Author Archives: press

VANCOUVER, A MECCA FOR ACTORS

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

1. Agam Darshi and Stephen Lobo

2. John Cassini with Kelly Williams

3. Karla and Twayson Laird

Article by Lesley Diana 

Second Annual Diversity Pledge by Tyson Media Productions

Tyson Media Productions announces its second annual diversity pledge to bring positive opportunities to people from diverse backgrounds into unscripted television workplace 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.

Please contact: Lesley Diana | Publicist | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Executive Producer/ Founder Tyson Media | www.tysonmedia.ca  | Cell 604-250-9012 

Photo credit: Tyson Media Productions

Completion Production of Feature Film Have Hope Yo! starring Gabrielle Miller

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.

Please contact: Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

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Annie Chen Expands Resume as a Series Regular in Animated Series

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.

Please contact Publicist:  Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Agent: Caroline Gilmour | Caroline@thecharacters.com | 604-733-9800 x205

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Actor Donia Kash supporting role on Hallmark Channel and Women’s Network

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.

©2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Craig Minielly

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.

Other Hallmark Channel airdates:

  • Sunday, April 30 7/6c
  • Thursday, May 4 8/7c
  • Sunday, May 7 1/12c
  • Friday, May 12 6/5c
  • and on @StackTV in Canada

Donia is available for interviews upon request.  

Please contact: Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

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In Demand Douglas Vermeeren Speaking for Coronation Lecture Series

In Demand – Actor/Filmmaker Douglas Vermeeren has him in demand on the speaker’s circuit around the world.

 Douglas is honored to be chosen for his next upcoming speaking engagement for the Coronation Lecture Series

Douglas Vermeeren’s success as an actor and filmmaker has him in demand on the speaker’s circuit around the world. He is honored to be chosen for his next upcoming speaking engagement for the Coronation Lecture Series which is sponsored by the London Academy Business School to an audience of business and achievement students in the UK and abroad. 

Other notable speakers include the Prime Minister of Birland, HRM Queen Eden S. Trinidad. Prof. Chris Imafidon Chair to HM Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee, and Dr. Larry Jones ESAN on Friday, April 15th via Zoom.  

Douglas will be sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how movies are made, following your dreams, and overcoming adversity.

Douglas is available for interviews and speaking engagements. 

www.douglasvermereen.com

Please contact – Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca

Douglas Vermeeren Cast in Horror Feature Big Cats

Douglas Vermeeren has been cast in the role of Piers Rothschild in the horror feature film Big Cats set to start shooting in London, England this Spring 

Actor Douglas Vermeeren has a busy year ahead with leading roles in feature films shooting in England, the USA, Canada, and the Philippines. Douglas is one of the most determined talents in the entertainment business as a producer, writer, director, and stuntman.  On his premiere cover, Hollywood Weekly calls him “Cinemas New Bad Boy” It is hard to keep up with all the acting roles that Vermeeren has lined up for 2023.

First up, Douglas has booked the leading role as Piers Rothschild in the feature film Big Cats with producer Chris Sanders set to shoot in London, England this spring. Big Cats lead character Ichabod Price played by John-Paul Gates (The Howling, Haunted), a respected cryptozoologist, decides to shoot a documentary about alleged panther sightings in the English countryside, he soon discovers more than just big cats lurking in the woods. Other cast members include William Marshall and Amanda Himsworth.

Also filming in London over this summer Douglas takes on the role of one of the leads as an Eagle Squadron pilot Donald “Donny” for Royal Flush Productions in the feature film Paradox directed by Richard Colton in the feature film Paradox.  This sci-fi thriller is about a 1940 covert military operation ready to stop a secret Nazis weapon. The inexplicable happens when they find themselves arriving in a Nazi-occupied future in London. How will they survive this future and return to the past to set the events of history right?

Douglas also plays Samuel Finch, the Hitman in the feature film How to Be a Hitman 101 for Coin Laundry Films set to have a 2023 release worldwide.

As a producer and director, Douglas Vermeeren is behind five of the top personal development documentaries and several mainstream action, horror, and thriller films. He is considered one of the more diverse producers today.

As a stuntman, Douglas has performed some of the most remarkable stunts including hanging out of helicopters, jumping from high-speed motorcycles, falling and jumping from high buildings and bridges, running through the midst of fire and explosions, and incredible gunplay.

Douglas is a unique celebrity among the actors of today. He started as an actor at a young age appearing for the first time in a children’s show at the age of 5. this first TV appearance was his first introduction to media. “From the beginning,” Vermeeren shares, “I was always attracted to film and television. I knew that I would have a career in this industry.”

One could certainly say the same thing about the roles that Douglas Vermeeren has chosen to portray over the years. He has played a variety of genres and equally as diverse a number of roles. He has truly demonstrated his range as an actor portraying deeply emotional and profound characters to action heroes.

Most recently Douglas is the lead in an experimental film entitled Recreating 1912. The goal of this film was to recreate the look and feel of a vintage silent film from the early days of movies. “In those early days they had to be highly innovative and imaginative,” Douglas states, “They were very much inventing the film industry. Even still photography was new – motion picture was cutting edge.” One of the most intriguing elements to Douglas was the recreation of some of the stunt sequences in this project. “I have always been a fan of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. They did some incredible things without the safety equipment we have today. We had to be very clever in how we recreated some of these daring moments.”

Keep your eyes out for this rising star, Douglas is destined to become a celebrity to remember for this generation.

Doug Vermeeren is available for interviews and photos upon request.

Photo Credit: Darren Ballingall

Please contact: Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

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Actor Curtis Lum New Roles for 2023

Award Winning Actor Curtis Lum has a busy 2023 on screen with roles on 

The Night Agent, Creepshow, Hudson & Rex, and The Good Doctor.

As a Filmmaker, his production company SOON FILMS’ acclaimed short film, ‘The Stranger’ will screen at Film Festivals throughout North America.

Award-winning actor/filmmaker Curtis Lum has a number of roles in popular TV series to air this year. First up is his role as ‘Cisco Jenkins’ on ‘The Night Agent’ TV series to be released on Netflix on March 23, 2023. The Night Agent follows a low-level FBI agent, Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), who works in the basement of the White House, manning a phone that never rings until the night it does, propelling him into a conspiracy that leads all the way to the Oval Office. Curtis plays ‘Cisco Jenkins’, the best friend of the lead Peter Sutherland. They were roommates at Quantico, and Cisco gets called for help when Peter is in the stickiest of situations. The Night Agent is an action-packed – drama/ thriller series that will be a sure fan favorite. Curtis joins an ensemble cast of Luciane Buchanan, Hong Chau, D.B. Woodside, Fola Evans Akingbola and Eve Harlow.

Curtis has a guest star role on the immensely popular TV series ‘The Good Doctor’ (ABC/CTV) in the episode entitled ‘Old Friends’ which airs March 6th, 2023. His character ‘Anthony’ is devastated to learn that his pregnant wife Sonja (Elyse Maloway) has a serious complication with her pregnancy that threatens her life unless the pregnancy is terminated. Anthony tries very hard to be supportive of his wife, for whom it took several rounds of IVF to get pregnant; like her, he already adores their unborn baby, Esther. Anthony is heartbroken when his wife decides that if it’s a choice between herself and the baby, she wants to save their baby – and she makes Anthony promise he’ll uphold her wishes.

Other roles to watch for include ‘Ryan’ on ‘Creepshow’ (Amazon/Shudder) and Curtis’ first lead on a TV Anthology show. Ryan is a groom-to-be, who marries into a surprisingly wealthy family that unbeknownst to him, harbors a very dangerous – generational secret. 

On ‘Hudson & Rex’ (Citytv), he was blessed to live out his childhood dream of creating a series of intense, high-octane fight scenes, and for the first time, doing all of his own stunts. Curtis plays “Kurt” in this action packed episode as the main culprit/suspect. This marks the first time that he does 100% all of his own stunts along with the choreography for the fights. Dates on both episodes TBD.

Curtis Lum is an award-winning actor and producer born in Vancouver, BC. He may be best known for his role as ‘Calvin’ on the long-running Freeform hit TV series ‘Siren’. He has established himself as one to watch, recurring in a variety of different roles on several major American networks. Named one of Canada’s Rising Stars by The Hollywood Reporter in 2018, he has earned his recognition for his work in Prison Break, Supergirl, and Dim Sum Funeral.

Curtis is also an award-winning filmmaker. His production company ‘SOON FILMS’ recently produced the short film ‘The Stranger’. Curtis takes on the leading role of ‘Ray’, the stranger. He stars opposite of Yvonne Chapman (star of Kung Fu and Avatar – Last Airbender). ‘The Stranger’ explores what life would look like if you were to wake up one day in someone else’s body and begin living in a world you no longer know. ‘The Stranger’ will soon be screening at film festivals throughout North America. Dates TBA.

Curtis is also proud of his roles in his award-winning short films ‘Grandma’s 80th Surprise’ and his action film, ‘Reverse’. Curtis’ role in Grandma’s 80th Surprise (2019) won awards at both Tri Force Film Festival in (London, UK) and Vancouver Asian Film Festival in 2019 and ‘Reverse’ (2021) took home “Best Action Film” at the Los Angeles Film Awards in 2021.

Curtis grew up in Vancouver, BC. He knew the moment when he was a little kid and accidentally walked onto a film set of Romeo Must Die that he wanted to be an actor. He is proud to say that he has done a lot in his life working in dozens of jobs in many different fields, He has traveled the world, met lots of incredible people, and all of that has contributed to helping him become a better actor and producer that he feels that he is today. 

He trained at Austin Tuck studios and at Deb Podowski Studios under Deb Podowski.

As an entrepreneur, Curtis has an initiative to help as many different groups in need as he can, while making people look good with his clothing line, Rare Spirit that he co-founded in 2020. The streetwear/fashion brand works with a number of different charities, non-profits, and good causes with every collection that they release. www.therarespirit.com.

Curtis now shares his time between Vancouver, Los Angeles, and London, England. 

Curtis is available for interviews and photos upon request.

Please contact: Lesley Diana 

lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

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Predominant Studios’ CEO Jacqueline Best Recognized as Canada’s Most Influential Women Entrepreneurs

Independent record label Predominant Studios’ CEO Jacqueline Best is being recognized as one of Canada’s most influential Women Entrepreneurs 

Jacqueline Best, Founder, and CEO of Predominant Studios Inc. is recognized as one of Canada’s most influential Women Entrepreneurs.  Jacqueline has been announced as a nominee in the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Women of Influence with the winners being announced this September 2023. In 2022 Jacqueline was the recipient of North America’s Top 40 under 40 awarded in New York. Business Elite Awards’ officials named her “one of North America’s leaders and industry disruptors with the undoubted attitude, quality, potential, desire, determination, and ambition to shape the world of business over the coming decades.” Jacqueline has also written a book entitled “So they say you can’t. SCREW THEM,”

Partner Alister Brodie joined Jacqueline in 2022. Together Jacqueline and Alister offer expertise by assisting musicians in an industry where competition is stiff. Predominant Studio is redefining the next generation of music, signing pop artist Scotty Berg, country artist Jason Kirkness, and Hip Hop Artist Mr. ESQ, to name a few.

Jacqueline and Alister are joined by some of the best in the business that includes the multi-platinum producer and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Chris “The Glove” Taylor, who has collaborated with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Other members of the team include Rick Noble, Music/Radio Promotion Manager, Lance Bolton, CFO, David Malysheff, Director of Film/Film Scores, and The Real Richie Rich – Producer/Consultant.

Predominant Studio’s new talent includes Pop artist and rising star 15-year-old Scotty Berg, who has left an indelible impression on the Canadian and US music scene. Scotty’s song “Dreams” is hitting charts across the country opening at #44 on the Top AC tracks in the US. With over 500,000 streams of his music and millions of views on TikTok, anticipation is growing for what comes next. Scotty was thrilled to play and walk the red carpet at the 90th Hollywood Christmas parade on a National US TV network. Scotty will be gracing the cover of POPSTAR! Magazine this March 2023.

Country music artist Jason Kirkness has raised the bar with the release of his single “Anywhere The Night Goes” which continues to top the billboard charts as well as his new release “Over My Head” garnering praise from consumers and critics across North America.

According to Jacqueline Best. “We not only provide services to our aligned musicians, but we also provide services to independent artists, assisting them in navigating the complicated music industry and its different processes. Services include US & Canadian, and UK radio promos, music testing & research, marketing, PR, Studio time, legal advice and so much more. As well as safeguarding their best interests, artists must also be protected from music business fraud.”

Predominant Studios has become a hub for many musicians by signing them and/or helping them handle their arrangements with other indie companies. Predominant Studio assists its growing roster of talented musicians by creating fair contracts, music business consultations, and career coaching. 

With so much excitement on the horizon for Predominant Studio to share, Jacqueline, her team, and artists are available for interviews upon request.

For more information, interviews, and photos please contact with publicist:

Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

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