Vancouver Actor's Guide Newsletter - April 19 2021
Published: Mon, 04/19/21
INDUSTRY NEWS
VANCOUVER ACTOR VALERIE TIAN IS READY TO KICK ASS
Staying silent while conveying there’s something simmering beneath the surface isn’t something that all actors can do. Some have failed spectacularly, while others have elevated the technique. Vancouver actor Valerie Tian pulls it off, making quite the understated impression in Karen Lam’s atmospheric horror The Curse Of Willow Song. https://nowtoronto.com/movies/vancouver-actor-valerie-tian-is-ready-to-kick-ass
THE EASIEST WAY TO LEVEL-UP YOUR FILM AND TELEVISION CAREER
Vancouver has been known as Hollywood North for quite a while. At any one time throughout the year, there will be countless shows and films of all kinds being shot in and around the city. Whether you want to work in the film industry or already do, joining IATSE Local 891 film and TV technicians union will open doors and create better opportunities. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/film-television-career-iatse-local-891
POSSIBILITY OF FILM STUDIO AT CAMOSUN COLLEGE ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY WITH NEW PROVINCIAL FUNDING
Show business is big business in British Columbia's capital city and new money from the provincial government to a local college could mean the potential for bigger productions and bigger profits in the future, according to the region's film commissioner. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/victoria-film-future-1.5990891
HOW KIM'S CONVENIENCE SHOWCASES THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY DIVERSE CREATORS
"There's a general desire for new, young, diverse talent to step up ... [but] despite having the desire to, sometimes it's very challenging to even find new talent. You can't get experience to get in front of people that are the decision-makers when you don't have the experience. But how else would you get experience otherwise?" https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/kim-s-convenience-end-diverse-1.5988267
SHORT FILM SERIES SETS SIGHTS ON THE YEAR WE HAD AND WHAT MAY BE AHEAD
More than 40 film festivals from across Canada, including the Vancouver International Film Festival, will be hosting special screenings and events with filmmakers. Also slated are 150 community watch parties and 25 plus international events. Film fans can also gain access to great Canadian films through numerous broadcasters and streaming services. https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/movies/short-film-series-sets-sights-on-the-year-we-had-and-what-may-be-ahead
SAG-AFTRA PANEL EXPLORES EFFORTS TO COMBAT HATE AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS
The panel, which was moderated by WAVE 3 News anchor and reporter Maira Ansari, is part of the union’s Stop the Hate Week exploring issues affecting Black, Latino, Asian American, Native American, Middle Eastern/North African, LGBTQ, trans, disabled, and senior performers – and their depictions on screen. https://deadline.com/2021/04/sag-aftra-anti-asian-hate-panel-1234734484/
IN LIGHT OF SCOTT RUDIN ALLEGATIONS, A CALL FOR MORE RESOURCES TO REPORT ABUSE
On April 7, the Hollywood Reporter published an expose on Broadway and Hollywood producer Scott Rudin, detailing allegations of bullying and harassment from Rudin’s employees. Since the news broke, the film studios and Broadway artists who have worked directly with Rudin have remained silent. But around them is a growing chorus of voices calling for change. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/resources-abuse-actors-hollywood-broadway-scott-rudin-73095/
CASTING DIRECTORS BEHIND BEST PICTURE OSCAR NOMINEES ON HOW THEY FIND ACTORS
Every actor you see accepting an Academy Award had to start somewhere. Most actors experience a period of acting classes, auditions, survival jobs, and networking to get a role that might lead to a nomination at a big awards ceremony—and chances are, the casting director who cast them in that breakout role has known them for years and kept them on the radar until the right opportunity came along. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/audition-tips-from-5-oscar-nominated-casting-directors-73063/
SELF-TAPE HABITS TO AVOID IN THE AUDITION ROOM + ON SET
It has been over a year now that self-taping has become the new normal. Although it’s a gift to have been able to continue to audition from the comfort of home, there are three habits you want to nip in the bud now in preparation for days when you will be auditioning live or back working on set. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/self-tape-habits-to-avoid-in-the-audition-room-on-set-73039/
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
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 success. Spring 2021 classes for April, May and June are now 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!
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
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
UPCOMING EVENTS
REEL 2 REAL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FOR YOUTH
April 14 - 23
We are pleased to present several films that explore the impact of social media, racism, and discrimination, with a focus on Germany. We’re showing 18 feature films and 45 shorts from over 35 countries and Indigenous nations. https://r2rfestival.org
NATIONAL CANADIAN FILM DAY
April 21
Now in its eighth year, National Canadian Film Day has taken root as our largest annual celebration of Canadian culture. It is about giving Canadians an opportunity to gather together and celebrate the incredible achievements of our nation’s filmmakers. https://canadianfilmday.ca
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.
