Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - September 14 2020
Published: Mon, 09/14/20
INDUSTRY NEWS
BEN AFFLECK FILM ‘HYPNOTIC’ PRODUCERS FILE SUIT AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANY OVER PANDEMIC CLAUSE
The lawsuit would be the first test on whether film insurers will be obligated to cover pandemic-related delays. The producers are now hoping to renew production in Vancouver in October. But they would be unable to find an insurance policy that wouldn’t exclude COVID-19, a situation which they indicated in court papers would likely end the production. https://deadline.com/2020/09/ben-affleck-hypnotic-producers-lawsuit-against-insurance-company-regarding-pandemic-clause-1234574263/
NORTH VAN ACTOR ON STARRING IN ONE OF THE FIRST MOVIES MADE ABOUT COVID-19
Corona, a 63-minute feature film that hit the film festival circuit earlier this year and, as of Sept. 1, is now available on all major platforms, follows a group of people of varying backgrounds who get stuck in the elevator of their apartment building.
AFTER MONTHS OF QUIET ON ALL SETS, TORONTO'S FILM INDUSTRY IS BACK IN ACTION
Months after Toronto's TV and film industry was forced to shut down due to the pandemic, production is finally starting to ramp up again. The city says it has issued around 400 film permits since the province gave the green light for the industry to start back up.
HOLLYWOOD FILMS ARE DOMINATED BY STRAIGHT WHITE MEN, AND NEW OSCAR RULES MAY NOT HELP
The status quo on screen doesn’t appear to reflect a country that’s becoming increasingly diverse. Perhaps that has something to do with the composition of the people calling the shots behind the scenes. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/hollywood-films-study-usc-diversity-oscars-1234765024/
20 QUESTIONS WITH C.E. GATCHALIAN
During this time of social distancing and dark theatres, Vancouver Presents continues to check in with members of our arts community to find out how they are staying creative and managing during the pandemic. Today we check in with author, playwright and theatre-maker C.E. Gatchalian. https://www.vancouverpresents.com/twenty-questions-with/c-e-gatchalian/
IT TOOK 75 YEARS TO START MY ACTING CAREER. I’VE NEVER FELT MORE ALIVE
I grew up on Vancouver Island in the small valley town of Port Alberni, where nobody owned a TV until the late 1950s when I was 18 and moving away for university. I remember just going to the movies back then was a treat. In other words: acting wasn’t part of the plan. https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/older-actress-betty-jackson_ca_5f4fd6c5c5b699772e2ad178
REMEMBERING SOPHIE MERASTY, A VANCOUVER ACTOR WHO NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE
Merasty is being remembered as a fierce activist who fought for justice, and as an artist who was able to communicate the experiences of Indigenous women over a nearly four-decade-long career in acting. https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/09/03/Remembering-Sophie-Merasty/
HOW ROBERT PATTINSON’S COVID-19 TEST COULD AFFECT ‘THE BATMAN’ — AND THE INDUSTRY
When the first person on the call sheet of a movie this massive tests positive, the ripple effects are profound for the production. How what’s happening with “The Batman” will affect the wider industry, however, remains to be seen. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/robert-pattinson-covid-19-the-batman-1234760482/
UVIC THEATRE ALUMNI CALL OUT SCHOOL FOR APPARENT RACISM
Being told you can’t play a role because you aren’t white, that’s what recent graduates of the theatre program at the University of Victoria say they encountered while attending school. Ashley Burr hears from alumni who say the issue spans far beyond just UVIC. https://www.citynews1130.com/video/2020/09/09/uvic-theatre-alumni-call-out-school-for-apparent-racism/
FILMMAKERS RELYING ON VIRTUAL WORLD TO BUILD BUZZ AT TIFF
While there's no replacing the in-person experience, TIFF and talent are banking on virtual offerings and a smattering of indoor/outdoor screenings to recreate a semblance of a traditional festival rollout. https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/pandemic-tiff-virtual-filmmakers-1.5714751
NORTH AMERICA MAKES SLOW PRODUCTION RECOVERY
Filming in North America can be a tricky proposition. And while film commissions report that crews are ready to get back to work health and safety guidelines and insurance needs have meant a cautious restart. https://variety.com/2020/film/spotlight/filming-north-america-1234764186/
HILARY SWANK SUES SAG-AFTRA’S 'BARBARIC' HEALTH PLAN AFTER BEING DENIED COVERAGE FOR OVARIAN CYSTS
The actress claims the trustees "stopped allowing Swank's claims for treatment of ovarian cysts" in 2015, according to the court documents. Swank was diagnosed with ovarian cysts in 2008, around the time her "left ovary was destroyed and removed during emergency surgery." https://people.com/movies/hilary-swank-sues-sag-aftra-health-plan-after-being-denied-ovarian-cyst-coverage/
HOW TO CREATE AN AGENT PITCH PACKAGE DURING QUARANTINE
Many talent agents are using this slower time to review submissions and check out fresh talent. That makes this the perfect time to put together and update your pitch package so you can get an agent during this period of quarantine. Here are six steps you can take to snag a rep that’s right for you. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-to-create-an-agent-pitch-package-during-quarantine-71659/
DISCOVERING SHARON POLLOCK, CANADA’S MOST IMPORTANT WOMAN PLAYWRIGHT
October 19 – November 13, 2020
WHERE: Online | FOR: All ages
FROM: SFU Continuing Studies Liberal Arts Program
Explore one of Canadian theatre's largest and most compelling bodies of work, with protagonists from Marilyn Monroe to Lizzie Borden, and settings from the Canadian "Wild West" to Guantanamo Bay. Theatre director and instructor Annie Smith takes you through a retrospective of award-winning Canadian playwright, actor, director and theatre administrator, Sharon Pollock. https://www.sfu.ca/continuing-studies/courses/lib/229-discovering-sharon-pollock.html
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
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CANADIAN THEATRE
November 16 – December 11, 2020
WHERE: Online | FOR: All ages
FROM: SFU Continuing Studies Liberal Arts Program
Theatre is deeply embedded in our culture and society, and it’s been a wild and challenging year for all of us. Join theatre director, actor, choreographer and instructor Sarah Ferguson to delve into the impacts on theatre of COVID-19, systemic racism, the politics that surround what theatre productions and funding, and our national identity. How can Canadian theatre respond, and what is its future? https://www.sfu.ca/continuing-studies/courses/lib/233-future-of-canadian-theatre.html
A SHORT HISTORY OF JAZZ VIOLIN
November 16 – December 11, 2020
WHERE: Online | FOR: All ages
FROM: SFU Continuing Studies Liberal Arts Program
Learn about the role of the violin in the creation of jazz, and the significance of this instrument as a meeting place between the music of Africa and Europe. Internationally recognized jazz violinist Kit Eakle will examine the amazing breadth of African-American violinists and their contributions, and discuss the limiting nature of racial, cultural and musical genre-based stereotypes. https://www.sfu.ca/continuing-studies/courses/lib/232-short-history-of-jazz-violin.html
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
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 FRINGE FESTIVAL
September 10 – 20
Live performances and events will take place beginning with our previously scheduled Festival dates of September 10-20 and extending to select dates in October, November, and possibly December. https://www.vancouverfringe.com/
VANCOUVER TAIWANESE FILM FESTIVAL
September 11 – 20
TWFF 2020 brings Taiwan to you through 8 curated films that span multiple topics and genres so you can be fully immersed in the diverse Taiwanese culture. https://www.twff.ca/2020/
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. https://www.f-o-r-m.ca/
