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Classic Romantic Comedy John Apple Jack To Premiere at VAFF in November

“For those with the luxury to live out loud and proud… now what?”

From Skycorner Entertainment Ltd., new generation film John Apple Jack addresses gay pride and self-acceptance. Producers Monika Mitchell, Rick Tae, and Selena Paskalidis are proud to introduce the fun crowd pleaser, where sexuality is secondary to dreams, self-worth, happiness, responsibility and family.

John Apple Jack will have its world premiere at the Centre Piece Gala Film during the Vancouver Asian Film Festival on Saturday, November 9^th at 7:00pm. For tickets visit: vaff.org/festinfo/vaff-17-day-3-program-8

The feature film will then move on to Montreal’s ImageNation before its network premiere on OUTtv.

Starring Chris McNally as John Jardine and Kent S. Leung as Jack Gaang, the romantic comedy has been featured on NovusTV, Daily Xtra, and GayVancouver.

Interview with NovusTV can be viewed online here: youtube.com/watch?v=lvWjrkyeEmY

About The Film

Set in Vancouver’s East-meets-West glamorous restaurant industry, the challenge for both John Jardine and Jack Gaang is to find a way to blend money, sex, love and family into one sumptuous recipe for life.

John Jardine is a handsome gay man and heir to a restaurant empire. John lives with extravagance – champagne, fast cars and fast men – bedding nearly every hot guy in town. After coming out to his parents, John looks for any opportunity to prove his worth to the world.

Jack Gaang is an overly responsible Asian-Canadian who has slept with no man. Jack finds himself settling into a full-time job, a gal pal, an offspring, and an ambition in the culinary industry to sidestep his feelings for John, his childhood crush. He has quietly given up hope that John would ever fall for him and support his dreams of running a restaurant together one day.

As years of mounting tensions culminate into an over-heated argument in the kitchen, Jack throws an apple at John’s head — bruising his boss’s ego and unfurling a series of ill-timed events that teach them both good reasons to grow up.

For these two opposites, romance must ensue… especially when Jack is about to marry John’s sister! After John finds out about the wedding, passions ignite and his life spirals out of control… losing his job, his playboy reputation and his underwear – all while rushing to the altar to finally confess his love! Promiscuous John was once easy for Jack to ignore. But a newer, penniless, more soulful John may soon prove too hard to kick to the curb.

Chris McNally – imdb.com/name/nm2901423/?ref_=tt_cl_t1
Kent S. Leung – imdb.com/name/nm4141406/?ref_=tt_cl_t2
Mkenzie Scott – imdb.com/name/nm1745779/?ref_=tt_cl_t3

About The Crew

Monika Mitchell – Director/Co-Producer

Monika’s filmmaking career started with three independent films: Night Deposit, Witness and Break a Leg (2000-2003), attending 90 international film festivals, winning 27 awards and qualifying for Academy Award consideration with both shorts. Having won Slamdance’s Anarchy Audience Award in 2000, she was a programming contributor for the festival the following two years (2001, 2002). In 2009, she was chosen by Vancouver Olympic Committee and the Cultural Olympiad to curate the film program for Canada during the Olympics and Paralympics of 2010. She acquired, commissioned and/or produced 72 films that were enjoyed by over 13 million viewers worldwide. In 2011 her original script was chosen to participate in Whistler’s CFC’s Producer’s Lab. Monika continues to direct episodic television (beginning with Robson Arms in 2004) and has worked for networks including CBC, CTV, Lifetime and Logo, while developing her own feature projects. She most recently directed the pilot “The Switch” for Trembling Void Productions and OutTV in Summer 2013.

Rick Tae – Writer/Producer

Rick has created films, shorts, TV, multimedia and theatre content currently in various stages of distribution, production and development. He was selected for the NSI Totally Television Program and awarded Telefilm Canada support as a screenwriter/producer. In addition to writing/producing his first feature John Apple Jack, Walk the Dog sold to The Movie Network and Air Canada, and received a Canadian Comedy Award nod, while web-series Marco Chow Massage has garnered fans worldwide. Rick has worked with VAFF in previous years, coached actors and writers in Vancouver and LA, produced/directed Award winning and nominated theatre productions, garnered Gemini and Leo Award nods and a win for his acting work and assisted director/producer Roland Emmerich for Sony Pictures’ blockbuster “2012”.

Selena Paskalidis – Producer

Selena has worked her way up very quickly in Canada’s film, television and digital industries. She started her career as the head of business affairs in long form drama, moving effortlessly into development before taking the reins of production. In 2013 alone, she ushered two features through production, launched a digital brand and is just about to lock financing on her third feature to shoot in the spring of 2014. For the two features already in the can, Selena secured sales and festival gala premieres for John Apple Jack and Telefilm Post Production support for Naked Night Bike, a mid-life crisis comedy that is just completing post-production. Additionally this year, Selena launched a revolutionary digital brand for the creation of online networks, called Dotstudioz (www.dotstudioz.com); designed and implemented the digital strategy for Vic Sarin’s latest documentary, Hue and the iphone and web apps for the reality series Eat St. for Paperny Productions. In previous years, Selena saw the short film she produced Walk The Dog enjoy Official Selection in the 2009 CFC Humor Me Cross Canada Tour and Canadian Comedy Award nominations. Her project The Bryce Lee Story was selected for the Just For Laughs Comedy Boot Camp. Selena is dedicated to ensuring that the smart, funny writers and directors in her midst get their films made, seen and enjoyed by a world-wide audience.

Executive Producer: Todd Giroux
Associate Producer: Jhod Cardinal

Social Media Handles

Website: johnapplejack.com
Twitter: @johnapplejack
Facebook: John Apple Jack Movie
Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=QKKUKIXqE5E
Vimeo: vimeo.com/77379732

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Actor Agam Darshi stars as Officer Khali Bhatt in CTV’s original undercover Cop Drama ‘Played’ premiering October 3rd

Agam recently won a Leo Award for her role in “Crimes of Mike Recket”

Leo Award winner Agam Darshi plays Officer Khali Bhatt – “The Truth Teller” in CTV’s original undercover cop drama ‘Played’. The heart pounding premiere, entitled “Drugs” will be aired Thursday, Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

Set and shot in Toronto, the high-risk drama “Played” tracks an undercover police unit as it infiltrates criminal organizations through different case stories/”plays”.
Agam’s character Officer Khalil Bhatt is an urban and young undercover cop attracted to the adrenalin, intensity, and dark glamour of her work. Khalil proves to be a real asset for the team with her honestly, directness, and effortless skill with technology. Outside of work, Khali is an extrovert – chasing the next party, the next cute guy, the next sunrise after an all-nighter. “Played” also stars Gemini Award-nominee Vincent Walsh, Chandra West, Lisa Marcos, Dwain Murphy, and Adam Butcher.
It has been an exciting year for in-demand actress Agam Darshi winning the Leo Award for Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture in the feature “Crimes of Mike Recket”.

Showing her talent behind the camera, Agam made her directorial debut in the nine-minute short film “Fade Out”. The BravoFact short film follows an aging actress, who is desperate to keep herself together on the night of her movie premiere. “Fade Out” stars Ona Grauer, Adrian Holmes, Chelah Horsdal and David Lewis.

Agam was previously nominated for 2 Constellation Awards for her role on “Sanctuary”, a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Ensemble for her role on “Dan for Mayor”, and a Leo Award for Best Supporting Actress in the film “Excited”.

Agam’s other notable credits include a principal role as Aparna in the Blockbuster film “2012”, a recurring role on “The L Word”, a lead in “Haunting on Soroity Row” (alongside Gossip Gil’s Leighton Meester), as well as roles on “Snakes on a Plane” and “Final Destination 2”.
Agam, who was born in England, has been raised all over Canada. She has lived in Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver. She now splits her time between Vancouver and Los Angeles.

Photographer: Franco Valerio. Stylist: Claudia DaPonte
Makeup and Hair: Natacha Trottier

Social Media Handles

Website: agamdarshi.com
Twitter: @AgamDarshi
Facebook: Agam Darshi

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Young Actor William Ainscough Stars on City TV’s New Original Series “SEED” and is Nominated For His First UBCP/ACTRA Award

City TV’s “Seed” has been picked up by U.S. network The CW.

William Aisncough has been nominated for the ‘BEST NEWCOMER’ category for the UBCP/ACTRA Awards for his starring role in CITY TV’s hit series “SEED”. The awards will be handed out in Vancouver on November 24th. The first season of “Seed” was hailed as both a critical and commercial success and has been picked up by U.S. network The CW.

William is currently filming the second season of “SEED” in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The series stars Adam Korson (from the CBS hit comedy 2 Broke Girls). Adam Korson plays a bachelor-bartender and sperm donor who becomes an overnight father to three different children. Adam begins his relationship with the families of his children: an upper-class family with a rebellious teenage daughter, a neurotically hopeful single mother-to-be, and a laid-back lesbian couple with a 9-year-old son Billy who is played by William.

Following in his parent’s footsteps (Nicole Oliver, actress; Chris Ainscough, composer/film editor), William Ainscough is making a serious impression in the entertainment industry. William has had the chance to act opposite his mother, Nicole Oliver, in several episodes of the series, when she plays Billy’s teacher, Mrs. Anderson.

It was after watching his mother in action during visits to the sets of some of his Mom’s past film projects that William’s interest in the acting world began. Nicole inspired him to try acting for himself and began taking classes. William’s very first attempt at acting was a success, when he landed his first audition in May 2012—an open casting call for a new feature film “Hidden”. The feature film, which follows a family hiding in a bomb shelter after a mysterious outbreak devastates civilization, stars Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood, Battleship) and Andrea Riseborough (Oblivion, Never Let Me Go). William was successful in landing the role of Joey, a slightly shy and soulful boy and close friend and neighbor of Zoe’s (Emily Alyn Lind).

The film Hidden, directed by The Duffer Brothers, and is set to hit theatres late 2013, early 2014.

It was clear after booking his first two auditions that it was a path well chosen. William is thrilled to be able to add ACTOR, to his resume of accomplishments.

Other highlights for William this past year include playing the iconic role of John Darling in ABC’s Once Upon a Time, and a major supporting role in a “top-secret” television feature for the Disney Channel.

Aside from acting, William is an accomplished drummer, loves soccer and baseball, and is a huge fan of the online game Minecraft.

Photography by Ross den Otter

Social Media Handles

Website: citytv.com
Facebook: Seed
Twitter: @Seed_tv

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Tammy Gillis Returns to Television Screens Across North America With Roles in ABC’s New Series “Motive” and the Award Winning “Less Than Kind”

Acclaimed Canadian actress Tammy Gillis guest-stars in an episode of the new television series “Motive”, set to premiere on ABC on May 23rd, 2013. Tammy’s performance received rave reviews when her episode (entitled “Detour”) aired in Canada. “Detour” will air this summer on ABC. “Motive” has become a quick hit; it was recently being picked up by CTV for a second season, and was recently acquired by Universal Channel UK. The buzzed-about series stars Kristin Lehman, Louis Ferreira, Brendan Penny, Roger Cross and Lauren Holly.

Tammy will also be returning to her hilarious recurring role for the fourth and last season in the multiple Canadian Screen Award winning, television series “Less Than Kind”. The final season of this fan favorite show premieres on June 2nd, 2013 in a 2-episode event. Tammy will be appearing in the premiere event, in the episode titled “Girl Trouble”. The original comedy series airs on DirectTV and HBO Canada. The role has Tammy starring as Barbara, a new mother and trophy wife to Jack. Barbara is young, pretty and full of life—maybe a little too full of life with her Jekyll and Hyde personality.

One of the roles that Tammy is most proud of is her leading role in the independent feature film “Under the Apple Box” which screened and won Honorable Mention at the 2013 New Jersey Film Festival as well as screened at the Women’s International Film Festival in Miami. “Under the Apple Box” written, produced and directed by Ellie Fox, is a compelling and beautifully-filmed feature about an Iranian woman Leila, played by Tammy, who is forever tormented by her past.

Last year, Tammy co-starred in a steamy episode of Showcase’s “Lost Girl”. Tammy’s other television roles include CW’s “Supernatural” and the SpikeTV comedy “Blue Mountain State”. She has been seen on Global TV series’ “Endgame” and “Shattered”, and played Rachael Leigh Cook’s best friend in the thriller “Stealing Paradise”, which aired on The Movie Network, Movie Central and Super Écran.

This talented actress has amassed a number of impressive credits throughout her career, including roles in feature films such as “Shooter”, and “White Noise 2: The Light”. Her television appearances include the critically acclaimed CBC series “jPOD”, “Reaper”, “The L Word”, and the final season of “Battlestar Galactica”. Tammy has worked on a number of MOW’s as well: one opposite Linda Hamilton in “Home for Christmas”, and another with Kim Basinger in “The Mermaid Chair”.

This gorgeous performer was one of Femme Fatale’s ‘Fresh Faces of the Year’ and has been featured in UMM and Sharp for Men. Her successful career began as a model, and led to her being one of the main spokesmodels for underwear Ginch Gonch. This role had her representing the line around the world, from Canada to France to El Salvador. Since then, she has moved on to film and television, not only in front of the camera, but behind it as well. Gillis has acted as a producer on a couple of short films, including “Dealing with Jerks” and “Din”. She currently has a number of projects in development that she has written, including two feature films and a webisode series titled “Goodnight Tammy”.

Since the move from her Manitoba farming roots to pursue her dream of acting, Tammy has become a successful and respected member of the entertainment industry in Canada. Tammy currently splits her time between Vancouver and Toronto, and travels to LA (and around the globe) for projects.. When she isn’t busy on set, the multifaceted performer loves to stay active—she loves skiing and is currently addicted to some dance Kundalini yoga!

Social Media Handles

Website: tammygillis.com
Twitter: @Tammy_F_Gillis
Youtube: Under the Apple Box Trailer
Facebook: Tammy Gillis

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Jasmyn Pozzo – Publicist
jasmyn@thepromotionpeople.ca
705.255.6887

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People