This is a reminder for all performers that for all projects you might get involved with, especially those that seem "too good to be true" or unusually generous, you should do your due diligence to ensure your safety -- physical, financial, and with your personal information.

We've received over a dozen reports about a project which had "hired" actors, with no phone or video meetings and based only on their headshots, with the expectation that they would be paid nearly $9,000 plus travel expenses. 

The payment was intended to be with cash along with a pre-paid credit card to pay for wardrobe.

At least one performer provided their passport information.

The person(s) behind this project also registered a domain name and created a multi-page website, and provided contracts which made their company seemingly more legitimate. 

While the most recent reports are for a commercial produced by Sweet Delight Pictures (please note: there are companies with the same/similar name that are legitimate), this is a reminder that the greatest asset to any performer is to take a breath, don't let your excitement of being hired take over your judgement, seek answers to questions, ask trusted colleagues for advice, be informed about your decisions, and take care of each other. Be extra mindful when asked about your Social Insurance Number, passport, and any financial details. 

Trusted colleagues may include, but not limited to your agent, an acting teacher, the Union of BC Performers / ACTRA, other actors in the industry, or family, friends and others who have some level of understanding of the industry. 

You may also reach out to us at [email protected] with questions or concerns about specific projects you might involve yourself with, and we will do our best to support you.

Kenji Maeda

CEO, Production Heads Network Inc.

ACTORS CALL FOR CHANGE IN CASTING BUSINESS AS DOZENS ALLEGE FORMER TALENT AGENCY WITHHELD PAYMENTS
After months of working on sets filming TV shows, commercials and voice over work, dozens of Toronto actors say they have been left without pay. The actors are not putting the blame on production companies, but their talent agency: Compass Artist Management, claiming the money has been withheld.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/actors-call-for-change-in-casting-business-as-dozens-allege-former-talent-agency-withheld-payments-1.6131138

AIR CANADA CALLED OUT FOR LOSING MILLION-DOLLAR PACKAGE FOR A MOVIE SHOOT
Amanda Verhagen, founder of Vancouver-based production company Notable Content, came out of her two-year-long Twitter hiatus on Saturday to share her frustrations with the airline. “Came back on Twitter because [Air Canada] lost our MILLION DOLLAR camera package for our feature film and is doing nothing to find it,” she tweeted. “We shoot Monday.”
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/air-canada-lost-million-dollar-package

WE DESERVE TO WORK: SELF-ADVOCATES BRING PLAY TO NEW WESTMINSTER
The play is by the same team of self-advocates and theatre artists that created Romance, Relationships and Rights in 2019. The self-advocates, supported by the Community Living Society, Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship, and Massey Theatre, are now shining a spotlight on the world of work — and the obstacles people with disabilities encounter on the job.
https://www.newwestrecord.ca/local-news/we-deserve-to-work-self-advocates-bring-play-to-new-westminster-6013687

ACTRA MANITOBA AWARDS MOVE TO NON-GENDERED CATEGORIES TO HONOUR MORE PERFORMERS
After consulting with its members and the community, ACTRA has made one change to its awards for this year. Giving single awards in gendered "outstanding female performance" and "outstanding male performance" categories felt unfair, and the new award system is a way to acknowledge as many Manitobans as possible.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/actra-manitoba-2022-1.6626178

THE EXTREMELY CANADIAN MEDIA THAT OTTAWA DOESN'T CONSIDER CANCON
The Walt Disney Corporation is currently lobbying the federal government to consider classifying the film Turning Red as Canadian content. The animated film takes place in Toronto, it’s directed by a Canadian and it stars a heavily Canadian cast, including actress Sandra Oh. But as per the official rules that designate Canadian content, it’s not technically Canadian.
https://edmontonjournal.com/news/extremely-canadian-media-that-ottawa-doesnt-consider-cancon/wcm/fb3755ff-58f7-4605-8d7c-37d1301c73de

WHY MOVIES SET IN SEATTLE ARE FILMED IN CANADA, AND HOW THE CITY WANTS TO CHANGE THAT
Over the past couple of decades, Vancouver, BC, has slowly become Seattle’s film and television stand-in, from the Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey films to Grey's Anatomy. This has amounted to a local industry “brain drain” and a drying up of economic opportunity for filmmakers in the Seattle area. But if recent developments are any indication, this trend could begin to reverse.
https://movieweb.com/why-are-films-set-in-seattle-filmed-in-canada/

STUDY: DIVERSITY IN TV CASTING INCREASING, MORE LEAD ROLES FOR WOMEN
A new UCLA report found an uptick in shows created by women and POC, but researchers see signs that could predict a drop in gender and racial diversity on big-budget shows.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ucla-hollywood-diversity-report-tv-2022-1235249634/

CANADA’S MONGREL MEDIA PROMOTES ANDREW FRANK TO CO-PRESIDENT
In the new role, Frank will handle all sales — including those for Mongrel International — and acquisitions. He will also executive produce all Canadian films distributed by Mongrel. Frank has been with the company for 16 years and most recently held the title of VP sales and acquisitions. 
https://variety.com/2022/film/global/mongrel-media-promotes-andrew-frank-1235416128/

SOLILOQUIES: WHAT TO DO WITHOUT A SCENE PARTNER
Soliloquies and monologues can easily come off as self-indulgent and inorganic. It’s undeniably challenging, as most of us don’t go about our daily life speaking aloud for paragraphs on end to an empty room. So how to avoid that and keep it feeling real in an unrealistic setting?
https://www.castingnetworks.com/news/soliloquies-what-to-do-without-a-scene-partner/

PROJECT CREATORS: HERE’S WHO TO RELEASE YOUR PROJECTS TO
Keep in mind that when casting outside of your country, hiring talent can be more challenging because they may need a work visa. Here’s how you can release your project to the right actors in the right areas for the best results.
https://www.castingnetworks.com/news/project-creators-heres-who-to-release-your-projects-to/

JONATHAN MAJORS EXPLAINS HOW TO CONQUER YOUR ACTING CAREER: ‘IT’S OK TO CARE’
“Sometimes, there’s this devil-may-care attitude: ‘I’ll get to it when I get to it.’ The truth of the matter is, you care more about this thing than anything else in the world, and it scares you to death. You can act cool about it, [but] I don’t act cool about it at all. It is what I love the most.” 
https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/jonathan-majors-podcast-interview-kang-creed-3-75664/

GUN HANDLING & MANIPULATION CLASSES
If you are an actor, stunt or BG performer who would like to learn how to handle a gun safely, be confident and look like a pro on camera with a gun, this class is for you. You will learn gun safety, the correct grip, stance, movement and positions while doing a lot of practice with prop guns.
These 3-hour classes are being held in Vancouver. $79 plus GST per person.
The schedule of our upcoming classes can be viewed here: www.specialskillsformovies.com/classes
We have 3 available spots left for Saturday November 12th from 2pm to 5pm.
Contact: [email protected]

DIALECT COACHING - TONY ALCANTAR & ASSOCIATES
L.A. producers trust Tony with their biggest shows & stars: Oscar winners Mel Gibson, Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton, Sam Rockwell, Emmy winner Martin Freeman plus Vince Vaughn, Joel Edgerton, Bob Odenkirk, Nathan Fillion, Stellan Skarsgard...FARGO, SHOGUN, LOST OLLIE, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, MANY MORE!
* Teaching since 1989, Tony is Vancouver's #1 dialect coach recommended by agents and casting directors. Learn with confidence and book that role!
Contact: 604-418-1192 or [email protected]
www.tonyalcantar.com

BIZ STUDIO: PROFESSIONAL FILM+TV ACTING CLASSES FOR KIDS+TEENS
Online or In-Person
Biz Studio has a twenty-year track record of training young actors who work regularly in film and television.
Our classes offer double the focused 1:1 time of any other school. Each class takes a maximum of six students, and each student also gets 30min of private coaching each week to help prep for class. This is the place for young actors ready to take their work to the next level!
https://www.bizstudio.ca/classes

RAILTOWN ACTORS STUDIO
Fall 2022 classes are open for registration. All classes are in person with safety protocols in place.
New to us? Click here: https://railtownactors.com/interview
* Acting on Film classes with John Cassini
* Scene Study classes with Edward Foy, Frank Cassini, Jennifer Copping and Brian Markinson
* Actors Instrument work 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!

THE DRAMA CLASS: THE SKILLS WORKSHOP SERIES
The Drama Class is proud to present an exciting series of workshops perfect for the fall! Work
on your acting craft and career skills with Catherine Lough Haggquist, Bronwen Smith, Joh
Prowse, Laine MacNeil and Lynda MacNeil in the Skills Workshop Series! Each workshop will
focus on different skills such as conquering one-liners, camera techniques,
hair/makeup/wardrobe, and more! You can take one workshop at a time or save $30 for all six
by purchasing the “Skills Workshop Series Package”!
First workshop Nov 7th, 7pm-8:30pm via zoom
Click here for workshop details: www.thedramaclass.com/skills-series
Click here to start some drama: www.thedramaclass.com

VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
November 3 - 13
VAFF is back celebrating its 26th year with 98 films featuring the talents of many Asian North-American and Asian Canadian filmmakers. The festival includes a hybrid of in-theatre and virtual events.
https://vaff.org

VANCOUVER HORROR SHOW
November 5 - 8
In 2022 the VHS is back in the theatre for our biggest season yet with three feature presentations and 36 shorts films over three days at theatres across Vancouver.
https://www.vancouverhorrorshow.com/vhs-2022-live-event-program

THE CHUTZPAH! FESTIVAL 2022
November 3 - 24
The Chutzpah! Festival returns with an exciting and dynamic lineup of performances, presenting music, theatre, comedy, dance and multimedia arts, connecting communities and celebrating the vibrancy of our stories.
https://chutzpahfestival.com

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE HEART OF THE CITY FESTIVAL
On now until November 6
Guided by this year’s festival theme, Community Is Our Mentor, the festival will focus on listening and learning from the lived wisdom and cultural practices of Downtown Eastside community organizations, artists and ancestors; and engaging the transformative power of story, song, music, film, theatre, dance, visual arts and ceremony to illuminate pathways of resistance and resilience.
https://www.heartofthecityfestival.com

SH*TS N GIGGLES: VANCOUVER'S REAL RUN N GUN FILM COMPETITION
November 9 & 11
Join us for three screenings of over 40 films: The Short Sh*ts; The Dark Sh*ts; and The Good Sh*t: Finals Show.
https://www.rngfest.com/sng

FESTIVAL OF RECORDED MOVEMENT
November 18 - 26
The 7th annual F-O-R-M festival includes 29 short films from 7 countries, 16 world premieres from 11 youth and emerging commissioned artists, along with public screens, FORMations, technology and interaction, workshops and more.
https://www.f-o-r-m.ca

Vancouver Actor's Guide
[email protected]
www.vancouveractorsguide.com

At Production Heads Network Inc, we acknowledge that our company is based on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.