMASHES RECORD FOR FILM ACTIVITY IN 2015
Vancouver hosted 353 productions in 2015, up from 253 the previous year. That total included 26 feature films. This activity earned Vancouver $710,000 in revenue for film and street-use permits alone.

RIDGE MOVIE STUDIO BUZZING
The extra six-per-cent tax credit offered against movie crew labour costs have led to the film industry’s growth outside Vancouver.

DIANNE DOAN ON JOINING THE CANADIAN-PACKED 'VIKINGS' CAST: 'THERE WAS A SENSE OF HOME ON SET
Actress Dianne Doan is the latest Canadian star to jump back in time to the Viking Age. The Vancouver native joins fellow Canucks Alexander Ludwig and Katheryn Winnick in the fourth season of the hit historical series Vikings.

HOLLYWOOD COMING TO KAMLOOPS AREA FOR TWO FEATURE FILMS
It's going to be a busy spring for the local film industry with some major productions expected to be in Kamloops and area.

B.C. FILM, TV PLAYERS HIT THE ROAD FOR TRADE MISSIONS TO EUROPE, ASIA
Vancouver has the uncanny ability to play Anytown, U.S.A., in American film and TV shows. Now local industry players want to raise the region’s profile.

CONCERN AS B.C. CONSIDERS CAPPING FILM AND TV TAX CREDIT
B.C.’s movie industry is booming — so much so, the provincial government is looking at whether tax incentives should be capped or reduced. Finance Minister Mike de Jong says the low Canadian dollar means productions don’t need as much of an incentive to come here but those working in the industry disagree.

MENTAL HEALTH WOES ARE RIFE IN THE ARTS – NO WONDER
Arts workers suffer from the effects of uncertain employment, low pay, shift work and the need to be willing and able to work at all times and under all conditions.

PLAY EQUITY AND THE BLINDSPOTS
No artistic director is going to admit to having a bias against women. No artistic director is going to admit to being against People of Colour. Moreover, for most artistic directors, the belief that neither race, ethnicity or gender has any effect on their artistic choices, will be genuine. This is called a blind spot.

5 HABITS OF CONSISTENTLY WORKING ACTORS
Whether you’ve been acting for over a decade or you’re just starting out, many of you will encounter the same obstacles in this industry. In this article I am going to help you get over these roadblocks by breaking down the five most important traits in every successful working actor with whom I work.

THE 1 PERSUASION TOOL YOU ALREADY POSSESS
One of the simplest and most effective of these gifts we all have within us is charm. Charm is the beguiling smile you have behind your eyes when you’re enjoying yourself a great deal but don’t want everyone else to know it. It’s loving who you are and where you’re at, but stopping just shy of concealing it entirely. 

4 TIPS FOR MAKING THE WINNING AUDITION CHOICE
Casting directors and film/TV directors will often tell actors to “make a stronger choice” not really knowing what exactly they mean by that. Essentially they’re saying, “Show me something I like better.”
UPCOMING TRAINING
COMEDY INTENSIVE AT THE FOUNDRY
​March 12 & 13, 2016​
FUNNY is money.
Be prepared. Don’t let “not funny” be your feedback.
The COMEDY Intensive prepares actors for their comedy tapings and auditions​. ​
​Working from sides culled from the most recent comedy pilots and series which will be given in advance.  As well as investigating approach to comedy, actors will also explore comedy archetypes and the perfect comic character to suit their specific branding.​   ​
https://www.actorsfoundry.com/sitcom-intensive-
INFORM YOURSELF... AUDIT ANY ROGUES WEST ACTING CLASS FOR FREE!
New session begins Feb 29/2016 and includes our core classes in Meisner Technique, Film and Scene Study. Beginner and advanced actors are invited to check out our studio, audit and follow up with a no obligation, one-on-one mentorship meeting. Continue the legacy of the New York studio tradition of acting and train with experienced, qualified instructors. Take control of your career in 2016! 
Contact us at rogueswest@gmail.com, call 604-699-1744 or visit www.rogueswest.ca to see a complete class schedule!
SPRING BREAK FILM+TV ACTING INTENSIVES FOR KIDS+TEENS
Biz Studio students have about twice the one-on-one time with faculty as students at other schools (max of 6 students per class). We have a legacy of training young actors who go on to work in the industry, *outstanding* instructors, and a beautiful downtown campus inside a working film & tv casting studio.
Kids Monday-Friday 9:00am-12:00noon, March 14th-18th and March 21st-25th, www.bizstudio.ca/kidsactingclasses
Teens Monday-Friday 1:00-5:00pm, March 14th-18th and March 21st-25th, www.bizstudio.ca/teensactingclasses 
ACTORIUM’S 16 WEEK SCENE STUDY SERIES
One role, one scene and 16 weeks of in-depth, thorough training. Actorium is a Meisner based school. Student must have completed Actorium's four week Intro, or equivalent to enroll.
2910 Commercial Drive, Vancouver.
More info: 604-445-7751 |
info@actorium.ca | actorium.ca
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,
tonyalcantar@icloud.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL
February 12 - 20
By presenting unique outdoor and mountaineering films that illustrate experiences and cultures from all corners of the globe, VIMFF brings communities together to promote positive values and active lifestyles.

TALKING STICK FESTIVAL
February 18 – 28
This festival of extraordinary Indigenous performance and art features some of the best emerging and established Indigenous artists Turtle Island has to offer. It provides a stage for artists from a variety of artistic expressions - theatre, storytelling, writing, music, spoken word, dance and visual arts.
http://fullcircle.ca

CHUTZPAH FESTIVAL
February 18 – March 13
For our 16th year, it’s a pleasure to welcome outstanding internationally-celebrated dance, music, comedy and theatre artists from as far afield as Mexico, Germany, Cuba, Italy, USA and Israel as well as some of Canada’s finest.

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN FILM FESTIVAL
March 8 – 13
Presenting films made by women from around the world, the festival offers six days of screenings, conversation, presentations, parties and more. 

VANCOUVER WEB FEST
March 18 – 20
Vancouver Web Fest celebrates the progressive evolution of entertainment and programming created exclusively for the Internet. VWF brings together International and Canadian web content creators, producers and viewers through an engaged and responsive forum that acknowledges the cultural significance of this revolutionary genre.
Vancouver Actor's Guide
info@vancouveractorsguide.com
www.vancouveractorsguide.com
Thanks to
Biz Studio