Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - January 11 2021
Published: Mon, 01/11/21
INDUSTRY NEWS
FILM INDUSTRY IN CANADA KEEPS UP PRODUCTION AMID COVID-19 RISE: "EVERYONE IS ON HIGH ALERT"
A lack of COVID-19 insurance has kept many local Canadian film and TV projects from starting production until 2021. But maintaining COVID-secure film sets and locations for Hollywood film and TV projects has kept public health officials and politicians satisfied and allowing leeway to keep cameras rolling during the pandemic even as Canadians brace for more unsettling infection numbers in early 2021. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/film-industry-in-canada-keeps-up-production-amid-covid-19-rise-everyone-is-on-high-alert
INDIGENOUS ARTS COMMUNITY MOURNS LOSS OF EMERGING STORYTELLER TARAN KOOTENHAYOO
The Indigenous arts community is mourning the loss of Vancouver-based Dene actor Taran "Standing Sunrise" Kootenhayoo. Kootenhayoo was from Cold Lake First Nation and was a registered member of Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, both in Alberta. He died Dec. 31, 2020, at the age of 27. He was an emerging writer, actor, poet, skateboarder and Indigenous rights activist. https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/taran-kootenhayoo-vancouver-storyteller-1.5862537
TELEFILM CANADA HARASSMENT PROBE INTO FORMER EXECUTIVE UNCOVERS NO MISCONDUCT
A third-party engaged on behalf of Canadian government funding body Telefilm has concluded that there was no legal wrongdoing by former employee Dan Lyon after launching an investigation last summer, following allegations by filmmakers. https://variety.com/2021/film/global/telefilm-canada-dan-lyon-pavan-moondi-allegation-enquiry-1234878657/
ADDING COLOUR TO HOLLYWOOD NORTH
Called the Collective Bunch, Jason Mackay’s venture is primarily an industry-wide roster of culturally diverse professionals working in screen-based industries that is being made available for Canadian and American productions and media companies to hire. https://asianpacificpost.com/article/9006-adding-colour-hollywood-north.html
REFRAMING INDIGENOUS STORIES IN JOY: JESSE WENTE
Though joy isn't always front and centre in news stories about Indigenous people, Wente says it's still not hard to find. However, many Canadians may have never been exposed to the kinds of joyous stories about Indigenous people that he's experienced firsthand particularly when media coverage and the broader national discourse tend to focus on crises. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/reframing-indigenous-stories-in-joy-jesse-wente-1.5861848
CAMBRIDGE HAS RECORD AUTUMN FOR FILM INQUIRIES DESPITE PANDEMIC SLOW-DOWN
Despite delays brought on by the pandemic, popular productions such as the Handmaid's Tale and the Good Witch shot in Cambridge once again last year. The city also hosted a shoot for a Christmas movie called the Letter. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cambridge-film-update-1.5860777
LOS ANGELES PRODUCTION GRINDS TO A HALT AMID COVID-19 SURGE; NETFLIX IS LATEST MAJOR STUDIO TO PAUSE FILMING
Film and TV production has been exempt from coronavirus restrictions and continued after the current stay-at-home order was instituted in early December. But, amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus infections and Covid-19 deaths in Los Angeles County, the vast majority of TV studios and streamers have postponed January production for one or more weeks. https://deadline.com/2021/01/los-angeles-production-shutdown-covid-19-surge-netflix-is-latest-major-pauses-filmng-true-story-family-reunioni-1234664678/
2020 IN REVIEW: FIVE WAYS BLACK LIVES MATTER AFFECTED THE ARTS IN OTTAWA
The arts scene in Ottawa was not immune to the subsequent resurgence of Black Lives Matter activism, and the difficult conversations that followed. Artists came up with ideas for change, and started businesses to support Black creatives. Organizations brought in Black leaders, and even the city’s venerable arts institutions pledged to do better, with some going beyond the posting of a black square on social media. https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/2020-in-review-five-ways-black-lives-matter-affected-the-arts-in-ottawa
5 QUESTIONS FACING A POST-PANDEMIC FILM INDUSTRY IN 2021
The movie business is ready to shake off 2020 and the world-shattering pandemic that fundamentally altered the way films are made, distributed and enjoyed. But before the box office can roar back to life, there are still major issues that Hollywood is grappling with. Here are five big questions facing the film industry in 2021 as it looks to turn the page on an annus horribilis. https://variety.com/2021/film/news/film-business-questions-2021-1234878229/
MOVIE THEATER OWNERS ARE FRUSTRATED ABOUT STREAMING, BUT THEIR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON STUDIOS
A lot has changed in the entertainment industry in 2020. But, there’s one thing that has remained the same: the symbiotic relationship between studios and movie theaters. In spite of massive disruption in the industry, cinema owners and distributors are doing what they can to keep things professional during a time of high stress and emotion. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/02/movie-theater-owners-are-frustrated-about-streaming-but-their-survival-depends-on-studios.html
THE ACTOR’S START-OF-THE-YEAR CHECKLIST
The start of every new year offers the opportunity to evaluate what’s working and what’s not. It might have been hard for actors to find the time for this in previous years when they had to jump straight into the busyness of pilot season after the holidays. This January will most likely be slower than normal for actors in every market, though, which offers the opportunity to evaluate certain business and marketing aspects of their careers. https://news.castingnetworks.com/the-actors-start-of-the-year-checklist/
HOW A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE LED TAMARA BASS TO WRITE, PRODUCE + STAR IN HER OWN FILM
I got reacquainted with the tenacious pre-teen that took dance, hoping it would allow me to be with my first love, acting. I got reacquainted with the teenager that took every obstacle stacked against her and maneuvered around them. I started writing and creating and most importantly, believing in me again.
HOW TO CREATE AN ACTING GAME PLAN FOR THE NEW YEAR
Without question, 2020 was a challenging year! As you embark on this new year of 2021, it can be beneficial to take a moment and reflect on the accomplishments you achieved as an actor over this past year so that you can then think about your future goals. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-to-create-an-acting-game-plan-for-the-new-year-72401/
HOW TO BECOME A TOP DIRECTOR’S FAVOURITE ACTOR
We recently spoke to BAFTA Award-winning film and TV director, Jon East (Pennyworth, Killing Eve), and writer/director star-on-the-rise, Koby Adom (Noughts + Crosses, Haircut) for their takes on collaborating with actors, and what separates the good from the great. https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/how-to-become-a-top-directors-favourite-actor-72391/
UPCOMING
TRAINING
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
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
CASTING DIRECTOR WORKSHOP WITH BIM NARINE & CATHERINE LOUGH HAGGQUIST
January 30 & 31 | Online & offered via ZOOM
Bim Narine – 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. https://actorvanstudios.com/product/the-casting-director-workshop-with-bim-narine-jan30-31/
UPCOMING EVENTS
VANCOUVER ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL
January 8 – 21
The 2021 festival features four films and a talk, including a new, acclaimed, live action version of Pinocchio, with Roberto Benigni as Geppetto, and directed by the versatile Matteo Garrone.
VANCOUVER SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Jan 22 – 24
Looking for some drama? Need a laugh? Craving a conversation-starting documentary? This year’s online edition of VSFF has you covered with 61 films over three days. https://www.vsff.com
