Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - September 21 2020
Published: Mon, 09/21/20
INDUSTRY NEWS
B.C. REVEALS ITS $2M EFFORT TO SPUR DOMESTIC FILM INDUSTRY DURING PANDEMIC
The province is looking to tighten the focus on local film productions with $2 million in funding for developing and producing new projects. The government describes the Domestic Motion Picture Fund as the first dedicated funding aimed at supporting the production phase of B.C.’s motion picture sector since 2003. https://biv.com/article/2020/09/bc-reveals-its-2m-effort-spur-domestic-film-industry-during-pandemic
VANCOUVER THEATRE COMPANIES SALVAGE THE FALL SEASON WITH INGENUITY
Happily for diehard theatregoers, there are some live productions in the pipeline this fall, albeit with restricted audience sizes and pandemic protocols in force. Some companies are experimenting with virtual programs, and at least one is trying out some streamed audio-only efforts that recall the early days of radio drama. https://www.straight.com/arts/vancouver-theatre-companies-salvage-fall-season-with-ingenuity
MICHELLE LATIMER GIVES VOICE TO FIRST NATION, INUIT AND METIS STORIES AT TIFF
Thomas King, author of Inconvenient Indian, is fond of reminding us, "stories is all we are." However, writer, director, producer and actor Michelle Latimer will tell you that who gets to tell those stories matters. That's what inspires Latimer, who is of Algonquin, Metis and French heritage, to use her art to tell the stories of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/change-gonna-come/2020/09/michelle-latimer-gives-voice-first-nation-inuit-and-metis
HOLLYWOOD’S TENET EXPERIMENT FAILED
Tenet’s lackluster overall performance has started a domino effect. October is now devoid of tentpole releases, and November has only two. Assuming those dates hold—and they may very well not—U.S. cinemas now have two months to keep their doors open with Tenet as the only blockbuster on offer. https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/09/hollywoods-tenet-experiment-didnt-work/616345/
WHY HOLLYWOOD IS FACING A COVID-19 INSURANCE CRISIS
Ordinarily, it’s an essential item. Without it, a production could face a total loss if the director or principal actor gets sick or dies during filming. But in the era of COVID-19, such insurance is extremely expensive — if it’s available at all. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/production-insurance-hollywood-covid-crisis-1234770521/
FOR SAG-AFTRA, QUARANTINE PAY IS STICKING POINT IN BACK-TO-WORK DEAL WITH AMPT
SAG-AFTRA told its members recently that quarantine pay for shows that shut down because of positive COVID-19 tests, or if quarantining is required by producers prior to the start of production, were “part of the ongoing discussions to clarify SAG-AFTRA’s position on this matter which will be communicated as it progresses.” https://deadline.com/2020/09/hollywood-guilds-quarantine-pay-sticking-point-return-to-work-deal-1234576818/
DOING HER OWN STUNTS LED JULES WILLCOX TO LEAD A MAJOR FEATURE FILM—HERE’S HOW
As I got older and started acting I found there was a deficit of roles that were triumphant, complex, or even central to the main storyline for women and girls. My experience and opportunities expanded once I went to grad school. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/jules-willcox-alone-interview-stunt-work-71735/
WHY YOU SHOULD EMBRACE BECOMING A MULTIHYPHENATE DURING QUARANTINE
With multihyphenates budding all over, more people are becoming the CEOs of their own micro-companies. That means individuals are garnering their own income, on their own terms, solely by creating art. We must not just adapt, we must understand from the beginning that there are no boundaries when it comes to art. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/why-you-should-embrace-becoming-a-multihyphenate-during-covid-71704/
FOUNDING HER OWN THEATER COMPANY LED JORDANA LAJOIE TO AMAZON’S ‘THE BOYS’
In the end, you realize that without these beautiful souls, who share your love for the craft and work by your side, in the trenches to help make your vision a reality, your storytelling will fall short. Protect them at all costs, appreciate them, and align yourself with like-minded individuals who understand your vision. Leave everything and anyone that does not serve you behind. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/jordana-lajoie-the-boys-interview-actor-advice-71711/
HOW TO BRING YOUR IN-PERSON AUDITION ENERGY TO SELF-TAPES
If self-taping feels limiting to your artistry, or if you feel you cannot possibly show up on a self-tape as fully and authentically as you do in the room, then this is simply the limitation showing up for you that you get to bring on your artistic road trip as you continue down the road of your own greatness. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-to-bring-your-in-person-audition-energy-to-self-tapes-71728/
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
RAILTOWN ACTORS STUDIO
With a capacity allowance for 35 people, we are keeping our classes small at 8 to 10 students. All safety protocols are in place and we're ready to adjust at any time to move all classes to Zoom if and when that's necessary.
More Fall Semester Classes are open for registration with start dates in October and November:
* Friday and Sunday "Acting on Film" with John Cassini.
* Scene Study Classes with Ed Foy and Frank Cassini.
* A NEW Scene Study / Film Class with Jennifer Copping.
All Class Details: www.railtownactors.com/classes
Coaching and tapings available: www.railtownactors.com/coaching
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
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
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
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
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
UPCOMING EVENTS
WORD VANCOUVER
September 19-27
Word Vancouver is coming this September 19-27! This free literary arts festival will be hosted entirely online. Join us for writing workshops, poetry readings, author panels, and more!
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
September 24 – October 7
Film lovers will enjoy over 100 feature films and events showcasing exciting, groundbreaking and provocative cinema and creators from around the globe. Audiences across BC can watch VIFF curated cinema and viewers around the world can tune into our Talks and Conferences. https://www.viff.org
COVID-19 RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
September 30
Hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health, this presentation will review current understanding of the key risks associated with the performing arts sector, and the precautions for minimizing risks of COVID-19 transmission in various settings. https://ncceh.ca/content/ncceh-environmental-health-seminar-series
VANCOUVER IMPROV FESTIVAL
September 30 – October 4
The Vancouver Improv Festival is one of North America’s longest running improv festivals. The festival aims to celebrate spontaneity and collaboration through the art form of improvisation. https://vancouverimprovfest.com
