UBCP/ACTRA Award 2021 Recipients Best Lead Performance, Female – Camille Sullivan for their role in Hunter Hunter Best Lead Performance, Male – Christopher Shyer for their role in Debris – Solar Winds Best Supporting Performance, Female – Eden Summer Gilmore for their role in The Good Doctor – Parenting Best Supporting Performance, Male – Hiro Kanagawa for their role in Deeper I go Best Voice Performance – Brent Miller for their role in Lego Ninjago – Ninjago Confidential Best Stunt Performance - Yusuf A. Ahmed, Brett Chan Andrew Chin, Aliya Iskakova, Jennifer Li and Derick Vizcarra for their roles in Kung Fu – Pilot
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
I am motivated because the industry is constantly changing. The pandemic for example, being a challenge and change, prompted me to set up a home recording studio where I recently recorded a YA fantasy novel “Vial of Tears”. Change in awareness towards representation and what it means to be BIPOC has allowed me to participate in mentorship programs which are impacting my career in a big way and motivating me to pay it forward.
Ali Liebert
They Who Surround Us
What role / character inspired you to become a performer?
When I was a kid, Barbra Streisand was one of my heroes. I grew up singing and dancing so I loved all of her musical movies. I couldn’t believe it when I realized she directed, starred, co-wrote, and co-produced Yentl. This blows my mind. Much respect to all those actor/filmmakers out there, including Troy Ruptash for taking their careers and the stories they want to tell into their own hands.
Anja Savcic (Photo Credit: Jenna Berman)
Loudermilk – Just what I needed
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
It’s difficult, but I’ve found the best way is to have more than just your career to focus on. Live life, enjoy the small moments and focus on fostering relationships with those around you. That phone call always comes when you’re busy doing something else.
Veena Sood
Twilight Zone – The Who of You
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
What I love about being an actor is the constant challenge of being wiling to change. It keeps reminding me that growing and evolving are the best ways to keep moving forward.
Camille Sullivan
Hunter Hunter
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
When I lose motivation, I try to inspire myself with other people’s work. I read books, watch movies, listen to music etc. I try to remember why I got into storytelling in the first place.
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
I stay motivated by creating and developing the stories I want to watch.
Marlon Kazadi
Chained
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
What keeps me going in this industry is my desire to follow my dreams of being a successful actor. I also want to continue to make my parents proud of me and my accomplishments, because they inspire me to be the best version of me. My other motivation is that I want to be an example to others who are also following their dreams, to show them that if they believe in themselves and never give up, they too can make it.
Aleks Paunovic Photo Credit : Liz Rosa
Chained
What role / character inspired you to become a performer?
Rocky. Coming from a fighter’s background I felt like all the struggles Rocky was going through I understood. The fear, the drive, the wanting to be and do something special with your life. And no matter where you are in life, you can change it for the better. If you just work your ass off! You get knocked down, but it’s up to you to get back up. Ya. Rocky.
Evan Rein
Blue Hour
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing? “Love art in yourself, not yourself in art” – Bryan Cranston
Christopher Shyer
Debris – Solar Winds
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
I try to see all failure and success as part of the game, and stay grateful, focused and when I can, be in service to something other than myself.
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
I stay motivated by always having a personal, performance project on the go. My students are a daily reminder of the passion I have for the craft and my family keeps me grounded to what’s truly important.
Jennifer Copping
Debris – Do You Know Icarus?
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
Staying motivated in an ever changing industry is definitely challenging. I have always taken the approach that I am in this for the long haul, so the ebbs and flows of my career have been expected and embraced rather than looked upon as failure to succeed. I try to impart that on my students as well. I sometimes look at my IMDB page just to remember what a long and fulfilling career I have already had! It makes me grateful for all the incredible experiences and for this wonderful film community that we are all so lucky to be a part of.
Heather Doerksen
Van Helsing – Old Friends
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
I’ve always trusted that this career path would be a long game. Knowing this helps me get through the little bumps, believing there’s no urgency or timeline to get to some coveted end goal.
Eden Summer Gilmore
The Good Doctor – Parenting
What role / character inspired you to become a performer?
As a huge Harry Potter fan, the character of Hermione Granger not only inspired me to become a performer, she also inspired me to be a powerful woman by always being myself and standing up for what I believe in. Hermoine showed me not to be afraid to voice an opinion, show your intelligence, and truly exemplified what a strong female lead is.
Alaina Huffman
The 100 – The Queen’s Gambit
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
It can certainly be challenging with the ups and downs of the industry. I stay motivated by keeping myself active, creative and engaged in other interests. I love learning, taking classes and creating and collaborating with other industry friends.
Teagan Vincze (Photo Credit: Charles Zuckermann)
Carried Away
What role / character inspired you to become a performer?
I was inspired at a very young age by child performers and how they made acting look so magical (and it truly is). I remember watching Stand by Me as a kid and thinking it was real life. I wanted to do what they did; I wanted to create “real life magic” and affect people in the same way.
What role / character inspired you to become a performer?
When I was 16, I saw Tom Berenger in a Milwaukee Repertory Theater touring production of Streetcar Named Desire…in Tokyo of all places. In contrast to that iconic vision of masculinity that is Stanley Kowalski, I was also negatively inspired to perform because I wanted to correct the soul-crushingly offensive stereotypes of Asian men that saturated all levels of media in those days.
Matthew MacCaull
The Good Doctor – The Uncertainty Principle
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
Modern dance is a major inspiration to me in my work and in life. I saw my first performance just a few years ago at Ballet BC and it literally took my breath away. It’s so important to feed your soul with the things that truly move you.
Tim Perez
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow – Bay of Squids
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
Motivation comes from an internal clock that ticks inside me about finding or doing something creative, something new something original. Much like a painter sees a blank canvas, one must wake up every morning and have overwhelming urges to act on any canvas… The clock is the size of my heart.
Steven Roberts
River Road
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
By reading books and putting my attention toward other art forms. I’ve learned it’s best not to wait around for the phone to ring.
Patrick Sabongui
Firefly Lane – Love is a Battlefield
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
I got into this industry because I never wanted my career to be a predictable set of routines. I am motivated and inspired by change and uncertainty. Like our industry, I too am constantly changing.
What role / character inspired you to become a performer?
The role that inspired me to become a performer is definitely Daniel Tiger (PBS)! I was three years old, and it was while watching this program that I made the connection that I could actually get in the television; seeing the “real” kids interspersed with the animated characters was my clue and inspiration! I didn’t stop hounding my parents until they helped me get on the screen!
Asia Mattu
Super Monsters: The New Class
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
I stay motivated by checking in with myself and taking time for selfcare. Sometimes we get so caught up with the ups and downs of this industry that we forget to take care of ourselves first and foremost.
Brent Miller
Lego Ninjago – Ninjago Confidential
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
One word. Passion. Everything I do in life that word drives me. I had it day one of voice acting, and it’s never left me. I dork out about every job.
Bill Newton
Monster Beach – Brain Thaw
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
By staying as connected as I can to my community in the arts; we are all incredible sources of knowledge, inspiration and strength for each other and keeping in touch with that is vital.
Travis Turner
Polly Pocket – Boatload of Tiny
How do you stay motivated in a challenging industry that is constantly changing?
I try and stay creative and work on some form of art or on my goals every day. I feel like “the actor who works the most…works the most.” Whether that be on my voice over, film tv, theatre, music, social media, teaching or a passion for producing. I have to evaluate what is working still in the industry and what needs changing quite often. I feel it is key to find a balance and not burn out either!