Often referred to as Hollywood North, Vancouver is an ideal place to have a thriving career in the film industry. “B.C. is Canada’s largest foreign production hub and North America’s third largest. In 2022, there were over 490 projects and more than $3.6B in original storytelling content made here, including B.C.’s own dynamic domestic productions,” said Prem Gill, CEO of Creative BC.
British Columbia and Vancouver are home to many popular feature films and TV series seen worldwide.
David Oulton’s New Series Who’s There? to Premiere August 24 on OUTtv; New Season of Face to Face with David Coming Same Day
David Oulton’s new series, Who’s There?, is set to premiere on August 24 on OUTtv, the same day as his season 5 premiere for Face to Face with David on the same network. Both shows will air back to back.
Who’s There? is an all-new roundtable-style talk show hosted by Oulton. Rather than being interview focused, it’s topical, with a panel of guests discussing a range of conversation starters. Each panel consists of a celebrity guest, a business leader, and an everyday viewer. The premiere episode features actress Emmanuelle Vaugier (Two and a Half Men, Saw II & III), Vancouver restaurateur Anson Leung, and Darrell Ross.
The series was filmed at the Paradox Hotel in Vancouver with the first season consisting of six episodes. Celebrity guests featured throughout the inaugural season include Vaugier, Mackenzie Gray (Legion, Man of Steel), comedian Darryl Lennox, Karen Holness (Nancy Drew, Superman & Lois), William B Davis (The X Files), Ben Immanuel (The Man in the High Castle), and Tammy Gillis (Siren, Van Helsing).
Also premiering August 24 on OUTtv are new episodes of Oulton’s talk show Face to Face with David. Oulton returns in his infamous Versace bathrobe drinking red wine to welcome familiar faces including Vanessa Williams, AJ Cook, Luenell, Emily Hampshire, Jen Brister, and many many others. The August 24 premiere features supermodel Janice Dickinson.
Face to Face with David season 5 premieres at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET on OUTtv, followed by the premiere of Who’s There? at 6:30 pm PT/9:30 pm ET. Both series will also be available to stream on OUTtvGo. Oulton is the creator, host, and executive producer of both series, with both being produced by Lesley Diana and Calgary-based production house L&C Style Productions Inc.
OUTtv is available in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Award-winning actor Emmanuelle Vaugier stars in Hallmark Channel’s sequel Big Sky River: The Bridal Path
An equestrian, Emmanuelle combines her two loves for acting and horses in the film that premieres on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 9:00 pm et/pt. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and W Network in Canada.
For immediate release – Award-winning actor Emmanuelle Vaugier stars in Hallmark Channel’s movie sequel Big Sky River: The Bridal Path that premieres on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in the US and W Network in Canada on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 9:00 pm. The movie is particularly special for Emmanuelle as she gets to combine her love of acting with her love for horses. Kavan Smith (When Calls the Heart, You Had Me at Aloha) co-stars. Besides Kavan Smith and Emmanuelle Vaguer, this drama also stars Lochlyn Munro. These movies are based on the Linda Lael Miller novels. Peter Benson is back, directing this sequel.
Tara (Emmanuelle Vaugier), now settled in Montana and dating Cowboy Boone (Kavan Smith), works to bring their family lives together but tensions arise, as blending their families will be more of a challenge than anticipated.
Emmanuelle may be best known for her popular role as Charlie Sheen’s ex-fiancée Mia in the award-winning CBS comedy Two and a Half Men. For three seasons she also played Detective Jessica Angell on CSI: NY, leaving fans devastated when her role came to an end.
For five seasons Emmanuelle was the vain and dangerously sociopathic character of the Morrigan on the innovative series Lost Girl. Emmanuelle was cast alongside Piper Perabo in the USA Network crime series Covert Affairs, where she played Liza Hearn, a journalist and blogger not afraid to push boundaries. She was also on the AT&T original series Rogue as Assistant District Attorney Regan Faulker alongside Cole Hauser (Yellowstone).
Other television appearances include her portrayal of Jane in the two-hour pilot of the adaptation of the comic Painkiller Jane, and a starring role in The CW comedy My Guide to Becoming a Rockstar. She has also heavily recurred on TV shows such as The CW’s dramas Smallville and One Tree Hill, as well as Mistresses on ABC and the FOX series Human Target.
Recently, Emmanuelle played Sarah, a smart and accomplished professional in the television series The Potwins starring opposite Kevin Sorbo and appeared in the comedic television series Millennial Mafia as Francesca, a female mob boss who must manage a group of young adults who are thrust into adulthood when their mob-boss parents are sent to jail.
Emmanuelle’s feature film endeavors are impressive with a number of credits to her name, including Saw ll, Saw IV, Secondhand Lions, with Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, 40 Days and 40 Nights, with Josh Hartnett, Susie’s Hope (a role for which she won best actress at the Greensville International Film Festival), It’s Christmas Carol! (which earned her a Leo Award) opposite Carrie Fisher, and Absolute Deception alongsideCuba Gooding Jr., to name a few. Emmanuelle is adding voice over actor to her list of projects as well, with many fans remembering her portrayal of the character Nikki in Need for Speed Carbon EA’s #1 grossing video game worldwide.
Emmanuelle’s inner and outer beauty shines through as she is among the select group of women to be featured on ‘Maxim‘s Top 100’ list twice. She was also named fifth on Femme Fatal magazine’s 50 Sexiest Women on the Planet’, and was named ‘Sexiest Woman Alive’ for the sixth time by Smartasses Magazine. Emmanuelle has graced the covers of Maxim, Femme Fatal, Dolce Vita, Flare, UMM, Status, Modern Dog, LA Health, Vancouver View, Vancouver Lifestyles, Western Living Condo, Donato, Steppin’ Out and Infamous. Emmanuelle also collaborated as a spokesperson for the Isadora cruelty-free makeup brand that believes in empowering everyone to embrace their unique beauty.
Off-screen, Emmanuelle is an avid animal lover. A project that is very close to her heart is her own 501c3 charitable foundation The Fluffball, which raises money for various animal charities. A dedicated equestrian, Emmanuelle competes on her horse Bunny. Emmanuelle paints to express her creativity and contributes a major portion of her sales to the many charitable animal rescue organizations she supports.
Emmanuelle is available for interviews upon request. Alex Cole at Elevate Entertainment in Los Angeles and Eric Edwards at Lucas Talent in Canada represent Emmanuelle.
For more information, interviews and photos please contact:
Award-winning actor, author and advocate Christine Solomon’s second book ‘Wishing Upon A New Moon’ has been released and is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Hill Weiser Publishing
Christine will be in person to read and sign her book at Barnes and Noble The Grove flagship store at Farmers Market in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 29th at 2:00 pm
For immediate release, Montreal & Los Angeles – Humanitarian, entrepreneur, spokesperson, and award-winning actor Christine Solomon is pleased to announce that her second children’s book ‘Wishing Upon A New Moon’ has been released. Illustrations by Nataliia Mazepa. ‘Wishing Upon A Moon’ is a mystical story about a little girl named Pepper, who likes to be in constant control. Perfectionism is always her goal, but when her behavior gets in the way of her and her best friend, Bremner, Pepper must face the consequences. This unique picture book shows how failing is an important part of learning, teamwork is key, and success does not need to be perfect.
‘Wishing Upon A New Moon’ is the second children’s book Christine has authored to convey new lessons to kids. Christine pays homage to Tim Burton and Hans Zimmer with a number of references inside the book that will remind the reader of Tim and Hans. Christine’s new children’s book Wishing Upon A New Moon is available at Hill Weiser Publishing, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
Christine will be in person to read and sign ‘Wishing Upon A New Moon’ at Barnes and Noble at The Grove at Farmers Market in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 29th at 2:00 pm. Event details available following this link: https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062158304-0
Illustrator Nataliia Mazepa is a passionate artist from Ukraine who now lives in Poland. She invests her knowledge, skills, and most importantly her soul in all of her work. Her portfolio is notable for its stylistic range. Nataliia weaves magic out of digital art, colored pencil, architectural and watercolor drawings, and whimsical illustrations. You’ll be able to profoundly experience the emotion playing over the character’s face, whether it’s happiness, bravery, or loss – accurately representing the intended mood that all children can relate to.
Award-winning actress Christine Solomon’s work has been exhibited, showcased, and displayed to millions of viewers in Egypt, Canada, and around the world on major television networks and movie studios such as HBO Canada, The Movie Network, Rotana Group (the Arab World’s largest entertainment company owned by the Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talat), Ubisoft, as well as in print, online, and other advertising media.
Additionally, Christine completed voice-over and ADR work on three episodes of the Disney+-exclusive Marvel television series Moon Knight, which won a Primetime Emmy Award and stars Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke. The series follows Marc Spector (Oscar Isaac), a mercenary who has dissociative identity disorder (DID) and is drawn into a deadly mystery involving Egyptian gods with his multiple alters, such as Steven Grant. More info available following this link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10234724/reference/
Christine is also proud of her role in the internationally award-winning feature film JACIR which has reached regional and international success. JACIR has screened in multiple theaters across the United States, including during the Sundance Film Festival, as well as abroad in France during the Cannes Film Festival and Tulum, Mexico. JACIR stars Academy Award nominee Lorraine Bracco, Malek Rahbani, and Tutweezy and is directed by Emmy Award-winning director Waheed AlQawasmi.
The story is about a young Syrian refugee who faces hard truths chasing the American dream on the streets of Memphis, Tennessee, while living in poverty, dealing with social injustice, and witnessing his neighbor’s opioid addiction. Christine plays Jacir’s fiancé, (Malek Rahbani) the love of his life, whom he has lost during the Syrian war along with his entire family. JACIR is currently available on Apple, Google, Amazon, and Xbox in Canada and 82 countries, https://www.jacirmovie.com/.
Christine is not only multi-talented but also has a number of projects on the go with her two companies Hill Weiser and Muze Consultancy.
Her acting consultancy company Muze Consultancy is offering a course for Canadian actors and individuals to help them prepare for a USA O-1 & EB-1A Visa. In this course, Christine covers everything on both types of visas including tips on how to get things done that are more challenging than others, and how to assemble their visa package when working on their O-1 and EB-1A visa with their lawyer. The course will provide them with downloadable materials, sample letters, checklists, and presentation slides that will help them visually understand how this process works. Everything from how to draft their reference letters to how to obtain deal memos and sponsorships. The online course will be available online at Muze Consultancy this year. Sign up at this link to receive more information: https://christinesolomon.com/classes.
With a passion for skincare, Christine is creating a skincare line Aprèm to be available online. She has also worked for Galderma as their ambassador for their #MyRosacea3 campaign.
Christine is available for interviews and photos upon request.
Feature film TENANTS has completed shooting in Los Angeles
The genre-blending anthology stars Mary O’Neil (Malum, Valleyheart), Douglas Vermeeren (How to Be a Hitman 101, Monster Hunters Inc. – Origins), Rib Hillis (Castaways, The Rookie), Clarke Wolfe (Malum, Satanic Panic), Tara Erickson (The Nightmare House, Psycho Storm Chaser), & Myles Cranford (Mindhunter, Daisy Jones & the Six).
Additional cast includes Christa Collins, Joshua Sterling, Acquah Dansoh, Miranda Cover, Ivan Djurovic, Fayna Sanchez, and Kathryne Isabelle Easton.
After waking up in an unfamiliar apartment complex, a woman (O’Neil) desperately searches for her sister (Easton) while being hunted by a shadowy figure. As she makes her way through the building, unspeakable horrors befall the tenants she interacts with.
TENANTS is directed by Buz Wallick, Sean Mesler, Jonathan Louis Lewis, and Blake Reigle.
The screenplay is written by Mary O’Neil, Sean Mesler, and Buz Wallick and executive produced by Jay Black, Bill Spadea, and Douglas Vermeeren
The film will go into post-production later this month with plans for a Fall 2023 release date.
Mary O’Neil is represented by Citizen Skull Management and NBS Entertainment, Douglas Vermeeren by Lloyd Talent Agency, and Clarke Wolfe by Alexander White Agency.
For more information, interviews, and photos please contact:
British Columbia’s film industry continues to make an impact on the world stage. Vancouver is a true Hollywood North, home to hundreds of film and television productions over the years. We can also boast that Ryan Reynolds, Seth Rogan and Michael J. Fox call Vancouver their hometown. So what makes Vancouver such a hotbed of entertainment talent and exports?
As an entertainment publicist for the last 25 years, I have worked with many actors, TV series and feature films and coordinated some of the biggest Red Carpet events where actors have the opportunity to show up and show off.
I reached out to some of the key players in our thriving film industry to get their thoughts on the Vancouver Film Industry. Actors, filmmakers and the entertainment industry will be attending the 2023 Leo Awards being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Vancouver July 8th and 9th, 2023. As our industry is feeling the affects of the Writers Strike and looming Actors Strike these quotes are a reminder of why British Columbia and our entertainment industry is such a huge part of our economy.
Karla Laird, Executive Administrative Director (Interim Director of Member Services & Communication at UBCP/ACTRA shares, “BC’s entertainment industry is in every way the result of a melting pot of various cultures. It’s what you get when Maple leaf pride mixes with an Asian flare, Caribbean spice, African dynamism, and European charm. It’s a place that tests your mettle, where people learn to build things from the ground up, embark on adventures, and are super comfortable with not getting things right on the first try – the perfect training ground for a real superstar. And of course, without being too boastful, the province itself is a work of art – snow-capped mountains, rugged terrain, gorgeous lakes, and breathtaking views – nature’s finest display that consistently motivates and inspires new talent. It’s not hard to see why Vancouver has become a mecca for actors and a factory for high-quality performers.”
Award-winning actor/director/writer/producer Agam Darshi’s feature film Donkeyhead has been winning awards worldwide. Darshi adds, “I think out of all the cities I’ve worked in, Vancouver has always had a wonderful sense of community. But I really feel a unique sense of camaraderie and caring from my peers. Everyone is rooting for everyone. Don’t know why it’s like that here, but I suspect we live in a bubble in Vancouver, and so you need to be able to count on others to make it through this crazy business. We are our own little world. It’s like a small town big city; everyone knows each other and supports when they can.”
John Cassini is also an award-winning actor/producer who has worked in Vancouver for over 30 years. Cassini was fortunate to work on several TV series back in the late ’80s in Vancouver when Stephen J. Cannell set up shop and brought multiple shows including Wiseguy and 21 Jump Street introducing Vancouver to the world. John moved back to Los Angeles in 1992. On his return to Vancouver in 2014, John started producing. “I knew that there were projects that if I didn’t roll up my sleeves they would never get made. Our community would always be there to support productions in front and behind the camera. The training we all benefited from in our service industry paid dividends when making our local Independent Feature Films.”
So are we a bunch of show-offs? We should be! We have built a unique community that supports and maintains an entertainment ecosystem unlike any other. But we are Canadian, so we aren’t known to brag.
Photo credits: Phillip Chin at the 2022 Leo Awards
Tyson Media Productions announces its second annual diversity pledge to bring positive opportunities to people from diverse backgrounds into unscripted televisionworkplace programs
Tyson Hepburn, CEO of Tyson Media Productions (TMP), is pleased to announce the Tyson Media Pledge for Diversity greatly exceeded its 2022 pledge of $5,000. Due to the success of the program, it is increasing its goal to $10,000 in overall labor to train three diverse talents with an interest in careers in the entertainment and television industry. The Pledge is open to people from diverse backgrounds as well as marginalized and immigrant communities to participate in its camera and post-production trainee programs.
The goal of the program is to help jump-start careers in the industry and create new opportunities for people starting out in the business. Applying doesn’t require on-set experience but having some educational background in television and film is beneficial. The program is open to all types of applicants but this year is specifically seeking people that are interested in training for camera assisting, post-production, and a new position opening up as a development intern. If this sounds like a fit for you, please send in a resume and cover letter and why you are interested in the position to: info@tysonmedia.ca by July 15, 2023.
In 2022, the three applicants selected had the opportunity to work on the Animal Planet TV series PETS & PICKERS as well as various development projects. Due to the success of the program, the company is committed to going even bigger for a second year by increasing its pledge to $10,000.
For Tyson, this mandate isn’t just about good business but it’s also personal. “My common-law partner is South Korean. She came to Canada with very modest means; little money or grasp of the language. She made a life for herself before she met me. I have so much respect for new Canadians. I believe that it is our duty as established Canadians to give back and help out where and how we can.”
Nessie Blanes was the first camera trainee to work with TMP. Nessie says, “I found this job empowering for me. It is my dream to make my own documentary and the TMP team taught me a lot about the interview process, especially when it came to the veterinarians themselves. I’m also an animal person and so this job was super special to me.” Tyson Media plans to hire Nessie full-time for future productions.
Thofiq Hussien worked with the team in post-production. Thofiq Hussein was a lead logger and this was his first time experiencing this type of post-production position. Thofiq adds, “Learning to be and stay organized was a big job, with many responsibilities and problem-solving on the fly. In the lead logger role; things happen quickly. Editors need clips and information in an instant and it was my job to supply that.”
Thofiq has since moved on to become a forensic video analyst with the RCMP. He found the Diversity Program has helped him develop key skills necessary to work in his current job.
Another milestone success for the team was the PETS & PICKERS series which exceeded exceptions in ways that TMP never anticipated. The heartfelt show reveals how the Regional Animal Protections Society (RAPS) Animal Hospital works tirelessly to offer low-income pet familiars access to top healthcare to fund these treatments. The RAPS commitment to giving back is what motivated Tyson to produce the TV series initially.
RAPS has seen a major uptick in donations, support, and attention since the show began airing in Canada and the United States. In Season 2, the Pickers made a ground-breaking discovery: finding artwork that belonged to the late indigenous artist Victor Reece. They were able to track down Victor’s daughter Skeena Reece, who worked on the pieces of art with her father in the 1990s to give her back all of the items. An animal lover herself, Skeena was so moved by their generosity that she donated some items back to RAPS to show her appreciation.
Tyson Media and PETS & PICKERS continue to support the Regional Animal Protection Society beyond the TV series. Tyson Media is helping to sponsor the RAPS Gala event with the goal of raising over $100,000 for animal support. Skeena is one of the guests of honour. All the money raised will go to help even more animals and their people.
Tyson Hepburn says, “We are experiencing support from the community that we never expected when we started the Pets & Pickers TV series. “People have shown support with donations beyond our wildest dreams. Pets & Pickers has become the TV series that keeps on giving back. We look forward to seeing what new seasons of the show unfold.”
PETS & PICKERS is currently airing season two Saturday nights on Animal Planet. You can catch season one on Discovery Channel in Canada and the US and on Animal Planet in the US.
About Tyson Media Tyson Media is an award-winning Vancouver-based entertainment company that produces powerful unscripted and docu-series including global phenomenon RUST VALLEY RESTORERS (Netflix International and History Canada), THE DOG DUDES Amazon Prime, Apple Plus and PETS & PICKERS (Discovery, Animal Planet, and Crave.
Tyson always carries the momentum aggressively forward into the development of unique character-driven concepts primed to be major hits both domestically and internationally. Learn more at tysonmedia.ca.
Tyson Hepburn is available for more information and interviews upon request.
Award-winning filmmaker Ben Immanuel along with Westworld Executive Producer Richard J. Lewis has completed production of the feature film Have Hope Yo! starring Gabrielle Miller
Co-stars include Favour Onwuka, Giacomo Baessato, Jennifer Spence, Camille Sullivan, Elliott Ramsey, and Natalie Farrow
Writer/director Ben Immanuel (Down River, Ganjy) has joined forces with Executive Producer Richard J. Lewis (Westworld, Barney’s Version) to complete the feature film Have Hope Yo! (originally entitled Trigger Me), a dramedy chronicling the mental health effects of the pandemic. The film started shooting in October of 2020 and the final block of filming was completed this spring in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Executive Produced by Trigger Me Productions, Haven Films, and Raw Camera, the project tells the story of a therapist, Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas, Starving for Salvation), and several of her clients, as they agree to take part in a documentary about how they have been impacted by the first wave of Covid. The story then jumps ahead to 2023, to examine how the pandemic has affected them, for better or worse, and where they now fit into our forever-changed world. The film also stars Jennifer Spence (Traces, Travelers), Giacomo Baessato (The Good Doctor), Favour Onwuka (Dying to Belong), Camille Sullivan (Hunter, Hunter), and up-and-comers Elliott Ramsey (UnREAL) and Natalie Farrow (Siren). Immanuel, also an accomplished multiple award-winning actor, plays the role of the documentarian.
Says Immanuel, “I have been living with this concept and these characters since March of 2020 when I began teaching online acting classes during our first lockdown. Hearing young people’s stories of how the pandemic as well as racial, gender, and social media issues have affected their mental health and worldview has been truly enlightening. Collaborating with these performers to create narratives inspired, in part, by their own lives, has been a privilege that I am confident will result in a compelling, revelatory, and entertaining ride.”
Says Lewis, “By collaborating with his actors through the writing process, Ben is able to bring a level of unadorned truth to the screen that is startlingly authentic. I was struck by how emotionally engaging Ben’s previous feature, Down River, was, and see Have Hope Yo! as an even more disarmingly truthful, poignant, and funny film.”
Have Hope Yo! is produced by Immanuel along with Kimi Alexander, Troy Mundle and Bernie Yao. Emma Djwa is Director of Photography, with Franco Pante as Executive Producer/Editor and Milton Ng onboard as First A.D.
Jack Ong, Gosha Wen, and Yipeng Ben Lu are Executive Producers, in partnership with Trigger Me Productions and Pieter Stathis of RAW Camera.
Additionally, Immanuel is celebrating his 20th Anniversary as founder, director, and instructor of Haven Acting Studio in Vancouver. A great many internationally accomplished actors from film, television, and theatre credit Immanuel with helping them break into the industry and compete at the highest level, with many of them returning to the studio to study with him between acting jobs. Says Tony Award-nominated actor Brian J. Smith (Essex County, The Matrix Resurrections) “Ben is a treasure – a rare combination of instinct, intelligence, and compassion.” Says Olivia Cheng (Warrior, See) “Ben gently lasers in to chip away at any resistance that holds you back from reaching your potential.” CSA and Critic Choice Award-winning actor Jacob Tremblay (Toxic Avenger, Good Boys, Room) says, “Ben has helped me feel more prepared and confident every time I step onto set. I look forward to continuing to learn from him in the future.”
Note: In 2021 Immanuel changed his name from Ben Ratner to Ben Immanuel (Immanuel is his middle name) to avoid being mistakenly associated with Brett Ratner to whom Immanuel has no relation or connection.
Ben Immanuel, Richard J. Lewis, and Gabrielle Miller are available for interviews upon request.
Multi-talented Voice Over Actor/Actor/Dancer/Singer Annie Chen expands her resumé as a series regular playing Liann in the animated series Lego Friends: The Next Chapter currently airing on the Lego YouTube Channel
Roles on ABC’s Designated Survivor and Schitt’s Creek showcase her talents
Multi-talented Voice Over Actor/Actor/Dancer/Singer/Annie Chen continues to expand her resumé with her series regular role as Liann on the Lego animated series Lego Friends: The Next Chapter, just released and airing on the Lego YouTube Channel, with more than 3.4 million viewers tuning in. Annie appreciates her quirky, weird, and a little sassy character, Liann, as the representation is culturally authentic for her. Lego Friends: The Next Chapter is produced by Spun Productions.
Annie’s first recurring acting role was Lily on the ABC Critics Choice Award television series Designated Survivor, starring Kiefer Sutherland and now airing on Netflix. Annie’s scenes were mainly with Kiefer, Kal Penn, Italia Ricci, and Paulo Costanzo. She credits Paulo for his advice on set when she had her trickiest dialogue in pivotal scenes and is forever grateful for the acknowledgment and advice received while working on this project with big celebrity names.
For the Cabaret 5th season Finale of the Golden Globes Award-winning series, Annie had several weeks of rehearsals and filming with the cast of Schitt’s Creek. She cherishes the time she spent with Dan Levy, Noah Reid, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire, and Sarah Levy on this production. Other television roles include Beth Ann in the Killer High movie premiered on the Syfy channel and additional TV appearances on the series The Good Witch, Private Eyes and the made-for-TV movie A Whirlwind Wedding.
Annie has a thriving voice-over career spanning platforms such as Spotify, TVO Kids, YouTube, Audible, Nintendo, Nickelodeon and more. The first animation performance to put Annie on casting directors’ radars was the role of Hazel in Polly Pocket. Watch for upcoming projects, yet to be announced, later this year!
Annie Chen’s focus, today, is on Acting and Voice Acting; however, her first outstanding career opportunity was dancing with Lady Gaga at the Much Music Video Awards. Annie rehearsed and performed Grease the Musical for 6 months at The Elgin Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto, performing the role of Frenchy alongside Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars) as Sandy and Katie Findlay (How To Get Away with Murder) as Rizzo.
Annie Chen was born in Taiwan and lived in Indonesia for some time during her early childhood. During that time, she watched Taiwanese and Chinese drama series and dreamt of becoming an actor. When Annie’s family eventually immigrated to Delta, BC in Canada (when she was 6yrs old), the only words Annie knew in English were ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Her dreams finally began to take shape when she moved to Toronto at 12yrs and began her training as a performer.
Annie went to the same arts high school as Noah Reid from Schitt’s Creek where she was a dance major and took drama and musical theatre as an elective. She was immediately bitten by the acting bug and began training with a variety of coaches who were working actors for film, tv and voiceover as well as improv at The Second City, in Toronto. For three years part of Annie’s study was a style of clowning called Bouffon with a Cirque Du Solei coach.
In 2020, Annie relocated to Vancouver to continue pursuing her career in the on-camera and voice-over avenues of the entertainment industry, where success came almost immediately.
Annie Chen’s rise as a successful English speaking Taiwanese performer is amazing given the two English words she started with. She is now working as a full-time actor, voice actor and coach, primarily in the English language.
Annie had a life-changing injury in January 2021. She woke up and was unable to walk, stand, or sit for very long. In June of 2021, she had hip surgery. Nine days post op she attended a zoom call back for a show that would become her first series regular role. That’s determination!
Annie shares her time between Vancouver and Toronto and is available for interviews and photos upon request.
Actor Donia Kash supporting role as Jax on MOW Hearts in the Game will air on Hallmark Channel and Women’s Network on April 29th at 8 pm PST.
Donia is a part of ABC’s A Million Little Things in the role of Meetra, a Tattoo artist
Actor, Donia Kash has an upcoming supporting role as Jax in the Hallmark Channel original movie Hearts in the Game. Jax is assistant to Publicist Hazel (Erin Cahill) and works with some large and high-profile clients. Hazel has the challenge to rehab the image of MLB player Diego (Marco Grazzini), who just so happens to be her former flame! Jax is an amazing character who can spread positivity and joy in the film Hearts in the Game. Jax offers some comic relief in scenes where the characters are all dealing with big emotions. Jax is good at spinning stories as they are spinning their mouth. Everyone on set was open to Donia jumping in and giving their goofy spin on the events during takes. Hearts in the Game will air on Hallmark Channel and Women’s Network on April 29th at 8 PM EST.
An executive producer on the movie says, “Donia brought both humor and heart to the role of Jax. The chemistry between Donia and our Hazel, Erin Cahill, was magical from the start. That boss/assistant/friend relationship was so important to our story, and Donia was tonally perfect. They made us laugh and tear up at all the right moments.”
Donia has also appeared in other Hallmark movies including The Secrets of Bella Vista. Donia adds, “These projects and experiences have opened me up as a person. The opportunity to play Suzette in The Secrets of Bella Vista taught me the hard shell of a heart that I am moving through this particular world that easily expresses love and the importance of family on the screen.
Donia is a part of ABC’s A Million Little Things in the role of Meetra, a Tattoo artist alongside Cameron Esposito’s character Greta, Greta falls back in love with their high school friend Katherine (Grace Park). The heartwarming show created by D.J. Nash & Terence Coli with Directing Producer Joanna Kerns kept bringing Donia back for their deadpan comedy acting.
Other guest-starring roles for Donia include So Help Me Todd, Motherland: Fort Salem, Debris, and The Holiday Sitter. Other TV credits include Yasmina (2018), The Diversion (2019), Fall Down(2019), In My Hair (2019), Snowpiercer (2020), The Calming (2020), Enby (2021), Mara’s Reality (2021), Xmas (2022), and The 100 (2020).
When not acting Donia is a filmmaker. They are most proud of the short film Ketchup with Me: which they have written, directed, and produced and showcases a queer relationship and explores unspoken relationship dynamics. The film is a story of the experiences Donia had and how life is not like the movies they grew up on. Ketchup with Me explores internalized homophobia and the struggles of modern love. They recently premiered at the Pink Lobster Film Festival in New Brunswick and will be screening in several film festivals in 2023.
Donia also starred in the short film Magic Trick. It will be screening at the Silicon Valley Queer film festival in May. The film has previously screened at the Pride Queer Fest, Spokane, Boston, Ottawa Canadian Festival.
Donia Kash is an out and proud agender actor. Donia knew that they wanted to be a performer from when they were young and performed Karate in the Mall. At the time, their dream job was to be a Power Ranger and this felt like the closest career jump. Donia is a graduate of Capilano University, and previously trained with Russell Porter at First Step Acting. They continue to train with Andrew McIlroy and McIlroy and Associates and won a Best Performance award for Asal at Emily Carr.
