Actor Evan Rein Joins the Stellar Cast in Hulu’s True Crime Drama Miniseries Under the Bridge, which premieres April 17 in the US and May 8 in Canada.
Canadian rising star Evan Rein is set to hit the small screen in a big way as Officer Don Gardner in Hulu’s highly anticipated new series Under the Bridge. Rein joins the ensemble alongside Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon), Riley Keough (Daisy Jones & The Six), and Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife). The eight-episode series, based on the gripping book by Rebecca Godfrey, is set to premiere on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ on April 17 and will be released in Canada on May 8 on Disney+.
Set against the haunting backdrop of a tragic murder, Under the Bridge chronicles the harrowing true story of Reena Virk, a 14-year-old who vanished after attending a party. Through the lens of Godfrey (played by Keough) and local police officer Cam Bentland (Gladstone), the series delves into the investigation, unravelling shocking secrets about the young girls accused of Reena’s disappearance. Appearing in five episodes, Rein portrays Officer Don Gardner, a rookie cop determined to earn his place on the Saanich police force as the sleepy Vancouver Island town is left reeling in the wake of Reena’s savage murder. Two episodes will premiere on April 17, and new episodes will be broadcast weekly on Wednesdays in the US. The TV series will premiere on May 8th in Canada.
Evan Rein’s other roles cover a broad range of characters, including the lead in the feature film Blue Hour as Lee, an anxious aspiring writer living in rural Alberta. Confounded by the news of an illness in the family and masculinity stereotypes, Lee must decide whether to stay or go. Evan’s performance in Blue Hour garnered nominations for a Leo Award and UBCP/ACTRA Award for Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Motion Picture. Blue Hour won the Audience Favourite Award at the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival and picked up a nomination for Best Screenplay at the Leos. Evan’s career has included several spots on popular series, including Upload, Nancy Drew, Heartland, Valley of the Boom, Sacred Lies, Debris, and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.
As a classically trained actor, Evan’s theatre career has included work on some of North America’s most renowned stages, including Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., Bard on the Beach, and Theatre Calgary, where he just closed a production of the hit Beatles adaptation of As You Like It.
For his leading turn as Micah in How the World Began at Pacific Theatre, Evan’s performance was praised by critics and audiences. The three-hander drama written by Catherine Trieschmann explores what it means to engage in good faith discussion in a community falling apart amidst disaster and intolerance. How the World Began is one of Evan’s favourite productions.
Evan was born in Red Deer, Alberta, and raised on a farm in the heart of Central Alberta. Evan’s first interest in acting was in Grade 5 during a drama workshop. In a moment of uninhibited expression, he had his whole class in stitches and, from that moment, knew acting was his path. He credits his elementary and high school teachers who encouraged him to dream big. The big dreams started with small beginnings, making home movies with his friends and siblings with the family video camera—pure, raw, creative energy that fuels his acting to this day.
Evan now lives in Vancouver. In his spare time, he practices his Spanish, meditates, and travels the world.
Evan is available for interviews and photos upon request.
Canada’s Award-winning actor Douglas Vermeeren continues to shine with the Best Actor award for his leading role in the Feature Film Jack Knife at the Luxury Oscar Viewing Party at the Universal Studios Hilton in Los Angeles Oscar weekend.
Douglas also graces the cover of Hollywood Weekly’s Oscars edition.
Los Angeles, California, For immediate release: Award-winning actor Douglas Vermeeren is an in-demand actor, taking the indie film circuit by storm. On March 10, 2024, Douglas won the Best Actor award for his role in the feature film Jack Knife at the Luxury Oscar Viewing Party at the Universal Studios Hilton. Jack Knife recently won Best Picture at the Indo-French International Film Festival on March 9, 2024. This best actor award follows Douglas’ win for the best-supporting actor at the L A Crime & Horror Festival for the feature film Tenants currently doing the film festival circuit.
Douglas also graces the cover, for the third time, of Hollywood Weekly this time in the 2024 Oscar edition. Douglas has graced numerous magazine covers including Hollywood Times, West Hollywood Weekly, and Los Angeles Magazine. Recently Brit magazine credited Douglas with “His Diverse Talent and Unparalleled Dedication to the Craft of Acting.”Douglas attended Jack Knife’s Toronto premiere at TIFF Lightbox on March 3, 2024. Douglas states, ”Jack Knife was an exceptional film to work on. It was very strong in its portrayal of the racial challenges, stereotypes, and misunderstandings that so often happen in our society today.” Jack Knife is an official selection at the Crown Point International Film Festival in Chicago on June 2, 2024.
Jack Knife is a co-production from producer/writer/director Adam Jack (The Lurker, An All-American Fairytale) a multiple award-winning filmmaker. The story, set in the U.S., probes some dark terrain for Jack’s young cast that deals with many of the current race issues in our world. A young black brother and sister find themselves in the middle of a manhunt for a murderer and his drug-dealing brother. And it turns into an incredible case of mistaken identity.
Douglas has been working consistently throughout Canada, the United States, the UK, and up for roles in. He recently completed the Christmas feature film Homeless for the Holidays near Lexington, Kentucky, and previously Bikers Versus WereWolves in Nelson’s Ghost Town, Nevada.
The feature film Tenants is currently doing the film festival circuit. Douglas says: Tenants is a film that brings to mind many of the great horror anthologies. However, Tenants takes a very unique approach in how the stories are all interconnected.”
In the feature Fresh Meat, a group of influencers break into an abandoned prison and release an evil that has intentionally been locked away far from the public and now no one will be safe. Douglas plays Sherriff Bellamy in the film, who is dedicated to keeping the influencers out of the prison and when that fails he must decide how to contain the evil which has escaped.
Also in post-production, Black Creek is a feature directed by Shannon Lanier and filmed in Tuscan, Arizona. A sheriff’s sister seeks revenge against the terrifying leader of a group of outlaws after discovering he brutally murdered her brother, his wife, and other family members in a gritty southwestern town.
Douglas has also been cast in The Boy from Below a brand-new experience in terror from Filmmaker Tory Jones (Phantom Fun-World, Wicked Ones) set to start filming this March.
Douglas resides in Calgary and is available for interviews and photos upon request.
Award-winning and in-demand actor Douglas Vermeeren stars in Canadian Writer/Director Adam Jack’s feature film thriller Jack Knife which will have its Toronto premiere at TIFF Lightbox on March 3, 2024, at 6:30 pm
Also starring Erica Sherwood and teen actors Tivon Charles and Payton Mills, a fun afternoon of fishing turns frightening when a young black brother and sister are attacked in the woods by a drifter.
Award-winning filmmaker Adam Jack is pleased to announce that the Canadian feature film thriller Jack Knife will have its Toronto premiere at TIFF Lightbox on March 3, 2024, at 6:30 pm. Jack Knife is a co-production with Adam Jack’s Eat Your Eggs Production and Jason Lumpish & Erica Sherwood’s Jarico films. Producer/writer/director Adam Jack (The Lurker, An All-American Fairytale) is a multiple award-winning filmmaker who has received over 30 international awards and has written and directed Jack Knife.
The feature film lead actors include Award-winning actor Douglas Vermeeren (Big Cats, Tenants), Erica Sherwood (Fight!, A Kind of Wonderful Thing), and teen actors Tivon Charles and Payton Mills in their first feature film roles. Jack wrote the movie (along with six others) during the pandemic. The Black Lives Matter movement sparked the idea, along with Ernest Hemingway’s short story collection “The Nick Adams Stories.”
The story, set in the U.S., probes some dark terrain for Jack’s young cast. It’s a balancing act that requires trust on both sides. A fun afternoon of fishing turns frightening when a young black brother and sister are attacked in the woods by a drifter. While fighting him off, the brother accidentally kills their would-be molester with a jackknife. This film deals with many of the current race issues in our world. A young black brother and sister find themselves in the middle of a manhunt for a murderer and his drug-dealing brother. And it turns into an incredible case of mistaken identity.
In-demand award-winning actor Douglas Vermeeren is extremely proud to be part of the cast of this thriller. Douglas states, ”Jack Knife was a very special film to work on. It was very strong in its portrayal of the racial challenges, stereotypes, and misunderstandings that so often happen in our society today.”
In the past year, Douglas has been working consistently throughout Canada, the United States, and the UK. He has just completed the Christmas feature film Homeless for the Holidays near Lexington, Kentucky, and previously Bikers Versus WereWolves in Nelson’s Ghost Town, Nevada.
In the feature Fresh Meat, a group of influencers break into an abandoned prison and release an evil that has intentionally been locked away far from the public and now no one will be safe. Douglas plays Sherriff Bellamy in the film, who is dedicated to keeping the influencers out of the prison and when that fails he must decide how to contain the evil that has escaped.
Also in post-production, Black Creek is a feature directed by Shannon Lanier and filmed in Tuscan, Arizona. A sheriff’s sister seeks revenge against the terrifying leader of a group of outlaws after discovering he brutally murdered her brother, his wife, and other family members in a gritty southwestern town.
Tenants is currently doing the film festival circuit for which Douglas won best supporting actor at the LA Crime & Horror Festival, Of the film, Douglas says: “Tenants is a film that brings to mind many of the great horror anthologies from the past like Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye, Twilight Zone: the Movie, and Creepshow. However, Tenants takes a very unique approach in how the stories are all interconnected. That’s something that hasn’t been done before in this way for an anthology.”
Douglas has been cast in The Boy from Below a brand-new experience in terror from Filmmaker Tory Jones (Phantom Fun-World, Wicked Ones) set to start filming in March.
Douglas has graced numerous magazine covers including Hollywood Times, West Hollywood Weekly, and Los Angeles Magazine. Recently Brit magazine credited Douglas with “His Diverse Talent and Unparalleled Dedication to the Craft of Acting.”
Douglas will join Adam Jack and the other cast at the premiere of Jack Knife at TIFF Lighthouse on March 3, 2024, at 6:30 pm in Toronto. Douglas Vermeeren and Writer/Director Adam Jack are available for interviews and screeners upon request.
Watch for actor Bradley Stryker in the much-anticipated TV series “Tracker” starring Justin Hartley on CBS/CTV on Sunday, February 25, 2024
Bradley is a prolific, Award-winning Actor/Filmmaker:
Writing, Directing, Producing, and Acting in many independent feature films.
Watch for actor, Bradley Stryker, guest starring in the CBS/CTV TV series, Tracker. Bradley has the role of Tom Tozer in the third episode, airing on February 25 on CBS/CTV at 9:00 pm PST/EST. Tracker stars Justin Hartley (This Is Us) as Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist who roams the country as a reward seeker solving all manner of mysteries while contending with his own fractured family.
Bradley continues to make waves across the entertainment industry with several recent projects showcasing his versatility in a range of roles in TV/Film. He recently wrapped filming for The Order, featuring A-list stars Jude Law and Nicolas Hoult. A true story about a notorious white supremacist group, Stryker embodies Sam Stinson, a survivalist and ex-military expert.
2023 was an exciting year for Bradley, Sheltering Season, a film that he wrote, directed, and acted in, was recently purchased by TUBI for North American audiences to enjoy. The film was a 7-time Leo Award-nominated film, with Bradley bringing home the honors for Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture. He and his wife, Caitlin Stryker, were also both nominated for UBCP/ACTRA Awards for Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture.
Bradley also played the captivating character Sheriff Wilkins in Devil in Ohio, (another Leo nomination for Best Supporting Actor Television Series), which held the number-one spot on Netflix last fall, making it a noteworthy addition to his repertoire.
His ability to delve into complex characters was also showcased as he embodied Sterling, in Paramount Pictures thriller, Crawlspace, in which his antagonist went toe to toe with the film’s protagonist, Henry Thomas. The film was a top 10 film worldwide on Netflix’s international slate (and another Leo Award nomination for Bradley, for Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture).
His recent Film/TV success includes roles in Searchlight Pictures, Magazine Dreams; Lifetime’s How She Caught a Killer; and Paramount Pictures, Mercy, Disquiet, Dangerous Game, and the upcoming release of Vindicta (all on Paramount Plus and/or Showtime).
With an extensive career spanning over 100 roles, Bradley’s dedication to his craft is evident. Notable collaborations include roles alongside Liam Neeson, John Voight, Cole Hauser, Christina Ricci, Jonathan Ryes Meyers, Jurnee Smollett, Johnathan Majors, and Melissa Leo among others.
In addition to his acting career, Bradley is a passionate independent filmmaker in the Vancouver film community who does everything in his power to empower himself and the creatives around him to not only move films into production but to also push the boundaries of what can become possible in the vibrant YVR film community.
Bradley’s talent has not gone unnoticed, with an impressive 55 industry awards to his name. He is currently in post-production on his next project as writer/producer/actor,13th Round, which follows a boxer as he comes to terms with a life-changing injury and finds himself moving into the world of adaptive boxing. The sports drama stars; Sara Canning, Tahmoh Penikett, Aleks Paunovic, Tom Stevens, and Zak Santigo.
Apart from his thriving career, he is actively involved in non-profit initiatives, having participated in the Big Brother Little Brother program and the AIDS lifecycle bike ride from San Francisco to LA.
Actor Al Miro stars as Hunter Fosterini in the feature film Puppy Love alongside Lucy Hale, Grant Gustin and Jane Seymour streaming on Amazon Freevee in the USA and set to premiere on Amazon Prime in Canada and the UK in February
Actor Al Miro’s latest starring role as Hunter Fosterini alongside Lucy Hale (Nicole), Grant Gustin (Max) and Jane Seymour (Diane Matthews) is in the feature film Puppy Love. Produced by Buzzfeed Studios/Lionsgate and directed by Nick Fabiano and Richard Alan Reid, Puppy Love is streaming in the US as an Amazon Freevee Original Movie and coming to Canada and the UK in February as an Amazon Prime Original Movie.
After a disastrous first date, Nicole and Max vow to lose each other’s numbers until their dogs find a love match. Hilariously mismatched Nicole and Max are forced to become responsible co-parenting a dog, but end up finding love themselves. Al plays Hunter Fosterini who is a rich CEO of a tech company. Hunter hires Nicole (Lucy Hale) to stage his mansion. He and Nicole become romantically involved and he becomes the “other guy” to Grant Gustin’s character Max. Hunter is the opposite of Max. He is wild, über confident, unpredictable, passionate, absurd, foreign, and mysterious. His absurdity adds comedy to the film and his relationship with Nicole adds threat to Max.
Puppy Love was a fantastic experience for Al in so many ways. The directors suggested to Al that he audition using an authentic accent, even though the role was originally written as an all American guy. If he hadn’t taken the risk in his audition he may not have booked the role. Al was thrilled that he was able to improv, willing to take risks with fearless choices playing Hunter as an off-beat sexy, funny, comedic character. The director changed Hunter’s last name from Foster to Fosterini to suit Al’s own accent. Lucy has also shared the story in press interviews that Al and Lucy had so much fun on set that there were days that they couldn’t stop laughing which adds to this memorable experience. Al notes, “This Experience was a great reminder that what makes us unique can be our greatest asset”.
Al is also proud of his role as Dmitri in Firefly Lane who was married to Katherine Heigl’s mother, Mario in the CW hit tv series Riverdale, Hugh in Dangerous (Lionsgate) and Max in the Film Festival favourite Daddy’s Boy. During his acting career he values working with a number of prominent actors including Lucy Hale, Grant Gustin, Scott Eastwood, Katherine Heigl, Charles Melton and Isabella Rossellini to name a few.
Al has a number of award nominations including a Leo Award Nominee for Daddy’s Boy for Best Supporting actor in a feature film and a Winter Film Awards Best Actor Nominee for his role in Computer Potato. He created the YouTube series “How to Make It in Hollywood (When you are Foreign AF)”, a comedy about an ethnically ambiguous immigrant actor trying to navigate the industry which won Best Editing Indie Series Awards in Los Angeles and Dangerous with two Canadian Screen Awards nominations.
Al opened his acting studio ‘Almiro Studios’ where he is able to share his years of experience as an actor with his students. Being a trilingual immigrant of mixed ethnic background that includes Mediterranean and North African roots and having had to learn to embrace his own diversity in the industry, Al guides his students to find their own truth and authenticity.
Al Miro, who also goes by his full name Alessandro Miro, is a New York trained actor. The youngest of four children he became trilingual early on growing up in Milan, Italy, then coming to Canada living in both Montreal and Vancouver. As a kid he dreamed about a future as an actor. After high school he began auditioning and landed roles on Canadian TV shows. He then moved to New York City to study acting on Broadway at the prestigious Circle in the Square Theatre School. Since then he has performed in many award winning movies and TV shows as well as in critically acclaimed plays in both New York City and Canada. In 2008 he co-founded the NYC based Animus Theatre Company, whose members include Broadway and Hollywood actors, established writers and award winning directors. He splits his time between Vancouver, BC, Los Angeles and New York City.
BIO: Lesley Diana is a Unit Publicist with IATSE 669 in Vancouver, B.C. She has worked on television series and feature films with eOne TV, DirecTV, Sony Pictures and a number of independent feature films over the past 20 years.
Her clients have graced the covers of Maxim, Enroute, Flare, Dolce Vita, Modern Dog, UMM and Femme Fatal. Television appearances have have included interviews on Entertainment Tonight, ET Canada, eTalk, Skye TV, CBC, The Biography Channel and national news programs. Lesley’s actor clients include Emmanuelle Vaugier, Fred Ewanuick, Gabrielle Miller, Terry Chen, Michael Eklund, Nicole Oliver, Cory Monteith, Maesto Wes’ Williams, Cle Bennett, April Telek, Zak Santiago and many more.
1. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A PUBLICIST?
I have had a varied and exciting career that began with a Fitness Show and Talk Show on CFQC TV in Saskatoon. I also wrote weekly columns for a local and a national newspaper which became the foundation for a fitness book I wrote to inspire women to exercise. I also had four ladies wear boutiques across Western Canada that garnered so much press that I established relationships with journalists across Canada. I eventually closed and sold the boutiques and not knowing what I was going to do next, I sent out a package of the press and promotions that I did for my boutiques to fashion designers and other fashion establishments which had an immediate response from designers, boutiques and shopping malls. I worked mainly in fashion then a producer/director needed a publicist for the premier of his feature film “Stag” and launched my career as an entertainment publicist. Since then I have worked on close to 100 TV series and feature films and over 200 actors. I graduated from University thinking that I would be a teacher for the rest of my life and had no idea all these other exciting opportunities would come my way. My advice to anyone is to keep open as you never know what doors will open.
2. WHAT DOES A PUBLICIST DO? An entertainment publicist acts as a liaison between the client and/or production and the public, working to promote their public image and/or film or TV series. A publicist will pitch their client or ideas and content to journalists and influencers. They gather information and photos for the press release and pitches then reach out to the media to garner interviews for their client.
3. THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN MEDIA (E.G. FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM HAVE BANNED CANADIAN NEWS) AND NUMEROUS MEDIA TV SHOWS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED … HOW HAS THESE CHANGES AFFECTED THE WAY YOU PROMOTE YOUR CLIENTS?
Yes, there have been so many changes in the past few years as many newspapers and TV talk shows have been canceled. What has happened is many podcasters have opened up and are interviewing actors and talent which has been exciting. We have established many relationships with these entertainment podcasts to interview our clients. It has been important to research and reach out to these new opportunities for our clients. And the changes made by facebook and instagram have affected the Canadian newsmakers so thank you to eBOSS CANADA for being another venue for Canadians!
4. WHEN AND WHY DO FILM / TV / THEATRE PRODUCTIONS NEED A PUBLICIST?
Films and TV series need to hire a publicist when the production is being filmed to gather all the information together for the press kit. (More information in an answer below) If you don’t publicize a production when it is being released and no one knows about it, how are people going to see it? It is so important to get the word out with press and talk show interviews so that the public can support and see the production that everyone has worked so hard on.
5. WHEN AND WHY DO ACTORS / ARTISTS / PERFORMERS NEED A PUBLICIST? Actors need to treat their careers like a business. They need to continue taking classes, have a coach and when they do book a role they need to take the opportunity to hire a publicist to help them promote the role when the movie or TV series comes out. This will help increase their followers on social media as well as more exposure for filmmakers to hopefully want to book them for a future role. If you plan to hire a publicist, you need to give them advance time to get all your materials together needed to promote your role and get in touch with the studio or network publicist for stills and approve the wording in your press release.
6. WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST HIGH PROFILE CLIENTS OR BRANDS? WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THEM?
I have worked with filmmaker Rick Dugdale who has produced feature films starring Academy Award Winners Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Ben Kingsley. It has been exciting to reach out to the national press to garner interviews for his feature films.
Emmanuelle Vaugier is the actor that I have worked with the longest as she opened the doors to our company being actor publicists, Emmanuelle and I have traveled to film festivals, press junkets in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles. Emmanuelle has challenged me to certain requests for her press tours and most times I have asked we have got them. She has shown me you never know until you ask whether it is requesting she be on the cover of a magazine or providing wardrobe and make-up artists for her appearances.
Nicole Oliver is also a long time client that has impressed me as she has expanded her resume that includes acting, voice over artist, directing animation, and talk show host. She has shown me to be open to expanding your resume as you never know what other opportunities will come your way.
7. HAS YOUR ROLE AS A PUBLICIST OPENED OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO YOU THAT YOU MAY HAVE NOT EXPECTED?
The Promotion People has coordinated Red Carpets for the Vancouver International Film Festival, Leo Awards, 2010 Olympics, UBCP/ACTRA Awards and Canada’s Country Music Awards. It has been exciting working with many celebrities as they walk the red carpet.
Jamie Goehring and Craig Stowe of Jetset Crew offered us the opportunity to coordinate our first red carpet at VIFF with ET Canada’s Rick Campanelli as host. We continued to work together for 10 years, opening the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).
I have also been on press junkets with Emmanuelle Vaugier in New York as well as other clients at the Toronto International Film Festival. I also flew to Las Vegas and London, England to interview South African Dr. Christiaan Barnard who performed the first heart transplant as he was spokesperson for a company I worked for. Working on TV and film sets with such talented actors and filmmakers has been very inspiring. My career as a publicist has opened doors and opportunities and I have met many creative people that I would have never had otherwise.
These past few years I have also worked as an executive producer booking talent for interviews on a radio entertainment talk show ‘Everything Film’ and a national TV Talk Show ‘Who’s There’ and ‘Face to Face with David’. I am also writing entertainment columns for Jessel Magazine. Being open to other opportunities has been very exciting and enjoyable.
8. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING EVENT OR EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD AS A PUBLICIST?
I have had many exciting experiences. One of the most exciting was attending the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Awards when my client David Sancious was inducted with the E Street Band receiving his Award from Bruce Springsteen. The E Street Band is named after David’s family home in New Jersey. It was heartwarming for David’s wife Kiran and I to see David and Bruce catch up and in deep conversation at the after party. I wonder if either of them knew how their careers would unfold when they meet in the New Jersey night club in the 70’s? David has also been the keyboard player for Sting, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel and Seal and more. I have had backstage passes to many of David’s concerts which is something I could have never imagined.
9. A UNIT PUBLICIST WORKS ON TV SERIES AND FILMS WHEN THEY ARE IN PRODUCTION, HOW DOES THAT DIFFER FROM NEEDING A PUBLICIST ONCE THE PRODUCTION IS BEING RELEASED?
A unit publicist is on set during the production of a feature film, TV series or documentary. At this time we have a number of responsibilities from production notes, synopsis, actor and key crew (director, cinematographers, producers and production designer) bios. We also coordinate on set press visits, coordinating EPK (Electronic Press Kits) and interviews with cast and crew. A publicist will also work with the stills photographer to determine which days are best for on set photography then working with the actors’ agents and publicist for photo approval.
Entertainment publicists working on Feature Films and TV series when they are released are responsible for getting media coverage of the film through having good relationships with journalists and critics. We create press kits, which usually include the film’s synopsis, production notes, cast and crew credits and biographies, stills and the electronic press kit (EPK).
10. WE ALL HAVE MENTORS …THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO GIVE US THE HOPE, INSPIRATION, AND DRIVE TO KEEP GOING …. IN THIS INDUSTRY, WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN YOUR MENTORS AND WHY?
As a member of IATSE 669 Publicity Department we are fortunate to have meetings every quarter so we can share what is going on in our industry which has been very valuable over the years. Our industry has had a difficult time with the SAG and writer strikes, Covid and publications and entertainment TV Talk shows being cancelled. I also have a close contact with another publicist Colleen Kirk. We can always bounced idea and project off each other which is very helpful.
We had the good fortune of connecting with Lesley Diana and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lesley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been an entrepreneur starting in my twenties. My first business came unexpectedly as I was a high school physical education teacher. I attended a conference on the lack of physical fitness in women. I was asked what would be beneficial to help women I suggested a TV show for women at home. A gentleman at the conference said, “I think that I can get you a fitness show on TV if you are serious”. I was, auditioned, and got the job. My TV show entitled “Fitness Fun with Lesley” led to me opening a fitness studio with aerobic classes. I then leased a 5,000-square-foot downtown location and expanded the services offered with a ladieswear boutique, massage therapist, jewelry designer, seamstress, and esthetician to offer a spa-like atmosphere and services for all the women attending.
I also organized a trade show/fashion show day for women entitled Feminine Focus that focused on all areas of a women’s life. The show was such a success that it expanded into a weekly talk showon CTV also entitled “Feminine Focus” with guests who were experts in their fields of beauty, fashion, lifestyle, careers, childcare, hobbies outdoor activities, chefs, on and on. The show aired for 9 years and I learned so much from my guests.
After a decade I sold the fitness studio and opened 4 ladieswear boutiques called “Lesley’s” across Western Canada. I garnered so much press for my shops in newspapers, TV, and magazines. After selling and closing the boutiques I didn’t know what was next for me. I sent a package of my press clippings and marketing materials to designers I worked with and some of my competition and within a month I had one of Canada’s top fashion designers, Timberland stores, and shopping malls as clients. A film producer/director was looking for a publicist for the premiere of his feature film “Stag” starring Mario Van Peebles, Andrew McCarthy, Kevin Dillon, Taylor Dayne, and more. This launched my career as an entertainment publicist.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work. I have been so blessed that every career I have had has been perfect for me at the time and I can honestly say I have been very enthusiastic at each stage of my work. My first career as a high school physical education teacher brought me joy as I was able to introduce many new programs to the curriculum. I wanted to introduce lifetime sports to our students. My years as a fitness instructor both on TV and in my fitness studio were enlightening and established many lifetime friends and associates and gave me the confidence to expand my business. I also wrote a fitness book and expanded into opening 4 fashion boutiques which was very exciting. Being an entertainment publicist has taken me to places I could have never imagined going. I have been to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with my client David Sancious when he was inducted with the E Street Band, I have been on press junkets in New York and the Toronto Film Festival with clients in movie premiering. I have worked with Oscar-winning actors and coordinated Red Carpets with hundreds of actors walking the carpet. Most of my journey as an entrepreneur wasn’t planned, many of the opportunities were presented to me and I took on the challenge. If there is one message I would like to pass on to your readers is to be open, and adventurous. If someone presents an idea to you and you think that it is something that you would like to do – Go for it! I am so grateful for all the stages of my career. Was it easy? Not always but that is what helps you grow as a person and an entrepreneur. I often pinch myself for all the wonderful opportunities that have come my way, ones that I never expected or envisioned when I graduated from University thinking that I would be a teacher for the rest of my life. The Promotion People has been well respected over the years which I am so grateful for. Most of our clients come to us by being referred by and recommended by other clients who have been happy with our work. Another suggestion or recommendation I would like to share is it is so important to take care of yourself, and your health, both physically and mentally. A few years ago when Covid hit and work slowed down I decided to become one of my clients. What I mean by that, is I can spend several hours a day on a client but not on myself. I made the decision to slot in at least an hour a day working out and also changing my eating habits as well as daily meditation and tapping. I am a positive person but these changes have helped me in so many ways. I seldom get stressed anymore and I have a better body image as the healthy habits have helped me lose weight. I strongly recommend that entrepreneurs don’t forget about themselves.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to? Vancouver is a fantastic city with beaches, ocean, mountains, parks shopping so there is no end to places to take visitors. I am lucky to live in the heart of the city close to Granville Island which has a wonderful market selling almost any food you can imagine. Along with a fabulous view of the city and great restaurants that is a great start to an exciting adventure. False Creek adjacent to Granville Island has ferries that go from Science World to Olympic Village (Vancouver hosted the 2010 Olympics) to English Bay and a wonderful way to see Vancouver from the water. I would then take them to Stanley Park, West Vancouver, up Grouse Mountain to view Vancouver from a mountaintop. Van Dusen Gardens is a wonderful place to walk and see flowers throughout the year as well as walking the seawall for those who love scenic walks. Whistler is one of the world’s top resorts known for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. The mountains, lakes, golf, and scenery are second to none so a 90-minute drive has us in a magical and unforgettable place. I feel blessed daily to live in such a special place in the world. And if there is any time left a ferry trip to Vancouver Island is another adventure that will please any visitor.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout? I have several people to credit for my success as an entertainment publicist. Firstly, Gavin Wilding the producer/director trusted me to promote his film to the press at the premiere. As I had connections with the press we had a great turnout out and articles written. From there Rampage Entertainment hired me for Gavin’s next film “Christina’s House” and then my big break came with Rodney Dangerfield’s “My Five Wives” also co-starring Gerry Stiller and Andrew Dice Clay. I was then hired by Keystone Entertainment the production company behind the “Air Bud” movies for several films. I have since worked on close to 100 films as a unit publicist (when films and TV series are in production) and a publicist for films and TV series when they are being released. I credit actress Emmanuelle Vaugier for starting the division of personal publicists for actors when their films and TV series are being released. Emmanuelle had been co-starring in 3 films I had worked on and came to my office to ask if I would be her personal publicist and I said ‘Of course!’. We have been working on and off for over 20 years. Emmanuelle went on to work on ‘”Two and A Half Men”, “CSI NY”, and “Saw !!”. My company The Promotion People has since worked with over 200 actors and continues to grow. Jasmyn Rowley has been working with me as our other senior publicist for many years and Josephine Grant as our social media strategist rounds out my team. I am so grateful for their support and talent to help our company grow. I of course have to thank all the producers, directors, actors, musicians, and the entertainment press that have been so supportive over the years. Many of our clients keep coming back when they have another role to promote. We also work with UBCP/ACTRA in British Columbia to promote their members. The Promotion People has coordinated Red Carpets for the Vancouver International Film Festival, The Leo Awards, The Canadian Country Music Awards, and UBCP/ACTRA Awards which has been very exciting. Lighthouse Pictures, Brightlight Pictures and others have been so supportive and trusting us with their big nights, it has been very rewarding.
Image Credits Courtesy of The Promotion People Counterparts Show – credit Counterparts Show Headshot – Mitchell Parsons Fashion photo – Phillip Chin Fitness photo – Marilyn Kulhmann
Sean Patrick Flanery Casper Van Dien and Parmish Verma team up to star in the action-packed feature film “Ruthless Bastards” which wrapped in Vancouver BC
Former partners in crime reunite for a final mission against a ruthless crime boss in a partnership that could be the death of them
Production has wrapped for the action thriller feature film “Ruthless Bastards” starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Casper Van Dien, and Parmish Verma. Producer Alex Bogomolov and Wai Sun Cheng announced the film was in production in and around Vancouver BC. “Ruthless Bastards” was written by Varinder Jhattu. With a budget of $3 million USD, director Bruce Fontaine (Beyond Redemption) is creating an edge-of-your-seat, action-packed film showcasing his Hong Kong style action roots. Action Lab Productions, Pandapix Pictures, and Early Ignition Entertainment are producing the feature film. “Ruthless Bastards” is being distributed by Brian Sweet of APL Film.
Joining Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondocks Saints 1 &2, Born a Champion, Young Indiana Jones) and Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers 1 & 2, Tarzan & the Lost City, Sleepy Hollow) are Indian singer/actor Parmish Verma (Rocky Mental), Sydney Scotia (Frank and Penelope, Some Assembly Required, Reboot: The Guardian Code), Theresa Lee Lee Hung (You’re Hired, Psych) and Hasleen Kaur (CAT, Tu Jhooti Main Makkar, Mili Cat)
Former partners in crime, Nico (Van Dien) and Rick (Flanery) reunite for a final mission against a ruthless crime boss. Amidst infighting, corrupt police, and a hostage situation, they must set aside their hatred and work together to succeed. Two men each have $5 Million worth of reasons to put aside their hatred of one another. At the center of everything are Sunny Gill (Parish Verma) & the Sergeev brothers. As Nico & Rick are trying to uncover the deal that the unlikely partners are brewing, Rick’s old resentment towards Nico resurfaces, complicating their ability to work together.
“Ruthless Bastards” was produced under the jurisdiction of ACTRA and had an interim agreement by SAG-AFTRA to shoot during the strike.
Sean Patrick Flannery is represented by April Lim of GAA, Casper Van Dien is managed by Jeff Goldberg Management, and Sydney Scotia’s agent is Kendra Naka at The Characters.
For more information, interviews, and photographs please contact unit publicist Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575
Actress Lisa Chandler returns to the role of Susan McSween in the second season of the renewed drama TV series, Billy the Kid
BILLY THE KID SEASON TWO: Part One airs four episodes this fall with Part Two following in 2024
Actress Lisa Chandler portrays Susan McSween in the second season of the renewed drama series Billy the Kid which stars Tom Blyth as the eponymous character. “William H. Bonney.” The epic romantic adventure is based on the life of Billy the Kid, from his humble Irish roots and his early days as a cowboy and gunslinger in the American frontier to his pivotal role in the Lincoln County War and beyond. It also stars Daniel Webber as “Jesse Evans”, Eileen O’Higgins, Sean Owen Roberts, Dakota Daulby, Ryan Kennedy, and Ian Tracey among its ensemble cast.
Lisa’s role as Susan McSween, the wife of lawyer Alexander McSween (Luke Camilleri) was introduced in Season One and has expanded to a recurring Guest Star in Season Two. Susan was a prominent key figure in the Lincoln County War where the war took place in her and Alexanders’ home. After the passing of Alexander during the Lincoln County War, Susan McSween became a well-established cattle owner in New Mexico known as ‘The Cattle Queen’ of New Mexico. Lisa will be filming the second part of season two in Calgary in early 2024.
Lisa Chandler is a multi-talented actress whose past roles include Altered Carbon, Fire Country,Nancy Drew, Suits, The Detour, Lucifer, and the film adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog. In addition to her on-screen acting performances, Lisa’s athletic talents shine as she fearlessly tackles her stunts on shows such as Supergirl,The Flash, and Batwoman and The Fall Of The House Of Usher to name a few. Lisa just recently had the newly released Buddy Games 2: Spring Awakening as ‘Tabatha’ starring Josh Duhamel released in June as well as Longlegs starring Nick Cage as Mother Camera being released in winter 2023.
Lisa Chandler’s remarkable journey showcases her unwavering dedication and versatility with a genuine passion for both the arts and sports, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
About Billy The Kid
The epic romantic adventure inspired by the life of America’s most infamous outlaw continues in Season Two, as Billy and his allies square off against his oldest friend Jesse Evans, and the corrupt powers of the Santa Fe Ring. When shots are fired, the conflict erupts into the bloody Lincoln County War. Amidst the fighting, Billy will struggle to hang onto his soul—and to the love of his life.
Creator, writer, and executive producer Michael Hirst will return for the second season alongside executive producers Donald De Line (De Line Pictures), Darryl Frank, and Justin Falvey (Amblin Television). The series is produced by MGM+ Studios and Amazon Studios: Pan-English Scripted TV, in association with Amblin Television and De Line Pictures. Billy the Kid is internationally distributed by MGM.
Lisa is available for interviews upon request. For more information and photos please contact: Publicist: Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
Actor Douglas Vermeeren lighting up the indie circuit in 2023
This year has been an eventful year for filmmaker/actor Douglas Vermeeren who stars in several independent feature films throughout North America.
Douglas is the recipient of BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR at the Hollywood Blood Horror Film Festival for his role in the feature film Tenants
Photo credit: Darren Ballingall
Currently, on the Film Festival circuit, the compelling horror anthology feature Tenants recentlypremiered at the LA Film Festival, winning Best Horror Anthology. It isn’t the first win for the feature, which also took home the coveted Best Picture award at the LA Crime & Horror Festival.
Directed by Buz Wallick, Sean Messer, and Johnathan Louis Lewis for Exit 19 Productions and Wallick Productions, Tenants takes viewers on a unique horror anthology in an apartment building with bizarre situations that provoke several unusual supernatural suspense stories. Filmed in Los Angeles, Douglas has the role of Leonard, the manager of this strange apartment building – a position that has put him in dangerous situations that end in tragedy.
Of the film, Douglas said: “Tenants is a film that brings to mind many of the great horror anthologies from the past like Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye,Twilight Zone: the Movie, and Creepshow. However, Tenants takes a very unique approach in how the stories are all interconnected. That’s something that hasn’t been done before in this way for an anthology.”
Photo credit: Jack Knife production
Elsewhere in the indie world, Douglas plays Billy Lachance, the villain in the Canadian feature film Jack Knife, now in post-production. After Billy’s brother is accidentally killed and his drugs are stolen, he embarks on a determined path of revenge.
Filmed in and around Toronto, Jack Knife is a co-production with Adam Jack’s Eat Your Eggs Production and Jason Lumpish & Erica Sherwood’s Jarico films. Multiple award-winning filmmaker Adam Jack (The Lurker, An All-American Fairytale) wrote the screenplay and directed the film. Erica Sherwood (Fight!, A Kind of Wonderful Thing) and Douglas star alongside first-time teen actors Tivon Charles and Payton Mills.
In Jack Knife, a fun afternoon of fishing turns frightening when a young black brother and sister are attacked in the woods by a drifter. While fighting him off, the brother accidentally kills their would-be molester with a jackknife. The film deals with many of the current race issues in our world and an incredible case of mistaken identity.
Douglas states, ”This was a very special film to work on. It was very strong in its portrayal of the racial challenges, stereotypes, and misunderstandings that so often happen in our society today.”
In the feature Fresh Meat, a group of influencers break into an abandoned prison and release an evil that has intentionally been locked away far from the public and now no one will be safe. Douglas plays Sherriff Bellamy in the film, who is dedicated to keeping the influencers out of the prison and when that fails he must decide how to contain the evil which has escaped. Produced by Pageman Productions and directed by Daniel Turres the film is currently in post-production. Other actors include Mika Amonsen (Thanksgiving, Impulse, Reacher, Designated Survivor), Jorja Cadence (Priscilla, Reacher, Rabbit Hole, Sex/Life), and Hannah Galway (Sex/Life, Under the Banner of Heaven, Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities).
“Fresh Meat was a very bloody project. It is a project that definitely lives up to the name. What you see on the label is definitely a reflection of what you experience in the project. Fresh Meat is destined to become one of the classics in horror slasher films right up there with Friday the 13th, Halloween, and others,” says Douglas.
Also in post-production, Black Creek is a feature directed by Shannon Lanier for the production team of CRRC Productions and the Marlowe-Pugnette Co. Inc. filmed in Tuscan, Arizona. A sheriff’s sister seeks revenge against the terrifying leader of a group of outlaws after discovering he brutally murdered her brother, his wife, and other family members in a gritty southwestern town.
Douglas plays Hank Winslow, a slimy corrupt businessman in the town of Black Creek and the right-hand man of the sadistic villain, Damien Sinclair (Richard Norton), who runs the gambling and bare-knuckle-brawling ring of Black Creek. Hank Winslow has a very special and unique position in this martial arts film. He runs the fighting ring and plays a central part in antagonizing the fights.
Martial arts legend Cynthia Rothrock (The Martial Arts Kid, In Search of the Last Action Heroes, Diary of a Lunatic) who has been featured in over 70 films is joined by many legends of the martial arts film world including Don “The Dragon” Wilson (Batman Forever, Ring of Fire), Benny Urquidez (Con Air, Grosse Point Blank, The Contract, 1408), R. Marcus Taylor, (Straight Outta Compton, Baby Driver, Luke Cage) and Keith Cooke (Mortal Kombat, Alita: Battle Angel) in the film.
Not one to slow down, Douglas is in talks with international filmmakers for a number of new feature films in pre-production alongside some very recognizable names – so stay tuned for what’s next for this talented filmmaker.
Douglas is available for interviews and photographs upon request.
