BEN AFFLECK FILM MOVES SHOOTING TO CANADA AS HOLLYWOOD ABANDONS U.S. WITHOUT WIDELY AVAILABLE CORONAVIRUS TESTING
Solstice Studios was supposed to begin filming its newest feature starring Ben Affleck in Los Angeles back in April. While the film’s production was halted by the coronavirus, it’s the lack of widely available testing that will keep it from resuming in the U.S. this fall. Instead, the movie will be shot in Vancouver, Canada in October. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/22/coronavirus-ben-affleck-film-moves-shooting-to-canada-as-hollywood-abandons-us.html
JESSE METCALFE ON HOW TO SHOOT A KISSING SCENE DURING COVID-19
Last week, the 41-year-old actor began as a lead on a Hallmark TV movie, “Ships in the Night: A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery,” on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The production, which was delayed from March, finally got off the ground after the cast and crew adhered to rigorous quarantine protocol. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/jesse-metcalfe-kissing-coronavirus-desperate-housewives-1234742458/
WITH TRAVEL LIMITED, HOLLYWOOD LOOKS TO 'GAME CHANGER' TECH
New LED video wall technology used in making last year’s “The Lion King” and “The Mandalorian” series could become more widespread as Hollywood production ramps back up during the pandemic. Unlike a traditional “green screen,” the actor can see the background and cinematographers can match perspectives and camera parallax to look like a location shoot. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/08/17/business/bc-us-film-virtual-production.html
LOCAL FILMMAKER TRYING TO ATTRACT HOLLYWOOD TO P.G.
In an effort to make Prince George more attractive to filmmakers and entice them to set up for weeks of shooting and the money that brings local hotels, restaurants and stores, Norm Coyne and his Barker Street Cinema film production company is creating a web-based series which asks professional directors, producers and actors for their advice. https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/entertainment/local-a-e/local-filmmaker-trying-to-attract-hollywood-to-p-g-1.24190218
HOW CHILDREN'S SHOWS LEAD THE WAY IN DIVERSITY ON TV
At a time when the TV industry at large is grappling with its weak history of inclusivity in front of and behind the camera — amid nationwide calls for racial and social justice and the continued advocacy of groups like Color of Change and the Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity — it might take some lessons from shows aimed at the youngest viewers. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-childrens-shows-lead-the-way-in-diversity-on-tv
HOW JUSTIN H. MIN BECAME THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY’S BREAKOUT STAR
The rising talent talks about his Tumblr account, how fans helped his Umbrella character develop, and the inspiring effect of an Asian superhero. https://www.gq.com/story/justin-h-min-umbrella-academy-interview
TENET STAR IS THE FIRST BLACK ACTOR TO LEAD A “SPY MOVIE”
Christopher Nolan has compared John David Washington to Sean Connery when discussing casting the BlacKkKlansman actor in his genre and mind-bending spy thriller. But until our interview over Zoom, the Tenet star didn’t realize that he is the first Black actor to star in a spy movie. https://www.straight.com/movies/tenet-star-is-first-black-actor-to-lead-a-spy-movie
KEANU REEVES LAUDS SAFETY PROTOCOLS AS ‘THE MATRIX 4’ FILMS IN GERMANY
“There’s some really thoughtful, effective protocols in place, and the rhythm of filmmaking has not been really impacted or interrupted, in the sense of filming,” Reeves told the Associated Press. “That’s because of the hard work and organization, and again the thoughtfulness that has gone into the protocols.” https://variety.com/2020/film/global/keanu-reeves-germany-matrix-4-shoot-1234738373/
SIDE HUSTLE SPOTLIGHT: THE ACTOR WHO USES HER SKILLS TO TEACH PUBLIC SPEAKING
I tell people to get a more full-time job at the beginning of their acting careers and juggle both. Once you get too busy with auditions and bookings and can’t make it work anymore, then quit. Find something else that works better. You’ll now have additional skills and work on your résumé from that job to leverage into something else. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/side-hustle-spotlight-actor-skills-teach-public-speaking-71504/
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
DIALECT COACHING AND MORE! - TONY ALCANTAR & ASSOCIATES
Over 30 years of teaching experience...and we're BACK!
* YOUNG ACTORS (ages 8-15) join our END OF SUMMER acting camp. Dialects, Voice-Over, Comedy, Auditioning, On-camera, more!
M-F, August 24-28, 10-1pm | The Beaumont Studios, 326 W. 5th Ave, Vancouver. 2400 sq/ft of social distancing for your young actor!
* September: Standard American for Young Actors, Standard American for Adults.
Script Analysis with Francesca Bianchi
Saturdays 10-1pm, 1-4pm info@tonyalcantardialect.com | 604-418-1192 | www.tonyalcantar.com
CASTING DIRECTOR WORKSHOP WITH BIM NARINE
WHEN: SATURDAY September 12th: 9am – 5pm and SUNDAY September 13th: 10am – 3pm
WHERE: Online & offered via ZOOM
FOR: 19+
Casting for 12 years, Bim Narine has brought his skills to hundreds of commercials, dozens of feature films, television series, music videos, reality series, and short films. By working on a variety of projects throughout the years, and as well, through his technical knowledge, he has been able to effectively determine the best solutions to cast the right people, and make the casting process more efficient and streamlined for all involved.
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
UPCOMING EVENTS
VANCOUVER LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
August 27 – September 6
This 11-day annual festival encourages dialogue among cultures, and explores and celebrates the art of contemporary Latin American and Latin-Canadian filmmaking. https://vlaff.org
MONSOON FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS DIGITAL EDITION
ongoing until August 29
#WeatheringTheStorm. Join us for an entire month of Canadian and international dance, music, theatre, comedy, talks, visual art, and a myriad of development workshops and classes. https://www.monsoonartsfest.ca
THE RELAY
ongoing until 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. https://thecultch.com/events/the-relay/
FORM FESTIVAL OF RECORDED MOVEMENT
September 12 – 19
Film is such a relevant medium today more than ever, and is a universal tool being used to showcase movement across all genres; athletes, dancers and other movement practitioners turn to film as a way to show creative and engaging perspectives of their respective movement forms. http://www.f-o-r-m.ca
