Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - October 10 2016
Published: Mon, 10/10/16
INDUSTRY NEWS
X-FILES CREATOR CHRIS CARTER EXPECTS SERIES TO RETURN TO VANCOUVER
Production of The X-Files, one of the most notable TV series ever shot in British Columbia, will resume in Vancouver next spring, according to series creator Chris Carter. The series’ return comes after a revival run of six new episodes produced in B.C. last year, which aired in early
2016.
VANCOUVER'S ANDREA BANG HOPES KIM'S CONVENIENCE HELPS BOOST ASIAN CANADIAN REPRESENTATION
Bang hopes that this show is the beginning of something that will break the catch-22 situation of Asian actors not finding any roles available they can audition for but then also not being hired due to lack of experience.
THEATRE COMMUNITY DESERVES INFORMED, HONEST CRITICS
When it’s theatre I’m reviewing, the first critic I seek out is Colin Thomas. Thomas stunned the local arts community this week with a blog post: “I just got fired from The Georgia Straight. Thirty years. No warning. No
compensation,” it began. There is a serious need for smart, informed and, yes, sometimes critical theatre criticism.
X-FILES CREATOR LAUDS
VANCOUVER AS A FAVOURITE FILMING LOCATION
“I come back up here for the crew, for the locations, for the facilities, it’s really the overall package. You sacrifice nothing by coming to Vancouver, and you of course get a wonderful discount on the exchange on the dollar. It’s got everything to recommend it.”
It’s only been two-and-a-half years since Sophy Romvari left Capilano University with a degree in Motion Picture Arts (MOPA), but in that time she’s managed to amass more artistic experience than most people acquire in a
decade.
CHRIS HADDOCK GOES DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE IN THE ROMEO SECTION
If series creator Chris Haddock isn’t careful, people are going to start using the C word. Conspiracy, that is. Or conspiracy theory, to be more precise.
B.C. PARADES SOME FINE CANADIAN SHORTS AT THE VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
This year, there are a record 18 B.C.–made shorts sprinkled throughout the usual five or so packages of Canadian fillets, with an increased emphasis on reclaiming First Nations and other identities, plus a lot of cool animation and playful
image-making.
THE WALKING DEAD CREATOR OPENS B.C. BRANCH OF PRODUCTION COMPANY
The creator of
The Walking Dead has opened a B.C. branch of his production company in a bid to find and recruit Canadian talent for multimedia projects, including TV series, films and books.
BREAKING NEW
GROUND: KIM'S CONVENIENCE TO BE CANADA'S 1ST SITCOM LED BY ASIANS
"I'm really excited to have the show being broadcast at this time in history," said Ins Choi, the Korean-Canadian actor-playwright who wrote the hit theatre production, about life behind the counter of a corner shop run by Korean immigrants and the family's intergenerational conflict. The TV show debuts amid discussion about
Hollywood's lack of diversity and dearth of significant roles for minorities.
HOW KIM'S CONVENIENCE WENT FROM REJECT PILE TO NATIONAL TV
After having his play, Kim's Convenience, rejected
by every major theatre company in Toronto, writer Ins Choi remembers thinking, "I just want to see it onstage once." Five years later, after enjoying hit run with Toronto's Fringe Festival and the Soulpepper Theatre, Choi re-wrote the play into a TV show for the CBC.
From 2014’s Talk TV
hearing to this year’s Discoverability Summit by the CRTC, plus the federal government review on how to bring Canada’s cultural industries into the digital age, everyone wants to know how best to get Canadian content in front of consumers. The task would be easier if the CRTC and the government could speak the same language as consumers.
LEADING THEATRES LOOK TO ‘CHANGE LANDSCAPE’ OF INDUSTRY FOR
PARENTS
Leading venues across the UK have launched a major year-long project that aims to identify barriers faced by parents in the sector and has the potential to “change the landscape” of theatre.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: AMMA ASANTE ON TRUSTING FEMALE FILMMAKERS
Speaking at the Women on Screen Panel during an event called Empire Live, The Guardian reported, Asante dove into the reasoning behind the mistrust of female filmmakers.
You cannot grow roses without mulch. While stars represent the beautiful blooms of the industry, the soil of the industry, the medium of growth supplied by all those who surround you, is being starved for nourishment. Our industry is not secure while the majority of its players are not.
With Hollywood diversity under the microscope, a number of major films with black lead characters will have the benefit of social awareness in the fall movie season.
MORE DIVERSITY IN THE FILM INDUSTRY IS NOT AN OPTION
A steadfast movement to observe the world through a more diverse lens has been quietly brewing beneath the surface and recently the breeze became a gale.
3 STEPS TO MAKING EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE THAT SELLS OUT AND GETS GREAT REVIEWS
The bottom line is that while you can easily let go of the most recognizable elements of traditional theater and do some groundbreaking stuff on stage, it’s difficult to succeed if you fail to provide your audience with the orienting groundedness inherent in all traditional
plays.
These are the standards that
we want to take forward into any work that we do, whether in the audition room, on a set, on a stage, for a series, for a film, for any artistic endeavor, this is what we want to do.
You’ve just exited an audition room. Maybe you’re feeling great— Or, maybe it was the
worst audition of your life. Either way, what are you supposed to do now?
From a casting perspective, there are two purposes for
reels. First, to see what professional work you have done. And if you don’t have that, which none of us do when we first start, a reel will just allow us to gauge your skill as an actor, which can easily be shown with great self-taped auditions.
KIDS+TEENS FILM+TV ACTING Biz Studio students have about twice the one-on-one time with faculty as students at other schools, with a 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.
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
AUDITION WORKSHOP WITH MATTHEW HARRISON Saturday and Sunday October 23 & 24, 2016 ACTORS get your audition skills… Pilot season taping skills… And acting chops ready for a very busy season. Sides will be allocated from a selection of current auditions. Actors prepare the scene in the class and present their audition to Matthew in front of the camera. In an open class format,
in order that everyone in the class can benefit, Matthew will provide feedback and notes for the first audition. The actor will have time to take those notes and work on them before filming a final take. A link will be provided to the actor to view their scene shortly after the class. https://www.actorsfoundry.com/audition-workshop-vancouver
DIALECT CLASS FOR AUSSIES/BRITS/KIWIS/COMMONWEALTH
ACTORS! The good news is that Hollywood LOVES COMMONWEALTH actors: you can't swing a dead cat without hitting an Aussie, Brit or South Africal lead these days! The BAD news: if you don't have a grip on your American accent, forget it. Vancouver's #1 dialect coach TONY ALCANTAR is offering an 8-week class specific to your needs to BOOK THAT ROLE. Starting Saturday OCTOBER 8, 2-5pm at Beatty Street Studios 778-773-1402, info@tonyalcantardialect.com Only 5 spots remaining, register now. "Thank you for your help with that accent...your ear and your nudging was fantastic!" -British actor Martin Freeman, 2014 Emmy winner, FARGO lead.
AUDIT FOR FREE AT ROGUES WEST ACTORS STUDIO Be challenged in our Film classes with new material every week and in our Scene Study classes with weekly goals that keep your work dynamic ... Our multidimensional training encompasses everything from core fundamentals to a professional skill-set based on Meisner & Hagen principles… Material is selected to
support/challenge your ever evolving craft. Fair and competitive rates, and payment plan options. Our next session begins Sept 6th … Email us today to meet with Christiane and discuss your training! http://www.rogueswest.ca | rogueswest@gmail.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFmIBekc8BmXp6BPevsdhAA
UPCOMING EVENTS
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
September 29 – October 14
One of North America’s largest film festivals, the Vancouver International Film Festival will once again welcome some of the world's finest films to one of the most beautiful cities on the planet.
MOMENTUM Youth Arts Movement is back again for it's fourth year in New Westminster! Since 2012, MOMENTUM has been dedicated
to creating a platform for youth artists to share their art with their peers and the community. Formerly known as Yam Jam, the annual festival has evolved to become a celebration of creative energy which is now envisioned and driven entirely by youth.
Info and Registration Session and Party. Crazy8s is an 8 day filmmaking challenge that provides funding and support
to emerging filmmakers to help them produce a short film. Crazy8s is run by the Crazy8s Film Society, a not-for-profit society. It was created to foster support for emerging filmmakers who have little or no access to funding for short films.
This month's speaker is Producer, Lily Hui. She is currently producing the remake of the hit Bette Midler film
Beaches, starring Idina Menzel for Lifetime here in Vancouver. Lily produced the Showcase series Endgame for Thunderbird Films, along with their sitcoms: Some Assembly Required and Package Deal, both with live studio audiences. Born and raised in Richmond, BC, Lily has had a long and fascinating career. She will be sharing her journey in the business and talking about what it takes to make a hit TV series and what it's like to work with networks.
NewWest FilmFest 2016 offers a wide range of films including a night dedicated to LGBTQ+, a Short Film Programme, environmental activism and fun fiction!
