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Behind the Scenes, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

Caihong City: Ye Zhu Explains the City and Film of the Future

November 16, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Caihong City.JPG

Creating and completing a film is in itself something of a miracle. The amount of work done by a varied group of artists and skilled professionals is layers deep; similar to an iceberg in the fact that most of these are not evident to the public. Director Florina Titz had poured everything she had into the film Caihong City but found the project stalled with some challenging postproduction obstacles. Titz reached out to Ye Zhu to channel the post efforts and create a new workflow to deliver the film to its final form. A multimedia production specialist with a wide skill set, Ye’s knowledge of the different production teams which coordinate behind the scenes allowed her to breathe new life into the film during the final stages. The director’s trust proved well placed as Caihong City appeared as on Official Selection at important events across the world from LA’s Valley Film Festival to the Paris Play Film Festival, Romania’s 12 Months Film Festival, and many others. Awarded the Best Trailer Awards at the Philip K Dick Film Festival in NYC, even the most brief glimpse into this film communicated that it was something truly unique.

Caihong City is a truly daring work of cinema. Filmed in over thirty locations in and around New York City’s five boroughs, this production features an international cast and a language created specifically for the story. This dystopian science fiction tale is set in a futuristic world where dying genius Liu Junjie (Zhao Lewis Liu) forms an unlikely alliance with crazed vagabond Serioja (Marian Adochitei) and depressed prostitute Lavinia (Lana Moscaliuc) to complete a super task to survive. The storyline and the footage was exceptional but the production came to a halt due to a number of postproduction obstacles. The most significant of these was a clear vision for the integration of a software interface that would transform modern NYC into Furui and Caihong City. Inseparable was a work flow that would allow multiple artists to share data, visual concepts, and delivery strategies. The ideas were available but it was Ms. Zhu who would help manifest them into reality. The greatest impediment to this was the fact that the film’s international cast and crew were now dispersed throughout the globe. She designed and coordinated an interwoven and overlapping series of tasks within a tight schedule involving all aspects of postproduction. Ye’s motivation, communication, and tenacity are prime assets which drove the production to completion.

Proving that her role is as much about creative vision as practical coordination. Ye not only enabled Caihong City to become finalized but even helped reimagine it to some degree. After organizing a WIP screening with a mixed crowd of sci-fi lovers, filmmakers, and potential investors for the film, she used the responses of these individuals to convince the filmmakers that a re-edit was called for. The cinematography and visual style was transfixing but the main characters had not been fully developed. Ye reveals, “After presenting the results to our post production team and going through the entire film scene by scene with the director and editor to discuss possible solutions, we decided to re-edit the film. During this process, we focused on building the three main characters by cutting out less significant characters and plotlines. We adjusted the pacing of the film by deliberately leaving long beautiful scenes in the film in between critical intense moments to create some breathing room for viewers. More emphasis was put on VFX to further explore ways of using the look and functions of the map to solidify the plot. The re-edit of the film integrated more logic and structure into the previously heavily instinct and emotion driven cut to reach a perfect balance that’s transformative to the final film. It’s like putting a puzzle together. You need to know what are the missing pieces for everyone involved in order to move on to the next stage and try to figure out the best approach to get things done efficiently.”

Beyond its remarkable aesthetics and adventurous use of linguistics, Caihong City continues the lineage proven by films like Crazy Rich Asians and Black Panther in proving that Hollywood and the entire world is ready to view a diverse cast. The impediments of previous generations of film have given way to the creativity of productions like Caihong City which prove that it is in fact a brave new world for film.

Actor, Brazilian Stars, Film, Model, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

Gabriella Spacciari shows versatility in both acting and modelling

November 15, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Although Gabriella Spacciari started out knowing she wanted to be an actress, she always remained open to new opportunities. This how she came into modelling, and now millions of people have seen her face.

Spacciari was studying acting when she first started getting modeling jobs. Since that time, she has done a wide variety of television commercials and prints.

“Modelling is a private acting to the camera, who has the power to capture the beauty of the shapes, colors and shadows. It’s the idea of this ‘magic eye’ that is your audience of one,” said Spacciari. “I love to photograph and be photographed.”

One of Spacciari’s largest campaigns was for Pepsi, when she was in a commercial with the soccer player David Luiz. In the film, two girlfriends are ready to go out when it starts to rain. One of them almost gives up afraid of ruining her hair style. She tried to escape the rain, but it leaks on her hair. When she enters the party, the player David Luiz identifies with her.

The commercial was shot in London and directed by Pedro Pereira. The campaign was shown on TV Globo during the FIFA World Cup in 2014.

“We had a bunch of restrictions to be followed and Gabriella had the quality we were expecting for the acting to be natural, funny, with a naive seduction,” said Pereira. “Gabriella was very professional during the long hours shooting. Also, she photographs amazingly, which contributes to the success of the campaign. I’ve been seeing her on many campaigns here in Brazil and I think she´s getting her space, showing more on each project the great actress and model she is.”

One of the campaigns he is referring to is for GVT Communications. This included Veja Magazine, one of the biggest magazines in Brazil. During this time, she worked with Mabel Feres, who has worked for many brands such as Vogue and Marie Claire, and has done portraits of Andy Garcia, Anne Hathaway and Cindy Crawford, to name a few.

“Modelling is something that requires a lot of discipline and understanding, knowing what your style sells,” said Spacciari.

Spacciari has done many national campaigns in Brazil for SuperBonder, GoodEyer, Pósitron, Dupont, Óticas Carol. She has represented big brands such Dupont, Motorola and Trident. She also shot for Cultura Inglesa, which was for metro, outdoors, and schools all over Brazil, working with Patricia Mesquita and William Mello.

“It had a great range. People used to send me pictures with them and the outdoors,” she said.

She also did a make-up tutorial campaign for Quem Disse Berenice. It was at the stores nationally, and also online.

“Its huge, everybody sees it and comments on it,” said Spacciari. “It’s fun to go to a magazine stand and see yourself on it, or to be crossing the street with your actual boyfriend and seeing a bus stop with you smiling at another guy.”

Spacciari is recognized internationally. She moved from a small city to São Paulo, and graduated in drama. She has done stage plays, and modelling jobs. She did a supporting role in the feature The Red Thread with the Mexican director Alfred Widman, as well as the leading role in the film Before Sunset I Think of You with the Chinese director Yuk Law. She was in the webseries BlackSpiderMan that went to San Francisco Comic-Con, the LA Comic Con, the Kamikaze Comic Con just last month.

“I think I discovered the capacity of overcoming barriers by working in different places and communicating with different cultures,” she concluded. “I’ve been discovering my art and been in projects that have been recognized around the world.”

Actor, Actor Profile, Film, international Talent, Intetnational Films, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

SEBASTIAN SACCO’S PERFORMANCE IN “NO PLACE” IS EERILY SIMILAR TO PRESENT DAY SCENARIOS

November 14, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Imagination can be wonderful but it can also make things harder for us in the real world. That statement might contradict what most of us think about imagination. Escapism can be a beneficial tool, right? Most of the time it is, but consider the predicament of Writer/Director Joe Beverly, a celebrated filmmaker who had written a deep and intense character driven piece called No Place (the film would go on to be screened at the Forum Film Festival and win ‘Best Short’ and ‘Best Screenplay’). The central character, William Aims, would need to communicate his inner turmoil without words as often as with. Aims is such a strong force in the story that casting anyone less charismatic or “alpha male” as the character would cause the story to “lose its teeth.” Luckily for Beverly, young British actor Sebastian Sacco was seeking an intensely dramatic role. Joe Beverly declares, “I needed to cast an exceptionally strong actor to successfully execute what I had written in the script. I was extremely lucky to find Sebastian and, when he auditioned, I knew almost instantly that he was the absolute perfect choice to essay the role of William. He has an uncanny ability to communicate without speaking or even moving much, a gift which only the very best actors possess, and which he put on full display in No Place. His performance went beyond what I had even hoped for and truly made the film a special tour de force about the cult of money and how it can topple lives. There is no way the film would have been possible without Sebastian’s stunning performance and everyone who has seen it has been floored by his portrayal of William.” The film’s star states that the reason for his being cast is likely due to a combination of acting and inherent character traits as he sates, “I’m an extremely moral person and will speak up if I think something is wrong. I think it was this trait which Joe saw in me. In my opinion, a strong actor is someone who isn’t scared to go there, to look ridiculous, to fail in front of people and to keep trying. That’s a strong actor. I think what Joe meant was that I was capable of holding the audience’s attention. I take it as quite a compliment that Joe saw that in me.”

No Place is unsettling in how contemporary and possible it seems. The plot depicts a scenario in which England has seen a political, economic, and social change. The government has fallen, the banks have crashed, and the old system has fallen into the hands of three remaining corporations. These three corporations are now ruled by the Bank of Britain, posing as three separate organizations that still give the public an opportunity to vote. Young economist Will Aim’s (Sebastian Sacco) works his way to the top of the system, eventually working alongside Tony Darwin (Paul Dewdney) who is the final over seer of Britain’s future. Will’s moral compass and girlfriend, Skylar (Danielle Norman) rejects the new system, seeing the bigger picture, she tries to open Will’s eyes. He slowly begins to uncover the truth that Skylar saw all along and, with Skylar by his side, Will has a life changing decision to make; one which is harder than he ever expected. As inspiration for Aims, Sebastian reverted back to an earlier time and emotional state of mind which he had experienced. He remarks, “I went back to my private school days. Trying to impress people in that world. It’s all about how you talk, dress, posture eat; everything is judged and weighed up. If you can do it all the ‘right way’ then you’re part of the club. That sense of constant self-awareness and trying to look and act a certain way but never above your station was important to me. Will was very straight edged. He rose to his position so quickly because he was smart, not because he was imposing or a risk taker. In my own private school days, I thought some people were rich because they were smatter and harder working than others. I believed in these ridicules lies. The truth is most people are stuck and trapped by their circumstances. I’ve been as ignorant and blind as Will was and I’ve come out the other side. So I understood his journey.

The film was well received by critics, the film community, and the public; no doubt due to the intense performances which Sacco and his supporting cast delivered as well as the timely subject matter. Sebastian reveals that he is somewhat conflicted about these recognitions as he remarks, “It was amazing to hear it won awards. Joe called me straight away to let me know. I’m always very hard on my performance and wasn’t happy with it, so to hear that it had won two awards…I couldn’t have been too bad. I think awards are pointless in many ways. Arts are about expression. Not all expression is nice. A lot of awards are like a popularity contest. I think as long as you don’t make films with awards in mind, staying true to the original idea and express it in the strongest way possible to that truth…then if someone wants to give you an award for that, I feel that is good. The best reward is just making the film. When that happens, my entire life just stops. It is fulfilling and draining simultaneously. When you finish, you have this piece of art that you have all worked together to create. You have this thing that existed in your collective minds and you made it materialize, then you send it out for others to experience. Now that is an award!”

Behind the Scenes, Film, international Talent, Intetnational Films, Reviews, Interviews & Features!, Technology, VFX Artist, Visual Effects

HUGO SHIH BRINGS THE SECRET INGREDIENT TO “PRESSURE-MAN”

November 10, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

From the first frame and song of Pressure-Man (writer/director Kai Kuei-Chieh Hsu’s musical comedy) you instantly recognize the color of John Potter’s suit and tie as prominently as his singing. This is by design. The theatrical, somewhat fanciful approach is designed to place the viewer into accepting the “sleepwalking” lifestyle that the main character John is immersed in. The colors are over the top on purpose. The color makes a subliminal impact, it’s the reason that the filmmakers approached colorist Hugo Shih to use his expertise on Pressure-Man. Even the scene over the closing credits shows the wild color schemes Shih can use to great effect. The heart of the film is intact regardless of the color, but it is the talent which Hugo brings that truly gives this film the character to make it stand out as unique. Among its many recognitions were: 2016 American Movie Award (Best Production / Art Direction (Winner), 2016 Praxis Film Festival (Audience Awards), & Official Selection of the 2015 Los Angeles International Film Festival Awards (Winner – Best Comedy/Dramedy). In hopes of understanding why Kai Hsu and this production were so intent on having Shih work on Pressure-Man as the colorist, we spoke with him in order to understand his role and the essential parts of his vocation. Because the film is so stylized in terms of its use of color, it is a perfect example of what a colorist is capable of doing in modern cinema.

In current American society, Pressure-Man is the norm. This film is about an accountant who is so tied to his job that he doesn’t take the time to participate in actual life with his family. The idea of living to work rather than working to live is ingrained into the life of many in the US. Pressure-Man is as subtle as a sledgehammer, which is exactly what is needed to wake the main character John (and many of us) from this enslavement. In pursuing the dream, we forget to live the dream, which is exactly what Hsu is saying in this film…about everyone, not simply those in the film. To create such an altered state, Hsu worked closely with Hugo in creating the approach he wanted for a color scheme.

From the opening scene, Shih’s handy work is evident. As Pressure-Man introduces himself and the film in song, his brightly colored suit and bow tie grab the viewer’s attention as a spotlight illuminates him. The director wanted everything but the Pressure-Man hidden so Hugo added a lot of mask, covering everything else and tracked the actor, so that the mask would follow with him. It’s a technique which the viewer doesn’t notice but focuses the attention right where the filmmaker desires it to be. Even the transition from the opening song into the action of the film required Hugo’s expertise. Shih explains, “There was one shot we worked on very long time, which is the shot when Pressure-man stops dancing and starts to introduce us to the main character and the idea of the story. The Director wanted the lighting to look like he was using dimmer. It was difficult because it wasn’t shot this way. I needed to add the dimmer effect myself. In order to achieve this, I brought down everything at the background but the Pressure-man. Secondly, I key framed the background to gradually light it up, but without effect on the Pressure-man. Sometimes the director wanted it as dark as possible, but without losing any of the detail. Thus, the director and I were looking for a balanced light that we could both be happy about. I like working with directors that have specific ideas and requirements. Even though their requests might be difficult, we can build a style of communication. I know how to achieve many things as a colorist but if I learn how to communicate better and more easily with the directors and cinematographers I work with, I will work more and we will all enjoy the process.” Describing another shot in the film, Shih states, “There is a shot in which the Pressure-man is in the bathtub with father. When I graded this scene, the director asked me to make it look like the actors were in their own little world. I made the spotlight stronger, and used two shapes to mask out the sides to be dark. Then I added overall blur to simulate the steam because I want to make more feeling of taking shower. There was also a scene in which the father has a nightmare. He dreams that every member of his family has become a ‘Pressure- Man’. This was composed of multiple green screen shots. Because we have a rushing to meet our deadline, I decided to do compositing in a color grading software. Before I was able to do that, I had to do a perfect color balancing so that I could get a clean key and make a proper composition. It isn’t exciting to hear about but the finished product really made the director excited.”

A common misconception about the colorist job on a film is that they only deal with grades and tones of color. Because of the work they do and its effect on the action taking place in the frame, they often control how the lighting feels on film as well as the color. Because the colorist almost always performs their work after the filming has taken place, it is important that they work closely with the director and have a strong sense of why the lighting was established on set during filming. Just as with the actors, the environment in which the colorist performs his/her work is crucial to achieving the proper effect. The working environment of a colorist is very different from other positions on a production. During a color session, the room must be totally dark. There only light which can be turned on is a 6500 daylight lamp because it will adjust to the colorist’s eyes once they go out of the room and come back in. Also, the room must be 18% Gray (which is a neutral color and won’t reflect any colors to influence the eyes of the colorist towards the image). A colorists’ room also requires specialized equipment to aid in the color grade process, making things efficient and accurate. Hugo Shih’s work in Pressure-Man highlights the impact of the role of a colorist in modern film. While many audiences may not understand the substantial amount of time required and the valuable expertise that Hugo possesses; the look of the film stands as proof that his contributions create a unique and artistic experience.

Reviews, Interviews & Features!

Ohenewa Anno brings comedy Gen Zed to life

November 9, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Gen Zed is an animated online comedy created by Hayden Black that follows a group of friends who meet playing games online and decide to move in together. To accomplish the artistic vision for the show, talented artists were needed to create 3D character models for the compelling leads of the comedy. Ohenewa Anno, a 3D graphic artist, was drawn to work on the project as she could relate to many of the characters on the show. Gen Zed brings well known characters from everyday life into an exciting comedy that explores the challenges many young adults are facing today.

“I can relate to the story because, like most others in this information age, my time is spent behind the computer and online,” Anno said.

The story of Gen Zed follows what happens when the characters move their friendship from the computer screen to real life.

“I really enjoyed the fact that I was creating a character that people can relate too,” Anno added. “This gave me inspiration for the creation of the 3D models of the lead characters.”

Gen Zed is driven by the characters on the show. The talents of their voice actors must blend seamlessly with the animated models that will embody their dialogue on the screen. Anno was excited to model characters who will brought to life by many talented voices. The show’s writer, producer, and the actor behind the character Quillam is Hayden Black. Black created and starred in the award-winning Goodnight Burbank, which began as an online show and became the first half-hour comedy show to move to television following its online debut.

Black himself noted the wide range of talent that has been added to the cast and crew behind Gen Zed.

“We’ve attracted a lot of talent to the project already – from Jane Wiedlin to Richard Schiff to Hal Sparks – and our editor is none other than Paul Calder, who edited Futurama. Alongside Alex Bradley (our designer) and Big Little FX (our animator)” said Black.

The show also includes the voice talents of Julie Rei Goldstein as Shona, the main character of the show. Shona is a trans woman and a stand-up comic. Julie Rei Goldstein is herself a trans woman and the first trans gender actress to hold a lead role in an animated show. Anno’s work on the show includes the 3D modelling for Shona’s character.

Black is constantly impressed with Anno’s work and appreciates her own talented contributions to the show that is filled with so many equally talented artists from a variety of fields.

“Ohenewa will help create the look and feel of the show,” He said. “We’re so happy to have her on board as she’s so uniquely talented as a 3D designer. Ohenewa’s work brings the characters to life in a way that still thrills me each time I see one!”

Anno, the 3D character modeler, got to know the characters of the show very well as she has worked to build a strong base for the final models that will be used on the show.

“The characters are the central focus in the show and it is extremely important to get the different elements of the design balanced and appealing so that there is a strong foundation for things to progress on.” Anno said.

She has worked with the other creatives behind the show to bring her design skills to bear on the appearance of the characters.

“While modelling the lead character ‘Shona’ in 3D, I experimented and made some slight tweaks to the outfit and model from the initial design so that it could involve and include qualities that are appealing in 3D animation today.” Anno said. “So far my work has given a new perspective to the characters and has received a very positive response.”

Anno’s past work on character design backs up her creative input. She recently created the characters and did all the illustrations for a Halloween-themed children’s book called What’s That Spooky Sound written by Jim Horsman. Her illustrations received praised from the author and the audience who have given the book positive reviews on Amazon.com

Instead of creating characters from written descriptions as she did on What’s That Spooky Noise, Gen Zed required Anno to add a third dimension to the original 2D concepts for the characters. Transforming a 2D drawing into an active 3D model comes with unique challenges for a 3D artist.

“I have found it challenging to create the facial blend shapes during this project.” Anno said. “These blend shapes are used for the characters’ facial expressions. Character designs are often pushed beyond reality and depending on the character certain expressions may not suite the character and need to be created in a way that will be appealing.”

Anno noted that this challenge was especially noticeable when she was working on the main character of Shona. Shona was drawn with a long face and Anno had to exercise her creative problem solving skills to manipulate the 3D model’s shapes so that Shona’s full range of expressions would suit her.

To accomplish the modelling, Anno used her extensive knowledge of Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop and Pixar’s Renderman. She textured and rendered the character models for preview by the creative team, always including her aesthetic blended in with the creative team’s vision for each of the characters. Her work will be collaborated with the other members of the animation team and the work is ongoing to create the final on-screen versions of the characters.

Anno’s contributions to the characters of Gen Zed will soon be brought to life for all to see as the show is scheduled to release its first season titled The Event later

Behind the Scenes, international Talent, Producer, Reviews, Interviews & Features!, Television

PETR GOLIKOV USES HIS PRODUCING SKILLS TO CREATE AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARIES

November 9, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

As far back as we can trace the history of mankind is how long storytelling has existed; that’s because storytelling allows us to communicate our own history. At some point (most likely around a campfire) storytelling became an art and, as art does, the tales became more grand and entertaining. Through the ages, the means by which stories were communicated has evolved; oratory, legible, theatrical, and eventually we came to our modern cinematic means. Moving Pictures may be just a skooch over a century old but they have already transformed in so many ways and have escalated the art of storytelling on a global scale. Hollywood may be the epicenter of TV and film but many countries in the world have ingrained some form of the industry into their social fabric. Hollywood can be proud that its child has become loved everywhere on planet Earth. All the corners of the world use this means to tell their tales. By studying the productions of different countries we can understand more about them as well as gain insight into how they see themselves. Petr Golikov is a Russian producer who has had immense success in the world of commercial production but who has also been a producer on many documentaries which present the history of his country as well as how historical figures have effected Russian society. Because of his successful career as a producer and his respect for US productions, he has a healthy respect for Americas contributions. Viewing the documentaries, he has produced allows one to have an insider’s look at many historical figures and social aspects of Russian society that are not often presented to the US. It’s particularly interesting that a producer like Petr, who has such a lauded career (working with well-known US companies like: PUMA, Gillette, Kraft Foods, Ford, Phillips; with campaigns that won awards such as: an Effie Award, a Silver Prize at the Kiev International Advertising Festival, and a Golden Prize at the Golden Hammer International Advertising Festival, as well as others) is always searching for a way to hone his abilities and challenge his approach. Golikov left the world of commercial producing for a period of time to work at the award-winning Studio Ostrov. Studio Ostrov is a recipient of many prestigious awards including: an Emmy Award, Bafta Award, and Nika Award. This award-winning production company was founded by the award-winning filmmaker Sergey Miroshnichenko. Petr admits that when he was offered the opportunity to work with an artist as important as Sergey Miroshnichenko, he could not forego the experience. It is a scenario that has altered his approach to production ever since, particularly his style of communication with directors.

The production Gogol: The Farewell Letter mixed actual letters of correspondence from one of the most celebrated Russian writers with a very artistic presentation. The film was recognized and awarded at the Kiev International Film Festival in 2009. The film is based on Nikolai Gogol’s correspondence with friends and contains reconstructed scenes from the life of this writer and the intellectual debates which he led with them. The main role was played by Eugeniy Voskresenskiy (he won an award at the Kiev International Film Festival for this role). Golikov describes the creative approach which the film is known for, stating, “Three-fourths of the film took place in the set designed and built to look like a huge head of Gogol. People appeared there like ghosts or thoughts or images. We wanted the viewer’s to feel that they were inside Gogol’s head and we took the metaphor to a very literal place, which the audience seemed to really enjoy.”

One of the films Petr produced (at Studio Ostrov) which received the most accolades was The Word. This film is about the life of famed writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. The Word received a TEFI Best TV film nominee, a LAVR (2009) Best documentary film award, and a special award at the 2^nd New York Festival of Russian documentary (2009). The Word was filmed shortly before Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn death in 2008 and discussed the writer’s book The Gulag Archipelago, his ideas, & future plans. The documentary contains rare footage of his life outside Russia and unpublished exclusive interviews in which he discusses modern literature and the future of Russian in the 21^st century. Because the film discussed one of the most important writers and thinkers who witnessed such an extensive change in the world, it was paramount that it present his firsthand take on history and the literature of his lifetime.

One of the most intriguing documentaries which Golikov produced for Studio Ostrov is titled Closest. This is a riveting and poignant documentary which views the city of Kazan in Russia. This location is extraordinary in the fact that its population is comprised of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim people who live peacefully together. It is a model which attempts to explain if we can live amongst each other with these differences without strife and war. The production asks if “love thy neighbor” can truly exist. Filmed on location over a ten-day period, Closest gives first-hand accounts of what these different ideological groups think of each other and how they implement their religious teachings.

Reaching much further back into Russia’s history, Petr produced Pyotr and Fevroniya: Story of Eternal Love for Studio Ostrov. The Orthodox Church in Russia has declared this couple saints and the keepers of family and marriage. According to lore, Pyotr and Fevroniya were buried in separate tombs but the following day their bodies were discovered together in the same tomb. Many people visit this tomb and ask for intercession. Golikov communicates, “I had to approach the story with great care before it was presented to channel’s producer. There was a presentation for a priest from the Orthodox church because this couple is recognized as saints. The church was happy with it and the film crew was actually very moved by the story, as were the viewers…which gave us such high ratings. It’s a wonderful love story.

Petr’s acclaim as a producer of both documentaries and commercials in Russia has led to upcoming productions with Feel Good Video in the US. Golikov has been enlisted to bring his talents to a number of projects for Feel Good Video including the documentaries Dreams by the Ocean and Twinsters in addition to a series of commercials for both Dyno Wave and Joe To Door brands. Petr’s immensely popular and acclaimed work in the past is a causality to the effect of these international offers. The best reward for a professional such as Golikov is the abundance of offers that continue to find their way to this consummate producer.

Reviews, Interviews & Features!

Actress Jordan Claire Robbins explores comedic side with Man Seeking Woman

November 8, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Working on comedy requires more than just good acting skills. It requires a certain awareness of timing and type of instinct that not all actors are equipped with. Delivering a line is very different than delivering a joke, and knowing the difference is key.

Jordan Claire Robbins has had her share of serious roles. She played a character with a very troubled life in the film Black Dahlia and an assistant living in a doomed world in the Syfy show 12 Monkeys, and will be seen in the Andrew Niccol-directed sci-fi thriller Anon, to be released in 2017. In these roles, Robbins is recognized for her talents as a dramatic actress. However, her ability to also tackle comedy is what sets her apart, and she had the opportunity to showcase these talents on FXX’s absurdist comedy Man Seeking Woman, produced by Lorne Michaels.

“Comedy and drama are different in a lot of ways, and similar in others. I enjoy both, and I think in both it is crucial to be prepared at such a level that it’s possible to then completely let go and respond to the other actors in a truthful and present way. I find that the best moments usually happen when actors know their characters and the material well enough that they are just living in the scene, reacting in an honest way, and not in their head or worried about using any pre-planned ideas. For comedy, the funniest moments often arise out of spontaneity and these things can be just as unexpected to the actor as they are to everyone else, because they have let the characters and material take over,” said Robbins.

Man Seeking Woman tells the story of Josh (Jay Baruchel), a naive romantic who goes on a desperate quest for love when his longtime girlfriend dumps him.

“I loved working on Man Seeking Woman. The energy onset was amazing, and it was a great opportunity not only to work with very talented, funny people, but also to get to watch them work. The biggest challenge was to not laugh, as the leads on the show are incredibly funny and experienced enough that fear of failure is no longer a limitation for them,” said Robbins.

Robbins plays Julia in the episode Stain, a single guest who meets Josh at a destination wedding in hell. He is having a tough time because his ex-girlfriend is there with a new boyfriend, and in a moment of desperation he asks Julia to dance with him. Julia is open-minded, positive, and also date-less at the wedding, so she says yes even though he comes across as aggressive and perhaps slightly intoxicated.

screen-shot-2015-04-11-at-9-42-30-pm — Jay Baruchel and Jordan Claire Robbins in *Man Seeking Woman*.

“Playing Julia was a lot of fun, and while her tolerance level for bad behaviour is probably a little lower than mine I think we are quite similar, which is always fun to play with,” Robbins said.

The episode was directed by Tim Kirkby (VEEP, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), who encouraged the cast to follow their instincts. For Robbins, who has been studying improv at the world-renowned Second City in Toronto for over a year, this was a great opportunity to play.

“Jordan is the best possible student: curious, hardworking and willing to fearlessly challenge herself to excel,” said Michael J. Gellman, one of the original founders of Second City who coached Robbins at the school. “Her ability to find the heart and vulnerability in the characters she creates gives her a strong platform to continue to grow and build on her already significant talent.”

Robbins has come a long way from the first film she did. Money is about a man who gets sucked into the world of gambling and the ramifications it has for his friends and family. At the time, she had been training to be an actress for much of her life, but was mostly modelling. This step required her to transition from just thinking about the look of her character to thinking about her character’s whole world.

“When a person is really engaged in a conversation and living fully they are not aware or concerned with how they look, but when I’m on a modelling shoot it’s crucial to constantly be aware of how my body and face are looking on-camera and making sure the angles are always flattering for the clothes,” said Robbins.

Robbins played the character of Jackie, an outspoken, fun, and loyal best friend to the film’s lead, Amber. Jackie strongly feels that her best friend can do better than her boyfriend, and when he gets caught up in the unsavoury world of a gambling she is adamant that Amber needs to move on.

“Having trained on and off camera for many years, it was satisfying to be able to carry over and put into practice everything I had learned. It was the perfect scenario for a first film as there wasn’t the pressure of having a studio involved, and the team was young and fresh so the energy was great onset. I loved having more time to dive into my character and try things onscreen,” said Robbins.

Now, Robbins has mastered the art of getting into her character’s world, which is exactly what she did for Man Seeking Woman, with Stain being a well-received episode of the series.

Reviews, Interviews & Features!

Actress Amor Sanchez is both evil and innocent in upcoming feature films

November 8, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

aresized — Amor Sanchez- Photo by Laura Escudero

While growing up in Madrid, Amor Sanchez always felt art inside her. She grew up in an artistic family, and she was always acting, dancing, drawing, or whatever else she could do to explore this side of her. Slowly she realized she was meant to not only be an artist, but she was meant to be an actress.

Sanchez has now starred in over a dozen feature films all over the world. She is recognized for her versatility, and being completely fluent in English and Spanish allows her the opportunity for even more roles. She excels in accents, and never wants to play a similar character twice. She will soon be on the big screen once more in the feature films The Curse of Manizales and The Curse of Manizales 2, made by the prestigious Rivera Films Studios.

The upcoming films are based on the Colombian short film La Maldicion de Manizales. They are suspenseful period pieces that revolves around love, envy, intrigue and hate. The first film follows the difficult love between a priest and a young orphan during the Inquisition in Colombian territory, product of the Spanish colonization. Nothing is sacred for Satan and he is ready to open the doors to hell. Sanchez will perform the lead role of Isabel.

“Isabel is evil. She is smart. She loves gossiping. She is a jealous person, of everyone and everything. And she likes doing bad. She is the mayor’s wife and she won’t stop until she breaks the forbidden love of the priest and the young girl. She is capable of creating any kind of sleight. She won’t stop, and when she finishes with this love she will find a new thing to destroy. She has one purpose in life – destroy what makes her jealous. Nobody can be better than her. She is the devil’s ally. But from the outside she looks their ally, nobody can suspect she is cooking up anything,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez is known for being multi-faceted. She was selected for the role of Isabel because they needed a special kind of actress who could look ingenuous and evil as same time. The role requires someone who can be innocent in some scenes and completely villainous in others.

“I like playing any kind of role. Even evil people has their own truth and reality. Their own reasons that are valid for them, maybe for nobody else. Maybe life made them be that way, maybe they were born like that, maybe they can change, maybe not,” she said. “This is a story of a forbidden love and everyone and everything is conspiring against them. It’s them against the world, against the devil, and against Isabel.”

resized4 — Amor Sanchez – Photo by Ruben Navarro

Despite the evil tendencies of the character, Isabel is still a strong woman, not stopping until she reaches her goals. This is something that Sanchez admires about her character.

“She has persistence. And I would like to think that I am smart too,” she joked. “I like gossiping too. Just kidding.”

Isabel is a different character for the actress. Sanchez has had success playing a variety of roles, from gangsters, to business women, to women in love.

“I don’t like being typecast, so every time I pick a role it is different from the other ones I played previously,” she said. “I can be a teacher, next a nurse, next a naive girl, next an expert in martial arts, next a busybody neighbor, and of course every one of them have their own look, cloths, hair, way of talk and walk, and their own personality. I like challenges.”

This is echoed by fellow actress Vida Harlow, who has worked alongside Sanchez on multiple projects, including the film Vampiro.

“I know the tenacity and perseverance that it takes to be a professional actor. Amor is among the highest caliber of actors in the film industry. Her talent continuously grows and improves. Her remarkable onscreen presence contributes significantly to the overall quality of any project she is involved with,” said Harlow.

Sanchez is continuing this professionalism and commitment while working on The Curse of Manizales, as well as her upcoming television series Scorpion Girl.

“Every time there’s a new project there are new challenges. Every character has a different personality, with new concerns and new situations. It needs to be fully understood. When preparing for a role is important to know all the answers of every situation in the script. You have to decipher your character’s mind. It is important to know that the role is not you, but acting from its own truth,” she concluded. “That truth has to become your truth to make the character alive.”

The first film of The Curse of Manizales is expected to be released next year.

Actor Interview, Canadian Talent, Reviews, Interviews & Features!

Q&A with transgender actress Savannah Burton

November 7, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

Thousands of people have been watching the small screen and seen Savannah Burton, but may not have known it. She has appeared in television shows such as Killjoys and Beauty and the Beast. She has worked on a variety of films, including The Kiss, an upcoming film that will bring light the issues of the transgender community from the 1950s.

Burton has overcome many barriers to reach the success she has now. Being a transgender actress in the industry, many opportunities can be limited to trans roles only. That is not the case for Burton, a refreshing and promising change.

As she discusses in the interview below, Burton did not always know she wanted to get into acting, but once she had a taste of it, she knew that is where her future was. To find out more about her career and her story, make sure you read below.

IF: Where are you from? When and how did you get into acting?

SB: I was born and raised in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, a town with a population of about 19,000 people. My father was a small business owner and my mother is in real estate. Growing up in such a small place a million miles away from Hollywood, you never really think about being in the entertainment industry. It wasn’t until I moved to Toronto, Ontario in my twenties that I took my first acting class. It was in the basement of a church and from the very first class, I was hooked. I love the feeling of making the audience have an emotional reaction to something I’m doing and taking them on a journey.

IF: Can you tell me a little bit about the film and television projects you’ve done?

SB: Some of my most recent projects have been on Beauty and the Beast on The CW network and Killjoys which airs on Syfy and Space. Being able to work with actors like Aaron Ashmore, Thom Allison and Ryan Blakely on Killjoys and Austin Basis and Nina Lisandrello on Beauty and the Beast have been wonderful learning experiences. While I’m on set, I try to be like a sponge and watch the actors who are where I want to be in their careers. It was a huge thrill to work on a show created by Michelle Lovretta who was also the creator of the popular series Lost Girl. She masterfully creates amazing, original story lines with characters who just happen to be LGBTQ+.

IF: What is it like being a transgender actress in the industry?

SB: Being a transgender actress in the industry is still a big challenge at this point. We are still kind of waiting for society to catch up to us as far as understanding what Trans people go through and have to deal with on a daily basis. Many people have this false narrative of what a trans person is from decades of misrepresentation of us on film and TV screens. Fortunately, shows like Sense8 and Transparent are helping to educate and create dialogues where none existed before.

IF: When looking at a script, what makes you pick one role over another?

SB: I certainly wouldn’t want to limit myself when it comes to roles, though knowing what your “look” is and what types of roles you are more suited for is something that every actor should be aware of.

IF: What has been your favorite role so far and why?

SB: I’ve played many roles from villains to incredibly sympathetic characters. My favorite to date would have to be Itchy Woman on Killjoys. First of all, the role isn’t written as Trans, plus she is a guard at a place for criminals to gamble their merchandise they have illegally obtained. She carries a big gun and isn’t afraid to use it. I love seeing a strong powerful Trans woman on screen. It really goes against stereotype.

IF: What is your favorite genre to work in as an actress?

SB: Honestly I like all genres. I grew up collecting comics like Thor, Captain America and Doctor Strange so I love what Marvel is doing right now. I also remember watching Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs for the first time and thought this is something different. The way he would mess with the linear storytelling and take the audience from 0 to 100 miles an hour in an instant made me want to be part of a film like that. People mostly see the violence in his films, but he also writes incredibly strong female characters to which he doesn’t get enough credit. Most of the female characters in Kill Bill, Jackie Brown and Inglorious Bastards are totally bad ass.

IF: What separates you from other actors?

SB: One of the most important things you can do as an actor is training. I’ve been training off and on for more than ten years. It’s necessary to stay sharp by going to classes frequently. Try different acting coaches and see what style works for you.

IF: What would you say your strongest qualities as an actress are?

SB: They say that the eyes have it. One way to tell good acting from bad acting is in the eyes. Being focused on the task at hand during a scene. The audience has to relate with you and put themselves in your place. This can only happen if they believe what you are doing and saying. It’s not really about acting; it’s about being real.

IF: What projects do you have coming up?

SB: I’m really excited about a film that I’ve recently worked on called The Kiss. It’s an LGBTQ themed period piece which takes place in the 1950’s. There are so few stories with Trans characters from this time as much of our history as Trans people has been erased or been completely misrepresented. Being able to tell a story like this is incredibly important and I hope will start conversations.

Canadian Talent, Reviews, Interviews & Features!, Television

Restoring the Excitement of Formula 1 Racing in Canada with Tim Hauraney

November 6, 2016 pressva Leave a comment

By Martin Desouza

Any high level athlete will attest that the thought of retirement, and not being able to compete in the sport that they love, can be inconsolable. It is an unavoidable conviction for all athletes nearing the end of their career.

Canadian Tim Hauraney is a veteran professional racecar driver who knows this all too well, but is taking an alternative approach to the later stages of his career.

“Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be the fastest, most fearless professional race car driver on the planet. I have dedicated my entire life to accomplishing this feat and I believe that I can play a bigger part in helping others share this passion as well,” he said.

Whereas most professional athletes wait until after retirement to explore other opportunities within the sport that they love, Hauraney has found a way to expand his horizons as a professional, prior to officially retiring as a driver.

Hauraney is on a mission to bring the excitement of racing back to Canadians.

He has found several ways to shoulder this challenge, but none more intriguing than earning a role with TSN, Canada’s leading sports network. Former TSN anchor and racing fan Dan O’Toole was a driving force in leading Hauraney to his role with TSN.

“In the beginning, Dan knew that a transition to sports media would be a challenge for me, but having known me and my passion for racing, he felt I could excel,” Hauraney said.

Thankfully for Tim, and Canadian race fans, O’Toole was right.

“Professional athletes are viewed as people who can easily step behind the microphone, since they have played the game. This could not be further from the truth. Just because you played a sport, does not mean you can accurately discuss it. It’s a very difficult transition to make, and an even more difficult one to excel at. Tim is one of the people that has been able to make the transition, and do it seamlessly,” O’Toole said.

“I’m thankful for Dan helping me realize that TSN’s Formula 1 product could be elevated with my help, and that I could leverage my experiences and leadership towards the program,” Hauraney added.

These days, Hauraney makes a regular appearance on SportsCentre’s television and radio programs discussing Formula 1, and IndyCar racing. He is one of TSN’s leading race analysts responsible for breaking news on Canadian racecar drivers, dissecting racing events, and producing various racing related content.

In addition to acting as TSN’s racing analyst, Hauraney also spends time on-camera starring in commercials for some of the largest car companies in the world.

Rex McDaniel is a colleague of Hauraney’s and has hired him as a product specialist for several automotive jobs over the past 10 years. He called Hauraney a very sought-after spokesperson and cited Hauraney’s leadership as his strongest asset.

“Tim’s leadership, attention to detail, and dedication to his work, make him the best at what he does. We first started working together with Cadillac back in 2006. Now I hire Tim for a number of different auto shows where he represents automotive companies such as Maserati and Ferrari,” said McDaniel.

Considering the fact that Hauraney began fixing automobiles with his father at just ten years of age, to say that he knows an engine inside and out, is an understatement.

“I really enjoy working as a product specialist because I have the opportunity to connect with fellow car enthusiasts and educate them by leveraging my experience and expertise,” he said. “As much as I love providing my own insight, I love hearing what others have to say just as much. Technology is ever evolving and allowing for greater mechanical innovation, so the learning never ends.”

Evidently, Hauraney has found several avenues through which he can impart his wisdom and passion for racing onto others within the racing community. His efforts to do so are beginning to pay dividends.

Since Hauraney took over the TSN spot, the network has had increased ratings on its racing content. His passion and first-hand knowledge of the subject is captivating to viewers.

“I really take pride in my work because I know that there is a large community of race fans in Canada who have supported me in my journey as a driver, and who appreciate my ongoing intention to grow the sport for generations to come,” he concluded. “Leadership is an essential component to any community and I’m determined to provide it wherever I can.”