MAYOR KENNEDY STEWART LOOKING AT FILM, TECH INDUSTRY TO RESTART VANCOUVER'S ECONOMY
The Mayor says that he’ll be bringing together local leaders and workers from across the city’s economy in the coming weeks. When it comes to specific industries, Stewart mentioned BC’s film and tech sector as playing major roles in this process. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-film-tech-industry-restart-economy
THE ISOLATION DIARIES: CHRISTINE QUINTANA, JIV PARASRAM, AND MOLLY MACKINNON
With theatres, galleries, stores, and restaurants shuttered to flatten the COVID-19 curve, the Isolation Diaries reach out to Vancouver’s creative sector to find out what it's watching, how they're coping, and where they're finding inspiration. https://www.straight.com/living/isolation-diaries-christine-quintana-jiv-parasram-and-molly-mackinnon
COVID-19 THREATENS HOLLYWOOD DREAM FOR STRUGGLING CANADIANS IN U.S.
Many Canadian entertainers in the U.S. are now caught betwixt and between: ineligible for many U.S. unemployment benefits because they're not American citizens, but also ineligible for many Canadian benefits because they're living abroad. And the government says it offers no income support program for Canadians who reside abroad. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/covid-19-hollywood-canadians-1.5533828
NEW REPORT REVEALS A GROWING AND DIVERSE VR/AR ECOSYSTEM IN B.C.
With more than 230 so-called immersive technology companies in 2019, the Vancouver VR/AR sector is the world’s second-largest, trailing only the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
HOME BUT NOT ALONE: CBC LAUNCHES ART UNCONTAINED AND $1 MILLION ARTIST FUND WITH CANADA COUNCIL
As part of the initiative, CBC/Radio-Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts have teamed up for the creation of Digital Originals, a new $1 million fund to help artists, groups and arts organizations pivot their work to online audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.cbc.ca/arts/about-art-uncontained-1.5533118
PANDEMIC PUTS $2.5B AT RISK FOR CANADIAN FILM INDUSTRY, SAY PRODUCERS
Disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic could cost Canada’s film and TV industry as much as $2.5 billion by the end of June, according to a new report commissioned by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA). https://biv.com/article/2020/04/pandemic-puts-25b-risk-canadian-film-industry-say-producers
OP-ED: JOHN CHO: CORONAVIRUS REMINDS ASIAN AMERICANS LIKE ME THAT OUR BELONGING IS CONDITIONAL
Asian Americans are experiencing such a moment right now. The pandemic is reminding us that our belonging is conditional. One moment we are Americans, the next we are all foreigners, who “brought” the virus here. Like fame, the “model minority” myth can provide the illusion of “raceless-ness.” But perhaps the most insidious effect of this myth is that it silences us. https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-04-22/asian-american-discrimination-john-cho-coronavirus
NEW DOCUMENT LAYS OUT PLAN TO RESUME MOVIE AND TV PRODUCTIONS WITH STRICT QUARANTINE PODS
The document, as it stands, would require entire production teams to follow stringent rules to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. The entire cast and crew would be in a two-week quarantine before they would begin production, and would be tested. After they complete their quarantine, the proposal lays out that they will be divided into three pods. https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/production-plan-coronavirus-1234589286/
POST-PANDEMIC HOLLYWOOD: INSIDE PLANS TO MAKE MOVIE AND TV SETS SAFE AGAIN
Whatever steps the industry takes, the reality is that budgets are likely to balloon, and that, in turn, will cut into profits, or potentially result in greater losses. Add to that the cost of providing testing and protective gear, and movies may find it nearly impossible to make any money. https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/hollywood-production-post-pandemic-coronavirus-1234586579/
KICK-ASS STORYTELLERS: HOW STUNTMEN ARE NOW REVOLUTIONIZING ACTION MOVIES AS DIRECTORS
Sam Hargrave is used to being in the thick of a war zone. The stunt coordinator and performer has been involved with some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters over the past 15 years. When it came time to direct his first feature film, Netflix’s Extraction, he wasn’t content to just sit in the filmmaker’s chair. He was active. https://ew.com/movies/stuntmen-action-movies-directors/
HOW VFX HOUSES ARE DEALING WITH REMOTE WORK, SECURITY CONCERNS AMID VIRUS CRISIS
Amid the maelstrom, some boutique postproduction companies are finding creative solutions to thrive in the new normal of lockouts and work-at-home orders. Several smaller VFX firms have actually seen an increase in business since the start of the crisis, as both studios and streamers push to get productions that wrapped shooting before the shutdown finished and out. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-vfx-houses-are-dealing-remote-work-security-concerns-virus-crisis-1290858
AN AUDITION TEACHER’S ADVICE FOR ONLINE CASTING SESSIONS
Casting is going to be a different experience for the foreseeable future. For a while at least, in an abundance of caution for both the actor and the casting department, many auditions will be moved to online platforms. CD’s are going to use them not only to cast projects, but to meet new actors who they haven’t met in the past. This is new territory for many and it’ll take some extra know-how to shine online. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/an-audition-teacher-advice-for-online-video-casting-sessions-70579/
UPCOMING TRAINING
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
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
UPCOMING EVENTS
BC CULTURE ONLINE
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).
