Category: Actor

From the Stage to the Screen, Actress Karishma Bhandari has Our Attention

7/22/2017

Actress Karishma Bhandari shot by Karen Scott

By Sia Lane

Audiences across the continents will immediately recognize actress Karishma Bhandari from her stunning performances in a slew of popular films and television series, such as the 2016 Bollywood hit Club Dancer, Marcus Flemmings’ award-winning films Six Rounds and The Conversations, Anjan Dutt’s drama The Bongs Again, which was released in January, as well as Jon Jones’ (Legends, Da Vinci’s Demons) drama Lawless and many more.

While most fans will associate Bhandari with her work in film and television, the actress first made her mark through her lead roles in a plethora of prominent stage productions, such as the musicals “Bollywood Jane” and “17 Days Aur Bollywood Spice” at the Kenneth More Theatre, “Swaraj” at the UK’s Watford Colosseum and “The Seagull” at The Broadway in Barking, UK, as well as Shreya Ghoshal’s 2013 UK and Europe tour.

Debuting in London in 2011, “Bollywood Jane,” one of Bhandari’s earliest theatre performances, followed Jane, a young woman who, in need of a job, begins working at the cinema where she falls in love with the costumes and energy of Bollywood films. Bhandari gave a knockout performance as Amira, the woman who owns the theatre. As the story progresses Jane falls in love with Amira’s boyfriend, a development that causes tension between the three lead characters and makes for a multi-layered tale on stage.

Bhandari recalls, “It was my first big theatre show with a live audience who were paying to watch me so it was a marvellous experience… when the lights and back drops all came together and people were laughing and clapping, it was an amazing feeling.”

Shortly after, Bhandari went on to play the starring role of Jia in “17 Days Aur Bollywood Spice,” which revolved around a group of students who, after being inspired by a visit from a Bollywood star, embark on an exciting exploration of the film industry. Directed by Gurnam Singh and choreographed by UK Bollywood Ambassador Honey Kalaria (“Bombay Dreams,” “Merchants of Bollywood,” “Bride and Prejudice”), the production was a major hit with UK audiences.

The perfect display of Bhandari’s triple-threat talent, as the lead actress in the project, Bhandari’s role as Jia drew upon her skills as a dancer, singer and actress; and from the overall success of the project, it’s easy to see that she nailed her mark on all accounts.

Kalaria says, “During the musical press launch [Karishma] was one of the top three shortlisted upcoming artists in the UK to be invited to speak. She is a talented and versatile actress, and a committed artist who works with full dedication and passion... and she enjoys experimenting with different roles.”

The stark contrast between each one of Bhandari’s stage productions to date have proven her ability to take on diverse leading roles. Aside from her magnetic stage presence, and ability to seamlessly bring to life a broad range of characters, one of the aspects of Bhandari’s far-reaching talent that has been key in her success is her extensive dance training, especially when it comes to Bollywood dance styles.

In 2013 she was chosen to go on tour as a dancer with singer and four-time National Film Award winner Shreya Ghoshal. Referred to widely by the media as the ‘Melody Queen,’ Ghoshal’s music has been featured in an impressive list of Bollywood films to date and she is truly a pop icon in both India and abroad.

Bhandari explains, “I was chosen from a large selection of dancers and actors to perform for international singer Shreya Ghoshal. The show consisted of strong dance movements and acting, and only 6 people were chosen from the UK. It was huge to be flown out to these destinations and perform with such a talented artist.”

Performing to sold out stages in London, Wales, Amsterdam and Switzerland, Bhandari’s dancing talent was definitely a major highlight in the multi-award winning singer’s tour, but that’s not all. Considering the theatrical nature and elaborate stories woven within Bollywood dance performances, Bhandari’s acting skills were integral to the dazzling show Ghoshal put on for fans each night in 2013.

“Working with Karishma was absolutely amazing. She is full of energy, and her attitude and willpower make her great at what she does,” explained tour production manager Pritee Varsani when asked about working with Bhandari.

Karishma Bhandari’s continued success on stages across innumerable countries says a lot about her adept skill and ability to command the attention of live audiences. Considering that the stage requires actors to give their best on the first take and leaves no space for a director to call ‘cut,’ Bhandari’s strong theatrical background has made her the kind of actress who is always on point.

With a solid foundation, unparalleled talent and mention mesmerizing beauty, it comes as no surprise that she became such a sought after talent for film and television productions. Bhandari is currently working on the upcoming UK comedy series The Corner Shop, and the upcoming drama Emergency: LA from director Len Davies (Traditional World, Chef Extraordinaire).

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Moving North: South American beauty Tatiana Romao Makes Her Mark in Horror

5/16/2017

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Brazilian Actress Tatiana Romao shot by Adrian Aguinaga

Brazilian Actress Tatiana Romao shot by Adrian AguinagaGone are the days when female actors were relegated to either romantic comedies or horror films. The dynamic Tatiana Romao represents a new era of the actress - one who is taking over Hollywood with her groundbreaking performances in high-profile films and TV series that transcend stereotype.
Romao’s resume includes a long list of diverse projects from different genres curated by a who’s-who of distinguished directing and producing talent. The film “Valentine DayZ,” which is due out later this year, represents just one in a series of ventures this Brazilian superstar has lent her extraordinary talent to while playing a leading character.

In the key role of Diana, Tatiana Romao personifies a heroine and action star reminiscent of Angelina Jolie in “Tomb Raider” and Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games.” Romao tells us how her character Diana, alongside Max, played by Dallas Valdez from the mega-hit film “The Fiance” starring “Star Trek’s” Douglas Tait, has to “defend the world and everything they hold dear” in response to a zombie outbreak. Such a responsibility - both as character and actress - would undoubtedly cause fear within a lesser thespian. For Romao however, she found “the energy on set...just so light...we had so much fun, we were always trying to scare each other and would burst into laughter right after.”

The actress’ unique capacity to handle the pressure of performing in a lead role in a major film was further bolstered by working opposite other A-list talent. In “Valentine DayZ,” Romao worked with Vh1 superstar Carrie Keagan, who co-hosted coverage for the Oscars, Emmys and Golden Globe Awards and famously participated in “The New Celebrity Apprentice” with Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this year.

Another factor that informed Romao’s incredible ability to successfully take on a leading role in a film that features other Hollywood stars? Her diverse experience as an actor extends to a horror film before working on “Valentine DayZ,” the hugely successful “Red House” with “Gossip Girl” and “One Tree Hill” actress Kate French and “Agents of S-H-I-E-L-D” star Brendan Wayne. In that feature, Romao plays a mysterious customer who precipitates a series of horrific events at a vacation house. Romao was required to use the greatest depth of her acting skills to access the fear and mystery necessary to advance the key plot of the film.

While such credits might leave one wondering whether she’s in it simply for the fame, Romao talks earnestly about an authentic relationship with her craft. She explains, “Acting is a need in my life, it’s not an option whether or not I will do that, it is what I have to do, it’s what I do and a great part of who am. Acting has shaped all my life. The feeling, the emotion, hearing from the audience how you moved them, how you touched them, it is indescribable.”

More specifically, an actor wouldn’t be a true thespian if they did not demonstrate a love for treading the boards. In the field of theatre, Romao has demonstrated tremendous success in her native Brazil as a leading stage actress. She performed in the key role of The Guide in “The Exception and The Rule” by renowned German playwright Bertlot Brecht. That production tells the story of a rich merchant who must cross the fictional Yahi Desert to close an oil deal and is guided by a woman played by Romao. Were it not for her riveting performance, the play undoubtedly would have no action.

In another stage show, “Rosita Letters and Poems” by Federico Garcia Llorca and produced by the renowned Foca Theatre Company, Romao played a maid intimately involved with the central character’s predicament of falling in love with a man who has to leave for overseas, only to find out that he has later married someone else. Such roles and projects prove Tatiana Romao’s ability to transcend medium and typecasting to inhabit lead and key roles that advance a story’s plot and and central theme.

With both a strong background behind her and a future in front of her, Tatiana undoubtedly holds her place as an incredible force amongst not only female actors, but the entertainment world as a whole.

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True Passion Keeps Actress Karen Mitchell in the Spotlight

4/21/2017

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Actress Karen Mitchell shot by Matt Elder

For more than two decades actress Karen Mitchell has been in the spotlight. Originally from Sandringham, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, her profile first began to rise in the eyes of the public back in the 90’s when she won the title of Miss Rye Beach and was a finalist in the Miss Australia Quest pageant. Her work as a model brought her further attention putting her front and center in ads for companies such as Mac cosmetics, Bessemer, Jodanne Fashion, Avant Garde, Tim Tams, Genie Hourglass, Marvin Clothing, Telstra and many more.

While Karen was already known throughout Australia for her work as a model and theatrical actress, she spent many years focusing her efforts on her real estate company, as well as her roles in the business world working with companies such as Channel 10 in Australia and BMW. It wasn’t until the unfortunate passing of both of her parents, which happened within 12 weeks of each other, that Karen came to the stern realization that life is too short to waste time doing things that you don’t absolutely love-- and for her, acting is the thing that makes her heart beat strongest.

“It’s such a rewarding experience to give life to words off a page that an audience can appreciate. I strongly believe that it’s the best way for me to do service to others: serving a story by using my feelings and my understanding of what it means to be human,” says Karen.

Once she made the unwavering decision to devote herself wholeheartedly to acting, her career quickly gained momentum and the range of credits she has come to accumulate since is nothing short of amazing. Some of her recent projects include playing the starring role of Alexa in the upcoming film “Just One More Day,” Linda in “If I were You” and Tina in “The Margins of Things,” all of which are due for release over the next few months.

Early on in her career she was featured in Stanley Joseph’s (“My Cornerstone,” “Love You Krishna”) feature film “Newton’s 3rd Law” where she acts alongside Mark Duncan who is known for his work in “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “The Matrix Reloaded,” Mike Duncan from “Java Heat” and “Housos” and Johan Earl from “Theory of the Trojans,” “A Perfect Life” and “Deadly Minds.”

Karen’s inimitable gift for drama has been one facet of her talent that has kept her working non-stop for the last 10 years. In Dane McCusker’s (“Reception,” “Board Games”) film “The Hand that Feeds” Karen took on the lead role of Mum, where she stars alongside James Fraser from Oscar Award winner Russell Crowe’s multi-award winning film “The Water Diviner,” “December Boys” and “The Turning.”

James Fraser (left) and Karen Mitchell (right) on set of "The Hand that Feeds"

Centering on the dangerous door Facebook opens by allowing strangers into our life, the film’s main story line involves a massive house party which, publicly posted on Facebook, makes it easy for unsavory characters to attend. In the film Karen gives a dramatic portrayal as a mother whose son Gabe, played Fraser, is murdered by one of the strangers in attendance.
In 2014 Karen took on the critical role of Sally in the thriller film “Fearless Game,” where she acted alongside Scott Pirlo from the film “Adore” starring two-time Oscar nominee Naomi Watts (“King Kong”) and Golden Globe winner Robin Wright (“House of Cards”). Directed by Patricia Guimaraes, “Fearless Game” follows Pirlo’s character Mark Wilson, a businessman who finds himself in a tricky predicament when he cannot remember the previous 48 hours. To make matters worse, his ex-client Victor, played by Jerry Retford (“In the Darkness,” “Abandoned”), has placed Mark in the middle of a deviously twisted game that could cost him his family and everything he holds dear if he doesn’t figure things out quick.

Karen’s character Sally comes into play as Mark’s therapist. Portraying her character with a subtle balance of motherly care and the distance one would expect from a therapist, Karen does a phenomenal job of holding our attention as she tries to help Mark get to the root of his lost memory, and search for the clues that will end Victor’s vicious game.

About playing Sally, Karen explains, “My character is a very smart woman, almost cold but very motherly. Being his psychologist, I help him decipher his dreams and memories so that we uncover what’s real and remember a numerical sequence that allows him to identify the hitman.”

Karen’s passion for acting and dedication to using her craft to do justice to both the story and the characters she plays has been tantamount to her success in the highly competitive entertainment industry. And, the response she’s received from fans around the globe about her work has proven that her performances definitely strike a chord with audiences.

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Q & A with Dazzling Canadian Actor Nathan Mitchell!

4/21/2017

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Nathan Mitchell shot by Rebecca Eady

Over the past year actor Nathan Mitchell has captivated audiences around the globe with his performances in the romcom film “Twist of Fate,” the Lifetime biopic “The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story” and the heart-pumping drama “Newlywed and Dead.”

In addition to the recently released films, Mitchell also took on pivotal roles in episodes of several critically acclaimed series such as the six-time Leo Award winning series “Motive,” the action adventure drama “Timeless” starring Abigail Spencer (“Mad Men”) the Joey nominated crime dramedy “iZombie” and the miniseries “Electra Woman and Dyna Girl.” Needless to say, 2016 has been incredibly busy for the highly sought after actor who is clearly hot on everyone’s radar right now.
As quickly as the projects above began hitting screens, Mitchell was already deeply entrenched in the production of several new ones. He’s obviously not the type to sit around and bask in the glitz and glamour of his past work. In 2017 audiences can look forward to seeing him take to the screen in the lead roles of Zee in the sci-fi action film “Scorched Earth” from BAFTA Award nominated director Peter Howitt (“Laws of Attraction”) and Cole in James Nunn’s (“Eliminators”) “The Marine 5: Battleground.”

The Canadian-born actor’s Trinidadian-Jamaican heritage have endowed him with an exotic appeal that is nearly impossible to turn away from, it’s no wonder that Rachel, played by Karissa Tynes (“UnReal”), falls head over heels for him in “Twist of Fate.” While his inimitable talent is definitely the driving force behind his success, it doesn’t hurt that Nathan Mitchell is major stud as well.

Mitchell first made his way onto the scene nearly a decade ago when he landed the recurring role of Jeffrey on the family comedy series “Aliens in America.” While the series offered Mitchell the perfect venue to showcase his light-hearted and lovable side on prime time television, his work since has revealed him as an actor with astonishing depth. He knows precisely when to go deep, and when to hold back, and he always leaves us wanting more.

Anyone who looks at Mitchell’s collective body of work would be hard pressed to call him anything other than dynamic. Mitchell’s long list of recurring lead and guest star roles in an impressive range of hit television programs have proven his capacity for bringing characters to life within every possible genre.

From sci-fi series such as TNT’s Primetime Emmy nominated show “Falling Skies” and The CW’s People’s Choice Award nominated show “The Tomorrow People,” to action-packed crime series including the Golden Globe nominated show “Covert Affairs” and the nine-time Gemini Award winning show “Flashpoint,” as well as the hit drama “Cedar Cove,” Mitchell is one of the rare few in the industry who are impossible to typecast.

Over the years Mitchell has shared the screen with household names such as Golden Globe nominee Piper Perabo (“Looper,” “Covert Affairs”), three-time Golden Globe nominee Andie MacDowell (“Four Weddings and A Funeral,” “Sex, Lies and Videotape”), Gemini Award winner Stephen Amell (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” “Legends of Tomorrow,” “Arrow”) , BAFTA Award winner Thandie Newton (“Westworld,” “ER,” “Rogue,” “Crash”), Screen Actors Guild Award winner Larenz Tate (“Ray,” “House of Lies,” “Rush”) and others.

Although the actor has gained worldwide attention for his work, for him, acting is not about fame, it is about peeling back the layers of the human psyche, discovering more about himself and finding out what makes people tick.
He says, “The more I truly explore my roles the more I become aware of different facets of myself. There’s a huge psychological component to it.”

To find out more about Nathan Mitchell make sure to check out our interview below. You can also find out more about his work through his IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1756121/ and see what he’s up to through his instagram: @itsnatemitchell

Where are you from?

NM: I come from Mississauga, Ontario. An amazing city just outside Toronto. One of the things that make it really special is how multicultural it is. It’s a got a cool downtown core and a lot of different suburbs.

When and how did you get into acting?

NM: My first lead role in a school play was the jumping off point. I was in 8th grade and they were casting for “Oliver Twist.” I heard some cute girls were going to be in it. So naturally, I decided to audition. It was a musical. Did I think I could sing? No. Did they cast me anyway? Yes. I played the role of Fagan, essentially the Pied Piper of bad guys. The British accent came surprisingly easily. I didn’t find true love. But it opened me up to how rewarding acting could be. Every time I was onstage it was just this constant joy. It’s been a part of my life from then on.

What was it about acting that made you realize this was the career for you?

NM: What’s appealing about acting for me is that it’s an art form that requires genuine connection with other people. You really have to listen; you really have to let yourself be affected by the other person to create something dynamic. When you’re that tuned into someone else you have this fun, meaningful experience. I also find that the more I truly explore my roles the more I become aware of different facets of myself. There’s a huge psychological component to it. You’re taking the script and deducing how one would act based on the circumstances. You’re always learning about human nature. It’s very fulfilling. Then there’s the script itself. You get to take someone else’s words and put your thoughts, your heart, and soul into them. Your art and their art combine to make something special. There’s something magic about that. When I realized that acting was all of these things, there was nothing else I wanted to do.

Once I was performing this monologue. I started stomping one foot on the floor. I looked down and suddenly the floor became the ocean. There was this beautiful coral reef beaming with life. Full of different colors, the sand was white, and there were fish swimming around. I wanted to immerse myself in that world. I wanted to go on an adventure in it. And then I realized that that ocean was myself. My inner world. And by exploring acting, I would explore myself. That was the moment I was in.

What was the first onscreen role of your career? What was it like playing the character?

NM: My first onscreen role was in a show called “Aliens in America.” It was a recurring guest star role. I taped my audition in Toronto and they flew me out to Vancouver to shoot it. I played Jeffrey, a jock who was a loveable combination of a puppy-dog and an asshole. I was the on-off boyfriend of Claire Tolchuk played by Lindsay Shaw. She wanted to be more popular so dumped me in hopes of upgrading. Like any Sophomore in love, I waited on her lawn and blasted ‘In Your Eyes’ till she came down and gave me a nice PG hug. A few episodes later I decided she was too clingy so I ended it in between classes. Nice and clean. She was crying but I was cool, so whatevs. Playing the character was a blast.

You’ve done quite a few television shows over the last few years, can you tell us about a few of them?

NM: In my episode of “Motive,” detectives were trying to solve the murder of Avery Bowman. I played Russell Bowman, her husband. There was a weight to this character because he is dealing with the most monumental loss of his life. We get to see some of the happy times they had as a couple. But then you’re dealing with the heaviness of going through such a deep loss. Russell’s role in the story was key, because he’s the loved one who is left behind. He’s the one who needs closure. He has to deal with losing the most important person in his life. Seeing how he handles that is just as interesting as solving the murder itself. Those two parts of the narrative keep you on your toes. Kristin Lehman, the lead of the show directed that episode. She was fantastic to work with. She knew exactly what she wanted and was so present as a scene partner. I felt supported through the whole process.

Still of Colton Hayes (left) and Nathan Mitchell (right) in "Arrow"

“Arrow” was an awesome show to be a part of as well. The whole team is great. I worked most with Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, and J.R. Ramirez. I played Isaac Stanzler, the abandoned protégé of a vigilante named Wild Cat. I came out of the shadows to frame Wild Cat for giving up on me and leaving me in the hands of criminals. It was exhilarating getting to be a part of the DC Comics Universe and bring comic book lore to life. The relationship between Isaac and Wildcat was important because it was a huge parallel for Oliver and Roy. It was kind of a dark prophecy. It showed Oliver what Roy could become if he was abandoned. Isaac’s showdown with Roy was epic for a couple of reasons. The fighting sequences were off the chart. But one of my favorite shows is the animated series “Young Justice.” Roy Harper is also a character in that show and goes by the name of Arsenal. During our fight I got to call him Arsenal for the first time in the series. So I effectively named a super hero. I was nerding out inside. Especially since he was one of the coolest super heroes on one of my favorite shows.

Can you tell us about some of the film projects you’ve done?

NM: I had a blast shooting “Twist of Fate.” It’s a romantic comedy about two people who are scared to get back into the dating game. Both are heartbroken, and they find each other in the most unlikely of ways. I played Zack, owner of an up-and-coming coffee shop, and Jeff’s right hand man. I’m the one pushing him to get back out there. Zack fancies himself a Doctor Love. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for someone while he’s out on a mission for Jeff. During the film he goes from a chill dude with nothing to lose, to someone who actually has to put his heart on the line to get what he wants. Farhad, the director was really focused on the relationship between the characters. He gave us a lot of freedom to play within the scenes, we found a lot of comedy that way. I really enjoyed my dynamic with Ryan Kennedy and Karissa Tynes. “Twist of Fate” is one of the most lighthearted projects I’ve ever done. You watch it and it makes you feel warm inside.

Still of Nathan Mitchell as Zack in "Twist of Fate"

They are all very different, what made you choose to participate in these projects?

NM: In regards to “Arrow,” how are you gonna say no to being in the DC Comic Universe? It was an automatic yes.
In the case of “Motive,” I had worked on the show once before and the script was fantastic. So coming back was a no brainer. I feel really lucky to have guest starred in an episode Kristin was directing. “Twist of Fate” sounded like a really light hearted and fun movie. Coming off “Motive,” I thought it would be a great change of pace, and it was.

You get approached all the time to work on projects with people, what makes you pick one role over another?

NM: It can be a different thing each time. Sometimes you really want to work with a director, sometimes it’s the script or the cast. Sometimes it’s all of those things. And sometimes you just get presented with too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Do you feel that you get cast to play a certain type of character more than others?

NM: No, I feel that there’s a healthy variety to my roles. I’ve been able to play a broad spectrum of characters and I’m really happy about that.

Out of all your productions, what has been your favorite project, or projects, so far and why?

NM: I can’t pick a favorite. They’re special for different reasons.

What is your favorite genre to work in as an actor?

NM: When I was younger I loved comedy. In TV and film, most of the focus is on drama where I come from. But as time has passed I’ve found myself really loving situations where I get to play the comedy. So I guess it would be both. Or the holy grail. The sweet middle between the two. Dramedy.

What separates you from other actors? What do you feel your strongest qualities are?

NM: I don’t like to compare myself to other people. I don’t think it’s necessary. But there are certain qualities that I try to practice and bring to my work consistently. I really value being spontaneous (within reason). I love to let impulse and intuition guide the discovery of my work. Being able to scrutinize my work in a healthy and honest way, so I can get better next time. And letting myself relax and have fun once I’ve done all my preparation. If I do stand out, I hope it’s for those things.

Have you been in any commercials or music videos?

NM: I’ve done a number of commercials. Some of my favorite have been MasterCard and Lexus. I also did a Chivas Regal commercial with Don Cheadle this summer. It was awesome. But that goes without saying.

What are your plans for the future?

NM: I want to keep developing my craft. Keep making art. Keep working on amazing roles. And spend more time at Venice Beach.

What do you hope to achieve in your career as an actor?

NM: I want to create a body of work that affects people on a visceral level. I want to tell stories that are artistic, entertaining and even challenging. I want to inspire people through my work. Ultimately I want to get to a place where people watch my performance and they feel it in their soul.

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Anthony Warren Strikes Fear within Viewers in "The Deaths of Ian Stone"

3/1/2017

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Actor Anthony Warren shot by Will Tudor

Like “The Exorcist” and “The Poltergeist” before it, “The Deaths of Ian Stone” brings an audience to the edge of their seat with its horror-driven presentation of the supernatural. And like those other classic films, director Dario Piana’s feature relies on the actor portraying the evil to breathe life into the deathly scares. Anthony Warren is the actor in “The Deaths of Ian Stone” responsible for such frightening moments in his role as Carl the Harvestor, a monster who feeds off human lives. Upon seeing the film and Anthony’s dynamic performance, it’s easy to see why he was chosen for the crucial part.

“The Deaths of Ian Stone” tells the story of an ordinary man who is nearly killed by an oncoming train after being chased by a nightmarish creature. Although he survives the nearly fatal encounter, Ian finds out the creature is a Harvestor, and he is soon murdered every day only to wake up again in a slightly different life. Soon, he discovers that the cycle will continue until he can find out the meaning of his own life. Ian is played by “Under the Dome” and “Bates Motel” lead actor, Mike Vogel, a huge American television star who is equally matched on screen by the menacing presence of Anthony Warren as an antagonist.

Of course, working with A-listers in successful films has become the norm for this British native, as Anthony has now racked up a long list of credits in nationally and internationally successful films and TV shows like “Eastenders” on the BBC, “Shank” with Ali G and “Casualty” star Adam Deacon and the upcoming “Dangerous Game” with Jessica-Jane Stafford from the small screen juggernaut, “Dream Team.” In addition to working alongside Vogel, Anthony also shares the silver screen in “The Deaths of Ian Stone” with “Once Upon a Time” and “Defiance” actress Jaime Murray, Christina Cole (from USA’s “Suits,” and the Channing Tatum flick “Jupiter Ascending”) and “Game of Thrones’” Michael Feast.

About working on “The Deaths of Ian Stone,” his first horror film, Anthony says “[d]oing horror flicks are quite fun because you and the other actors tend to have a giggle with the props.”

While it may have been funny on set, it’s no doubt that the results on screen are terrifying. He adds “[w]e had to put on [prosthetic] limbs for makeup which took so long but the outcome was amazing…we had to move in a certain way and hold dead-pan eyes to get…a more frightening picture in the can.”

The project itself hails from Dario Piana, also responsible for Warner Bros. film “The Lost Boys: The Thirst,” starring “Stand By Me” and “The Goonies” actor Corey Feldman. After Dark Films, the studio behind the project, has further produced “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” with Oscar-winner Michael Douglas and “Desperate Housewives” star Jesse Metcalfe. Besides this illustrious company that “The Deaths of Ian Stone” puts Anthony in, the project was an artistic and technical challenge that made use of Anthony’s exceptional talents as an actor. Anthony mentions that “every time Ian came back” to life after he murdered him on screen, he had to come back as a different monster in a different costume, a process that called for his versatility and many years of acting training and experience in other roles.

Versatility on screen, in addition to his work with leading directors and actors, has become a fixture of Anthony’s filmography. In “The House of Malik,” a feature film from director Jesse James Jackson Jr. (“Frank Chase in the Streets of Harlem,” starring Ice-T), Anthony plays both the young and old versions of Neil, one of the lead characters. Such a portrayal no doubt was challenging but came naturally to Anthony after his work in “The Deaths of Ian Stone.”

His excitement about his future projects in both Hollywood and the UK makes us equally thrilled (or should we say, scared?) to see what comes next for this accomplished performer.

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Jordan Claire Robbins talks appearing in 12 Monkeys and Black Dahlia

11/7/2016

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Throughout Jordan Claire Robbins’s childhood in Bermuda, she wanted to be an actress. So upon finishing high school, she moved to Toronto to make this dream become a reality, and thIs is exactly what she has achieved. Her goal of acting transformed from a far-off idea into something she was actively pursuing and accomplishing.

In the time since, Robbins has appeared both on the big and small screen. She was featured in the FXX comedy Man Seeking Woman, as well as the film Anon with Clive Owen and Amanda Seyfried, which will be released next year. She also had a recurring role on the hit Syfy show 12 Monkeys, starring Aaron Stanford and Amanda Schull.

“Every day onset was different in the best way, and each director I worked with was amazing and extremely talented,” said Robbins. “The show has a very distinct, cool feeling to it and that feeling carries over onset too. The lighting and set design is stylistically unique and creates an atmosphere that I felt during every scene I shot. The cast and crew all worked very well together and this made it an easy set to walk onto at the end of a season’s shoot, which is not always the case.”

12 Monkeys is a sci-fi thriller mystery about a man named Cole who is sent back from 2043, a future where a plague has almost annihilated all of human race, to the present day and other times to try and figure out how to stop the plague from happening. The show is based on the 1995 Terry Gilliam film that features Bruce Willis as Cole. “Going into its third season, the series now has many complex storylines that intersect and is a lot of fun to be on and to watch,” said Robbins.

On the show, Robbins plays Anita, a woman who is hired to be the assistant of Jennifer Goines (Emily Hampshire, played by Brad Pitt in the 1995 movie), a former scientist turned businesswoman who was previously put away for mental instability.

“Playing Anita was an absolute blast, and to be able to work opposite Emily was a gift because she is one of most free, dedicated, present actors I have ever worked with. Her commitment to the character meant she wasn’t afraid to try new things, which made every take completely different and allowed me to play and try different things too. Jennifer Goines can be described as unhinged at times but a good person at her core, and my goal in playing Anita was to tap into her sense of loyalty and acceptance despite not always understanding where Jennifer was coming from,” explained Robbins.

Working on 12 Monkeys helped Robbins learn the importance of staying open and approaching each take in a fresh, new way. “The magic happens when you are prepared and grounded enough to then let all of the preparation go and play with the other actors in the moment,” she said.

While on 12 Monkeys, Robbins had the opportunity to work with several directors including Mairzee Almas. She also worked closely with Terry Matalas, a writer, director, and executive producer of the show. She particularly enjoyed shooting two of the webisodes that Matalas directed during Season 1. “I love working with Terry; he is an amazing communicator and is very positive and easy to talk to. We built a great rapport early on and this helped me feel comfortable as I joined the cast towards the end of the first season. I love the way his mind works, and he has a deep knowledge and understanding of the characters he has written, which was always a very useful resource when onset,” said Robbins.

“Jordan is a breath of fresh air,” said Matalas. “She’s professional with great sense of humor. She understands the vision and doubles down, with good instincts from a lifetime of being in front of a camera.”

And Robbins has indeed spent a lot of time in front of the camera, enjoying careers in both acting and modeling. She has played a variety of roles; from bubbly and fun-loving characters such as in in her first film Money, to darker roles like in the film Black Dahlia.

Black Dahlia is about a female police officer named Dahlia who, while trying to exert control over every area of her life, neglects to realize that her own sister is in a downward spiral. Her sister, Ella, is using drugs and this exposes her to horrible things. Robbins plays Sky, a close friend to Ella.

“Playing Sky was a powerful experience for me. It required me to explore difficult feelings within myself, and to imagine things that no one would wish to experience. I am a very protective, compassionate person, and I’ve seen first-hand the effects drug use can have on a person’s life, so the challenge here was to allow myself to imagine the very worst and explore feelings of fear, regret, and sadness. I had an incredible, loving, easy childhood compared to what many people have experienced, including Sky, so to do her justice meant committing myself to her circumstances and her motivations for doing the things she does,” said Robbins.

The lesson, Robbins says, was important to her, and helped change the ways she performs.

“I realized that no matter how different people’s lives may be, we all are the same at our core, and are driven by the same things – fear and love,” she said.

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ACTOR VISHAL ARORA GIVES EVERY ROLE HIS ALL

9/14/2016

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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.

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From Modeling to Acting, Canadian Celebrity Ashiko Westguard

6/22/2016

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Canadian Actress and Model Ashiko Westguard shot by Tony McGee

To most audiences, Ashiko Westguard’s transition into acting several years ago appeared to be a relatively natural progression considering that she had spent so much time in front of the camera as a model already. Her performances in the series “Painkiller Jane” and “Kaya,” and the feature film “A Dark Matter" speak leagues to her ability to embody intensely layered characters and effortlessly draw in the audience.

Despite the ease with which she graces the silver screen, in reality Westguard had to make extra efforts to not only forget many of the things that she learned to naturally do as a model, but also to prove the depth of her talent to the many skeptics that at first glance, judged her to be just another pretty face.

While she is well-known for her acting prowess throughout the industry today, Westguard recalls, “For me the transition wasn’t very easy. I think I had to earn respect from casting directors and really earn my place and show them I was not just a pretty face, but a talented one. I grew so much from studying and that really helped me. Studying with renowned Canadian teacher David Rotenberg at Professional Actors Lab really gave me a nice footing, along with Andrew McIlroy in Vancouver.”
Westguard, who has had continued success as a model for the last decade, can be seen in commercials for Axe Deodorant, Old Spice, Skechers, Honda, Niko, Cafe Royal and Sony, as well as on the covers of Women Magazine, Essentials, Femina, Women’s Fitness, Verve Magazine and other well-known publications.

As the face of national ad campaigns for Revlon, Garnier, L’Oreal, Dita Von Teese, Coca Cola, Mr. Clean, Huggies and more, Westguard has proven to the masses that she’s a master when it comes to the art of expressing different emotions and characters in photographs.

While her confidence and charisma, two qualities needed for any model to reach the rare level of success that Westguard has, have undoubtedly helped her in her acting career as well, there were some aspects of modeling that she had to let go of in order to fully embody her characters on screen.

She explains, “I was an actress as a child but the more I modeled the more aware I became of the outer appearance and physical state, it was hard to be in character…Modeling makes you so aware of your body, but as an actor you want to be natural and not pose.”

Through dedication and constant study, Westguard was able to develop her skills as an actress and she has gone on to play critical characters in a number of projects that have proven her to be a dynamic and diversely talented performer.

“I have played everything from a congresswomen to a vampire,” admits Westguard.

While she has a plethora of roles under her belt, there is one to date that sticks out in her mind as the most challenging, but also the most rewarding.

She explains, “Eve in the Canadian feature film ‘A Dark Matter’ was definitely a role that pushed me to grow and made me rise up to the challenge. I was coached by David Rotenberg and learned a lot from the other cast members as well. I worked hard on getting to the core of my character. I learned so much from that project and role.”

Directed by James Naylor “A Dark Matter” is a sci-fi thriller that is so deeply twisted that as a viewer it’s challenging not to question how much we know about our reality after watching the film. The film follows Angus, an artist who finds himself traversing alternate dimensions in search of his missing girlfriend. The deeper he goes the more out of touch with reality he becomes and Westguard’s character Eve serves as the main proponent behind the events within Angus’ traumatic struggle to figure out where he stands in the world.

Anyone who has seen “A Dark Matter” would be hard pressed to think of Westguard as anything but a phenomenal actress. Her riveting and multi-layered performance as Eve endowed the film with a level of intensity that makes it impossible to peel your eyes away from the screen for the simple fact that we want to know what wild trick her character will come up with next.
Besides the inherent challenges that come with making the transition from modeling to acting in terms of technique, there’s an unfortunate backlash that comes along with first becoming known for one’s beauty in the eyes of the public.

Westguard admits, “I feel like I had to and still have to work harder to show people that I’m talented. I think it’s so silly that others judge… I try not to let that get to me. I work hard and I study so I feel like I have a solid foundation to hold my own.”
Although having a successful modeling career first has meant that Ashiko Westguard has had to work even harder to prove her talent as an actress, the impressive collection of work that she’s done to date makes it readily apparent that she’s up for the challenge.

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Q & A with Dynamic Actress Davina Cole!

1/14/2016

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Actress Davina Cole in "Wilberforce Bell" shot by Indraccolo Photography

Actress Davina Cole is one of the fiercest female performers to make her mark on the international entertainment industry in recent years.

With work that includes everything from taking on the starring roles of Sandra in Rodney V. Williams' film Therapy Sessions and Soalaih Ez in multi-award winning director Francoise Ellong's film When Soukhina Disappeared, to the high profile theatrical productions "Women on Wine," "The Wright Brothers," and "Wilberforce Bell," Coles' acting prowess clearly spans the gamut.

Over the years she has managed to immerse herself in a wide range of roles giving knock out performances that make it almost impossible to recognize her from one character to the next. Regardless of the genre or the medium, this actress has a way of pulling us in and leaving an unforgettable impression.

While Cole's seasoned skill and unique look undoubtedly makes her stands out in a cast, what is even more astonishing is her ability to single handedly command an audiences attention-- something she proved with her performance as Salimatu in the one-woman show "All the Colours," which debuted at the Lord Stanley Theatre in London. Not only did Cole write and star in the production, but her performance earned her an award nomination for Best Actress at the 7th annual SOLO Festival of One Man Shows in 2014.

Aside from the upcoming tour of "All The Colours," which is slated to begin later this year, audiences will also be able to catch Davina Cole in My Church and Family, a new series that's expected to be released this summer on Sky Living.

To find out more about this incredibly powerful actress make sure to check out our interview below!

Where are you from?

DC: My name is Davina Cole and I have been performing as an actress in the UK for many years. I was born and raised in southeast London, but my parents are from Sierra Leone in West Africa. My African heritage is very dear to me.

When and how did you get into acting?

DC: I have performed in various films, theatre productions, commercials, voiceovers and radio. I loved watching old movies including African films with my dad on the weekends and always wondered how I could get into performing. Whilst attending an after school club I saw a poster about drama and dance classes. I attended one and from then I was hooked. I then started performing at the age of 13 in local theatre productions. I also toured within the UK with the girl band Catz in my teens.

Can you tell us about some of the film projects you’ve done?

DC: I played the role of Sandra, a therapist, in the film Therapy Sessions. I really enjoyed playing this role. Sandra is a powerful woman in her field of work and is very cool, calm, collected and very much in control. In the film we see her lose control when her family becomes under threat and she loses it quite dramatically. It was very challenging playing the many dimensions of this character. Sandra was a pivotal role in the film as she was the link to all the characters in the drama and key to the twist at the end

I worked with director Rodney V. Williams on Therapy Sessions, and he is the director of the film Hold Me, which was featured in Cannes Court Metrage of the Cannes Film Festival. He also directed the award winning film The Runaway Whore.
I also played the role Soalaih Ez in film When Soukhina Disappeared, a film based on the disappearance of a young girl. Soalaih Ez was one of the last people to see the missing girl and she gives her account of how she touched her life. It was an emotional piece and I really enjoyed playing a character with so many layers. Soaliah was key to getting an account of the final movements of Soukhinas, the girl who disappeared, life. It was such an honor to play this role in such a moving piece of drama.

On this film I worked with award winning director Francoise Ellong whose film W.A.K.A. picked up awards such as the Special Jury Prize at the 17th edition of the Festival Du Cinéma Africain De Khouribga in Morocco, and the Dikalo Award for Best First Feature at the Festival International Du Film Panafricain De Cannes in France. It was also selected for the Hollywood Film Festival.

I played the role of Susan a sassy news reporter in the action horror film Cyborg Ninja vs Vampires directed by Simon Gedney from Copper Key Productions. I also worked alongside Nathan Powell from Pirates of the Caribbean 4 on the film. I really enjoy playing a role that was very different from the roles I usually get cast for; and, having the opportunity to do some action sequences and kick some butt felt very empowering.

How about television projects?

DC: I was in the documentary television series Sinister Ministers, a miniseries that aired on the Discovery Channel in the US. On the series I played the role of Donna, a congregation member and close friend to the reverend, and a key role in the production. I thoroughly enjoyed playing this inquisitive nosey humorous lady. The series was was directed by the great James Cookson who has directed and made many successful films for Firecraker Films.

They are all very different, what made you choose to participate in these projects?

DC: I enjoy playing characters with many layers to them-- the meatier the role the better. I tend to go for strong women roles with a bit of vulnerability. I also like pieces that give a strong message. I like undertaking roles that take you on a journey.

Do you feel that you get cast to play a certain type of character more than others?

DC: Because of my physique, stage and screen presence I tend to get cast in headstrong, authoritative and professional women roles.

Can you tell us about some of the theatre productions you've participated in up until now?

DC: I worked with Rodney V. Williams on the comedy hit stage drama "Women on Wine" at the Above the Stage Theatre in Central London in 2010. I was a co-star playing the role of the uppity, takes herself too seriously, Ebony, who is preparing to marry her childhood sweetheart. We see Ebony’s insecurities come to the surface as the play progresses when she becomes stressed and the group overindulges in wine. This was such an amazing experience working with a group of talented women including the star of the "Jesus Christ Superstar," Renee Castle. It was a challenge playing a truthful, credible character whilst at the same time being drunk.

I played the role of Mami Sanami in the iconic West African comedy drama play "Wilberforce Bell," which was presented by the Kabaslot Theatre at the popular central London Catford Broadway theatre. For this production I worked with the Kabaslot Theatre, a well-known theatre in Africa, UK and US, under the safe hands of director Dwight Short. This play really took me out my comfort zone, as I had to learn different elements of my home language Krio.

I played the role of Narrator in the sold out love comedy "The Wright Brothers" directed by Tyrone-Lee Davis under his co-owned theatre company, Opus Entertainment, who have had their projects commissioned by ITV. This was a fun but challenging role as I held the play together appearing throughout and creating a persona to keep the story going and uplifted at all time. It is also set to return in 2016 and I am looking forward to reprising this role.

Out of all your productions both in the theatre and on screen, what has been your favorite project, or projects, so far?

DC: I really enjoy playing strong women roles. My favorite role to date was the role of Delilah in the play "1867." This was based on the life of Madame CJ Walker, America's first black female millionaire. It was such an honor to play such a prominent figure and it was very inspirational and really pushed me as an actress. She was such a strong black women in a time when black women were regularly looked down upon. To have that the success during that period of time is truly amazing. As a character she had many layers and I was really able to explore the role. I hope to play more roles similar to this in the future.

What has been your most challenging role?

DC: My most challenging role had to be the role of Salimatu in my one-woman show, "All The Colours." It is a piece that I wrote and performed both here in the UK and in the US, and it was an extremely emotional play. I felt this role took me to another level in my performance skills, however it was very draining at times playing a mother who had lost so much. Not being a mother myself made it hard to relate to, but having been through my own personal experience of loss and heartache, I was able to bring that to my performance and give a truthful performance.

What is your favorite genre to work in as an actor?

DC: My favorite genre definitely has to be drama. This genre tends to have roles with hidden depths, and they are quite exciting to research and to play.

What separates you from other actors?

DC: I feel what separates from other actors is what I bring on a personal level to each and every role I play. I feel all my life experiences, both good and bad, have helped me grow as an actress; and it has helped me bring that element of truth to many roles.

You've been nominated for several awards over the course of your career- can you tell us about the award nominations and how it felt being recognized for your work?

DC: My biggest achievement so far is the success I've received from my one-woman show "All the Colours." I wrote it myself and I was nominated for a Best Actress Award at the 7th SOLO Festival of One Man Shows in the UK in 2014, which was was held at the Lord Stanley Theatre in central London. I then went on to be selected as a finalist at the prestigious 22nd Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival. It was amazing to be selected to perform alongside amazingly talented women from all around the world. The subject matter is very dear to me as it centers on Sierra Leone and the civil war, which affected thousands including my family. It was great to let people know some of what happened back then through performing the show.

Davina Cole in "All The Colours" shot by Minkyung Choi

What are your plans for the future?

DC: I have started filming a new British TV series to be shown on Sky TV. I am very excited about the character as she's very out outspoken, feisty and very witty. She's a character with many different sides to her and I can’t wait to play her. I plan to write more including a piece I am currently writing on the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, which I want to make into a screenplay. I also plan to make my one-woman show into a web series and by popular demand I will be taking my one-woman show on tour, which is really exciting!

What do you hope to achieve in your career as an actor?

DC: I hope to get meatier roles, which will push me further as an artist. I really admire the body of work and talent of Angela Bassett and Viola Davis and I would love to work them. To work with such talented women would be amazing.

What kind of training have you done?

DC: I did a postgraduate degree in performance at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, one of the top 10 drama schools in the UK. The training was rigorous and laid the foundation for me to become the actress that I am today.

Why is acting your passion and chosen profession?

DC: From a young age I remember watching classic old black and white movies on a Saturday afternoon and I was memorized by performances from actresses such as Grace Kelly, Julie Andrews, Marilyn Monroe, Sofia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. I often used to dream of being on screen too. That enticed me to start going to classes, which eventually led to me apply for drama school and the rest is history.

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An Interview with One of Canada's Brightest Talents: Tate McRae

11/17/2015

Tate McRae shot by Nicole Hudson

Canada's Tate McRae is an undeniable triple threat whose talent as an actress, dancer and singer is beyond astonishing, and she's not even a teenager yet. McRae began her career in the spotlight as a dancer at the age of 6, and since then her ability to command the stage and her audiences' attention has led her around the world performing in a long list of shows and competitions.

The extraordinarily talented performer won the Junior Best Dancer Award at the 2015 Dance Awards in NYC in July, and was also named the Silver Medal Solo Winner at the YGAP NYC Finals in April. She is also one of a select few of Capezio's sponsored dancers!

Her skill as a dancer undoubtedly helped put her on the map in the highly competitive entertainment world, but it's the vast nature of her talent that has propelled her to the top of the industry in such a short amount of time.

Over the last few years McRae has acted in several television and film productions as the voice of the character Spot Splatter Splash in the hit series Lalaloopsy, the film Lalaloopsy: The Big Show and the video Lalaloopsy: Band Together, and Princess Nutmeg in the 2013 video Lala-Oopsies: A Sew Magical Tale.

It doesn't hurt that McRae is also incredibly cute. The way that she is able to work her magic on the camera has been a major factor for her gaining traction in the modeling world. Over the years she's been featured in Dance Spirit Magazine, as well as print ads for clothing companies including Capezio, Miss Behave Girls, Schatzi, Twear, and more.

To find out more about this phenomenal performer make sure to check out our interview below. You can also find out more about Tate McRae through her website: http://www.tatemcrae.com/

Where are you from and how old are you?

TM: I am from Calgary, Canada and I'm 12 years old.

When and how did you get into acting?

TM: I got into acting through my dancing and singing. I love musical theater and had to learn to develop characters for my songs. Then, the same day I got an agent I booked a job doing voice overs for the show Lalaloopsy!

What is it like having such a successful career at such a young age?

TM: I do not really think of myself as having a career yet. I am learning and getting amazing opportunities that I can hopefully turn into a career when I am older!

Can you tell us a little bit about some of the television shows you've been in?

TM: I was in 17 Episodes of the show Lalaloopsy where I play Spot Splatter Splash. I also played Spot Splatter Splash in the video Lalaloopsy: Band Together and Lalaloopsy Ponies: The Big Show.

I loved playing Spot! She was carefree and creative and had a lot of energy. It was so fun! Spot was one of the main characters so I had a lot of lines. It is hard recording voice-overs. You are the only one in the recording booth and there are lots of people online from the states directing you. I usually got a 30-page script 1 to 2 days before we recorded, so you have to go through it and figure out how your expression is going to be. A few times I had to play 2 characters in one episode. So I had to sound different. In one I had to sing badly as Spot and then have a beautiful voice as Harmony.

I also played Nutmeg in the video Lala-Oopsies: A Sew Magical Tale and Holly Sleighbells in the episode of the Lalaloopsy series It’s A Wrap.

I played Harmony in the Lalaloopsy DS Game. It was so fun recording this, but even more fun playing the game and hearing your voice!

You get approached all the time to work on projects with people, what makes you pick one role over another?

TM: Sometimes it is timing. I still go to school full time and attend a professional ballet school. Those are important to me and sometimes I just cannot miss too much time there.

Have you done any theatre productions yet?

TM: I was in "Camp Rock The Musical" when I was 8 and loved the experience.

Is it overwhelming at times to be receiving so much recognition for your work so early on? How do you balance being a kid with having a career?

TM: Not really, I love everything I do and I believe it is important to stay grounded and appreciate every opportunity. I know that there are many talented kids out there and as many jobs as you may book, there are even more you get turned down for. Even in my spare time I chose to do something that has to do with the arts. I am always singing or dancing around or listening to music! I have been like that since I was a little girl. Even before I took lessons I was always putting on shows!

What has been your favorite role so far and why?

TM: My favorite role was Harmony, because I got to combine my singing and my acting in one! It was so fun.

Which actors do you look up to, and why?

TM: I really look up to a lot of actors. I like Angelina Jolie, just because she is so good in so many different roles and is so versatile! I also love Shay Mitchell. She does so many different TV and movie roles and is quite young and also has a great personality off screen. Blake Lively is also amazing! She is so classy and beautiful on screen!

What separates you from other actors?

TM: I think what separates me is that I am a dancer and a singer also. I’m always performing and incorporating my other passions into my acting. I feel that dancing, singing, and acting define me as a person.

When did you first begin dancing?

TM: I first began when I was 6... I was not really serious about it until I was 8. That is when I decided that I loved it and wanted to take it to the next level.

How has dancing helped you in your career as an actor?

TM: Dancing has helped me with my career as an actor because I have made so many more connections through dance. The 2 worlds really do cross over. Dance has given me lots of confidence and has made me really comfortable performing. I do not get nervous when I am asked to recite lines or play a character.

Can you list some of the people you’ve worked with that our readers might know?

TM: I have mainly worked with big names in the dance industry. Travis Wall from Shaping Sound and So You Think You Can Dance, who just won an Emmy. I have assisted his classes many times. I also love working with Will Lofts who is in Teen Beach Movie. He gives me lots of advice on what I should do and how I can become more versatile! Blake McGarth recently choreographed a video for the band Walk Off The Earth, where I was a lead dancer. He is a huge supporter of mine. He is also a singer and has been on some TV shows so he's a great connection for me to have!

Tate McRae (left) and Myles Erlick (right) rehearsing for the Walk Off The Earth music video for 'Rule the World'

What projects do you have coming up, or have you recently finished filming?

TM: I am currently working on a video series that is incorporating my dancing and acting. I recently filmed “Downtown,” a hip-hop video with Jake McWilliams the CEO of Dance Studio Heroes. I have also recently finished a video called “Stranded,” which incorporated my dancing and acting, and was produced by Jayna Photography in NYC. I will be releasing a new one shortly. I am also releasing an Ebook in the New Year.

What kind of training have you done?

TM: I have trained in all forms of dance-- jazz, tap, contemporary, classical, pointe, and musical theater, and taken voice training for classical, pop and musical theater, as well some acting and improvisation classes.

Why are you passionate about acting?

TM: I love expressing myself in any way! When I am dancing I am acting, when I am singing I am acting. Everything I do seems to bring out my acting!

If you weren't an actor, what other profession do you think you would like to have in the future?

TM: I would either like to be a professional singer or dancer!

What are your hobbies outside of performing?

TM: I do not have a lot of time outside all of my performing classes and school, but I do love to hang out with my family and friends and watch movies. I also like to write songs and make videos in my free time... In the summer I like to go to the lake and wake surf!

You've also had a lot of success as a model and commercial actress, can you tell us about some of the projects you've done in these fields so far?

TM: I have modeled for a few lines. My first one was a clothing line called Schatzi. That is when I knew I loved the camera! I have also modeled for Capezio, Miss Behave Girls and the dance clothing companies Twear and Triple Flip.

<<Previous

From the Stage to the Screen, Actress Karishma Bhandari has Our Attention

Moving North: South American beauty Tatiana Romao Makes Her Mark in Horror

True Passion Keeps Actress Karen Mitchell in the Spotlight

Q & A with Dazzling Canadian Actor Nathan Mitchell!

Anthony Warren Strikes Fear within Viewers in "The Deaths of Ian Stone"

Jordan Claire Robbins talks appearing in 12 Monkeys and Black Dahlia

ACTOR VISHAL ARORA GIVES EVERY ROLE HIS ALL

From Modeling to Acting, Canadian Celebrity Ashiko Westguard

Q & A with Dynamic Actress Davina Cole!

An Interview with One of Canada's Brightest Talents: Tate McRae

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