After months of anticipation, the #Crazy8sFilms18 jury has selected the Top 6 projects out of a record 228 applications that will advance to production. Thank you again to everyone that applied!

First our video pitch jury, Bill Hurst, Karen Lam, Mathew Parry, Heath Affolter, Paul Armstrong, Stephanie Halber & Alicia Bernbaum selected the Top 42 to pitch in person out of the 228 applicants. Our in-person pitch jury, comprised of Amanda Tapping, Christine Haebler, Zach Lipovsky, Kaare Andrews, Sabrina Furminger and Lawrence Le Lam then narrowed this down to the Top 12 Semi-Finalists to advance to the script stage.

In mid-December they were paired with their story editors to hone their scripts. Many thanks to this year’s expert team of story editors: Ric Beairsto, Brian Casilio, Bill Hurst, Sara Graefe, Kat Montagu and Rudy Thauberger. The 12 Semi-Finalists then had until January 3 to get their final scripts in to the jury.

On Sunday our in-person pitch jury met to make their decisions. Again this year the scripts were all exceptional, and we want to congratulate all 12 Semi-Finalists for making it this far. But in the end there can only be 6 Finalists.

We are now pleased to introduce you to the 6 teams who will be making their short films in just 8 days starting on Feb 9 through Feb 16 through Crazy8s! Be sure to watch them at the Gala Screening February 24. Tickets go on sale early February!

In the meantime you can support the films getting made and the Gala screening by claiming great perks in our Crazy8s Annual Indiegogo Campaign.

Or by attending the 19th Anniversary Crazy8s DGC Fundraiser Screening at the RIO Theatre January 25 screening 8 classic Crazy8s films.

Here are the #Crazy8sFilms18 TOP 6 FILMS!

Bordered – Director & Writer Anaïsa Visser, Producers Darren Devlin & Marco Bososw

A US Border Patrol Officer apprehends two refugees fleeing the US into Canada and struggles against his duty and his haunted past.

CC – Director & Writer Kailey Spear & Sam Spear, Producer Natasha Wehn

After an AI nanny assaults her employer, an investigative team must determine what caused the attack.

Extra-Ordinary Amy – Director Christopher Graham, Writer Zlatina Pacheva, Producer Kris McRonney

In this fantastical tale, a young girl struggles with the loss of her parents in a freak accident but learns to embrace what she truly loves, dancing, and its chilling consequences.

Gemini – Director & Writer Mily Mumford, Producer Phil Planta & Mayumi Yoshida

In a very near future two VR gamers coincidentally meet in real life and through their interactions expose the dark side of virtual reality and gaming.

Shuttlecock – Director & Writer Melanie Jones, Story by Melanie Jones & Rhona Rees, Producer Kristyn Stilling, Associate Producer Amelia Morris

Washed-up badminton star Winnie will stop at nothing to reclaim her Olympic dreams by playing a match against her former rival while a video crew documents her desperate attempt to prove glory should have been hers.

Small Fish – Director & Writer Maxime Beauchamp, Producer Kent Donguines & Mackenzie Stannard

In a world where only the biggest fish in the sea survive, Laurie, an amateur painter, struggles with success as she finds herself becoming more and more like the tiny fish she puts to canvas.

Break a Leg to all the Teams!

The post Crazy8s 2018 Top 6 Finalists appeared first on Biz Books.

After much deliberation, here are the #Crazy8sFilms18 Top 12 who will advance to the script stage of the filmmaking competition.

Bob  – Director & Writer Graeme Achurch & Daniel Jeffery, Producer Geoff Manton

In a Twilight Zone-esque scenario, Bob awakes to discover his whole world is stuck operating backwards. But when the chronology of the film reverses, it’s revealed that Bob is the one who the world perceives as backwards

Bordered – Director & Writer Anaïsa Visser, Producers Darren Devlin & Marco Bossow

A US Border Patrol Officer apprehends two Syrian refugees fleeing the US into Canada and is forced to choose between his duty and his sense of compassion.

CC – Director & Writer Kailey Spear & Sam Spear, Producer Natasha Wehn

After an AI nanny attacks her employer, an investigative team must determine what caused the attack.

Defence – Director & Writer Hannah Drew, Producer Shiva Kashi

Alexa Wyatt is a good daughter, and an even better soccer player. But when her obligations to her family come into conflict with her duty to her team, and her best friend, Wyatt must decide where her loyalty and love truly lies.

Extra-Ordinary Amy – Director Christopher Graham, Writer Zlatina Pacheva, Producer Kris McRonney

A young girl who is unknowingly death incarnate must accept who she is in order to continue doing what she loves: dancing

Gemini – Director & Writer Mily Mumford, Producer Phil Planta

In a very near future two VR gamers coincidentally meet in real life and through their interactions expose the dark side of virtual reality and gaming.

How Did We Get Here? – Director & Writer Laura Adkin, Producers Lisa Durupt & Victoria Angell

In the wake of a young intern’s sexual assault and subsequent attempted suicide, the people around her must confront their own demons and realize the role that their inaction played in the tragedy.

Imperfect Harmony – Director Tricia Collins, Writer Jennifer Laporte

In a world where people turn into musical instruments instead of dying, a shy teenager discovers that she is turning into a cello, which might be her ticket to finally being accepted by her parents and peers.

The Jobs We Don’t Want – Director & Writer Larke Miller, Producer Justine Warrington

A reptilian shape-shifting alien, who’s lost everything after Pluto was stripped of planet status, winds up working on an organic walnut farm in Northern California.

My Blue Balloon – Director Trish Neufeld, Writer Steve Berry

In a palliative care unit with her mother, Sarah finds comfort in a shiny blue balloon floating on the ceiling. The balloon becomes a metaphor for healing when it unexpectedly comes back to Sarah in a different form.

Shuttlecock – Director & Writer Melanie Jones, Story by Melanie Jones & Rhona Rees

Washed-up badminton star Winnie will stop at nothing to reclaim her Olympic dreams by playing a match against her former rival while a video crew documents her desperate attempt to prove glory should have been hers.

Small Fish – Director & Writer Maxime Beauchamp, Producer Kent Donguines

In a world where only the biggest fish in the sea survive, Laurie, an amateur painter, struggles with success as she finds herself becoming more and more like the tiny fish she puts to canvas.

Congratulations again to all the Top 12! Top 6 Announced January 9, 2018.

The post Crazy8s 2018 Top 12 Announcement appeared first on Biz Books.

This year, Crazy8s hit a new record of 201 video pitches, and after reviewing them tirelessly over the past 2 weeks, the Pitch Jury unanimously decided to choose 42 film pitches to advance to the live-pitch stage!

The live pitches will be held November 25 & 26th, in front of a new jury of film and TV industry professionals. The Top 12 final pitches will then advance to the script stage, announced November 27th!

Here are the Crazy8s 2018 Top 42!

In alphabetical order by Film Title:

@Eloise – Director Jesse Boyko, Writers Jesse Boyko & Jenna Mae Diamante – SciFi

Black or Blue – Writer Murry Peeters – Drama

Bob – Directors Daniel Jeffery & Graeme Achurch, Writers Graeme Achurch & Daniel Jeffery, Producer Geoff Manton – SciFi / Comedy

Bordered – Director / Writer Anaïsa Visser – Drama

The Candy Bar War – Director / Writer David I. Strasser, Producer Jessica Randall and Graem Luis – Historical Drama

Cat in the Postman’s Bag – Director Kaio Kathriner, Writer Tom Malenica – Comedy

CC – Directors / Writers Kailey Spear & Sam Spear, Producer Natasha Wehn – SciFi / Drama

Cherry Blossoms in March – Director / Writer Riley Rheyan, Producer Thomas Emann – Art House / Drama

Cloaks and Daggers – Directors Kristina Hampton & Jordan Dueck, Writer Kristina Hampton, Producer Jonathan Chawla – Drama

The Companion – Director / Writer Michelle Brezinski – Comedy

Concrete – Director / Writer Milton Ng – Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Comedy

Dazzle Ships – Director Kristyn Stilling, Writer Jasmine Pullukatt & Kristyn Stilling, Producer Jasmine Pullukatt – Comedy

Defence – Director / Writer Hannah Drew – Drama

Extra-Ordinary Amy – Director Christopher Graham, Writer Zlatina Pacheva, Producer Kris McRonney – Dark Comedy / Horror

Film-Making The Musical – Director Ed Witzke, Writers Ed Witzke & Matt Ewart, Producer Ed Witzke & Matt Ewart – Musical

The Future of Me – Director Ray Raghavan, Writer Ray Raghavan, Producer Haydn Wazelle – SciFi / Drama

Gemini – Director / Writer Mily Mumford, Producer Phillip Planta – SciFi

Girl – Director Kathleen Mann, Writer Alison Brierley, Producer Alison Brierley, Producer Kathleen Mann – Drama

Girlship – Director Lucie Guest, Writer Lucie Guest, Producer Synnöve Godeseth – Comedy

The Hermit’s Couplet – Director Alex Miro, Writer Alex Miro, Producer Stefania Indelicato & Amanda Konkin – Comedy

Hero Singh – Director / Writer Jasleen Kaur – Comedy / Drama

How Did We Get Here? – Director / Writer Laura Adkin, Producers Lisa Durupt & Victoria Angell – Drama

Imperfect Harmony – Writer Jennifer Laporte – coming of age fantasy

The Jobs We Don’t Want – Director Larke Miller, Writer Larke Miller, Producer Justine Warrington – SciFi / RomCom

The Long Halloween – Director Akash Motwani, Writer Akash Motwani, Producer Satinder Dhillon – Drama

Long Way Down – Director/Writer Michael P. Vidler – Drama

My Blue Balloon – Director Trish Neufeld, Writer Steve Berry, Producers TBC – Drama

My Life with John Paul II – Director Ricardo Plaza, Writer Ricardo Plaza & Bobby Gorman, Producer Ryan Silva & Bobby Gorman – Comedy

Nut-Cracker – Director, Writer Jennifer Nicole Stang – Action / Comedy

OCD: Obsessive Christmas Disorder – Director Ellie Harvie, Writers Brenda Whitehall & Lynda Finch – Comedy

The OOO Block – Director Erik Horn, Writer Erik Horn, Producer Amanda Verhagen – Comedy

Power – Director / Writer Crystal Lowe, Producers Ashley Alexander & Phil Planta – Drama

(?) Questioning – Director Harrison Houde, Writer Kim Chinchilla, Producer Kimi Alexander – Dramedy

Shuttlecock – Director / Writer Melanie Jones, Lead Actor Rhona Rees – Comedy

Small Fish – Director / Writer Maxime Beauchamp, Producer Kent Donguines – Visual Drama

Sophie in the Mirror – Director Greg Melanson, Writer Ren Kennedy, Producer Nadia DiMofte – Drama

Sparks! – Director Hayley Gray, Writers Hayley Gray & David Chin, Producer David Chin & Tina Korki – Comedy

Suburban Desert – Director Shelby Wilson, Writers Shelby Wilson & Matt Seeley, Producer Justin MacGregor & Matt Seeley.- Action Thriller

Take Shelter – Director / Writer Jesse Pickett, Co-Producers Kathleen Mann & Brigitte Patenaude – Post-Apocalyptic

The Traveler – Director / Writer Kay Metchie, Producers Valerie Lopez & Hannah Kess – Action / Thriller

Vivid – Directors / Writers Athena Russell & Tiarra Sulyk, Producers Athena Russell & Tiarra Sulyk – Drama / Fantasy

Waiting for Ganesh – Director / Writer Jacques Lalonde, Producer Arun Fryer & Pat Bermel – Musical Comedy

Break a leg to all the filmmakers!

Meet the #Crazy8sFilms18 Top 12 in person at the Raindance Booze N’Schmooze – 7pm-10pm on Monday, November 27th at the Blarney Stone.

The post Crazy8s 2018 Top 42 Announcement appeared first on Biz Books.

What’s it like to star in a short film that’s completed in only 8 days?

We rounded up a talented bunch of thespians – Lee Shorten, Alex Barima, Jerome Yoo, Lorne Cardinal, Brad Duffy, Denise Jones, Lee Majdoub, Scott McGrath, Brendan Taylor, Darien Provost, and Peter New – to talk to us about their experiences in this year’s Crazy8s films.

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Lee Shorten of Anh Hung

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

I’m Lee Shorten. I’m a former lawyer from Australia and I’m playing Tuan in Anh Hung. Anh Hung is this great coming of age story that centers on a Vietnamese Canadian family. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s inspired by actual events and offers a snapshot of the Vietnamese Canadian immigrant experience. 

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

I read as much as I could about Vietnamese culture. I also looked into Taoism and researched Vietnamese gang life and gang culture. I managed to track down some old interviews with Vietnamese Canadian immigrants and gang members which was really helpful in rounding out my understanding of that experience, books can be a little clinical sometimes. I was insanely lucky in that I got to grab dinner with the guy my character is based on and he was incredibly generous with his time and insight. I also worked with him on the accent and learnt a little Vietnamese as well. I tried to prep as much as possible, but sadly 8 days is not a lot of time.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

No one thing per se. But it was Athena Ho’s, who plays Jenny (my character’s sister), first role. So just watching her grow over the 3 days was really wonderful and I’m honoured to be a small part of her journey.

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future? 

Accept the nature of the challenge. You only have 3 days to shoot, so do as much prep as you can and come to set with as many ideas as you can. But when you get there, be willing to compromise and be willing to play. The pace is fast and the work is challenging for all involved. You might only get a single take, just roll with it.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

If (and only if) you have done the work, then trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. You’re not always going to be right but some of the best moments are born from conflict and compromise. The director should have the best grasp of the overall story but you should have the most in depth understanding of your character. But again, I can’t stress enough, you might not always be right but it’s usually worth a conversation. 

Recommended Reading You Can Act On Camera Click a cover for more details The Art of Voice Acting Secrets of Screen Acting

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career? 

Oh man, tough question, there have been so many! The Art of Acting by Stella Adler, True and False by David Mamet, Stanley Kubrick: Interviews by Laurence Knapp, A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston and The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film by Michael Ondaatje.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

You can catch me as Sergeant Yoshida on Ridley Scott’s The Man in the High Castle and sometimes I hang out with Crowley on The CW’s Supernatural as well. If you really want to find out more about me, I guess you could follow me on Twitter @lcshorten.

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Alex Barima and Jerome Yoo of Cypher

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

Alex Barima: My name is Alex Barima. I’m originally from Montreal, and I’ve been acting in Vancouver for the last 5 years. In Cypher, I play the role of Thello, the young rival of protagonist Jay. Our two characters resolve their personal issues through their connection to hip hop in the late 90’s.

Jerome Yoo: My name is Jerome Yoo and I’m an actor/writer. Prior, I was a Science student at UBC before I decided to pursue acting full-time. I’m a part of this year’s Crazy8s film Cypher and play the role of Jay, the timid Korean high schooler trying to deal with the lingering tensions between the Korean and African-Americans, 5 years after the LA riots. Entranced by the rap legends of his day, he finds himself drawn to LA’s underground rap scene where he must find the resolve to step up and confront his past to hopefully bridge the misunderstandings between the two communities.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role? 

Alex Barima: We had a few rehearsals before the shoot with Lawrence, our director, to build and explore each character.

Jerome Yoo: Rapping. A lot of rapping. I watched an unhealthy amount of battle videos on Youtube, and spent hours in front of a mirror rapping along to Hip Hop greats. I also tried to write a verse everyday. Here’s one: Yo, I’m a savant, working in a restaurant. Here’s your croissant, so can I have your number, nonchalant? Worst pick-up line ever, haha…

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

Alex Barima: Filming the last scene was an experience I’ll never forget; it happened to be the last scene of the shoot, and everyone there gave it everything they had. 

Jerome Yoo: So many! I think I shed some manly tears when our DP, Leo Harim, pulled me aside and told me the entire crew had my back on the first day. It meant a lot to me. Our director Lawrence Le Lam announcing that I booked the role of Jay at our first production meeting was also a pretty sweet moment. 

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Alex Barima: Bring a lot of care and dedication to your work because it’s all that holds these projects together, and they are definitely worth it. 

Jerome Yoo: Do another hour of table work and analysis! I wish I had another hour…

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Alex Barima: To never take for granted what I accomplish in this business, and always keep looking ahead. 

Jerome Yoo: Don’t eat chili on set and use the restroom while your lav mic is on.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

Alex Barima: Unfortunately I’m not much of a reader. 

Jerome Yoo: One Piece. 

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Alex Barima: I’m currently doing Voice Over work for an animated Netflix series. You can follow me on Facebook or IMDB.

Jerome Yoo: Back to the drawing board for me! Find me on social media @jeromeoyoo.

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Lorne Cardinal, Brad Duffy, and Denise Jones of No Reservations

Lorne Cardinal’s Photo Credit: Shimon

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

Lorne Cardinal: No Reservations is a comedic spin on the pipeline issues happening across the country today. A what if…story.

Brad Duffy: I’m a Vancouver-based actor who moved here from Alberta about six years ago to transition my acting career into more of a film focus. I’ve seen Trevor Carroll (the director) in the casting room for years but this is the first time I’ve been able to work with him personally.  He’s a pretty cool dude, for the record. I also do a lot of improv around the city.  No Reservations is a satirical take on the pipeline issues we’ve been having in BC, but has broader relevance.  I’d say it’s funny enough to be entertaining, while true enough to be poignant.

Denise Jones: My name is Denise Jones. I am a stage and film performer in Vancouver and the current Artistic Director of Vancouver TheatreSports League. I play the role of Marilyn Whiteman in No Reservations. It’s a fun satirical take on current pipeline protests.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

Lorne Cardinal: Just read the script a lot, looking for rhythms & places where setups and payoffs can happen. Also being familiar with the story to allow for spontaneity and improvisation to happen.

Brad Duffy: The preparation was pretty standard: memorize the lines, look up what the material was referencing, and try to figure out the tone it’s going for.  We had a meeting where Trevor talked us through some of the beats where he needed something specific.

Denise Jones: I had been an avid watcher of the coverage of the protests at Standing Rock, so was pretty in the loop on the material. As far as prep for the role, I showed up ready to play. The cast assembled was so funny and talented it was so fun and easy to step into.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

Lorne Cardinal: Seeing people I’ve worked with before and feeling welcomed into a highly dedicated group of creative beings. All I had to do was not screw up.

Brad Duffy: The most memorable moment was probably hitting Lorne Cardinal in the face with a beach ball; there he is being so professional, and my mind is just saying, “please beach ball, don’t make this guy get hit in the face 17 times, fly true.”  I’ll also remember Denise Jones cracking me up all weekend.

Denise Jones: We were shooting an idyllic look at the main married couple’s lives when out of nowhere a massive rainbow appeared and the whole cast hustled to move the entire camera set-up and video village to  accommodate it. It was insane.

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Lorne Cardinal: Don’t stray too far from set, save your energy when not working and nap when you can.

Brad Duffy: Just come ready to work, and to enjoy the work.

Denise Jones: Come prepared for anything. Know your lines backwards and forwards as time is VERY VERY limited. Know that it’s going to be a great time as awesome things happen under pressure.

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Lorne Cardinal: Always be learning from everyone and respectful to who you’re working with, especially crew members.

Brad Duffy: “The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating — in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around like rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life.” – Anne Morris

This quote really helped me.  I’ve also learned how to let go after auditions better than I used to, which is largely due to repetition, (and maybe that Bryan Cranston on acting video you should look up).

Denise Jones: Don’t be an asshole.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

Lorne Cardinal: The works of William Shakespeare. He shows what the power of words can do.

Brad Duffy: Impro for Storytellers by Keith Johnstone first ignited my passion for improv which has heavily influenced my career.  You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney helped me get ahold of my ego.  Books and graphic novels by Neil Gaiman have also been instrumental in keeping me filled with a sense of wonder and possibility: a necessary tool for any actor I would say.

Denise Jones: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Lorne Cardinal: Currently working on Corner Gas animated series, the never-ending auditions and looking forward to the releasing of a few projects I’ve been working on, should happen very soon. Find our more at facebook.com/lornecardinal or lornecardinal.com.

Brad Duffy: Right now you can regularly see me performing in various improv shows throughout the city, primarily with Instant Theatre, the Rookie League at Vancouver Theatresports, and Sin Peaks the Improvised Soap Opera opening up at the Revue Stage on March 7th.  I have a fan page on Facebook, “Bradley Duffy”, where I regularly post about my film and TV projects, but should probably work on a website.  Thanks for reminding me!

Denise Jones: I am currently directing an improvised stage production called Western World at Vancouver TheatreSports League. Check me out at www.vtsl.com or IMDB!

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Lee Majdoub, Scott McGrath, and Brendan Taylor of The Prince

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

Lee Majdoub: Hi, my name is Lee Majdoub, and I play Amir in The Prince. The film tackles Islamophobia and what it means to be Middle Eastern-Canadian.

Scott McGrath: The film I’m in is titled The Prince, and it’s about a young dancer and her Uncle dealing with what it’s like to be Middle Eastern post 9/11.  It struck a cord with me as an actor because I feel as an actor it’s important to be truly connected with yourself and the characters we play.  It’s my job as an actor to affect change and push if necessary current issues to the front line even if these issues are difficult to discuss or view.   Films and events like Crazy 8’s allow us to stop and reflect on the choices, opinions we have currently and hopefully create an outlet to make things better.

Brendan Taylor: The Prince deals with a young Muslim man and his dream of being actor, but facing challenges of racial and religious stereotypes in this modern world. He and his family have an encounter on a bus with an intolerant person and he has to decide how to react to him.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

Scott McGrath: Well, because of the serious nature of the film it was hard not to feel compassion for the lead but the important thing for my scene was to be light natural and not think anything I was saying was offensive or inappropriate . Just everyday set talk between costumer and actor.

Brendan Taylor: I play the role of the instigator on the bus. It’s important to try to understand the perspective of someone who is intolerant or openly racist, that it comes from a place of fear or ignorance. Then, we as humans portray all kinds of behaviour to cover that up, often resulting in anger and frustration. I explored the many ways this person could have acted towards this family.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

Lee Majdoub: It’s hard to whittle down this project into one most memorable moment. So many people came together and volunteered their time to tell a story they believed in… that they felt needed to be told. That, to me, is most memorable as a whole. So much work was put into The Prince, from all sides of film-making. It was inspiring.

Scott McGrath: The joy I felt in the trailer prior to our scene where everyone of many different ethnicities were laughing and truly enjoying each other’s company.  Non-competitive,  non-judgemental, a genuine spirit of love and support.  This support was across the board from the producers Danielle Stott-Roy and Robin Nielsen, the Director Kyra Zagorsky (who I learned much from) and all the cast from make to wardrobe and everyone I encountered that day on set.

Brendan Taylor: Well, to be honest, amidst the seriousness of the storyline, there were many lighter moments, that were necessary to break the tension: one of them being, I was sitting in my seat on the bus drinking water, and I went to get up, and being a taller man I often bump my head (I don’t fit on buses to begin with), and I bumped my head on the roof handrail, with a mouthful of water. It squirted out like a super-soaker on an unlucky background actor! 

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Scott McGrath: Savor every moment and realize your part of something magical. Be grateful and enjoy the ride!

Brendan Taylor: Follow the Crazy8s, get involved, go to readings, contact the filmmakers, and even submit a pitch yourself! 

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Lee Majdoub: A valuable lesson I’ve learned in my career so far? That’s a tough one to answer. There are so many. I would say learning to let go of control is a huge lesson. There are so many things I’m not in control of in life… and career. All I can do is work hard and be ready for every opportunity that comes my way.

Scott McGrath: I believe it’s important to have wonderful, harmonious relationships with the people we encounter, where on both sides there is caring and mutual respect.  I believe it’s important to let my heart be open so that. Have space within me to grow learn and give back unconditionally.

Brendan Taylor: Definitely persistence. I’m fortunate to say this is my main source of income right now, but it was not a smooth road. So many reasons to give up along the way. But I always train, or do a play, or do something to keep my art alive. But it’s what I love doing, and that’s a good test. You have to love it undeniably. 

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

Lee Majdoub: I’ve found a lot of books that have nothing to do with acting have helped me on this journey. I think living life and learning as much about oneself as possible is the greatest thing you can do for your acting. I’ll list a few that have helped along the way and no two are similar.

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna

Notes to an Actor by Ron Marasco – I really recommend this one if you want a book on acting. It’s very different from other acting books.

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova – personally, a tearjerker. 

Scott McGrath: By far the greatest tool I have used is a marvelous toolbook titled AuditionCraft For Film & TV – The Craft, The Mastery, The Reality By Linda Darlow.

Best advice … “Keep stretching and growing, and remember to always be willing to learn, no matter how often you work, or how long you’ve been in the business”.

Brendan Taylor: Uta Hagen’s Respect for Acting, Sanford Meisner’s On Acting. Learn from the greats. Start there. And watch, read, or listen to interviews and biographies to be inspired.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Lee Majdoub: I’ll be appearing in a few episodes of the new season of Prison Break, which begins airing in April.

And, I start work on the third season of Zoo very soon.

Scott McGrath: Other projects I am part of is the new web series “Inconceivable” where I get to play the Step Dad Terry in a wonderful new comedy.  Check it out – http://www.facebook.com/thisisaspoon/

I also have been fortunate enough to be part of some fun Music Videos:

Check out Hey Ocean’s “Make a new Dance Up”

A Wallace – “Shake it Out”

And lastly, my website where I get to play my favourite character… SANTA with my Elf Spandy Andy: www.hireanelf.com

Brendan Taylor: Currently about to shoot another short film called Pearly Nights, and I have an episode of The Magicians airing March 29th! You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram check out brendan-taylor.com for past work! 

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Darien Provost of The Undertaker’s Son

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in? 

My name is Darien Provost, I’m sixteen years old. I have been acting since I was four years old. I have done various TV shows and Movies but my role as Christopher in The Undertaker’s Son is one of my favourites. The cast and crew were amazing. The set and script made my job much easier due to the realism.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role? 

I would talk to my fellow actors and rehearse lines. I’ve always found it useful to listen to music and read over the script. It helps me get into character.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

The most memorable moment for me was on the last day when we shot the opening scene for the film. I loved watching all the components of the set come together to make for an amazing scene.

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

My advice for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film is to show up with your lines fully prepared and practice being able to get into character quickly. There is not much time to spare on these shoots so it is important that everything moves smoothly.

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

The most valuable lesson I have learnt in my career so far is don’t pretend to be the character. You must become the character and add your own personal twist.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

The most important book I have read so far is No Acting Please by Eric Morris. The book teaches you to be present in the moment rather than mechanically act.

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Peter New of Woodman

Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

My name is Peter New and I played the Woodman in the film Woodman.

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

I had a 3.5 hour long makeup application in the morning which was a useful time to gradually purge my silliness. The more our talented makeup team applied layers, the more trapped I felt, which is exactly the state the character lives in. By the time they were done I felt transformed.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

There are so many memorable moments to choose from! I think I’ll never forget being on set, with my prosthetic nose being supported by three people, prop shears, fishing line  and a great deal of hope that it won’t collapse into its three component pieces between ‘frame’ and ‘action.’

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Don’t write yourself into a part that traps you under a heavy typewriter while attaching your face to a 600ft tube thus pinning you to a chair and restricting your movement for hours and then drink many coffees because your makeup call is at 5:30 am. It’s a smidge uncomfortable (but 100% worth it).

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Keep moving, keep doing. There’s no value in fame, only in work.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

True and False: A Practical Handbook for the Actor by David Mamet.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

I’m a voice on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Find me on Twitter @actorpeternew and on Facebook and Instagram.

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Thanks to Lee Shorten, Alex Barima, Jerome Yoo, Lorne Cardinal, Brad Duffy, Denise Jones, Lee Majdoub, Scott McGrath, Brendan Taylor, Darien Provost, and Peter New.

You can see all them on screen at the Crazy8s 2017 Gala on Saturday, Feb 25^th. For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

The post The Biz Interview: Crazy8s 2017 Actors appeared first on Biz Books.

With this year’s Gala screening and party happening on February 25th, we spoke to four of the filmmaking teams who managed to make short films in just 8 days: The Affolter Brothers (The Undertaker’s Son), Trevor Carroll (No Reservations), Lelinh Du (Anh Hung), and Mike Jackson (Woodman).

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Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and your film?

The Affolter Brothers: We are the Affolter Brothers, a team of four brothers that share the writer / director / producer credit on all of our projects. We’ve been working together since we were little kids, and in a professional capacity for over 10 years. We’ve shot short films, commercials, music videos and web series, and are working towards our first feature. Our Crazy8s film is called The Undertaker’s Son. It’s a western about a young boy named Christopher who joins his father at work for his first day of learning the macabre family business of undertaking.

Trevor Carroll: I’m a First Nations artist from Sudbury, Ontario. The film is a satirical look at a corporation attempting to install a pipeline under an unsuspecting Caucasian suburb.

Lelinh Du: My name is Lelinh Du and I am the director of the 2017 Crazy8s film, Anh Hung.

I went to Capilano University for the motion picture arts program and went straight into the film industry.

Anh Hung is a story about a young girl growing up in a Vietnamese household as a first-generation Canadian. She discovers the real truth about her brother–someone she looks up to as a hero.

Mike Jackson: I’m a film editor by trade, but over the years I’ve directed a number of short films and music videos. Our Crazy8s project Woodman is by far the biggest and most elaborate film I’ve ever directed. It’s a story inspired by the idea of what would happen if there was no Blue Fairy, and Pinnochio grew up to be a sad, middle-aged man.

Can you tell us about how the idea for your film came to be and what your creative process was like in making it come to life?

The Affolter Brothers: We’re big fans of the western genre, but are always trying to tell character-driven stories and put original spins on tried and true genres. The idea for The Undertaker’s Son came about when we started thinking about westerns in general, and how the focus so often is on violence and deaths, but so often the main repercussion of those actions rarely goes beyond vengeance. We thought it’d be interesting to explore the lives that are affected by the deaths, and take a look at the people responsible for cleaning up all the messes created by the violence and gunplay so often depicted in the genre.

Our creative process for this film was very similar to most of our projects – a team effort. We craft the story together, then one of us will usually put it onto paper, then we rewrite together and go through the script line-by-line as a group. We talk about the intent behind every line in the script, and discuss the tone and visual aesthetic at length just between the four of us, so that by the time we start meeting with our department heads, we as brothers are on the same page about all the details, and therefore crew members can come to any one of us at anytime throughout the process with questions and get the same answer from any brother.

Trevor Carroll: The idea came while I was researching the topic of Standing Rock. I saw there was a lot of negativity towards the First Nations community, based off of claims and secondhand knowledge that people had about the circumstances of how things transpired. I thought it would be interesting to see how things unfolded if the tables were turned, and that was my goal when writing this: changing perspectives.

Lelinh Du: It was inspired by my own upbringing. I myself am a first-generation Canadian growing up with immigrant parents.

With stories from my brother (a person slightly similar to my lead character, Tuan) Frazer and I managed to come up with a story.

Mike Jackson: My good friend and writer of the project, Peter New, came up with the idea of Pinnochio as a grown man several years back, but we could never quite figure out what the story was. When Crazy8s rolled around, I realized that with the internet, Pinnochio could lie all he wants and never be seen, his nose growing longer and longer, becoming a cage that traps him. Peter ran with that, creating a script that really moved and excited everyone involved.

What was the most memorable moment for you in the Crazy8s process?

The Affolter Brothers: We’d say the most memorable moment for us was the 3rd day of shooting. We had two great days in the can already, including some great performances from our leads, and on the 3rd day were shooting our big opening of the film that takes place in the town’s main thoroughfare. It was important for us to create a world that the audience could buy into at the beginning of the film, so we had horses, wagons, 50 background performers, a whole truckload of set dec, we made an entire town come to life, and shot it all as a oner that moves throughout the entire town. It was quite a spectacle on the day, with so many different elements in play, and we rehearsed for hours before we started shooting. When shooting started, everything came to life just as we had hoped it would, and it was such an amazing moment of satisfaction to look around at it all and feel proud of what we had accomplished.

Trevor Carroll: Realizing that my film was being made out of all of the applicants – it was such a great feeling to hear that I was going to make a film I wrote.

Lelinh Du: The support I’ve had in this process is probably something I’ll remember forever. It is amazing how many people are willing to give you as much as they can for free just to help your vision.

Mike Jackson: There’s so many. Assembling a fantastic team, working with such incredibly talented people. Getting to see Peter New in his Woodman make-up the first time; Seeing our set lit for the first time, filled with 600 feet of nose; Watching 10 people raise our 20′ tall rear-projection screen; Actually catching a sunny magic hour after weeks of snow and rain.

What would your advice be for filmmakers considering Crazy8s?

The Affolter Brothers: Make the most of your prep time! Believe it or not, making a film in 8 days isn’t as crazy as it sounds if you’ve used your prep time efficiently and have planned it all out ahead of time. The prep time is what should really be crazy, but if you do it right, you can have all the important elements in place before the 8 days even begin, and at that point it’s just about executing what you’ve planned. As we learned from our film instructor Seanna McPherson at Capilano University, plan the shoot and shoot the plan!

Trevor Carroll: Be flexible. There is a lot of things that can go wrong on set or during the editing process that will require you to think on your feet.

Lelinh Du: Pitch a story that can be made. I know it sounds simple, but it helps. Stay positive and believe in your story.

Mike Jackson: Know that it’s harder than it looks. I’m a veteran of many 48 hour film competitions, so I thought I was prepared, but Crazy8s was so much more challenging. You have JUST enough time and resources to make something truly amazing, with high production values… but it’ll be a mad scramble from start to finish. Make sure you have as many skilled pros on your team as possible – they’ll save your bacon, again and again.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

The Affolter Brothers: Treat people well whether they’re your boss or a PA on your film! Everything will always be easier and everyone will have a better experience if you just treat them nicely, with courtesy and respect! It’s not hard to do and it makes a huge difference.

Trevor Carroll: ​Be firm but fair. Be generous. Reward loyalty. Give back. Don’t overextend. Take risks. Handle a “no” gracefully. It’s the second best answer to “yes”. Stay excited. No one is entitled to anything. Those that earn their keep go further. Know what you want. Get it. ​Know when to hold em; know when to fold em.

Lelinh Du: Communication is key.

Mike Jackson: It’s all about people. If you’re skilled and fun to work with, your fellow filmmakers will rally around you. And you need to be there for them, too. We’ve chosen one of the hardest professions to get ahead in, and have opportunities to be truly creative in, but we’re all in it together.

What books would be valuable for a filmmaker to have read before participating in Crazy8s?

The Affolter Brothers: Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez. It’s got some great advice on how to make a quality project with no time and no money.

Trevor Carroll: I only read comic books.

Lelinh Du: Any books that inspire you.

Mike Jackson: Anything relevant to filmmaking in general, and your particular area of expertise. As an editor, I found Walter Murch’s In the Blink of an Eye invaluable. As a screenwriter, The Elements of Screenwriting by Irwin Blacker. As a director, Film Directing Shot by Shot by Steven Katz, and the follow-up Cinematic Motion. I’m also very fond of the Screencraft series from Focal Press. Each book is about a specific area of film making, with interviews with some of the best artists in the history of cinema.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

The Affolter Brothers: We’ve got a number of projects in development, from animated series to live-action features.

You can find out more about us at: www.affolterentertainment.com

Facebook: Affolter Entertainment

Twitter: @affolterfilms

Instagram: @affolterentertainment

Trevor Carroll: Battlefield Fight League – BC’s Premiere Mixed Martial Arts Organization – we put on 8 events a year and had one the day after we wrapped Crazy8s. Next one is April 29th at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam.

Lelinh Du: As of right now, I am only thinking of Crazy8s. But I hope to continue giving myself as many opportunities as I can to direct and keep practicing what I love.

Practice makes perfect!

Mike Jackson: I recently edited Dead Rising: Watchtower, directed by Zach Lipovsky, and I’m currently doing visual effects on his DisneyXD show Mech-X4. I’m also hoping to put together funding for my first feature, a time-travel comedy. You can find me at www.steampoweredfilms.ca, though my website is long overdue for an update

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Thanks to these filmmakers for speaking with us!

You can see all of these great filmmakers and their films at the Crazy8s 2017 Gala on Saturday, Feb 25^th. For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

The post The Biz Interview: Crazy8s 2017 Filmmakers appeared first on Biz Books.

Join us on Saturday, February 25th, 2017 for the Crazy8s 2017 Gala Screening and After Party and come witness the premiere of the six Crazy8s 2017 short films made in just 8 days from February 10th-17th. Preceding the premiere screenings of the 2017 films, we will show the latest Behind the Scenes film. Then celebrate at the not-to-be missed Crazy8s AfterParty.

Tickets $35 in advance or $40 at door (tickets provide entrance to both the Gala Screening and the AfterParty)

Info & Ticket Link: http://crazy8s.film/

The post Crazy8s 2017 Gala Screening and After Party appeared first on Biz Books.

Earlier this week, we spoke with the filmmakers of this year’s Crazy8s films. Now it’s time to highlight a few of the actors involved. Joining us for a discussion about their on-set experiences are Danny Mac (Evan in Patrick Currie’s film, Meet Cute), Kacey Rohl (Abigail in Shannon Kohli’s film, A Family of Ghosts), Chris Wilson (Alex in Matthew Campbell’s film Grocery Store Action Movie), Alex Duncan (Vivian in Joel Ashton McCarthy’s film, I Love You So Much It’s Killing Them), Christina Sicoli (Ellie in Shauna Johannesen’s film, Trying) and Katharine Isabelle (Anna in Jesse Lupini’s film, Iteration 1).

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Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and the Crazy8s film you are acting in?

Danny Mac: I’m an actor and writer originally from Edmonton. I moved to Vancouver in 2011 where I’ve been working on a variety of projects from writing for TV and video games to producing my own feature film. The first gig I ever booked here was for a Crazy8s production, a quirky film called Stewing, written by Patrick Currie. Now, four years later, I’m starring in his second Crazy8s production, Meet Cute, playing the romantically-conflicted lead, Evan. The film keeps a light, comedic tone throughout while questioning the need for labels in the LGBT community. It’s a wonderful script that attracted a really talented group of filmmakers.

Kacey Rohl: I’m a local film & TV actor. This year I’m a part of a film called A Family of Ghosts. I’ve worked with Shannon Kohli a couple of times in the past and when she asked me to be a part of her Crazy8s film, I jumped at the chance. I’m a big fan of hers.

Christina Sicoli: I’m an award winning actress, writer, character-driven comedienne and co-owner of Rare Little Bird Pictures Inc. I’m acting in Trying, a rom-com about a couple in their mid-thirties who’ve been trying to get pregnant for over a year with no luck. While they endure fertility clinics and injections, they are surrounded by friends who seem to be popping out babies like no tomorrow. Sex isn’t just sex any more – it’s scheduling their encounters while losing a sense of their fun-loving relationship. They need to come to terms with what they really want and accept the circumstances given. In turn, be open to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Chris Wilson: The film is about a man in the check-out line at a grocery store who realizes he’s forgotten an item and has to rush back to get it. The stakes are high, because he and his girlfriend are throwing a dinner party in a half hour.

Alex Duncan: I was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C. I studied theatre at Bishop’s University and Circle in the Square. I love walking my dogs in the forest and am particularly passionate about yam burritos. The Crazy8s film I am acting in is about the drastic things we do for love.

Katharine Isabelle: I’m Katharine Isabelle, born and raised BC filmy.

Recommended Reading You Can Act On Camera Click a cover for more details The Art of Voice Acting Secrets of Screen Acting

What kinds of preparation did you do to get into the role?

Danny Mac: Early on, I did my usual prep work – finding personal similarities between myself and my character, trying to bring truth to any of Evan’s experiences that were foreign to my own, etc. I was also able to get a hold of the full script before my audition, which was a great help in finding how to justify Evan’s internal struggle. He changed as I studied him, his voice eventually becoming equal parts neurotic and sweet. Leading up to production, our co-writer/director, Patrick Currie and I had dozens of conversations about the character that I found very useful, right up until we shot the last scene. It was refreshing as an actor to have the inspiration for the character so readily available for backstory or motivational clarity, while simultaneously being given the freedom to make him my own. The result is a character with a degree of depth that one might hope to meet in a feature-length film, but in an 15-minute short.

Kacey Rohl: I always try to approach anything I do from as truthful a place as I can. It’s a period film, so I spent some time thinking about how young women fit in to society at that time and what was expected of them. How if I, at that time, was part of a slightly more liberal generation, I would feel some frustrations… And I think love and heartbreak are pretty timeless themes, so those came free of too many historical trappings for me.

Christina Sicoli: Some of my closest friends in their 30s have shared their experiences with me. The successes, the heartbreaks, whether it be miscarriage, stillbirth, or the fertility route. I examined my own life, being in a place where having a baby is the next step but naively thinking I have all the time in the world (often forgetting that no matter how healthy, energetic and youthful I feel…my eggs may not feel the same). A lot of factors and thoughts come into play, so taking any fear or hesitation and accessing those emotions with other’s experiences helped me.

Chris Wilson: I wrote it (with comedy partner Peter Carlone), so there wasn’t much needed in the way of acting preparation, because I knew the tone and what the character wanted and needed. But what we did have to do was practice and choreograph all the fight scenes that are in the film. We practiced for several hours the day before shooting, coming up with a routine and moves that would look good with the stunt coordinator. Lots of fun, and work I hadn’t really done before.

Alex Duncan: I watched American Psycho (because I instantly thought of Christian Bale’s character after reading the script) and watched some interviews online. I tried to put myself in Vivian’s shoes as much as possible, thinking of times in my life where love has driven me to madness. Working on Vivian felt like an opportunity to really sink into any intense or dark thought that I have ever had surrounding love, lust or relationships and just go to the most extreme depths.

Katharine Isabelle: The film Iteration 1 is an exercise in the existential. It’s a short film exploring the futility of existence and the human experience while displaying the roller coaster of life and emotions that make this futile human existence worth it after all. I think… ?

Preparations for the film on my end were brief and limited to a quick chat and a stunt rehearsal. I like it that way. The experience this character goes through is not something you need to overthink. It just needs to happen to you.

What was the most memorable moment for you in this production?

Danny Mac: There were a few. Watching the extras get wrapped on the first day of production stands out. To me, it cemented how special the script was, to see 50 or so people give up their weekend for the project, especially seeing as how the Crazy8s’ process is a true labour of love beyond what conventional filmmaking already is.

That same day, our Meet Cute mentor, Amanda Tapping, showed up on set, and the energy she brought with her touched the entire cast and crew. I had worked with Amanda last summer and was delighted to hear she would be overseeing this film. She’s a born leader who offered seasoned advice, while never overshadowing a single aspect of the shoot.

My third memory, and perhaps the one I’ll remember most vividly, was when I got a back rub from Patrick for 5 minutes.

Kacey Rohl: Galloping through the rain — shout out to Jerry the most wonderful horse — while wearing a floor length cape was one for the books… Also, when my skirt dropped to the ground out of nowhere and was absolutely caught on camera! We’ll see if that sweet clip rolls out after the credits…

Christina Sicoli: Walking away and thinking “Damn! Look what accomplished in 3 days!” Being surrounded by such a talented group of people (cast and crew) made it easy to work and play. Everyone brought their A-game and watching Shauna Johannesen in her element and see her project come to life put a smile on my face. Everyone comes together to make the best possible product in a short amount of time because they believe in it and that’s what’s amazing. This is what excites me! And the “car scene.” It’s surprising how stiff one’s entire body can be from a “sex scene” in a car!

Chris Wilson: Probably watching my stunt double push a shopping cart down the aisle, jump into it, crash into a shopping cart that was blocking the aisle, and jumping over it. All on purpose.

Alex Duncan: The bathtub scene. I’ve never done anything like that before! There were so many moving parts.

Katharine Isabelle: What I found memorable was the crew – all young, fresh film students, incredibly enthusiastic. Really worked together as best they could toward a common goal we can all be proud of. Hopefully they all stay that way. Hahaha.

What would your advice be for actors who become part of a Crazy8s film in the future?

Danny Mac: The same advice I would give to any actor on any set: don’t forget that it’s an honour to be there in any capacity. And what’s especially unique to Crazy8s is that everyone is there because they want to be. Nobody’s paying rent off their Crazy8s shoot. That means that everyone around you will be passionate. Find a way to absorb some of that passion and emit as much as you can too. Be flexible, be helpful, be happy you’re exhausted.

Kacey Rohl: I’d say do your best to be of service to the director. Know that this is a fast process, but there aren’t a ton of people to move all the pieces of the machine around, so be patient. Show up ready to do your best. Bring a book. Bring a warm jacket. Be kind.

Christina Sicoli: There’s not a lot of time, so do the work, come prepared, let it go and PLAY!

Chris Wilson: Do as much personal preparation beforehand, whatever that means to you – to deliver when the cameras are rolling. There’s just not a lot of time to do lots of takes and take your time with shooting it. Which is great.

Alex Duncan: When my agent initially sent me this script, I felt like it was a stretch and questioned whether I was right for the part. My instinct was that if I was going to be believable for the part, I had to be pretty still, grounded and stark – somewhere between Wednesday Adams and Jeffrey Dahmer with a quirky twist. I made a choice that felt appropriate for me and stuck to it and it ended up being what Joel was looking for! So, my advice: make a strong choice and stick to it; don’t do what you think they want, do what feels right for you.

Katharine Isabelle: Advice to future Crazy 8s actors would be do it. It’s a great adventure. And bring sandwiches. Also don’t show up to the screening an entire week early like I did.

What’s the valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Danny Mac: Collaborate and play nice with other people. They’ll make up 100% of who you work with.

Kacey Rohl: Cultivate gratitude. Avoid comparison. Being early is being on time. Self-care is your best friend. Don’t be afraid to call yourself an artist. Ask questions if you don’t know something.

Christina Sicoli: Creating original material. It keeps me sane and allows me to have control over my career. Having many projects on the back burner so there’s always something “cooking” is valuable to me. Being an “individual,” really embracing my own unique gifts and talents. I can’t trade myself in for anyone else so focusing on my strengths and weaknesses makes me more in tune to what I need in a certain moment or time. Play. Saying “Yes” will open doors. Saying “No” will often save your sanity. Focus on the work, and do it because you’re passionate about it. Buy some shoes along the way, for your “character’s” sake, of course!

Chris Wilson: As a writer, the final part of the writing process is in the editing room. So be there for it.  You’re rewriting constantly, and making endless tweaks.

Alex Duncan: Work hard and stay humble.

Katharine Isabelle: Always make friends with the teamsters. And stealing socks and underwear from set is perfectly acceptable.

What books have been important for you as an actor so far in your career?

Danny Mac: I enjoyed How to Stop Acting by Harold Guskin, but I really found The Audition Bible: Secrets Every Actor Needs To Know by Holly Powell to be the most informative thing I’ve read. It’s just packed with invaluable tips for being more comfortable with your choices in the room (especially if you live in your own head too much like me).

Kacey Rohl: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, The Waves, and I’ve been meaning to get back to The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.

Christina Sicoli: An Improvised Life by Alan Arkin, biographies of actors, musicians, designers, Where Did I Go Right? by Bernie Brillstein, The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck, Respect for the Actor / A Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagan, Bunny Bunny by Gilda Radner, plays (from Shakespeare to Neil Simon), Impro for Storytellers by Keith Johnstone … just to name a few.

Chris Wilson: Save the Cat by Blake Snyder is a great book on scriptwriting. I’m sure everyone says that. I also love Steve Martin’s biography, Born Standing Up. It’s very inspirational and I think about it and quote it in my comedy career often.

Alex Duncan: Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger and Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke.

Katharine Isabelle: Books that have been important to me are the thick old Russian novels that I haul around to every set to beat AD’s with. And they’re also good stories. Love me some Dostoevsky. I’d like to play Raskolnikov one day.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Danny Mac: I’m currently writing two video games with my long-time writing partner, Cooper Bibaud, as well as polishing off two feature scripts I’ve recently finished. But what you should really watch out for is my feature comedy, HEEL KICK!, which will premiere some time this year. I wrote, produced, directed and star as a backyard wrestler who tries to go pro. It’ll be the most fun you have watching a movie where people get hit in the head with folding chairs this year. Follow me everywhere at @mactwelve for HEEL KICK! updates and photographs of things I eat.

Kacey Rohl: I’m about to pop over to Wayward Pines as new regular for this coming season. Don’t know what’s in store yet, but I’m very excited. You can find out more about me by following me on Twitter @kaceykadoodles!

Christina Sicoli: I’m currently in the last few stages of developing “small cop,” a comedy feature film that I wrote. Aside from a few other projects I’m creating, you can find me in a few digital series and a film release in spring 2016. In the meantime check out ChristinaSicoli.ca.

Chris Wilson: Peter N Chris, my three-time Canadian Comedy Award-winning sketch duo with Peter Carlone, are always performing live. We will be performing a Christmas Show we are working on this summer (I know), and filming a documentary style webseries in March. We will be in Toronto for the Fringe in the summer as well as at the Winnipeg Fringe in July.

Alex Duncan: I have a reoccurring role on a new show called DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, playing the wife of Rip Hunter. I have popped up a little but am awaiting episode 7, which features me quite a bit – eeeek! You can find me on IMDB.com.

I am in the process of self-publishing a children’s book, called An Army of Hearts, which will be coming out this spring.  It has been a huge focus for me over the past two year and I am so excited to share it with the world. Other than that, I am auditioning for new things all the time, so anything is possible! Vancouver is so busy right now, which is amazing.

Katharine Isabelle: Currently awaiting the release of How To Plan An Orgy In A Small Town and The Girl In The Photographs, and shooting Origami in Ireland soon. Working on staying working. And training my dog not to bite me whenever he sees The Dog from the 16th Floor.

You can learn more about me by following me on Twitter @katie_isabelle. Putting me in your movie or TV show. Or going through my garbage.

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Thanks to the actors for speaking with us!

You can see all of these actors at the Crazy8s 2016 Gala on Saturday, February 27^th. For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

The post The Biz Interview: Crazy8s 2016 Actors appeared first on Biz Books.

It’s no easy task to make a short film in 8 days, but somehow six Vancouver filmmakers have managed to do it. We interviewed Crazy8s directors Matthew Campbell (Grocery Store Action Movie), Patrick Currie (Meet Cute), Shauna Johannesen (Trying), Shannon Kohli (A Family of Ghosts), Jesse Lupini (Iteration 1), and Joel Ashton McCarthy (I Love You So Much It’s Killing Them) to see what they learned from the process and get the scoop on their films ahead of their big day.

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Can you start by telling us a little bit about you and your film?

Matthew Campbell: I’m an indie filmmaker living in North Vancouver, BC. I work in the film industry as a greensman, and spend my spare time shooting passion projects. My film, Grocery Store Action Movie, is about a man who gets to the checkout line, but realizes he forgot the one item needed to impress their dinner guests! With time running out, he must dash across the store overcoming obstacles trying to slow him down.

Patrick Currie: I’m an actor who found my way to directing by my frustration with stories that don’t reflect the current realities of gender and sexuality in our society. I often audition for one dimensional characters that are meant to represent entire groups of people.

Meet Cute is a bisexual rom-com. The two leads don’t adhere to the accepted labels of sexuality. They are outcasts and they find themselves allied in their attraction, and pursuit for authenticity.

Shauna Johannesen: Trying is a short romantic comedy about a couple trying to have a baby. It’s a kind of “What to expect when you’re not expecting…” I’m a writer and actor, and really wanted to take this opportunity to direct something I’ve written, so I could help shape the story from beginning to end.

Shannon Kohli: A Family of Ghosts is a love story set in the early 1900’s. Twenty-year-old Abigail has spent her entire life dealing with her meddling grandparents — who just happen to be ghosts. It’s a sometimes strained, but ultimately loving relationship, until her ghostly caretakers go one step too far, and deem yet another suitor not good enough for their darling granddaughter.

Jesse Lupini: I grew up in Victoria, and I’ve been passionate about creative storytelling and film my whole life. I made my first short at age 8 with a handicam in my back yard, and haven’t looked back since.

Iteration 1 is the story of Anna, a woman who wakes up in a bizarre facility where her actions echo forward in time. Every sixty seconds she dies, then reawakens in the company of ghostly versions of her previous lives. Forced to relive her past mistakes, she must also learn to work with her past and future selves to escape the terrifying conditions she’s trapped in.

Science fiction has always been my favourite genre to work with. I grew up watching Star Trek every Saturday morning, and I’ve been fascinated ever since with ways to shed light on everyday problems by telling stories about far-off worlds and ideas. While Iteration 1 is definitely a fun sci-fi puzzle film, it’s really a metaphor for how we live our lives. We often feel stuck in vicious cycles that threaten to consume us, and sometimes you have to think outside the box in order to escape.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: Our film is a romantic comedy from the twisted perspective of a psychopathic female serial killer.

Can you tell us about how the idea for your film came to be and what your creative process was like in making it come to life?

Matthew Campbell: The idea for the film actually came from the two writers, Chris Wilson and Peter Carlone, who make up the comedy team Peter n’ Chris. Both are award-winning Canadian comedians who’ve written for Just For Laughs, etc. The creative process was a lot of discussion and re-writing a sketch/radio skit to make it a visual format that still had the funny they had in their skit.

Patrick Currie: Brendee Green and I met on the set of Proof. We were both ‘day players’: she was a nurse, I was a longshoreman. I showed her the teaser for a short I had produced, and she asked, right away, “Are you Bi?” I said yes, and we began writing a web-series about being bisexual. Then, Crazy8s submissions came along and we adapted what we were writing for the contest. And here we are.

Shauna Johannesen: I watched so many friends and acquaintances struggle with fertility or trying to plan the best time to have a baby, only to discover that this is one of those things that doesn’t always work according to plan. In fact most people had been trying NOT to get pregnant for so long that it almost seemed ironic that now it was so difficult. It makes you think differently about the words “birth control,” because there’s often not nearly as much control as you might like. But I wasn’t seeing a lot of these stories in film. There are romantic comedies about finding love, getting married, and getting pregnant, but I wasn’t seeing anything about what happens when you’re ready to be parents and there’s no baby. Plus, there’s so much comedy available in unsexy sex that I had to write it.

Shannon Kohli: I liked the idea of loved ones looking out for you even when they had passed away. Although parents and grandparents want the best for their children, they have to respect boundaries and allow them to make their own choices and mistakes. Abigail lets her grandparents meddle, but when it matters, she learns to take control of her of her own life.

Jesse Lupini: The concept for the mechanism behind Iteration 1 came from an old flash game called Cursor*10 where your mouse cursor duplicates, and you need to use these multiple cursors to solve puzzles to advance to the next level. I proposed an idea for a story inspired by this idea to my co-writer Lucas Kavanagh, and together we started to develop what would eventually become Iteration 1.

We started by building up the rules of the world, and discussing how someone might feel if they had to confront their past lives in such a strange situation. We used these conversations to paint the broad strokes of the plot, and got to writing. Since Lucas was halfway around the world on a boat for the writing period, we sent scripts back and forth, working drafts and notes while the other was sleeping. It was weirdly effective, and we ended up with a really strong script for it.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: Embarrassingly enough it came from the fact that we wanted to enter Crazy8s and the day before we didn’t quite have an idea. I called my writing partner Mike Doaga and we decided we wouldn’t end the phone call until we had a story we loved. After a long call we finally did, and we have been re-writing and re-shaping it ever since.

What was the most memorable moment for you in the Crazy 8s process?

Matthew Campbell: Working on set with so many talented comedians was just amazing. Peter and Chris are so collaborative and funny, plus they brought out so many talented locals from the comedy scene that just really brought the funny to life. Seeing the action and comedy work so well together was so amazing.

Patrick Currie: Walking into the church on the first Friday. 50 background performers, the actors, a fully lit set, a huge lighting balloon floating up at the ceiling to light it all. It was overwhelming. And the last frame of the film, when we shot it, Andy Hodgson, the DP and I looked at each other, and we knew we had it, despite not getting the equipment we thought we needed.

Shauna Johannesen: Um… watching my good friend Patrick Gilmore bare his backside for comedy might be right up there. I could not stop laughing. That, and having to make multiple pleas on social media for pregnancy tests and model vaginas. That’s indie film.

Shannon Kohli: Being on set everyday with our fantastic cast and crew. Seeing the production design, costumes, the horses and the whole story coming to life. It was a dream come true.

Jesse Lupini: The process is a whirlwind from start to finish. Pre-production was a non-stop month and a half preparing for the eight days of the actual Crazy8s event. I’m always more relaxed once I get to set – that’s where I’m really in my element. The whole thing has been one massive adrenaline rush, but the most exciting moment was probably watching the first scene unfold on the monitor. I’ve been working on the script and pre-production for what feels like forever, so I had this strong, fully-formed sense of what I thought the film would look like. This was the first time that what I was seeing on the monitor surpassed what I’d imagined in my head. Katharine Isabelle and Zak Santiago’s performances were incredible right out of the gate, and the frame just looked beautiful. I couldn’t stop grinning.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: My most memorable moments have a lot of spoilers, so I’ll say it was when I showed up on set the first day to see a crew of over 50 people working on the film. There is something so humbling and terrifying about having an army backing the film. But it really put the pressure on for us to not screw it up. After all, if the film doesn’t turn out, most blame the director.

What would your advice be for filmmakers considering Crazy 8s?

Matthew Campbell: Plan, plan, plan. Knowing exactly what you need, and not overshooting is a critical step in using your limited time and resources to their fullest.

Patrick Currie: Love your story. Passion drives creation. If you’re just trying to ‘make a movie’ you might get in. But, if you’re passionate about what you are creating, the people who join you will give you everything they have. Dig deep, say something new.

Shauna Johannesen: Do it. Make something. Pitch something. And then get the best team you can find.

Shannon Kohli: You’re only as strong as your team. You need to surround yourself with really good positive supportive people.

Jesse Lupini: As I’m writing this, it’s 5:00 am, with the final delivery of the film due in 13 hours. Everyone on the team has pulled off multiple all-nighters, and at this point all I can think about is how excited I am to sleep. My Fitbit tells me I’ve had an average of 3.5 hours of sleep per night in the last week. That sounds brutal, and it most definitely is, but regardless of how much my body may hate me for it, this is an experience I’ll never forget. If you have a passion for storytelling and want to try your hand at this crazy industry, just send in a pitch for next year’s event. Lucas and I went in thinking we were a long shot. Everytime we made it to the next round we were surprised, right up until I got the phone call that we were in the final 6. If you’re considering taking part in Crazy8s, just be prepared for the roller coaster ride of your life. I’ve hit the full spectrum of emotions that are possible for me to feel in the last 30 days. Seriously, all of them. Go with the flow and be a sponge. Absorb everything you can, from the knowledge you’ll acquire to the connections you’ll make. It’s quite a ride.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: Be prepared to work your fucking ass off and take time off work. Sorry for the language but I need to emphasize how much work it is. What makes it tough is that they award the top 6 and BAM, you’re shooting just weeks later, so you essentially have to pre-emptively take time off and assume you’re in the top six. I didn’t do that, so I was scrambling to get people to cover me because I was scheduled to be on set the first 2 weeks of prep.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

Matthew Campbell: Networking is everything. This comes from being kind, respectful, and making sure everyone has a voice of some sort in your project. People want to work with those they feel respect them and their opinions.

Patrick Currie: If you want something, be prepared to deliver. I look back now on moments, when I was just acting, and realize I didn’t know what was required of me. Those who make it in acting do so because they understand the entire process. Making movies is a gift. But you must know your place. I had a limited understanding, as an actor, how I fit into the process. JD Thiessen, who came on board as director’s assistant is a very smart young actor, he was there every second, quietly figuring out how each person functions on set, and it’s going to make him a better actor.

Shauna Johannesen: No one is going to do it for you. You can’t wait around for someone to notice your passion or your talent or your gifts. You need to make your own things.

Shannon Kohli: There are three films. The one you write, the one you shoot and the one you edit. Be flexible to allow the changes as the film evolves.

Jesse Lupini: As a director (or really anyone in film), it’s so important to know exactly what you want. Being decisive, and then clearly communicating what you want, is absolutely vital. One of the things that surprised me was how much people seemed to love our script. I think not only does something about Anna’s journey really strike a chord with people, but also the fact that we’ve taken on such an ambitious project for Crazy8s. Passion attracts passion, and we have a lot of talented people on board who’ve come together to make Iteration 1 happen. Don’t be afraid to try something that seems impossible. Be bold.

I think what drew many people to the script of Iteration 1 was it doesn’t read like it’s possible to do in an eight day filmmaking intensive. A big part of this may have been that Lucas and I were simply naive about how hard it would be, but looking back we’re so glad we were ambitious, as it allowed us to build a talented team of people who were excited by the challenge. Be bold and be clear.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: The worst thing you can do to an audience is to make them bored.  You can make them laugh, make them cry, challenge them, or offend them but if you make boring content you are creating the biggest cinematic crime. So don’t feel you have to make safe content, there is too much of that shit out there. Stand out from the crowd.

What books would be valuable for a filmmaker to have read before participating in Crazy 8s?

Matthew Campbell: Save The Cat! by Blake Snyder– a book about scriptwriting and story.  Industry standard, will really help you lock down what you need to tell to have a story worth telling.

Patrick Currie: I’m an actor/director. I direct the story and performers more than anything else. The DP and other departments I worked with are aware of this. I’m learning about the technical side as I go, and really loving it. But right now I’ll speak as an actor’s director.

In order to get strong performances you need to understand the actor’s process. I always go back to Uta Hagen’s Respect for Acting when I have to guide an actor through the basics. And Audition by Michael Shurtleff. Someone on set recommended On Directing Film by David Mamet and I’m looking forward to diving in to that one. And Harold Pinter’s Betrayal is a play everyone needs to read.

Shauna Johannesen: That’s a really good question. I should definitely read some filmmaking books. I borrowed a whole stack from a friend to read over Christmas but I was so busy writing and rewriting my script that I only got halfway through The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film by Michael Ondaatje. But it’s fascinating! I highly recommend it.

Shannon Kohli: What They Don’t Teach You at Film School: 161 Strategies For Making Your Own Movies No Matter What by Camille Landau, Film Directing Shot by Shot: Visualizing From Concept To Screen by Steven D Katz, and Cinematography: Theory and Practice: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors by Blain Brown.

Jesse Lupini: To be honest, I don’t really read books on filmmaking. I probably should, but I always want to read the kinds of stories that I like to tell. I’d say find what genre you love and read a lot of it. Filmmaking is storytelling, so first and foremost you need to learn how to lead your audience through a compelling story. The most recent book I read was Leviathan Wakes, the first book in the series The Expanse, which was just adapted into a new SyFy series. It’s fantastic, and I love seeing the process of adapting a book to the screen.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: A great bunch of books for filmmakers is Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez, Save The Cat! by Blake Snyder, Story by Robert McKee and The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. But half of making films unfortunately is a bullshit political game, so I’d recommend How to Win Friends and Influence People, and The Art of Seduction. Both of books will make you feel sleazy for reading them, but it’s important to have people want to work with you.

What other projects are you working on and where can we find out more about you?

Matthew Campbell: I just finished shooting Nightwing: The Darkest Knight, a DC Comics fan film. I am developing a web series with a local production company and also a feature film with some of the producers from Grocery Store Action Movie. I have a website that includes my demo reel and a bit more about me.

Patrick Currie: Follow us on twitter @meetcutefilm to be updated on Meet Cute. I’ll be heading to Comicon in Stuttgart, Germany in June, which is a great chance to promote the movie to my Stargate fans. I’m working away on a couple other feature scripts to follow up Meet Cute. And I’m ready to put my focus back on my acting career. It’s taken a bit of a back seat during this Crazy8s ride.

Shauna Johannesen: My first professional play, Common Grace, was just produced at Pacific Theatre and I was actually performing in that while we were filming our Crazy8 film…. as though things were not crazy enough. I’ll be on stage again at Pacific Theatre in April for Kathy Parson’s A Good Mother. Beyond that, I’ll be working on a pilot, a feature and going back to auditioning. You can find me on Twitter and on my website.

Shannon Kohli: I’d love to shoot a few more short films this year and I’ve also been working on some feature scripts. I’ve also optioned two novels to direct as features: Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock and Three Souls by Janie Chang.

Jesse Lupini: I tend to have a lot of projects on the go at once. Iteration 1 isn’t the first project I’ve worked on with Lucas. We have a weekly science news podcast called Double Blind. It’s on hiatus while we finish up with Crazy8s, but we’ll be back at it soon – you can learn more at DoubleBlindScience.com.

I’m also finishing post production this month on a sci-fi short I directed back in November called Qualia. It explores the simulation hypothesis – the idea that our entire universe could be a computer simulation. You can find updates on this and all my other upcoming projects at JesseLupini.com.

Joel Ashton McCarthy: I’m currently developing what I hope will be my third feature. It is a horror comedy so my Crazy8s film is a perfect calling card, but I’m still keeping much of the plot under wraps for now. But my last feature comes out this summer – it is a micro budget comedy about a group of friends making a high school shooting musical called Shooting The Musical. And you can follow me on my Facebook fanpage. Lots of fun projects ahead.

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Thanks to the filmmakers for speaking with us!

You can see all of these great filmmakers and their films at the Crazy8s 2016 Gala on Saturday, Feb 27^th. For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

The post The Biz Interview: Crazy8s 2016 Filmmakers appeared first on Biz Books.

The Gala screening and party taking place on Saturday, Feb 27^th. Tickets are now available!

For ticket information please visit Crazy8s.film!

Crazy8s is run by the Crazy8s Film Society, a not-for-profit society.  It was created to foster support for emerging filmmakers who have little or no access to funding for short films.

Crazy8s is currently looking for $2,500 in support. This goes toward the general operating costs of running Crazy8s including everything from insurance, equipment costs, publicity and advertising to venue rentals to part of the funds that go to each team.

Donating to Crazy8s means that you will be contributing to a reputable non-profit society and to the cultural landscape of Vancouver and BC.

The Highest Donor will get a one night stay at the Sandman Hotel in downtown with a minimum donation of $100. If a tie, a name will be drawn.

Furthermore, everyone who donates will have his/her name thanked in the Gala program and if you donate $100 or more projected on the screen at the Feb 27th Gala Screening for an audience of potentially 1,700 people.

Want to support Crazy8s 2016?

Visit their Indiegogo.com page to make a donation!

The post Crazy8s 2016 Short Films Gala and Fundraiser appeared first on Biz Books.

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Can you start by telling us a little bit more about you and what projects you have on the go right now?

Sure. Right now I’m working on a family drama called Common Grace which goes up at Pacific Theatre in January, and a screenplay called Trying, which is a Judd Apatow-style comedy about a couple trying to get pregnant. I’m also working as a dramaturg on Ron Reed’s play about the friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien!

The 2015 Vancouver International Film Festival is coming up. Your short film, Bedbugs, which you wrote and starred in, screened there last year – along with other festival appearances. What can you share about the journey of creating the film and taking it through to festivals?

Films are incredibly collaborative things and you go in with a plan, but you don’t really know what’s going to come out until the thing is done. So it’s been an incredibly informative experience in terms of learning so much more about how films are made, how they evolve, and how everyone contributes to make a thing what it is. And I love Bedbugs. I love what a fantastic cast and crew I got to play with and how much support we got from Crazy8s to make this wacky little puppet film. So taking it to festivals just feels like gravy. Or whipping cream. Like you get to invite everyone in on the fun.

Having gained some experience on the film festival circuit, how are they beneficial for filmmakers and what challenges did you run into along the way?

I think seeing your work in front of an audience is extremely informative because you need to know if your story lands – if your jokes are funny, if your moments lead people on a journey, if people are connecting. You learn how well you succeeded in telling a story – or not. There are jokes in Bedbugs that I thought were funny and no one ever laughs at. Ever. That’s interesting to me. What should we have cut? Where did we need another beat? As far as festivals, it helps to meet people. It helps to win awards. It helps to see what other people are making and creating to spur you forward to the next thing.

In terms of challenges, I would say it’s expensive. Festival entries are expensive and going to festivals is expensive. And also it’s very time consuming to be spending so much time administrating. As a writer looking forward to the next project it’s hard spending a lot of time on emails and correspondence and uploading things to Dropbox when you’re not being paid for any of it. But it’s also a great problem to have, because it means people want to see your film.

You’re a prolific writer as well as being an actor. What inspired you to do both?

I think if you’re a storyteller, if you’re an artist, then that impulse can come out in different ways. I love bringing a character to life as an actor and connecting with my heart and mind and body to a story. It’s so physical and happens with other people – on a stage or a set. But I also love that as a writer I get to create the world, all the characters, and the whole journey myself. But the seed of  it is the same. Plus, I like to write what I want to play as an actor and what I want to see as an audience member. It’s all about story.

If someone sees your name in the credits of a film as a writer or actor, what qualities do you want the audience to associate with you as a performer and writer?

I guess I want them to see truth. I want them to see something in the story or the character that feels true or authentic to them. And I hope I make them laugh at least once.

What have been some of your career highlights at this point in time?

Getting my first professional production of a full-length play in January is pretty exciting, for sure. It’s a play I really love, full of funny, broken, deeply human people and I can’t wait to share it. Working with Kristin Lehman and Louis Ferreira on the set of Motive was something I really loved because I think the writing on that show is stellar, and they’re two incredibly gifted, hard-working, and generous actors. And every time Bedbugs plays on the big screen and people genuinely laugh, it’s a career highlight. I could eat those laughs for breakfast.

You’ve written for stage as well as for screen. What are the challenges and rewards of writing for these two mediums?

I would say that one of the challenges of theatre is that you can’t visually cut away to reveal something or button a scene or build suspense – the actor has to do it with their performance and you have to construct it with your words. On the flip side, the challenge for me in film and TV is to not use words so much – to think more visually.

The reward of film and TV both as an actor and a writer is that you have something tangible when you’re done. You can watch it again and again. You can look at it. In theatre, the beauty and the difficulty is in its ephemeral nature. But you get to live the story with the audience in real time which is this beautiful, marvelous, kind of sacred thing when it’s done well. You actually breathe the same air and hold your breath together and affect each other. It’s alive.

What advice would you give to actors who are considering writing their own material?

Do it. Absolutely do it. But also, learn about writing. I studied writing for a long time. I’ve written a lot of stuff – and it’s hard. Sometimes you write things that are bad. Very bad. It’s hard to do it period, and it’s hard to do it well. So read the books on story and structure, then practice and get feedback. And don’t let wanting to play the part cloud your judgement about whether the story works or not. Then rewrite. And rewrite again.

Which books and authors have been influential to you in your career so far?

I’m most moved by stories that explore the depth of human experience. I connect most with stories that have some kind of existential longing. Stories that make me feel, think and laugh. I loved
A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L’Engle. The Brothers K by David James Duncan. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott.

I saw Good People last year, by David Lindsay-Abaire and half-way through I almost jumped out of my seat because I realized “This play is about something.” And it was fantastic. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis, too.

And I love good television – I love The West Wing, Six Feet Under, Parenthood, The Good Wife. And I love seeing smart, funny women telling stories – they influence me. Elizabeth Meriwether. Tina Fey. Amy Poehler. Amy Schumer. Smart and funny. Gets me every time. I’m sure gonna miss Jon Stewart.

Where can we go to find out more about you?

You can go to my website, which should be updated this month, or you can find me on Twitter!

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Our thanks to Shauna Johannesen for speaking with us!

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Recommended Reading

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Bird by Bird:
Some Instructions
on Writing and Life
Anne Lamott

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Good People
David Lindsay-Abaire

[/bscolumns]

[bscolumns class=”one_third_last”]

The Mistakes Madeline Made
Elizabeth Meriwether

[bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

The post The Biz Interview: Shauna Johannesen appeared first on Biz Books.