ROHIT CHOKHANI TAKES THE HELM OF THE VANCOUVER FRINGE FESTIVAL
The Mumbai-born artist spent his early adulthood pursuing computer programming, first earning his master’s in the field, then leaving it to delve into the arts after he arrived here in 2010, by way of the U.S. He's been a driving force here ever since, bringing South Asian and other culturally diverse stories to Vancouver stages. https://www.straight.com/arts/rohit-chokhani-takes-helm-of-vancouver-fringe-festival
VANCOUVER FILM INDUSTRY SUPPLIER OFFERING BATTERY POWER FOR HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT
Portable Electric has announced that it will shift the production of its battery products to provide life-saving battery electricity for healthcare equipment. With film and television productions around the world coming to a temporary halt due to COVID-19, they have been able to diversify the end users of their products. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/portable-electric-voltstack-coronavirus
CBC LAUNCHES $2 MILLION COVID-19 RELIEF FUND FOR PRODUCERS
The fund will offer "immediate" development and production financing for producers of original content across all genres. That includes scripted comedies and dramas, unscripted entertainment, kids and young adult programming, podcasts, play adaptations and short documentaries. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbc-launches-2m-covid-19-relief-fund-1289542
VANCOUVER OPERA APPOINTS TOM WRIGHT AS GENERAL DIRECTOR
Before becoming the interim general director at Vancouver Opera, Wright had worked for thirteen seasons as Vancouver Opera’s director artistic planning. During that time, he oversaw the creation of over 50 opera productions and new opera commissions. https://www.vancouverpresents.com/music/vancouver-opera-appoints-tom-wright-as-general-director/
CANADIAN FILM AND TV DESIGN PRO CREATES FACE SHIELD FOR HEALTH-CARE WORKERS
Artists around the world have been helping people through the COVID-19 crisis by offering things like online concerts, free classes, and storytelling for kids. But John Allen has put his skills to work in an entirely different way: by designing mass-producible face shields for frontline health-care workers. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/blog/canadian-film-and-tv-design-pro-creates-face-shield-for-health-care-workers-1.5524605
ARTISTS ARE GETTING US THROUGH COVID-19. NEVER QUESTION THEIR VALUE AGAIN
There's a question that I've noticed coming up a lot lately: what kind of new world do we want to build? Part of the answer lies in reflecting on what we don't want to continue. I suggest that in this new iteration, we stop devaluing artists' worth. https://www.cbc.ca/arts/artists-are-getting-us-through-covid-19-never-question-their-value-again-1.5519840
A FREELANCE CREATIVE’S GUIDE TO NAVIGATING COVID-19
We are a community of freelancers. Your hard work and impressive hustle make our platform what it is, and we’re committed to providing more remote opportunities to our creators to ensure future work. That said, we want to share some steps we believe will help us all get through these uncertain times together. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/freelance-creatives-guide-covid-19-70508/
TIPS FOR YOUR QUARANTINE SELF TAPE
Greetings from Pandemica. In a time when it feels like the whole world has stopped, it can be difficult to contemplate working on your career at all. Many of us are just concentrating on survival, and if you’re in that boat, please know that is absolutely fine. You are not being a “bad actor,” wasting an opportunity or letting down your art. You have to take care of yourself first. https://www.castittalent.com/blog/2020/04/5-tips-for-your-quarantine-self-tape/
UPCOMING TRAINING
BIZ STUDIO: ONLINE PROFESSIONAL FILM+TV ACTING CLASSES FOR KIDS+TEENS
Biz Studio has a seventeen-year track record of training young actors who work regularly in film and television.
Classes are like small-group personal training, and take a maximum of six students so that instructors can work with each actor to give them what they need. This is the place for young actors ready to take their work to the next level! http://www.bizstudio.ca/classes
VAD ARTS ONLINE CLASSES
At VAD Arts, build your acting skills with our online community of students and teachers. Join an online acting, improv or voiceover class today. At VAD Arts we believe sustaining and building communities is vital in this time of isolation. We encourage you to keep a healthy and engaging routine.
To learn more about what we’re doing, contact Joe McCoy, Senior Educational Administrator, at: info@vadarts.com | 250.580.2588 https://www.vadarts.com/part-time-acting-classes/
DIALECT COACHING - TONY ALCANTAR
Hollywood producers trust Tony with their stars: Oscar winners Mel Gibson, Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton, Emmy winner Martin Freeman plus A-listers Sam Rockwell, Vince Vaughn, Joel Edgerton, Bob Odenkirk, Nathan Fillion, Stellan Skarsgard and MANY MORE. You can trust him too.
* Tony is Vancouver's #1 dialect coach recommended by agents and casting directors. Learn with confidence the most requested accents and dialects for the Vancouver market.
Book that role!
Contact: 604-418-1192, info@tonyalcantardialect.com, www.tonyalcantar.com
ROGUES WEST ACTORS STUDIO - ROGUE ON! ONLINE CLASSES
Discover the e-connection groove – Rogues West classes are on online!
In our May session, choose from MEISNER, FILM, and SCENE WORK. Experience e-connectivity and enhance your training with new online skills! Email us to audit for free.
Connect with us as we navigate these challenging times while maintaining relationship to our community. rogueswest@gmail.com | www.rogueswest.ca
UPCOMING EVENTS
WORKING THROUGH THIS, WITH MERCEDES BAINES
April 14 | 2:00pm-3:00pm
Artists and arts workers are invited to attend this online presentation about navigating uncertainty and overwhelming circumstances. This experiential webinar will help you better manage painful emotions while living through crisis. Free to attend. Hosted by Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance.
More info: https://www.gvpta.ca/covid-19-resources#mercedes
WORKING THROUGH THIS WITH T'UY'T'TANAT-CEASE WYSS AND JOLENE ANDREW
April 16 | 2:00pm-3:00pm
Join us as we have a conversation with T’uy’t’tanat- Cease Wyss and Jolene Andrew where they will share their stories and strategies for navigating current realities through Indigenous ways of knowing.
Whether you’re a parent looking for a way to spark home learning, an educator wanting access to new online resources, or someone who just love arts, culture, and heritage, you’ll find a world of culture on CultureOnline.ca. From musicians giving free concerts from their living rooms, to private online tours through museums, BC’s culture sector is showing that even when we can’t leave our houses, #CultureDoesntStop. https://cultureonline.ca
SOCIAL DISTANCING FESTIVAL
The Social Distancing Festival is an online artist’s community made to celebrate and showcase the work of the many artists around the world who have been affected by the need for social distancing that has come about due to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE - #CANADAPERFORMS
Canada Performs is a $100,000 short-term relief fund that pays Canadian artists for their online performances. It was launched by the National Arts Centre, in partnership with Facebook Canada, to help ease the financial strain for artists impacted by the closure of performance venues across Canada related to COVID-19, and to lift the spirits of Canadians during the crisis.
About the Program: https://nac-cna.ca/en/canadaperforms/apply
Find Events: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadasNAC.CNAduCanada/posts
