One - Successful - Small Act:

A collection of dedicated students and KW community members came together last night to be part of a memorable event.  Organized by Natalie Brown of Common Thread Consulting in partnership with One KCI and Working Reel Productions, One Small Act successfully brought together people from all ages and backgrounds to celebrate diversity and build a bridge of respect and resolve conflict across generational divides.  I especially enjoyed the talk by Abhi Ahluwalia of UNLEARN, an organization that aims to be "Provoking Thought To Inspire Positive Change".  He had all sorts of powerfully positive stories to share, and I strongly suggest you look them up, or join their Facebook group, because I believe this is an organization you will be hearing more and more about!  I have some family in the Kitchener/Waterloo area and was delighted to feel like an honourary community member.  My sister even had a chance to stop by!  All in all, I can safely say that One Small Act made a lasting positive impression on every attendee and I hope its not the last we hear about this movement!

The whole OSA gang after the show

DRIVE-THROUGH: The Story Movie

I am privileged to be a cast member of DRIVE-THROUGH: The Story Movie, produced by StoryART Productions and directed by Ben Goldenberg.  The Plot: "An atypical film about the art of storytelling and it's affect on daily life. A reminder that there's always two sides to every story and that things aren't always what they seem."*  Its a comedy that includes some of Toronto's quirkiest comic actors and best kept secrets, until now!  Its feature-length, so the shooting schedule is long and ambitious.  I have shot two days and have one to go which will likely be at the very end of the shoot because production has to build a set on green-screen, which gives the film some super-cool, film-geek cred!  I know I'm excited!

Day 1 @ Owl & Firkin

My first day on set was at the Owl and Firkin in Markham.  I play Sharlene, an actress who works as a waitress at the pub that some of the scenes are set in.

My second day was this past Saturday.  The scene was a pool party set at a beautiful home in the Forest Hill neighbourhood.  The scene was shot as one six and a half minute long steadi-cam shot, which is quite ambitious but we all saw the footage at the end of the day and it looks slick!  I've never shot a scene that way before, and I have to admit that not worrying about shooting all the angles is actually quite freeing once I got over the fact that it was "like stage" and I wasn't allowed to mess up!

Day 2 @ the pool party

For more production updates, follow TheStoryMovie on Twitter and for some behind-the-scenes pics and cast/crew comments, join the Facebook Group.

*Sourced from The Story Movie's Facebook group.
Pictures courtesy of StoryART productions and shot by Production Assistant Gesilayefa Azorbo.

One Small Act K-W Free Community Event:

On set for the OSA short film.  

For the past three months, I have been working with a team assembled by Working Reel Productions and Common Thread Consulting to produce a free public event in that aims to build a bridge of respect and kindness between the youth and adults of the Kitchener/Waterloo community.  The event is called ONE SMALL ACT and will be held at Kitchener Collegiate on Wednesday September 29th between 3:30pm and 8:30pm.  This is a FREE event!  And everyone in the KW area is welcome and encouraged to attend.  You will watch a short film, meet your neighbours, participate in some games, hear some speakers, eat a catered dinner and watch some live theatre.  What else could you ask for?  Hope to see you there!

The CNE "At Home Celebrity Show" is a wrap!

@ the Glenfiddich "Dressed to Kilt Fashion Show"

I was blessed and privileged to act as Hostess and Emcee for this years "At Home Celebrity Show" at the Canadian National Exhibition.  I was lucky enough to work with HGTV's Peter Fallico, Colin & Justin and Tommy Smythe, The Drake Hotel's Chef Anthony Rose, Food Network Canada's Chef Lynn Crawford, Chef Michael Smith, Chef Rob Rainford, Chef Anna Olson, Chef Massimo Capra and Health and Wellness expert Rose Reisman.

There were so many highlights and great moments, its difficult to name just a few.  Colin & Justin's stage costumes were definitely memorable: full kilt with bright yellow (Colin) and pink (Justin) tartan.  When Justin first leaped on-stage he gave the crowd an (intentional?) look at his knickers - black briefs if you must know...  What showmen!

Chef Michael Smith's show was so incredibly well attended that the CNE had to call in paid-duty police officers at the last minute in order to manage the crowd.  His book signing/meet&greet lasted from the minute his first show ended until 5 minutes before he was due onstage for his second show.  The man didn't even get to leave the stage to use the restroom or eat a snack from 2pm until the end of his second show at 6:15pm.  What a trooper!

Courtesy of Lenore Farrell Photography

Rose Reisman's demo featured a baked salmon  with Israeli couscous and a spinach salad and she personally served it to the ever-growing crowd until every last morsel was eaten up.  Such grace!  

I was also delighted to become acquainted with the  CNE's official photographer Lenore Farrell who had quite an interesting story to tell.  She is the daughter of Ann Dunn whom is the recently passed former owner of Toronto's infamous after-hours club The Matador.  Lenore told me all sorts of colourful stories that include some very famous Canadians and their, um, "experiences" at the club.

I had such a wonderfully memorable time on this gig.  Michael Smith, Anna Olson and Rose Reisman all surprised me an autographed copy of their recent cookbooks: The Best of Chef at Home, Fresh with Anna Olson and Rose Reisman's Family Favourites.  Such generosity!  And the icing on the cake was working with Paula, Gord, Dave, Chris and the gang from the CNE.  You folks really made me feel like a part of the family!