Diversity Committee

Reel World 2011

ACTRA Toronto's Diversity Outreach and Education Initiative partnered with the Reel World Film Festival to screen two films and and present an enlightening panel discussion by industry professionals.

Industry Panel Discussion: The Mystery of ACTRA Demystified

Date: Friday, April 08, 2011
Time: 2:30pm
Venue: Industry Panel 3, Canada Square 5

Panel Description: Want to work with ACTRA members but think it's too hard? Not sure of your way around the paperwork? Then this seminar is for you! Listen to ACTRA professionals guide you through the simple steps to working with ACTRA. ACTRA a mystery? Not after this session.

Listen to ACTRA professionals - including Karen Woolridge, Moderator Tabby Johnson, Tasso Lakas, Toronto Indie Productions coordinator and Indra Escobar, Senior Advisor, Independent and Broadcast Production - guide you through the simple steps to working with ACTRA.

Screenings

Join friends and colleagues Saturday April 9th at 7.30 pm at Canada Square 6.

Pay in Full – Canada/93 min, Feature
dir: Walter Alza

Synopsis: The mid-80's saw the birth of a new generation of con artists, known as 'piffers'. Driven by sex and greed, piffers pose as talent agents to prey on the hopes and dreams of aspiring actors and models. Sonny (Walter Alza) begins work at a talent agency to supports his family. Caught between a knife and the wall, Sonny must choose whether to stay in the game.

Counting from Ten – Canada/5 min, Short
dir: Bryn McAuley

Synopsis:
As Nia and Gavin lounge by the fire, their attempts at intimacy are repeatedly interrupted by phone calls from Gavin's wife.

NBC Open Casting Call

The Diversity Committee facilitated the American network's open casting call focusing on performers from diverse communities (more info on this exciting event!)

Reel World 2010

The ACTRA Toronto Diversity Outreach and Education Initiative partnered with the Reel World Film Festival to screened two films during the 2010 season and presented an enlighting panel discussion featuring a range of industry professionals.

Reel World 2010 Screening: A Touch of Grey – Canada/93 min, Feature

Synopsis:
A Touch of Grey is a polished film geared toward a female demographic. The story revolves around a group of middle-aged friends who reflect on their lives in the past 20 years or so of friendship – from high school to their current lives. What emerges is an explosive revelation of secrets, horrors and confessions.

Reel World 2010 Screening: Unrivaled – Canada/90 min, Feature

Synopsis:
Unrivaled is the latest film in an increasingly violent, male-oriented fighting genre. Rocky was about a boxer, Bloodsport was about underground mixed martial arts (sort of the precursor to future mainstream UFC), and now we have Unrivaled. Hector Echavarria is the star of this film: this guy's the real deal as a fighter and he is also credited as a co-writer.

In a film that also features real UFC fighters like Rashad Evans, Keith Jardine and Forrest Griffin, there is no dearth of action in this film.

Reel World 2010 Panel Discussion: "How to run a successful business when the product is YOU: Being a Professional Actor"

Date: Friday, April 9, 2010
Time: 2:30pm

This panel was moderated by by ReelWorld Film programmer Allison Wilson-Forbes. Panellists included director Robin D. Cook, agent Jennifer Goldhar Gossack from The Characters, Larissa Giroux, manager of the CFC's actor conservatory, Peter Messaline, tax preparer, consultant, performer, writer, and Jani Lauzon Chair of the ACTRA Diversity Committee.

Panel Description: Some of us think we’re pursuing our dream of becoming an actor, but the way we go about it is more like a hobby. This panel is about how to become a professional actor. How do you carve out a realistic business plan for yourself? What strategies can you implement? How do you take the proper steps to achieve your goal of working as an actor and getting paid properly?