Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - April 22 2019
Published: Mon, 04/22/19
INDUSTRY NEWS
SHUSWAP’S SAM MUIK FINDS TV CAREER THROUGH DANCE AND DETERMINATION
Patty Fleming remembers Sam Muik as an awkward Silver Creek farm kid who wanted to dance. Now she uses the Vancouver-based actor, who stars in the CBC digital series Hudson and has appeared in numerous other popular TV shows, as an example to her students of what can be achieved with a strong work ethic. https://www.bclocalnews.com/entertainment/shuswaps-sam-muik-finds-tv-career-through-dance-and-determination/
FILM, TV STUDIOS FILING LAWSUITS AGAINST CANADIAN BITTORRENT USERS
If you received a piece of registered mail from a movie studio looking to sue you for illegally downloading a TV show such as Game of Thrones, a Canadian privacy lawyer in Nova Scotia says you need to take it seriously. If ignored, there could be a high price to pay. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/movie-studios-bittorrent-users-lawsuits-norwich-order-1.5100700
LIONSGATE, THE STUDIO BEHIND ‘HUNGER GAMES’ MOVIES, STRUGGLES IN SHIFTING HOLLYWOOD CURRENTS
The challenges come as Lionsgate Chief Executive Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns have shifted their focus toward growing pay-TV network Starz. Lionsgate bought Starz for $4.4 billion in late 2016, in a gamble meant to turn the studio into a full-fledged media company and smooth out its earnings. https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-lionsgate-struggles-20190419-story.html
INUVIALUIT WOMAN LEAD ACTRESS IN NEW EPISODE OF THE TWILIGHT ZONE
The original The Twilight Zone was a 1950s and 60s sci-fi, drama and suspense series hit. CBS's latest remake started airing on April 1. Its fourth episode, called "The Traveler" — starring Sila, Greg Kinnear and Steven Yeun — aired Thursday. Sila's family is originally from Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., and she spent her early childhood in Yellowknife. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/marika-sila-twilight-zone-1.5099968
WRITERS GUILD SUES TALENT AGENCIES IN HEATED HOLLYWOOD FIGHT
The Writers Guild of America sued the entertainment industry's four biggest talent agencies Wednesday in the latest and boldest move in an increasingly bitter and protracted fight between the two sides over the way Hollywood does business. The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court claims agents' use of so-called packaging fees is illegal under California law because they pose "numerous conflicts of interest between writers and the agencies serving as their agents." https://www.vancourier.com/writers-guild-sues-talent-agencies-in-heated-hollywood-fight-1.23794402
THE SUCCESS OF BLACK FILMMAKERS SHOWS WE ARE FINALLY BEING HEARD
We deserve three-dimensional characters who look like us, in every genre. We will no longer seek approval or permission to tell our stories. And at the end of the day, let's be real — the colour that truly speaks volumes is the colour of money. https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/frances-anne-solomon/black-filmmakers-success_a_23712208/
WHAT HAPPENS TO AN ACTOR’S BRAIN WHEN ACTING?
New research has revealed that some acting requires more than just line memorization—but you already knew that, didn’t you? Now you can take a bit of science to your next family dinner: an experiment conducted by Canada’s McMaster University has demonstrated that the brains of method actors performing Shakespeare display a marked “loss of self” – they are literally losing themselves in the role. https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/what-happens-to-an-actors-brain-when-acting-67811/
HOW TO BRING AUTHENTICITY TO AUDITIONS
After 27 years of being an acting coach, I’ve recognized how many actors have struggled with conveying their authentic selves during an audition. They prepare the material but I often hear, “I didn’t show up with all of myself.” Here are seven steps to help remind you to be yourself. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/steps-bring-authenticity-auditions-3110/
THE ONE CHARACTERISTIC THAT CAN SET YOU APART IN AUDITIONS
The question actors have asked me most over the years is how they can set themselves apart in auditions. What can they do that no one else is doing? To answer this, it’s necessary to look at how we’re similar and different from each other. Let’s examine four specific characteristics to see if they can make you stand out from the other actors in auditions. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/1-characteristic-that-can-set-you-apart-in-auditions-67854/
HOW ACTORS CAN DEFINE SUCCESS
It’s important to think about how you’re defining success no matter your age and avoid the awards-only mentality that can blind you to your other achievements. Here are five other ways you can define success in the industry. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/5-ways-actors-can-define-success-67837/
UPCOMING TRAINING
ROGUES WEST ACTORS STUDIO MAY 2019 CLASSES ARE REGISTERING NOW!
Rogues West offers classes for the emerging or veteran actor - FILM – SCENE WORK – MEISNER – VOICE – DIALECT. Innovation and adaptation in our classes has created the legacy of Western Canada's Premiere Acting Family … Discover the difference at Rogues West, in the vanguard of training and mentoring actors for over 25 years.
Email: rogueswest@gmail.com. Checkwww.rogueswest.ca for more studio details and for videos. 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
DIALECT COACHING--TONY ALCANTAR & ASSOCIATES
You asked for more and we're answering the call: Growth is good!
1. SCRIPT ANALYSIS FOR FILM AND TV--taught by Francesca Bianchi--Tuesday nights
2. VOICE AUDITION COACHING/MP3 RECORDING--taught by Tony Alcantar. Professional audio booth recordings and mp3's for VO auditions at Tony's home studio!
3. ON-CAMERA AUDITION COACHING/VIDEO RECORDING--Contact us for details.
4. CLASSIC COMEDY--For 30 years SECOND CITY ALUM Tony Alcantar has been teaching/performing comedy. Learn from the pro!
Visithttps://www.tonyalcantar.com/classesor call 604-418-1192 for details.
LINERS TO LEADS, AUDITION READY
May 11 – June 29, 2019 | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
It is imperative to be performing at your highest level when the door opens. This class will prepare you for roles of all sizes and for what is required to move your career to the next level. Stellina is a powerhouse of a teacher demanding the best of her students in a supportive approach. As an on set coach, hired by producers for many shows, she has brought out the best in actors bridging the gap between actors, show runners and Directors. Only 12 Seats available! For 19+.
Sign up: http://actorvan.com/liners-to-leads-audition-ready-session-2/
UPCOMING EVENTS
CHERRY DOCS
April 5-28
Pacific Theatre presents this Cave Canem production. Danny is an ambitious Jewish defense lawyer who believes in the common good. When he is assigned the case of an unrepentant neo-Nazi accused of murder, Danny finds himself defending the life of a man who wishes him dead.
IGNITE! YOUTH-DRIVEN ARTS FESTIVAL
April 26 – May 4
Hundreds of youth are involved in what has grown to be Vancouver’s largest youth-driven arts festival. The festival includes showcases in music, dance, and spoken word, the world premiere of three one-act plays, a visual arts exhibit, variety shows featuring improv, drag, circus arts, and much more. https://thecultch.com/events/ignite-youth-driven-arts-festival-2019/
BOOZE N SCHMOOZE RAINDANCE VANCOUVER
April 29
Are you an indie filmmaker? Do you plan to be one? Well, there's nothing like feeling you are part of a community. So come check out what other indie filmmakers do and say at our monthly boozin' n schmoozin' event. We have some special guests for you every month and our community partners will drop by to keep us up-to-date about their projects. https://www.facebook.com/events/350880312173586/
DOXA DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
May 2-12
Committed to cultivating curiosity and critical thought, DOXA will present 82 films (shorts and features) from across Canada and around the world, representing some of the very best in contemporary documentary cinema.
