It's been a while since I've been to an acting class and when I was in Vancouver visiting I dropped into my old haunt, at Shea Hampton's studio. Seeing my lovely friends definitely made me nostalgic to the days of being a thespian, it also made me realize many things from the new perspective of a writer/director.

As a filmmaker it is your responsibility to make sure cast and crew cooperate,  even if you have an amazing script/cinematographer/etc, your film can flounder if there is no teamwork.

Joss Whedon and really famous faces, on set.

1. Learning How to Work With Actors

There is a well known gap on film sets between the crew and the actors. Oftentimes I have found that resentment and tension can arise because of the misunderstanding between roles. Crew will complain about lazy actors and actors will complain about harsh directors.

This is why it is important for filmmakers to attend at least one acting class, to see how much heart and soul actors put into their craft. For filmmakers their craft is the camera, the shot, the story - for the actor, their craft is their emotional life and vulnerability. Two artists with two different tools, one with a camera, the other with their mind and body. 

Actors are actually cry-babies!

Attending an acting class allows you to witness how much work actors put, not only to memorizing their lines, but in getting to be vulnerable. On-set you're so busy prepping the lighting or directing the shot that you don't see how the actor spends their time getting emotionally prepped for a scene.

This is important especially if you're a technical director, it is important for you to go to a class to learn how to direct actors. The acting language can be the biggest barrier between an actor and their director. When the director tells the actor to "Look more sad" this will result in a lot of retakes.

An acting class will show you how actors respond best and how they actually aren't narcissists but sensitive artists that really want to please you!


2. Understanding Different Interpretations

Acting is interpreting the script, it is reading between the lines and responding to what happens in the scene. What makes an actor stand out is their interpretation of the story and character. A lot of the times this can be mistaken for bad acting.

Going to an acting class you can usually see numerous actors doing the same scene and how it changes from person to person. This is important to understand that each actor brings something of themselves to the character and some may be more suited than another. Their interpretation is what can make or break a role!
Seeing various takes from different actors on one scene can really open your eyes. Sometimes an actor will completely surprise you, whether it is with their looks/take on the character/speech!

Going to an acting class will keep your mind open to the possibilities a character and actor can offer, it will also make you realise that most actors aren't bad, their interpretation just didn't suit your vision. 


3. Auditions Are Terrifying

As I come from an acting background I understand the horrors and stress of auditions: the hours you spend pouring over a script or rehearsing with a friend, the money you spend to get an acting coach to assist, that shift you had to get covered at work... all to walk in a room for five minutes and be written off.

Having sat on both sides of the audition room I can identify with the terror of the actor as well as the exhaustion of the director/producer/casting director. Seeing numerous amounts of people a day butchering your script can put you on edge. But if you attend an acting class and see how passionate and for lack of a better word, desperate, actors are you would actually feel more empathy towards them.

After all, they spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on acting training/headshots/submissions, just so they could act in front of you for three minutes.

Lastly, you bridge the gap. 

Everyone on set wants to tell a compelling and authentic story, no one wants to be on a film that is ripped apart. Attending an acting class when you're a writer/director/crew member is an act of good faith, a helping hand to the other side of the camera. We all want to create something amazing and memorable, if you come to an acting class you could find your next muse or a fellow collaborator!

An example of great partnerships.

What makes a great filmmaker is not just their dolly shot or expensive equipment or groundbreaking script - it's their ability to lead a team to create a world where audiences can escape. Be a great and partner with your actors and crew! 

James Cameron is a household name, whether you're a fan or not, you've seen his films. Cameron made his mark with The Terminator (1984), following with the classic horror/sci-fi film,  Aliens (1986) - a personal favourite of mine. This is just the beginning of his career, what we attribute to him now is the development of 3D Technology for his epic, Avatar (2009). He was one of the co-developers of what Hollywood uses now for its 3D flicks. 

And of course, there's Titanic (1997). Not only is he the director of the two biggest films of all time, he is also a deep-sea explorer, producer, editor and environmentalist. 


Yesterday he did a Reddit - Ask Me Anything, one of the best public forums on the internet! Here are some highlights from the acclaimed filmmaker that I feel contain some great advice for aspiring creative types. 

Check out the full AMA here.

On Creativity and Filmmaking:

On the Future of Filmmaking:

On Working With Actors:

And just for fun: 

This weekend's biggest movie is Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Tons of large scale marketing along with the success of 2012's The Avengers guarantees that theaters will be packed this opening weekend.
In the 50's we had the Golden Age of Hollywood, with classic film stars taking over the world. I think when we look back at today we will remember it as the Age of the Superhumans. All the biggest blockbusters that have enchanted our world today deal with extraordinary humans facing large scale destruction. Maybe globalization has made us realize how small the world is and how fragile the balance is?

Anyways, getting back to Captain America - this movie does not disappoint! The Winter Soldier amps up the action, the stakes and the story. Superhero fare has never been better. Here's a sequel that doesn't suck and gives it's audience and fanbase a meaty story with great characters and themes. Big blockbusters with superheroes are no longer shoddily written Hollywood films, here there is depth, decent acting and a plot that will surprise you!

The Winter Soldier opens with a charming scene where we are reintroduced to Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and newcomer, veteran Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie).

The Captain is struggling with his role in the modern world and his role as a protector. Natasha Romanov (played by a scene-stealing Scarlett Johansson) quickly impedes on his self-reflection with a covert SHIELD operation that acts as the first toppling domino.

Following this first action filled scene we are brought to SHIELD headquarters where things are not as they seem. Who can you trust? Who is entitled to protect or spy on us? Is a big theme throughout this movie, which resounds with the audience in our day of social media transparency and the recent uncovering of the NSA.

Director Nick Fury is at the middle of this chaotic conspiracy. He has a much larger and meatier role in this film that really fulfills Samuel L. Jackson's screen presence. After a very impressive action scene involving Nick Fury and The Winter Soldier, we are taken on a mission with The Captain and Black Widow.

I don't want to spoil the rest of the movie for anyone but Marvel Studios has really outdone themselves. There is such a great balance of stunning action scenes paired with well written dialogue that does not exposition or monologue itself to death. I was definitely not expecting to enjoy it this much. Don't expect Marvel superhero films to die out anytime soon.

The Winter Soldier is not just a great sequel, it is a great bridge movie for the rest of the Marvel movies. They've opened up a can of worms for the Marvel Universe, make sure you stay around after the credits for one hell of a stinger.  It will make you wet your pants with excitement for The Avengers: Age of Ultron.

(B+) Tonight I caught the latest young-adult book adaptation blockbuster  - Divergent.

It's a thrilling post apocalyptic tale that was definitely picked up by studios to be the next "Hunger Games". With such comparisons to the global phenomenon of Katniss and crew so early on, Divergent has a tall order.

Does it live up? I'd say yes, it does. With a strong and charming cast, this dark and twisted adventure will take audiences on a ride. It's a long film (2hr28m) for the first installment and fits in quite a complicated plot. You've got all the ingredients; from family love, teen angst and identity crisis to initiation and near death experiences followed with a complicated series of tests and a hostile takeover.  I didn't even get to the end yet!


Tris (Shailene Woodley) lives in a future Chicago, walled off from a post-war torn world. She lives with her family in the faction of Abnegation, in this city everyone belongs to a faction and it defines you. Characteristics like being selfless and humble put you in Abnegation while being intelligent puts you in Eurdice and courage (often confused with recklessness) put you in Dauntless.

Tris is Divergent, someone who does not fit into just one faction. Her kind are dangerous to the carefully balanced society of conformity. Playing a wonderful villain is Kate Winslet, a hyper intelligent and cold woman who hunts down the divetgent. The film follows Tris' rollercoaster coming-of-age while uncovering dangerous politics and is a great journey for fans of escapism.

Highlights of this film are the cast and acting. I am a huge fan of Woodley and she holds her own in her first film franchise. Theo James plays opposite and the pair have incredible chemistry - also his shirt comes off and the ladies in my theater audibly enjoyed that. All of the Dauntless buddies (Zoe Kravitz, Jai Courtney, Maggie Q, Christian Madsen, Ben Lloyd-Hughes) make for great supporting cast.

The visuals are nice but nothing new or innovative, if you've seen a big budget film you'll recognize the attempt at the gritty indie look.

The weakness with this film is it's plot, perhaps the writer or director wanted to keep everything in from the book to appease fans. I'm not sure if I would have understood all of it if I had not read the books. Also, I'm not a fan of using current music in films like this, hearing Ellie Goulding belt out "High for This" just takes me out of the supposed dystopian universe.

All in all Divergent is worth a watch. The cast brings their A-Game and the story takes you in. Don't let me ruin it for you and
try to put aside comparisons to any other dystopian dramas with a strong female lead and enjoy this one!

I have moved away from Vancouver to start a new chapter in my life. The decision came from deciding to remove myself from distraction and to refocus on my career and priorities. I will be in a 'Writer Exile', spending time in Edmonton, AB to regroup with my family and rediscover what being an Artist means to me.

Now that we have all that superfluous, introductory catch-up talk done with, let's get to the meet of bones of what we are really here for: The Top 13 of 2013

These are my TOP FILMS of 2013, they can be Oscar Nominees, tear-jerkers, hilarious comedies or infamous book adaptations - either way they made my top list and here's why.

13. Ender's Game 

Another sci-fi book adaptation that I thoroughly enjoyed. You don't expect much out of big budget Hollywood movies with movie stars like Harrison Ford. What I saw was a fun adventure film with a young cast that really holds their own. If you've read the book, you know it can be a much darker and grittier film. The adaptation does a good job of keeping that element while still making it a PG13 blockbuster. 

Kudos to the young Asa Butterfield for a great performance! 

12.  Oblivion 

11. The Great Gatsby 

10. 12 Years a Slave

A jaw dropping and heartbreaking true story about Solomon Northup, I've already written about how much I loved this film here. 

9. This Is the End 

This is just my existential rambling, so let's see why I loved the Star Trek sequel.
It was another surprise! Sequels are seriously upping their game. Into Darkness definitely brought a new level to visual storytelling; the sequence where Noel Clarke's character agrees to terrorism in exchange for a cure for his daughter, all done with no dialogue, really captured my attention.

6. Rush 

Happy New Year, and here's wishing everyone good movies, inspiration and great opportunities for 2014. 

What I LOVE about this performance is that the song, "Do What U Want" is really about the media's portrayal/scrutiny on bodies (especially females). Whether it's 'she's too fat' or 'she's too thin' and that both Gaga and Christina (any public persona) have faced this and they stand together defying society's judgements on their bodies.

They also fight how the media portrays women: we can never be friends or stand together in solidarity but are constantly pitted against each other in cat fats or jealousy. 

Christina and Gaga have both been in the news for 'feuding' and what do they do? HOLD HANDS and show that women can work out their differences, SING their hearts out and have fun! WOO!

Wow! I just saw Disney's latest, "Frozen", and am blown away. This is one of the best films I've seen this year and it's animated!

Starring two sisters, Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel), Princesses of Arendelle embark on an epic journey to discover themselves and each other. Elsa was born with powers of snow and ice, the sisters are loving and close with each other until an accident scares Elsa of her powers. She shuts Anna out and the years go by, the sisters becoming strangers to each other.

On the day of Elsa's coronation she and Anna fight, Elsa then loses control of her powers, throwing Arendelle into an eternal winter. She runs off and in an amazing song sequence (above) she isolates herself.  Anna pairs with Kristoff, his reindeer Sven and a magical snowman, Olaf. The three journey to the North Mountain to save Arendelle from the snow.

Anna and Elsa.

Sounds like a conventional fairy tale by Disney, doesn't it?  But wait - "Frozen" will surprise you with it's twists, turns and witty writing. The film is full of laughs and heartfelt moments.

Why am I praising this movie so much? I've never left a theatre feeling so uplifted! Frozen has it all, romance, tricks, laughs, tears, family and friendship...

Anna and Elsa are the greatest female protagonists to happen to the genre. I want my little sister to grow up looking up to these fearless females! Anna, an eternal optimist, is a full character who is quirky, brave and shows compassion for those around her. Elsa, is complicated and burdened with the guilt and responsibility of her power. She withdraws from everyone and is so scared of herself that she cuts off from human contact.

The rest of the cast are fantastic and hilarious. Olaf, the magical snowman, will make you laugh so hard it's unbelievable. Kristoff and Sven are a pair that really complete the cast. And I will say that the Prince, Hans, was well crafted.

The perfect cast!

"Frozen" is a story that really impressed me. These aren't your regular princesses who need to be saved by their prince or are waiting for a kiss; they are two sisters who discover what they're capable of and rediscover their family bond.

This is a triumph in film, not just with the visuals and writing but for women. Jennifer Lee wrote and directed, she is the first female director of an animated Disney film! The protagonists are a big step in showing multifaceted women who aren't sexualized or require men to save them.

THANK YOU Disney and Jennifer Lee for making such a beautiful film! I couldn't help but cry because this film truly touched me.

*I say this wins the Oscar for best animated feature, if it doesn't they will be ROBBED!