B.C.’S FILM AND TV INDUSTRY LOOKS TO SAFELY RETURN TO WORK AMID COVID-19
Premier John Horgan has said the provincial government hopes to encourage production companies to shift to B.C. considering the province is ahead of the curve with regards to the novel coronavirus pandemic compared to places like California. https://globalnews.ca/news/6907618/bc-film-tv-production-covid-19/
VICTORIA THEATRES STRUGGLE TO STAY AFLOAT AMID COVID-19 CLOSURES
The show must go on. The old adage is a common mantra in the artistic world when productions have fallen on hard times, but that was before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down everything deemed non-essential, including local theatres that rely on audience revenues. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/victoria-theatres-struggle-covid-closures-1.5552494
B.C. TEACHERS MOONLIGHT AS FILMMAKERS TO CONNECT WITH STUDENTS USING TECHNOLOGY AND HUMOUR
Brodie Halford, who teaches kindergarten and grades 5 and 6 at Colebrook Elementary School, is one of many B.C. teachers finding creative ways — from virtual choir rehearsals to humorous YouTube music videos — to connect with students during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/teachers-creative-technology-1.5549091
NORTHERNHER SHOW HIGHLIGHTS WOMEN ACROSS N.W.T.
From hunting in the tundra to foraging in the boreal forest of the subarctic, a new show is profiling women from across the Northwest Territories. NorthernHer is a three-episode television series that begins Monday on Northwestel. It will also air on CBC's Absolutely Canadian in late-summer. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/northernher-profiles-women-across-nwt-1.5548663
NETFLIX/CANADIAN FILM CENTRE ANNOUNCE FOUR FILMS FOR DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
The three-month initiative announced in 2018 offers advanced project development and workshopping support for the selected creators/projects. A total four upcoming feature projects — two French and two English-language — were chosen from more than 115 applications from creators across Canada. https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/05/04/netflix-canadian-film-centre-announce-four-films-for-development-initiative/
WARNER BROS. TV PRESIDENTS OUTLINE HOW CORONAVIRUS COULD DRAMATICALLY CHANGE PRODUCTION AND CONTENT
There was no timetable specified for when production might resume. But looming over their remarks was that many states are gradually opening up — or are laying out plans to do so — after precautionary measures in mid-March caused sets to shut down in Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Vancouver, Toronto and every other production hub in North America. https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/television-production-warner-bros-coronavirus-1234595453/
WILL THE SHOWS GO ON? BROADWAY FACES CHALLENGES AS BUSINESSES REOPEN AFTER QUARANTINE ORDERS
The challenges facing Broadway is a laundry list of the biggest issues confronting cities across North America as they reopen after quarantine orders. It includes everything from safety measures to protect workers, audience and performers, to increased testing and tracing so the public feels safe to congregate in large numbers. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/broadway-last-to-reopen-1.5552566
REOPENING HOLLYWOOD: ‘HOT ZONE’ EPIDEMIOLOGIST DR. MICHAEL SMIT EXPLAINS HOW WE’LL GET BACK TO WORK
Right now, the burning question for so many is, “How can we safely go back to work?” Conflicting information abounds. In an attempt to clarify some of this, Dr. Michael Smit breaks down where we’re really at right now and what it might take to get back up and running. https://deadline.com/2020/05/hot-zone-epidemiologist-dr-michael-smit-coronavirus-reopening-plan-1202925758/
TV ACADEMY CLARIFIES RULES PREVENTING OSCAR AND EMMY DOUBLE DIPPING
The Television Academy has ruled: No more double dipping. After several years of documentary projects walking the line between the Oscars and Emmys — and finding the loophole to submit for both — the org has ruled that programs won’t be eligible for an Emmy if they’ve been nominated for an Oscar. https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/emmys-oscars-television-academy-rules-1234600747/
HOLLYWOOD WRITERS REVEAL THEIR SECRETS FOR DEVELOPING A GREAT CHARACTER
How does one invent interesting and layered characters? Variety quizzed Hollywood creators, including Susannah Grant (“Unbelievable”), Janet Mock (“Pose”), Lindelof (“Watchmen”), Robin Thede (“A Black Lady Sketch Show”), Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (“Someone Great”) and Sarah Kucserka (“High Fidelity”) in hopes of learning their tricks to constructing complex creatures. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/how-to-write-characters-script-screenplay-1234600875/
FILM AND TV PRODUCTION IN CZECH REPUBLIC TO RESUME IMMEDIATELY
Film and TV production in the Czech Republic, one of the world’s leading destinations for international shoots, is to resume immediately after the government lifted restrictions on public gatherings, imposed as part of the fight against COVID-19. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/coronavirus-covid-film-tv-production-czech-republic-1234600640/
WHY WE NEED ACTORS TO EMBRACE UGLY PERFORMANCES
When I refer to ugly actors, I’m talking about those who are willing to show ugly behaviors and unflattering reactions, giving us a more realistic performance. They’re people who are focused on playing the full truth of a character instead of worrying about what they look like on-camera. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/why-we-need-actors-to-embrace-ugly-performances-68100/
TIPS FOR ACHIEVING A STANDOUT SELF-TAPE WHILE QUARANTINED
In these trying times, actors are looking for more ways to improve their self-tape game in order to book gigs. A good self-tape can really make a difference so what can you do to really achieve self-tape success? https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/tips-for-achieving-a-standout-self-tape-70648/
UPCOMING TRAINING
DIALECT COACHING - TONY ALCANTAR
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* 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.
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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
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
UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE BC
Showcasebc.ca is the online hub where livestreams by recipients and many other performances from all of those creators working in B.C.’s creative industries can be submitted and shared.
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).
