HOW LOCAL ASIAN-CANADIAN ARTISTS ARE WORKING FOR REPRESENTATION
While victories for representation have proven there's an appetite for such stories, many Asian creatives working in British Columbia feel diversity is still treated as a surface-level issue. Many are now pushing for change by speaking out about pervasive stereotypes and stigmas, and finding new avenues to tell their own stories. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/asian-artist-representation-1.6021086
BROADWAY SHOWS ANNOUNCE FALL RETURN, BUT CANADIAN PRODUCTIONS STILL IN LIMBO
Mirvish Productions director of sales John Karastamatis said it is currently "impossible to make an accurate prediction" about when shows would be able to resume in Toronto. But the fact theatre is resuming in New York and in the U.K. is helpful, providing a test run for Canadian theatre-goers to observe how the industry will look post-pandemic. https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/hamilton-wicked-lion-king-broadway-1.6021866
ACTOR SUES TIKTOK FOR USING HER VOICE IN VIRAL TOOL
Canadian actor Bev Standing recorded about 10,000 sentences of audio for the state-backed Chinese Institute of Acoustics research body to use in translations, in 2018. The legal action claims her voice can now be heard in viral videos featuring “foul and offensive language”, causing her reputation “irreparable harm”. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57063087
WITH ‘SCHITT’S CREEK’ AND ‘KIM’S COVENIENCE’ OVER, CAN CANADA DELIVER ITS NEXT GLOBAL HIT?
Happily, Canada has always had a penchant for niche content with a strong point of view that also happens to feel universal. According to some, that may be key when contemplating the next international success story. https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/schitts-creek-kims-convenience-canada-tv-1234971786/
HOW TO UN-CAST AN ACTOR WHEN AN ARMY OF THE DEAD STAR GOT CALLED OUT, ZACK SNYDER CALLED ON TIG NOTARO TO SAVE A ROLE.
Notaro and Snyder look back on the convoluted filming process with a mixture of awe and relief. “We kind of knew what we were getting into,” says Snyder, “but had no idea how hard it would be.” https://www.vulture.com/2021/05/zack-snyder-tig-notaro-army-of-the-dead.html
2022 GOLDEN GLOBES CANCELED BY NBC AMID ONGOING HFPA CONTROVERSY
Ahead of February's Golden Globe Awards, the Los Angeles Times revealed that the HFPA has no Black members amid its voting body of international journalists. During the telecast, three high-ranking members took the stage to directly address the issue, and the organization later promised 13 percent Black members within the year. https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/2022-golden-globes-canceled-by-nbc-amid-ongoing-hfpa-controversy/ar-BB1gA2qg
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’S 2021 WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT POWER 100
While the past 14 months may have seen a shift in the usual benchmarks for success, these execs, filmmakers, showrunners and multihyphenates rose above the turmoil with vision and resilience. Regina King, Donna Langley and, yes, Meghan Markle are among THR's annual list of women dominating a still-reeling industry. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/hollywood-reporters-2021-women-in-entertainment-power-100/
KNOCK THE RUST OFF: TIPS FOR JUMPING BACK IN AFTER A DRY SPELL
Remember that you’re not alone. Every actor goes through dry spells. Long ones. Just because you’re not currently booked does not mean you stop being an actor or an artist. Keep your inner dialogue loving and empowering, and remember that exercising your craft is not a gift others bestow on you. It’s a choice you get to make. https://news.castingnetworks.com/knock-the-rust-off-tips-for-jumping-back-in-after-a-dry-spell/
HOW TO HANDLE GETTING CUT OUT OF A PROJECT
Look ahead. Look forward to your next booking, and remember that you did your job. You impressed the casting office, you were approved by producers, you hit your marks on the day. All of it is a worthwhile experience that makes you a more viable actor in the future. Smile. You’ve passed another initiation into this biz. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-to-handle-getting-cut-out-of-a-project-73249/
HOW ACTORS CAN DEVELOP AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
Actors really care about their talent, training, and goals but are focused on their art. Actorpreneurs are confident in their talent as an art, but are equally focused on building their business so their income is higher, their network is bigger—global—and their opportunities to work at their art are unlimited. Which are you? https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-actors-can-develop-an-entrepreneurial-mindset-73232/
UPCOMING
TRAINING
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
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 safe and a great success. Spring, Summer and Fall classes are open for registration.
* Friday and Sunday "Acting on Film" classes with John Cassini.
* On Camera Workshops with Brian Markinson
* "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
Are you new to us? Click here: www.railtownactors.com/interview
We look forward to hearing from you!
UPCOMING EVENTS
WILLIAM F. WHITE COFFEE CHAT
May 18
William F. White Coffee Chat with Janine Steele, an experienced producer, production manager and arts administrator working at the confluence of linear filmmaking and digital media. Currently she is a Project Manager at Creative BC, overseeing the design and implementation of the Domestic Motion Picture Fund. Chat Moderated by Katrina Mugume.
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
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL
May 31 - June 13
Reimagine fun at the 2021 Vancouver International Children’s Festival with an extraordinary online line-up of world-class theatre, music, dance and storytelling created specifically for children. https://www.childrensfestival.ca
