This morning, I went over to the annual Toronto Fashion Incubator Press/Media/Buyers Breakfast, where I worked for Therapeutic By Design with sisters Maggie and Karen. The former is the co-owner of the company and the latter, working for her sister. Both are massage therapists who felt there was a need for high quality linens covering the massage tables.

They were both lovely ladies that were fun hang out with! The event itself was pretty cool, got to I wear a robe and hung around Maggie and Karen’s booth, helping them promote their products. It went by very quickly, I had a great time and even got this little gift bag on the way out! Even the Mayor of Toronto, David Miller, not only attended but gave a speech, while the whole thing got media attention. I did see a CP24 camera around, so if you catch their coverage of the event and see a guy in a white robe.. it’s me!

Last week I shot a print campaign for Twixrix, a vaccine to protect against contracting both hepatitis A and B. Everyone on set, from the people representing the product and ad agency to photographer Darrin Klimek and the crew were great to work! Had lots of fun during this one, and was even offered a ride back home (I had taken the subway to the job and one of the guys was headed to my area). Anyway, it should be released by the end of the year, in magazines, brochures and on the Internet. We went through a lot of pictures, angles, setups and different expressions that I can’t tell you exactly what to expect, but in all cases I play a chef, dressed in an all white chef’s outfit, complete with hat.

I also went back home (Ottawa-Gatineau area) for the Thanksgiving weekend, but it wasn’t all just pleasure. Well maybe it was, because the audition I had, along with the little photoshoot I took part of were both very enjoyable. First I auditioned for Parktown Productions‘ upcoming feature length film and was happy to see some familiar faces. You may know them as the producers of the Live 88.5 commercials (Bathroom, Stereo) and the Calvin Klein Grand Prize winning shot film “2@2“, both which I act in. Then I met up with Kevin McMillan (who I’ve also worked with before) to take some pictures for his promotional materials he’s putting together to get funding for his TV pilot that he wants to shoot in China! If this goes through, Kevin has offered me one of two lead roles.. which would be a blast to shoot. Combining acting and traveling.. awesome!

Other than that, I still audition on a regular basis and doing great! I actually just got news of a callback for a short film I auditioned for before the weekend. Will keep you updated as usual!

The Corel Digital Studio campaign has now been launched in North America! Created and produced by Hooplah, short film style clips are used to promote Corel’s new product: Digital Studio 2010. That’s only part of the extent of Hooplah’s marketing campaign (which you can read more about on their blog entry titled “Corel Digital Studio 2010: Remember When?”, dated September 9th, 2009). I play the lead, Josh in his late teens to late twenties, and I’m featured in all the clips (but you won’t see much of me in the first one). Now to share the videos with you!

To watch these short clips, you can either watch them all as a one clip on the Digital Studio homepage: http://www.cds2010.com. Simply click the still image with the play button, the “Watch Full Video” link on the left, or “Watch the Film” on the right. You can also watch the clips individually by clicking the corresponding still.

Or.. watch it right here! Via playlist of all five clips on YouTube:

Lastly, you can read my entry about shooting this campaign here. Hope you enjoy these videos!

In the last month or so, I had three separate photoshoots. First, at the beginning of August, I shot with Sang Nguyen for the second time. We got along very well the first time and talked about shooting again in the future. Sang expressed his preference in shooting people with longer hair so we agreed that if I could grow it out for a bit, we’d shoot together again. These two shots are just some of the ones that came from it. Was great to see and hang out with Sang again!

Then later that month, I yet again shot with my friends from Ottawa, Paul and Shalan Crivellari. The picture on the left came from the shoot, which I will be using as my main headshot! Actually, Paul and Shalan just moved to Toronto and recently launched their new website: http://www.shalanandpaul.com. I’d like to note that although, as you can see, they still do headshots, they’re getting more into fashion photography. Regardless of what kind of shots you’re looking for, if you’re in Toronto looking to be photographed, check out these newly arrived photographers! Such a great and talented couple!

Lastly, I shot with photographer David Wile. This was my first time working with him, and he had a bridal creative in mind. First he shot the woman playing the bride (named Amara, hope I didn’t misspell her name), then both of us together and finally single shots of me. This went very smoothly and I enjoyed working with David, Amara and the rest of the team! I’ve already looked at the pictures and they will soon be released.

Once again, one of the perks of working of this industry is that you’re constantly meeting new people but also have the chance to work with people you’ve already met and worked with before!

Episode 12 of the 5th season of F2: Forensic Factor titled “Picture Perfect” is airing tomorrow, Friday August 21st at 10:00pm ET then later on at 2:00am ET on Discovery Channel Canada! In this episode, I play the role of the late George Patisso.

For more information about the show, check out the F2 page on the Discovery Channel website. You can also read about my experience on set as well as auditioning for the role in my post titled F2: Forensic Factor shoot. Hope you enjoy this episode!

Just at the end of July, I had an audition for this project. The director Trevor Francis who came and walked me to the audition room was the same one behind the Much Mobile Missions commercial spot I did over two years ago. Right away, I remembered him, how much fun we had and our great rapport. Trevor then told me how he was trying to track me down for this video production and couldn’t get a hold of me (since I changed agents when I moved to Toronto). He was glad that my current agent submitted me for this, and said I was the guy for the part (all this before the actual audition process). Well two days later, I got a call from Teri congratulating me on the role!

This project for Corel turned out to be a promotional video with the style of a short film, created and produced by Hooplah. The concept is that my character Josh, puts together a video using Corel’s new software with footage spanning over 20 years. I played Josh from his late teens to his late twenties, while Mila (hair/makeup), Kendra (woredrobe) and their assistants worked to make me look the right age. I even went through a haircut during the shoot, and trimmed/shaved my facial hair.

We started off on Friday, shooting at a house in the West end of Toronto and continued in that same location Saturday. On Sunday, we shot a scene at the Greyhound bus station then at a soccer field. Finally, saving the best for last, we had our final day at Kew Beach. Of course, every day was great (not without some slight roadbumps that we encountered, rain being one of those) but what a nice way to finish off this four day shoot.. with beautiful weather at the beach!

I have so many pleasant memories from working on this project.. I could write pages about these four days. The cast and crew where all hard workers and great people. I don’t think I could of asked for better! Trevor’s easy going but professional approach made it easy for us to have fun while putting out good work. I had the chance to see some footage that was recorded and… let me tell you this is going to look great!

This was simply a great experience for me, filled with great moments and laughter. Ask any one of the 40 plus people that worked on this project, they’ll tell you how much fun I was having. I also got to work with a few familiar faces, while meeting lots of cool people. Of course, I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product and sharing it with you!

Yesterday and the day before, I worked two full days as a volunteer reader for a workshop organized by Marc Baur (an actor/coach). If you’re wondering what a reader is.. well, during auditions, you often find yourself doing a scene with one or a few other characters. A reader will read the dialogue of the other character(s) giving the auditioning actor something to work with.

I love doing stuff like this. Even if it doesn’t pay, you get so much in return (not just talking about paid meals.. although that was great too)! Learning from other actors and watching their performances, listening to what the coaches and casting directors have to say and of course having a good time while meeting new people.. can’t go wrong with that!

Marc, along with Janet Laine Green (also actor/coach), would work with the actors in the afternoon, giving them feedback on their scenes and having them do it a second time. Then after dinner, the casting directors watched the the actors and gave even more feedback. The first day featured Tina Gerussi and Millie Tom while during day two, Lisa Parasyn and Marsha Chesley took over the second half. They all had great advice which they passed along to the actors.

I had a great time and it was a good learning experience. As a reader, I also got to do lots of acting and had a bit of practice for cold read type of auditions (because of the sheer number of scebes I was given, I only had the time to quickly look over them beforehand). Now, I need to get ready to be in front of the camera myself.. as of tomorrow I’ll be shooting a promotional video during four days straight. More to come after the shoot!

Just last week, I was able to get my hands on the 2008 TV movie called “The Watch”. The reason being? I had an uncredited appearance in it! This means you won’t find this in my resume or the movie credits.. but this is more than just a background role. I have non-verbal interaction with the lead along with a shot of just me. Check out the clip below!

I’m referred to as “Marathon/Finance Guy” by Andrea (Elizabeth Whitmere) while talking to her friend Cassie (Clea DuVall). This scene was shot in 2006, was directed by Jim Donovan and written by Ben Ripley.

More information on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1166118/

Just last month I wrote about the upcoming end of my foundation improvisation classes at Bad Dog Theater with Alastair Forbes. Well, last weekend, we put together an end of class show! It wasn’t the first time I’ve been on a stage (although that hasn’t happened too often), but definitely my first improvisation show. However, I was actually more excited than anything. The thing with improvising is that you don’t have to worry about what you’re supposed do.. you’re just gonna make it up on the spot!

Our whole class did good and got laughs from the crowd. Alastair was proud of us and encouraged us all to participate in more shows and to continue our improv training with intermediate and advanced classes. All in all, my experience at Bad Dog Theater, Alastair, the substitute teachers (for the few classes he couldn’t make) and my fellow classmates has been a great one! I plan to take more classes with Bad Dog in the Fall.

Just about a month ago, I got asked by the girls at B&M if I was willing to do a creative photoshoot with another model on the upcoming Saturday morning. Basically, Sang Nguyen, a Toronto based photographer, had an idea in mind and needed people to participate in his shoot. He was offering 2 free prints for our time. I was happy to agree. It’s always nice meeting and working with new people, not to mention getting some shots for free!

Since it was a beautiful day, I biked over to Sang’s studio. Once I got there I was greeted Sang at his door. Then I was surprised to see Kelly Foss inside which was also from B&M. We actually met at a casting when we happened to be sitting next to each other. She peaked over my comp cards and noticed we were in the same agency. We had started talking and she turned out to be a nice girl, was good to see her again. Sang also had a makeup artist along with a hair stylist working with him.

First we took some shoots inside his studio before driving down to the beach were we spent most of the time together. We all had an awesome time.. how could we not, working on the beach on a beautiful day with great people? Most of the shots were with Kelly and I together, but we were also photographed on our own. All in all, I was happy that Sang offered me the opportunity to work with him and had lots of fun with everyone involved!

I recently got the pictures from Sang. They were chosen by B&M to add to my portfolio. Make sure to check out the Pictures section to view larger versions of these shots! I’m really happy to have met and worked with Sang. He’s a great and talented guy!