MOVIE THEATRES IMPLORE STUDIOS: RELEASE THE BLOCKBUSTERS
A long time ago in a pre-COVID universe far, far away, blockbusters opened around the globe simultaneously or nearly so. In 1975, “Jaws” set the blueprint. Concentrate marketing. Open wide. Pack them in.
VANCOUVER ACTORS SPEAK OUT ABOUT "UNWRITTEN RULES" LIMITING DIVERSITY IN HALLMARK FILMS
Multiple actors are saying they are fed up with the “unwritten rule” that Hallmark does not cast interracial or LGBTQ couples. With the Black Lives Matter movement and the company’s public response, actors say they are finally empowered to speak out. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/actors-speak-out-unwritten-rule-diversity-hallmark
KELOWNA ARTS GROUPS HAMMERED BY COVID-19
Last week, Kelowna Actor Studio artistic managing director Randy Leslie issued a news release announcing the cancellation of his theatre group’s final three planned shows of the 2019-20 season. “We, like many, have been forced to make some heartbreaking decisions in order to survive.” https://www.bclocalnews.com/entertainment/kelowna-arts-groups-hammered-by-covid-19/
10 STEPS WE CAN TAKE TOWARD A MORE EQUITABLE CANADIAN TV AND FILM INDUSTRY FOR BIPOC CREATIVE
Right now our inboxes are being flooded with requests for meetings, phone calls, input, seats on committees, requests for lists of writers, crew members, directors who are BIPOC. Everyone is afraid of being seen as racist — it's kinda great! But it's been years of enduring frustration after frustration. https://www.cbc.ca/arts/10-steps-we-can-take-toward-a-more-equitable-canadian-tv-and-and-film-industry-for-bipoc-creatives-1.5657630
NETFLIX SIGNS ON TO PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS EMERGING BLACK FILMMAKERS IN CANADA
Netflix has partnered with the Fabienne Colas Foundation to support the Being Black in Canada program, which benefits Black filmmakers through mentorship and training. https://globalnews.ca/news/7210874/netflix-being-black-in-canada-filmakers/
WARNER BROS. SETS UP ANONYMOUS SYSTEM FOR REPORTING COVID SAFETY VIOLATIONS ON SET
The studio “has created an anonymous reporting mechanism in Europe so that cast and crew can alert senior managers if they witness colleagues breaking Covid-19 safety protocols during production.” The reporting tool is being set up to encourage cast and crew to adhere strictly to coronavirus safety guidelines. https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/warner-bros-system-reporting-covid-safety-violations-sets-1234575030/
TIME AWAY FROM THE BUSINESS IS EXACTLY HOW TALIA JACKSON BOOKED A NETFLIX GIG
The worst was when I lost two pilots in one day. I cried and cried for hours that night and talked to many friends who tried to help me through it. A month later, I went to Wisconsin, where I grew up and where I visit every summer, and took a six-week break without any auditions, not even taped ones. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/talia-jackson-netflix-family-reunion-71239/
THE CREATIVE BENEFITS OF ADAPTING DURING QUARANTINE
Adaptability is essential for actors throughout their careers. You must be flexible when faced with these disruptors that you meet you in person on set and actors must not let the interruptions interfere with their adaptability to start again in a fresh, concentrated approach. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/creative-benefits-actors-adapting-during-quarantine-71240/
WANT TO BE AN ACTOR AND AN ACTIVIST? START WITH THESE TIPS
Bret Shuford, also known as “the Broadway Life Coach,” recognizes why some actors may worry about how political and social activism may impact their careers, and he speaks to why that fear should be thrown away because activism is part of art. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-to-become-actor-and-activist-71236/
UPCOMING TRAINING
RAILTOWN ACTORS STUDIO
For everyone's health, we are waiting until September to hold in-person classes with safety protocols in place.
Fall Semester Classes are open for registration with start dates in September, October and November:
* "Film Acting Immersion" and "Sunday Scene Study to Film" with John Cassini.
* Scene Study Classes with Ed Foy and Frank Cassini.
* NEW Scene Study Classes with Jennifer Copping.
All Class Details: www.railtownactors.com/classes
Coaching and tapings available: www.railtownactors.com/coaching
ROGUES WEST ACTORS STUDIO
With studios in Vancouver and Calgary, the Rogues name is synonymous with the highest calibre of training and we have been training and mentoring actors for over 25 years. The online platform has proven to be a powerful and dynamic medium for developing relationship, character and creating complex human performances. Our next session of studio and online classes starts September 14th – email us for more info and book your intro meeting with Christiane Hirt! 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
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
THE RELAY
June 25 - September 5
This summer, The Relay is bringing together 13 unique artists to collaborate and create an unfolding story over three months. Every second Thursday, be part of the community and watch each episode live to join the conversation across multiple online platforms and engage in real-time chat with the artists.
COLD READING SERIES
August 10
We’ve missed you & excited to host our next event via Zoom, from the Havana Theatre. 2 Short scripts with small casts will be featured. Actors [pre-cast], will arrive @ The Havana for 6:45pm. Scripts will be emailed & read from their devices. http://www.coldreadingseries.com
