Squadron 86

Really excited to share that I'll be part of this fantastic new web series. It's a sci-fi show that showcases some truly great characters, and I'm honored to be playing a large part in it. Here's just some of the incredible team members. We went to the UofT observatory to celebrate the greenlighting of rht show.

Action Short Shoot

I know it's been forever since I wrote here. But sometimes that just happens. The industry goes in ways, and things get more complicated when you're in preproduction and really just aren't allowed to share things. There's a few items in the works, and they're not ready to be shared yet. I've booked some fun shows and get to play some great characters. But more on that when I can.

In the meantime, here's a screen grab from an action short that I did. I just killed the man who killed my daughter - Mama Bear at her best, you know!

Shooting "Mommy/Daddy Time"

Was shooting a short film not too long ago. Here's a still from it. It's about a Mom and Dad who choose to indulge in a few adult substances on the very rare night that they are away from the kids.

It was a funny and super efficient shoot. Can't wait to share it with you.

Script Reading: The Princess Bride

As actors there are roles that we would've loved to have played, but never got the chance.  In this great series that a friend started we read through famous scripts and finally get a chance to play those characters.

Recently, we read The Princess Bride.  I got to play Fezzik, Humperdink, and *my favorite* Miracle Max.  I also brought my camera and managed to capture some of the fun.

A Very Long Weekend: The Movie

Rehearsing a little mini-stunt for camera and lighting. 

Paul de la Rosa in character.

The fabulous Stephanie in between takes

Rehearsing a scene.

In between takes.  

This past summer I had the honor of going up north an starring in a quirky, dark comedy film written by the super talented Scott Albert, directed by the amazing Ash Catherwood, and Cinematography by the brilliant Bruce William Harper.

I didn't realize until I got up there that I was in every single scene.  It made for really long days, but really fun moments too.

*pictures by Ryan Fisher, who also plays a hilarious character in the film*

Updates and A Comedy

Me and three members of the cast of "A Very Long Weekend" prepping for a scene.

Over the past few months, I've had the unadulterated joy to have been in class a lot.  I've taken some dialects classes and some really great intensives on top of my regular weekly actor's workout class.  It's been sheer joy.

I've also recently made the jump to a new and fabulous agent, Sam Woodruff from Butler Ruston Bell.  So exciting.

And to top off this joy, I recently spent three days at a cottage up north working hard on a short film shoot.  When I say working hard I do mean it.  As the lead, I'm in every single scene, so I was on set from the moment we started to the moment we finished.  But you know what?  It was absolutely wonderful, as the rest of the cast is incredible and so much fun to work off of.  They gave everything at every moment which of course made it all super easy for me.

And guess what guys?  It's a comedy!  A dark comedy, but a comedy nonetheless. I'm sort of funny...sometimes.  Right?

*crickets*

I am a Trading Card!

Remember how I teased you with some Spy Whores shots earlier?  Well, the whole project has launched.  And I now have my very own trading cards!  How cool is that? Check out the rest at Spy Whores

"In The Meathouse" Short Film

Oh I swear I will update here more often.  I've certainly gotten behind, and lax on it.  I guess that's the danger of being busy.  But for now, if you have any leanings of being upset with me, here's something that might be cool to look at.  I won't give away the plot or anything, but look at what make-up I had done on the set of another film project.  So awesome!

I'm Funny! : IT Help

I think I totally forgot to post this when it first came out.  But it's just so funny.  I love that I got to be a part of this!

Spy Whores Shoot

I was in a concept shoot for a project that is currently under wraps and therefore I can't talk too much about it.  But let's just say it's a throwback to the 70's, it's awesomely cheesy, and it's a load of fun.

Here's some of the photos that I've been allowed to share with you.

Why I Believe in Science Fiction

I love sci-fi, as you all well know.  So when Space Janitors reached out to me to do a little video talking about why I believe in science fiction, how could I refuse?  Here it is, why I believe in science fiction :

Making The Tangible Happen

It's been a while I realize.  I've been busy working on scenes, and finishing up synchronicity.  It's been rather quite in the industry with a a few auditions here and there. 

A recent self-tape for a tv series regular was awesome and I hope for more.  It's one of these weird moments right now where despite the fact that I have things planned and hopefully coming to fruition over the next year it feels like I'm not doing anything. 

Of course, that's not the case.  I'm learning new accents, working through a creativity workshops and constantly running scenes - but when you're an actor who's not on set, it feels like you're not doing anything sometimes because it's a lack of the tangible.

Though, as all artists know, it's these times that make the tangible possible, and hopefully, beautiful.  

More Behind The Scenes of 'Synchronicity'

Rehearsal Short

As I've mentioned before, I shot a fully improvised feature film a while back. As part of the rehearsal process we worked on various aspects of improv each week, and also character development for the film.  Here is a rehearsal short in which we were challenged to never do a scene with both people just sitting or standing.

Second Week Behind The Scenes

The second week of shooting Synchronicity is done.  It was a week full of laughter, and frustration, but as always I got closer to the people who are part of this soft sci-fi family.  Here's a quick look at what happened:

More Synchronicity Stills

More stills from the set of Synchronicity.  These were taken on a phone by the lovely Stephanie Gillie who plays Judy in the film.  She was also a mega trooper by playing double duty as a production assistant and all around reliable extra hand on set.  Love that woman!

Meet The Victims

There's a spec trailer for a film that I participated in. It's a horror, and yes I'm a victim. As one facebook friend put it, "Why are you always the victim?" I think it's because of my innocent face. Little do they know, right?

 Anyway, here's an intro to the victims in the film. At least I'm not alone.

Synchronicity shoots

Shooting Begins!

One awesome location was a comic book store in Waterloo.

Our Dop, thinking and taking a quick caffeine shot.

Lots of giggles and laughs on set.

We shot the first block of Synchronicity last week.  It was a shaky start - weather was against us, and there were many locations set quite far apart.  There were a few production issues, and of course we started running behind, yadda yadda yadda.   All these are normal challenges on a production.  But what's great is we all learned quickly how to work together, and who has what strengths.   So the next two blocks - both slated to take place in September - should go a lot more smoothly. 

Also, we won't be driving for hours and hours to locations.  The next shoots are all fairly close to home with travel time being minimal. So not only will time be on our side, but most importantly that this family has figured each other out.  It's amazing the dedication to this film as everyone, despite being tired, and frustrated (like I said weather hit us hard) we all came together really amazingly.  There's a great bunch of folks on this here cast and crew.  We've got our groove.   And we're makin' a movie!

Swing Trailer

A long, long time ago in a galaxy not so far away, I was in a feature film.  And as the film industry goes, many moons later the teaser trailer is here!  Check it out.

Backlash Stills

"Steph"'s boyfriend rushes in to save her.

"Steph" falls tragically to her death.

Here's a few more photos from the set of the action flick I was on recently.  Yes, that's me being beaten about and falling to my death.  It was awesome...once I faced my fear of heights.

All photos courtesy of Derek Shanks