TELEFILM CANADA LAUNCHES NEW U.S. PORTAL DEVOTED TO CANADIAN FILM
Telefilm Canada has launched Canada Now, a new portal devoted to highlighting Canadian content in the U.S. The site will add new titles each month to its portfolio, which ranges from recent films such as “My Salinger Year” and “Antigone” to Oscar nominees like “Barbarian Invasions” and “Monsieur Lazhar,” as well as some series.
WITH BIG SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS COMING SOON, B.C. MOVIE THEATRES ASK TO RE-OPEN
With COVID-19 numbers dropping and the pace of vaccinations picking up, B.C.’s movie theatres are urging the province to let them open their doors in time to screen big summer blockbusters.
THE EARLY EDITION EXPLORES ASIAN-CANADIAN REPRESENTATION IN MEDIA
May is Asian Heritage Month and CBC Radio One's The Early Edition took a deep dive into the representation of Asian-Canadians in film, TV, music, journalism and social media. Listen as local Asian-Canadian artists and creatives share their stories about making their mark in the vast media landscape. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/community/cbc-radio-one-asian-heritage-month-1.6009728
WITH ‘LEGALLY BLONDE 3,’ ‘NEVER HAVE I EVER’ AND MORE, MINDY KALING IS THE QUEEN OF A GROWING COMEDY EMPIRE
It is Kaling’s unique and utterly charming comedic voice that launched her from staff writer on “The Office” to a creative force and trailblazer for women in comedy. She’s built her brand and her online persona as her star has climbed, making more than 10 million social media followers wish she were their best friend. https://variety.com/2021/tv/features/mindy-kaling-never-have-i-ever-legally-blonde-3-1234965742/
ACTORS FUND SURVEY FINDS ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH, FINANCIAL INSECURITY DUE TO COVID-19
The survey found that 79 percent of respondents were dealing with increased feelings of anxiety or depression, symptoms of stress, and a decreased ability to cope with economic uncertainty. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/actors-fund-survey-mental-health-1234949075/
SHADOW & BONE USED A WHITE STUNT DOUBLE FOR INEJ. BUT THE PROBLEMS RUN MUCH DEEPER
Critics and fans of Netflix's Shadow & Bone have praised the show's diverse cast, something author Leigh Bardugo made a point to prioritize when her book series was adapted into a major television show. However, the internet has recently uncovered a surprising and offensive casting choice. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/05/10460540/shadow-bone-netflix-white-stunt-double-inej-amita-suman
WHY MORE SCRIPTED CONTENT ISN’T ALWAYS A GOOD THING FOR WORKING ACTORS
The bigger issue here is that thanks to all the new streaming platforms, actors have come to believe more shows equals more opportunities. This is the perfect example of false logic. It may appear to be true, but that doesn’t make it so. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-streaming-series-change-acting-careers-73155/
PROTECTING YOURSELF AS AN ACTOR
These red flags may include sexual situations, nudity, “salacious” material, extreme violence, adult situations involving minors and projects that sound “too good to be true.” Here is some advice on protecting yourself when it comes to submitting through any casting website. https://news.castingnetworks.com/protecting-yourself-as-an-actor/
HOW TO CULTIVATE A CONFIDENT MINDSET TO GET CAST
Whether it’s a milestone you’d like to achieve in your career or your personal life, it’s important to let your dream play out in full in your imagination—that way, you can begin to understand how achieving that dream would make you feel. Get specific about the details of your career desires. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-to-cultivate-a-confident-mindset-get-cast-joseph-pearlman-73073/
UPCOMING
TRAINING
RAILTOWN ACTORS STUDIO
With strict COVID protocols in place, smaller class sizes, and under the advisement of a Health and Safety consultant, our 2021 classes have been a great and safe success. Spring 2021 classes for May and June are open for registration and filling quickly.
New to us? Click here: https://railtownactors.com/interview
* Friday and Sunday "Acting on Film" with John Cassini.
* "Foundations" Scene Study with Frank Cassini
* "Making Connection: Scene Study" with Jennifer Copping.
* "The Actor's Instrument" and "Acting: Process & Practice" with Edward Foy
Details for all Classes: www.railtownactors.com/classes
Coaching and Tapings: www.railtownactors.com/coaching
We look forward to hearing from you!
CASTING DIRECTOR WORKSHOP WITH KRIS WOZ
May 22 and 23
Online | Only 16 Seats available | 19+
Great opportunity to work with Kris and get on his radar! He is presently casting Two Sentence Horror Stories season 3 with lots of other projects ready to go!
Kris is part of a casting duo team along with Kara Eide based in Vancouver, BC. Together, they have worked on many projects including Stephen Chbosky’s “Wonder”, Kevan Funk’s “Hello Destroyer”, Giancarlo Esposito’s “This is Your Death”, Shana Feste’s “Boundaries”, and Wayne Roberts’ “Richard Says Goodbye”. https://actorvanstudios.com/product/the-casting-director-workshop-with-kris-from-kk-casting-may-2021/
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 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
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
BURNABY SUMMARY THEATRE
A paid professional development program for the local performing arts community. Emerging performing artists will assume a summer internship where they will produce an original work while developing the skills required to succeed as a performer, director and administrator in the industry. Participants will learn what it takes to create an original work: from the conceptualization and direction, to marketing, budget management, and much more. It is a hands-on experience from concept to a final
production that will be enjoyed by the community. https://burnabyartscouncil.org/programs/burnaby-summer-theatre-program/
UPCOMING EVENTS
DOXA DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
May 6 - 16
DOXA is back to celebrate its platinum anniversary with 49 features, dozens of shorts, and a handful of live Q&As and Industry events, all accessible via DOXA’s website. https://www.doxafestival.ca
COLD READING SERIES
May 10
Join us for a Live-Stream Zoom Event from our homes as we read scripts and connect with Vancouver storytellers, artists, writers, directors, and actors. http://www.coldreadingseries.com
REVOLVER FESTIVAL
May 19 - June 6
rEvolver Festival’s digital presentation series is opening with 12 events. Shaped around digital and audio experiences, conversations and workshops, readings and talkbacks, this year’s festival is dedicated to starting dialogues about change. https://www.upintheairtheatre.com/2021-festival
