Workshops 2011

WORKSHOP A with SARAH  ELIZABETH                                                                                                      ROOM
3rd Degree Burns Make-up Workshop

As an actor you will inevitably end up in the make-up artist’s chair but did you ever wonder how they make those burns on Film/TV/Stage look so realistic?   You’ll be hot stuff after this interactive workshop where we will show you how to create and color a 3rd degree burn. Leave with both a handout and your own 3rd degree burn. Now that’s hot!

 
Sarah Elizabeth, a professional makeup artist, is a grad with honors from Vancouver Film School's Makeup for Film & TV program. She currently works on set with various projects both in beauty and effects makeup. Sarah has a background in visual art and theater and loves sharing her passion with others. The best thing in the world is to love what you do and to be able to create every day!

WORKSHOP B with SARA MACINTYRE (15)                                                                                                      ROOM

Creative Directing

The Director’s job is to bring a theme, tone, and creative approach to a film or theatre project. These elements determine choices about lighting, wardrobe, locations, blocking, casting and what the audience sees. Learn how to take a story or script, pull out the visual and emotional elements that are indicated in the writing, and add your own unique ideas to the project. We’ll take a look at different genres and learn tools for telling your version of the story with a camera or on stage. Students are encouraged to bring digital still cameras (smart phones or digital point & shoots will work best).

Sara McIntyre has enjoyed successful careers as a Casting Director and Communications Specialist, producing a script reading series, and serving as President of Women in Film & Television Vancouver. As a feature film director, her debut project “Two Indians Talking” was awarded the People’s Choice for Most Popular Canadian Film at the 2010 Vancouver International Film Festival. Sara believes that storytelling is the single most powerful tool for creating a future worth living in.

WORKSHOP C with SCOTT SWAN                                                                                                                    ROOM  
From Impulse to Action: Scene Work
The actor will become more present in the work by learning to trust their ability to retain the text and focus more completely on the given circumstances.

This workshop will raise the actor's ability to be present on stage and in front of the camera . By exploring a series of text retention and listening exercises which free the participants concentration from the printed page and place it more appropriately on the partner, the external environment, and the inner landscape, the actor is free to listen more acutely and respond with more simplicity and authenticity.

Scott Swan has been a theatre director and teacher for over thirty years, winning numerous awards for his work. He was the Founding Artistic Director of Northern Light Theatre in Edmonton and the Artistic Director of Festival Lennoxville in Quebec. Select directing engagements include: The National Arts Centre, the Shaw Festival, the Vancouver Playhouse, and Bard on the Beach. Scott has had two shows optioned for Broadway, served as a National Radio Drama Producer for CBC, and has numerous stage and television credits. For the past seventeen years he has been the Head Teacher of his own acting studio, Seacoast Studios. Scott’s former students work professionally in both Canada and the U.S., and have been accepted to highly acclaimed theatre programmes world-wide. www.seacoasttheatrecentre.com 

WORKSHOP D with EMILY HENNEY                                                                                    ROOM 3260 (Dance Studio)Unmaking the Artist Within
In this workshop, we will be exploring physical movement with the use of neutral masks. You will be introduced to simple dance and movement choreography along with some basic mask techniques. As a group, we will dive into physical storytelling with musical accompaniment. 
 
Emily Henney is currently a student herself, studying at the nationally acclaimed Studio 58 at Langara College. She has explored the art of dance for over 19 years and has studied with performers/choreographers from the likes of the Arts Club and Theatre Under the Stars. She was a hip-hop and pre-school ballet teacher at Stage One Centre for the Performing Arts, and was the first teacher to teach at Westside Dance Centre in Kitsilano. Emily has been personally recognized for her choreography from Peak Dance Festival and Dance Power. She is trained in the arts of classical ballet, hip-hop, musical theatre, lyrical, jazz and tap. Her acting credits include TEN LOST YEARS and LOVE AND DREAMING (Seacoast Theatre Centre), as well as LOOSE ENDS and TOP GIRLS (Douglas College). Emily is thrilled to be getting back to her dance roots and she would like to thank Yvette for the wonderful opportunity!

WORKSHOP E with ALLAN LYSELL                                                                                                                   ROOM 4360
Balls, Balls, Balls                                                                                               
An experiential workshop that combines ball-play, text, and character in one, high-energy, ensemble event.  Participants need to be dressed comfortably and ready to play in either bare feet or soft shoes with some support (sneakers).  Ensemble building is a natural element of ball-play but the event of combining text and character to ball-play is also invigorating and informative for actors.  Useful as a rehearsal tool or as an element of cast/crew warm-ups, this is a quick, challenging experience that focuses the mind and the body.
 
Allan Lysell is the Coordinator of the Theatre Department at Douglas College.  He has directed numerous productions at Douglas including: DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN, OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD, ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION,  MARINER, LOVE’S FIRE, NORTH SHORE FISH, BRECHT ON BRECHT, TEN NOVEMBER, and TWELVE ANGRY WOMEN.  Allan teaches Acting and Production at Douglas College and has taught numerous acting and directing workshops throughout BC and Alberta.  He has adjudicated zone festivals for Theatre BC and developed curricula for Drama Education in the BC Secondary School system.  Allan is a professional actor, director, and writer in theatre, television, radio and film.  His stage appearances include shows at the Vancouver Playhouse, the Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver, The National Arts Centre, Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre, and numerous productions with the company he co-founded: Northern Light Theatre in Edmonton.  Recent film and television credits include THE GUARD, STARGATE SG-1, COLD SQUAD, and the feature film WAR.  Some may recall ancient tv series that he appeared in including MACGYVER, 21 JUMP STREET, and THE BEACHCOMBERS.    

WORKSHOP F with DAVID McCORMICK                                                                                ROOM STUDIO THEATRE 
Stage Combat & Sword Fighting  
To perform fights on stage, there are two elements: performer safety and the illusion of violence. When you want to look like you’re trying to kill someone, it’s a bad idea to improvise. The fight looks awful and people get hurt.  In this intensive workshop, we’ll cover the basics of stage combat, including:
Slaps   Punches   Hair Pulls   Chokes  Sword attacks and evasions   Wounds and death

All of these are safe for every student, and exciting for the audience.
Wear comfortable clothing, bring a water bottle and a light/thin pair of gloves 


David McCormick is the Head Instructor of Stage Combat at Academie Duello in Vancouver. For over 10 years, he has studied and performed theatrical violence through Fight Directors Canada, primarily at Rapier Wit in Toronto, the oldest continuously running stage combat school in Canada. http://www.academieduello.com/



WORKSHOP G ON LOCATION AT THE VANCOUVER CIRCUS SCHOOL 810 Quayside Drive
Circus! Circus!  Introduction to Circus Arts  (NEXT TO THE HOTEL IN THE RIVER MARKET - 2nd Floor)
Ever wished you could run away and join the circus, if even for just an hour? It’s not too late! The Vancouver Circus School is pleased to offer an introductory workshop that is sure to be as innovative and challenging as it is unforgettably fun!  This workshop will include trampoline, aerial arts, and ground level skills such as juggling or acrobalance. Partake in this workshop and tap into your inner circus artist and experience the thrill of these most remarkable and exhilarating art forms!

Travis Johnson was simply born into the world of circus and trampoline. By the age of 12 he was an accomplished trampolinist whose energy and enthusiasm assisted numerous trampoline displays and events as part of the family business. Travis is a Level 3 Certified trampoline coach, and has been in the coaching industry for over 16yrs.
Brandon Miyazaki Prior to joining the Vancouver Circus School in 2008, Brandon Miyazaki was a competitive figure skater for more than 10 years. After taking a variety of classes as a student, he was taken on as an instructor and is now the Head of Department for Aerial Arts. Brandon is also a resident performer for the Inner Ring Circus, the professional division of the Vancouver Circus School. He specializes in a multitude of disciplines including Aerial Hoop, Aerial Silk, and Trapeze.
Meregon Kiddo was one of the very first students to join the Vancouver Circus School when it was in its infancy in 2005. She progressed rapidly from student, to instructor and performer, and is now the Head of Department for Aerial Silks at the Vancouver Circus School and resident aerial silk performer for its professional division, the Inner Ring.
Nigel Wakita has been involved with Circus Arts since 1998. His curiosity for the depth in seemingly simple apparatus has continued to fuel his passion for cognitive gymnastics and desk-less learning. He obtained his Theatre and Education degree at Simon Fraser University and now works as the Director of Recreational Education and Head of Department for Unicycling, Juggling and Prop Manipulation at the Vancouver Circus School. Nigel asks you to consider that a dropped juggling ball is not a mistake, but an opportunity for learning.  http://www.vancouvercircusschool.ca/ 


WORKSHOP H with JORDAN DOWLER-COLTMAN                                                                                      ROOM
Film Set Etiquette & Expertise
An introduction to film language and the visual tools of acting on screen. Learn the tools of film and its visual language. Looking at how to light a subject for the camera, how to block for the camera, and a look at how the lens sees the subject. This workshop is geared towards actors and aspiring filmmakers alike. The tools learned will help with understanding how to perform for camera, and how to make your work look more professional. 

Jordan Dowler-Coltman was born in Edmonton Alberta, and began his artistic career on stage and in the dance studio. His love of storytelling brought him to film and he is now a practicing filmmaker based in Edmonton and Vancouver. His first work was the short Passenger Seat (2008).  Jordan has also written and co-directed two feature films: Algorithms (2010) and his newest work Silhouette (2011).  In 2010 Jordan launched Skyward Motion Pictures, with long time collaborator and friend David Kelso. Skyward is a non-profit film company dedicated to creating Canadian content and encouraging and assisting other young filmmakers. Jordan is currently a candidate for a BFA from Emily Carr University. http://skywardmotionpictures.com


WORKSHOP I with DANIKA DINSMORE                                                                                                     ROOM
Spontaneous Spokenword Soundscapes
In this workshop we will explore the art of spokenword performance! From spontaneous writing exercises and language games, we will create multiple-voiced soundscapes, playing with rhythm, dynamics, and layering techniques. Use your voice as an instrument, mixing and remixing sound and word.

Danika Dinsmore has been working and playing as a writer and spokenword artist for almost twenty years. She co-created Washington State’s first youth poetry slam and produced the Seattle Poetry Festival’s Emerging Voice spokenword program for teens. She has taught spokenword performance and creative writing for Learning Through the Arts, Vancouver Film School, Capilano University, and Creative Writing for Children. In 2005, she turned her attention to her children’s fantasy adventure series. The first novel in the series, Brigitta of the White Forest, was released in March 2011. Her awards include the Washington State Poets Association award for Performance Poetry and the “Best Fresh Voice” Screenwriting Award from the Female Eye Film Festival.

WORKSHOP J with KELLY PHILLIPS (SATURDAY ONLY)
Prop Making : Break Away Beer Bottle
Learn the steps to making a safe alternative to breaking glass in a theatrical setting. Walking through the steps, find out how easy it is to make your own break away beer bottle! An important skill in any props person’s repertoire!

Kelly Phillips  has been enjoying his new position as the props and paint supervisor at the very college he attended. From freelance technical work around Vancouver, Set design, and a long foray into the world of production lighting, Kelly has settled in nicely to the Stagecraft team at Douglas College. Kelly has enjoyed helping students through the rigors of putting on a professional play from the props and scenic paint standpoint.