​  In a number of ways, celebrities are the modern day version of royalty. Perhaps not as they see themselves but as the public views them. They are set apart, untouchable in a benevolent way. Royalty in the more traditional sense always had the implication of ruling through divinity. Celebrities have a number of attributes that sets them apart from the public; talent, aesthetics, charisma…they all seem to imply a superior being. Much of what makes a modern day celebrity is the fact that the public has deemed them so. Social Media has completely changed the relationship between the famous and the public. Greater access to the lives, thoughts, and emotions of these celebrities has made the interaction between celebs and public both closer and more distant. Every outing is now a photo op. One thing that still separates these two social groups is romantic social interaction. In reference to the aforementioned traditional royalty, never the twain shall meet. Well, not until now. The 1999 film Notting Hill depicted movie star Julia Roberts meeting bookshop owner Hugh Grant and falling in love, in spite of societies attempts (and their own personal disbelief) to keep them apart. UK’s Lime Pictures has presented the speed dating version of this in Celebs Go Dating (seen on E4). The trappings of celebrity often prohibit meeting potential romantic interests not involved in the entertainment world. Lime Pictures had the brilliant idea of creating a “safe” place for celebs to meet non-opportunistic individuals who could possibly be a potential match for the well-known. Grivas Kopti is the associate producer heavily immersed in the casting. As the person in charge of making sure that contributors (the non-famous individuals who are interested in dating certain celebrities) were admirable in their dating aspirations, Kopti became the “matchmaker to the stars.”
  Grivas has a highly successful career in reality TV. He is respected and known in the industry for his work on Naked Attraction, Tattoo Fixers on Holiday, Stripped and Stranded, Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, Unbelievable, and numerous others. Phil Harris, Head of Entertainment at Lime Pictures, describes Kopti’s status in the industry as well as why Grivas was his choice for Celebs Go Dating stating, “Grivas is one of the most highly talented associate producers in the field with a wealth of accolades throughout his career. As an undeniable leading presence on a number of hit shows, his achievements in the television industry are evidence of the high standing he has achieved among his peers and the massive success of each of his projects.” Due to the nature of his vocation, Kopti has worked with countless celebrities; the opportunities which Celebs Go Dating provided were intriguing to him. He notes, “We often see celebrities putting on a confident front, a brave face. It’s usually all part of their brand and public persona. Celebs Go Dating offers them a rare opportunity to be vulnerable and open up without looking silly. Everyone can relate to letting their guard down to find love. I don’t think that sensationalism is intrinsic to reality TV, it can provide a positive influence when guided correctly.”

​  As with any production, casting is essential. When you are mixing the famous and potential suitors, it requires even more caution and oversight than usual. Oddly, discretion was not a requirement of this production. Celebs Go Dating utilized social media in a campaign that presented the public with the possible opportunity to date the celebrities cast in the first season of the show. Celebs were photographed holding “Want to date me?” signs with contact information. The overwhelming response began one of the most important facets of Kopti’s role in Celebs Go Dating. He explains, “As you can imagine, we implemented even stricter guidelines than the usual production involving high profile talent as they are all very well-known and current. They bare their souls on TV and people feel like they know them personally. Lines can sometimes get blurred in this social media age. We do extensive background checking and take the legal paperwork aspect very seriously. We need to ensure our talent are as comfortable as possible when meeting our contributors for the first time and then going on dates with them, divulging somewhat personal information. We wanted them to completely be themselves and relax. Every date they went on could have been with their potential soul-mate; we didn’t want them to be apprehensive.”
  Matching contributors and celebrities is only part of the equation. Creating an atmosphere that is conducive to both sides relaxing, relating, and sharing a bond can be quite difficult…especially when the interaction is being filmed. Locations like restaurants used a fixed-rig (discreet and somewhat unnoticeable cameras) and crew sizes were kept to an extreme minimum. As with many environments, participants soon forgot about the filming and relaxed into being themselves. Sometimes the situations in which the contributors found themselves was a little more difficult to feel normal in. Grivas states, “There is an excitement that you feel for the contributors. Not only are they on a date with someone they are interested in but, they sometimes were going to restaurants or parties that they might not normally gain access to, and meeting other famous people. You hope that they make a connection on their date but at the very least, there is an escapism into a glamorous world. Some contributors would see their faces online and be photographed by the paparazzi. We purposely avoided casting people who are drawn to that type of thing but it still can be a bit of excitement for the everyday individual.”
  With only weeks on air, Celebs Go Dating has been a resounding success on UK TV. The program airs Monday-Friday at the prime-time 10PM slot and has been continually coming out on top. The viewing public is quite taken with the show, possibly due to the “Cinderella” type theme it provides. A vital aspect is that the outcome is not fixed which means sometimes the results are positive and sometimes not. Celebs Go Dating believes in the moniker Reality TV. Kopti confirms, “There are times when our contributors are disappointed… if a celebrity wasn’t into them. We did give them a heads-up. That’s real life for you – you don’t always spark with somebody you are theoretically a good match with. I understand, being turned down by a celebrity on camera…ouch! We had a few bruised egos. Some people let their nerves get the better of them and the date was disastrous; funny, but messy. All of the celebrities on the show are highly esteemed and well-known names, especially in the world of reality TV; people like Stephanie Pratt. She genuinely is fed up of mingling with high profile names and wanted to meet a man with a more stable profession and mature perspective. She had some success on the show. I can’t tell you too much right now as the show is going out for the next 2 weeks… tune in.”
 

​  There are many great lessons to be learned in this world. Only the brave dare dream. Of all the dreamers, artists are probably the most insane…because their dreams are the most improbable. Ask anyone involved in creating music and they will tell you tales of scraping by as they persevered in pursuit of creating the sounds that would lift the collective souls of humanity. The delineation between success attained and a life squandered is measured by the most miniscule of fractions in society’s judgement. Composer/conductor/orchestrator James McWilliam is a resounding success when you view his accomplishments; but a close inspection of his life reveals that he would have chased after his goal of making music regardless of how he is measured in the eyes of others. McWilliam has spent his years attempting to create emotion and beauty in places where there was none before, by adding and enhancing the films and compositions of other artists as well as his own. He has worked on feature film blockbusters such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (nominated for an Oscar, with another twelve wins and 41 nominations), Guillermo del Toro’s The Book of Life (Golden Globe nominated, Grossing $94MM Worldwide) and Crimson Peak (del Toro’s fantasy/horror Grossing $73MM Worldwide), as well as anxiety producing Independent films like The Patrol, the family/action/adventure Eragon (Grossing $245MM Worldwide, and modern music avenues like the Batman:Arkham Knight video game. James remarks that his family still often is befuddled that someone can earn a good living by creating music, but he adds that they have always given him their support and encouragement. It’s only by hearing his story that you appreciate how a self-described perfectly normal middle class boy from a town in the north of England was able to steer his life into working with some of the most recognized filmmakers and music artists of our time.
  Though he vaguely remembers taking piano lessons at an early age, it was the drums and Jazz that ignited the artistic fire in McWilliam. With the support of his mother, he acquired his first true instrument and the one which he credits for getting him started on his journey as a musician. McWillaim recalls, “My mother was amazing and would never stop me from trying anything so we quickly found a beaten up old drum kit for £50 from an advertisement in the paper.  During the next summer vacation, I stayed with my father in London and he found an excellent drum teacher for me to have a couple of lessons with to see if it was something I wanted to continue with.  I loved it and from this point on I never looked back and playing the drums shaped my entire life.  It led to me restarting piano lessons and studying music theory and composition privately with a teacher.  I played in many bands as a kid growing up and competed in Young Jazz Musician of the Year when I was 16.” His love of Jazz eventually steered towards classical and a greater focus on piano and composition. A distant connection with a Beatle would aid his studies. James states, “I accepted a place at LIPA (The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) set up by Paul McCartney, to study for a degree in music.  Whilst studying for my degree at LIPA I gradually moved away from playing the drums entirely.  I just knew that deep down sitting at the back of a band wasn’t going to do it for me and during my time at university, composing and arranging had really begun to take over.”
  Studies completed, McWilliam discovered very quickly that having the knowledge and talent was only the start of being prepared for a career in music. He soon accepted the position that he (sarcastically) refers to as “the highly esteemed position of ‘Night Receptionist’ at Metropolis Studios.” Metropolis was a famous and respected studio in London but the job he accepted was not the one he had been training and hoping to acquire. His middle class sensibilities and work ethic told James that being in the “stadium” would at least place one near the action of the “game”…if one hoped to step onto the field. He was correct as he retells of the pivotal moment, “A very well-known music producer, Andy Wright, had a studio at Metropolis Studios and he would often chat to me and take an interest in what I was doing.  Andy knew that I could score out music for orchestral musicians and at 2am, he call I had been waiting for finally came. Andy came to the reception and said that he had a string section arriving in the morning to record music for a Sheba cat food advert but he didn’t have the string parts written out and would I be able to do it?  Of course, I said yes and a few hours later the job was complete and I was paid for my first professional arranging job!  Andy asked me to work on dozens of projects for him over the years including albums for Pavarotti, Jeff Beck and Simply Red.  We still work together now, 15 years later!” Having breached the wall into the professional music world, many artists and musical professionals became aware of James’ abilities and sought him out. Legendary Scottish musician Peter Vettese is known for his work as a member of Jethro Tull as well as his work with Paul McCartney, the Bee Gees, Cher, Carly Simon, and countless others. Speaking of McWilliam’s talent and abilities, Vettese declares, “For some years now James McWilliam has been my first call orchestrator on albums such as 'American soul' Mick Hucknall, 'Stages' Melanie C and most recently the 2016 number 4 UK album 'Time of my life' Ronan Keating, albums of which I was either producer or arranger. His musical and orchestration skills were crucial to the success of these albums. Coupled to these talents, James' empathetic abilities in relation to the artist and producer are, in my view, without peer. So much so that in the making of 'The Majesty of light' (a forthcoming album of my own compositions), I invited James to collaborate in the string and brass arrangements along with his orchestrations!
James McWilliam's talent cannot be overstated. A master of his trade.”
  As a fixture in both the UK and international filmmaking music industry, James works in tandem with the artists who envision these films to create the sonic statement to deliver the proper emotional impact. One of his latest projects is working alongside Director Alex Barrett’s silent film about London. This presentation makes the music even more significant than most films. Of his work with James, Barrett notes, “'London Symphony' is a real labor of love for us both, and it has tested us to our limits.  James has worked tirelessly to deliver the 70-minute score, and his music is an integral part of the film. I hope that, between us, we've created something that will be a long-lasting testament to the beauty of present-day London.” Though he is constantly working on a number of productions, often spending a 12-15-hour work day at his studio, James McWilliam has no hesitation when asked which of his works is the greatest. Reflecting on all of his great success, this noted and respected composer/arranger/orchestrator/conductor quickly responds, “Can I be a cliché and say my daughter, Martha?  She just turned one and this has definitely been the most challenging year of my life! Professionally, I think my greatest achievement is that I’m still here! By which I mean my work continuous to grow year on year, I work with people I have known for 20 years, as well as with new clients every year.” McWilliam’s only regret is that his parents did not live to experience the height of his success, the struggle he pursued which they always encouraged. In a truly wonderful universe, both granddaughter and career can be viewed from above with joy.
 
 
  

​Vishal Arora’s professional skill has earned him significant cache in cinema’s most significant international centers. Working in both India’s Bollywood and California’s Hollywood, the Los Angeles-based actor has a vibrant, appealing attitude and outgoing demeanor which has led him through a series of very diverse roles and dramatic settings.​
 
From situation TV comedy to taut big screen suspense, Arora’s deft acting technique can successfully serve almost any role, and he recently explored a new career avenue, appearing as the lead character in a Punjabi pop music video by the famous singer Charanjeet Singh Sondhi.
 
“I was born in Northern India where the culture is very attracted to lively, loud pop music,” Arora said. “In Punjab, almost every kid sings and dreams of becoming a pop star. Punjabi pop style is all about being very open. It really doesn't care about having a message or anything except going with the flow and doing what you feel. Even if a song’s lyrics don't really make much sense, it's fun always and high energy.” 
 
Punjabi pop, with its infectious rhythms and exotic instrumentation, has become known worldwide, and songs like Punjabi MC’s remix of  “Mundian To Back Ke,” featuring famed rapper Jay Z, have crossed over to top the charts in multiple countries, even making the US Top 40 and has been featured on the soundtracks of numerous American films and TV shows. In India, Sondhi is one of the genre’s key proponents.
 
“It was pretty exciting how it came about,” Arora said. “I was doing a play and one night after the show, I met Sondhi, a very popular singer. He liked my acting, and said he was impressed by the feelings I expressed onstage and told me about this story for a particular music video that was coming up. Not long after, he discussed with me and played the song, ‘Kittiyan Kyun Bewafaayian,’ for me. I liked it and he finalized me for the shoot.” 


“Because I was always interested in movies or TV this was my first music video,” Arora said. “I’d never thought of even trying for one but when it came along by itself like that, I decided to go for it.” 
 
“The video is about a villager who falls in love but gets ditched by the girl,” he said. “I played the main part of the heart-broken lover, who suffers through that revelation and then sees her actually marrying the other guy.”
 
Filmed on location in the remote countryside, the job had some unexpected merits for Arora. “It was a great experience, as the shoot was in a small village with lots of very friendly people,” he said. “It's fun to go and explore the Indian countryside. And the people there give you so much affection—almost too much. There’s lots of love and lots of good food.”
 
“The director Dinesh Dubey was good, very chill to work with,” Arora said. “It took us two days to shoot the video and I liked the way he tried different things, so we’d have lot of options when it came to editing. I had to learn drive a tractor and that was a first for me. I took a few trial runs before the shoot, but there were definitely some fun moments learning that. I loved it.” 


The music video represented one more step forward in Arora’s fast-growing resume of notable achievement. “I really enjoyed the job,” Arora said. “And it is doing well, it was released by T-series, one of the best known music companies in India. It's a good song, and the people are loving it, especially out in villages where lot of guys in love get hurt just like that, and when they watch the video or listen to that song, it makes them feel better.”


Even for a role that some may have approached as a light weight gig, Arora’s involvement was typically intense. Having trained at the distinguished Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute, the actor completely inhabited the role with his own life experience.
“personally, I have been in just this kind of situation,” Arora said. “And it took a while for me to get out of the character, because I felt it so deeply. It’s tough when you use real sense memory to play a part like that. I finally came out of it—but it took a week.”
That kind of heartfelt commitment is what really sets Arora apart from many of his colleagues. Expect to hear a lot more from this young talent.

​  The Fab Four. The Dave Clark Five. The Beach Boys. There was a time when a band was entirely different than a solo artist; Elvis, Madonna, Cher…those who only needed one name to identify themselves. The inevitability of almost every successful band is that they break up over irreconcilable differences and the members embark on solo careers…most of which do not go well. There is a sociological and psychological dynamic to the interaction of bands. It is a situation which Japanese artist Kenji Usui is particularly able to speak upon. Usui has had almost two decades in his musical career which spans many bands. What is particularly interesting is that his bands have contained as many as seven and as few as one member. As the song says, “There is good and bad in everything.” With a career that is highly respected in Japan’s underground music scene, Kenji’s originality and diversity have led him to pursue a number of different structures in the modern rock format. Rather than the visions of rock-stardom and depravity often presented to onlookers, Kenji’s experiences tell a tale of struggle, success, and often the experimentation that results in an original artistic voice.
  Only a few short years after Kenji began playing music, he started a group with his childhood friend Shingo I. This was the first chance for Usui to seriously write songs with a collaborator whom he trusted. Kenji often references this band as a major influence in his style. SPOON was a psychedelic rock band formed in Tokyo in 2005 by Kenji Usui (Bass/Vocals) and Shingo I (Guitar/Vocals), along with an ever-revolving cast of drummers for their live performances. Eventually they caught the attention of Takuya Kusunose, a renowned record engineer in Tokyo, who soon assumed full-time drum duties. After recording a demo CD in 2006, SPOON disbanded due to the time demands of the members’ other musical projects. Takuya is a noted and respected engineer in Japan; as such, he had worked with musicians from the famous to (almost) completely unknown. His time playing with Kenji, as well as his interaction in the music community made him aware of Usui’s individuality, artistry, and importance to the Japanese music scene. Musicians know that the bond between rhythm section members (drums and bass) is one of the utmost importance in a band. The long lasting impression Kenji made is evident as Takuya comments, “Kenji has had many bands in the Tokyo area (Pororocks, Kissaco, An Atomic Whirl), and he has become a central figure in the music scene here. All of his bands have been welcome at venues across the city.” Kusunose declares Kenji’s impact on the Japanese music scene continuing, “His assistance with his friends’ events and festivals have earned him an excellent reputation here. In the past dozen years, I have met many famous musicians and encountered a wide range of music, but still Kenji stands out among everyone I have met. This is due to not only his songwriting, musicianship, and performance skills, but also his sheer presence and his behavior with others, both on and off-stage. He is interested in creating original music and supporting others who bring creativity to the music scene here. Although I played with him for a relatively short time in SPOON, I have followed him as an artist over the years, and I have seen him grow immensely while also helping the scene itself to grow. He is a powerful force in our music scene.” Although SPOON ended in 2006 after just one recording (the self-titled SPOON), it cemented Usui’s presence as a fixture in the Japanese Independent music scene. As we know from the US music scene, what was once independent and underground (Folk, Rock, Rap, etc.) eventually becomes the major market. By these circumstances, Kenji Usui became one of the cornerstones of the Japanese (Tokyo in particular) music world.
  Allies and Aces was a five-piece band was the ensemble in which Kenji still served as bassist. The band’s music was in a genre described as muscular hard rock. This Japanese group is often compared to the Mars Volta and Queens of the Stone Age. Allies and Aces utilized sci-fi sound effects, vocal samples, and psychedelic flourishes to accent the songs seamlessly. The band may have sounded more mainstream to many listeners but they always wrapped it in their own original box, as exhibited in 2008’s Full Circle Orbit. Usui describes himself during his tenure with Allies and Aces stating, “I was a young punk then. We were all friends, having fun…too much fun sometimes.” The band’s vocalist Leo Takahashi tells a different story as he notes, “Kenji’s level of performance is second to none. He transforms into a new person on stage, performing with intense energy and passion, all while playing his parts flawlessly. He devotes himself wholly to creating art, performing, and arranging shows for others. His contributions to these projects have earned him a reputation as a cutting-edge and hardworking artist in Tokyo’s underground music scene.” Being a part of a much more high profile band with an international fan base meant that Kenji was being exposed to bands from other countries; this would lead to his present status as the unofficial ambassador for visiting foreign bands attempting to navigate the complex Japanese scene. 

​  Following Allies an Aces was Pororocks. Beginning in 2009, Pororocks found Usui reuniting with former bandmate and childhood friend Shingo. Easily one of the most interesting and different bands he has been involved in, Pororocks has been comprised of as few as two members and as many as five. The band is labeled as experimental Japanese Folk/post-rock. This progressive band has included; Kenji (vocals, various other instruments), Shingo (guitar), Chikashi (bass), Kotaro (drums), and Masa (guitar). Their sound is difficult to describe. The melodies are beautiful and haunting, the vocals alternate from speaking poems to yelling passionately. Pororocks has released eight recordings in eight years (that includes a three year break), with 2016’s On The Table being the most recent. As the guitarist in both SPOON and Pororocks, Shingo I has witnessed Kenji’s career and the evolution of his style more closely than almost any other individual. Shingo remarks, “Kenji is known for his unique ability to captivate an audience. He puts 100% into all performances and is always looking for ways to innovate on stage. Over the years, he has taught many young artists in Japan about the wonders of music, and he has established a reputation as a daring and fearless performer in the Tokyo music scene.” Kenji’s role in Pororocks switched from bassist to drummer to vocalist. This ability not only proved his musical versatility and displayed his impressive talent, but also gave weight to his value as a songwriter and charismatic performer. Chikashi Gushiken (bassist in Pororocks) confirms, “Kenji is known for having a very colorful performance style, and all of his bands in Tokyo have attracted a dedicated following. Whether he’s playing bass, drums, guitar, or simply serving as the frontman, he has the ability to captivate an audience.” Kenji concedes that playing drum is his favorite instrument to play but that he is more than willing to perform any role in a band to serve the music. He also states that he learns from these situations as he notes, “The reward is the chance to play many different instruments. The challenge is probably never playing one instrument for a long time. In Pororocks, I moved from drummer/vocalist to bassist/vocalist to just vocalist according to what the band needed. The other members could focus on one instrument, which can be much easier for them. I like to play with musicians who have their own ideas, so I can learn from them and get inspiration from how they approach an instrument.”
  The most recent venture for Usui has been An Atomic Whirl, a two-piece experimental noise/math/punk with American drummer Brian Giles. Kenji is the bassist and vocalist in An Atomic Whirl. His captivating live performances are what brought him to the attention of Giles. Brian concedes, “I first saw Kenji in Taipei when he was the vocalist for Kissaco. I knew immediately that I wanted to work with him. The entire crowd, including myself, was mesmerized by his charisma and performance. Kenji is a born performer and a true artist; a free spirit who trusts his own musical instincts and has built a following throughout Asia as a result.” An Atomic Whirl has allowed Usui to use his passion for music, performance, and cultivating relationships with international artists. The group has three releases to date (2015’s Mado Ni being the most recent) and has toured internationally in response to their fan base. Now An Atomic Whirl is hoping to relocate to the United States due to interest from fans in America. As an artist who has always reveled in sharing ideas with musicians from other parts of the globe, this is especially attractive to Kenji. He agrees, “Music is an international art and way of communicating. You don’t even have to understand the lyrics to feel the emotion of many songs. I’ve always enjoyed introducing bands from other parts of the world to our music world in Japan, it would be truly interesting to me to experience what that is like in a different part of the world…to imbed myself into a new artistic family and community. An Atomic Whirl is ideal for this. My co-band member Brian is a talented drummer from the states; because there are only two of us it is much less complicated. The US is such an amazing place for music to be made, I am excited at what could be possible when I interact with artists there. I feel like music helps us to bridge the gap to the common places that all people share.” Kenji is also experimenting with a one man solo project called Poronely.
 

​ There is a saying in theater and film that everyone knows; it simply states “There are no small parts, there are only small actors.” This is usually credited to Constantin Stanislavski (1863-1938) of the Moscow Art Theatre. Regardless of its origin, the idea stated is that a great actor can make any role have impact with the proper performance. Sometimes however, an actor’s performance is so inspiring to the filmmaker that the role is expanded. Such was the case with Caleb Chernysh and his delivery of the character Simon in Fractured. Chernysh plays Simon, a friendly, kind, and caring hospital worker. It is not until late into the film that we discover Simon is actually a serial killer. Caleb is not new to playing darker characters (as Martin, the heroin addict in Mule) but this character took menacing to a new level for the actor.
 The film is set in a hospital and was actually filmed at La Trobe University medical lab in Sydney, Australia for authenticity. In Fractured, Alice (played by Rachel Hicks) is injured in a cruel hit-and-run and seeks help in a hospital. This eerie medical center is frightening and familiar; incorporating dialogue from Alfred Hitchcock’s famous thriller Psycho. Simon is one of the hospital caretakers who attends to Alice. She soon discovers that Simon is not as nice as he first seemed. When Alice attempts to make a phone call, he draws her attention elsewhere an insists that she take necessary medication. Although the medication alleviates her pain, it also leads to Alice’s inability to escape Simon, resulting in her demise as Simon chops her up and disposes of the body in trash bags.
  Chernysh is a fan of thrillers which made Fractured and his role as Simon a good excuse to revisit some of his favorite films in the genre. Caleb states, “There are so many great films of this type, both past and present. I watched the ones I consider to be great in order to put myself in the mood and mindset of these types of characters. Inception, se7en, the Others, Mulholland Drive, amongst many others. I love to piece bits of information together and become my own detective and see if I’m right. Simon was based on Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, which is also one of my favorites. Simon had dual personalities, just like Norman Bates.”
  Jayne-Louise O’Connell (Director/Producer of Fractured) feels validated that Caleb was chosen to play Simon from amongst the many actors vying for the part stating, “I had a vision for the character of Simon and when Caleb auditioned he embodied the part so well. We had table reads where Caleb was not only well liked by his co-stars, but they were astounded by his creative output. I ended up writing more lines for him. During the shoot Caleb was the consummate professional. He hit his marks, knew his angles, and delivered the character with nuances. He kept the energy up even after the shoot went well overtime.” Recalling the experience, Caleb states, “I got to do table reads with Rhianne Evelyn-Ross (Sally) and Rachel Hicks (Alice), but my only on -screen interaction was with Rachel. It was mainly a dialogue driven piece between our characters. It was fantastic working with Rachel. It was a great learning curve for both of us and we helped each other with character understanding.”

​Emiliano Forino Procacci did not always plan on being a writer. There was once a time in his life when he sat at a desk, in an office, working a day-job like so many do, knowing that he could do more.
 
Not many people have the courage to leave what is comfortable and take a chance into the unknown, but Procacci does. He realized he could change his life through writing, but what is truly special is how many more lives he has also changed.
 
Procacci has now written five successful books. The first, titled Communicating With Success: The Secrets of Persuasion is the Golden Book Awards 2016 Winner, and a finalist at the International Book Awards 2016. His success continued with Secrets of Motivations and Personal Growth, Organizational Evolution and Development of Human Resources, Follow Your Own Star and Fulfill Yourself in Change, and The Freedom of Words. All of his books combine Procacci’s extensive knowledge of psychology and aim to inspire readers.
 
“Emiliano Forino Procacci has the ability to create that special connection with the reader, almost like you were sitting in front of. A fundamental quality especially when one is engaged with lyrics of ‘self-help’,” said Valentina Martelli, who wrote the preface to Follow Your Own Star and Fulfill Yourself in Change.
 
Many topics are covered in Follow Your Own Star and Fulfill Yourself in Change, which was written for those who intend to improve their self-esteem and take care of their personal growth. Procacci’s words inspire those who want to find an opportunity to change the course of events of their lives by changing a situation that is particularly dear to them. He encourages readers to manage their time, become resilient, and realize concrete projects through each page of the book.
 
“I was inspired from many people that I met in my work as a psychologist around the world. I would try to spread happiness and I encourage everyone to live well and share in positive thinking,” said Procacci. “The glass can be half empty or half full, but if we look at it in different ways, the glass can be ‘full.’ Life is beautiful if we choose to live it well. The book aims to teach all readers that life can be lived every day with a smile if you increase self-esteem and leave the comfort zone.”
 
Freedom In Words continues this theme. The book’s goal is to allow the reader to dive into a world full of aphorisms and phrases with a strong motivational power. Some of these go straight to the heart and allow readers to reflect on their lives, while others will make them smile, as they are meant to create a positive and relaxed atmosphere.
 
“In a world where the watchword is ‘running’, maybe it isn't wrong to take a break and be lulled by the images that the sentences of this collection tend to evoke,” described Procacci. “I wanted to create a handbook to help people find the right motivation to face difficulties. Anyone reading an aphorism or a phrase a day, maybe in the morning, can start the day.”
 
Procacci also aims to improve the business world. In the book Organizational Evolution and Development of Human Resources. It is intended to be a useful tool for all those who face for the first time the issues related to human resource management and who wish to deepen some fundamental aspects of the historical development of inside knowledge of today's business structures.
 
“In a forward to the centrality of the human element, the book aims to show how necessary it is to consider how fundamental the prospects offered by the continuing education, the development of knowledge and communication, seen as a useful tool for the dissemination of a corporate climate that adds value to the production dynamics. These, in turn, would not have reason to exist if they were not characterized by an ‘enlightened leadership’, able to implement organizational improvement measures, which take into account the intrinsic value of man. The centrality of the role of leader in any organized structure is extensively analyzed in the text, to show how a leader must be a good communicator, able to make the best of what we have to exploit the inherent capabilities in every individual considering l ' company as a living system, whose sap is made from human resources,” said Procacci.
 
Another innovation presented in the book is the “graduated pyramid mirror.” He introduced a planning perspective that can be a useful means of making business analyzes and implement organizational changes.
 
“It is a scheme that looks at the development of the positive and negative stages of both the company employees and the manager, considered in a dynamic working environment,” explained Procacci.
 
Whatever the cause, Procacci wants his books to be there to help. He is currently working on his sixth book, which will undoubtedly follow a similar pattern.

​ For those of us who are procrastinators, it’s important to hear stories like that of Xiao Sun. This successful actress has chosen a path that cannot be contained by politics, genetics, language, or entertainment medium. It appears as if she simply decides on the next venture she will successfully conquer…and then makes it happen. Yes, it is much easier to those of us looking in from the outside. It takes a lot of talent, hard work, and tenacity…but that still does not overshadow the fact that Sun has achieved great things in less time than it takes many people to complete their graduate school training.  The phrase “you can’t judge a book by looking at the cover” has a negative connotation, but sometimes the cover is a transparent veneer which gives a hint of the contents. In the case of Canadian model and actress Xiao Sun, the first impression on seeing her is that she looks every bit a star. She has used the poise and grace learned as a dancer with her attractiveness to allow her talent as an actress to gain opportunity…with great success. Xiao now is confronted with the fact that she has to choose between her different careers due to the fact that she has achieved major success with all of them. It shouldn’t be surprising that this Chinese born and raised, emigrated to Canada, artist is now venturing to Hollywood. Xiao’s path would appear to be the template for an international celebrity. The question is not if she will be a part of the entertainment community but rather, which part of it will she focus on. 

​A classically trained dancer, discovered as a model, who used this career as a springboard to acting; Xiao Sun is exactly the kind of complex and charismatic individual whose charisma captivates the camera and audiences. Her trilingual abilities (Sun speaks Mandarin, French, and English) dissuade any attempt to discount her as a pretty face and has also allowed her to accept roles in movies in different languages. Her exposure to different cultures made her a perfect ambassador to speak with younger generations during her involvement in the Miss Universe Canada competition. As someone who has constantly strived to achieve the goals she is passionate about, Xiao is well suited to inspire young people to realize that determination and tenacity make dreams possible. Dance and later modeling and acting were ways for young Xiao to gain more confidence and were also useful as a social outlet. Her parents were always supportive, even to the point of moving with her to Canada in 2009 to pursue her career. Recalling her early days and her parents’ approval, Sun recalls, “Fashion is something that I was always interested in, ever since I was a little girl. My parents told me that when I was little, if I saw someone wearing clothes that I liked… I’d stare at them for a long time and then dress my dolls in the same way. I would also often do “fashion shows” in front of my parents when I got new clothes, asking them to take photos for me.” Those early catwalks and fashion shows were a wise investment as they would lead to Sun’s involvement in the Miss Universe Canada pageant and her Best Model award in 2009. Denis Martin Davila in the President of Beauties of Canada, the company which selects contestants for the Miss Universe Canada pageant and produces the national competition. Davila has watched Xiao’s quick ascension in the modeling and acting world. He comments, “Xiao Sun is undeniably one of the most talented and revered models and actresses in Canada. It is no wonder Ms. Sun achieved so much with Miss Universe Canada. Her modeling capabilities are incredibly unique and effective, and her beauty is tremendous. She has modeled for such prestigious fashion titles as Vogue Italia, one of the top fashion magazines in the world. She has already made an impact on fashion and entertainment in Canada, and will surely do the same in the U.S.” Even though she made the transition from model to actress quickly, Xiao gained great respect for the profession of modeling. Sun remarks, “The reality of the modeling world is much different than people are led to believe. Models work really hard for their career, they’re not just superficial divas who don't eat and only know how to be pretty. Lots of models are senior high or college students who have to catch up on their schoolwork backstage at a fashion show or on an airplane when they're travelling for fashion weeks. They know modelling is not a long term career for anyone so many of them learn another skill (design, style, buyer) while they're modelling, to set a good base for their future. In addition, behind the scenes of a photo shoot can be really hot/cold/dangerous/stressful…not all comfortable and glamorous.”
  Xiao became involved with TV through another fashion and beauty cornerstone, Cosmo…via Cosmo TV. On Cosmo TV, Sun worked with famed TV personality/Hair & Makeup artist/beauty & style expert Paul Venoit. Mr. Venoit was so taken with Xiao’s performance that he conscripted her to work with another fashion mainstay. He explains, “The shoot with Cosmo TV went so well that I brought Xiao on board for an Asian Beauty shoot I was working on for Vogue Italia, which is one of the most prominent fashion publications in the world. The Vogue Asian Beauty series is a part of the acclaimed Vogue Beauty project (there are also Black Beauty and Vivi Le French Beauty series), which shows that beauty is simple and diverse.”

​Just as quickly, Sun moved into the world of acting. She was recently directed by famed Director Jean-Francois Pouliot in this summer’s Les 3 P’tits Cochons 2 (called one of the most successful films of Summer 2016 by many media outlets). Pouliot declares, “Xiao is a very acclaimed and accomplished actor in the Canadian film industry. She has starred in leading and critical roles for various award-winning, commercially successful films such as Anna (an Official Selection at multiple festivals such as Busan Film Festival and Singapore International Film Festival), Tidal Waves (Industry Choice and Audience Choice Award at Toronto Youth Film Festival), Fatal and various others. In Les 3 P’tits Cochons 2, Ms. Sun’s acting opens the film and is one of its best scenes. She delivered the exact performances I wanted in one take of every scene she was in, and was truly impressive with her acting.  It was during the filming of Anna that Director/Writer Charles-Olivier Michaud became a fan of Xiao, he states, “As an actress, Xiao has a screen presence and other distinctive, inherent qualities that can’t be taught. I have cast Xiao Sun in another film and look forward to working with her more in the future. Xiao exhibits a depth and range that few actors can obtain.”
  Those who don’t know Xiao’s background might see her quick ascension to success as the benefits of a pretty face, but when you consider her 10 years of ballet and classical dance which led to her work as a dancer at Cirque du Soleil’s show Amaluna, her tri-lingual abilities (English, Chinese, and French) which have led to her acting work in both English and French cinema, and the fact that she relocated from China to pursue her career…Xiao Sun is the very definition of the quote, “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.” Xiao was chosen by “Asians on Films” in 2015 as one of the top ten actresses to watch. Her acclaimed role in Les 3 P’tits Cochons and its success seems to be proof that this group knows exactly what they are talking about.   

​Canadian professional stuntman Mike Chute not only has one of the most exciting jobs for a
true adrenaline junky in the movie industry but, as a fan of superheroes…he is living out the dream of many fans by being in these hugely popular films. He has also managed to do what is forbidden for the stars of these movies. He is able to vacillate between both the Marvel and DC universes. With nearly thirty years in his professional career (no, he isn’t that old…he started young) Chute has credits that most Sci-Fi and Comic Book fans drool over. RoboCop, Pacific Rim, 300, Repo Men, the list goes on and on. While fans of these films wait in anticipation of the films, Mike has become immersed in their production. He not only interacts with the filmmakers and the stars of the film but often doubles them and is at the heart of the action which they take credit for. Because stuntmen like Mike are often “faceless” in these movies, this fact and his respected reputation in the industry has made him one of the most coveted stuntmen by both Marvel and DC franchises.
 
  Although he will admit to not being a huge comic book fan, Mike openly professes his joy of the X-Men cartoon series (He also admits to being slightly offended by an inside joke in one of the films alluding to Wolverines yellow spandex suit from the early comic book and cartoon). In X-Men: Days of Future Past, Mike played a member of the President’s security detail. The climactic scene shows Magneto transporting the metal bunker to the lawn of the White House for the movie’s final confrontation. Most of Chute’s actual fighting scenes took place in the previous scene with the sentinels attacking. The movie’s cast includes Oscar-nominee Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender, Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, and so many of the most respected names in Hollywood. The stuntmen like Chute help to create the believable action in this blockbuster (Grossing $723 MM worldwide). 

  Working with 4 time Emmy-nominated Director Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, Star Trek: Nemesis, Valkyrie, Superman Returns, and the X-Men movies, etc.) was one of Chute’s most educating experiences in film. Mike comments, “When you see him on set, it was surprising to see how he works. He gets things so quickly that you think there is no way that he has enough footage to make it work but he sees it in his head and the proof is there when the film comes out. To witness someone who truly has the big picture and knows exactly when they have the right moment, particularly when it is done so quickly and efficiently…it’s inspiring.” Stunt Coordinator Michael Scherer has a similar affinity for Mike Chute and his talents. Scherer has worked with Chute for over two decades and many films including X-Men: Apocalypse and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Commenting about Mike’s work on X-Men: Apocalypse, Sherer declares, “I brought Mike aboard because I needed a seasoned set of stunt performers who could both enact the stunts and also act in the same role to ensure the director captured all the coverage on a live set as well as for green screen…within just one or two takes. Mike is known in Hollywood as the ‘One Take King’ and he lived up to every bit of that name on our set.” The Oscar nominated X-Men: Days of Future Past also resulted in an SAG Award nomination for Chute for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture. 
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  One of the most agreeable parts of his vocation is the fact that Chute is allowed to play both sides of the same coin in the superhero movie world, as evidenced by Mike’s involvement in DC’s Suicide Squad. With a cast that is every beat the marquee name equal to its Marvel counterpart, Suicide Squad features; multiple Oscar-nominee Will Smith, Oscar-winner Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, and a host of talented cast and crew (Grossing $286MM worldwide in the first month of release). A large percentage of Mike’s work on the film focused on the scenes in which the alien creatures are running atop cars in the film. Chute notes, “It’s hard to imagine but we had a set with ten kilometers of wire hanging for all of the actors to be hooked into that allowed everyone to appear as if they were flying. It was one of the biggest productions I’ve ever been involved in.” The driving scenes involving the Batmobile were precarious due to the attributes of the iconic automobile. The Batmobile is thirteen feet wide with only a 30-degree span of vision to the front. There is no visibility for the driver to the sides or rear, meaning that the drivers alongside the Batmobile during the chase scenes must be highly attentive and maneuverable. Mike is amused when he recalls the secrecy that surrounded this big budget film stating, “Everyone signed NDA’s that was about twenty pages long. They decided to film on Young Street in Toronto which is the main boulevard. On the night that we filmed the big chase scene with the Batmobile there were ten thousand people watching, needless to say there were ten thousand cell phones filming what we were doing. It was a night shoot and we finished around 5 AM. By the time I got back to my hotel room to go to bed, it was already on the news.” Chute confirms that night shoots effect the circadian rhythm and increases the risk level for even the most professional of stuntmen. 
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