Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - December 7 2020
Published: Mon, 12/07/20
INDUSTRY NEWS
HOLLYWOOD NORTH: THE FLASH HALTS FILMING AFTER POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST
According to sources, the employee was asymptomatic but was detected through its regularly scheduled testing protocol for COVID-19. The testing protocol has been in place for many local film productions since filming resumed after the industry-wide stoppage earlier this year due to the pandemic. https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/hollywood-north-the-flash-halts-filming-after-positive-covid-19-test
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS RESUME IN LANGLEY
Langley is the number two filming location in all of B.C., second only to Vancouver, racking up 1,788 days of filming in 2018, about 500 less than the number of days that took place in the City of Vancouver.
SUPERMAN & LOIS STAR SHARES BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE SAFETY MEASURES ON SET
In Vancouver, production is underway on several shows including the upcoming Superman & Lois, albeit production with a whole host of new safety protocols. Now, Superman & Lois star Elizabeth Tulloch is showing off some of those protocols on social media. https://comicbook.com/dc/news/superman-and-lois-elizabeth-tulloch-covid-safety-behind-the-scen/
'NETFLIX TAX' FOR DIGITAL MEDIA COULD MEAN HIGHER PRICES FOR CONSUMERS
“Netflix tax” has become highly politicized and is often used as “code” for levelling the playing field between U.S.-based digital media companies and traditional Canadian broadcasters.
WARNERMEDIA EXPANDS DEVELOPMENT FOR CANADIAN BIPOC SCREENWRITERS
WarnerMedia and the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television unveiled a Global Access Writers Program to give experienced Canadian writers from diverse communities the opportunity to be mentored by studio executives, creators and established industry professionals, while also turning an unfinished script into a viable draft. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warnermedia-expands-development-for-canadian-bipoc-screenwriters
FOR SOME INDEPENDENT CINEMAS IN BC, THE PANDEMIC COULD BE A DEATH KNELL
Even if the theatre were to reopen, few of the blockbusters it normally relies on have been released this year. Warner Bros. Pictures announced that all of its 2021 film slate will stream on HBO Max at the same time they play in theatres.
TECH STEPS UP GAME IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Technology has stepped up its game when it comes to dealing with various production challenges brought on by COVID-19. With productions returning to Vancouver and the ongoing requirement for those coming into Canada to quarantine for 14 days, local talent is in demand. https://variety.com/2020/digital/entertainment-industry/british-columbia-tech-1234844460/
HOW A CANADIAN ACTRESS IS HELPING KIDS CONNECT WITH FILIPINO CULTURE ON U.S. TV
Carolyn Fe had no clue her heritage would be under the spotlight after stepping out of her audition for Blue's Clues & You! The Nickelodeon remake of the popular 1996 educational series Blue's Clues is part of the growing trend of inclusive kids programming that is more reflective of its diverse audience.
THE BLACK ACADEMY LAUNCHES TO HONOR BLACK CANADIAN TALENT
As the Canadian entertainment industry continues to publicly display its "wokeness," Toronto-raised brothers and Hollywood breakout stars Shamier Anderson and Stephan James are launching The Black Academy to celebrate overlooked Black Canadian talent. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/the-black-academy-launches-to-honor-black-canadian-talent
FILM PRODUCERS TO NOTIFY UNIONS OF POSITIVE COVID-19 RESULTS ON-SET
The new protocols, which were laid out in a Nov. 19 "side letter,” mandate that producers must notify the unions of both their testing plans around the holidays and of any positive test results on their shows. The amended agreement appears to be in place for the duration of the holiday season, though it may extend beyond that. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/film-producers-to-notify-unions-of-positive-covid-19-results-on-set
MARSAI MARTIN SECURES GUINESS WORLD RECORD FOR THE YOUNGEST HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Most 16-year-olds are creating milestones like getting their driver’s license but Black-ish star Marsai Martin has received a coveted honor that will go down in history.
'BIG SKY' PRODUCERS RECOGNIZE NATIVE AMERICAN CRITICISM
ABC was asked to consider adding an on-screen message steering viewers to information about the entrenched peril facing Indigenous women in North America. They cited “Somebody's Daughter,” a documentary detailing the murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls crisis, as it's known to those fighting the scourge. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/big-sky-producers-recognize-native-american-criticism/ar-BB1bxrIT
INSIDER INSIGHT INTO RUNNING A VIRTUAL CASTING SESSION
For years, I have been urging commercial actors to have a reel on their profile, because it definitely gives you an edge over someone who does not. We get a much better idea of who you are by seeing a video. Now, more than ever, time for experimentation has narrowed. https://news.castingnetworks.com/insider-insight-into-running-a-virtual-casting-session/
MARSHA STEPHANIE BLAKE HAS SOME ADVICE FOR ANSWERING THOSE DREADED QUESTIONS
If you’re auditioning, if you’re working on your acting, if you’re learning and sharing and entertaining and improving and inspiring and changing minds and widening perspectives and giving someone hope or a chance to see their life differently through your work, then your acting is going well. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/marsha-stephanie-blake-im-your-woman-72189/
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
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
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
VANCOUVER TURKISH FILM FESTIVAL
December 16 – 21
This year's VTFF will feature four award winning feature films and 10 pre-selected short films from Turkey. There will be Q&A sessions with the Directors and actors after the film screenings. http://vtff.ca
