LOCAL FILMMAKERS ADVOCATING TO DIVERSIFY B.C. FILM, TV
A series of roundtable discussions held by performers and leaders in B.C.’s film industry are shedding some light on the struggles people from marginalized groups can face when trying to find work. https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/07/05/filmmakers-diversify-bc-film-tv/
TELEFILM LAUNCHES EXTERNAL INVESTIGATION INTO MISCONDUCT
According to a statement released on July 9, Telefilm has retained third-party Le Cabinet RH, which specializes in psychological and sexual harassment complaints as well as discrimination-based complaints. The allegations stem from comments on Twitter that were part of wider conversations about arts funding in Canada and structural issues. https://www.straight.com/movies/telefilm-launches-external-investigation-into-misconduct
AUTISTIC DOCTORS – WE’RE NOT EXACTLY AS PORTRAYED ON TV
I watch (and love!) these TV shows, but also see a lot of glamorous misconceptions and failure to do justice to the autistic community. The range of signs and diagnosis paths varies significantly between individuals, so the stereotypical TV autistic doctor isn’t always a portrayal of who we are. https://theconversation.com/autistic-doctors-were-not-exactly-as-portrayed-on-tv-141157
TRIO FORMS ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN DRIVERS, FIRST ALL-FEMALE STUNT-DRIVING TEAM
SAG-AFTRA said two years ago that “wigging a male stunt performer to double for a female performer is not acceptable and this should not happen again.” And yet, the practice persists. So Olivia Summers, who doubled for Kristen Wiig in a memorable stunt driving scene in Bridesmaids decided then and there to do something about it. https://deadline.com/2020/07/association-of-women-drivers-stuntwomen-team-olivia-summers-dee-bryant-angela-meryl-1202981042/
BIPOC ARTISTS UNVEIL DEMANDS FOR THE WHITE AMERICAN THEATRE
Following the publishing of a powerful letter in June, the We See You White American Theater campaign has released a 31-page document of demands written on behalf of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) theatremakers. https://www.playbill.com/article/bipoc-artists-unveil-demands-for-the-white-american-theatre
HOW ACTORS SHOULD CONDUCT THEMSELVES ON THEIR NEXT ZOOM MEETING
Since many of us are pivoting to online teaching, coaching, and casting meetings, learning video etiquette is essential these days. I’ve got some tips on how to best prepare for a Zoom call. In order to have a smooth experience, I highly recommend working on these technical details ahead of time. You can use a friend or family member to test them out! https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-to-conduct-yourself-on-zoom-meeting-71092/
UPCOMING TRAINING
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
DIRECTOR PRODUCER SESSION WITH MARTIN WOOD
ActorVan Studios is very excited to have Martin Wood with us for a Director/Producer workshop! With over 100 episodics and movies as a director and producer, actors will have a unique opportunity to work on their skills and get on Martin’s radar. His work includes; When Calls the Heart, Aurora Teagarden, Chesapeake Shores, Sanctuary, Atlantis and many more! The fabulous Catherine Lough Haggquist will prepare actors on day one of this two day workshop.
July 25-26 | For: 19+ | Participants: 16
Sign up: https://actorvanstudios.com/product/the-director-producer-session-with-martin-wood/
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 Ensemble 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
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
QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL
July 16-26
Art keeps us connected during the age of social distancing. We’ve reimagined the festival to make sure you get your Queer Art fix on from a distance. QAF’s Wicked reimagines identity politics, exposing the implications of homonormativity as erasure.
INDIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL ongoing until July 18
To all of us at Indian Summer, the festival really is a model for the kind of society we’d like to see. A society that is creative, diverse, inclusive and innovative. As the world builds more and more walls and as societies get suspicious and afraid of people who don’t look like them and think like them, we believe in the transformative power of the arts and the festival is our way of reaffirming these beliefs. https://www.indiansummerfest.ca
