Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - November 23 2020
Published: Mon, 11/23/20
INDUSTRY NEWS
FOR ARTISTS AND AUTHORS, THE LATEST PROVINCIAL HEALTH ORDER HAS THE EARMARKS OF A DOUBLE STANDARD
In this province, the sale of alcohol takes precedence over much safer arts and cultural events that nourish our souls and provide much-needed income to some of our community's brightest lights. That's basically what the provincial health officer decreed with her latest order on November 19. https://www.straight.com/news/for-artists-and-authors-latest-provincial-health-order-has-earmarks-of-a-double-standard
CATHERINE HAGGQUIST AND ALVIN SANDERS HONOURED BY UNION OF BC PERFORMERS AT ANNUAL AWARDS
Catherine Lough Haggquist was presented the Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction Award, while Alvin Sanders was honoured with the John Juliani Award of Excellence.
VANCOUVER BIPOC ACTOR LANDS GROUNDBREAKING ROLE IN DIVERSE HALLMARK HOLIDAY FILM
A Vancouver based actor is making history as one of the first male leads who is apart of the BIPOC community in a Hallmark holiday film. Antonio Cayonne says networks are starting to make space to reflect their audience a bit better.
ALBERTA PURSUES CINEMA GIANTS IN EFFORT TO BRAND PROVINCE AS FILM HUB
Alberta isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of the film industry, but the provincial government wants to change that. It's working to attract film giants in Canada and the United States to produce more movies and TV shows in Alberta, rather than defaulting to places like Toronto and Vancouver.
MARVEL PICKS EDMONTON COMIC BOOK ILLUSTRATOR FOR INDIGENOUS ISSUE
Marvel will release an issue spotlighting some of its famed Indigenous superheroes. While those characters have often been crafted by non-Indigenous creators, this issue is commanded by a slate of Indigenous writers and illustrators. It's an important step from one of the comic industry's leading brands. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/marvel-picks-edmonton-comic-book-illustrator-for-indigenous-issue-1.5803143
LOCAL SUPPORT GROWING WINNIPEG FILM INDUSTRY
The film industry is transforming, and Winnipeg’s local film scene is no exception. Winnipeg’s film industry has become a hotspot for quite a few large productions recently, and its independent filmmakers are starting to see more success on a national level. From indie films to union projects, a new bar has been set. https://www.themanitoban.com/2020/11/local-support-growing-winnipeg-film-industry/40903/
WHY REPRESENTATION IN DEEPA MEHTA'S FUNNY BOY HAS SOME IN THE TAMIL COMMUNITY UPSET
When Academy Award nominee Deepa Mehta's adaptation of Funny Boy was announced as Canada's submission for the Oscar's best international film category, it was cause for celebration. Now, only weeks after that announcement, some groups from the Tamil diaspora are calling for a boycott. https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/funny-boy-tamil-representation-1.5804302
BELL MEDIA BOOSTS CONTROLLING STAKE IN PINEWOOD TORONTO STUDIOS
Pinewood Toronto Studios majority owner Bell Media has increased its stake in the marquee studio, while also taking a minority stake in Montreal's Grande Studios as it raises its bet on Hollywood continuing to film movies and TV series in Canada. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bell-media-boosts-controlling-stake-in-pinewood-toronto-studios
INDIGENOUS CONTENT READY FOR NEW PRIME-TIME ROLE
Based on Haisla and Heiltsuk writer Eden Robinson’s bestselling trilogy of novels about an Indigenous teenager with supernatural powers dealing with racism and politics, Trickster has joined the pantheon of popular Canadian shows such as Corner Gas, Schitt’s Creek, Due South, Degrassi: the Next Generation, and Kim’s Convenience. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/indigenous-content-ready-for-new-prime-time-role-573097101.html
THE FUTURE OF THE FILM FESTIVAL
Film festivals and movie theaters aren’t just about bringing people together. They’re a vital way to share art that is film. Film festival curators are redefining the film festival by creating new categories to incorporate storytelling mediums like film, video games, and virtual reality experiences. https://www.forbes.com/sites/cathyhackl/2020/11/17/the-future-of-the-film-festival/?sh=2c912c814d8a
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ACTING IN VIDEO GAMES
It’s not just the technical capacity and accessibility around the world that’s growing this market. The storytelling and ability to capture real actor performances with astonishing detail has come closer to a familiar cinematic experience and has been a major selling point for AAA games. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/things-to-know-about-acting-in-video-games-72127/
ACTORVAN STUDIOS PRESENTS: ON CAMERA FUNDAMENTALS IN PERSON
Starts December 5 (10am-2pm)
The Fundamentals On Camera Film Acting Class is a crucial foundations class for working in Film, TV, and Commercials. It is also a great place to discuss what is happening in your pursuit of becoming a working actor in Vancouver. In this class, you will learn how to: read & prepare a scene, improvise, master On Camera acting techniques, prepare for an audition, and learn about the ins and outs of the Film Business in Vancouver. https://actorvanstudios.com/product/on-camera-fundamentals/
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
We are continuing with reduced class sizes for our Winter 2021 Semester, now open for registration with start dates in January, February and March:
* Friday and Sunday "Acting on Film" with John Cassini.
* Scene Study Classes with Ed Foy, Frank Cassini and Jennifer Copping.
If you're new to us: https://railtownactors.com/interview
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 in-studio and online classes for Young Adults, Film, Meisner and Scene Work starts soon – email us for more info and book your intro meeting with Christiane
Hirt! rogueswest@gmail.com | www.rogueswest.ca
UPCOMING EVENTS
EUROPEAN UNION FILM FESTIVAL 2020
until November 29
The Canadian Film Institute, the European Union Film Festival in Toronto, and The Cinematheque in Vancouver have joined forces with the Delegation of the European Union and the Embassies and Consulates of EU Member States to present the first-ever online edition of the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) in Canada. https://www.euffonline.ca
WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL
December 1-20
Festival-goers can look forward to 89 fresh films, including 32 features and 57 shorts curated in ten programs. Film highlights include previously unseen projects with over two-thirds of the feature offerings representing World, North American and Canadian premieres. https://whistlerfilmfestival.com
