Tag Archives: PR

Multiple Award-Winning Actor/Writer/Director & Acting Coach Ben Ratner Brings His Scene Study Intensive Workshop to Toronto October 23rd to 25th

Students are series leads on Sense8, Marco Polo, Gangland Undercover, Bomb Girls, Being Erica

Multiple award-winning actor/writer/director and acting teacher Ben Ratner is returning to Toronto to teach another one of his always sold-out workshops October 23^rd to 25^th at The Underground Dance Centre.

Known for bringing out the best in Canada’s top performers, Ben has directed some of Canada’s most distinguished actors in his own films, including Helen Shaver (in Down River) and John Neville (in Moving Malcolm). He continues to work with a great many of the new generation of Canadian stars including Damon Runyan (Gangland Undercover, Prisoner X), Ali Liebert (Bomb Girls, Lost Girl), Nicholas Lea (Continuum, The X Files), Gabrielle Miller (Good Witch, Corner Gas), Brian J. Smith (Sense8, The Good Wife) and Olivia Cheng (Marco Polo, Arrow) both in scene study classes and as a private coach.

When Canada’s top working actors are seeking a challenge or in need of inspiration, they study with Ben Ratner at Haven Studio, both in Vancouver and Toronto. In addition to series regulars, film leads and top stage actors, up and coming actors will also find Haven to be a challenging and rewarding studio to develop and define their craft on an ongoing basis.

No false promises. No gimmicks. No shortcuts, just hard work, high standards, and uncompromising passion for the craft of acting. Utilizing scenes from the great contemporary playwrights, this is a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of actors’ creativity and commitment with one of Canada’s most highly respected and influential acting teachers. Obstacles will be identified, addressed and overcome in a highly challenging, but always respectful and collaborative atmosphere.

To quote one of Ratner’s favorite playwrights, John Patrick Shanley, “Theatre is a safe place to do the unsafe things that need to be done.” For ambitious new actors wanting to raise the bar, or for veterans in need of some new inspiration, Haven Studio will provide just that place.

Ben Ratner’s Scene Study Intensive Toronto Workshop:
Date: October 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th, 2015
Location: The Underground Dance Centre, Toronto

For more information or to sign up, contact Angela Besharah at: angelabesharah@gmail.com

The testimonials speak for themselves:

“Ben is a treasure – a rare combination of instinct, intelligence and compassion…”
~Brian J. Smith (series lead Sense8, The Good Wife, The Glass Menagerie on Broadway, Outer Critics Circle Award winner, Tony Award & Drama Desk Award-nominated actor)

“The combination of the demanding material, the commitment and talent of my classmates and Ben’s forceful, passionate direction and guidance made me into the actor I am today – a confident and working one!”
~Ali Liebert (Strange Empire, Lost Girl, series lead Bomb Girls, Canadian Screen Award & Leo Award-winning actor)

“I credit many of my ‘breakthroughs’ to Ben’s insight, support, and trust, and highly recommend him to any actors seeking to go deeper into the work…”
~Erin Karpluk (Rookie Blue, Saving Hope, series lead Being Erica, Gemini Award & Leo Award-winning actor)

“Ben Ratner is an amazing teacher and mentor…and an inspiring talent.”
~Ryan Robbins (Ascension, Falling Skies, Continuum, multiple Leo Award-winning actor)

“After too many years of lazy television acting, Ben reminded me what my tools are, provided an environment where I felt safe to take risks and gave me permission to jump!”
~Sonja Bennett (Mistresses, Motive, star/writer of Preggoland, Gemini Award & Genie Award & Leo Award-nominated actor)

“Working with Ben is an incredibly deep experience for me as an actor. I feel challenged to ground my work and find truth.”
~Gabrielle Miller (Good Witch, Call Me Fitz, series lead Corner Gas, Gemini Award & multiple Leo Award winner, Genie Award-nominated actor)

“Ben’s class is an artistic sanctuary. He cultivates an atmosphere based on kindness, professionalism, and integrity where actors feel inspired to offer their craft the focused discipline that will bring out their best.”
~Leah Gibson (The Returned, iZombie, Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce)

“I can draw a straight line between Ben’s class and the next few jobs that I was cast in…I’m having a ball, I feel more empowered in my work and that journey was kick-started at Haven.”
~Nicholas Lea (Continuum, The X Files, The Arts Club’s international tour of Helen Lawrence to Edinburgh/Munich/Toronto/Montreal/Vancouver, Gemini Award & UBCP Award-nominated actor)

“I cannot say enough about how much I have benefited from working with Ben Ratner…He’s invested in your success and I’ve learned how to work smarter and harder to reach my goals.”
~Olivia Cheng (series lead Marco Polo, The Flash, Arrow)

“Ben Ratner has guided me through years of training, he’s enabled me to break through many barriers and enabled me to fly with confidence and vulnerability.”
~Damon Runyan (series lead Gangland Undercover, Prisoner X, Amber Alert)

Ben Ratner’s Bio:
A professional actor for 25 years, Ratner started teaching in 1994 as a protégé of internationally acclaimed acting teacher and author Ivana Chubbuck. He opened his own “Haven Studio” in 2002 and rapidly earned a reputation for his highly demanding and thoroughly rewarding scene study classes. Today, he is sought after as a coach, teacher and mentor to many of Canada’s busiest actors, a great number of who are working internationally.

While teaching in both Vancouver and Toronto, Ratner’s own acting, writing and directing career continues to flourish. With over 100 film and TV credits and numerous awards and nominations under his belt, he most recently received the 2013 “John Juliani Award of Excellence” from UBCP/ACTRA. A Jesse Award nominee for his portrayal of “Bobby” in American Buffalo, Ratner returned to the stage in 2012 to co-star in Dinner with Friends, and in 2014 he directed the Canadian Premiere of Tommy Smith’s White Hot, both of which opened to rave reviews.

Ratner wrote, directed and co-starred in the feature film Moving Malcolm that won him a “Best First Feature Award” at the 2003 Montreal Film Festival. He directed an episode of CTV’s Robson Arms in 2005, and wrote and directed the short film Power Lunch in 2008. Most recently, he wrote and directed the feature film Down River, which has won 8 awards to date, including “Best World Showcase” at the 2014 Soho International Film Festival in New York. He is currently developing his next feature film Original 6, a TV series called Rachel, and is also producing Big Feelings, a documentary about a group of his acting students sharing true stories from their lives, and how this process transforms their experiences into creative empowerment.

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @Haven_Studio, @HavenStudioTO
Facebook: facebook.com/BenRatnerSceneStudy, facebook.com/HavenStudioToronto
Website: benratner.com

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
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople

Emmanuelle Vaugier reprises her role as The Morrigan in the final season of Showcase’s television series Lost Girl this fall after sizzling on screen this summer as Niko on ABC’s/CTV’s Mistresses

Emmanuelle’s charitable foundation annual cocktail event ‘The Fluffball’ will be held in Los Angeles on October 3^rd, 2015 to raise money for The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation

Emmanuelle Vaugier continues to reprise her role on the innovative series Lost Girl, a supernatural highly rated drama series. Playing the role of The Morrigan, Emmanuelle breathes life into her vain and dangerously sociopathic character. The sixth season of ‘Lost Girl’ promises to be the most electrifying season yet. Dubbed ‘the end begins’ the final season of Lost Girl airs on Showcase in Canada on September 6th and on a future date on Syfy in the USA.

Stunning Emmanuelle sizzled all summer as Niko in a six-episode guest role on the third season of ABC’s/CTV’s Mistresses. Niko was a role that Emmanuelle enjoyed playing as tough, sexy and rocks a very distinctive style and doesn’t care what you think about it. She played the new mixologist at Wunderbar and a thorn in Joss’ (Jes Macallan) side. Mistresses airs on Thursday nights at 9pm on ABC and CTV.

Emmanuelle is best known for her popular role as Charlie Sheen’s ex-fiancée Mia on the award-winning CBS comedy Two and a Half Men in which her character returned for the series finale earlier this year. For three seasons she played Detective Jessica Angell on CSI: NY, and in the USA Network crime series Covert Affairs.

One of the roles that Emmanuelle connected most with was playing a woman who rescues animals in Susie’s Hope, a role for which she won best actress at the Greensville International Film Festival. It’s Christmas, Carol!, another starring role for Emmanuelle, won her a Leo Award. Emmanuelle also stars in Absolute Deception alongside Cuba Gooding Jr.

Her numerous television appearances include the female superhero for the SYFY television pilot of the comic Painkiller Jane, and had a starring role in the Master of Horror series directed by John Carpenter. She also portrayed Dr. Helen Bryce; Lex Luthor‘s wife on the WB‘s hit drama Smallville. Emmanuelle spent two seasons in a recurring role on One Tree Hill.

Emmanuelle’s feature film endeavors are just as impressive include Saw II, Saw IV, Secondhand Lions (Michael Caine, Robert Duvall), 40 Days and 40 Nights (Josh Hartnett) and House of the Dead 2: Dead Aim to name a few.

A dedicated equestrian Emmanuelle competes on a horse rescued from a situation of neglect. Emmanuelle paints to express her creativity and contributes a major portion of her sales to the many charitable animal rescue organizations she supports.

Emmanuelle’s inner and outer beauty shines through as she is among the select group of women to be 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.

Social Media Handles

Website: emmanuellevaugier.com, thefluffball.com
Twitter: @evaugier
Facebook: The Real Emmanuelle Vaugier
Instagram: @emmanuellevaugier

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
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople

Watch for in demand actor Tammy Gillis in UPTV’s TIES THAT BIND, Hallmark’s SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED MOW series and Showcase and Syfy’s CONTINUUM this fall

Tammy spent the summer filming a starring role in Farpoint Films’ MENORCA

Actor Tammy Gillis appears in a number of productions this fall. On television, she has a guest starring role alongside Jason Priestley in UPTV’s TIES THAT BIND starring Kelli Williams (airing August 26, 2015) and a recurring guest star in Hallmark’s SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED MOW series. (Movie #1 – Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told airing on September 13, 2015.) Tammy will also be seen in the first episode of the final season of Syfy’s CONTINUUM starring Rachel Nichols (airing September 4, 2015 on Showcase and September 11, 2015 on Syfy).

Tammy had a busy summer filming the leading role in the Farpoint Films feature film MENORCA in Spain and Winnipeg. Tammy will also appear in the feature film NO MEN BEYOND THIS POINT scheduled to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival (www.tiff.net).

If that weren’t busy enough Tammy is currently in production for her directorial debut with the web series THE SUPPORT GROUP with Beyond Theatre Productions. She is also producing and acting in the series.

In the Hallmark movie series SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED she plays Randilynn, seen in flashback as Phoebe’s mother, a dedicated Army medic who goes off on a fateful mission — and is never seen again. The Postables decipher a letter in code that may be the clue needed to rescue an American servicewoman.

Tammy joins the cast in UP TV’s ‘TIES THAT BIND’. A former junkie and massage therapist, Carla (Tammy) is now happily married to a conservative guy she met on Christian Harmony; she’s got the house with the picket fence and has carefully Xed her sketchy side out of her resume.

MENORCA is a feature film being produced by Farpoint Films. It is directed and written by John Barnard. Tammy plays a hedonistic soccer mom who indulges in her fantasy world, breaking away entirely from her family and life of motherhood. As she embarks on a journey through bad decision-making and is immersed in a world of exotic dancers and lost souls, she comes to a conclusion to the singularity of her life purpose. She needs to win back her son’s affection. To do so, she believes she must take his pet rock on a journey half way around the world to its place of origin: the small Mediterranean island of Menorca.

Tammy also has one of the leading roles in the feature film THE PINOCCHIO PROJECT directed by Anand Raghaven and producer Hayden Wazelle.

Tammy is widely recognized for her multitude of film and television appearances. Her onscreen credits include roles in White Noise 2 and Shooter starring Mark Wahlberg.

Tammy recently appeared on the new Bravo series Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce, as well as the Hallmark romantic comedy A Novel Romance and the Lifetime thriller Stolen from the Womb.

This exceptionally talented actress has guest starred on CTV’s hit drama Motive, as well as her hilarious recurring guest starring role on the critically acclaimed award winning HBO Canada series Less Than Kind and the Douglas Coupland CBC comedy jPod. She has appeared in roles on the CW’s Supernatural, Showcase’s Lost Girl, SpikeTV’s Blue Mountain State, Showcase’s Endgame and many more. Her MOW’s include Stealing Paradise starring Rachel Leigh Cook, The Mermaid Chair starring Kim Basinger and Home by Christmas starring Linda Hamilton.

Tammy Gillis has become a very successful and respected member of the entertainment industry. She currently splits her time between Vancouver and Canada’s east coast and continues to travel to LA and around the world for projects.

Upcoming appearances:

Ties That Bind – Episode 3 “Ghost” airing August 26, 2015 on UPtv

Continuum The Series – Season 4 – airing September 4, 2015 on Showcase; airing September 11, 2015 on Syfy Channel

Signed, Sealed, Delivered on Hallmark Channel USA – Movie #1 – Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told – airs September 13, 2015
hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/signed-sealed-delivered-truth-be-told

Movie #2 – TBA

No Men Beyond This Point – screening at TIFF

Social Media Handles

Website: tammygillis.com
Twitter: @Tammy_F_Gillis
Facebook: Tammy Gillis
IMDb: imdb.com/name/nm0319320/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

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
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople

Discovery’s #1 Original Hit Series HIGHWAY THRU HELL Returns September 8

– Discovery’s top TV series of 2014/15 triumphantly returns for fourth season, joined by another Canadian favourite, FOOL’S GOLD –

“… entertaining, absorbing and educational.” – The Globe and Mail on HIGHWAY THRU HELL

Owner and founder of Jamie Davis Motor Truck, Jamie Davis in HIGHWAY THRU HELL

The Promotion People - Highway Thru Hell Discovery’s most-watched program for the 2014/15 broadcast year HIGHWAY THRU HELL returns Sept. 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, it was confirmed today. With the third highest-rated season of any series ever on Discovery last year with an average audience of 723,000 viewers, the original Canadian hit series follows Jamie Davis and his crew as they travel the highways and byways of B.C. to the mountains of Alberta. The stakes are high as Season 4 picks up where the story left off – with Davis looking to expand his Heavy Recovery Operation while facing new challenges and bigger wrecks. The Jamie Davis Heavy Rescue crew faces significant change, as Davis’ brothers pitch in to help with both operations between the two provinces. The 2012 debut of HIGHWAY THRU HELL remains the #1 series premiere in Discovery Channel history.

Toyota returns as the exclusive series sponsor featuring the full-size Tundra pickup, with 13 new episodes focusing on the team of drivers who work for Davis – along with several other heavy recovery operations – allworking to keep the roads open in dangerous working conditions. In the Season 4 premiere, John, Jamie’s newest recruit, must save a snowplow stuck in the grip of an icy river. While Jamie pushes further into new territory, changes rock the company, forcing Colin to take on a new role. His first wreck of the season tests his skill on the rotator plus his skills as a leader. And the entire community says farewell to a Heavy Rescue crew legend.

“We’re very proud that our #1 show is a Canadian production and plays such a prominent role in our primetime schedule,” said Paul Lewis, President and General Manager, Discovery. “HIGHWAY THRU HELL is a series unique to Canadian audiences offering a blend of real life characters that resonate with our viewers.”

Click HERE for a sneak peek of HIGHWAY THRU HELL.

The Shotgun Crew from FOOL’S GOLD

Earlier in the evening, the Shotgun Exploration crew is back at Straw Lake for Season 2 of fellow homegrown series, FOOL’S GOLD, with two 30-minute episodes airing back-to-back, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Returning with 12 new episodes, Todd Ryznar and his crew are on a quest to extract 100 ounces of gold in the bounty-rich hills of Northern Ontario. Last season, viewers came down with a serious case of gold fever as FOOL’S GOLD performed as the top entertainment specialty program in its timeslot among total viewers, A25-54, and A18-49.

Click HERE for a sneak peek of FOOL’S GOLD.

About Discovery:
The world is just awesome! With compelling real-life programming that inspires and entertains, Discovery reveals the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. As Canada’s #1 entertainment specialty channel, Discovery offers a signature mix of adrenaline-charged stories, larger-than-life personalities and vivid imagery for viewers with curious minds. With the best non-fiction programming from Canada and around the world, Discovery captures the excitement of a passion for life – one lived fully and at its most extreme. With exceptional and immersive storytelling, the channel offers in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the extraordinary people and places that shape our world. Launched in Canada in 1995, Discovery is now available in more than eight million Canadian homes. Discovery Canada is a joint venture between Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company, and Discovery Communications Inc. Find more information and interactive online features at Discovery.ca.

Source: Numeris (BBM Canada), P2+

Social Media Handles

Website: discovery.ca/highwaythruhell, greatpacifictv.com
Twitter: @HWYthruhell, @DiscoveryCanada, @GreatPacificTV
Facebook: facebook.com/discoverycanada
Instagram: Instagram.com/DiscoveryCanada

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
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople

International Artist Lisa Berry joins the cast of Continuum for their 4th and final season

Lisa was recently nominated for Best Actress at the Black Canadian Awards in Toronto and received a best ensemble Dora Mavor Moore Award nomination (Canada’s Tony) for her work in Young People’s Theatre production of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Dynamic actor Lisa Berry is thrilled to join the cast of Showcase’s Continuum for their 4th and final season. Lisa’s character is a quick thinker, practical soldier and tough chick. Her character commands the respect of the group. Continuum’s final season premieres on September 4 on Showcase in Canada and on September 11 on Syfy in the USA.

Lisa Berry is an international artist whose work stretches across the big screen and the stage. Her comedic talents can be seen in her guest-starring role on the very funny Mr. D (CBC) as the school’s star basketball player’s mother, Kathy Lee Giffer. Lisa also displayed her comedic talents in the recently released feature film “No Stranger than Love” starring alongside Alison Brie as one of her busy body best friends, who has an opinion about everything and everyone.

This Christmas, watch for Lisa in the Hallmark TV Movie Northpole 2 starring opposite Lorie Loughlin as the fast talking, holiday hating CEO, with only making money on the brain.

Earlier this year, Lisa joined the cast of Bravo’s hit cop drama 19-2 in their second season as Rita George, a tough but loveable Jamaican immigrant who brings compassion and balance to her boyfriend’s mischievous ways.

Lisa is quickly finding a home for herself in the horror genre with films like Saw V, Antiviral (directed by Brandon Cronenberg) and The Colony, (starring alongside Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Zegers and Bill Paxton)

Lisa’s most recognizable roles on television include Stella Marz, a district attorney on a mission for justice (starring opposite Dermot Mulroney) on TNT’s Silent Witness, Det. Roz Cabrera on CBC’s Cracked, Serena a flame throwing fae on SyFy’s Lost Girl and playing an assassin for hire alongside Stuart Townsend on Showcase’s XIII The Series.

Lisa’s training at The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts has allowed her to enjoy the challenges that each new role brings, from her recurring role as a no nonsense nurse on ABC’s medical drama Combat Hospital, to the down to earth Princess Thaisa in Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s production of Pericles.

Lisa has also been honored with a Trailblazer Award from the Reel World Film Festival and a Broadway World nomination for “best performance by an actress in a featured role” for her work as Calpurnia in Young People’s Theatre’s production of To Kill A Mockingbird. She was also happily surprised to receive her second Black Canadian Award nomination for her work in television this past year. Lisa also enjoys working behind the scenes as an elected council member for ACTRA Toronto.

Having performed at both The Stratford and Shaw Festivals, two of the leading repertory theatre companies in Canada, Lisa has since gone on to play leading roles on all of the main Canadian stages. Notable parts includes originating the role of Corporal Tanya Young in Trillium Award winner Hannah Moscovitch’s World Premier of This Is War, Mayme in the Canadian Premier of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Intimate Apparel for Canadian Stage and Mrs. Muller opposite Canada’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding star Fiona Reid, in Doubt A. Parable. Most recently, Lisa crossed the border making her American theatre stage debut to rave reviews, playing Thaisa opposite Ben Carlson in Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s production of Pericles.

Lisa shares her life with fellow actor and Stratford star Dion Johnstone (Othello, The Tempest opposite Christopher Plummer). She is the youngest of four children, born and raised in Richmond Hill – just outside Toronto. As a child she was shy and quiet – which is hard to believe for most who know her now – but with the help of her much louder siblings, she quickly found her voice. While Lisa enjoys immersing herself into both acting and coaching and is always looking for ways to stretch both personally and professionally, she never forgets to carve out a little time to relax and recharge.

Social Media Handles

Website: lisaberrylive.com
Twitter: _LisaBerry
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC2qJoryd9kkFW3km2608L9A
Vimeo: demo reel: vimeo.com/129747819
stunt reel: vimeo.com/66471811

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
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople

Tammy Gillis has booked the leading role in the feature film MENORCA filming in Spain and Winnipeg this summer

Tammy joins the cast in UP TV’s TIES THAT BIND and will guest star in CONTINUUM.

Actress Tammy Gillis has a busy summer. Tammy has booked the leading role in the feature film MENORCA filming in Spain and Winnipeg. On television she is filming a guest starring-role in UPTV’s TIES THAT BIND. Tammy will also be seen in the first episode of the final season of Showcase’s CONTINUUM.

On a roll, Tammy joins the cast in UP TV’s ‘TIES THAT BIND’. A former junkie and massage therapist, Carla is now happily married to a conservative guy she met on Christian Harmony; she’s got the house with the picket fence and has carefully Xed her sketchy side out of her resume.

Tammy has a leading role in the feature film THE PINOCCHIO PROJECT directed by Anand Raghaven and producer Hayden Wazelle.

Tammy is widely recognized for her multitude of film and television appearances. Her onscreen credits include roles in White Noise 2 and Shooter starring Mark Wahlberg.

This exceptionally talented actress has guest starred on CTV’s hit drama Motive, as well as her hilarious recurring guest starring role on the critically acclaimed award winning HBO Canada series Less Than Kind and the Douglas Coupland CBC comedy jPod. She has appeared in roles on the CW’s Supernatural, Showcase’s Lost Girl, SpikeTV’s Blue Mountain State, Showcase’s Endgame and many more. Her MOW’s include Stealing Paradise starring Rachel Leigh Cook, The Mermaid Chair starring Kim Basinger and Home by Christmas starring Linda Hamilton.

Social Media Handles

Website: tammygillis.com
Twitter: @Tammy_F_Gillis
Facebook: Tammy Gillis
IMDb: imdb.com/name/nm0319320/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

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
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople

EMMANUELLE VAUGIER JOINS THE CAST ON THE THIRD SEASON OF MISTRESSES TO PREMIERE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 18TH 9/8C AND WILL BE AIRING ON ABC IN THE US AND CTV IN CANADA

Emmanuelle Vaugier continues to reprise her role as The Morrigan in the popular television series Lost Girl now airing on the Syfy Network in the USA

Now in production, stunning actor Emmanuelle Vaugier is shooting a six-episode guest role on the upcoming third season of ABC’s summer series Mistresses. She will play Niko, who’s tough, sexy, rocks a very distinctive style and doesn’t care what you think about it. She becomes the new mixologist at Wunderbar and a thorn in Joss’ (Jes Macallan) side. The third season of Mistresses premieres on June 18^th at 9pm on ABC in the US and CTV in Canada.

Emmanuelle continues to reprise her role on the innovative series Lost Girl, a supernatural highly rated drama series. Playing the role of The Morrigan, Emmanuelle breathes life into her vain and dangerously sociopathic character. The fifth season of ‘Lost Girl’ promises to be the most electrifying season yet. Lost Girl premiered on Showcase in Canada and is now airing on Syfy in the USA.

Photo Credit: Brie Childers

One of the roles that Emmanuelle connected most with was playing a woman who rescues animals in Susie’s Hope, a role for which she won best actress at the Greensville International Film Festival. It’s Christmas, Carol! another starring role for Emmanuelle, won her a Leo Award. Emmanuelle also stars in Absolute Deception alongside Cuba Gooding Jr.

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 through her annual cocktail event. This year ‘The Fluffball’ will be held in Los Angeles on October 3^rd. A dedicated equestrian Emmanuelle competes on a horse rescued from a situation of neglect. Emmanuelle paints to express her creativity and contributes a major portion of her sales to the many charitable animal rescue organizations she supports.

Social Media Handles

Website: emmanuellevaugier.com, syfy.com/lostgirl
Twitter: @evaugier
Facebook: The Real Emmanuelle Vaugier

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
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople

So, You Want To Work In Promotion and Publicity?

Like most promotion agencies, we receive several speculative CVs every week. If you’re thinking of sending in your CV or are looking for some advice on how to break into the promotion and publicity industry then here are some important hints and tips:

Be Prepared to Work Hard

Many young people choose publicity and promotion as their chosen career path without any real idea about what the industry or the profession entails. The entertainment industry has a reputation for being glamorous and exciting, and for many this is an attractive prospect. For the most part this is true, and working for and on behalf of some of the most important and influential talent in the business is an incredible way to spend your working career. However the entertainment business is still just that: a business. Its hard work and many aspects of the industry are completely devoid of the glamor that those entering the industry without any real experience initially expect. Perseverance, hard work, and dedication will all help you to get your foot into the door of the right agency: don’t underestimate the importance of undertaking a work experience placement if there aren’t any full time jobs available. Hard work never goes unnoticed and by proving yourself to be competent, dedicated and able to undertake whatever job is thrown at you, you’ll soon rise to the top of the pile when a permanent position does arise.

Focus on Your Skills

Ensure that you constantly focus on promoting your core skills, and ensure that you develop those skills that will best suit the career you want to undertake. If you want to work in promotions and publicity then a post graduate degree in rocket science is unlikely to be of much use, but that crash course in PR is likely to look great on your CV and boost your skill base too. Know what your main skills are, and understand what skills your interviewer or boss are likely to be looking for. You can then focus on developing these skills whilst learning as much as possible from those more experienced team members around you.

Let Your Head Rule Your Heart

Although you may be tempted to choose to start out your career working for the agency that represents your favourite star, there are much more important things to consider: these are the same factors you should consider before you accept a job role in any field. Job security is a powerful and reassuring thing, and not something offered to every new graduate, so a role that comes with a long term contract should certainly be considered. Other essential perks such as the health protection afforded by a corporate health insurance policy and a pension plan are also vital considerations, and should certainly hold sway when choosing where to work, if you are presented with more than one option. When you’re just starting your career, perks such as health insurance policies and health insurance plans often seem unimportant or irrelevant to your current lifestyle, however in the long term you will find that your life is very uncomfortable without them so it is certainly something to plan ahead for and consider.

Tailor Your CV

Finally, in order to get that interview, be invited for that work experience placement, or otherwise get your foot in the door, you need to make yourself stand out. Your first tool for doing this is your CV. The best applicants tailor their CV for every single job they apply for and personalise their cover letter so that is resonates with the company that you are hoping to work for. It may be more time consuming, but doing a little research and addressing your CV to the HR Manager by name, rather than simply addressing it ‘For the attention of the HR manager’ will immediately capture the attention of the individual you are addressing and guarantee that your CV will be read. Ensure that the content is just as punchy and attention grabbing, and you will stand a much better chance of getting an interview and being able to talk your way into the job of your dreams in a face to face situation.

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
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople

Gastown’s anticipated Bauhaus Restaurant opens, bringing a new style of German cuisine to Vancouver

Gastown’s new Bauhaus Restaurant, led by celebrated chef Stefan Hartmann and owned by film director Uwe Boll, has finally opened this week after months of renovations.

Bauhaus Restaurant is named after the famous design movement from Germany, which seamlessly marries form and function. Many of the dining room elements were custom designed in the original Bauhaus style.

The restaurant is situated inside one of Vancouver’s unique historical buildings, also known as The Boulder Hotel, originally built in 1890. Over the last 100 years, the building has gone through many changes: from its early years as a saloon and bank to its most recent home to Boneta’s Restaurant.

The renovation was led by Vancouver designer Andrea Greenway. The goal of the design was to keep as much of the original structure as possible, an effort that included exposing the original 1890’s brick and marble, and uncovering the historical Bank Safe.

“It was a real challenge to keep the integrity of the building and incorporate our Bauhaus design concept. Modernist design can be a bit austere, so I hope that we have created a nice balance of modern and warm.” ~ Andrea Greenway

The restaurant aims to bring a new style of dining to Vancouver. The beautifully designed restaurant features both a dining room and a large lounge area. The menu incorporates both local and fresh seasonal ingredients and features a chef tasting menu, an à la carte menu, a German classics menu and a lunch menu.

When people think about German cuisine they think Sausage, Schnitzel and Sauerkraut. Unlike its French neighbour, Germany has not historically been known for its haute cuisine. But a modern trend of revitalizing reliable staples, from poached veal tenderloin with polenta and peas to brioche dumpling and white asparagus soup, has ushered in the gastronomic age of neue deutsche Küche, or, New German Cuisine. According to an article by James Brennan (Fine Dining Lovers), Germany has become “one of the powerhouses of modern European gastronomy,” proven further by the impressive accolades awarded by the 2015 Michelin Guide: a whopping total of 281 starred restaurants.

Michelin star chefs, such as Bauhaus Restaurant’s own Stefan Hartmann, have been creating light, lean and local gastronomic delicacies by infusing contemporary flair into traditional favourites. And, lucky for us, Hartmann has brought the taste of Germany to Vancouver’s trendy Gastown district, where the communal spirit of neue deutsche Küche will likely resonate with British Colombia’s local food scene. Much like Canada, according to Food Republic writer Drew Lazor, Germany possesses “a storied agricultural backbone, including a strong citizen gardening tradition dictated by the communal cultivation of seasonal vegetables.”

But don’t be intimidated by chef Stefan Hartmann’s Michelin star title: prices at Bauhaus range from $20-40, and the 8 course chef tasting menu, priced at $110, is a real experience. The seasonal à la carte menu currently features: spot prawns with white asparagus, hollandaise and tarragon; halibut with caper crust, bean puree and lemon butter; goat cheese strudel, with white or green asparagus; and beef tenderloin with celery three ways.

The lunch menu, with prices between $14 and $27, features Arctic char, white asparagus soup, and German classics like beef roulade and wiener schnitzel.

“The good part about the long renovation is that it gave me more time to explore and sample ingredients from suppliers and farmers all over the lower mainland to ensure I have the best on my menu.” ~ Chef Stefan Hartmann

The Bauhaus Bar is led by award winning German bartender Florian Rupp, who recently won the Giffard Liqueurs Iron Bartender award. The signature cocktail menu features original German-inspired drinks like the Buttermilk Margarita (tequila, buttermilk, fresh lime, lemon, agave nectar, and quince jam) and the Ranglum (dark rum, wray, nephew overproof, fresh lime and falernum).

“We look forward to complementing Vancouver’s diverse restaurant scene with the first ever neue deutsche establishment in the city! There really is something on the menu for everyone.” ~ Uwe Boll.

Social Media Handles

Website: bauhaus-restaurant.com
Twitter: @BauhausRest
Facebook: facebook.com/BauhausRestaurant
Instagram: @bauhausrestaurant

Contact The Promotion People

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

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
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Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada and IndustryWorks Studios Announce WRECKER Home Entertainment Distribution Plans in Canada

One Road Trip, Two Friends, A Wrong Turn

Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada is proud to announce plans with IndustryWorks Studios, the producers of American Mary, to bring the new horror-thriller film Wrecker to Canada.

Wrecker tells the story of best friends Emily (Anna Hutchison of The Cabin in the Woods) and Lesley (Andrea Whitburn of Lonesome Dove Church) who take a road trip to a music festival in the desert. When Emily makes a decision to turn off the busy highway and onto a lone, desert road, all hell breaks loose. They soon find themselves the target of a relentless tow truck that forces them into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Harrowing escapes, deadly situations and near captures, turning their road trip in to a living, breathing nightmare.

“Wrecker takes road rage to a new level, it is a game of supernatural cat and sexy mice. Reminiscent of Duel, Wrecker will demolish audiences!” says Susan Curran, Director of Marketing and Acquisitions for Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada of the new addition to the company’s catalogue. Evan Tylor, President of IndustryWorks Studios, echoes the enthusiasm for this deal, “We are proud to have Anchor Bay Entertainment as our Canadian distribution partner. It was exciting to create a unique take on such a familiar genre.”

About Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada
Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada is the Toronto based office of Anchor Bay Entertainment, a leading independent home entertainment company celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015. Anchor Bay acquires and releases a wide array of filmed entertainment in the theatrical and home entertainment markets, including STARZ Original series, children’s entertainment, fitness (Anchor Bay Fitness), sports and specialty films on Blu-ray™ and DVD formats. The company has long-term distribution agreements in place for select programming with The Weinstein Company, AMC Networks and RADiUS, among others. Headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA, Anchor Bay Entertainment (www.anchorbayentertainment.com) is a full service distributor in the North American market. Anchor Bay Entertainment is a Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) business, www.starz.com. For more information visit www.anchorbayentertainment.ca

About IndustryWorks Pictures/Studios – Canada, International
IndustryWorks is a fully integrated Distribution, Production, Finance and New Media, worldwide content provider. IndustryWorks sets itself apart by having a keen sense of recognizing the potential in projects for distribution and is dedicated to releasing unique and marketable content to the world market place. The Company has several in-house projects in development and acquires films from producers around the world. IndustryWorks distributes its content to through all media outlets, including box office, VOD, SVOD, broadcast, airlines, internet and digital platforms, retail and rental outlets.

Social Media Handles

Website: industry-works.com, anchorbayentertainment.com
Twitter: @IWPictures, @Anchor_Bay
Facebook: facebook.com/IndustryWorksPictures

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
Instagram: @thepromotionpeople