WINTER 2008

The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists High IQ Television Intelligence, too smart for CBC? The critically acclaimed series has been axed. The show’s creator predicted its demise; now any hope for its future is outside Canada. See story, page 6 (Right:) Eugene Lipinski and Klea Scott. (Below:) Ian Tracey, Darcy Laurie, Shane Meier and John Cassini.

55023-1 Interactra.indd 1 3/13/08 10:56:25 AM By Richard Hardacre How do I know thee? Let me count the ways.(1)

With some taxi drivers there’s much I had indeed piqued his interest. He Negotiating Committee will be counting more than meets the eye. If, like me, you told me that he’d been a professional on your support. We will achieve the very happen to have conversations with many Engineer in his native Morocco. He asked best deal for you that we possibly can – we of them between the Ottawa airport or me if I had been on strike last winter, are not new to this world now. train station and various Committee and he wondered what that was all about. Negotiating our collective agreements, rooms, Ministers’ offices, anterooms of When I explained how we could not just and building the campaign for Canadian bureaucrats around Parliament Hill, well accept a ‘kiss-off’ for our work distributed film and television programming are two then you occasionally might tune into an throughout the globe via new media, and of the biggest priorities of ACTRA. interesting frequency. that contrary to the honchos of the asso- As there will also likely be a Federal On one slushy, rush-hour, after I began ciations of producers, there was indeed election looming soon, we will make the in Canada’s other official language, my money being generated on the Internet, issues of foreign ownership limits on our cabbie inquired about my occupation. It he said, “Certainement, mon ami!” media, Canadian content on our screens, turned out that he had heard there are It seems my new friend also knew about copyright protections for the rights to actors in English-speaking Canada. He the WGA American screenwriters strike. He our performances and tax averaging for asked the usual unsurprising questions. understood that their issues were of huge self-employed artists, into election issues. “Are you famous?” “Have you met Brad import, and he instantly got that their fight We will need the support and actions of Pitt?” You know the kind of thing. was our fight as well. He was impressed our members to bring these issues to the I regretted I had to disappoint him on when I told him that our union’s members public’s attention at candidate meetings, all counts. He was sanguine. He under- hung tough, stayed united, and got a fair and in our ‘face-to-face’ questions that stood how tough it might be. He too had deal for themselves – in fact a threshold need real answers from every candidate greater ambitions than sitting behind the deal in the film and television industry. He and party leader running for office. wheel of a cab with too many kilometres told me that he never would have expected The public needs to understand the on its clock. that professional actors – he thinks we goals we are fighting to achieve. When We had about forty minutes in that might have ambitious egos and be competi- they do – and we all can help them get clapped-out Impala so we talked some tive with each other – without the deep educated – many of them will get behind more. I told him my reason for being there pockets of gigantic media conglomerates, us. Just like millions of workers (unionized – a formal appearance the next day in would have had the fortitude to fight so or not) in the United States who under- front of the House Committee on Industry, hard and be so unified for what we are stand the fight which the writers of the Science and Technology. I was prepping entitled to be paid. WGA have been involved in. to present ACTRA’s argument – the eco- It’s not every day that a cabbie from And when, one by one, our public nomic boom that would result from the Tangiers tells me to keep up the fight for understands that the issues we are addition of thousands of new jobs to our what we have earned, and the fight for our addressing in our fight are their issues as economy if the private broadcasters could distinct culture. well, many will join us in the same soli- be convinced (read “regulated”) to develop There will be many more hearings in darity that a new Canadian, professional a few Canadian drama series. Then they Ottawa before we achieve our goals for engineer from Morocco, driving a taxi in might develop some new ones that would Canadian drama, and our goal to give Ottawa, told me he would now have for find their legs, be allowed regular schedul- ACTRA members an opportunity to be a Canadian actors. One step at a time, we ing, build audiences, sell advertising and part of the conversation to protect our can make of ourselves a small and vital contribute to what could certainly become culture. In the meantime, we have lots of part of what makes this country proud. a strong, dynamic Canadian industry. Some really important work to do. And by that… we shall be known. Canadian writers, producers, crews and You will be hearing about our directors would benefit, and what the heck, second largest contract, the National In solidarity, quite a few professional performers would Commercial Agreement (NCA), that we find a new world of work opportunities too. are negotiating this Winter and Spring. My new acquaintance got my argu- We are already under way with member ment. He even got that the deeper volunteers from across the country join- ‘bottom-line’ is that we can achieve, ing our team of professional negotiators through the creation of our own drama, and legal counsel. We will bargain for a solid culture – an identity unique to a deal that is realistic and fair in this Richard Hardacre our country. When I said that this would boundless world where everything can be ACTRA National President be how others could learn to know us, he distributed and advertised via new media. slowed down a bit to look at me better in We will be updating you as we go and we his mirror. will look for your feedback. Above all, our (1) Apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Photo credit to go here. 17 10 16 19 12 14 13 26 22 AC 3/13/08 10:56:33 AM3/13/08 10:56:33 AM TRA Inter

2008 2008

InterACTRA

Theresa Tova Theresa

creator Chris Haddock

WINTER WINTER aritimes, Montreal, Toronto, The future here is by Marit Stiles Memories of Don Chevrier, Michael Kane, Leo Leyden, Barry Morse, Percy Rodriguez and Don Wittman Aislinn Paul, Deborah and Tennant Brian Paul speak with Coalitions: building strength and sharing the load by Kim Hume Updates from Newfoundland & Labrador, M by Richard Hardacre Richard by Keith Martin Gordey interviews Intelligence about the challenges of making high quality television in Canada, and the show’s uncertain future FAREWELL COVER BACK POLICY ISSUES ISSUES POLICY ACTRA ACTION IN BRANCH NEWS Saskatchewan, and Alberta APPLAUSE TALK STRAIGHT AFBS THE ACTOR’S FUND TURNS 50! In this issue of PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE INTELLIGENCE MEMBER PROFILE MEMBER PROFILE UPDATE BARGAINING MEMBER PROFILES Cory Bowles – From trailer park park trailer From – Bowles Cory to triple threat Chesworth Jason by Don Harron – a Canadian acting icon Masonby Lyn Green by Tom McCamusby Tom and David Hope Ngozi Paul and trey anthony – Working kinks out ‘da by Susan Ponting CAB, WGA strike by Ferne Downey Sarah Polley, Sandra Oh, Ellen Page, Gordon Pinsent, Linda Kupecek, nominees Gemini and Lepage, Robert 32 23 PAGE PAGE 18 10 14 PAGE PAGE PAGE Photo caption to go here.

C InterACTRA actra.ca Interested in Interested in InterACTRA @ 489-1311 489-1311 ) actra.ca with

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Thank you to all ACTRA ACTRA all to you Thank in voted who members December to approve a change puts this – structure dues our to nationally ground us on solid to branches ACTRA our in and ahead. fights the on take Winter 2008 Volume 15, Issue 1 Issue 15, Volume 2008 Winter (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), a Canadian union of performers affiliated theto Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the (FIA). Actors of Federation International PHONE FAX EMAIL WEB Publications Mail Agreement #40069134 1705-9496 ISSN InterACTRA is free of charge all to ACTRA members. COMMITTEE: ADVISORY EDITORIAL Richard Hardacre, Ferne Downey, Brian Gromoff, David Macniven, Susan Ponting, Kim Hume, Keith Martin Gordey, and Stephen Waddell. Burns, Mike CONTRIBUTORS: Blaney, Jennifer Marlene Cahill, Jason Chesworth, Chris Cornish, Ferne Downey, Anna Falsetta, Chris Faulkner, David Gonczol, Richard Hardacre, Art Hindle, David Hope, Kim Hume, Don Jordan, Keith Martin Gordey, Lyn Mason Green, McCamus, Tom Susan Ponting, Karl Pruner, Marit Stiles, Theresa Tova, Gary Vermeir, Stephen Waddell, Christine Webber, and Carol Whiteman. LAYOUT: Joss Maclennan Design www.joss.to Printed in Canada by union labour at Thistle Printing. All contents are copyright ACTRA. ©2007 All rights are reserved and contents, in whole or in part, may not be reprinted without permission. The points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of ACTRA. Please return any undelivered mail to: ACTRA, Church 2G1 ON M4Y – 625 St., 300 Toronto your membershipyour number. interactra never-ending glory? Want to contribute contribute to Want glory? never-ending content to by email? Calling all scribes! scribes! all Calling Want to receive InterACTRA Letters Letters in your e-mailbox instead of by mail, email us at interactra and feedback. Submissions should beno longer than 200 words and may be edited for length. Please send interactra submissions to: 55023-1 Interactra.indd 355023-1 Interactra.indd 3 ACTRA members gather to support the Canadian Television Fund

Stockwell Day and The Trailer Arlene Duncan and Ordena Park Boys. Stephens-Thompson.

Amy Lalonde, Natalie Brown, and Nicholas Campbell Anastasia Phillips. and Klea Scott. All

photos Daniel Cook and his Leah Pinsent, Wendy Crewson,

brother Spencer. by

and Richard Hardacre. David

Gonczol.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 4 3/13/08 10:56:41 AM ACTRA members went to Ottawa in early February to tell ACTRA supports the Canadian Television Fund (CTF), and our politicians that we need More Canada on TV! The CTF helps so do Canadians – ACTRA was in Ottawa to appear at the CRTC make great Canadian television shows. The CTF held a reception hearings on the CTF, and to release results of a public poll on Parliament Hill with politicians who met the stars of many of that shows a majority of Canadians want Canadian choices on our current hits including The Trailer Park Boys, Da Vinci’s Inquest, television, and they want TV programming that comes from a ReGenesis, MVP: The Secret Lives of Hockey Wives, Sophie, Little Canadian perspective. The poll was commissioned by ACTRA Mosque on the Prairie, Intelligence, and The Murdoch Mysteries. along with the producers, writers and directors. ■

Robb Wells, Richard Hardacre, and John-Paul Tremblay.

Yannick Bisson and Peter Outerbridge.

Stephen Waddell Nigel Bennett and and Bill Siksay. Peter Keleghan. All photos by David Gonczol. Gonczol. David by photos All Jack Layton and Olivia Chow.

Speaker of the House Peter Milliken puts Wells in a headlock. WINTER 2008 Inter ACTRA 5

55023-1 Interactra.indd 5 3/13/08 10:56:57 AM Intelligent TV

ByByKeithMartinGordey Keith Martin Gordey everyday challenges. Placing powerful manylocalactorsgettoworkonitmany local actors get to work on it – in actors as strong characters in challenging the first season, and the pilot movie, there When I set out to write an article on and constantly changing situations is were around 200 actors and all except the brilliant Canadian television series, the strength of the show. For example: five or six were local. In the second season Intelligence, I didn’t expect the process Mary Spalding (Klea Scott), after a dif- that number fell slightly to 160. For an would take on the plot lines of an episode ficult day at work finally gets a chance indigenous production, those are signifi- of the show, complete with mendacity, to relax and make love when the phone cant numbers. half truths, misinformation and hidden rings and she wrestles with the decision As I write this, the Writers Guild agendas. The initial thrust of the article, of whether or not to answer it. Jimmy of America (WGA) is out on strike. In to celebrate a well-crafted Canadian show, Reardon (Ian Tracey), struggles to recon- Vancouver, the work is starting to dry was first called into question when a cast cile an emotionally out of control ex, a up. More so than Toronto, we are very member told me they may not be back frightened young lover, a daughter caught much (some 80% of our work) a service next year. I was, to say the least, surprised in the middle, and the demands of his industry, and when the Yanks go home, to hear this. Critically acclaimed, the job. Shooting in a style that embeds the there remains a paucity of Canadian work show has a loyal fan base that is growing, viewer in the scene as a silent observer, to fill the void. A series like Intelligence is and many say it’s one of the only shows lends the program a reality more authen- something performers rely on and, as of they make sure never to miss each week. tic than any reality TV series could late, it’s almost the only game in town. My It has worldwide distribution in 143 hope to achieve. With the large cast of concern grew as I read a December 2007 foreign markets. So, why wouldn’t it get characters, each with their own stories interview with Chris Haddock, the creator picked up for another season by the CBC? that intertwine with each other, one easily of Intelligence, in The Tyee (www.thetyee. Like Da Vinci’s Inquest and Da Vinci’s becomes addicted to the show – wanting ca), where Haddock felt the Network was City Hall before it, Intelligence is character to know how it all fits and eventually “gunning to bury” his program. I wanted driven, and set in present day Vancouver. works itself out. Yet, even though there to understand why he would say this, why One sees the grimmer and more are so many story lines to follow through he would bite the proverbial hand that unsavoury elements of the City’s under- each season, each episode allows first feeds him. world, but in the context of very human time viewers a complete experience. With I set out to do my own story and characters dealing with commonplace, so many characters to cast on the show, found out interviewing Chris Haddock All photos by Haddock Entertainment. Entertainment. Haddock by photos All

Producer/writer/ Producer/writer/ director of Intelligence Camille Sullivan director of Intelligence Chris Haddock with as Francine Reardon Chris Haddock on set actress Klea Scott who and Stella Hough with John Cassini as plays Mary Spalding. as Stella Reardon. Ronnie Delmonico.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 6 3/13/08 10:57:11 AM “The CBC is the canary in the coal mine, if you buy and split the canary up, we don’t know when we are being gassed. And we’re being gassed. You know, the average Canadian’s being gassed. And I mean that we’re being shut off from our supply of cultural oxygen, and it’s a necessity.”

is, not surprisingly, rather like watching On the artist without infrastructure: is, “Do we really need this one line?” And Intelligence. He jump cuts from one thing CH: The thing we don’t have in this coun- boom! There you go, budgets are trimmed. to another, shoots from the hip and is try is enough structure for an actor to Then of course, somebody like me, you sometimes self-contradictory. One has show up and be creative every day, that’s know, my producers are wringing their to piece together assorted fragments of the thing. Actors wake up in the morning hands saying, “The most expensive item in information and begin to assemble a and say, “How am I going to invent my the budget are the actors for Intelligence! picture that tells the story. The following entire career today? I’ve got to wake up, Or, “You can’t write as many actors. How are bits and pieces of that hour for you to I’ve got to invent where I’m going to find many parts? You’ve written thirty-five assemble into your understanding. a job.” If you’re alone as an artist out parts for this episode!” And people are there, without structure, you’re just going, “C’mon?” And I’m going, “I’m sorry.” On why Intelligence is structured whirling in the wind. What I’ve always tried to do is emphasize the way it is: that the show is about actors, the show is CH: Partly because of budget restraints On the state of affairs in Canadian about characters, the show is about the and everything we’ve been, I’ve been, television: story. constrained in kind of the size of things CH: My argument with the present state you write. So you’re always forced to write of affairs in Canadian television is that On what Intelligence provokes: for actors anyway, forced to write dialogue structures are not being built, its infra- KMG: Your show talks about the things because that’s the cheapest form of pro- structure is not being built. that the media doesn’t talk about and so duction we can do. we think about it and we recognize it as a On the production budget of a truth in the dynamic of our lives. Do you On the importance of actors: Canadian show: think that presents a challenge for the CH: After you write the script and do CH: The budgets we have to work with powers that be and that the quality of your all the indications and so on, it’s really across Canada are very restrictive. It show and what you deal with is something the actor who’s the final presenter, and means you can’t hire the actors you want they don’t want out there? narrator, and singer, and dynamic of the to hire or the number of actors you want entire process. to hire. One of the things that first starts – continued on next page

Matt Frewer Ian Tracey, Shane Meier, as Ted Altman. Gerard Plukett and John Cassini.

– continued on next page

WINTER 2008 Inter ACTRA 7

55023-1 Interactra.indd 7 3/13/08 10:57:19 AM The thing we don’t have in this country is enough structure for an actor to show up and be creative every day, that’s the thing. Actors wake up in the morning and say, “How am I going to invent my entire career today? I’ve got to wake up, I’ve got to invent where I’m going to find a job.” If you’re alone as an artist out there, without structure, you’re just whirling in the wind.

CH: I actually have mixed readings on it, that some of these things you’re bringing and they’re alive in the imaginations because I hear from all kinds of people up are actually being talked about in an of the Canadian people. – including Conservative Members of entertaining way. Parliament – one of whom went out of On his deal with Fox: his way to tell me that until he’d seen On the privatization of the CBC: KMG: You have sold a U.S. version of this the show, he couldn’t find a justifica- CH: There’s other big movements at to Fox? tion for English drama on the CBC, but play that have been so for a very long that in seeing the show he suddenly time. With regard to the CBC it’s been CH: Yes. understood. And at the other end of the the gradual privatization and stripping spectrum, we have a lot of the guys who of its assets, and the sending of those KMG: So, that would have American watch it because it talks about the ‘narco- audiences and advertisers to the other actors in an American environment? economy’, it talks about dope culture. It’s broadcasters. That’s what we’re witnessing a way in for lots of people who don’t have at the CBC – privatization. The CBC is CH: It’ll have an American environment. shows they can relate to, who see their the canary in the coal mine, if you buy Nothing else has been, even remotely... life being reflected, and the situation and split the canary up; we don’t know of people out here on the coast… yet when we are being gassed. And we’re KMG: I mean, if you’re shooting in Los people inside the network, the CBC, top being gassed. You know, the average Angeles or San Francisco? executives say, “Listen, everywhere I go, Canadian’s being gassed. And I mean that people tell me that Intelligence is the best we’re being shut off from our supply of CH: That too has not yet been determined. thing on television and the only thing on cultural oxygen, and it’s a necessity. I would like to shoot the show here. our schedule that they watch.” There’s an awful lot of people out there who are in On the future of Intelligence: KMG: And keep the city Vancouver? positions of power who find the program CH: We are going to see something fascinating and entertaining, and who next year… none of these characters CH: No, no, I’d love to shoot it as San want it to continue and aren’t opposed are dead. All these characters are alive, Francisco, but shoot it here. to it, and think that it’s pretty fantastic

Pascale Hutton and Ona Grauer. All photos by Haddock Entertainment. Entertainment. Haddock by photos All

John Cassini as Ronnie Delmonico and Darcy Laurie as Bob Tremblay.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 8 3/13/08 10:57:25 AM Keith Martin Gordey has been in the biz for more than a quarter century. He continues to make his living as an actor, serves on the boards of PAL Vancouver and the Leo Awards, Intelligent TV and is Vice President of UBCP, the BC Branch of ACTRA.

KMG: Would you get a bigger budget because we have the power to demon- I was at a fundraiser for PAL Vancouver per show than you have now? strate its worth. But nobody is aware. the other day, telling an actor friend about I mean some people obviously are, but my interview with Chris Haddock, and how CH: Oh, yeah. a lot of people don’t have a clue about we’ll know in February if they’re getting that because the media’s not telling picked up. He looked at me, puzzled, and KMG: Would it be like, three times as that part of the story. said “Haddock knows they are not going to much? get picked up. They’ve already had the set On the CBC: sale. It’s a done deal.” I thought wait, here’s CH: It wouldn’t be three times as much, CH: You know I’m a huge supporter of another twist in the story. ‘Cold Squad’ had but it would be healthier for sure. But the CBC. I think I value it more than at one time been cancelled too, had a set that’s all down the road. You know, I some of the people who are working sale, gave up their studio, and then ended just turned in the first script ahead of there and running it. The argument I’m up coming back for another season. So the strike deadline, and haven’t been trying to make is that we need better anything is possible, right? Then Jeff Keay doing anything since. Until the strike is operations out of that public broad- of CBC responded to Chris in The Tyee with, resolved I can’t even think about it. But caster. It’s the place where generations among other remarks, the following: “We’re that’s down the road and it may happen, of Canadians have ‘cut their teeth’ and happy to see Chris remains a passionate and it may not. They may order the pilot, it’s one of the most outstanding news supporter of his show, which we happen to they may not. But to me it doesn’t matter organizations in the world. We do have think is pretty good.” Pretty good? CBC’s because I’m striving to keep this show to wrestle back the power, and wrest- Head of Media Relations has gone on record alive up here. And why I’ve been talking ling back the power is only done by saying one of their shows is, “pretty good?” about my fear that the network would ordinary people getting together and If that’s not damning with faint praise I am prematurely cancel it, is because they’ve wrestling it back. It’s never given, no not sure what is. By the time you read this given me every indication, through their matter how nice you are. you’ll know if maybe Haddock was right and treatment of the show, that it’s a show the fix was in. ■ they’re not trying to keep alive. So that’s KMG: It’s never given, because you’re up to me, it’s up to the audience now, so nice.

John Cassini as Ronnie Delmonico, Matt Frewer as Ted Altman, Bernie Coulson as Ian Tracey as Jimmy Reardon Michael Reardon and and Darcy Laurie as Alana Husband as Sweet. Bob Tremblay.

WINTER 2008 InterACTRA 9

55023-1 Interactra.indd 9 3/13/08 12:58:08 PM Don Harron: This ‘Octa-geranium’ still blooming By Lyn Mason Green

He’s not exactly what you would expect. Nutcraker-esque make up. At the final CBC Archives Our much-feted Earle Grey Award recipi- rehearsal, which was my first since I had ent of 2007 is a 70-year veteran of radio, no lines, Earle admonished me for being television, stage, comedy, writing and un-reactive in a scene that had a man directing. He is a former host of CBC’s on trial for his life. “Speak up!” Earle Morningside, co-creator of the peren- said. Since the Hessian was German, I Don Harron (as ‘Charlie Farquharson’ nial Canadian favourite Anne of Green had assumed he would not understand in 2003) has won numerous acting Gables – The Musical, author of numerous the content of the trial, so I looked like a awards including the Earle Grey Award, books, and plays the iconic, ‘malaprop- bump on a log up there. At Earle’s request, ACTRA Award, Order of Canada, Order ing’, tweaker of pompous noses, ‘Charlie I dug up my one year of German and on of Ontario, North American Volunteer Farquharson, who pops up at the Toronto opening night I immediately reacted and Award, and Doctor of Sacred Letters from Fringe Festival in a production of… wait spoke up, and in German to boot. Victoria College, University of Toronto. for it… Rumpleforeskin. Yes, you read it In my newly found enthusiasm, I did right the first time. One would sooner not notice the rip in my very tight britches have expected to see Liona Boyd wearing heading north from my knee toward my Spring Thaw, which was a musical revue. I spandex and busking in the subway. There crotch, which distracted the audience said, ‘But Mavor, I can’t sing or dance’, to he was, Mr. Don Harron himself in his from the gravity of the scene. Earle told which he replied with a heavy sigh, ‘Oh silvery glory, mounting his own fractured me not to come back for the remainder of Christ, don’t I know it.’ I’d been away you version of the fairy tale and having the the three-night run. I flopped. So I don’t see, so it didn’t matter what’d I done, I was time of his life playing the irritatingly believe I was exactly Earle Grey’s ‘cup of a celebrity. That’s the shattering thing. nomenclatured gnome… as a Jewish tea’.” And yes, that’s a direct quote. So he told me to go write a monologue,” Bubbie. What a treat! The play finished and World War II Harron recalls. Toronto-born Harron, 82, began his interrupted Harron’s acting career, and “So I remembered seeing Bernard professional performing career on radio he, like so many others, bravely served his Miles doing a Wessex farmer when he in 1936 at the ripe age of 11 – just three country. opened for Lena Horne years earlier in months before the CBC was born as our By the 1950’s, he was at Stratford Britain, so, thinking of some of the people national broadcaster. He was already a under the big tent. Harron says, “Tony I’d met working summers on a farm in seasoned pro by the time he started at the Guthrie said to me, ‘You are a very inter- Southern Ontario, I thought maybe I could University of Toronto where he decided esting actor, but you have a ‘pau-city of do that,” he adds. to audition for a play that was directed, ges-tyah.’ So I went to Britain for a season And so the much beloved, favourite ironically, by Earle Grey himself. at the Bristol Old Vic. I don’t know how grizzled country wag ‘Charlie Farquharson’ Harron recalls, “I was a freshman at U of much I learned. was born. The character that would T coming directly from a summer of work- What many don’t realize about become Don Harron’s signature creation. ing on a farm for $20 a month. It was my Harron’s career is just how accomplished a There was much more to come for tuition money. I had already been a profes- stage actor he is, having appeared on the Charlie. Farmer Farquharson’s satirical sional radio performer for almost 10 years world’s major stages including London’s diatribes were a highlight for 18 seasons by then. So I thought I had a good chance West End, the Stratford Festival and on on the American sketch comedy TV series, to land a leading role in Shaw’s The Devil’s Broadway. Hee Haw, which spawned in turn a raft of Disciple at Hart House, which was being He’s worked with some of the great books and recordings in ‘Farquharson-ese.’ directed by Mr. Earle Grey. He greeted names of the theatre including Katherine “I did country humour for years,” me with, ‘Ars longa, vita brevi’. I was later Hepburn, Maggie Smith, Christopher Harron says. “Charlie’s political side relieved to learn that it meant ‘Art is long, Plummer, Alec Guinness, Paddy Chayefsky didn’t really start until I was hired by but life is short’.” and Joseph Papp. Harron’s equally impres- Ross McLean when he was working at “I was admittedly disappointed to sive television career bloomed on both This Hour has Seven Days. The show was be cast as the Hessian soldier, with no sides of the 49th parallel throughout the highly political so I thought, ‘Why not?.’ At lines. I thought the rather impressive 1960’s, where he appeared in both dramas that time, Andre Gromyko was the Soviet uniform would be a chick magnet, but and comedies. Foreign Minister and he was invited for an unfortunately it came with a white curly “When I came home in 1952, Mavor audience with the Pope, so ‘Charlie’ got on Harpo Marx wig and bright, rosy-cheeked Moore told me he was going to ‘star’ me in and said, ‘They tell me that your serviette

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 10 3/13/08 10:57:38 AM The Earle Grey Award is presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television at the annual Gemini Awards. The Earle Grey Award recognizes the breadth and scope of an individual’s exceptional contribution to Canadian culture. Previous winners include Jayne Eastwood (1999), Jackie Burroughs (2001), Graham Greene (2004), Steve Smith (2005) and Donnelly Rhodes (2006). CBC Archives

Minister of yer Fer’ner Affairs Andy Gro- what happened? It’s as true now as it was mikey had an audience with yer Pope. then. I started so young I probably worked Now you take yer average Gro-mikey, he’d the womb before I came out. I’m addicted be yer cah-mmunist, and yer average Pope to the laughs. It’s the strongest drug I’ve he’d be more likely a Catholic. How do ever known. It makes heroin seem like you get an audience fer a thing like that?” aspirin. It wraps around you like love, even recalls Harron of his foray into political better than applause alone.” messaging. Looking back on his career so far, Don “Charlie could say anything and counts among his proudest achievements, get away with it. On the radio show, the quintessentially Canadian musical Morningside, I would occasionally steal Anne of Green Gables, which was originally

some of Charlie’s jokes and get hate mail written for television. It is now well past its CBC Archives for it. Charlie never got hate mail. That’s 35th season at the Charlottetown Festival the freedom of humour,” Harron says. and has won rave reviews in London, New There is no mistaking Harron’s impact York, Sweden and Japan, as well as here at on Canadian comedy. His political satire home. No small accomplishment in a long is emulated to this day. As for what Harron list of remarkable accomplishments of an thinks about his influence on Canadian outstanding career. comedy? “I don’t know how much influ- The last word goes to Charlie himself ence I’ve had, but some people say that as he comments on Don Harron’s Earle Bob and Doug McKenzie are my illegitim- Grey Award. He says “The wife and I have ate sons,” he laughs. relations in Tah-rona whenever we’re there. He continues, “Canadian comedy is And Don Har’n is one of ‘em. He hasn’t pretty good, isn’t it? After the war, the big done any reguhlar work since workin’ for influences were British humour. Wayne that Canadian Broadcorping Castration

and Shuster did sketch comedy with a kind on yer Morningslide… I dunno what he’s CBC Archives of Jack Benny twist. I think when people doin’, livin’ of yer avails of wimin. M’ybe. So laughed at me, it was partly because of the I guess this Lifetime Perceivement Award is way I said it. They’d never heard comedy instead of a gold watch… but it’s cheaper. with a Canadian accent before. Someone said it was the shock of recognition.” About the future of Canadian comedy (Photos at right, top to bottom:) Don Harron is optimistic. He says, “Now there’s Harron in First Edition in 1964, Reddick This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Air Farce in 1968, Riel in 1979, on the radio that has had a revival using younger in 1981, and on the air as ‘Charlie talent. Derek Edwards is from Northern Farquharson’. Ontario. Gentle but funny. Russell Peters, Shaun Majumder and others are bringing new voices that are still set in a Canadian Lyn Mason Green CBC Archives context. Canadian comedy is in great has been an actor for shape and Canadians have always and con- more than 30 years. tinue to be strong in the U.S. I think the She is founder and reason Canadians do so well in America is Director of Canadian because they’ve had to do everything up Actor Online, (www. here. They need to be so versatile, and it canadianactor.com), helps that they have an outsider’s ‘referee’ now in its 10th year. Lyn is also perspective.” co-author of the critically acclaimed When asked if his motivation for per- book Standing Naked in the Wings: forming had changed all these years he Anecdotes from Canadian Actors, Oxford says, “No, not at all. The interesting thing University Press. She serves on ACTRA is if you do something and they laugh, you Toronto Council as VP Communications feel great and if they don’t laugh you ask and on ACTRA National Council.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 11 3/13/08 10:57:41 AM CORY BOWLES From trailer park Kate Hayter Reid to triple threat By Jason Chesworth

Cory Bowles is one talented in’ and begins to rap with a ferocious it wasn’t what I wanted at all”. Haligonian whose work just can’t be pigeon- confidence backed by a killer beat and the While it may have hurt to leave, the holed. He’s a chameleon of sorts, easily exotic sound of a sitar. experience helped Bowles venture into moving in and out of his three trades – actor, Bowles says it’s no small wonder why other opportunities, which would once dancer, musician and sometimes comed- Murderecords, founded by Canadian indie again reconnect him to life growing up in a ian – who rallies behind arts programs in group Sloan, wanted to pick them up dur- trailer park in small-town Nova Scotia. the public school system one moment, and ing this exciting time. “We were young Trailer Park Boys’ director Mike demands more curd be placed in poutine and didn’t take ourselves too seriously, Clattenberg, who directed Hip Club across his native Halifax, the next. but (Sloan) would come to the shows all Groove’s video for their first album, offered Before he was 20, Bowles’s band, Hip the time and then one day one of the guys Cory a recurring role on the popular TV Club Groove, took Halifax by storm in came up and asked if we would play a show, and he jumped at the chance. the mid-nineties. There is one clip on couple of shows with them. And when that Bowles’ character, Cory, and his ‘part- YouTube that is sure to bring back mem- started we were stuck on the scene and all ner in crime’, Trevor, (played by childhood ories for all the teens with their unspent of a sudden we were getting big crowds,” friend Michael Jackson) kept their word to energy and penchant for the down-and- says Bowles. each other and learned everything about dirty beats heard regularly on the Halifax When their first album Trailer Park Hip the park and the show. indie music scene. For the uninitiated, the Hop came out, it debuted at number one in “We didn’t feel there was much more clip of Get Off My D***, could be passed Halifax, and the band only released vinyl. to give,” explains Bowles. So, in fine Trailer off as a bunch of white kids from the Suddenly, in under a month, they debuted Park Boys’ fashion, Cory and Trevor left the Maritimes with no real reference to urban at number eight on the college charts and park to check in to a mental institution. music – but to those ‘in the know,’ it is a their records started selling. Bowles’ dance card, however, is still rare three minutes of a respected group As so many new bands experience, full. He mentors the musical groups of performers – Jorun, Sixtoo, of Hip Club their success was not to last. After touring Aide de Camp, Flux Dynamo, and of course, Groove and a very young, mustachioed with Len (who had the 1998 hit Steal My Cheklove Shakil. In addition to touring as Buck 65, were all breaking new ground Sunshine), Hip Club Groove fell apart just a musician, Bowles continues to work with in their communities. During the video shy of a very lucrative record deal. Bowles the Verve Mwendo Dance Company, which Cory Bowles, a.k.a. Cheklove Shakil, ‘busts recalls, “I was totally heartbroken because he co-founded.

Cory Bowles in Aide-de-camp (left), and with Greg Bryk (brown hair) and Wes Williams (brown jacket) in Poor Boy’s Game.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 12 3/13/08 10:57:49 AM “There’s also that underlying issue of black-on-black racism BARGAINING UPDATE: which is quite common, but often overlooked. The future is here The film really took a By Marit Stiles, Director of Research It seems like every few weeks children through interactive ‘adverga- hard look at a lot of a new report is released trumpeting the mes’ – like the member-voiced Lucky growth of advertising on the Internet. Charms online game – and online inter- human issues.” There’s a veritable labyrinth of informa- active micro sites. tion to absorb and sift through – allow Check out Nestea’s www.plunge- In the recently released Poor Boy’s me to go through some of the funda- andplay.com to see a great example of Game, directed by Clement Virgo, mental goals we at ACTRA are working an ‘advergame’ voiced by an ACTRA Bowles had an opportunity to play toward, on behalf of our members. performer. a character he has always wanted to Although Canada was slow – com- Further along the amazing ride explore. “The role of Earl was one of pared to Europe and Asia – to jump inside the Internet, are commercials those gems I really wanted from the aboard the online advertising ‘wagon’, used on ‘third party websites’ like the moment I heard about it. Earl is a very this is changing at breakneck speed. Not ‘Bridezilla’ commercial for Sunsilk that real character, he came with a lot of surprisingly given the massive growth ran on YouTube and the pre-roll com- baggage, I enjoyed finding out about in social media such as Facebook, mercials you have to sit through when him, and relaxing into exploring the MySpace, vlogs, blogs, uploading, you click on a lot of online content. conflict that arises when racial tension downloading, message boards, forums, Then there’s the ‘blink spots,’ those five happens.” Bowles explains. wikis and podcasts, and the introduc- second commercials for radio that are Bowles comments that the issues of tion of video pre-roll to the selection of usually placed in between songs. racism are often something many turn online advertising tools that ad dollars ACTRA’s in the game, and front and a deaf ear to. “Sometimes you begin to are migrating at an accelerated rate to centre when it comes to navigating the take sides and even lose respect for your capture the Internet’s potential. maze that is the Internet. own ethnic group.” he says. “There’s also The increase in VOD (Video On ACTRA was the first performer’s that underlying issue of black-on-black Demand) and DVR (Digital Video union in the world to negotiate pay- racism which is quite common, but often Recorder) means advertisers are spend- ment for commercials produced for overlooked. The film really took a hard ing more of their budgets on exploiting Internet-only use and for commercials look at a lot of human issues”. every possible opportunity. With the originally produced for TV broadcast Bowles revelled in the opportunity to maturation of online video in the next and ‘moved over’ to the Internet. As a work with actor/activist Danny Glover, few years, we’ll see this trend continue result, we’ve been able to track the num- and award-winning director Clement to climb. ber of commercials that fall into these Virgo. “Being with Glover was like taking The Canadian Marketing Association two categories, with performer contract a master class in acting, and Clement’s released a study in November 2007 information from Toronto and Montreal. directing was amazing,” he says. ■ which projected that by 2011, advertis- Between January 2004, and October ers would be spending more of their 2007, the number of commercials ad dollars on Internet advertising produced for the Internet under the Cory as ‘Cory’ on Trailer Park Boys. than on television and telemarketing. National Commercial Agreement

Mike Tomkins PricewaterhouseCoopers concluded in (NCA) in Toronto and Montreal their ‘Global Entertainment and Media increased from 56 to 274. Outlook 2007-2011’ report that Internet The number of performers employed advertising will remain the fastest- in those commercials increased from growing ad medium and will constitute 191 in 2004, to 619 in 2007. 14 percent of global advertising in 2011, Total performer earnings in 2007 compared with less than three percent exceeded $520,000.00 – and that’s only in 2002. for commercials ‘made-for’ the Internet. As ACTRA members, you haven’t only In 2004, only 36 commercials pro- witnessed the shift to online advertising, duced under the NCA and made-for-TV you’ve also been active participants. broadcasts ‘moved over’ to the Internet. Canadian advertising agencies are By 2007, that number jumped hiring ACTRA members to perform in to 261, representing an additional several different types of online ads, $500,000 in performer earnings. including targeting advertising to – continued on page 15

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 13 3/13/08 10:57:58 AM “The show is about truth, just heartfelt, It’s all about always striving for truth. If it doesn’t By Susan Ponting sound authentic the hair A woman’s hair carries her truth is breaking new ground, and so too to us when and, if you listen, you will hear mystical is anthony. It hasn’t been easy, but we’re writing it, things. That’s what ‘da Kink in My Hair anthony has great determination and creator trey anthony knows about women. has always maintained her resolve to be it doesn’t get to “I’ve always believed that your hair repre- authentic and true to herself. She is a sents what’s going on in your life – even self-described ‘black, queer activist, play- air. We always ask for me”, she joked. “I can see all the stages wright, comedian and actor’, and she’s in my personal life, if I have had a lot of riding the wave of her life. ourselves, ‘does things to hide from myself, or even from Ngozi Paul is a co-creator on the show, this feel right?’” others, then my hair is dry and brittle and and like anthony, is also one of the stars, very long. If I am starting a new begin- “The show is about truth, just heartfelt, ning, I cut all my hair off,” she explained. always striving for truth. If it doesn’t Hair has always held significance for sound authentic to us when we’re writing anthony, who remembers as a young girl it, it doesn’t get to air. We always ask our- ‘da Kink in sitting between her grandmother’s legs selves, ‘does this feel right?’”. having her hair braided. That’s when her Perhaps that’s why so many viewers my Hair firsts: hair became a metaphor for life. are attracted to the program. The truth At her grandmother’s knee she remem- extends far beyond the story lines, and • First television appearances in bers all the stories coming out about her into the tiniest details. dramatic roles for Jully Black, community, and family. “The stories were Keshia Chante and Jarvis Church. all braided into my hair – and my heart,” It’s all about the details • First nationally broadcast said anthony. From the kind of curling irons and hair television show to showcase Years later, anthony could not have dryers positioned at each station, to the the vibrant and lively Caribana dreamed that her metaphor for life would paint on the walls, every essence of a salon Cultural Festival. end up being her life’s work. must feel right. ‘da Kink in My Hair began at the Fringe “Viewers know when something stinks, • First time an all-Black cast Festivals and grew to premier at sold-out they know when something’s off – we need featured on a private national shows at the Princess of Wales Theatre in to make sure people watching the show network in Canada. Toronto and showings at the Hackney see the authenticity of it – nothing can be • Boasts the first black lesbian Theatre in London, England. Now, of off,” said Paul. kiss (Episode 108) ever broadcast course, it has grown into a television ser- Perhaps the best part of ‘da Kink in My on primetime television. ies carried on Global Television. Hair, is the new ground being broken tell-

SOURCE: www.globalTV.com To put it rather mildly, the show ing the stories of our young black youth in

‘da Kink’s creator trey anthony as Joy. Ordena Stephens-Thompson as Novelette. Conroy Stewart as Dre.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 14 3/13/08 12:58:15 PM Canada, “Young girls and women are happy • Series creator Ngozi Paul grew up BARGAINING UPDATE now that they’re finally being portrayed and went to school in the heart of honestly on mainstream television. Even ‘Little Jamaica’, Eglinton Avenue The future is here young guys are watching,” said anthony. West – the Caribbean neighbour- – continued from page 13 Ngozi Paul agrees. She says, “The idea hood strip that is brought to life to look at black issues within a mainstream It’s not surprising then that in the series. platform is long overdue, this is a really advertising in new media will be a exciting time in Canada for first-generation • Having an aunt as a stylist, trey major focus at upcoming negotia- Canadians to see themselves reflected on anthony grew up amongst the tions between ACTRA, the Institute television. Canada’s landscape is a plethora hustle and bustle of a hair salon, of Communications and Advertising of different cultures now.” the backdrop of the play and tele- (ICA), and the Association of Canadian anthony says they are dedicated to vision series. Advertisers (ACA), for a new NCA. making sure the show transcends culture The last agreement was extended by • While in NYC for the Fringe Festival, and race and hopes that people will see a year – with a 3% rate increase and an Ngozi, trey and the other cast of ‘da that it deals with human stories. “It’s additional 1 point to insurance con- about a family – and the dysfunction Kink were unable to afford proper tributions –so that both parties could within families, but it’s also about loving rehearsal space and were forced to undertake research and discussion on each other, and people trying to work run lines on a street corner. issues of shared interest, such as online their stuff out,” said anthony. • As a teenager, Ngozi spent her advertising. There is a misconception that the summers working and soaking up From January 2008 through Spring show isn’t really a ‘family show,’ but life at an Eglinton West hair salon. 2008, both sides will meet using anthony and Paul disagree. “That’s the Many of the characters and story- ‘interest-based bargaining’ as a process furthest thing from the truth. Every one for negotiating that renewed collective line concepts that appear in the can relate to the show, whether you’re agreement. Our shared goals are to series are inspired by that time black, white, male, female, old, young – maximize Canadian commercial produc- in her life. we all face the same issues,” anthony says. tion, and increase opportunities for Paul and anthony have been criticized • In her portrayal of ‘Joy’ in the ACTRA members. As part of that pro- for some of the mature content the show series, trey anthony drew upon cess, we’ll be exploring trends in online deals with. “Those people who have criti- her Yuk Yuk’s Nubian Comedy advertising. cized the show are people who haven’t Nights alter ego, ‘Carleen the ACTRA made history in 1999, watched from the beginning. Yes we deal Dance Hall Queen’. when we secured that first payment for with some heavy issues, but because that’s commercials on the Internet. We set • In addition to the compliment- true to life. There’s always a ‘moral to the the worldwide standard again in our story.’ We always work it out the best way ary tickets given to women’s IPA negotiations in 2007. Just look at we can,” said Paul. shelters, homeless youth, and the Writers’ Guild of America strike Both Paul and anthony say the most to other disadvantaged parties, to see our sisters and brothers in the difficult part of running the show is also trey insisted 20 front row seats U.S. seeking the same rights we have the show’s appeal. “It’s awfully tough to be sold at $20 each night of the achieved – we can’t sit idly by waiting multi-task, but isn’t that what women play’s run at the Princess of Wales for the opportunities to come to us. do best?” asked anthony. And as the Theatre – as a way to ensure that That’s why we have a National Organizer show’s actors, writers, producers, and the show remained accessible to for Digital Media – Patricia McCutcheon co-creators, trey anthony and Ngozi Paul the community. – working new media conferences and wouldn’t have it any other way. ■ video game industry conventions, and SOURCE: www.globalTV.com partnering with local branches across the country to reach out to new media Richard Fagon as ‘da Kink’s Nigel. ‘da Kink’s co-creator Ngozi Paul as Starr. producers. That’s why we track the data in our membership system to ensure our agreements are working effectively for you. That’s why it’s so important we continue to stay in touch to learn what is working for you, and how we can bet- ter serve you. The future is here – and although the Internet is a complex maze, together we are working through it. ■

Get in touch with Patricia at pmc- [email protected], check out the ACTRA website for news and informa- tion about issues in new media, and keep those questions coming!

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 15 3/13/08 10:58:08 AM By Kim Hume, Director of Public Policy and Communications

Coalitions: BUILDING STRENGTH AND SHARING THE LOAD

It’s a cold Gatineau morning. Richard Hardacre was the only English- to come up with a strategy to deal with the We’re standing outside the CRTC build- language participant in a major news high value of the Canadian dollar, which ings where hearings on CanWest Global’s conference organized by ADISQ in Quebec, we fear will be dealing a very hard blow to U.S.-funded takeover of Alliance Atlantis when 18 cultural organizations came our industry in 2008. Communications are about to begin. Our together to demand the government issue a Copyright reform is underway, and spirits are high though, and our smiles direction to the CRTC on October 29, 2007. our work in concert with the Creators’ are wide, despite the gravity of our purpose Now, the producers, who ACTRA was Copyright Coalition, brings our voices – to rail against the foreign ownership of on strike against just over a year ago, into harmony and unison so we are heard our media companies. are asking us to work along-side them above the business interests that continu- ACTRA National President Richard with the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) ally threaten to marginalize the rights of Hardacre and ACTRA Ottawa Councillor and the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) the artist. Also on copyright, ACTRA is Barry Blake hold ACTRA flags and to form a similar coalition amongst the co-operating with a slate of music, industry join in the Communications Energy and English-language organizations to push the publishing, and other organizations. Paperworkers (CEP) Union’s protest against government and the CRTC yet again, on Our Campaign for Canadian this threat to our cultural sovereignty the drama issue. Programming will be in high gear in 2008, – the takeover of our second largest ACTRA is a founding member of the with a possible federal election and with Canadian media company, financed with Coalition of Canadian Audio-visual Unions the broadcasters’ licences up for renewal. 64% of the money from U.S. investment (CCAU) that came together in 2002, to take We have an opportunity to get the CRTC to bank Goldman Sachs. on the crisis in Canadian TV drama. We’ve impose spending and exhibition require- Already, CanWest has fired hundreds been working together ever since. The CCAU ments so that we can fix the sorry state of of workers from newsrooms across the letterhead lists the following in the coali- Canadian TV drama and have broadcasters country. ACTRA is here to support CEP’s tion: ACTRA, the Directors Guild of Canada pull up their socks to do the hard work of rally, and to raise the alarm about the (DGC), the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) telling Canadian stories, as they have failed threat to Canadian culture and Canadian and the National Association of Broadcast to do in the past seven years. programming that this deal represents. Employees and Technicians, Local 700 CEP Coalition work will be the foundation of Other unions joining CEP in this fight (NABET) the Communications, Energy and these efforts, and the key to our success. include The Communications Workers of Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) The Divided we beg. United, we bargain. ■ America, Canada (formerly the Canadian American Federation of Musicians – Canada Media Guild), and public sector workers (AFM Canada), Union des artistes (UdA), represented by the Syndicat des Canadiens Association des réalisateurs et réalisatrices Fonctionnaires Publiques. We’re fighting for du Québec (ARRQ), Association Québécoise ACTRA’s coalition Canadian jobs and Canadian culture. We des techniciens de l’image et du son involvement includes (AQTIS), and Société des auteurs de radio, are a coalition. • Canadian Coalition of Audio-Visual télévision et cinéma (SARTeC). The princi- Unions (CCAU) There is power in our coalitions pal participants are ACTRA, DGC, WGC and • Canadian Film and Television ACTRA has become part of numerous coali- CEP. The CCAU has been a crucial coalition Industry Coalition (CFTIC) tions, all with unwieldy acronyms to having our voices heard at the CRTC. I might add: CCAU, CFTIC, CCC, to name Through the CCAU, we have commis- • Creators’ Copyright Coalition a few, and many of them don’t have the sioned in-depth studies of our industry, • Media group of the Canadian formality of a name, but form on the spot and made substantial CRTC interventions Labour Congress to work on common causes. backed by solid research. The work we • Coalition for Cultural Diversity continue to undertake would be too big a Coalitions come by their acronyms • Working with the United load, not to mention too expensive, for us honestly, though they are unwieldy and Steelworkers and the to undertake on our own. sometimes slow to move. But working in Communications Workers of ACTRA also relied on the strength of coalition means we all share the workload America, Canada, on regulatory the United Steelworkers (USW) during our and costs, and in the process earn cred- and legislative issues ibility with governments and others in the strike and welcomed their lobbying exper- • At the Branch level ACTRA works industry. tise in our joint lobby day on Parliament in many coalitions including the We speak on issues in unison. Hill in 2005. Friends of Canadian Broadcasting ACTRA has strong credibility in our Coalitions built our Performing Arts and Communications and the industry among our campaigns and policy Lodges in Vancouver and Toronto, and Energy and Paperworkers’ efforts. Lately, we’ve been the ‘go-to’ organ- are the backbone of PAL organizations in Union of Canada ization when it comes to taking a stand on other centres. ACTRA is currently being cultural issues. approached to work in industry coalitions

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 16 3/13/08 10:58:11 AM International day of solidarity for WGA with WGC

Many ACTRA members turned out performers deserve to be compensated for for the International Day of Solidarity, in the work they create. As the complex and support of the WGA strike on November developing areas of digital new media and 28, 2007, outside the Sony Centre for broadcasting over the Internet continue Performing Arts to stand in solidarity to pose more questions than answers, Webber Christine with our brothers and sisters in the U.S. the only thing we know for sure is that Wayne The WGA in the U.S. went on strike over ACTRA will continue to fight for your Robson the same issues we went on strike for at right to be fairly compensated for the the beginning of last year. Their battle work you do, regardless of the medium is a familiar one. Writers, actors, and it’s distributed on. ■ Writers vote to end strike ACTRA supports our brothers and sisters of the Writers Guild of America who signed a historic deal – that took courage and resolve, and garnered unprecedented pub- lic support. Entertainment is going through a paradigm shift in digital distri- bution – a new generation now watches productions on iPODS, computers, and mobile phones. Writers now have a deserved piece of that growing pie. Photos by Chris Faulkner Chris by Photos

(Above and right:) ACTRA in solidarity with WGA outside the Sony Centre for Performing Arts in Toronto.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 17 3/13/08 10:58:13 AM We need more Canada on TV! ACTRA’s big demo in OttawOttawaa

The private ‘Nets’ sure weren’t expecting to see us at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ annual meet- ing in Ottawa on November 5, 2007. ACTRA members showed up by the hundreds outside the Westin Hotel. Extra security was called in by the networks in anticipa- tion of the rally. CBC Radio aired Eric Peterson’s speech in its entirety. Eric Peterson, along with Julie Stewart, Robb Wells, Richard Hardacre, and Karl Pruner rallied the ‘troops’ in front of the Westin Hotel – where the con- ference was held – to demand Canada’s private networks hear our voices and give Canadians what they deserve: more Canada on TV! Busloads of ACTRA members from Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa descended on the nation’s capital to demand more Canadian content in our pro- gramming. We were definitely heard, in spite of the fact that it was the first day of the Writer’s Guild of America strike, we received national media coverage of the event on radio, and television and in print. We put the private networks on notice that we’re not about to let this drop.

Thanks to all who participated! Let’s keep at it in ’08. ■ Chris Faulkner Chris Susan Ponting

Eric Peterson rallies the troupes. Karl Pruner in background.

Richard Hardacre addresses the crowd.

Julie Stewart gives a heartfelt speech. Christine Webber Christine

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 18 3/13/08 10:58:15 AM Newfoundland production centres, multitude of locations, for 10 years and has done our Branch and two official languages, has tremen- proud. We will miss him at the Council & Labrador dous potential and the new provincial table, but we only have to tune in to the By Marlene Cahill, government seems to be aware of this and upcoming kids’ series, Mighty Jungle to Branch Representative is very ‘pro-film’. hear his dulcet tones once again. ■ Production has picked up in Newfoundland this year and the trend is continuing. The 10 unheard of is happening: we will have a Jamie has been our National Councillor for years MOW in January – all interiors of course. and has done our Branch proud. We will miss him Stephen Waddell and Arden Ryshpan, the new Executive Director of Equity, at the Council table, but we only have to tune in to visited the branch in November to meet with performers and producers. As there the upcoming kids’ series, Mighty Jungle, to hear his are no Equity houses in Newfoundland dulcet tones once again. and few Equity members, we hope this will be the beginning of an Equity presence in the province. The commercial sector has been very ACTRA Newfoundland has just busy and we have seen a sudden flower- announced Paul O’Neill as recipient of the ing of commercial recording studios and 2007 ACTRA Award of Excellence. The facilities, which bodes well for increased award recognizes Mr. O’Neill’s contribu- work down the road. tion to Newfoundland & Labrador’s actors We say a fond farewell to some of our and his enormous contribution to the colleagues this fall who are moving on to development of the local radio and tele- new adventures. Our administrative assist- vision industry. ■ ant Jeannine Huczel is leaving us after eight years to pursue new opportunities Maritimes in northern New Brunswick. Jeannine was a tremendous asset to the Branch and her By Gary Vermeir, sunny personality and dedication will be Branch Representative missed by the entire membership. As well, The fall of 2007 proved to be a our National Councillor (and National disappointing one for the Maritimes. Vice-President) Jamie Bradley has decided Promised productions didn’t arrive and not to seek the office for the next term. others were pushed at the last minute into Jamie has been our National Councillor Just Buried. 2008. Other than the stalwart shows like

This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and Halifax Film Faulkner Chris Co.’s animated series, there was very little going on in our part of the world. To correct this in Nova Scotia, we created an industry association Nova Scotia Motion Picture Industry Association (NSMPIA) and were successful in lobbying the provincial government. The result – the best film tax credit in the country! Hopefully that will mean more production in the New Year. Meanwhile, the NSMPIA has a lot on its plate. A sound stage is now priority number one if we are to replace the dis- appearing MOWs with features and series. We are also part of the new Film Advisory Committee in New Brunswick and are excited by the amount of work that seems to be slated for that province – as well as new film facilities. The film industry in New Brunswick, with its three On the set of Just Buried.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 19 3/13/08 10:58:25 AM opportunities for our membership. Montreal ACTRA Toronto is also spearheading By Don Jordan, President, an initiative that will oversee the forma- ACTRA Montreal tion of a credit union, which will service While 2007 was something of a rebound the financial needs of Toronto’s working year for production in ‘La Belle Province’, film and television professionals. The Montreal members, like most performers credit union’s CEO, Steve Mumford, across the country, are anticipating a helped to outline the benefits of the ven- much more difficult 2008. ture at our fall members’ conference. Steve On the Canadian front, we were explained that the idea for a credit union able to match last year’s decent volume – was born out of the wearisome practices mostly owing to the continued growth traditional financial institutions engage in of Muse’s and Incendo’s production when dealing with performing artists. Too slates. On the service (U.S.) side, ACTRA often, banks view the fact that you are a Montreal members enjoyed a 100% performer as the end of the conversation, increase in the number of projects which rather than the beginning. Our credit shot here – a total of eight films. With union will give performers a financial Andrée Menard and Rick Mercer. obstacles like the ‘turf war’ and APFTQ’s experience customized to their personal ‘interference’ seemingly behind us, some circumstances. big studio blockbusters like Mummy: The credit union’s application has been Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Death Race filed with the provincial regulator and we and Get Smart rolled into town. expect to hear about its status shortly. As with everybody else in this business, As well, we would like to extend a we are expecting the labour unrest south special thank you to Sarah Ker-Hornell of the border to have a devastating impact and Film Ontario for helping to secure on production levels for the coming year. important increases to the province’s film As grateful as we are for the work and television tax credit system. ■ opportunities that U.S. projects afford us, Montreal members know all too well what Saskatchewan happens when you let yourself become too By Mike Burns, Branch Representative dependent on foreign production. Looking ahead to this year, we are as ACTRA Saskatchewan celebrated its eager as everybody else to see some sub- 40th year with its 5th consecutive year stantive changes in the CRTC’s policies, as of prosperity. We had four Canadian series we take aim at reviving our own struggling shoot in the province this year. For the first Canadian television industry. ■ time, two of those were based in Saskatoon. Fred Ewanuick of Corner Gas and Amy We had seven small features and Matysio, Saskatchewan Councillor. Toronto MOWs, and fifteen IPA productions in total. Our local production community By Karl Pruner, President, has grown steadily, and now boasts nearly ACTRA Toronto Performers three full crews. There is a renewed sense of purpose in the The provincial tax credit scheme has, halls of ACTRA Toronto these days. no doubt, been a large factor in this. In Our recent Council elections have addition, ACTRA membership has grown brought fresh blood into the fold. With an on an average of 10% per year for the last ambitious and challenging agenda ahead five years. of us, we’re fortunate all of our new coun- As most Canadians know, Saskatchewan cilors have come armed with the energy is the party capital of the country. In 2007, and determination necessary to get the we hosted the Junos, CCMA (Canadian job done. Country Music Awards), WCMA (Western Two purpose-built studios are cur- Canada Music Awards), and the Geminis. rently being erected in the city and should The province is still green with pride from be up and running within the New Year. the Grey Cup victory in November. These projects will help address concerns The Branch launched its own website about the lack of dedicated studio space this year (www.actrasask.ca), which is Mike Burns and Wendy Anderson, in the city and will result in more work – continued on opposite page Ron Maclean in background.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 20 3/13/08 10:58:28 AM The Saskatchewan Party and Brad Wall are still in their honeymoon phase and have indicated – in private meetings with branch representatives – that they will continue to support our industry. We are hopeful to see things continue with business as usual.

very popularl with ith the th membership. b hi A provincial election created a sea change on the political front. The Saskatchewan Party and Brad Wall are still in their honeymoon phase and have indicated – in At the joint meeting of the ACTRA Edmonton Council and members of the ACTRA private meetings with branch representa- Calgary Council. (Left to right:) Duval Lang (President, ACTRA Calgary), Rebecca Starr tives – that they will continue to support (Treasurer, ACTRA Edmonton), Sonia Donaldson (President, ACTRA Edmonton), our industry. We are hopeful to see things Don Ast (National Councillor, ACTRA Edmonton), Brian Gromoff (National Councillor, continue with business as usual. ACTRA Calgary), James Dugan (Treasurer, ACTRA Calgary). The outlook for the New Year is unclear, but we are hearing that at least two small features will go in the early part of 2008. Our 40th Anniversary celebrations will Alberta Branch Representative Jennifer Blaney wrap up at the April 2008 Saskatchewan By Jennifer Blaney, was appointed by Alberta’s Minister of Film and Video Showcase awards. Branch Representative Culture to serve a two-year term on the Best wishes to all our ACTRA brothers Alberta Film Advisory Council with other and sisters for 2008. ■ 17 Emmy nominations have been gar- industry stakeholders. The mandate of nered for two productions that were shot the council is to develop a business case in Calgary last year – Bury My Heart for a long-term sustainable industry in at Wounded Knee and Broken Trail. The Alberta, which means substantial change Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward to the province’s current grant program. Robert Ford garnered Oscar nominations In Alberta, in the past, committees such as well. as this have only allowed for a single union Edmonton has been busy with five voice and vote. Jennifer will serve with her television series shot within approximately colleague Damian Petti, President of IATSE one year of each other – two Canadian 212 who is also the Industry Co-Chair of features, and early in 2008 Lionsgate is the Council. Jennifer is also elected the producing a 13-episode television series Chair of the Alberta Film Partners – a com- called Fear Itself. mittee dealing primarily with marketing The 9th annual A slow start at the beginning of the priorities for the film commission. Canadian Comedy Awards year in Calgary, but they’re making up for ACTRA Calgary has administered the will be accepting nominations lost time. Paul Gross’s Passchendaele just Edmonton branch for a year. The Council beginning in FEBRUARY, 2008. wrapped, which is the largest all-Can- and Branch Rep are jointly working on the Information guidelines adian, financed feature film in Canadian creation of ACTRA Alberta by-laws with and forms can be found at history. Calgary also hosted the wonderful the intent of truly amalgamating the canadiancomedyawards.ca television series Heartland, among other branches to coincide with the fiscal productions. year-end (beginning March 1, 2008). ■

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 21 3/13/08 10:58:35 AM ‘ACTRA Studio’ at the applause Atlantic Film Festival A very special event in Halifax for the first- Congratulations to our Genie ever ‘ACTRA Studio’ at the Atlantic Film nominated ACTRA members! Festival. This year, the ‘Studio’ featured Gordon Pinsent in conversation with Deb Performance by an Actor in a Allen. “It was a wonderful, funny and inspir- Leading Role: ing afternoon, and we now look forward to ★ Gordon Pinsent in Away From Her the ‘ACTRA Studio’ being our marquee event Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises at the AFF,” said Maritimes Branch Rep Gary Marc Labrèche in L’Âge des ténèbres/ Vermeir. The Festival this year featured a Days of Darkness raft of Atlantic Canadian films, such as the Claude Legault in Les 3 P’tits Cochons/ features Poor Boys Game (co-written and The 3 Little Pigs co-produced by Chaz Thorne) and Just Buried Roy Dupuis in Shake Hands with the Devil Gordon Pinsent (also written and directed by Chaz Thorne). Performance by an Actor in a interviewed on Superstar-in-the-making, Ellen Page, who Supporting Role: ‘ACTRA Studio.’ stars in the hit film, Juno, won the Best Actor Gilbert Sicotte in Continental, un film sans award for her work in The Tracey Fragments. ■ fusil/Continental, a Film Without Guns ★ Armin Mueller-Stahl in Eastern Promises Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge in Robert Lepage recognized Les 3 P’tits Cochons/The 3 Little Pigs Danny Glover in Poor Boy’s Game as artistic visionary Michel Ange Nzojibwami in Shake Quebec actor and director Robert Lepage Hands with the Devil was honoured in a gala celebration in Performance by an Actress in a Quebec City hosted by the Canadian Actors Leading Role: Equity Association, ACTRA, and UdA. ★ Julie Christie in Away From Her Lepage has worked in Canada and Béatrice Picard in Ma tante Aline/ Europe and received the Europe Theatre My Aunt Aline Prize. Lepage is recognized for being Ellen Page in The Tracey Fragments an artistic visionary who has achieved Anne-Marie Cadieux in Toi/You success in nearly all the performing arts – Molly Parker in Who Loves the Sun drama, opera, film, and musical theatre. “Lepage was acknowledged in October, Performance by an Actress in a 2007 for his impressive body of work, and Supporting Role: for his abilities to push the boundaries Richard Hardacre, ACTRA National ★ Kristen Thompson in Away From Her of performance and art,” said Richard President, with Quebec actor and Fanny Mallette in Continental, un film sans Hardacre, ACTRA National President. ■ director Robert Lepage. fusil/Continental, a Film Without Guns Marie-Ginette Guay in Continental, un film sans fusil/Continental, a Film Without Guns An Emmy-nominated Laurence Leboeuf in Ma fille mon ange performance! Véronique Le Flaguais in Surviving My Congratulations to August Schellenberg Mother/Comment survivre à sa mère on your Emmy-nominated performance as Best Motion Picture: Sitting Bull in the movie, Bury My Heart at ★ Away From Her Wounded Knee! The HBO epic movie event is based on Achievement in Art Direction/ Dee Brown’s bestseller. The film power- Production Design: fully explores the tragic impact that the ★ FIDO United States’ westward expansion had Achievement in Direction: on American Indian culture, and the eco- ★ Sarah Polley for Away From Her nomic, political and social pressures that Original Screenplay: motivated it. ★ Eastern Promises August Lensed in the wilds of Alberta, Schellenberg’s performance was critically Adapted Screenplay: Schellenberg acclaimed by Variety. ■ ★ Sarah Polley for Away From Her

★ Indicates Genie Award winners.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 22 3/13/08 10:58:41 AM CTV International Achievement Award applause presented to Sandra Oh Since 1988, Women in Film and Television – Toronto has honoured the Sarah extraordinary achievements of women in Polley screen-based media through its annual Manpreet Mansa Photography Sokhi, Crystal Awards. Since the inception of these coveted awards, more than 85 of Canada’s most accomplished women and men working in film, television and new media have been honoured. Through their achievements, these outstanding professionals have played a key role in advancing Canadian female talent and helped bring issues of diversity to the Susanne Boyce, President, Creative forefront. Content, Content and Channels, CTV The CTV International Achievement Inc., presents Sandra Oh with the CTV Award is bestowed for unparalleled global International Achievement Award at success by a Canadian woman working in this year’s Crystal Awards. film and television. ■ Veteran actor, up-and-coming director, Canadian gem WIDC success stories A round of applause to ACTRA members Congratulations go out to Sarah Polley Gail Maurice of ACTRA Toronto and Karen on her 2008 Claude Jutra Award, for Hines of ACTRA Calgary who have been her lyrically beautiful film, Away From selected for this year’s WIDC directing Her. The award recognizes outstanding ensemble. achievement by a first-time director, and And kudos to Sherry White, ACTRA was established in 1993 in honour of the Newfoundland member and alumni of the late Quebec director, Claude Jutra. Polley WIDC program, on her short, Diamonds in a was presented with the honour at the Bucket, starring Toronto member Liisa Repo- 2008 Genie Awards in Toronto. Martell and former National Councillor And more kudos to the talented Glenn Downey. White wrote and directed Ms. Polley – actor, director, and writer the film that was shown at the Toronto whose same film, Away From Her, was also International Film Festival’s Short Cuts and at nominated for an Academy Award for Best L.A. Shorts. It also played at the Vancouver, Adapted Screenplay. ■ Atlantic and St. John’s International Women’s Film Festivals as well as being invited to the Sherry Bahamas International Film Festival. White is White also a co-writer on the current series, MVP, Ellen airing on CBC Television. ■ Page

Page shines in Juno A big shout-out to Ellen Page on her Oscar- nominated performance in the magical film, Juno. The nomination was the first ever for an ACTRA Maritimes member. The Halifax actor stars in Montreal-born direc- Could-be dad, tor, Jason Reitman’s film, written by Diablo Michael Cera Cody (a.k.a. Brook Busey-Hunt) who, when plays alongside accepting her Academy Award for Best Ellen Page in Screenplay, Cody said she would like too Juno. thank “the super-human Ellen Page.” ■

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 23 3/13/08 10:58:45 AM applause Jessica Burleson, Daphne Korol, Talia Pura, and Rea Kavanagh. ACTRA Manitoba celebrates 50 years

The Winnipeg branch was chartered on June 13, 1958. ACTRA Manitoba kicked-off celebrations on January 18 with an annual Open House. Special guest Premier Gary Doer graciously accepted an honorary membership. The first ever ACTRA Manitoba Film Festival touted six shorts and they plan to make the Film Festival a yearly event. ■ Ti Hallas

Woman in the Director’s Chair Jacqueline Samudo Congratulations to Jacqueline Samudo, the inaugural winner of the 2008 MPPIA WIDC Feature Film Award, which represents material support, but also meaningful validation for the artist on her debut feature film, Bread. Samuda says, “For any filmmaker, the road from

Ti Hallas development to production can be a long one. As a female filmmaker with some statistics to climb over, this is a real boost. I’m very grateful to MPPIA, to Manitoba Premier Gary Doer receives Women In the Director’s Chair – which has honorary ACTRA membership from also provided me with valuable training Sharon Bajer, President of ACTRA in the past – and to all the sponsors.” ■ Manitoba.

Cooking with Kupecek

Linda Kupecek, one of the founding members of the ACTRA National Women’s Committee, was one of the Canadian authors invited to Wordfest 2007: Banff- Calgary International Writers Festival, with her book The Rebel Cook: Entertaining Advice for the Clueless (Altitude Publishing, 2006). Linda says she was honoured to be hanging out with the likes of Marina Ti Hallas Slewycka, Vincent Lam, Peter Robinson, Louise Penny and Nancy Huston, despite the fact that Linda’s book has a rubber Wayne Nicklas, Judy Cook, and Rob Macklin. chicken on the cover. ■

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 24 3/13/08 10:58:56 AM STRAIGHT TALK: The importance of By Ferne Downey, AFBS Governor & deadlines and diaries ACTRA Treasurer

For this role I am adopting my strict-but-fair persona: slightly ‘bossy boots’, a titch Green option opinionated (I blame my Celtic Maritime heritage), and full of certainty that every Once you have registered, you can check year more members can be cajoled into exercising their insurance options and your Insurance and Retirement Contributions doing the right thing, so I begin… in your work history. (Note: for all the details of your personal work history you would go to the www.actra.ca website, but Option to maintain easy payment options: annually by cheque more on that process in my next story). You or Visa or Mastercard, or monthly by pre- also have a green option in regards to your insurance coverage authorized chequing (PAC) to make it as quarterly RRSP statements. On the website I will sound like a broken record, but do manageable as possible. you may choose to relinquish your snail not pass up your annual opportunity to mail quarterly RRSP statement and opt to maintain last year’s insurance coverage read it on-line instead. You will still receive (bronze, silver or gold) for you, or you the all important year-end RRSP statement and your family. You receive your renewal by mail as it is a legal requirement. opportunity in the mail every year in March, around St. Patrick’s Day. It is a Option to purchase seasonal certainty that is as regular as Affinity programs include optional clockwork. The Statement of Insurance Critical Illness and a Real Estate Title Benefits tells what your level of insurance Fraud. (Go to www.actrafrat.com, click will be for the upcoming year, based on the Members icon, and select the upon your earnings. If you fell out of New Insurance Program 2007 – all coverage or have lower coverage, you are Affinity programs are listed in detail.) offered the opportunity to ‘maintain Any time you’re shopping around for your previous benefit level’, and your competitive prices, start here – see options are clearly spelled out for you. how they stack up. It runs the The deadline for return is 45 days gamut from affordable one-stop later, which takes us to about April out-of-country medical and travel 25, 2008. Let’s put it this way – if insurance to Voluntary Term Life you’ve got this nagging feeling you’ve Insurance to many more highlights. missed the deadline and it’s already Mother’s Day – you’re right! You’ve missed it! Do not miss this deadline. Program it Option for scholarship: into your cellphone/PDA/Blackberry – whatever digital device you favour. Write Online… option a fraternal benefit it in your day-timer. Mark it on your wall The ACTRA Fraternal website – www. Sixty-thousand dollars per annum is calendar. Deadlines in the insurance actrafrat.com is a very straightforward distributed to members of the Society world are real deadlines. If you are far, far and totally practical place to get a lot and dependents of members. There are away, phone toll-free in North America of information easily. As is befitting a two deadlines per year, spring and fall. at 1-800–387-8897 or email benefits@ financial institution, it is also very secure. While this is of great importance to your actrafrat.com and make arrangements As creative workers, we can be a challenge studious dependents, don’t forget about before the deadline expires. (The actual to locate – and pin down. We work away it for yourself as well. If you’re enhancing deadline will be indicated on your from home often and our snail mail may your education and professional standards Statement of Insurance Benefits and will languish awaiting our return, we may have in the arts or cultural fields, check it be posted on the AFBS website.) only provided an agency address and the out. More information is available on the Any of us can feel battered about important AFBS snail mail languishes AFBS website under the Fraternal Benefits modest earned income in any given year there – you know the picture I’m painting. program or by contacting AFBS Member – and this year was a roller coaster ride – Dead mail. For people like us, websites are Services. ■ but you have the opportunity to buy the a saving grace. Don’t procrastinate a day same level of coverage as you earned (or further – stop reading this story, go online If I can be of any service, please contact bought) last year. And it is subsidized and and register. It’s ‘easy-peasy’. me any time at [email protected]. affordable. AFBS has created numerous

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 25 3/13/08 10:59:04 AM Actors’ Fund of Canada turns 50! Emergency fund celebrates golden anniversary by playing a bigger role than ever By Tom McCamus and David Hope

“I need some help. a person should be able to see bad times unfortunately numerous, but there is no May I talk to someone?” coming and be able to plan for them. I’ve such thing as a hopeless situation. Actors’ since learned that’s not necessarily so. It’s Fund Executive Director David Hope, tells For 50 years, The Actors’ Fund has been been surprising to see how fast someone of a major entertainment industry figure on the receiving end of calls like this. can be thrown into a desperate situation.” who recently called about a friend who Since 1958, thousands of people have Vancouver actor Babz Chula knows this was in trouble, but wouldn’t apply for help approached the Actors’ Fund of Canada first hand. from the Fund because he was too proud for help and those conversations start in “I was diagnosed with breast cancer to think he needed it. Hope emphasizes about the same way. five years ago. While in remission, I that having to apply to the Actors’ Fund The fund is focused on providing discovered I also had a rare, incurable is not a sign of failure. “Among the people emergency financial aid to members of blood cancer. I was reeling. My local arts we’ve helped are some who have gone on the industry whose health, housing or community raised money for the alterna- to win major awards in Canadian film, ability to work is in jeopardy. As compas- tive treatments that would save my life. television, and theatre. Some have been sionate an organization as it is, the fund Eighteen months later that money was involved in the leadership of our enter- can’t always give everyone everything gone, but I was alive. Then my breast tainment industry unions at all levels. they ask for at all times. Decisions must cancer recurred, and I stepped back onto We’ve had clients who have received the be made about whether an applicant’s square one. I filled out an application to Order of Canada and some who are known circumstances meet the around the world for fund’s criteria of a financial their excellent work”, emergency and how much said Hope. support it can provide in Actor and comed- each case. ian Colin Mochrie A panel of members of is one of those who the Fund’s artist-led Board survived his share of of Directors reviews each hard times with help request for assistance. from the Fund. “I was Actor Tom McCamus has assisted by the Actors’ been one of 13 members FundFund ofof Canada five of the Fund’s board since The fund is focused on providing times betweenbe 1982 2004, and has seen the and 1988198 (I missed a decision-making process emergency financial aid to members yearyear whenwhe I was acci- from the inside. Says dentallydentally successful). McCamus of the sometimes The supportsup I received difficult challenge of deal- of the industry whose health, is somethingsomet I will ing with requests from always beb grateful assistance, “All the decisions housing or ability to for.for. AtAt a time when I we have been involved with, was plaguedplag by severe or privy to, come from a doubts, I was given caring and deeply humani- work is in jeopardy. a secondsecond (and third, tarian position. The range of fourth anda fifth) experience board members chanceh to do what I bring to the table really helps – I’ve been the Actors’ Fund and within days I heard love to do. We all feel more comfortable impressed by how each member can bring assistance had been approved, and I could giving help than taking it. Asking for their own unique insight into the problem expect help for three months. Had it not financial assistance can make one feel like and make suggestions that might offer a been for the kindness and generosity of a failure. Yet, without the Actors’ Fund, solution not seen by anyone else – includ- the Actors’ Fund, I’m afraid to think of I would have surely failed. I like to think ing the client.” what might have been. With incredible the Fund invested in me, so that one day I This business is an insecure one, and swiftness, I was cushioned by support. In could return the favour.” no one knows this better than McCamus, a matter of days I was safe again, and able Actor Shawn Doyle also faced hard “It’s like a roller coaster – feast or famine to address the new challenge I faced,” said times early in his career. He says, “In my – all the phrases we use. Before getting Chula. early twenties, my empty bank account involved with the Actors’ Fund, I felt that The stories of struggle are made it impossible to properly care for

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 26 3/13/08 10:59:08 AM “I remember being completely shocked as a new kid on the scene that I would get the same respect and consideration as anyone else

Colin Mochrie Babz Chula Shawn Doyle more established in the business.”

my teeth. The neglect caught up to me counselling, employment assistance, help this time last year. Indications are that the within a few years and, suddenly, my for senior artists, and an even greater col- Fund is on the way to breaking its all-time mouth needed major TLC. I had serious laboration with other agencies concerned record for the amount of financial aid problems to deal with. I remember being with the health and welfare of our artists.” distributed in one year by 13%. completely shocked as a new kid on the Goals of the year-long Actors’ Fund Hope feels as if the Fund is just begin- scene that I would get the same respect celebrations will be comprehensive. ning to take its place as one of Canada’s and consideration as anyone else more McCamus says, “I hope by the end of leading entertainment industry organiza- established in the business. The Fund the 50th anniversary celebrations later tions. Aside from creating a saturation covered all of my dental work, and saved next year, that a lot more people in our level of awareness of the Fund throughout several of my teeth in the process. In business will know the Actors’ Fund isn’t the entertainment industry, and encour- subsequent years, I never had to call on it only for actors. It would be great if people aging individuals to adopt the Fund as again but my experience with the their charity of choice, the Fund contributed to my growing anniversaryanniversa year offers us the sense of community and security, The stories of struggle are opportunityopportun to strengthen its particularly in those lean years.” partnershipspartnersh with the unions If the Fund wasn’t accessible, andand otherothe organizations whose our community would stand to lose unfortunately numerous, membersmembers it serves. ACTRA, a wealth of talented people forced Actra FrFraternala (the Fund is to leave the industry to seek other but there is no such thing subsidisedsubsidise by a rent-free office ways out of their financial troubles. spacespace in Fraternal’s building We are truly blessed to have an atat 1000 YYonge Street), IATSE, organization to help protect our as a hopeless situation. DGC,DGC, andand Equity are all major creative ambitions. supporterssupporte of the Fund’s work. All of these stories are incredibly great who work in all the other aspects of our The increased awareness that the fund to tell as, in 2008, the fund will celebrate profession start to view it as something is working toward will impact it in two its 50th anniversary with a year-long fund- they are a part of too. Hopefully, that will ways, says McCamus. “First, it creates an raising and awareness campaign. make it easier to make use of and therefore opportunity for more people who need Hope says, “There’s a new energy to easier to give back to.” help to apply, but it’s also an opportun- the fund at 50 – the scope of the project Bringing new funds into the organiza- ity for people who have done well to give is huge. It’s the biggest thing we’ve ever tion is also near the top of McCamus’ list. back. I’ve had a good life so far in the arts done. Our dream is to become even more He wants to use the anniversary and its community. If I can offer anything and do connected and supported than ever attendant fundraising campaign to move something that will help it grow, then I before. The fund’s vision for its future the fund into a position where it doesn’t feel I have given something back. And you includes having the means to provide more risk being depleted if a major catastrophe don’t get to do that very often.” emergency financial assistance, financial hits Canada’s arts community. The Actors’ Fund has come a long In fact, the Fund has doubled the way from when Robert Christie, Barbara annual amount of financial aid it has Hamilton, Jane Mallett, Larry McCance, www.actorsfund.ca delivered over Barry Morse, and Bill Needles founded it the last six back in 1958. years. This Hope says, “As part of our anniversary past spring celebrations we’ve been combing through has been boxes of old files and notes – some dating especially back to the Fund’s very beginnings at challenging for the old Equity offices on Toronto’s Jarvis the organiza- Street. Jane Mallett ran the Fund then tion’s finances almost single-handedly, earning the title as it has seen ‘Godmother of Canadian performers’. She a 30% jump really knew what was needed, and we have in the amount her to thank for building the foundation of financial into what we have today.” payments it As much as some things change, other has made over – continued on next page

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 27 3/13/08 10:59:09 AM FAREWELL Actors’ Fund turns 50! – continued from previous page

things stay the same. Most organizations dedicated to helping people improve their lives look forward to the day that conditions in society will change enough to make the services they provide unnecessary. ‘Utopia’ for the Fund would mean that illnesses or injuries would never put an artist in jeopardy of losing their home. People in the business would have access to steady, satisfying employ- ment if they wanted it. Families would stay together. Seniors would retire in comfort, with enough retirement savings to sus- MICHAEL KANE tain them throughout their lifetimes. Michael Kane was a Canadian original. During his 85 years he lived life to the full- est. He was son, brother, lover, husband, father, grandfather and my uncle. “If we could, we’d wave He was nominated for, and won, acting awards from Peabody, Obie, and ACTRA a magic wand and make among many others. He garnered notoriety by being his own man. He was known as the ‘Bad Boy things permanently better for of the CBC’. After serving in WWII, first in the Ferry Command, then the RCAF, he started artists in Canada. Until that acting in his hometown of Montreal. Kane honed his craft through plays with happens, we’ll be here.” the Montreal Repertory Company and CBC radio dramas. Eventually, my uncle landed in New York “If we could, we’d wave a magic wand and make things perma- City where his impressive talent led to star- nently better for artists in Canada. Until that happens, we’ll be ring roles in theatre and television. here,” says Hope. The Fund’s U.S. counterpart is celebrating its His version of Hamlet won a Peabody 125th anniversary this year. At 50, the Actors’ Fund of Canada award. He co-founded Camera Three, and looks like it’s here to say. ■ he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his role in the stage version of Dostoevsky’s For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, Notes from the Underground. call (toll-free) 1-877-399-8392 or visit www.actorsfund.ca. His performance in James Joyce’s Exiles won him an Obie Award and the next year he won plaudits for O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Tom McCamus is an award-winning Canadian into Night. film and theatre actor. He recently com- Except for starring in the controversial pleted his eighth season at the Stratford Trial of the Catonsville Nine, an anti-war play, Festival, appearing in The Comedy of Errors off and on Broadway, he spent the rest of his and An Ideal Husband. McCamus’s Film and theatre life with his two one-man shows Man television credits include I Love a Man in of the World and Walt Whitman. Uniform, for which he won a Genie award, Michael was a brilliant, stubborn, and Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The creative soul. He leaves his wife Helen, eight Sweet Hereafter, Possible Worlds and Waking up Wally: The children, two grandchildren, and Walter Gretzky Story, the later earning him a Gemini and ACTRA two nephews. The world was his stage. award. McCamus has been a member of the Actors’ Fund of Farewell, Michael. We hardly knew ye… ■ Canada’s Board of Directors since 1995. He lives with his wife, By Art Hindle Chick Reid, near Warkworth, Ontario.

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 28 3/13/08 10:59:13 AM FAREWELL

many Shaw and Stratford productions. His Broadway credits include The Merchant of Venice, The Government Inspector, and Philadelphia, Here I Come! Leyden moved from Toronto to New York in the early 1980s. He is survived by his former wife and companion, Colette Leyden, daughter Vanessa Redfield, sister Phyllis O’Neill and extended family. ■

Percy Rodriguez in The Gambler.

Lillian Hellman’s Toys in the Attic in 1960. DON CHEVRIER He first gained widespread notoriety in Popular sports announcer best-known as 1968 for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. the original television voice of the Toronto Harry Miles in the prime time soap opera Blue Jays, died on December 17, 2007, he Peyton Place. ■ was 69. Chevrier, who was born in Toronto but lived in Palm Harbor, Florida, suffered from a blood disorder and was recently admitted to hospital before being released a few days later. Chevrier was the first on air TV broadcaster who was a part of the foundation of the Blue Jays. Chevrier was BARRY MORSE also known for his versatility and called Prolific British-born Canadian actor football, baseball, curling, hockey, golf, remembered for pursuing The Fugitive boxing and Olympic sports for the CBC across America. Barry Morse died at the age of 89. He was the relentless detective and other networks. ■ Lieutenant Philip Gerard in The Fugitive (1963-67). Morse visited his wife’s family here in Canada in the summer of 1951 and he went on to work as an actor and director. Morse’s film roles included Hay in the Goose Steps, with Peter Ustinov and the role of Har Poon in The Telephone Book. DON WITTMAN Morse’s stage credits included directing Veteran sports broadcaster Don Wittman Charles Dyer’s Staircase. He was also a died of cancer in a Winnipeg hospital on regular on The Adventurer. Herbert ‘Barry’ January 19, 2008. Wittman called the Morse, actor and director, born June 10, Munich Olympics for CBC during the 1918; died February 2, 2008. ■ hostage tragedy in 1972. Leo Leyden Wittman, 71, will be remembered in The Devil’s for his courage and enormous skills as a Petition. PERCY RODRIGUEZ broadcaster. He was a two-time ACTRA Percy Rodriguez passed away in Indio, Award winner and was Sports Media California on September 6, 2007, at the Canada’s 2002 Broadcaster of the Year. LEO LEYDEN age of 89. Born in Montreal, Rodriguez He has been inducted into the Canadian Leo Leyden died at the age of 78 in New enjoyed an illustrious career as a charac- Football League Hall of Fame, the York City on August 7, 2007. Leyden was ter actor who appeared in many television Canadian Curling Hall of Fame and is a a veteran actor, appearing in many West shows and films from the 1950’s to the member of Manitoba’s Sports Hall of Fame. End and Broadway productions. Born 1980’s. Rodriguez started his acting Wittman leaves his wife, Judy, two in Dublin, Leyden trained at the Abbey career in the 1930’s appearing in stage daughters, Karen and Kristen, and son School of Acting. In the late 1950’s, plays and television series in Canada. He David. ■ Leyden emigrated to Canada, and began eventually moved to New York City where working at the CBC and appeared in he made his Broadway theatre debut in By William Houston

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55023-1 Interactra.indd 29 3/13/08 10:59:18 AM The family

biz Brian Deborah Paul Tennant

> continued from back cover TT: How do you approach those kinds of BP: With the L.A. project (Tell Me You Love DT: It all started because we knew someone roles? Do you coach? Me) I’m not certain whether Aislinn’s ever who was casting for a little girl. And Aislinn AP: I coach when I have to cry or scream read a full script. She’s had to forgo read- would always be with us at auditions. so I can be comfortable with it. And some- throughs and meeting all the cast because the show is sexually explicit. BP: Basically, we couldn’t get babysitters times I’ll coach just to see if I can bring up just for one hour, so Aislinn came right my level a bit. I like coaching. It’s fun. TT: Was it a hard decision to get her into the room with us. We would put her DT: If it’s a project with a lot of emotional involved then? on a chair over at the side and she’d sit investment it’s better to have an outside DT: We shot the pilot with Patricia Rozema there and watch us do our auditions. coach. If we’re having a particular parent- who was a huge draw for everybody. AP: I remember how upset I got the first daughter day that’s not great, it’s hard AP: I love her. She’s an amazing director. time my parents told me I couldn’t come to put on the hat of the director and the She has kids and so it was fun. I was very into the room anymore because I was too actor. It sometimes gets a bit messy. comfortable doing scenes that under old. Watching them audition was one of BP: It’s hard any time, even if we’re having other circumstances would be extremely my favourite pastimes. a good day, because it crosses a boundary uncomfortable. DT: There are a couple of things that really that has never worked for us. I used to give TT: Aislinn, do you think there are things stuck out for both of us. The first is that hints, but I realized it got in her way. It that have taken a back seat because of Aislinn is very good focusing from the get actually stopped the things about her that your acting? go. She also has a great kinetic memory. were the best, simply her own naturalness. AP: I’ve had to give up a dance class so That’s something I’ve struggled with on So I backed off and that was the best move that we can do a coaching, but sometimes film, but she had the natural physical I made. I just want to work on my job and I have memory for it at a very early age. TT : Have you taken acting classes besides to remind myself that school work always TT: When did it shift for you and become the coaching? comes first. work? AP : I’m trying one right now. It’s interest- DT: Last year, the day we got to L.A., they AP: There was a feature film project that ing to have a scene partner, as well as a flipped the schedule on us. Instead of I sent in a self-tape audition for. The CD teacher. You can have someone on your three days it was almost 10 days before we actually called my agent and told him that level to read with, instead of reading with actually did anything. She had just started I was kind of bad. So I had some coaching, the person giving you the directions, at this great middle school and had to did it again, and then I was the second which is always good. miss a camping trip. That’s something I choice with three girls in all of Canada. DT: At this age, Aislinn is starting to do still regret. Coming up, she’ll be audition- My parents and my agent used to say more analyses and thinking more about ing for Etobicoke School of the Arts and that was my ‘switch,’ but I don’t think it technique. In a class structure you start there’s a trip to Montreal in June, so we was. I think my real switch just happened to learn how to break down a script and are planning to be very vocal about her recently. Before I was just ‘being there,’ how to do it more efficiently. We are also need to have that time. and saying the lines and giving reactions juggling seven dance classes a week, a full BP: Aislinn invited two friends to go down that I would probably just give if I was load at school, and her social life. And it’s to L.A. for a week each. That was a bonus. tired. Then something happened, and really important to me that she still have a She came back to Toronto for 10 days. She I put out more instead of holding it in. ‘normal’ life. was going to be in every episode, but Deb It’s definitely changed now. Harder roles TT: How do you handle deciding what was very forward about it and asked for an have been coming in. I had to do a girl Aislinn does or doesn’t do? episode off. with multiple personalities – that was interesting. DT: We have turned down auditions we AP: We had to plead for time off so I could didn’t feel comfortable putting her in. go home and hang out for Halloween. 30 InterACTRA WINTER 2008

55023-1 Interactra.indd 30 3/13/08 10:59:25 AM Aislinn and Joely Fisher in Aislinn on the set of Aislinn and Ryan Wynott on Wild Card, Season One. Do or Die in 2002. the set of Tell Me You Love Me.

DT: We’ve had some very good discussions you. And then during the run something AP: I adore anything in front of a camera about it and they’re aware that our con- happened that I was trying to talk to or an audience. Performing in general is cerns are based on the fact that we want Aislinn about and she got quite enraged at one of the greatest joys in my life. I never our daughter to be happy. me because I was giving her notes. realized how much I would miss it if it was TT: What is there about being the parents BP: (laughing) Other actors don’t do that! gone until this summer when there was of a child actor that has surprised you? a bit of a lull and I didn’t have a job for DT: Yes well, I breathed for her, and I about two months… BP: How little companies actually alter mouthed all her words, and gradually their ways to actually deal with kids. As I was able to let it go. (Brian, Deborah and Tova crack up laughing.) soon as Aislinn’s finished on set they haul BP: I saw the show five times and I cried AP: I know, but I was used to working her off to tutoring. I have to step in and every time. The dress rehearsal was the almost every other week. It’s like air for go, ‘Excuse me, tutoring is not a break’. time when I realized that we might have me. I need it. Also the way they schedule younger kids created a monster. At the point where all DT: We have always made it clear to Aislinn has always bothered me. Why do they the kids march out, turn in place and then that if tomorrow she decided she didn’t start with the adults’ scenes or takes? step forward and answer to the whistle. want to act any more, it would be fine. Do the kids stuff when they’re fresh! At the dress rehearsal there were 2,000 BP: No problems, because truly we only DT people there and… : That’s when I realized the idea of kids started this because we’re actors. When not doing overtime makes complete sense. AP: I’ve heard this story many times. she’s 18, we’ll still be actors and we’ll still It’s just ridiculous to even contemplate BP: When her whistle sounded, she be making as little money as we do now that they should have to wait a full day and we would never be able to send her to before they work. stepped forward and you could see the terror on her face. It was this amazing university. We thought she would do a few TT: When Aislinn was seven, you were both look. Then, within half a second, you could commercials and make a college nest egg. cast in The Sound of Music at the Stratford see it change because the whole audience We never intended to make her into an Festival. How was that? went Ahhhhhh. They welcomed her. actor, and we didn’t do that anyway – she did that herself. DT: I auditioned first, I think? DT: It’s the Ahhhh. Gretl is the Ahhhh part. AP: When I’m 16 I’m going to be living AP: Twenty kids in the room would all BP: And then she said her name stepped sit in a circle and improvise. It was at here. And when I’m older, so long as I’m back and the look on her face was com- not living under a rock and I can have one my dance studio so I was 10 times more pletely different. It was like Oh YEAH! comfortable. I was very confused when meal a day, and I am working a bit, then ■ we got down to the last couple and I was AP: Quite frankly I don’t remember that I’m definitely going to be an actor. like ‘Why are there only two of us here for at all. What I remember is the joy of being Award-winning actor, writer Gretl?’ And then it was the fifth audition on stage. I enjoyed it so much. I don’t even and singer, Theresa Tova’s and I was the only one there for Gretl and know why. career has gone from film, I was like, ‘Where is everybody else?’ TT: And after Stratford? TV projects, and the DT: It was lucky for all of us the way DT: That summer we did the movie Broadway musical stage it worked out. The thing that’s most Betrayed and then Zoe Busiek Wildcard to concert and Jazz venues interesting for me was that I had to separ- with Joely Fisher for two years. around the world. This year Tova toured ate myself. Actually the director Kelly to Amsterdam, Weimar Germany, Warsaw TT: You’ve had great roles in theatre, Robinson was very helpful that way. We Poland, Houston Texas, and New York while in TV series, and in film. Adult actors had a little chat right at the beginning of still serving the ACTRA membership as a talk about enjoying one medium over the rehearsal process and I told him I’m National Councillor, Toronto’s VP internal, another. What do you feel about that? not going to give her notes. It’s all up to Children’s Advocate. www.theresatova.com

WINTER 2008 Inter ACTRA 31

55023-1 Interactra.indd 31 3/13/08 10:59:27 AM The By Theresa Tova family

Deborah Aislinn Brian biz Tennant Paul Paul > Aislinn Paul is wise beyond her Theresa Tova: So, what do you those are the things I really work at. years. It’s true, most 21st century call this life you share? But the acting thing has always come kids are sharp, but Aislinn seems to naturally, so I don’t think I deserve to Aislinn Paul: Definitely a family on the take it to a new level. She’s preco- be told I’m good at it. move, I think. cious, warm and funny all mixed TT: Can you believe the calibre of all Deborah Tennant: The family business. into one. the producers in L.A., Stratford, and Paul loves acting more than any- Brian Paul: We’re just like other all the series directors you’ve worked thing else in the world. Well, almost people. Some families own grocery with? For something that you ‘don’t anything. She also loves philoso- stores, we act. really work at’ – you sure have a lot of phising about life, helping other TT: How old were you when you knew experiences. kids whether they act or do not, and what your parents did for a living? dreams of one day living the high AP: It’s like one big reality show about life – in Toronto. She’s a determined AP: When I was about three years old, the terrible actress who had a job and young girl who, at 13, has already my mom left to do a play and I was so it’s going to run forever. saved for university. confused why she was suddenly gone. TT: What are the things that frustrate While her parents never I was so mad I wouldn’t even talk to you most? intended for her to go into the her on the phone. I was like, ‘Where AP: I want to be a normal kid, but I family business, it’s worked out that did you go? Come back!’ It made more also work because I have such a pas- way, and for the better. Deborah sense once I got into the business sion for this business. Being away from Tennant and Brian Paul are seasoned around age four. my friends at school is difficult. Being performers both with extensive TT: Was there a time when you recog- in L.A. is dreary. When I think about resumés as long as your arms. nized that you were good at it or had a going back to L.A. this year it really Theresa Tova, who works with knack for it? tears me in half… but working with many of our young actors, recently some of those people is amazing. So sat down with Aislinn and her AP: Actually it’s never really come to it’s a really hard decision. parents. Tova emerged from the me. I still don’t believe I’m good at it. interview like any good interviewer, Sometimes I feel like everyone is lead- TT: Deborah and Brian, how do you consumed by her subject and want- ing me on. Ever since I was little my help Aislinn balance all this? You ing to tell the world all about this friends would say, ‘Oh you’re such a obviously decided to start her out little acting dynamo. good actor’. I used to wish they would at a very early age. say something different like, ‘You’re such a good artist or dancer,’ because – continued inside on page 30

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