Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - October 5 2020
Published: Mon, 10/05/20
INDUSTRY NEWS
U.S. TV PRODUCTION IN VANCOUVER LARGELY ON PAUSE OVER COVID-19 TEST RESULTS DELAYS
A month after U.S. series began to resume production in Vancouver with COVID-19 protocols amid the pandemic, most of them have suspended filming. Like was the case when restart of production was delayed in August, the issue has to do with testing. https://deadline.com/2020/09/production-in-vancouver-on-pause-ovid-19-test-results-delays-1234588472/
AMID COVID-19, HOLLYWOOD NORTH UPS SAFETY, AND GETS DOWN TO LOTS OF BUSINESS
Strange is the new normal on Hollywood North sets as strident COVID-19 health and safety protocols remain in place. Things like masks, designated areas, limited set access and few if any background actors are all part of the “new normal” when it comes to the nearly $3-billion-a-year B.C. industry that was shut down in early March due to the pandemic. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/news/amid-covid-19-hollywood-north-ups-safety-and-gets-down-to-lots-of-business/ar-BB19Agzs
VFX HOUSES ‘ANXIOUS’ ABOUT B.C. FILM SECTOR’S POST-COVID-19 FUTURE
With B.C. productions rolling cameras once more, throngs of Artifex staff who’d been getting by on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit returned to working remotely in August. What remains to be seen is how the pandemic will permanently change Vancouver’s bourgeoning VFX sector. https://biv.com/article/2020/10/vfx-houses-anxious-about-bc-film-sectors-post-covid-19-future
KATHRYN SHAW TO DEPART STUDIO 58 AFTER 35 YEARS AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Shaw began as an instructor at Studio 58 in 1974 under artistic director Anthony Holland, replacing him when in retired in 1985. Under her leadership, she has inspired and fostered the careers of hundreds of actors and production professionals, leaving a lasting impact on the Canadian theatre community. https://www.vancouverpresents.com/theatre/kathryn-shaw-to-depart-studio-58-after-35-years/
WORLD'S 2ND-BIGGEST CINEMA OPERATOR CINEWORLD TO CLOSE ALL U.S., U.K. AND IRISH SCREENS
Efforts to get audiences back into theatres have proved disappointing. While bigger chains like Cineworld, AMC Entertainment and others have reopened many locations, crowds have been thin. Small and mid-size theatre companies have said they may not survive the impact of the pandemic.
CANADA’S NATIONAL FILM BOARD SEES FRUITS OF INVESTMENT IN VR
Though Canada’s National Film Board has invested in interactive projects for well over a decade, 2020 has proven to be a banner year for the publicly funded organization, as four of their VR productions made waves across the international festival circuit. https://variety.com/2020/digital/global/canada-national-film-board-vr-1234782641/
‘ENOLA HOLMES’ STAR SUSAN WOKOMA ON HOW SHE FINDS CONFIDENCE WHILE ACTING
If I look at the industry and think: ‘It’s just dust and magic’ then it’s easier; it makes me go: ‘OK, cool.’ But if I think: ‘I’ve got to do this and then meet that person’ that’s way too much pressure, it doesn’t work for me. It’s about understanding that what success looks like is different for everyone and it changes, too. https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/enola-holmes-star-susan-wokoma-71793/
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RELOCATING FOR AN ACTING JOB
The show shoots in a city you don’t live in, and they want you there in three weeks. I’m betting you have a lot of questions and concerns. That contract you signed has several provisions designed to make the move easier. They’re standard deal points; everyone in your situation gets them. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/everything-to-know-about-relocating-for-acting-job-71761/
HOW TO CREATE AN ACTING BRAND YOU’RE PROUD OF
Think of your brand as a combination of your Type (your look) and your personality. Sometimes it’s the brands that don’t seem to make sense on the surface that capture the attention of casting directors because they’re different and unique. But now I’d like you to go a step further. Let’s take a look at your “type,” which is how the industry sees you. https://news.castingnetworks.com/how-to-create-an-acting-brand-youre-proud-of/
UPCOMING
TRAINING
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
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 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
COALITION OF SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVALS
October 3 - 17
A first of its kind event that brings together seven well-established South Asian film festivals across North America. The virtual festival will run for 15 days featuring free online screenings of latest films and web content, along with Q&As with the creators. https://tasveer.org/cosaff
COLD READING SERIES
October 5
Join us for a Live-Stream Zoom, from the Havana Theatre. Scripts with small/er casts will be featured. To maximize social distancing, we do not anticipate any in-person audience. http://www.coldreadingseries.com
VANCOUVER HORROR SHOW FILM FESTIVAL
October 20 – 26
The 2020 lineup includes 42 short films and seven feature-length films. With more than half of the programming comprised of Canadian-made films, the international festival is showcasing diverse works from 13 different countries.
HEART OF THE CITY FESTIVAL
October 28 – November 8
The 2020 Festival features twelve days of online and pop-up outdoor events, including music, stories, poetry, ceremony, films, readings, forums, workshops, discussions, art talks, history talks and visual art exhibitions. http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com
