After much deliberation, we are pleased to announce the Top 12 finalists who now advance to the script stage. Over the past weekend the incredible Top 40 pitched to our In-Person Jury comprised of our own Catherine Lough Haggquist, Glen Schaefer, Jem Garrard, Kaare Andrews, Katie Weekley and Zach Lipovsky. This was quite a difficult year for narrowing down the list! We seriously encourage everyone who pitched their film to keep persevering and get it made!

Here are the Crazy 8s 2016 – Top 12 Finalists!

Arranged
Director: Rohit Chokhani
Writers: Rohit Chokhani and Ashley Rose
Producer: Ashley Rose

An inter-racial couple embarks on a journey to bring an understanding of eastern traditions and western values to arrange their own wedding. How much will each family need to adapt to the others’ culture? Will they be able to coexist?

A Family of Ghosts
Director and Writer: Shannon Kohli
Producer: Rob Meekison

Even the grave can’t stop Abigail’s grandparents from ruining her love life.

Grocery Store Action Movie
Director: Matthew Campbell
Writers: Peter Carlone and Chris Wilson
Producers: Ryan Silva, David Kaye and Jameson Parker

A man on the brink of checking out realizes he has forgotten the crackers. In a race against time he will risk life and limb in an attempt at the impossible: retrieve the crackers before the person in front of him pays…

I Love You So Much It’s Killing Them
Director: Joel Ashton McCarthy
Writers: Joel Ashton McCarthy and Mike Doaga
Producers: Nach Dudsdeemaytha & Marena Dix

An unconventional rom-com told from the perspective of a serial killing accountant with a heart of gold

Iteration 1
Director: Jesse Lupini
Writers: Jesse Lupini and Lucas Kavanagh

A man must complete a series of bizarre puzzles with the help of his literal past lives, after waking up in a strange white room where his progress resets every 60 seconds

Meet Cute
Director: Patrick Currie
Writers: Patrick Currie and Brendan Green
Producer: Michele Picard

An unexpected first kiss initiates an unravelling in the lives of two strangers as they discover their undeniable attraction challenges everything they thought they knew about themselves.

Mystery Meat
Director: Jim Van Dijk
Writer: Hannah Van Dijk

When a Food Critic with the power to make or make or break her new restaurant comes for dinner, talented but anxious chef Harriet must battle her insecurities – which appear in the form of a giant pink rabbit – in order to create the perfect dish.

NPC
Director: Katherine Hill
Writer: R. Morgan Slade
Producers: Annette Reilly and Greg Delmage

After mysteriously losing out on one too many performance awards, a determined type-A desk worker must discover the truth behind her undeserving losing streak before her last chance at recognition is handed to the company’s current favourite: the office clown.

Resuscitate
Director: Chris Aitken and Denis Ogrinc
Writers: Chris Aitken and Denis Ogrinc
Producer: Rory W Tucker

Jon, an unambitious lifeguard, shocks a CPR dummy to life during his first aid training. Jon and the dummy become best friends during an adventurous afternoon and the two learn something about themselves they could not have done without each other.

Trying
Director and Writer: Shauna Johannesen
Producer: Lulu Pan

A seemingly simple decision becomes a wholly unsexy obsession for a 35-year-old high school teacher and her husband trying to penetrate the mysteries of biology and get knocked up.

Unintentional Mother
Director and Writer: Mary Galloway
Producer: Jaykaybie Brown

For an Aboriginal girl who must choose between running from her abusive father or staying as a devoted nanny, family is all about perspective.

Unlock
Directors: Orsy Szabo and Krista Rand
Writers: Alexandra Shewan, Orsy Szabo and Krista Rand

Unlock is a love story that follows Helena across Canada by train, as she retrieves a love lock and reclaims her freedom

The post Crazy8s 2016 Top 12 Finalists appeared first on Biz Books.

After a ruthless faction seizes power in Washington, Carlton Berg, a bureaucrat for the State Department, runs off with the new regime’s top secret enemies list. Unfortunately for Carlton, the chase has come to an end in a police station in the Ozarks town of Lodus. As Department of Homeland Security agents close in, he must convince an unwilling set of confidants—an unsympathetic police chief, a law-abiding administration assistant, and fellow prisoner Tanya Shepke, a motor-mouthed recidivist who’s turned herself in for drunk driving and thinks Skynyrd should be on the new money — of his plans to expose the new regime.  Inspired by real-life US government initiatives—the Readiness Exercise 1984, and Main Core—the premise of play is unnervingly plausible and highly apt in light of Bill C-51, Edward Snowden’s revelations, and Chicago’s Homan Square detainment scandal. The North Plan is a suspenseful, unsettling, and often hilarious portrayal of what happens when democratic order has been upended. The production is staged in a site-installed space in Vancouver’s Chinatown open to the public for the first time. The revolution starts now.

What critics are saying:

“The North Plan mixes paranoia and farce!” – Kathleen Oliver, The Georgia Straight

“The antics of the players and the twists in the plot keep the audience laughing out loud.” – Christian Steckler, Review Vancouver

“I can’t remember laughing so hard and being so unsettled at the same time – in equal measure.” – Jo Ledingham, On the Scene

“The North Plan is well written, acted and directed. I honestly haven’t had this much fun at show in a long time.” – Christina Pontikis, Vancouver Weekly

“This play is on a slow burn that sparks in the first half, but really ignites in the second.” – Chelsey Stuyt, Vancouver Presents!

Starring Genevieve Fleming, Catherine Lough Haggquist (of Biz Books), Paul Herbert, Daniel Martin, Allen Morrison, and David Mott

Directed by Chelsea Haberlin

Designed by James Coomber, Laura Fukumoto, and Jergus Oprsal

Jason Wells received the Elizabeth Osborn New Play Award in 2010 for an emerging playwright from the American Theatre Critics Association.

In an underground Location near 211 East Georgia (at Main St) in Vancouver.

November 19th – 22nd & 24th – 29th @ 8PM
November 21st & 29th @ 2 PM

Come to the door and Pay-What-You-Can for a preview on Thursday, November 19th!

Tuesday, November 24th performance and Saturday, November 21st matinee are 2-for-1!

Regular Tickets: $20

Low Income: $14

Buy tickets through Theatre Wire!

Recommended Reading The Perfect Stage Crew
2nd Edition Click a cover for more details Empire of the Son Ignite: Illuminating Theatre
For Young People

The post The North Plan appeared first on Biz Books.

Opening June 6th at the Beaumont Stage, it features a new twist in the form of a talented all-female cast, including our own Catherine Lough Haggquist of Biz Books. We spoke with Rachel Peake to find out more about the process of developing and directing such an ambitious production.

What inspired you to take on this production?

I have always thought of Glengarry Glen Ross as a “man’s play” – about men, for men – so I never imagined tackling it. But when I was asked to direct an all-female production I began to wonder about that idea of a “man’s play.” What did my labelling it that mean? What did it say about my own compartmentalization of how men behave versus how women behave, and what men are driven by versus what drives women? That, combined with my interest in separating notions of “feminine” and “masculine” from “female” and “male”, began to get me really excited about what could be unearthed in hearing these words come out of women’s mouths. Not altered. Not made into female scenarios. But presented as-written.

Recommended Reading The Perfect Stage Crew
2nd Edition Click a cover for more details Empire of the Son Ignite: Illuminating Theatre
For Young People

Can you briefly walk us through your creative process for this production, from the early stages all the way to opening?

The process was a bit unusual for me because it was an extended rehearsal period and our designers came on after our actors had been cast. However, this scenario allowed me to really focus on the text: the ideas, the language, the arguments, the rhetoric, for a large chunk of the preparatory time, and then to bring design and aesthetic conversations into the discussion. Once in rehearsal we spent a good chunk of time on the dense text, and then got on our feet, pushing relatively quickly to a first run in order to give us all an overview of the story, and then breaking in down into detail to rehearse again. We have been rehearsing half-time for a little over seven weeks, and we will go into full time rehearsals for tech leading up to opening.

What were the biggest challenges for you as a director in developing this production and how did you deal with them?

All the glory and all the trials are in the text. It is dense text about a world very few Vancouverites in 2015 know much about, so negotiating the realities of the business and how it works are extremely tricky. Also, of course, there is the added challenge of women taking on male roles and understanding what that means in terms of tactic and intention. When it comes to the second point we have sought outside advice, techniques, and counsel. For the most part, research, analysis, and our detective skills with some imaginative problem-solving thrown in seem to have been our guide.

Are there any books or specific authors that have been influential to you so far in your creative journey?

I have read a lot of David Mamet. His plays, his theories, his rants. It is interesting to see both how his writing and opinions have changed over his career, and how differently I come to it all than I did last time I read it when I was in university! I also read A Practical Handbook for the Actor by Melissa Bruder, Lee Michael Cohn, Madeleine Olnek, Nathaniel Pollack, Robert Previto and Scott Zigler. It was not written by David Mamet, but it was in essence endorsed by him and seems to espouse his directives to actors playing his text. I also read some critical essays that form part of “Gender and Genre” and “David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross: Text and Performance” as well as some articles on sales from the era.

What can you share about any future projects that are in development?

I’m thrilled to be heading to Newfoundland again this summer to work on an interarts project there with Dark by Five at the Liminus Festival in Corner Brook and Gros Morne National Park. I will am developing two new works here in Vancouver: Mata Hari with Single Line Theatre (debuting in February), and Point Counterpoint with the Elbow Theatre (debuting in Montreal in January). I am adapting the main stage opera Stickboy by Shane Koyczan to be toured in high schools by Vancouver Opera in Schools next January. I’ll also be heading out of town to direct Miss Caledonia at Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops and The Snow Queen at the Globe Theatre in Regina.

Where can we find out more about you?

RachelPeake.com

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Glengarry Glen Ross runs from June 6th through June 27th at the Beaumont Stage. For ticket information, please visit TicketsTonight. You can also support the production through its Indiegogo campaign.

The post The Biz Interview: Rachel Peake of “Glengarry Glen Ross” appeared first on Biz Books.

Play Details

This scalding comedy took Broadway and London by storm. Here is David Mamet at his very best, writing about small-time, cutthroat real estate salesmen trying to grind out a living by pushing plots of land on reluctant buyers in a never-ending scramble for their share of the American dream. Revived on Broadway in 2005 and 2012, this masterpiece of American drama also became a celebrated film which starred Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin and Alan Arkin.

The producers of Classic Chic Productions are thrilled to announce their next project, an all-female Glengarry Glen Ross.

Glengarry Glen Ross is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.

June 6th – 27th, 2015

Preview June 3 & 4 (half price), Opening Night June 6th

Run Tuesday to Saturday, with a 2 for 1 on Tues June 9th

Matinees at 2:00pm on all Saturdays except opening, June 6th.

Tickets $25.00 at the door and $23.00 + service fee on Tickets Tonight.

At the Beaumont Stage (326 West 5th Ave, Vancouver, BC)

You can also get some great perks and help support this production through the Indiegogo campaign for Glengarry Glen Ross and Classic Chic Productions.

Cast:

Catherine Lough Haggquist – Baylen
Marci T House – Williamson
Colleen Winton – Levene
Michelle Martin – Roma
Corina Akeson – Moss
Suzanne Ristic – Aaronow
Christina Wells Campbell – Lingk

Directed by Rachel Peake.

Recommended Reading The Perfect Stage Crew
2nd Edition Click a cover for more details Empire of the Son Ignite: Illuminating Theatre
For Young People

The post Glengarry Glen Ross at the Beaumont Stage appeared first on Biz Books.

These days, she’s busy with her newest film role in Down River, which premieres in Vancouver at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Jennifer talked to us about the film, her growing career, and her time at Biz Books.

Tell us about Down River and what audiences can look forward to.

Down River is a very special project to us. It was inspired by Ben Ratner’s close friendship with Babz Chula who passed on before her time. While the film is classified as a drama, there are many comedic moments and we think folks will identify with its universal themes. Our hope is that audiences will come away feeling inspired to create value and connection and live their lives in the best way that they can.

How did you become involved in the film and what was your creative process like throughout the production of the film?

I became involved through the very convenient situation that I’m married to the director! My creative process started out with the basic questions an actor asks themselves about their character. Then Ben, Gloria (wardrobe) and I worked together to choose what outfits felt most like “Aki”. That was hugely helpful in getting a feel for her. The glasses we ended up using belonged to Babz. We actually used a ton of Babz’s stuff for the film: much of her clothing for Helen Shaver’s character “Pearl”, items from her apartment and Gabrielle, Colleen and I each wore one of her signature bracelets. The way Ben then guided me in going deeper and telling Aki’s story was such an amazing experience for me- he’s the kind of director every actor wants to work with. I trusted him completely and not just because of our relationship. Everyone did. He’s really good at what he does. To be exceptional in one artistic discipline is admirable enough but to be exceptional in many (directing, writing, acting, teaching, painting, making music) is a very rare thing and he actually is. OK, I sound like I’m gushing but it’s all true!

What are the key similarities and differences between you and your character, Aki? How did you address those as an actor?

I think we’re similar in that we’re both pretty nerdy, introverted and weird. Maybe I’m not quite as cripplingly shy in real life so I guess I had to “turn up” that part of myself that is.

What was the biggest challenge for you in this film?

There’s a scene where I had to dance drunkenly and bizarrely and sexually in front of a crowd so yeah I’d say there was some major fear involved in that.

What were your reasons for getting involved with acting to begin with?

I wanted to do it primarily because I really wanted to affect people- make them feel something, change them in some small way. And to me, stories and art were the way to do that. That’s what’s always affected me the most and helped me to understand what it means to be human. I wanted to help other people understand that too.

You’ve had a successful mix between television and film roles. As an actor, what do you enjoy about each medium?

I love the intimacy of both. For the actors and the audience. With film, it’s almost even more intimate than TV because the screen is so huge so the audience is really getting EVERYTHING. But with TV, more can happen in a way. There are more possibilities of how characters can develop as you evolve them through episodes and often, seasons.

Who are the performers, writers, or directors that have been influential to you?

Oh man- where to start? Gary Oldman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, Meryl Streep, Catherine Keener, Julianne Moore, Judd Apatow, Charlie Kaufman, John Hughes, the list goes on!

Are there any books or specific authors that have been influential to you so far in your creative journey?

Many! When I first started out I remember finding The Actor’s Survival Kit which is written specifically for Canadian actors. That helped demystify the business for me. It seems like I’m always in various stages of re-reading The Intent to Live especially when I need help deepening a character. Writing Down the Bones is an amazing book on writing and the creative process and really made me realize just how important practice is to bettering oneself as an artist. Other ones that resonated with me are: The Actor’s Audition Checklist, The War of Art and I just finished reading Judi Dench’s And Furthermore which I devoured in three sittings.

Speaking of books, you were part of the Biz Books team at our old Vancouver location. How did your experience at Biz Books influence your career?

Honestly if it weren’t for Catherine Lough Haggquist, I probably wouldn’t still be in the business. Her wisdom and insight into the industry and her belief in me made me believe I could do it. I was/am lucky to have a mentor and friend like her. It’s way too easy to go crazy in this business unless you have someone you trust who has a lot of experience in it and can help point you in the right direction. When I worked at Biz, it was like we had a built-in support system. We were all like-minded friends who ran lines with each other and covered each other’s shifts when we had an audition or gig. I was very fortunate to “find my tribe”. Not to mention being surrounded by every book and resource I could possibly need to help me on my actor’s journey!

What is the most important advice you could offer to aspiring actors in Canada?

Make sure you’re always working on your craft in some way. Work hard at it. Class is usually the best way to do that. You need to be ready for when opportunities come and it keeps you engaged and reminded of why you do it. Surround yourself with like-minded, genuine people. It can be a lonely, bewildering profession so find your tribe. Don’t be an actor unless you absolutely have to and are willing to be persistent through the ups and downs.

What can you share about any future projects that are in development?

We start shooting the third season of Continuum in November so can’t wait for that! Also I found myself really fascinated with the post-production process of making Down River so would like to learn more about editing and setting up shots- maybe get involved in the technical aspects of filmmaking as well.

Watch for Down River at the Vancouver International Film Festival and visit the official site for the film at DownRiverMovie.com.

The post The Biz Interview: Jennifer Spence of Down River appeared first on Biz Books.