Tag Archives: television

INTERVIEW WITH DYLAN PLAYFAIR WHO PLAYS KNOX ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Some Assembly Required is comprised of great characters, funny dialogue, hilarious situations, big physical comedy, and relationship-based stories with heart. The multi-camera show is shot in front of a live studio audience and will be premiering on YTV Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Being fortunate to study under many talented coaches at Vancouver Acting School, Dylan Playfair has been pursuing a career in film, most recently with his role on YTV’s Some Assembly Required. Dylan plays a character named Knox – a teenage stuntman who seems to walk away from everything unscathed. Being an extreme sports junkie and amateur daredevil, Knox is a guy who will do, try, or eat anything.

Tell us about your character.
Knox is the prefect example of what it means to live in the moment. He takes most things literally and will do anything for his friends. A human crash test dummy with a heart of gold and a brain just as dense.

What do you like about working with an ensemble group of actors?
It’s been great working with the ensemble, not only are all the people on our show extremely talented but all have unique insights into what it means to be a performer. I have been able to learn a lot about the craft by watching and listening to my peers.

Are you and your character Knox anything alike?
Knox and I have more in common than you would think, we both love sports, we both love our friends, we both want to please people, and we both work for Knick Knack! I would like to believe I’ve got a slightly higher IQ… Although I’m sure you could find people who would disagree.

Favorite memory?
I have many “favourite” memories, one that sticks out strongly is the time my father won the AHL championship (the Calder Cup) in Saint John NB and brought myself, my two brothers and my mom onto the ice surface to share in the celebration. That was cool.

Who inspires you?
My family has been the strongest inspiration in my life. I look up to several successful actors as role models to mould my career such as Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Reynolds, and Taylor Kitsch (hockey player turned actor).

You have been involved in sports all your life, how does being a part of an ensemble cast compare to being on a sports team?
Film and hockey have tons in common. In hockey you must be self driven to improve on and off the ice year round, you must play your role on the team wether it’s killing penalties or scoring in clutch moments, and you must have strong communication skills to lead people through adversity. I think these are all skills that are directly applicable to working with the “team” that makes a film production.

How supportive is your family on your acting career?
My family makes up the core of my fan base. They have been unbelievable supportive from when I first told them I was moving to Vancouver, to attending an indie screening my first film Grave Encounters 2… GE2 is an R rated horror film. No one in my family watches scary shows. My mom has nightmares watching Goosebumps. They’re die hard supporters.

What has been your favourite role that you have played so far?
I have had the most fun by far playing Knox on Some Assembly Required. If you watch the show it will become very obvious why.

What is your favorite hockey team?
My favourite hockey team is which ever one my dad is coaching, right now that’s Phoenix. I think I would get a lump if coal in my stocking if I said anything different.

What do you do on your down time when you have time off?
I spend a lot of my down time outdoors, I love hiking, going to the beach, playing with our dog (my roommates and I foster pit bulls through hug a bulls) and obviously playing ice hockey.

What is the most fun about being on this tv series?
This TV series is all about making people laugh and sending good vibes to viewers at home. The mechanics of what make a show like this work are very simple, don’t be afraid to be silly, come to work with a smile, and be funny. That combined with great people make this show fun.

Social Media Handles

Facebook: Dylan Playfair, Some Assembly Required
Twitter: @DylanPlayfair

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

INTERVIEW WITH HARRISON HOUDE WHO PLAYS BOWIE ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Harrison Houde has been busy creating an impressive film and television resume, most recently playing the role of Bowie Sherman on Some Assembly Required. His character Bowie excels at math and science, allowing him to quantify and explain why people don’t want to be around him. He wants to use his skills to design and engineer new toys, but unfortunately, his ideas range from bad to dangerous.

Tell us about your character.
My character Bowie Sherman is a little bit socially awkward and very quirky. He celebrates all of his holidays in August because it’s just way more efficient that way. He has some weird outlooks on life, but maybe it’s a good thing. We need weird people to have new ways of seeing things, and Bowie is the guy. Exploring the world one awkward step at a time, Bowie only has found one friend. His best friend; Jarvis Raines, probably his only friend, whereas Jarvis has many. Bowie does get along with the other kids working at Knickknack, but he definitely is a little bit of an oddball at the office.

How did you first get into acting?
Well, my older sister actually did it first for a few years but she is more the academic one, so she quit to focus on her studies in high school at the time. A couple years later when I was going into middle school I wanted to give it a try, mainly because I was really enjoying making YouTube videos and acting in them. I went to JRP in Vancouver for 2 years, travelling from the island every Sunday for 6 hours of classes. I loved it, and the next step was getting an agent (which was relatively easy), and then I started auditioning when I was about 12 or 13. My first role I booked and arguably one of my most famous ones so far into my career is Darren Walsh (the kid who started the famous ‘Cheese Touch’) in the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was a small role, but was my first and in a feature film. It was quite exciting !

What attracts you to music?
I have been into music my whole life, me and my sister would dance around crazily to all her favourites as kids. Spice girls, N-Sync, BSB (backstreet boys), also I remember loving Simple Plan, Weird Al, and the Arrogant Worms. Yes, I was a weird child from the start. I started playing piano when I was 4 years old, and I was asking to play guitar shortly after, which didn’t go so well. I was also always asking to play the drums, which I surprisingly received as a gift on xmas when I was 12 years old. I have always loved electronic type music, and have been quite tech-geeky as well since a young age, so I have been playing around a lot in the past couple years with synthesizers, drum machines, and other weird (maybe QUIRKY) electronic instruments… hah oh man.. I am too much like my character sometimes.

How are you enjoying the experience of being on “Some Assembly Required?”
As cheesy as it sounds; It is honestly, a dream come true. I have always wanted to work on something like this. Comedy is where my heart lies, (which I discovered shortly into my career, and always being a class clown in school). Some Assembly Required’s storyline is amazing first of all, haha. What kid didn’t dream as a kid, their best friend taking ownership of a toy company and being their boss? Oh, that was just me.. well then. This is another stellar kids sitcom we all watched as kids, rushing home to catch the new episode. So far, the insane things I have worn, and have been doing on the show has been a blast. I absolutely love working on this show.

What do you enjoy most about being an entertainer?
I love to make people laugh, and smile. I also will admit I am full of way too much energy all the time and being an entertainer is one way of getting rid of my crazy amounts of it. Not ONLY that, but I will admit that I love the attention. Most performers don’t admit this, but we all dig the attention haha.

What are your favourite albums right now?
I am loving Said The Whale’s new album ‘Hawaii’ ! (Vancouver based band, Van City represent !!!).

Also, I am really loving The Naked & Famous brand new album, ‘In Rolling Waves’. I went and saw them live at the Vogue downtown a month or so ago, and it was amazing. I love that band to pieces haha. Also, I have to shoutout Selena Gomez, I have a celebrity crush on that girl, and her recent album is perfect. These three artists I jam out to in the car on the way to set all the time. Anyway I could ramble on for pages about all the new music and favourite artists I am listening to right now, so I will just stop here.

Do you have any favorite actors and musicians that you look up to?
I love Adam Sandler, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz Plasse (McLovin), Chloe G Moretz, Steve Martin, and Brent Butt. These are just a few of my favourite actors.

One musician/artist I really look up to is George Watsky, or just known as Watsky. He is a rapper and poet and I absolutely love his stuff. Also, other musicians I have to mention.. The Brecker Brothers, Selena Gomez, Pentatonix, Naked & Famous, Said the Whale, The Zolas, Mother Mother, Brite Futures (previously known, Natalie Portmans Shaved Head), The Beatles (cant forget them), and Ratatat. Stopping myself once again before this goes too long..

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Stepping out of my Lamborghini, walking up to my penthouse suite in Vancouver, only to catch a helicopter to my other penthouse in LA. Hahahaha… but seriously.

Honestly other than that, I want to be working on some comedic features, and/or new shows, maybe writing some stuff. That is something I will be making sure is happening (can you feel my insane confidence yet?)
Possibly my music career can start somewhere in the next 5 years, as I always have wanted to play synths/drums and start a band.

What do you think that the audience will like most about “Some Assembly Required”?
The writers are great and pick up on really funny things a character will do, and then keep calling back on it, it’s so prime in my opinion haha. I also want to say, watch out for the ‘Phineas and Ferb’ effect, at least thats what I call it haha. I don’t want to spoil anything in the show yet, but I think that is the best way to describe it.

Social Media Handles

Website: HarrisonHoude.com
Twitter: @HarrisonHoude, @someassemblytv
Instagram: @HarrisonHoude
Facebook: Harrison Houde, Some Assembly Required
YouTube: youtube.com/xTurnipTimex

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

INTERVIEW WITH KOLTON STEWART WHO PLAYS JARVIS ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Kolton Stewart is thrilled to begin a new chapter in his life as he recently moved to Vancouver to play Jarvis Raines in the YTV series, Some Assembly Required. On the show, Jarvis is a passionate dreamer with a lot of big ideas. He’s a born leader with a winning personality who can charm anyone into doing anything for him, a trait that will come in handy as the new owner of Knickknack Toys.

Tell us about your character.
I play Jarvis Raines who is the owner of Knickknack Toys. Jarvis is a goal driven guy with a lot of big dreams and ideas now that he owns a toy store. Jarvis is very passionate about his company and co-workers and he wants to do whatever he can to run a successful toy company. He is smart, loyal and keenly aware he needs great skilled staff to make his toy company a huge success. He handpicked his staff because he knew they were the ones to make a successful team at Knickknack Toys.

How did you get involved in this TV series?
Last year I took some time off of auditioning as I was working on competitive dance and music. My agent knew I was not auditioning a lot but she got in touch with me and said this audition looked perfect for me. I went to the audition and then got a call back. I loved the script and Jarvis. I was pretty excited and hoped to get the role. I was completely blown away when I got told I was being invited to a Chemistry Read in B.C for the role of Jarvis. I had just graduated grade 8 two days earlier, but I packed my stuff and learned the script on the plane because it happened so fast! It was one of the coolest experiences of my life because I had never been flown to an audition! I knew I wanted this role when I auditioned in Toronto, but as soon as I did the Chemistry Read I just knew I had to get the role of Jarvis! I waited and waited and waited…then while I was at a camp in Seattle I got a call from my mom. She told me I got the role of Jarvis! I could not have been more excited! I couldn’t wait to move to Vancouver because I loved it there! I still feel really lucky to have been chosen for the role of Jarvis and I love working with the entire cast and crew of Some Assembly Required!

When did you know that you wanted to be an entertainer?
I have been performing music as a drummer since I was about 3 years old so I played infront of audiences before but didn’t know I was performing really. I just did it because I loved music. I joined a few competitive bands that travelled around North America but I never really thought of myself as a performer – I just loved to drum!

I also loved football and when I was 7 years old I was the starting quarterback for my football team. At a practice I got tackled and broke my leg. I decided to audition at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for The Music Man because I knew I couldn’t play football and Ioved performing as a drummer. I went to the audition with a full leg cast and played my snare drum and sang. After three long months of intense auditioning and a full leg cast, I was so excited to hear I got the role! By the time the rehearsals started my cast was gone and I was hooked! From the time I stepped up on that stage I never wanted to step off. It was truly the best feeling ever. When I saw all of the adult professionals acting, singing and dancing I was truly inspired and knew that I wanted to be an entertainer for the rest of my life! The following season at Stratford Festival I was offered two roles in two plays. I was cast in West Side Story as a soloist and cast member and then was McDuff’s Son in MacBeth.

I was approached by an agent to audition for Lion King while doing West Side Story in Stratford. I auditioned over a three-month period and was hired as Young Simba for the North American Tour of Lion King. Travelling all around North America with so many talented actors changed my life because I knew this is what I had to do for the rest of my life. I still loved sports, but this is where I wanted to be. As soon as I finished the tour of Lion King I decided to try auditioning for Television and Film. From that point on I worked on TV shows and movies which helped me develop my skills and get me ready for one of the biggest roles of my life – Some Assembly Required.

Tell us about your experience on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
I did a video with a friend and we just did it for fun. But around 25 000 views the producers from the Ellen Show contacted my mom and invited us to perform on her show. They told us this song was amazing and knew it would go viral. I did not even really understand what that meant – It happened so fast and being on The Ellen DeGeneres Show was so surreal! I was so scared that I would mess up the live performance but Ellen made me feel so relaxed. She came to watch our practice run and talked to us in such a calming way that it made everything amazing! Everything you think she is onstage, she is offstage. She is kind, personable and very humble. She met with us before the show and after the show and was genuinely interested in my life and where we lived. I have never met such an incredible honest and sincere person in my life. It was truly a remarkable experience and I will never forget her generosity and kind spirit. I hope one day I get to see her again and give back the way she gave to me. It changed everything for me and I’m very grateful for this.

Who are your top 5 favorite artists?
Well Ray Charles really influenced my life and I think I own every CD he has ever put out. I listened to him non-stop when I was little! My top 5 Favorite artists now that I listen to are John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, Stevie Wonder, Justin Bieber and Usher.

Favorite clothing in your closet right now?
At the moment I am absolutely obsessed with Hollister Clothing and GShock watches!

What do you like most about doing “Some Assembly Required”?
My favorite part about doing ‘Some Assembly Required’ is just being able to film an episode every week with a group of amazing actors. I feel very lucky to work with the talented writers, editors and producers because they are so incredibly talented. I love learning from everyone here on set at Some Assembly Required. Being able to know that every week I get to film an episode is so awesome and all of my fellow cast members are truly unbelievable. They are all so talented and have become great friends.

What excites you most about doing this TV series?
What I am most excited about is that I am filming in a series. I have always dreamed about doing something like this. I just did not know it was going to happen this fast! I feel so lucky to be here! Growing up I have always watched shows on YTV and thought to myself “wow imagine if I got to be on a YTV series! Now suddenly that I am actually fulfilling one of my dreams – its so amazing!

Why should people watch this show?
People should watch this show because it is filled with laughter, excitement and drama! We have a group of great writers and every week they never fail to give us hilarious scripts. It’s a very funny show with a lot of big surprises and people of all ages will like this show. The entire cast is super talented and I think people will love this show.

Do you like Twitter and Facebook to reach out to your fans!
I love Twitter and Facebook! Ever since being on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I have really been connecting with my fans and a lot of people have been connecting with me via Facebook and Twitter. Social Media is such a great way to reach out to your peer group, your fans and your friends. Check me out on Twitter (@kolton_stewart) and Facebook (Kolton Stewart Performer)! Some Assembly Required also has Twitter, Facebook and a YouTube channel so I hope we will see you there too!

Social Media Handles

Facebook: Kolton Stewart
Twitter: @kolton_stewart

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

INTERVIEW WITH CHARLIE STORWICK WHO PLAYS PIPER ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Our first interview is with cast member Charlie Storwick, whose fiercely independent attitude, edgy sense of style and musical talent led her to play Piper Gray on Some Assembly Required. Piper is a sardonic, alternative “hacker chick” (her term). She can program code, overclock a computer, and kick your butt at Halo. All that makes Piper a natural to head up the Knickknack Toys video game and app division.

Tell us about your character.
My character is named “Piper Grey”. She’s a very quirky feisty gal. She has lots of spunk, and a LOT of attitude. She likes the world to think that she doesn’t like people in general, but deep down she loves her co-workers at ‘Knickknack Toys’ and she wants the company to succeed. Piper is strong willed, and is NOT afraid to voice her opinion. She is very clever with technology, in fact, that’s her role at the toy company: “Technical programming and game design.” Piper is not your average girl. She has eclectic style, and a quick mind. She doesn’t let anyone or anything get in her way of completing a mission. She has one soft spot, and that is Jarvis Raines. Piper has had a HUGE crush on Jarvis since she started working at the company. He has no clue, but tries to express her love for him, but he tends to not see it.

What attracted you to “Some Assembly Required”?
I remember reading the audition sides for ‘Some Assembly Required’ for the first time. I instantly fell in love with the show. The concept of kids running a toy company just clicked with me. I had never heard of a show that was anything like this one. I like to look at the show as “misfit toys that run a company”. All of the roles in the show are so different from each other and yet they work so well together. The picture the script painted in my head just seemed so magical. The show just sounded like 100% fun, and it is.

Is this your first acting experience?
This is indeed my first acting experience, and I could not of asked for a better first experience. I am having a blast and learning every day.

What do you find is the best experience about being part of an ensemble cast?
The best part of being a part of an ensemble cast is definitely the bond we’ve created. I feel like I have a second family that has the love of the same thing I do. It could not be better. We are all learning and growing together, and it could not be cooler. We get to share laughs every day. We support each other, and we just love being together.

Why do you think that people should watch “Some Assembly Required”?
If you are looking for a good laugh and a unique show this is the perfect show for you. It has something for everybody.

Tell us about your experience when you were the winner on the fourth season of “The Next Star”.
The Next Star experience was insane. I was only twelve at the time, and I was learning to develop the skills that I have now. When I was crowned “The Next Star” I was speechless. That whole finale was a blur and still is to that very day. I cannot believe that I was crowned winner, and I cannot believe where that experience has gotten me.

Do you write songs?
I do in fact write songs. I’ve been writing since I can remember and I love it more than anything. I have this dream of giving people the special felling that music gives me, with my own songs. I write every day, hoping one day to publish and inspire others. Music is such a gift and I can’t imagine life without it.

Favorite concert you’ve been to?
I remember going to my first concert ever, which was “Hilary Duff’s Fly concert” It will always be my favourite concert, because that was the first time I had been exposed to music in such a energetic atmosphere. I remember wanting to be a musician the second Hilary Duff walked on stage.

What are your favorite fashion brands?
Some of my fave fashion brands are: Betsy Johnson, Chanel (I have nothing from Chanel, I just drool over the clothes when I see them in magazines), Urban Outfitters, Free people.. I could go on FOREVER. Anything vintage and eclectic is a definite yes!

Do you like using social media?
I love using social media for two min reasons.
ONE: I have this incredible opportunity to connect with my fans.
TWO: I love posting fun things, social media is such a fun thing. I look at it as a way to share smiles. I love being quirky and real on social media. I try to show people that I’m just a person, nothing more. I’m just as special as anyone.

Social Media Handles

Facebook: Charlie
Twitter: @SoooCharlie

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

YTV Adds Hilarious New Live Action Series ‘Some Assembly Required’ to its Winter Slate

Some Assembly Required premieres on YTV Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT

What kid wouldn’t love to be in charge of running a toy company? And what better way to get around the place than a full-scale indoor roller coaster? The sky is the limit for fun and imagination in YTV’s Some Assembly Required, a new live action comedy series, which follows an eclectic and mismatched group of kids who operate Knickknack Toys. The series premieres on Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT, following Sam & Cat at 6 p.m. ET/PT on YTV.

Fourteen-year-old Jarvis Raines played by YouTube sensation, Kolton Stewart (I Declare War, The Next Step) is at the helm as President of Knickknack Toys. If Jarvis is going to succeed in running the toy company, he has to invent some of the most exciting, fun and creative toys in history and have a dynamic team to help him. His first hire is a girl from school Piper Gray, a computer-savvy “gamer dude” played by singer/songwriter Charlie Storwick (winner of YTV’s The Next Star, Season 4). Then, he rounds out the team by enlisting: his best friend with dubious talents, Bowie, played by Harrison Houde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid); a charming personal assistant Geneva, played by Sydney Scotia (The Letter); Knox, an extreme sports daredevil played by Dylan Playfair (Mr. Hockey: the Gordie Howe Story), and Aster, fashion-forward “King of Swag” played by Travis Turner (Marley & Me: The Puppy Years). Surrounded by doubters, including the former owner Candace Wheeler (Ellie Harvie, The New Addams Family), Jarvis and his team try to prove to the world that not only can they run the company, they can make it better than ever, restoring honour to the name of the company’s founder, P. Everett Knickknack.

In the premiere episode, a Christmas toy gone wrong blows up Jarvis’ house. When Candace refuses to remedy the situation, a jury awards Jarvis the company, making him the new owner of Knickknack Toys. Jarvis and team invent their first toy, StrongSuit – a bodysuit for kids that makes them big and strong. They decide to test it out on a group of local schoolchildren, but when the kids refuse to give the StrongSuit back Jarvis must stop them before they destroy the company.

Shot in front of a live audience in Burnaby, British Columbia, Some Assembly Required is a YTV original series produced by Thunderbird Films. The series is created by Dan Signer (A.N.T. Farm, Mr. Young) and Howard Nemetz (Mr. Young, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody).
To be part of the studio audience viewers can email someassemblylive@gmail.com to reserve their seats.

Coinciding with the series launch in January, YTV.com will feature an innovative Some Assembly Required video mash-up tool that allows fans to create their own thematic videos using select clips from actual episodes of the show. Prior to the premiere, fans can play an all-new web game featuring 20 levels of fun and challenging game-play. A free-to-play app version will also be launched in the New Year along with 20 more levels of game-play.

About YTV
Celebrating 25 years in television, YTV is a leading cross platform entertainment brand for kids and families. The channel offers quality entertainment with hilarious animated and live-action comedy series, popular Nickelodeon series, blockbuster movies, top-rated original Canadian programming, music, celebrities and the channel’s after-school block, The Zone. Through its multiple platforms and exclusive digital and interactive content, YTV is the voice of Canadian youth culture. YTV is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children’s book publishing, children’s animation and animation software. The Company’s multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), ABC Spark, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), Cosmopolitan TV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press, Toon Boom and radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B).

About Thunderbird Films
Thunderbird is an expanded multiplatform media production, distribution and rights management company based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Thunderbird is known for its collaboration with talented producers, maximizing the financial and creative benefits of Canadian co–production to assist in the financing, production and distribution of all genres of programming for the world market. The company is committed to delivering premium finished product that has broad appeal for broadcasters and their audiences worldwide. Today, Thunderbird has a catalogue comprised of more than 500 hours of Canadian and US television content and its programming airs on major networks around the globe.

Social Media Handles

Website: YTV.com, thunderbird.tv, mediacentre.corusent.com
Twitter: @someassemblytv, @YTV, @CorusPR
Facebook: Some Assembly Required

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

Steve Nash Clubs, YTV Stars and Toys “R” Us Join Forces to Provide Kids With Toys For the Holidays

The cast of Some Assembly Required joins Nash team members for an in-store shopping spree to help Vancouver’s Salvation Army

Art imitates life as the cast of YTV’s highly anticipated new sitcom Some Assembly Required, a show about kids running their own toy company from Thunderbird Films, takes over a Toys “R” Us store. The young stars are lending their support to Steve Nash Fitness Clubs in the kick-off for its Holiday Campaign to benefit the Vancouver Chapter of the Salvation Army in its Adopt-a-Family program.

On Saturday, November 30^th at 9:30am at the Coquitlam Toys ”R“ Us store, Steve Nash team members along with cast members Kolton Stewart, Charlie Storwick, Harrison Houde, Sydney Scotia, Dylan Playfair, Travis Turner and Ellie Harvie will be given $4,000 by the Steve Nash Fitness Clubs to shop for toys and necessities to ensure children in the community have a happy holiday. Toys “R” Us is helping by generously providing a discount to help purchase as many toys as possible.

“We are very excited to have the cast of Some Assembly Required join our campaign this year. After hearing about the premise of the show, we knew it was a perfect fit – it’s like having our own personal ‘toy specialists’ to help,” says Brent Gaserowski, Nash Clubs Director of Marketing. “We value the work the Salvation Army does in our local communities and want to support what we feel is a wonderful and vital program for the Holiday Season. We are appreciative to have Toys “R” Us on board again this year and are grateful for the help from the Coquitlam store.”

As part of the local Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program, food and toys are packed up by volunteers in each community and given to families that are struggling this holiday season. Donation Bins will be set up in the Nash Clubs for the month of December and as well as on the set of Some Assembly Required for audience members attending the live shows who want to lend their support.

The Salvation Army Vancouver Community and Family Services Executive Director, Major Russ Holland says, “Steve Nash Fitness Club is a champion in the communities to which they are a member of and we are so grateful for their dedication and support in providing hope for so many deserving families in need this holiday season.”

The public are invited to come to Toys “R” Us in Coquitlam on November 30^th at 9:30am to cheer on the cast and are encouraged to buy or bring a toy to contribute to the Toy Drive. For more information on how to be part of the Some Assembly Required live studio audience, go to someassemblylive@gmail.com.

Filmed in Burnaby, British Columbia Canada, Some Assembly Required follows fourteen-year-old Jarvis Raines (Kolton Stewart) who ends up running Knickknack Toys after suing the toy company who produced a chemistry set he receives for Christmas destroys his house. Jarvis enlists the help of five friends and decides to prove to the world that he can not only run the company, but make it even better by creating the most amazing toys. Some Assembly Required premieres on YTV on Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Social Media Handles

Website: snclubs.com, YTV.com, thunderbird.tv
Twitter: @SNSC, @someassemblytv, @YTV
Facebook: Steve Nash Fitness Clubs, Some Assembly Required

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

Canadian actress Sarah Smyth shines in “Cedar Cove” and “Call Me Fitz” and will soon be seen in her guest starring role on “Motive”

Sarah Smyth, a talented young actress has become one of Canada’s quickly rising stars. Sarah landed a coveted role as a series regular in season one of “Cedar Cove”, an original TV movie turned regular series, airing on the Hallmark Channel (USA) and W Channel (Canada). Sarah stars alongside and plays Judge Olivia Lockhart’s (Andie MacDowell) daughter, along with Dylan Neal (Arrow, Dawson’s Creek). Based on bestselling author Debbie Macomber’s beloved book series, the show centers around Judge Olivia, who is considered the community’s guiding light in the picturesque, coastal town of Cedar Cove, Washington. However, like everyone else, Olivia fights the uphill battle of balancing career with family and finding love, all the while doing her best to care for the township she calls home. Initially a TV movie, the instant hit, “Cedar Cove” has been renewed for a second season and will begin production in March 2014.

2013 has been a busy year for Sarah, with a recurring role on “Call Me Fitz”, playing the character of Paula Childs opposite Michael Gross (Family Ties) and Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210). Sarah appears in eight of ten episodes in season 4 of “Call Me Fitz”, a series revolving around a morally bankrupt car salesman who is forced to become business partners with his inner conscience, an off-beat do-gooder intent on healing Fitz’s mangled psyche one hilarious disaster at a time. “Call Me Fitz” airs on HBO Canada and Direct TV (USA). Sarah also guest starred on an episode of the CTV hit series “Motive”.

Sarah’s first roles on screen included “Vampire High” and “Big Wolf on Campus”, followed by a role on George Clooney’s directorial debut “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”, in a scene opposite Sam Rockwell. Sarah also spent three seasons in a lead role on the Showcase/Oxygen original series “Naked Josh” (starring Hawthorn’s David Julian Hirsh). Ready for bigger and better opportunities, Sarah moved across the country to pursue work in Vancouver, BC where her screen credits included “Smallville”, “Human Target”, “ Supernatural”, “Shattered”, “Tower Pre”, and “Endgame”, and recurring roles on “Durham County” and “Stargate Universe”. In 2009, she was hand-picked by Executive Producer Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure) for a series-regular role as Lucy Daramour on the CBS horror/drama Harper’s Island. Roles in television movies, “The Pregnancy Project” for Lifetime, and “Duke”, a Hallmark production, reaffirmed to Sarah that she had found her calling and she was headed on a path for success.

Film credits for Sarah include “The Covenant” (starring Sebastian Stan and Chace Crawford), R.W. Goodwin’s “Alien Trespass” (starring alongside Eric McCormack and Robert Patrick), and Chris Columbus’s “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” (Starring Logan Lerman and Pierce Brosnan). Sarah also had a small role in Jonathan Levine’s “50/50”, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogan and Anna Kendrick. She also filmed a lead role in “Jack of Diamonds”, a television pilot for CanWest Global and France 2. Other actors Sarah has been fortunate to work with include Keith Rennie (“Shattered”, “Californication”), Louis Ferreira (Breaking Bad, Stargate Universe), and Kristin Lehman (The Killing).

Sarah was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. Her love for performance stemmed from a young age as she spent three years with the Orleans Young Players, which included the performance of three plays, followed by three years studing with the Ottawa School for Speech and Drama. Sarah is now splitting her time between Los Angeles and Vancouver. Her pastimes include reading, listening to records (current favourite “Field Recordings from Alan Lomax’s Southern Journey,”1959-1960), both preparing and eating food, and spending time doing all the above with good friends.

When she has time off she loves to travel – some of her top trips include backpacking in Brazil, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. This past September she travelled to Kenya to visit friends in the Masai Mara, where she fell in love with the incredible landscapes and wild life while on Safari. Sarah’s most memorable experience of the trip was spending time with the children at the Wholistic Caring Centre/ Orphanage. Since returning home Sarah is working with the ‘With My Own Two Hands Foundation’ in California to help bring positive change to the lives of the children that she met.

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @SarahSmyth24
Facebook: Sarah Smyth
IMDb: Sarah Smyth

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

Author, Comedian, & Public Speaker Jessica Holmes to host A Woman’s Legacy Event on Nov. 21

Jessica Holmes joins former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, famed Canadian songstress Jann Arden, and best-selling author of Introverts Susan Cain in the incredible line up of inspirational women visiting Toronto to speak at A Woman’s Legacy Event on November 21, 2013.

This annual event draws an audience of motivated women including successful businesswomen, entrepreneurs and the who’s who in the city to learn first hand from internationally renowned women. Bridging a cross section of industries to come together and be empowered. A Woman’s Legacy brings together experts who speak about their personal stories and their secrets to success in areas that cover communication strategies, motivation, smart investing, innovation, stress management and more.

Tickets are available from $189 and can be purchased on line at legacymastery.com

Jessica Holmes – Author, Comedian, & Public Speaker

Jessica Holmes starred on Royal Canadian Air Farce and The Holmes Show, and is the author of I Love Your Laugh: Finding the Light in my Screwball Life. Also a Life Coach, she tours Canada with her quirky combination of humour & inspiration.

Holmes has opened for comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Leslie Nielsen, and Ellen DeGeneres, as well as hosted events for such visionaries as Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, and Oprah Winfrey! Although a comedian at heart, having performed with the Second City and Just for Laughs, Holmes has recently delved into writing: penning the book I Love Your Laugh: Finding the Light in My Screwball Life. Jessica majored in writing at Ryerson’s Radio & Television Arts BFA program, and again ended up spending her free time involved in comedy: acting in and then directing the annual sketch comedy show, titled RIOT. There, a few of the performers dared each other to try stand up. Four of them, Jessica included, performed at amateur night at The Laugh Resort. Jessica was hooked on the terrifying adrenaline ride that is stand up comedy, and decided to try it on as a career. During her years on Air Farce, Jessica had two children, Alexa and Jordan, with her actor husband Scott. Holmes wrote her first book, I Love Your Laugh: Finding the Light in my Screwball Life, in 2010. Having fallen in love with public speaking, Holmes decided to deepen the scope of her material by becoming a Life & Career Coach through San Diego’s Life Purpose Institute. She now enjoys a mix of comedy & motivational speaking.

Social Media Handles

Website: jessicaholmes.com
Twitter: @happyfeetholmes, @JuliaGillard, @jannarden, @susancain

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

Gemini Award-Winning Gabrielle Miller Makes Her Directorial Debut in Seed&Spark’s Newest Project ‘CLAUDETTE’

The Promotion People - Seed & Spark

Gabrielle Miller is set to direct a short film starring her Corner Gas co-star, Tara Spencer-Nairn and Toronto actor, Scott McCord. Currently in pre-production, the film will shoot for two days on December 7th and 8th 2013 in Toronto. Entitled, CLAUDETTE, the script is a murder mystery surrounding the disappearance of the title character’s husband.

Through the platform of Seed&Spark, the film will be produced primarily through donations. They will go forth in whatever manner they can based on their fundraising at that time, which will end a few days after they wrap. This gives viewers a unique opportunity to actually be a part of the outcome by contributing in real time in response to activity on set. Every donation increases their ability to make a better film, and the more they have going in, the more resources will be available on that day.

Find out more about the project and how you can support it at: seedandspark.com/studio/claudette

SYNOPSIS
After an early morning spent replanting her garden, Claudette wearily comes inside her home. It is autumn, the leaves are falling, it’s not the time for this type of yard work, but that does not concern her. She is too concerned with other things.

Once in doors, Claudette removes her gum boots and places them just inside her kitchen next to a muddy shovel. She climbs the stairs, removes her clothes and showers. Claudette towels off. Claudette gets dressed. Claudette quietly and meticulously packs her bags.

Later, in her kitchen, Claudette lights a kettle for tea on the stove, one last cup before– there is a tapping at the back door, a knocking rather. Claudette goes to it.

It is Detective Koslovski. The Detective assigned to her husband’s case. He had been coming around a lot, but not for the last few weeks. She had wondered about that… she wonders why he was back here now. On today of all days.

Koslovski admires her garden. Claudette agrees to allow him to come inside once he tells her that some ‘news’ has come to light.

In her living room she sits with Koslovski as he explains that the people that her husband owed money to are not the type of people that one would necessarily want to owe money to.

Claudette lets this information bounce off of her shoulders as casually as she can, declaring it was not she but her husband, Jeremiah, who owed the money. Claudette’s evasiveness leads Koslovski to call out the elephant in the room. He states aloud that it is most likely that her husband has absconded leaving his troubles for her to deal with.

The tea kettle in the kitchen whistles. Claudette asks if Koslovski would like some tea and begins to wonder just what exactly Koslovski is here to ask her…

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Promotion People - Gabrielle Miller

GABRIELLE MILLER – Director/Producer

Gemini award-winning Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas, Call Me Fitz, Moving Day) has appeared in over 75 productions in the past two decades. She is best known for her lead roles on two television series: the runaway hit CTV series Corner Gas, and the critically acclaimed dramedy Robson Arms. In 2013, Gabrielle was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for her role in Mike Clattenburg’s feature film Moving Day, the opening film for the Canadian Images Program at VIFF in 2012. Combined, Gabrielle has garnered 12 Gemini and Leo Award nominations and five wins. In 2012, Gabrielle had the honor of being a member of Oldenburg International Film Festival’s first ever all female jury. Gabrielle can be heard this fall in the City TV/Hulu adult animated series, Mother Up!, and her most recent foray in the world of independent film, Down River, can be seen in theaters in the Spring of 2014. Gabrielle splits her time between her residences in New York and Toronto.

“I come from a performing background, having been an actor for over twenty years in Canada and the United States. I am very excited to be making my directorial debut with CLAUDETTE.” – Gabrielle Miller

ALEXANDER CENDESE – Writer/Producer

Alexander Cendese is a American/Canadian actor, writer and producer living in New York and Toronto. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to a Canadian father and an American mother, Cendese spent significant time in Florence, Italy growing up, before attending the Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp and eventually, Carnegie Mellon, where he received his Bachelor’s in Acting from the School of Drama in 2004. In 2004, Cendese took up permanent residency in New York City, where he has been a working actor ever since. In 2011, Cendese developed, produced and appeared in the feature film, Blumenthal, starring Brain Cox and Laila Robins. Blumenthal had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2013 and is set for a spring 2014 release. Cendese has produced several short films, including Feeling Tall, and Defaced, which he wrote, shot, edited and directed, and he recently wrapped principal photography on the feature, Best Man in the Dark, which he co-wrote and starred in. Since November of 2012, Cendese has maintained a home in Toronto, as well as New York City.

“I wrote CLAUDETTE for Gabrielle Miller to direct. She is one of the most talented actors I have ever known and having been closely involved with her over the last few years has led me to understand her deep desire to approach story telling from a new perspective. We both share an innate interest in telling stories specifically about women who do extraordinary things. Without painting Claudette’s actions one way or the other, it can certainly be said that she is a surprising woman.” – Alexander Cendese

TARA SPENCER-NAIRN – Claudette

Spencer-Nairn was born in Montreal, raised in Vancouver and currently calls Toronto home. A former competitive gymnast, she is a graduate of the Vancouver Film School. Her big breakthrough came in 1999, when she was cast as Lou in the highly-acclaimed film New Waterford Girl which played at Sundance and TIFF and was nominated for seven Genie awards. Tara is best-known for her Gemini-winning turn as Karen Pelly on the #1 rated sitcom Corner Gas. She can currently be seen in the recurring role of Sandy in CTV’s hit drama The Listener.

Photography credit: Ted Belton

SCOTT MCCORD

Scott Mccord is an actor, musician, voice actor and filmmaker. He is bandleader for the soul-rock band SCOTT MCCORD AND THE BONAFIDE TRUTH (Best New Artist of the Year Nominee – 2010 Maple Blues Awards). Scott recently appeared on stage in Rosa Laborde’s MARINE LIFE (Aluna Theatre) and Sky Gilbert’s NAKED HAMILTON.

Film and TV credits include LOST GIRL, 16 BLOCKS, SHOOT EM UP, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE and THE ELEVENTH HOUR. Animated TV series include TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND, BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS, MOTHER UP! and CAMP LAKEBOTTOM. Scott’s voice acting talents led to him being invited to New Zealand and Australia as a celebrity guest for ARMAGEDDON FAN EXPO 2011.

KEN KRAWCZYK, CSC – Director of Photography

Having been behind the camera on many award winning series like, Corner Gas, Hiccups, and recently, In Security, Ken Anton Krawcyzk has experienced success at many levels as a director of photography. Although best known for his series work, Krawcysk’s love for motion photography goes beyond television comedy. Driven to create engaging photography for over twenty five years, Krawczyk has extended his craft to many feature film and commercial projects. Krawcyzk was nominated for the Gemini Award for best photography in a comedy program in 2008, 2010, and 2011. Most recently he was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for his photography on In Security in 2013.

Social Media Handles

Website: seedandspark.com/studio/claudette, gabriellemiller.com
Facebook: Seed&Spark, Gabrielle Miller, Scott Mccord
Twitter: @claudetteshortf, @MillerGabrielle, @alexcendese, @TSpencerNairn, @ScottyMcCord, @seedandspark

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

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