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Casting Director, Stuart Aikins on Directing Asymmetry

Kenji Maeda — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:47:51 +0000

Many of you know Stuart Aikins as the Emmy nominated and Casting Society of America Award winning Casting Director who is busy with many Film & TV productions that come to Vancouver. What you may not know is that he has a MFA in Directing and a faculty member at Capilano University’s theatre department.

Stuart is currently directing Reality Curve Theatre‘s production of Asymmetry by Rick Robinson which is running from Oct 25-30 2011 at the Havana Theatre.

We had an opportunity to ask Stuart some questions about working on this theatrical production and his thoughts on the current state of Vancouver’s film industry.

What is it about this production that got you interested in directing it?

I loved the fact that it was a six hander and that each couple could be rehearsed separately. I wanted the reveals to be just as exciting for the cast as the audience. It also seemed the perfect vehicle for The Havana and a great way to get my feet wet in that space.

As an award winning and busy Film & TV Casting Director, why come back to theatre?

It’s what I do in the room, I work with Actors so coming back to the immediacy was easy. In TV and Film, you work on things years in advance of seeing them so even with a couple months of rehearsing, the end product is more immediate. It’s just another kind of joy.

What differences are there in your approach as a Casting Director for Film & TV versus a Theatre Director?

I always have to think about the Director in TV and Film and what they are looking for or will understand. I certainly don’t have that thought when I am directing as I am no longer an intermediary.

Over the years there have been discussions within the arts community about the lack of cultural diversity within film, tv, and theatre productions that come out of Vancouver. What are your thoughts on that issue?

I have to work overtime to fill the need for diversity in all my projects. It’s the only way that the diverse talent will grow and it’s mandated by the networks. I don’t actually subscribe to the opinion that we don’t cast diverse in this city. I know we do and have to.

With Casting offices and Talent Agencies downsizing over the recent years, do you have concerns about the long-term outcomes within the local film industry due to changes in tax incentives, HST, and economy as a whole?

This business is cyclical. I have been casting for 35 years and have seen it ebb and flow many times. I came here from Toronto before the bottom dropped out there and it was a long time coming back. We have a wonderful infrastructure here and a brilliant talent pool. The money will return. We all have to get off our butts and develop during this lag and make sure we aren’t rusty when it does come back.

What do you hope the audience will walk away with after watching Asymmetry?

An enjoyable evening at the theatre. If they see themselves in any of the characters then great but if they were removed from their stressful lives for 90 minutes then that’s even better.

What other directing gigs do you have coming up?

I leave after opening Asymmetry to go to CCPA to direct Ten Lost Years which opens Dec. 1. I return and begin The Crucible at Capilano University which opens February 15. Yes, I am a busy camper.

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The Reality Curve Theatre Co-Op presents Rick Robinson’s “Asymmetry“
October 25-30 2011 at Havana Theatre
Directed by Stuart Aikins.
Featuring Jessica Charbonneau, Leah Gibson, Cara McDowell, Paul Piaskowski, William C. Vaughan and Jerry Wasserman.
Music by Krystle Dos Santos.

Six lives. One night. Asymmetry chronicles the halting first steps of three fledgling relationships, as six damaged people fumble for intimacy and balance.

Sandy & Miguel struggle to recover what, long ago, might have become something beautiful; Julius & Priscilla reach out to each other, frantically seeking a way through the protective walls they’ve built around themselves; Maggie & Cody share an affliction, but fight against their very different views of life. Each of these broken relationships comes to a head in one night, in the same physical space, each couple unaware of the others even as their stories intertwine.

More information & tickets: www.realitycurve.com

1 on 1 with Lori Triolo

Meeshelle Neal — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:34:28 +0000

On Saturday afternoon I got the chance to talk with Lori Triolo immediately after seeing her in the Vancouver Fringe production of Canary. Based on playwright Liesl Lafferty’s real life, this show had me laughing while hitting home some scary truths about a very dark, pervasive presence within all our lives.

Needless to say my friends and I tested our cell phones in the microwave that very night. (to test whether or not your microwave is leaking put your cell phone inside and call it. If you can hear it ringing, it’s time to get a new oven.)

Meeshelle: Canary is a dark comedy about a young woman struck with a debilitating aversion to artificial light, but what is the heart of this piece for you?

Lori: The fight. The hope. How you can’t take it lying down. How you sometimes need to question everything. How quickly technology is moving and we don’t have time to adjust to all these new changes.

M: I really like how the show uses humour to get a very valid and disconcerting point across. Considering your last comedic play was Twelfth Night. How is it doing a modern comedy?

Lori: The laughs were surprising, which happens a lot, especially with a new play. We’re never sure if it’s going to be funny. I was very conservative to begin with because I’m playing Liesl (the playwright) so at first I almost shut down because I kept thinking of her and how she would be. But she really does have that positive attitude that the character has, so I just had to bring that into it more.

It’s nice that the audiences are laughing.

M: Tell me more about your personal process.

Lori: I keep finding moments and I think what really helped me is that I went home last night, after we opened, and really thought about the story. I found my journey and raised the stakes. It’s all about finding that journey and those moments.

You keep finding moments. You keep digging deeper.

M: How was it working on an original piece?

Lori: She (Liesl) ‘just’ added the monologue about our bodies being naturally charged three days before opening.

Heidi Lynne Weeks, who is standing nearby, adds: We did this play in Toronto but things have changed a lot since the original. The first time around Marie was a smaller role and I played more of the other characters, but since then Liesl has fleshed her out (and now I am just Md. Marie Curie). I had the most fun playing her anyway.

M: So had you two worked together or met before doing this show?

Lori: No.

Heidi: I live in Toronto and only really come out to Vancouver when I have work here.

Lori: Which isn’t often enough.

(They both laugh.)

M: How long was the rehearsal process?

Heidi: Short.

Lori: Very short. Just under two weeks. About ten rehearsals. Too few to actually sink into it.

M: Considering Liesl’s condition, what were rehearsals like?

Lori: We rehearsed in semi-dark, with the lights off, on the stage at the Beaumont, and there was one tiny bulb up in the corner. We all had headaches after only a few hours from straining to see our scripts, and Liesl would be sitting there wearing her sunglasses.

M: Considering the quick turnaround time that comes with doing a Fringe show, with only thirty minutes to get in and get your stuff set up, as an actor how do you deal with warming up beforehand?

Lori: I try to do as much as possible at home and as soon as we’re in the space I try to (almost immediately) stretch and breathe. We basically arrived today, set up the props as quickly as possible, and did a brief warm-up lying on the floor, before we were sent backstage.

M: With your considerable resume in film and television, what keeps bringing you back to doing theatre?

Lori: It’s my first love. The first thing I ever did. I thought I’d do it my whole life. It’s an incredible experience to experience something live. You as the actor experience it along with the audience. So if something goes wrong, it’s all a part of that particular show. The stakes are higher. Everybody’s nervous because it’s live, the actors and the audience. I like being able to use my craft… to win people back. Like after I’ve stumbled over a line, to be able to recover and get everyone back on my side.

M: Today’s turnout was pretty good, but how do you deal with small audiences?

Lori: I expect small audiences. It’s par for the course doing theatre in Vancouver. I mean, it’s a drag, but it’s what to expect.

M: And don’t you find that Vancouverites usually wait until the last few shows before coming out?

Lori: Totally. I mean, that’s why we only did five days with Danny and The Deep Blue Sea. We had a short run and almost sold out every time. The theatre was small (Pacific Theatre) but we had great houses because the run was so short.

M: How is being a part of the Fringe different from doing other theatre?

Lori: There’s more buzz with the Fringe. And there’s way more community, like you’re meeting people and it’s like, “You’re in a show, I’m in a show, which show are you in? Oh, I’ll come see it.”

M: Are the audiences different?

Lori: The Fringe is nice because it brings a lot of people who don’t normally come out to see theatre.

M: I think people are more understanding toward Fringe plays and come with a more open mind.

Lori: (nods) And, I think we as the performers take a lot of pressure off of ourselves because we’re doing the Fringe. I mean, we have no time, well no one has any time really, to do rehearsals and tech and be in the space, so we take that pressure off ourselves and just play.

M: After you finish a piece do you find the character stays with you?

Lori: Depends on the show. I couldn’t shake Olivia (from Twelfth Night). I was probably the saddest I’ve been in years to see a play, and a character, go away. I think I loved falling in love each night. I didn’t really have any time between Danny and Canary so I’ll probably grieve Roberta (from Danny and The Deep Blue Sea) with Lily. I mean Roberta fell in love too, but it was a different sort of love. Olivia was young, or at least the love that she felt is that young fluttery love.

Long runs are what fuck with me the most.

M: As an actress what has been your biggest challenge this past year?

Lori: Aging (laughs) it’s been my biggest challenge the past 3 or 4 years. Aging, and less substantial roles for people who usually do leads. Theatre though has been great. Although I’ve been auditioning a lot recently, more in the last two weeks than months previously. It’s always good to audition when you’re working because you’re not as needy… you’re more full.

It’s tough getting older. When I played in Twelfth Night there was a review written about me about how I was this cougar in the play and she (the reviewer) was actually very nice about me but still, I was being called a cougar… which makes sense when I’m working with a 22 year old.

M: Do you have any parting advice for new actors?

Lori: Work hard. Don’t be afraid to work hard. Know you have to work hard for the things you’re passionate about, also do it for you! (pause) The industry makes no sense. (laughs) That’s a good one, I wish someone had told that to me when I started, this industry makes no sense!

Lori Triolo hails from New York where she studied at the renowned Neighborhood Playhouse. She has had numerous film and television roles and can currently be seen at Studio 16 in Canary with the Vancouver International Fringe Festival until Sep 18 2010.

Theatre Community at the 2009 Jessie Awards

Reel 2 Real Film Festival for Youth returns for 2010

Kenji Maeda — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:02:09 +0000

Friday, April 9 2010 marks the opening of this years Reel 2 Real Film Festival for Youth. I will again have the honour to be the Master of Ceremonies for the Opening Night Gala and Award Presentation as well as at Sunday’s Young Filmmakers Showcase and Award Presentation.

One of the reasons why I choose to involve myself with the festival is because of the quality of the films that they bring to Vancouver. Venay Felton, Executive Director, does a great job year after year bringing in films that cover a variety of subject matters that would appeal to both youth and adults.

The opening night film is called The Indian. It’s a Dutch film (with English subtitles).

Eight-year-old Koos is very close to his loving Dutch parents who adopted him from Peru when he was a baby. When he finds out that his mother is expecting a baby, Koos worries that his parents won’t love him as much as their own biological baby. Through a chance meeting with a Peruvian boy named Illari, Koos learns that he is an Indian and a descendant of the Inca people. Determined to embrace his roots, Koos goes on a journey of self-discovery in order to find out who he really is and where he comes from.

This sensitive and insightful film looks at the fears and curiosities some adopted children experience. The Indian is also a wonderful reminder that the love between a parent and child isn’t defined by geography or ancestry, but by the love a family shares with one another.

For more details about the festival, head on over to www.r2rfestival.org.

Don’t forget! There’s a coupon for the festival screenings in the Production Heads Coupon Book.

Oscar Winning Film Trailer

Kenji Maeda — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:17:06 +0000

Over on the VAG Forum, withoutaboat shared a link to a video. I thought it fitting to post it here seeing that tonight marks the 82nd Academy Awards, also known as The Oscars. The video speaks to how formulaic a film tends to be to win an Oscar. It’s embedded below fr your viewing pleasure.

Speaking of the Oscars, Toronto Sun reports that there are a total of 17 nominations amongst 13 Canadians which is a record number of nominations for us with the maple leaf. But it looks like we won’t be winning most of those. Read the full Toronto Sun article to find out why.

A Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie Ever — powered by Cracked.com

Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition

Kenji Maeda — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:52:23 +0000

I remember back in high school when this competition came around to help bring awareness to the issues of racism. I’ve always thought it was a great way to get young people involved in discussing the ever-so-important issue. At least it wasn’t just someone just talking in front of the class, instead it got people involved and creative.

March 21 is known as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which was designated by the United Nations is 1966. Since 1996 the Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition has been a key part of Canada’s national campaign. This year is no different.

The gist of this competition is that youth between 12-20 years old create a video “about your thoughts on eliminating racism.” Ten videos are chosen as the winners and will be shown on national television and the filmmakers will receive an all-expense paid trip to the awards ceremony. You can check out the 2009 winning videos for some reference.

See the official website for all the details and submission guidelines.

Deadline to submit is January 15 so there’s still time to get involved.

Crazy8s – Make your film with $800 in 8 days

Kenji Maeda — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:24:27 +0000

We’ve talked about creating your own work, like those who have stepped up to create their own webseries. Well many people start out by getting into one of the local film competitions such as the Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon or the BloodShots 48-Hour Horror Filmmaking Challenge. These types of events can not only be fun and really challenge your ability to create a interesting story in a short amount of time, but it can also help to get seen within the greater film community and give the extra push to a full time career.

Crazy8s is another great film competition in Vancouver which has helped to bring recognition to some of Vancouver’s filmmakers. Some of those who went through Crazy8s include Tracy D Smith, Carl Bessai, and Zach Lipovsky. Zach even made it to the top five on the reality show “On The Lot,” created by Steven Spielberg, where aspiring filmmakers compete to become the next big Hollywood director. Zach has since signed as a Director with Endeavor Agency in LA, and is working on his first feature film.

So Crazy8s is back again for their 11th year and for the first time, applicants are invited to submit a 5-minute video pitch of their film idea. You will need to register on December 13 but space is limited. Below are the details. This would be a great opportunity for many of you to showcase your creativity, hard work, and talent.

Sunday, Dec 13, 2009 – Pitch Registration
Space is limited, and you must sign up in person to be eligible to submit.

Friday, Jan 15, 2010 – Video pitches due

Jan 29 and 30, 2010 – The top 40 video pitches will be selected to pitch in-person to a jury of industry professionals

12 semi-finalists will be chosen.

Each filmmaking team will be paired with a professional story editor to craft their script before presenting it again to the jury.

Of the 12 teams, 6 finalists will be chosen.

Those 6 teams will receive $800 and tens of thousands of dollars in production services – everything they need to make their film.

Production and post-production will take place over 8 days (exact dates TBD) in late March or April, 2010.

Finished films will be screened at a gala screening at the Vogue Theatre.

For details on the pitch sign up and info session go to: http://crazy8s.cc/video-pitch.html

Good luck to everyone who plans on pitching!

Oscar Winning Film Trailer

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe at Pacific Theatre

Kenji Maeda — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:07:03 +0000

Pacific Theatre is producing the great classic, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe running now until January 2 2010.

From the novel by C.S. Lewis, this splendidly theatrical invention preserves all the magic of the twentieth century’s best-loved fantasy classic. Four young adventurers pass through a doorway to a land in the grip of an icy queen, where it’s always winter and never Christmas – but Aslan is on the move!

Ron Reed, Founding Artistic Director of Pacific Theatre talk a bit about the production.

Showtimes

Wednesday – Saturday Nights at 8pm and Saturday matinees 2pm (Until January 2, 2010)

Location

1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver BC

Tickets

Regular priced tickets are $34 for weekend evenings and $30 for weekday evenings. Further ticket prices available on their website.

PROMOTION: 2 for 1 coupon available in the Production Heads Coupon Book. Pick one up today at Biz Books for $25 or have it mailed to you by ordering online. Enjoy a night out with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and save money at the same time.

[VIDEO] Career Expo – Vancouver Motion Picture Week

Kenji Maeda — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:29:04 +0000

Last week we had a chance to attend the Career Expo at the Roundhouse Community Centre. The event was part of the Vancouver Motion Picture Industry Week put on by MPPIA (Motion Picture Production Industry Association).

It was not a job fair but instead it allowed industry organizations and companies share information about their services. A great addition to the event was that it was free.

You weren’t able to make it? Watch the video below as we talk to some of the exhibitors who were there.

Want to know more about the organizations featured in the video? Here are the links in order of appearance:

You can find a full list of the exhibitors on the Career Expo website.

Inside The Insiders event

Patricia Cullen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:51:00 +0000

Kick yourself, right now, if you didn’t go to this event for any reason other than work. Do it. I’ll wait.

Now with the other foot.

And now I’ll tell you why you have a footprint on each cheek.

Hosts Fiona Forbes & Michael Eckford (Photo credit: Dean Buscher)

Regardless of which role you play in Vancouver’s Film & TV Industry, every topic discussed Tuesday night, applied to you. Directly or indirectly. Whether or not it was about your particular craft or service, it was about your industry. Your business. Your market. Your bottom line. And that’s why you have two footprints on your bottom. It’s called…symbolic.

And it’s not without irony. An important key to the continued successes of our industry is community. Remember, you are a part of this industry. So suffice to say, that an important part of your success is being an active part of that community. Which in turn feeds the industry’s success which in turn feeds your success and round and round we go in perfect harmony in a perfect world.

But, back to reality and without further adieu, let’s get up to speed with on what happened Tuesday night at The Insiders.

The Coles’ notes version…

Shawn Williamson, Stuart Aikins, Rob Bromley, Anna Archer, Matthew O’Connor, Louise Clark, Larry Sugar, Gary Harvey, Richard Lucas, Michael Eckford, Fiona Forbes (Photo credit: Dean Buscher)

Tax Credits

Producer and Development Exec, Louise Clark (Photo credit: Dean Buscher)

Yes, all the work is in Toronto. And yes, it sucks. But according to Louise Clark, Toronto has been vocal and up front about their desire to bring all the work to Toronto with tax credits. And it was discussed that the reason Toronto has it now, is because we had all the glory then. They wanted a chunk of what we had. And now they’ve got it. The question is will they keep it? Louise feels that just as the pendulum swung from BC to ON, it will once again swing back this way. But Shawn Williamson of Brightlight Pictures, is concerned with how the two Provincial Governments view our industry. Ontario approaches the Film/TV industry as Revenue whereas BC seems to view it as subsidy. All considered, Shawn feels that BC still has a lot to offer our southern counterparts in regards to the tax credits BC currently offers to encourage them to come up Beautiful British Columbia.

Producer, Shawn Williamson (Photo credit: Dean Buscher)

If you ask me, it’s temporary. It’s a great big, not very secret Federal Government conspiracy. And yes, I use the term tongue in cheek and in fun. But think about it. Vancouver simply cannot play host to both the Olympics and the Film/TV industry at the same time. We simply do not have the resources. But can Canada stand to lose the gorgeous income our industry brings in altogether? No. So, how do we keep the business but move it temporarily out of Vancouver? Move it to the Tdot. Done and done. Everybody’s happy but the 35,000 British Columbians who make a living in the industry, are self-employed & without unemployment insurance. Statistically, that’s only .8% of BC’s population potentially out of work and who are also unlikely to cost the government in EI distributions. Which, back to irony, .8% is approximately the same percentage of people from our industry, who attended the event Tuesday evening. If .8% of BC’s population potentially out of work is not much for concern, then the protests of only .8% of that same population isn’t likely to be of consideration either.

But it’s not as simple as just a Tax Credit issue. Or my conspiracy theory.

Talent Agent, Richard Lucas (Photo credit: Dean Buscher)

The Olympics

Dubbed ‘the blackhole’ for the evening, the Olympics pose one simple, yet massive challenge for any production in and around that time. Resources. Vancouver does not have the hotels, transportation, security, police force or required rentals like vehicles or barricades to facilitate both the Olympics and the industry. They had to choose only one. They chose. And everyone benefits but us. Us, the sacrificial lambs. Perhaps we could all move to Salt Spring and sell pieces of ourselves off as authentic organic Salt Spring lamb. Just to tide ourselves over. Then when the Olympics go away and our jobs come back, we could be revered as the most talented one-armed, one-legged cast & crew worldwide. Canadian TV just became even more unique. But don’t buy your ferry ticket just yet, shows like V, and possibly Fringe will remain in production during that time. You might not be able to actually make it to set, but you may actually get some work out of it. If you can rectify that first problem.

Producer, Larry Sugar and Director/Producer, Gary Harvey (Photo credit: Dean Buscher)

Canadian Dollar

Casting Director, Stuart Aikins (Photo credit: Dean Buscher)

I cannot say I recall this topic really being touched on. But what I do recall, quite clearly,

because it surprised me, is Stuart Aikins speaking on US productions here in Canada. That Fox decided two years ago that it can’t afford to pay anyone over scale. And that a project like Twilight, which was made on a fairly modest budget but grossed around 70 million dollars, puts very little of that money back into new productions. It goes into simply keeping their business alive.

Rob Bromley, President of Force Four Entertainment (Photo credit: Dean Buscher)

CRTC Hearings

Here’s the deal. No one is buying any shows until they know the verdict of these hearings. This, in conjunction with our non-competitive tax credit, the Olympics and high Canadian dollar, is why the industry is almost at a standstill.

I say almost, because you haven’t sacrificed yourself as lamb meat just yet. You still have the power to create within this industry, what you want out of it. In another twist of irony, since you’re not working as much, you theoretically have more time to create your own work. And time to write your MLA about how the lack of a competitive tax credit affects your livelihood. And maybe even time to keep updated on CRTC hearings.

What else can you do? Stuart Aikins likened surviving our industry’s present ‘illness’ to taking measures to protect yourself from H1N1. His advice. Sneeze into your sleeve. If you can adapt to sneeze into your sleeve to protect yourself from H1N1, then you can adapt to survive in this industry, because that’s what you’re going to have to do to survive it, adapt. And the crowd applaused.

I’ll leave you with that. And a suggestion for you to read the poem, Mutability by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

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A note to mention that 100% of the proceeds from The Insiders event went to benefit PAL, Performing Arts Lodge Vancouver.

All photos by Dean Buscher – specializing in unit stills and actor headshots to the film and entertainment industry in Vancouver.

BC Arts Cuts PSA

Kenji Maeda — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:37:02 +0000

The issue with the BC Arts Cuts is still upon us. Check out the links and videos below and find out how you can support the cause for our community of artists.

Stop BC Arts Cuts www.stopbcartscuts.ca

Grey Square – www.greysquare.ca

The Wrecking Ball event, November 23 – www.stopbcartscuts.ca/thewreckingball.html