Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - December 17 2018
Published: Mon, 12/17/18
Happy Holidays from Vancouver Actor's Guide.
Our newsletter will return on January 7, 2019.
Auditions will continue to be updated throughout the holiday.
INDUSTRY NEWS
HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES ARE A SNOWY WINDFALL FOR VANCOUVER FILM INDUSTRY
Hallmark Christmas movies —
like reality shows before them — are at once a cultural phenomenon, a punch line and a game changer. And in Vancouver, Hallmark Christmas movies are even more than all of that. They’re an industry unto themselves — a mega-employer of thousands of local actors and crew.
VWF executive director and
founder Suzette Laqua announced in a video posted on social media on December 5 that she will be postponing the next festival due to personal health concerns. Accordingly, the Vancouver Web Fest won't be held in 2019.
We encourage you to make a
New Year’s resolution to go see some live theatre in 2019. Our city is lucky to have such a vibrant arts scene, but they cannot do it without you, the audience.
VOCALEYE BRINGS
SIGHTS OF GATEWAY THEATRE PRODUCTION TO LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW VISION
Catching a beloved holiday
classic in a local theatre may be a favourite December tradition for many, but for those who are blind and partially sighted, it could be a discouraging experience. Hoping to change this is Vancouver-based VocalEye, a non-profit and the first live descriptive arts service for the blind in Canada.
'A RARE SITUATION':
ERIC MCCORMACK WEIGHS IN ON 'TRAVELERS' AND 'WILL AND GRACE'
Growing up in Scarborough,
Canadian actor Eric McCormack was a shy outsider who found his confidence in theatre. We caught up with McCormack down the line from L.A. recently before the third season of Travelers starts streaming.
2018 PROVES TO BE
BANNER YEAR FOR FILM PRODUCTION IN MANITOBA
Manitoba’s film industry
continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Manitoba Film and Music says last year, production generated $173 million in revenue and so far this fiscal year – which ends in March – production has already hit $210 million.
SCHITT’S CREEK
BECOMES FIRST CANADIAN COMEDY SERIES NOMINATED FOR A CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARD
The program, about a rich
family who go bust and are forced to live in a small town they bought as a joke, is nominated for Best Comedy Series in the annual awards, which honour both film and television.
FORD GOVERNMENT CUTS
FUNDING TO ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL, IMPACTING INDIGENOUS CULTURE FUND
The Ontario government has
slashed base funding to the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by $5 million, as well as more than $2 million to the Indigenous Culture Fund. The agency that gives grants and services to Ontario-based artists and arts organizations said base funding for 2018-19 will drop from $69.9 million to the 2017-18 level of $64.9 million.
'CRAZY RICH ASIANS,'
JOHN CHO, MANNY JACINTO HONORED FOR MILESTONE YEAR IN ASIAN REPRESENTATION
These seemingly minor steps
are crucial to propelling Asian representation beyond the monolithic portrayals that have confined its communities for decades.
CBS SELLS TELEVISION
CITY FOR $750M TO LA DEVELOPER
CBS says it has sold
Television City, its Los Angeles headquarters and production facility, to a real estate developer for $750 million. Shows on Television City sound stages include "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and "The Price is Right." They will continue to be based there for at least five more years.
The study analyzed the 350
top-grossing films worldwide released between January 2014 and December 2017. Researchers found that in films with small, medium and large budgets, all averaged better global grosses when a woman was listed as the lead star.
OSCARS: ANALYZING
THE CONTENDERS' JOURNEYS FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN TO AWARDS HOPEFUL
The Oscar best picture race
has taken off in earnest, with dozens of films hoping to land a coveted nomination when they're announced Jan. 22. THR took a look at what was required for these movies to make it to awards season, from the size of their budgets to their festival debuts and their running times once they hit the big screen.
This week: Gregg A. Klein,
president of AKA Talent Agency’s theatrical division. He talks relocation in pursuit of acting roles, warning signs when signing a potential client, and gender parity in Hollywood.
WHY YOUR SOCIAL
MEDIA MAY BE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD
Actors and other artists who
suspect that social media could be damaging to their brand—and castability—are absolutely right. So how can you use social media to conjure associations with your face that connect you artistically to your purpose without reducing your art to more “stuff”?
THIS IS THE KEY TO
WINNING THE AUDITION + BOOKING TO ROLE
Specificity is the hallmark
of greatness in acting and auditioning. But it doesn’t just apply to the specificity of what you’ve chosen to do, but also to the specificity of how you actually do it.
MASTERING YOUR TECHNIQUE WITH BEN BASS
Starts January 6, 2019, for 8 weeks
Ben is best known as the edgy, rule breaking detective Sam Swarek on ABC’s hit series ROOKIE BLUE for which he received 2 Canadian Screen Award nominations for best actor. With a special emphasis on developing the actor’s ability to become vividly present, this class will also greatly sharpen the actor’s skillset: acting technique, accessing emotions, on camera technique, text analysis, voice technique, character physicality and audition technique.
Only 12 seats available. http://actorvan.com/mastering-your-technique-with-ben-bass/
AUDIT FOR FREE AT ROGUES WEST ACTORS STUDIO
Rogues professional, experienced instructors offer integrated, comprehensive training for FILM, MEISNER, STAGE, VOICE/DIALECT and YOUNG ADULTS. Our goal is to nurture independent, creative self-reliant artists committed to the ongoing evolution of their craft. Rogues has been training and mentoring actors for over 25 years - experience the modern legacy of New York's studio-tradition of acting ... and Discover the Rogues Legacy! Centrally located in downtown Vancouver at Davie & Burrard.
Checkwww.rogueswest.cafor more studio details and emailrogueswest@gmail.comto
ask us any questions. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFmIBekc8BmXp6BPevsdhAA
KIDS+TEENS FILM+TV ACTING AT BIZ STUDIO
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.
**Kids (ages 8-11) www.bizstudio.ca/kidsactingclasses
**Teens (ages 12-17) www.bizstudio.ca/teensactingclasses
A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM TONY ALCANTAR
Christmas is a world-wide time of giving and reflection. Michael Bean has again generously donated Beatty Street Studios for my annual Christmas gift to the Vancouver talent: a free comedy workshop Saturday December 22, 10-1pm and 2-5pm.
Simply emailtonyalcantar@icloud.comto reserve your spot.
No strings, no promos...say yes and we'll share this special season together!
-Tony Alcantar
UPCOMING EVENTS
BOOZE ‘N’ SCHMOOZE VANCOUVER
December 17
Do not miss an opportunity to chat with writers, directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, productions designers, students, seniors and newcomers of the Vancouver indie film scene right now.
The Italian Film Festival features a blend of contemporary and classic films from Italy’s significant cinematic repertoire to create a unique festival experience.
Talk shop over coffee with WIFTV members and friends. Whether you are a producer, director, screenwriter, actor, or someone who wants to know more about the industry, the William F. White Networking Coffee is a great way to meet a variety of different people in the film and television community in Vancouver.
Featuring 26 works from 24 companies from 13 countries — including six world premieres — this extraordinary showcase of visionary collaboration and risk-taking is a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar.
