UBCP/ACTRA Awards 2020 - Nominees - UBCP/ACTRA

UBCP/ACTRA Awards Programme 2020

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Best Lead Performance, Male
Best Lead Performance, Female
Best Supporting Performance, Male
Best Supporting Performance, Female
Best Stunt Performance
Best Voice Performance

Best Lead Performance, Male

Name	Production	Quote
Photo Credit: Charles Zuckerman John Cassini	Daughter	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? I would say to prioritize your mental health. We’re all a little more vulnerable and sensitive these days, but one of the gifts we are given as actors is we’re encouraged to allow it all into our work. So take this opportunity to allow more and "do" less. See where that lands in your growth as an artist. Oh, and get a good ring light of course.
Benjamin Ratner	Glory Days	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? To quote Vikor E. Frankl, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” I have watched myself and the people around adapt and pivot in countless ways over the past 7 or 8 months, and I truly believe that these hard times, if we are willing to change, will make us better at what we do.
Steven Roberts	Beyond the Woods	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? Now more than ever it’s evident how important it is to have a good support team around me. Not just with the Union having stepped up so quickly and effectively to guide us through a crisis so very early on in the pandemic, reaching out and giving answers to questions I didn’t even know I had yet, but also it’s been important to have a support team of friends and colleagues I can reach out to and get an honest opinion on the state of things. Whether that’s to keep me sane and have a chance to commiserate with a buddy who knows the business and can understand the frustrations or blocks that might come up for an artist at any time or to get a heads up on their experience on set and what to expect when I show up, now that things are different. I think a lot of times people don’t want to rock the boat so they get used to saying “things are great” and it gives the wrong impression, and makes the people who see that “things are off” think that they must be the only ones who see a problem, therefore THEY must be the problem, so they keep quiet too. If we don’t share our stories and our experiences then we can’t learn, and we can end up ill-prepared or misinformed, and the things that need improvement won’t improve. We are sometimes afraid to be seen as "high maintenance” or "difficult” for calling out shortcomings and afraid if we do, we might not get hired again. Since we all just want to work, we can end up putting up with things that aren’t right, aren’t ok, aren’t good enough. That’s why it’s so important to me to be part of the community right now and surround myself with people who understand me, who are willing to share their stories, who I trust, and who has my best interest at heart. Community is important not just for those times we celebrate, but for those times we help each other up.
John Emmet Tracy	Open For Submissions	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? Like many friends and colleagues, I have tried to use this time to think about my work and my approach to it. This is a great moment to reflect on goals and priorities, and to challenge ourselves to explore all the different talents and energies we may have to offer the industry.
Sam Vincent	Torn: Dark Bullets	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? I continue to be encouraged and inspired by the resilience and adaptive nature of the human spirit as we press forward in this challenging year. Looking for opportunities and welcoming innovations and new ideas that bring out the best in us is what I choose to focus on. Many of us are struggling to get by day to day but if you can carve out and dedicate just a little time to tell your own story, share your voice, please do it. Find your people, work with them and show the world that we make magic here. The most important thing is to never turn off those creative taps. Keep it flowing. It is the life blood of all artists and our obstacles as well as our triumphs are always part of the story.

Best Lead Performance, Female

Name	Production	Quote
Sara Canning	Hospital Show	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? Being part of the BC film community has given me many opportunities to thrive creatively. Community feels so essential as we face the utter strangeness of keeping each other healthy by being apart. The best thing I could suggest is to keep the conversations going, keep cooking up the next story to tell with the buds who make your creative heart race.
Karen Holness	Torn: Dark Bullets	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? I came to Vancouver from Toronto many years ago and I have also spend some time in LA and NY. From agents to casting agents to directors and producers I have always felt the most supported as an artist in this city. I have felt part of a group of people from cast to crew who hold the highest integrity to producing the best story and project they can no matter whatever their means or budget. I stand proud among my actor peer group knowing that if the day comes that I would be producing my own projects I would be honoured to work with any of them.
Natalie Krill	We Had It Coming	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? I feel like this shift in the world has pushed artists to truly find their center. I have found so much joy and satisfaction in the simplest things. Nature, my loved ones, books and quiet time. I think we have to be really careful what we consume right now. Artists are sensitive souls. Take extra special care of that sensitivity.
Lillian Lim	Grandma's 80th Surprise	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? I would advise actors starting out to take acting classes from reputable teachers (I've had some terrible teachers!). I had thought from watching TV and movies that acting should be pretty easy - just memorize a few lines and that's it. I didn't realize just how bad an actor I was until I started taking acting classes. Research, take classes, do scene study, read as many books on acting as you can, do student films if you're not booking paid projects, hone your craft, BE PATIENT. If you are truly passionate about your dream, if you are willing to do it without monetary compensation, if this is what brings joy to your life, then let go of your pride when the rejections come (because they will come often, especially in the beginning). Most of the time you will not book, not because you are not a good actor, but for a million other reasons. Persist. Persist. Persist. Your day will come.
Carmen Moore	Rustic Oracle	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? During a time of uncertainty, pandemic or not, I believe it’s important to listen to what our bodies are telling us. Rest, relax, eat, walk, be mindful, meditate...nourish the mind and body, and resist the pressure to ‘perform’ as society has conditioned us to believe we must.

Best Supporting Performance, Male

Name	Production	Quote
Brendan Fletcher	Night Hunter	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? I’ve worked in the Vancouver film/tv industry for over 25 years and I’ve experienced many ups and downs over those years as many of us do. While Covid has shook the world with our industry being no exception, it’s given a lot of us pause to reflect on what we are actually trying to build here. Not only in our careers but in our lives. I think we can all feel like outsiders (in this covid’s case, insiders) and I think the struggle we all share together now has brought us closer than ever before. The one constant is the ever expanding community of amazing artists, casting directors, agents, producers, tradespeople, drivers, caterers the list goes on, that make Vancouver the best place in the world to work in. I’m blessed to know and be able to work alongside such amazing talent who have taught me much of what I know in work and in life
Adam Greydon Reid	Van Helsing – Together Forever	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? The BC Film and TV community is an extremely supportive and wonderful group of people. Since moving to BC and becoming a UBCP member, I feel more connected to my union than I ever did in the past. That might have to do with the feeling that I too can affect change here. Even though I am not a council member, I was able to take part in a task force that came up with a very real and creative solution to what many actor/creators were facing. It's a very collaborative environment.
Richard Harmon	Van Helsing - Love Less	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? Being a part of the Vancouver film community means so much, now more than ever. I appreciate the amount we’ve bound together in a tough time and have picked ourselves back up and gotten back to work.
Chance Hurstfield	A Million Little Things – The Kiss	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? Growing up in BC has been the exact reason why I’ve been lucky enough to build my resume. If it wasn’t for our thriving Film Industry I would never have gotten the experience or opportunities to book roles like “Danny” on “A Million Little Things”. We are very lucky to be BC Actors because all the opportunities in the world are right in our back yard! If I was born in Los Angeles I’d probably still be trying to book my first role, & if I was born in Iowa I would probably be milking cows dreaming about the day when I’d be old enough to move somewhere that I could try & become an actor! For that and MANY other reasons I am VERY proud to be a part of the BC Film & TV Community!
Tahmoh Penikett	The Color Rose	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic. Personally, if I haven’t been working on an audition, I’ve been working monologues whenever I can in my free time to stay sharp. It’s important not to fall out of practice completely. Do the work you can do by yourself. Write, read plays, watching film and television that inspires you, work a dialect, stay busy and hungry for the next opportunity
Ryan Robbins	Daughter	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? Maybe more important than ever. I’m certainly approaching the work with a lot of gratitude, that’s for sure. We’re also in a position right now where we can really show off our talent pool, both in front of and behind the camera. A lot of eyes are on us and we have an opportunity to shine beyond simply being known as a “service” industry. We have an exceptional, diverse community here and I’m hopeful that the rest of the world will start to take notice. Given greater opportunities, we’ll be able to shine even brighter.

Best Supporting Performance, Female

Name	Production	Quote
Photo Credit: Kristine Cofsky Jenn MacLean-Angus	Daughter	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? Hm, performance advice or tips to share that might help during the pandemic?... yes, I had to type it out. Keep breathing. Reach out for help for those self-tapes. Do what you can, let the rest go. Drink water. Sleep. Hug someone in your bubble (still such a weird thing to say). Not acting tips I guess... just tips for wellbeing and self care. Everything to do with "Acting" is only made better by the foundation of taking care of your self, your body, your mind, your instrument.
Photo Credit: Jenna Berman Laura Mennell	Project Blue Book – Operation Mainbrace	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? Being part of the BC Film & TV community, has always felt like home to me. I love working with our talented performers, producers, writers and trades people. It’s been a real privilege to create magic and make believe for a living. Sometimes projects help us see the world differently, or maybe express and feel things we’ve never felt before. Regardless, it’s constantly changing and exciting and there’s no industry I’d rather be in. It’s given me an outlet to express myself professionally for a little over two decades! Even when I’m in between jobs, I’ love the mystery of what role is waiting around the corner. Right now, as our industry in jumping back into productions during the pandemic, I’m loving the creative process of getting to play again with all sorts of different characters I’m auditioning for. I know I am lucky to be part of such a busy and thriving community and look forward to what the future will bring.
Johannah Newmarch	A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? I think I'd just like to very lovingly remind my fellow performers that what we do as actors has rarely mattered more than it does now. During these times when we're so often behind masks, keeping our distance, stuck at home, and not seeing loved ones, our profound need for human connection has never been clearer or more urgent. So remember that and let it inspire you on those tough days we're all inevitably having right now. When that 30th self taped audition request comes in and just feels pointless, and you're questioning all of your life choices. Remember, when most of the world shut down, ACTORS/ story-tellers, were humanity's lifeline. What you do MATTERS. Deeply.
Gabrielle Rose	Daughter	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? Working in the Covid era is a challenge, things take longer and enormous patience is required. I seriously underestimated the effect of the pandemic. Working away from home is tough, first the quarantine and then there is no flying home to see the family for a few days. Rehearsing in a mask is a whole other acting exercise. However, that being said, It is a privilege to be able to work during this difficult time and for that I am extremely grateful.
Gwynyth Walsh	The Man in The High Castle – Happy Trails	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? Covid 19 has increased the stress on all of us. I think that every single person is dealing with some level of anxiety these days, be it great or small. We actors are also grappling with teaching ourselves how to do good self tapes and Zoom auditions which is a huge learning curve for some of us. More stress: we need to work but might not feel competent with all the technology we now have to master. We have to remember to be gentle with ourselves and others. If someone else seems out of sorts, it might be because they are frightened of how unstable the world is right now and just can’t control their responses.I go for a walk almost every day in Pacific Spirit park and find being alone in nature to be a soothing ritual that helps to recenter me. We each need to find our own way to do that: the pandemic is, I fear, going to be with us for a while.
Kyra Zagorsky	See - Silk	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? What's special to me about Vancouver is how supportive the BC film community is. There are so many accomplished and talented artists in all aspects of film production that come together to help emerging filmmakers and underrepresented voices get their stories told.

Best Stunt Performance

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Best Voice Performance

Name	Production	Quote
Dhirendra	Lego Jurassic World: Legend of Isla Nublar – The Monsters and the Mech! Role: Simon	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? Maintain a routine, lose yourself in mindful living, stay prepared mentally and physically, meditate, enjoy the outdoors. Take your favourite character and see life through it’s eyes, though a given time of the day. Stay connected to the small things, pay attention to detail and the bigger things will take care of themselves.
Mark Hildreth	The Hollow - Dead End Role: The Weird Guy	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? These are unusual times. All of us are struggling through the pandemic. As a performer, remember that the world needs artists like you now more than ever. Get yourself a good self-taping set up, take special care of your mental health and bring your heart to the world as best you can. We need you!
Giles Panton	Absolute Carnage Role: Norman Osborn/Carnage	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? I’ve always felt really lucky to live in British Columbia, but never more so than right now. I’m very proud to be Canadian. To live in a Country where we listen to our scientists and medical professionals and as a result are able to safely work again. The BC film community has always been supportive of me and I’m grateful for their continued diligence and hard work to keep projects going during these unprecedented times. Our adaptability astounds me, and everyone’s willingness to share what’s working for them, be an online reader for self tapes, or help with the many new things we’re dealing with has humbled me. We really are an amazing community.
Rhona Rees	The Dragon Prince – The Midnight Desert Role: Nyx	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? As an expat with no family in Canada, my friends are everything to me right now - and many of them are fine folks of film! Connecting with the VO and acting community on a weekly basis through Mistressclass was such a positive part of the lockdown for me. We are so fortunate to have a strong network of talented performers who are willing to bend over backwards to help each other in times of need; whether it's running lines, reading over zoom, or sharing the best self-tape tips! I hope that we will come out of this pandemic even stronger: that Canadian content will be in higher demand and that US productions will hire local talent for larger roles their projects.
Sunni Westbrook	My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic – The Ending of the End – Part 1 Role: Cozy Glow	What performing advice or tips can you share, that might help others during the pandemic? I believe performers have unique skills to manage the isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic. I’ve given some of the non-performers in my life two pieces of pandemic advice based on what I’ve learned as an actor: 1) Acknowledge your feelings. Writing is a healthy way to express your emotions so you can keep them from overwhelming you and move forward. Balance the negative thoughts by writing about that which you are grateful. 2) On a lighter note - when on a video call, place all of your attention on the other person, not yourself! Turn your camera off. No one cares what you look like; they care that you’re connected.
Nick Wolfhard	The Last Kids On Earth - Last Kids Meet The Apocalypse Role : Jack Sullivan	How important is being a part of the BC Film & TV Community to you right now? Our community is constantly growing, especially in the animation industry. Though we have many wonderful home-grown studios right here in Vancouver, more and more studios, both camera and cartoon, have come to Vancouver and given so many talented animators, writers, directors and more the opportunity to share their creativity with the rest of the world. I think that's pretty awesome.

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