ACTRA Toronto's Winter - MEMBERS' CONFERENCE

ACTRA Toronto’s Winter
                     MEMBERS’ CONFERENCE
                           February 20 to 22, 2019

HOW TO REGISTER
  • the fastest way to register is online: www.actratoronto.com
  • by fax (416) 928-0429
  • or drop off your workshop choices at ACTRA Toronto, 625 Church St., 1st floor

Please register by February 18, 2019
All workshops and master classes are subject to change.
The conference is FREE to ACTRA Toronto members who register.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A MASTER CLASS
  • We encourage members to submit using their ACTRAonline.ca profile
  • Participants should apply at www.actratoronto.com with your photo and résumé
     and any other requirements for that particular master class.
  • We encourage performers with disabilities to apply.

Master class participants must apply February 11, 2019

FREE ONSITE CHILDCARE IS AVAILABLE! Childcare will be provided by Improv Care. Please
visit our website to complete the registration form or call 416-642-6741 for more details.
Space is limited and will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis.

WINTER CONFERENCE – DAY ONE
                            Wednesday, February 20, 2019
      Ted Rogers School of Management (7th floor, 55 Dundas Street West, Ryerson)

8:30 am
Registration & Breakfast

9 to 10 am
TiP FILM SCREENINGS

Kick off the Conference with some coffee, breakfast, & a screening of a few selected TiP
films. Toronto Indie Production (TiP) is a micro-budget Canadian dramatic film production
program that cultivates and supports new and emerging Toronto filmmakers). Please
enter quietly.

10:15 am to 5:30 pm
24-HOUR CO-OP CHALLENGE

Theme: JUST SHOOT!

Bring a team or build a team.

This is your opportunity to create something for YOU on your reel. This year we want to
encourage as many of you as possible to JUST SHOOT. Be it a short scene or film, we are
enthusiastically challenging you to write, shoot, edit, score and submit your project (up to
5 minutes) in 24 hours. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table when you are the
creator and star of your own story.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WORKSHOP IS A FULL-DAY COMMITMENT.

10:15 am to Noon
(1) AUDITIONING FOR VIDEO GAMES

Join Casting Consultant and former Casting Specialist at Ubisoft Montreal, Chris Hidalgo,
and Video Game Performer and MoCapU founder, Ivan Sherry, to learn about auditioning
for Performance Capture in video games. This will include demonstrations, an industry
discussion, and a Q&A.

(2) MEDIA DECODED: TAKING YOUR SCREENWRITING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

In this workshop, participants will learn how to analyze what they see onscreen in order to
create better projects themselves. After ‘decoding’ indie and Hollywood hits, participants
will learn how to apply this knowledge to their own projects. A must-do for anyone looking
to create their own work!

Host: Amanda Joy (Creator, executive producer, and star of Citytv’s Second Jen)

(3) HOW TO BE TAX TIME READY

Join entertainment tax expert Brian Borts to learn about deductible expenses and keeping
the CRA from having their way with you. Other topics will include: new compliance issues
recently initiated by the CRA, US tax law affecting green card holders and dual citizens and
RRSP’s relationships between unions and their members.

12:15 to 1:15 pm
LUNCH WITH A LEGEND: JAYNE EASTWOOD

Join 2019 Award of Excellence recipient Jayne Eastwood for stories, laughs and lunch. From
her 1970 breakout performance in Goin’ Down the Road to lobbying for ACTRA in Ottawa,
Jayne has not stopped making fans. Here’s a chance to see why in person. Host David Gale
promises to serve up some tasty questions.

1:30 to 3:15 pm
(1) HOW TO HELP SOMEONE IN CRISIS

This session will give you the skills and tools to respond in a compassionate, healthy way
to someone facing difficult challenges—whether they’re dealing with mental health issues,
finances, abuse or emotional struggles. You will also receive information on accessible
resources that could make all the difference in a crisis.

Host: Victoria Shen (Special Advisor, ACTRA Toronto)
Panellists: Elaine Amsterdam (Gerstein Crisis Centre), Christine Rossi-Wright, BEd, MSW,
RSW (The AFC), Margaret Arnason (Assaulted Women's Helpline)

(2) STUNT BASICS FOR PERFORMERS IN EVERY WORK CATEGORY

Has a director ever told you to be more aggressive? Have you ever had a stunt double, but
had no idea how to help them? Are you interested in learning a few basic stunts or even in
training to pursue a career in stunts? The world of stunts is filled with many interesting
scenarios—some small, some explosive! Let an amazing team of stunt coordinators and
performers start you on your journey.

Lead instructor: Dan Iaboni
Instructors: Alicia Turner, Jennifer Murray, Neil Adams, Geoff Meech, Anita Nittoly

(3) SCREENING OF “THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING”/PANEL: WOMEN OF THE CANADIAN
SCREEN INDUSTRY *(1:30-5:30)

Industry veterans Jill Golick (ED Women in View) Rita Shelton Deverell (ACTRA 2018 Woman
of the Year) and Ferne Downey (FIA President) discuss Canadian film within a feminist
context. This follows a screening of 2018 TIFF hit “This Changes Everything” by Tom
Donahue. Through the voices of marquee celebrities, including Geena Davis, Meryl Streep,
Sandra Oh, Jessica Chastain, and many other ambassadors of the #TimesUp movement,
the documentary confirms a systemic culture of misogyny, and demands change and
accountability in our industry.

*Note: this session is a double session and will not necessarily break right at 3:15pm.

(4) ACT YOUR AGE (AYA) MASTERCLASS: SENIORS AUDITIONING WITH DYNAMIC
PRESENCE

The skills learned in this masterclass workshop with Casting Director Jesse Griffiths will
help senior performers to confidently bring their dynamic personal presence and ‘voice’ to
every audition. Participants will prepare a one-page scene, ‘audition’ with a reader in a live
session and receive valuable coaching and direction to take their work to the next exciting
level.

Participants will be pre-selected. Please see MASTER CLASS application details.

3:30 to 5:30 pm
(1) CASTING WORKBOOK BASICS, EASY SELF-TAPES FROM HOME, YOUR BRAND AND
SOCIAL MEDIA

This will be a fast-paced and lively 2 hour discussion with topics that include, Choosing and
Sharing Your Online Materials; Setting Up Open Breakdown Notifications; Seeing What
Agents and Casting Directors See; Shooting Self Tapes at Home; and "Industry Questions
from The Floor". Host Glenn Douglas Hall (ACTRA member) is Casting Workbook’s Director
of Educational Outreach and has 35 years of industry experience.

Contact Glenn Douglas Hall on Facebook (or glenn@castingworkbook.com) to send him
your questions in advance.

(2) OUT IN THE BIZ—AN ALL-OUT INDUSTRY PANEL

outACTRAto, ACTRA Toronto’s LGBTQ+ Committee, presents an all-out industry panel
including award-winning screenwriters, casting agents, actors and producers. These
influencers will share their insights, what they are working on, how they cast, and discuss
what we all must do to change the culture in our biz in order to accurately tell queer
stories.

Host: Teresa Pavlinek (Actor/Writer)
Panellists: Andrew Cheng (Writer/Actor), Marjorie Lecker (Casting Director), Aaron Martin
(Showrunner, Writer, Producer), Christopher Richards (Casting Director)

(3) SCREENING “THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING”/PANEL: WOMEN OF THE CANADIAN
SCREEN INDUSTRY CONT’D *(1:30-5:30)

See earlier description.
*Note: this session is a double session and will not necessarily break at 3:15pm.

(4) CALL TIME TO WRAP TIME: CONFLICT RESOLUTION – REEL LIFE AND REAL LIFE

Every great story is built on conflict and resolution, so flex your professional muscles and
build your skill set! You will develop excellent approaches to conflict on-camera, in
Background Holding and beyond; and this workshop will help you be a better team player
and creative partner. We all have a ROLE to play in conflict resolution on and off camera!

Host: Shereen Airth (Background Advocate, Councillor, OSLO)
Panellists: Niki Landau (Mediator and ACTRA Member), Angelica Alejandro (Respect on Set
Instructor, OSLO, Facilitator)

(5) ADVANCED FINANCIAL LITERACY

As an actor, you are the CEO of your own business, so it’s important to understand
different categories of wealth management, as well as key financial planning techniques.
In this interactive and educational session, you will learn how to take control of your
financial affairs with confidence.

Host: Terry Kalkanis, founder of Sebright Capital Advisors Ltd

WINTER CONFERENCE – DAY TWO
                             Thursday, February 21, 2019
      Ted Rogers School of Management (7th floor, 55 Dundas Street West, Ryerson)

9 am
Registration & Breakfast

9:45 to 11:45 am
(1) CAREER SUSTAINABILITY & LONGEVITY

Join some of Canada’s hardest working actors for a vital conversation on what it means to
have a sustainable career in this unpredictable business—and how to balance the
demands of being on set with the rest of life.

Host: Jess Salgueiro (TIFF Rising Star, Workin’ Moms, Mouthpiece)
Panellists: Nicola Correia-Damude (Shadowhunters, Burden of Truth), Callum Keith Rennie
(Jessica Jones, Impulse), Jean Yoon (Kim's Convenience, Street Legal), Angela Asher (Bad
Blood, Hard Rock Medical), Julian Richings (Patriot, 12 Monkeys)

(2) IMPROV FOR ACTORS WITH SECOND CITY

Improv for Actors is a professional level class that has been designed for the working
professional actor. We cover the fundamental skills needed to become an effective
Improviser. We also discuss tiebacks to scripted performance. This session introduces the
participant to the Viola Spolin methodology of Improvisational theatre as developed by
the world famous Second City Theatre. You probably know a Second City Alumni and you
know that they get the gig!

Hosted by Second City Instructor Kevin Whelan.

(3) MASTERCLASS WITH MICHAEL GORDIN SHORE: HOW TO NAIL YOUR AUDITION
AND BOOK WORK

Fine tune your technical game with Michael Gordin Shore, “One of Canada’s Top Audition
Coaches”. As an actor Michael has booked 18 jobs in the last 3 years. His clients have
booked hundreds including leads in Kim’s Convenience, People of Earth, Blood and Water,
and Magic Schoolbus. Let Michael show you how to Be Comfortable On The Mark, Own
The Room, and Get-CAST. Facebook: Michael Gordin Shore; Twitter and Instagram:
@michaelgshore

Host: Angelica Alejandro

Participants will be pre-selected. Please see MASTER CLASS application details.

(4) MASTER CLASS WITH FILM & TV DIRECTOR, WINNIFRED JONG

Here’s a chance to get up and work with award-winning TV & Film Director Winnifred Jong
(Frankie Drake Mysteries, Coroner, and upcoming: Nurses). Winnifred will direct actors in
scenes she directed and will give valuable, practical tips on how to prepare, how to
audition, and how to hit a home-run in the big leagues. We can’t wait for this powerful
voice to share her knowledge and expertise with our ACTRA members.

Hosts: Samora Smallwood and Lisa Michelle Cornelius (ACTRA Diversity Co-Chairs)

Participants will be pre-selected. Please see MASTER CLASS application details.

Noon to 1:00 pm
Lunch courtesy of ACTRA Toronto

1:15 to 3:15 pm
ACTRA TORONTO’S AGM

ACTRA Toronto’s Operating Plan & Budget
CO-OP Film Screening
DOOR PRIZES!!

3:30 to 5:30 pm
(1) WORKING ACTORS WORKING WITH ACTORS MASTERCLASS

The Art Of Auditioning And The Self Tape

With over 60 years combined experience, Angela Asher (Bad Blood, Workin' Moms, Hard
Rock Medical), PJ Lazic (Far Cry 5, Designated Survivor, Salvation) and Dan Fox (Shoot the
Messenger, Guidestones, Degrassi) will lead you through a dynamic masterclass based on
the principles of their weekend workshops entitled “Working Actors Working With Actors“.

“Our goal is to empower the actor to sit in their authenticity by developing their own
unique qualities in a bold, fearless and truthful way so that they become a professional
auditioner and working actor.”

Four participants will be pre-selected. Please see MASTER CLASS application details.

(2) AUDIOBOOK AUDITIONS & PRODUCTION

Through simulated production sessions and demo reel reviews, learn tips and tools for
achieving competitive narration reads in the rigours of studio sessions, and how to handle
audition redirects. With guest David Caron, ECW Press Co-Publisher, and led by Narrator-
Producer Braden Wright.

(3) STUNT WOMEN: INCREDIBLE STORIES FROM FEMALE STUNT PERFORMERS AND
COORDINATORS

Join us for stories from some incredibly accomplished professional female Stunt
Performers and Coordinators. Hear what it takes to be like one of Hollywood’s leading
ladies, but wearing a wig, filmed from the back, in soft focus, and falling off a building
after being set on fire! You do NOT want to miss this!

Presented by the ACTRA Toronto Women’s Stunt Committee
Host: Devon Slack
Panellists: Shelley Cook, Liise Keeling, Sue Parker, Alison Reid, MaryAnn Stevens

(4) HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN WORK

Take your career into your own hands by creating your own work! Learn how to write, film
and edit your own stories, and how to avoid the pitfalls of film production with a panel of
experts.

Host: Rebecca Singh
Panellists: Brennan Martin, Melissa D’Agostino, Aris Tyros, Katie Uhlmann

(5) IPA & NCA 101

Familiarity with our contracts is no small matter. Given the scope of agreements covering
our many categories of employment, it requires a level of commitment that can be
daunting to even the most experienced members. In this workshop, your ACTRA Toronto
staff will provide some of the basics. There may even be prizes!

5:30 to 7:30 pm

RECEPTION

WINTER CONFERENCE – DAY THREE
                              Friday, February 22, 2019
                   ACTRA Toronto Offices (2nd Floor, 625 Church Street)

9:30 am to 1:00 pm
AABP STRONG ***PLEASE NOTE THIS SESSION IS FOR AABP MEMBERS ONLY

Your AABP caucus invites AABP members to a special "Promote Yourself" information
session highlighting how to use the ACTRAonline.ca to increase work opportunities and
promote yourself to casting directors and producers. Bring your mobile, laptop, or tablet
as our ACTRA Toronto staff showcase the site and answer your questions. The morning
starts with an AABP Caucus Meeting and ends with a buffet style lunch.