ACTRA Spotlight | ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk

Part two of the conversation with Debra McGrath, Colin Mochrie, Kinley Mochrie, Outstanding Performance Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming Award winner Rabiya Mansoor along with Asher Rose and Madelaine Rose touches on what it meant to get their ACTRA card, why it's important to work with people you like on passion projects and actions they've taken that have felt gender affirming. We hope you enjoy this episode of ACTRA Spotlight, an audio and video podcast from ACTRA Toronto speaking with Canadian performers about their stories and work in the industry. Be sure to listen to part one of our conversation with Rabiya!

Listen to this exclusive panel discussion with ACTRA Toronto members Tantoo Cardinal, Shawn Doyle, Kevin Hanchard and Tatiana Maslany, hosted by ACTRA Toronto Executive Council member Amy Matysio, about the importance of a strike authorization vote during negotiations. Visit ACTRA Toronto's IPA Bargaining page: https://actratoronto.com/ipa-bargaining/

In this episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, IPA Bargaining Team Member Jennifer Wigmore joins host Kate Ziegler to discuss her experience as a performer and union representative, focusing on the challenges, priorities and what's at stake in IPA negotiations. Jennifer reflects on her time on the council in the 1990s, highlighting groundbreaking moments like integrating internet protections into the IPA—a reminder of the evolving nature of agreements. She underscores the importance of addressing digital streaming and residuals, citing the lack of protections for performers as streaming services dominate the industry. Jennifer also emphasizes the impact of self-tape auditions, highlighting their increased demands and hidden costs for actors. She stresses the critical need for updated language in agreements to protect performers in areas like AI, travel, and inflation while advocating for engagement by union members to ensure informed representation and collective progress. Ongoing updates about IPA Bargaining can be found here: https://actratoronto.com/ipa-bargaining/

In this episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, Kate Ziegler speaks with IPA bargaining team member and veteran stunt performer Steven "Shack" Shackleton about the unique challenges and contributions of the stunt community in the IPA Bargaining process. Shack highlights the critical priorities of "AIR"—Accessibility, Inclusion, Residuals, and Artificial Intelligence—focusing on AI-related concerns like deep fakes, data capture, and digital doubles, which could impact the livelihoods of performers. He also sheds light on the physical demands of stunt work and the importance of health and safety. The conversation underscores the growing representation of the stunt community within ACTRA Toronto, fostering unity and collaboration to ensure fair treatment and recognition for all members.

In this episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, ACTRA Award-winning voice performer and IPA bargaining team member Cory Doran speaks with Kate Ziegler about the challenges and opportunities facing performers today, including the importance of AI protections, fair compensation, and control over one's likeness, especially in the evolving voice and animation sectors. Cory also touches on the value of union solidarity, particularly for voice performers and precarious workers, as they navigate an industry reshaped by technology, inflation, and streaming.

In our second episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, Kate Ziegler speaks with ACTRA Toronto VP and Councillor Amy Matysio. Amy shares her experiences preparing for union bargaining, discussing key issues such as the rise of AI in the industry, the challenges of self-taped auditions, and the economic pressures facing performers. She also emphasizes the need for updated protections, fair compensation, and greater respect and care for all performers.

In Part Two of our exclusive #ACTRAspotlight conversation, join Junior's Giant director Paula Brancati, writer-actor Deb McGrath, actor Kinley Mochrie (who also serves as moderator) and actor Eric Peterson (winner of a 2023 Outstanding Performance ACTRA Award for his role) – for this discussion about everything from the importance of performers telling their own stories to advice for performers getting started in the industry (and more)! Junior's Giant, a short film about how a close-knit grandfather and his trans granddaughter struggle when his dementia sparks an imaginary giant and gender confusion, has been hitting the festival scene this spring and summer…and picking up a few awards along the way! Missed part one of this great conversation? Listen here: https://actraspotlight.com/deb-mcgrath-eric-peterson-kinley-mochrie-paula-brancati-from-juniors-giant-part-one

Join us as we have a delightful conversation with the cast and creators of the ACTRA Award-winning JUNIOR'S GIANT. Performer Kinley Mochrie (who also stars in the film) moderates the conversation with performer Eric Peterson, writer Deb McGrath and director Paula Brancati. Don't miss it! This is part one of a two part conversation - stay tuned for part two which will be released soon!

Join host Thom Allison in our latest episode of #ACTRAspotlight as we chat with Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald of The Kids in the Hall. Hear about what brought The Kids back for the new series, writing and developing new characters for the show, working together again, advice for sketch writers and performers, and more. Don't miss this great conversation and don't miss the new episodes of The Kids in the Hall on Amazon Prime! If you enjoy this episode, please check out other ACTRA Spotlights, where we've had in-depth discussions with Canadian performers including Bilal Baig & Fab Filippo, Jo Vannicola, Jean Yoon, Cara Ricketts, Karen Robinson, Peter Keleghan, Rick Mercer, and more. Watch The Kids in the Hall on Amazon Prime: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0FH2H6ISQIZX8XOPPZDSLBT22H/ Watch this ACTRA Spotlight episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oJiYVpumyok

Join host David Gale for an inspiring conversation with Emmy award-winning actor, author and activist Joanne Vannicola. Listen as Joanne discusses being a non-binary performer, their memorable acting roles over the years, becoming an author, their work with ACTRA Toronto as the chair of outACTRAto, and more. Read more about Joanne's memoir, All We Knew But Couldn't Say: https://www.joannevannicola.com/memoir Watch outACTRAto's Queer Your Stories PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=163zfH1go8s

Join host David Gale as he chats with former ACTRA Spotlight host, co-star of Kim's Convenience and 2020 ACTRA Award of Excellence recipient, Jean Yoon! This podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at ACTRA Toronto's Winter Conference in February 2020. In this episode Jean chats with David about her role as Umma on the smash hit Kim's Convenience, her past roles in stage and screen, living around the world, and more. As mentioned in the podcast, Jean gave a wonderful speech at the ACTRA Awards, which shortly followed the recording of this podcast. You can give it a watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5noqpAvkGI

Join host David Gale as he chats with the wonderful performer Karen Robinson. Karen is perhaps best known recently for her role of Ronnie Lee on the hit comedy Schitt's Creek, but has appeared across stage and screen in a career spanning more than two decades. In this episode she talks about her newfound fame thanks to Schitt's, her family life, her start in the business and her thoughtful perspectives on diversity in the film and TV industry.

Join host David Gale as he has an lively conversation with ACTRA Award winner-turned-filmmaker Joey Klein. Joey is the director of Castle In The Ground, a new feature (starring Alex Wolff, Neve Campbell and Imogen Poots) which is having its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019. In this episode David and Joey talk about his latest film, his filmmaking process and what it is like to be a part of the festival circuit.