Julia Brown - Actor, Mentor and Coach

Julia Brown- Actor, Mentor and Coach

Julia is a Canadian actor with an Acting for Film and Television diploma from Niagara College. Through the on-screen parts of the program, Julia gained knowledge and skills related to improv, character voices, dialect work, scene study, audition techniques, and stunt fighting. Behind the scenes, she learned how to screenwrite, direct, film, and edit all of her own work. She also has experience training at Walter Alza’s award-winning acting studio in Toronto and the Neighbourhood Playhouse in New York City (home of the Sandford Meisner technique).

Julia has been studying vocal music, musical theatre, and various dance genres (Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Modern) since the age of 6. She has acted in several theatre productions such as The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls, Spring Awakening, Godspell, Shrek the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, etc.

Julia has film, television, and voice acting credits from a range of projects including a national commercial campaign, a radio show, and doing voices for video game characters. She previously worked with iFilmGroup on the film “Tuned In”.

Julia is currently going back to school at Georgian College to pursue a career in Education. Combining her passions for Film and Television and mentoring others, she wants to pass on the knowledge she has to up-and-coming actors.

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Kia Diaz - Accredited Mentoring Student

The iFilmGroup team is excited to announce the addition of an Accredited Intern Mentoring Student for the coming school year. Kia Diaz is a talented, emerging Filipino Latin-Canadian actor interested in learning more about the acting, and film industry.

Read full story: https://www.ifilmgroup.org/kia-diaz-accredited-intern-mentoring-student

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Ali Shareef Joins iFilmGroup

Ali Shareef, a filmmaker in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.

From a young age, I’ve been passionate about filmmaking. Exploring and learning every aspect that goes into the process of creating a motion picture. From writing in notebooks, to scripts, to production, to editing. But it wasn’t until later in my life I fully pursued it as a professional career, rather than just a hobby.

After taking many courses regarding filmmaking, photography, editing and graphic design during secondary school, I went off to Fanshawe college and expanded my knowledge on the subject by participating in creating short films, commercials and many other video-related projects.

In my years at Fanshawe, I thrived on all the knowledge I had gained and all the content I had created, But the one and most important piece of information that I learned the most was to value failure more than success. By learning and understanding the reasoning behind failure anyone can truly exceed their own limits and be unstoppable. If I hadn’t learned and valued my failures, I would not have become the person I am today and would not have been able to continue to expand my understanding of film.

After graduating Fanshawe college I took all the knowledge I learned and applied it to the real world. Since then I’ve worked on different independent film projects and advertisements. One of my upcoming short film projects titled ‘Luna’, currently in pre-production will focus on schizophrenia and will have a mystery horror vibe.

After graduation, I still continued to learn and expand my horizon, which led me to Don Hickey and Mathew Marshall founders of iFilmGroup. I met Don and Mathew on the set of one of their feature films titled ‘Not Ready’.

I was Assistant Camera in ‘Not Ready’ and Director of Photography / Cinematographer in ‘The Big Audition’ and

Cinematographer / Cinematography for the ‘Audition Waiting Room’.

After working for them on the set of ‘Not Ready’, I kept in touch with them hoping to participate in more future projects. Since then I have worked with iFilmGroup on two other projects, which has allowed me to continue expanding my grasp on filmmaking and learn to work with other film companies.

Working with the iFilmGroup has taught me many new things regarding film which has helped me in my own projects. Since joining the iFilmGroup Don Hickey has been so generous in teaching me how to brand myself and showing me new marketing skills which will further my career and knowledge.

Don has even helped me work on my own scripts and screenplays, which has allowed me to exchange thoughts and opinions with someone, who’s passionate about film as much as I am. In conclusion, I hope to continue working with iFilmGroup and continue to work with people who are just as passionate about all of this as I am.

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Actor Cindy Leigh Works With iFilmGroup

Actor Cindy Leigh

Actor Cindy Leigh playing a part of a nervous actor having ‘second thoughts’.

The iFilmGroup team recently wrapped production on a short film called “Audition Waiting Room” featuring the talented Cindy Leigh in the lead role of the short film. Cindy was actually cast a few months ago by the iFilmGroup team. Together Cindy and iFilmGroup’s Head of Film Production Matthew Marshall have been working on the script and the concept since her casting. When Cindy was asked about her reaction to being cast in the role, her response was “Ecstatic and looking forward to working on this exciting project.”

Cindy Leigh playing a nervous actor prior to audition.

The short film is part of the “Audition Room” series of short films by iFilmGroup, and serves a dual purpose of being a film, and fitting into the iFilmGroup’s ‘Online Learning Platform’ (an aspect that Leigh likes).

She feels the film is very relatable to anyone that has been through the auditions process for acting. iFilmGroup and Leigh both agree that a film like this will also be relatable for those just breaking into the acting industry on what they can expect. “I relate to the role as I have been through and had the thoughts and feelings at auditions that my character is having,” said Leigh.

Cindy Leigh playing with lots of tension as an actor prior to auditions.

The “Audition Waiting Room” film centres around an actor named Kaiah Lucas waiting to go in for her auditions. “All the thoughts and feelings that go through her head while she waits. The anxieties she experiences and the self-doubt on if she is good enough” Leigh adds.

In the earlier part of spring, the iFilmGroup casting team was working on narrowing down the selections for this film while still casting for other films in the series. The casting team was impressed with the top four candidates. “In the end, Cindy checked all the boxes for us,” says Community Engagement Manager and iFilmGroup co-founder Don Hickey.

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Leigh who was originally based in Melbourne, Australia, is now in Toronto, Ontario pursuing her passion and furthering her professional career in acting. She comes to Canada with an impressive resume of acting experience. Leigh has played a wide range of roles in television series, music videos, short films & theatre productions.

Leigh also landed the leads for several projects including playing ‘Amy’ in the newly released short film 'Your Face' directed by Alex Thompson. Also with ‘Revolving Door Productions' short film 'Earth' where she played lead ‘Lani’ and Drama King Theatre Company's play 'Bad Habits' where she played the lead ‘Ally’.

Leigh graduated from the Full-Time Program at ‘The Australian Film & Television Academy’ in 2019. Training with the likes of John Orcisk, Mick Preston, Huw Higginson, John Preston & Kym Valentine.

When she’s not auditioning or on set, she's singing, dancing & learning Spanish. Leigh has the special skill of accents and dialects from Australian, General American, Southern American, South African, and General British. “During auditions, Cindy flipped from her native Australian accent to a standard American in just a few lines of dialogue”, says Marshall.

Leigh is excited to expand her skills and further her professional career and looks forward to landing lots of leading acting roles in Canada.

Actor Cindy Leigh in make-up department onset of ‘Audition Waiting Room’ with iFilmGroup.

Along with the lead role in the film, Leigh recorded a training segment for the iFilmGroup ‘Online Training’ that deals with the theme of the film. Marshall says that footage from the film along with other footage will make up the images of the segment that Leigh gives great advice to actors.

The film now moves to the Post-production stage for editing.

iFilmGroup Cast and Crew onset of ‘Audition Waiting Room’ with Cindy Leigh.

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Brie Bennett Joins Production Team

Brie is a Canadian actor who has a BA in Theatre, Specialized in Devised at York University in Toronto, Ontario. The program offers students an intensive curriculum in devising and performing original theatre pieces. This interdisciplinary series of courses is overseen and taught by faculty from all three areas of the department: Acting, Production, Performance Creation, and Research.

Through the knowledge within this intense program, Brie now is branching out into teaching and coaching actors who are up and coming.

Brie has credits in film, theatre, and voice acting with a wide range of companies and organizations. Brie previously worked with iFilmGroup on the film “Social Disobedience” where Brie played the role of “Bailey” and also assisted in the cinematography of the film.

Brie Bennett joins iFilmGroup as a Production Leader

Brie is now using the acting training from the program to create in-person workshops and virtual training for iFilmGroup’s online training segments. Brie loves acting and feels really passionate when it comes to teaching others about acting. Brie loves seeing what people can do when they are given the tools to learn the art and craft of acting.

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Filming an iFG Training Module with Jordyn Taylor

Actor Jordyn Taylor teams up with iFilmGroup’s Production Team for a Workshop Training Production

iFilmGroup has been planning a way to be able to reach more people with training and learning in the art of filmmaking. The concept was created that through an online training module of various segments and training videos, that the iFilmGroup team could reach more people in a more effective system.

Various actors and technical people have been working on dramatic shots, segments, and images, along with scripts that are being voiced-over or done with an on-air host about various topics dealing with film and acting.

Matthew Marshall training actor Jordyn Taylor on composition.

One of the actors working with iFilmGroup is Jordyn Taylor. Jordyn has been a part of a couple of productions with the iFilmGroup team. She has been working with the iFilmGroup team on various images to be visual support for the different segments that the training module will have.

iFilmGroup Inter-Generational Actors Andre Fournier and Jordyn Taylor

As the program continues to grow. The iFilmGroup team is looking for more individuals to be a part of the online training modules.

iFilmGroup Workshops and On-Line Training Modules are currently being produced for all inspired actors and crew.

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Jordyn Taylor on the set of a movie short at iFilmGroup.

Actor Jordyn Taylor playing Michelle as a Casting Assistant.

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Actor Training and Filming with Olivia Williams

Matthew Marshall- Head of Film Production with Intern Student Olivia Williams and Don Hickey- Community Engagement Manager

Meet the iFilmGroup team that is working with Olivia Williams, a Co-op intern placement with iFilmGroup. Olivia is in grade 11 and is very passionate about acting and filmmaking.

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Matthew Marshall sharing notes with Olivia Williams for the next shot.

The iFilmGroup’s mandate is to mentor individuals young and old in the art of filmmaking and acting. This has taken many forms throughout the existence of iFilmGroup. Which includes mentoring through teaching on set, and at workshops.

The iFilmGroup team has also done what is called "accredited mentorships" through educational facilities. Meaning students work a prescribed number of hours to achieve a credit or credits for an educational institution (this in the past has been on a shorter term of a few weeks to a month). But, starting in October 2021 the iFilmGroup team led by the head of film Production Matthew Marshall took on a full-term intern/co-op student from a local St. Thomas Ontario High School named Olivia Williams.

Matthew Marshall showing Olivia Williams composition of finished shot.

Olivia has worked from October 2021 to the end of May 2022 with iFilmGroup studying acting and film production. Olivia was taught about different acting styles and methods, along with learning skills of acting and the audition process. As part of the co-op, she did monologues, wrote weekly blogs about what she has done, did acting training, and various activities related to film and acting assignments.

She also participated in a film through Fanshawe College and worked on footage for the training segments iFilmGroup is producing.

Olivia Williams on set of ‘The Big Audition’ with director Matthew Marshall

“Olivia and Matthew Marshall also made a short film called “The Big Audition" in which Olivia starred in. Olivia also learned how a set was built (props, lighting, audio) and watched how other actors were directed. Olivia also met other actors and directors and crew from other productions,” says Don Hickey.

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Matthew Matthew setting the shot. Olivia Williams and Jordyn Taylor doing ‘actor to actor’ training.

“The year has been very successful and Olivia has learned a lot about the art of acting,” says Marshall. This full school year internship is something that the iFilmGroup team hopes to be able to do with more students moving forward.

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

2021 Year in Review

The curtain has dropped and the page has turned on another year.
A fresh new, empty book of a year lay in front of us to write the story of 2022. 

To say that 2021 was anything less than challenging for iFilmGroup and the world for that matter would be an understatement... on top of an already challenging 2020. But the moments in life are what you make of them.

The team at iFilmGroup feels sometimes that life is like a movie set. Sometimes you have to make the best out of what you are given. That concept makes the iFilmGroup team think of the song ‘Season of Love’ by Jonathan Larson which was featured in the Broadway show “Rent”. The song talks about ‘525,600’ minutes in a year. That is Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred moments to make something happen. “Five hundred twenty-five thousand journeys to plan”. The song asks the question “How do you measure a life of a woman or a man?”

 The iFilmGroup team feels we can each be measured with what we do with the time we are given and how we make the most out of what we have, regardless of the circumstances. Filming and doing production have ground to a standstill in the past two years. With only a few limited shoot dates happening in the last couple of years due to restrictions and safety protocols. The slower pace has given time for post-production of the several films already filmed.

2021 saw the release of “Malicious Attack” and another film “Not Ready” having most of the post-production done with a plan to release in 2022. ‘Filmmaking’ is not at the core of iFilmGroup… ‘mentoring’ is, and has in the past couple of years been challenging on that front. But iFilmGroup has been adapting.

A lot of groundwork has been laid in the past two years for the future of iFilmGroup. Although the process has been slower than the team would like, it is moving forward with a lot of great things that have happened and that are planned for the future.  Like every year at this time the team likes to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year… while also dreaming and looking forward to what is to come. So, in the spirit of ‘Season of Love’. Let's celebrate and remember a year in the life of iFilmGroup for 2021.

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 The iFilmGroup team came into 2021 with three films in post-production that had been shot previously. “We were in a bit of a hole”, remarks ‘Head of Film Production’ Matthew Marshall. iFilmGroup included a short film on bullying called ‘Malicious Attack’ which Marshall had shot through his production company m & s Marshall Productions that was brought under the iFilmGroup banner.

On the set of ‘Blue Love’. Some cast and crew.

A second short film that Marshall had been working on with Helena Rose that wrapped filming in 2019 called “Blue Love” was added to the editing roster.

Then the iFilmGroup production “Not Ready’ had been filmed as well and needed to be edited. Marshall goes on to explain, “That due to some rapid growth of iFilmGroup and a number of opportunities that had presented themselves during 2019 and 2020 the team had focused on Production and filming with little time left for editing”. Something that in the end may have worked out for the team when things came to a standstill in 2020 and into 2021 when the slow down continued.  

On set of ‘Not Ready’ with some cast and crew.

2021 SEASON OF EDITING
Marshall spent most of the year of 2021 with the editing department. Editing first “Malicious Attack” and “Not Ready”. He brought ‘Malicious Attack’ to completion and 'Not Ready' to the point of Audio Post-production. He even started editing on ‘Blue Love’.  “2021 was a very productive year of editing,'' Marshall adds.

 RELEASE OF MALICIOUS ATTACK
Marshall's work in the editing department started to pay off as in October iFilmGroup and m & s Marshall productions released the 49-minute dramatic film “Malicious Attack” about bullying and how it affects high school students.  October seemed fitting for the release as it is ‘World Bullying Prevention Awareness Month’, with October 13th being ‘National Stop Bullying Day’. Which was the day the team decided to premiere the film. “Malicious Attack” has already gone on to have 12,000 views and be nominated for awards in Film Festivals. 

NEW FORM OF MENTORING
With restrictions, the iFilmGroup team has had to find new ways to carry out the goal of mentoring the target groups. Three areas have developed with great success and have stood out with iFilmGroup International Film Festival, Online Remote Learning and Outreach Beyond the Walls. 

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iFilmGroup International Film Festival (IFGIFF)
In late 2020 iFilmGroup opened up their new Film Festival for the first year as a way to allow filmmakers of all ages to submit their work. This initiative allowed iFilmGroup to mentor filmmakers online from around the world. The online event was held in April 2021 and was a success. The first annual IFGIFF (as it is called for short) produced some familiar faces in the winner circle which added to the giving back to the Southwestern Ontario Community.

The IFGIFF 2020-2021 winners
Best Director- Sadie Rose- ‘August’
Best Micro Short Film- ‘Hinterland Election Night’
Best Short Film- ‘August’
Best Lead Actress- Ashleigh Morrison- ‘Goldfish’
Best Lead Actor- Max Steinberg- ‘What Normal Boys Do’
Best Actress Under 18- Ashleigh Morrison- ‘Detainee X’
Best Actor Under 18- Max Steinberg- ‘Afreen’
Best Ensemble Cast- ‘Hinterland Election Night’ 

In October 2021 the second year for the 2021-2022 iFilmGroup International Film Festival opened up. With an end date of April 2022. Thus far the festival has over 60 entries and will have its final deadlines over the coming months of the early part of 2022. The iFilmGroup team is excited for the results of this second season of the festival.

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ONLINE REMOTE LEARNING
Taking a page from the education system, iFilmGroup looks to offer a platform where iFilmGroup members can be mentored without being in person. The iFilmGroup team is working on an online learning and teaching program. A lot of planning and discussion has gone into what this would look like.

This project has been in the works for two years and finally is starting to take form. The team has been filming footage and having individuals record the base training tracks for segments. The concept was started in 2020 but has been one of the aspects to be slowly moving forward. But 2021 saw growth and development as things started to come together and the team prepared for a launch in the future, even if the ‘in-person’ mentoring comes back. iFilmGroup feels this will be a great way to connect with more people and offer teaching and learning so that the mentoring is not limited to just people who can come to ‘in-person’ events. 

OUTREACH BEYOND THE WALLS OF IFILMGROUP
Several moves were made to open more doors for outreach by the iFilmGroup team. In the spirit of mentoring and teaching, the iFilmGroup team has several acting coaches working with various actors wanting training both ‘in-person’ sessions (when safe), and also online remote training. Head of Film Production Matthew Marshall has been doing this dealing with the tech side of production. Marshall was hired by the Digital Creative Arts Centre which is under the banner of BGC London. Marshall led two one-week filmmakers camps for teens. Marshall has also been doing some remote teaching on acting and filming with students.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATES
During this downtime, it also allowed Don Hickey (co-founder and Community Engagement Manager at iFilmGroup) to engage in the International Indie film market. In talks with international contacts (since early 2020) iFilmGroup now has associates in Sweden, South Korea, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, and the USA. These associates have already contributed in many ways to our production processes in 2020 and 2021.

EXPANSION & GROWTH
Even in these times of slow down and restrictions iFilmGroup has seen growth. Not always in the areas that they expected, but growth has come on a number of fronts.

 The truth is that this process of ‘limited shooting’ has been time-consuming and frustrating at times, for the iFilmGroup team but they are confident that the strides they are making will be good for iFilmGroup and their associates, actors, and crew as the team moves forward.

The first area of growth was iFilmGroup casting a virtual remote film. This had been in the works since 2020, but finally got rolling with some additional casting of roles in 2021. The cast of ‘Social Disobedience’ was fully selected and cast. Filming has started but has been slow due to some of the cast having to learn how to do shots and filming themselves as well as other commitments in their life. “It’s a new way of making a film and I think everyone is on a learning curve of how to make it work”, comments Marshall on the virtual filming process.  

A place to film without rental fees and working out schedules has been on the team’s minds. Especially within the world of restrictions. The iFilmGroup team, under the direction of iFilmGroup’s Community Engagement Manager; Don Hickey has obtained space in a warehouse to safely shoot ‘specific sized sets’ for future ‘specialized social distancing’ filming.

This warehouse will allow shooting with multiple three-walled rooms. Hickey figures once renovations are complete there will be at least 8 rooms for staging. “Just think “Big Bang Theory” set or any other sitcom set that you might have seen (on a behind-the-scenes feature), and that’s what iFilmGroup will have”, Hickey says.

 Marshall adds, “This awesome ‘real estate’ feature will allow us to continue with mentoring workshops and ongoing filming. Our members (made up of crew and actors) are excited about continuing their growth and sharing their talent with our mentoring program. Growth will continue and we have a full schedule for the 2021-2022 season.” The team has already shot footage for the acting training as well as scenes for the film 'Not Ready' in this warehouse. 

From a personnel perspective, the team has grown as well. Tim Harvey, a local photographer and sound engineer that has worked with the iFilmGroup team a number of times have come on board to help out with people who are looking for affordable headshots. Tim worked on several productions with the team as a photographer including ‘Struggles Within’ and ‘Malicious Attack’. Most recently he was a drone pilot and camera op for ‘Not Ready’. Tim has an extensive background in photography in various forms. “He is partnering with iFilmGroup to be a source that we can send people to for headshots.” adds Marshall.

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 The iFilmGroup team expanded in 2021 in a way that is at the core of the iFilmGroup’s values and mission. iFilmGroup added a co-op student, Olivia Williams. Her time started in October 2021 and will go to June 2022.

The iFilmGroup team has had what they call “Accredited Mentoring” of students in the past on a short-term basis for a term of a month or so, or for a certain number of hours. A student had completed a one-month term during shooting of a film. A College student also did some virtual training with Marshall on ‘Directing’. But never an internship or co-op that ran a full school year or semester like Olivia is doing.

Marshall and Hickey are very excited about this opportunity. “This style of training is at our core as a mentoring group”, Marshall says. Marshall feels this opens the door to the group doing more internships and training like this in the future. Olivia’s training has been mostly virtual. But Marshall feels that when you look at acting in most cases actors do a lot of independent work learning the craft and preparing for auditions. So, the style of virtual training very much fits the way an actor would be functioning. More so than attending a certain location every day.

 With the co-op, it is putting more of a focus on the development of the Online virtual learning program and how much this could be a state-of-the-art program in the area for the training of young or new actors. “The structure and learning process could be something that we become well known for”, adds Hickey.

 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
With all this growth in the last few years, the team is looking to where they need to go in the future. If by the theory, growth continues at the current rate, the team has to look at how their programs and facilities can expand and how this structurally will work. iFilmGroup is not funded by any government programs. Their funding comes from the generous funding of corporate and individual donations.

Perry Hegmans and Don Hickey overseeing the renovations at the warehouse to complete iFilmGroup Studio.

The team and donors have fronted the burden of the costs of renovations in the warehouse as the team converted the interior to sound stages. Renovations of the warehouse to sound stages will be ongoing into 2022. Also, the team has shot several short films, plus Virtual Acting training incurring many expenses. In 2022 iFilmGroup will be looking at ways to raise more funds to continue to finance the projects underway. To make a donation to iFilmGroup cause, please contact either Matthew Marshall or Don Hickey of iFilmGroup.

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Despite the restrictions of 2021, iFilmGroup feels they have used every second of their Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred moments of 2021 and is planning to wisely use all those same moments of time in 2022. As the chapter of 2021 has closed, a new chapter of 2022 has opened with a fresh new blank page. As Hickey and Marshall are both scriptwriters, they both jokingly wish to be very clear that because we have ended a year, that doesn’t mean the story of iFilmGroup has ended.  In fact, it has just begun for a New Year and they look forward to the new journey and the story that will be written.

New Year 2022 - Chapter one… begins!

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“2020 and 2021 have been great growth years even during these ‘special times’ and with many restrictions on business and society. Developments in many departments within iFilmGroup have exceeded our expectations. Thank you to The Production Team, mentors, mentees, actors, and associates.”

— iFilmGroup Co-founders

iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Safety Controlled Sound Stages

Safety Controlled Sound Stages

Pandemic Scrambling and Safety Measures

iFilmGroup Leads The Way in the Film Industry
with Safety Controlled Sound Stages

iFilmGroup’s Production Team over several months have researched the film industry struggles with ‘full production of films’. The bigger players in the film industry that have million dollar budgets are deeply struggling. Being bigger at this time may not ‘save them’, their overhead is huge. iFilmGroup.org is an independent (INDIE) film organization operated by donated funds, with all volunteers. For iFilmGroup to continue all mentoring programs it is necessary to have a facility to accommodate interior sound stage filming. We are a small community of dedicated actors, crew and screenwriters that donate their time, talent and money to support existing and in-coming people that want to be a part of the iFilmGroup family.

It is by your donations that our awesome acting and crew workshops and mentoring programs continue.

Under the direction of iFilmGroup’s Community Engagement Manager; Don Hickey, iFilmGroup has obtained space in a warehouse to safely shoot ‘specific sized sets’ for future ‘specialized social distancing’ filming. This warehouse will allow shooting with multiple three walled rooms. Hickey figures once renovations are complete there will be at least 8 rooms for staging. “Just think “Big Bang Theory” set, or any other sitcom set that you might have seen (on a behind-the-scene feature), and that’s what iFilmGroup will have”, Hickey says.

Warehouse accommodations secured… to build ‘sound stages’ for filming

Matthew Marshall of iFilmGroup says, “This awesome ‘real estate’ feature will allow us to continue with mentoring workshops and ongoing filming. Our members (made up of crew and actors) are really excited with continuing their growth and sharing their talent with our mentoring program. Growth will continue and we have a full schedule for the 2021 season.”

Take part in iFilmGroup’s future. Join us as an actor or crew.
Our Production Crew
is steadfast with mentoring others to fulfill their dreams to be successful in the film industry.

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Safely Expanding Programs

iFilmGroup Safely Expanding Programs

FilmGroup is looking for a few talented individuals to be “Virtual Acting Coach” for a new online iFilmGroup program that is being created and designed. The successful candidates would be assisting in the design and execution of the new virtual program. Which would be for members of the iFilmGroup for training and teaching of acting techniques and skills through recorded videos, skits, scenes and online virtual teaching. With the possibility of in person teaching and workshops down the road.

All Virtual material will either be shot from home locations or in special cases at remote studios and locations for certain specialized material depending on what is required for the setting of the recorded material.

Focus of all material created and recorded would be training of iFilmGroup members ranging from youth to seniors in the art and skills of acting and the various aspects of the film industry including but not limited to auditioning, projection, emotion, various acting skills, and set protocol

Candidates can be of any age but should have formal training in acting through a Post-Secondary school program degree or through real life practical training in acting. Candidates must be familiar with both stage and film acting.

Please submit qualifications / resume as well as promotional head shot to info@ifilmgroup.org

Be sure to include in the subject line of the email “Application for iFilmGroup Virtual Acting"

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Max Steinberg Receives Nomination Again

iFilmGroup and m & s Marshall Production would like to congratulate iFilmGroup member and London Ontario actor Max Steinberg on his two
2020 Joey Award nominations.

His most recent nominations included a
“Best Actor in a short film (14-16 years)”
for his role as Michael in iFilmGroup’s short film “Not Ready”.

The movie ‘Not Ready’ was shot throughout Southwestern Ontario using over 100 actors and crew using many students from grade-schools and high-schools, along with college and university students. Many parents volunteer for crew or background actors with iFilmGroup.

Max is no stranger to the Joey Awards. With these two newest nominations Max brings his total to 8 nominations and 1 win at the Joey Awards since 2017. He had 1 nomination in 2017, 2 nominations in 2018 and was nominated in 3 categories in 2019. He won in the category for "Best Featured Actor in a Feature Film" for his role in "Afreen" in 2019.

Congratulations to Max and his family on his most recent nominations and we wish him all the best in November 2020 at the Awards Ceremony.

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iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org

Year in Review. 2019 with iFilmGroup

The clock has ticked down on the days of another year and with the striking of midnight, we move into the year 2020. With this New Year, it brings around the discussion and evaluation of what was accomplished the previous year.

The iFilmGroup team has much to be excited about. 2019 was an exciting and event-filled year. The list of events and accomplishments are more than ever could be listed in a year-end review. We would like to highlight some of the major events of the last year and we reflect on iFilmGroup in 2019.

For those interested in seeing all the events please check out our articles, blogs, and press releases. iFilmGroup has had a busy 2019. With the focus being on finishing two films and taking another film through the entire production process from script to the point of being in post-production.

The iFilmGroup leadership team has expanded by two talented individuals. The team has worked not only on filming but also on the aspect of education and training through workshops and partnerships for training with theatre groups and educational organizations. The team has had a number of requests to speak at various organizations to talk about the film.

Over 2019 there has been a growing interest in iFilmGroup and what the group does.
So let’s share some accomplishments with you…

‘Struggles Within’
Kicked off with iFilmGroup on a number of fronts. The New Year opened up with the announcement that ‘Struggles Within’ received another official selection and nomination at a film festival. The film would finish the year with 1 award and 2 official selections, and 3 official nominations. These were a smaller amount of awards than other recent films that award-winning director Matthew Marshall and the iFilmGroup team have been accustom to recently. But the film was an iFilmGroup ‘associated film’ and not one of their actual productions. iFilmGroup co-founders Marshall and Don Hickey were part of the production team of the film but not at the helm in making all the creative choices.

The film was released originally and then iFilmGroup did some reworking before it was released again in the summer of 2018. Marshall was pleased with the results all things considered and feels it’s a film that not everyone understands when they watch, as it has a deeper level, dealing with mental illness.

The film is a 14 minute telling of a “story through almost all music and dance” about a girl struggling with depression and contemplating suicide. It’s about her choices to find the hope to continue to live. “The story is told through the thoughts of the main character”, Marshall says. The film is a timely story that speaks to what many people in society are struggling with. It’s done in a way that words do not fill the story, but images, dance, and music do, so the viewer can “feel” the story being told on screen. It also can be related to, if the person watching has had experience in their life either personally or through a member of their family with the issue of depression or mental illness.

“Many who have seen the film feel it shows what many people “feel” in struggling with depressions and mental illness.”

— Movie Audience

Drama Therapist and a Registered Psychotherapist
added to the iFilmGroup Leadership Team
January 2019 also brought about the announcing of a new member of the iFilmGroup leadership team in Angel Bilagot. She is a Drama Therapist and a Registered Psychotherapist. Angel graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a combined degree in Psychology and Theatre. She completed her Master’s Degree at Concordia University, specializing in Drama Therapy. She continued her training in Drama Therapy in New York City while working as a Therapist at the PTSD Clinic in New Haven, Connecticut. She was provided with the opportunity to have gained professional experiences to work, teach, and develop programs for environments such as the Jewish General Hospital (Montreal), The Canadian Institute for Neuro-Integrative Development (Montreal), The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, and The University of Alberta (Edmonton).

Drama Therapy at an iFilmGroup Workshop

After being added to the team, iFilmGroup did a drama Therapy workshop. The focus was on expressing emotions and character through puppets and acting.

iFilmGroup Working with Fanshawe College
The month of January 2019 continued to be busy for the team as iFilmGroup and m & s Marshall Productions working to help Fanshawe out in looking for some key roles for an event that school was hosting dealing with its various medical-based programs where they had actors play simulated Patients for student evaluations. Fanshawe also had its large Mock Disaster event which not only need actors to play patients but also dramatic makeup/SFX artists that could do the makeup for Mass Casualty Incident day.

FEBRUARY 2019
Audition Calls for anticipated movie “Not Ready”
Things did not let up in February for the iFilmGroup team. Don Hickey was busy working on the finish touches to his new script “Not Ready” which was to be the summer 2019 production for iFilmGroup. The film follows Professor Richard Pratt as he finds out he has a short time to live due to a medical condition.

Matthew Marshall would direct the film and co-produce with Hickey on the film. Marshall was busy preparing aspects of the production side. Audition calls were put out and Marshall searched for crew for the film. The big search was for cast and finding two individuals to anchor the film leads as well as four secondary characters to secure the second level of talent. The team was also looking for people for an intern role and for nurses and PSW’s to consult and play the medical aspects of the production.

Both Marshall and Hickey were in discussions with medical professions from Fanshawe and Western for research dealing with doctors, nurses and PSW for characters and roles in the film.

FEBRUARY 2019
Western Smartphone Film Festival (WSFF)
February 2019 also brought about the 4th annual Western Smartphone Film Festival (WSFF) at the Western Film Theatre. Marshall was asked for the second year in a row to be a judge on the panel. The event was the showing of the top ten films of the 2019 festival. The theme was “Perception verse Reality” and the ten finalist filmmakers did not disappoint as there were five of the ten films that were contenders for the top prize. The festival is a student-run organization at Western University in London, Ontario that is focused on developing youth in the field of film and entertainment by means of an annual smartphone short film festival. The 2019 theme was “Perception vs Reality”.

Sheridan College students with Matthew Marshall- iFilmGroup Co-founder

The winning team was a group of Sheridan College students under the title of EMG Productions who came together to make a film called “Filtered” about two best friends walking home from a party only to be attacked by an unwanted follower. The entire film is told through the footage on a cell phone and when Marshall first saw the film he admits that he was not entirely in favour of it due to the film being presented in a vertical format verse tradition horizontal. “The film broke the traditional rules of film, and as a filmmaker, it bothered me at first, but then I started looking at it more closely.

“The Film would win at the WSFF and go on to win “Best Canadian Film” at the Toronto Smartphone Film Festival.”

— Matthew Marshall of iFilmGroup

FEBRUARY 2019
Stanton Academy in London, Ontario
Also in February 2019, the month finished with Matthew Marshall being the guest presenter at the Stanton Academy in London, Ontario. He spoke to a group of students from the Academy about being an award-winning film director, film making and the iFilmGroup. The students were working on small film projects either on their own or in small groups. Many were focusing on stop motion animation while others were working on scripts, short films, and trailers for film ideas they have.

Reception area at 2019 Auditions with iFilmGroup

MARCH and APRIL 2019
Scripts, Editing and Casting Calls. Scouting Locations and More Auditions.
The months of March and April 2019 would seem to some outsiders much calmer for the iFilmGroup team as publicly the team was not as visible, but much work was going on behind the scenes preparing for filming and scouting talent. Hickey was working on the “Not Ready Script” and consulting professionals to get all the details of the film from a medical perspective accurate. Marshall was watching various plays and film as well as putting out “casting calls” for upcoming auditions. Marshall also had started editing on his short film “Malicious Attack” and looking to find the location needed to finish filming his other film “Blue Love”.

The team was also having production meetings to define procedures and where things were headed in the New Year after such a fast start and further growth within the group. “ I would call March and April 2019 very much a plowing and planting season for the team,” says Marshall. They were preparing the ground for the upcoming months.

MAY 2019
Scripts, Editing and Casting Calls. Scouting Locations and More Auditions.
After the calm before the storm, May started the non-stop ride that would continue until the end of 2019 for the team. iFilmGroup held auditions in May for their upcoming film “Not Ready” written by iFilmGroup co-Founder Don Hickey. The film is about a professor named Richard who is facing death straight in the face and has to look at his life, the time he has spent with his loved ones, how he has used his time and whose lives has he changed. The auditions were held at Elgin Theatre Guild in St. Thomas and were attended by close to 30 people ranging in ages from 10 years of age up to seniors.

Actors David Parisian and Diane Newling

Some familiar faces from iFilmGroup’s recent past were in attendance as well as some new faces from London and surrounding areas. “We had people from London and St. Thomas but we also had people come in from as far away as Sarnia and Toronto audition as well”, says Hickey.

When Auditions were done the two main characters of the film would be brought to life by a pair of actors from Toronto. The team believes that they had found the right combination in David Parisian and Diane Newling to play the Pratt couple. Secondary characters in the film would be played by some familiar faces with Max Steinberg, Zachary Wilson, Talia Mielke, and Shelby Simpson. Also, the iFilmGroup team found some new faces that would become a bigger part of the iFilmGroup world in the months that would come.

Auditions were followed up with the addition of a new Production Team member with Sharon O'Leary who specializes in marketing, promotion and fundraising. She has been a part of several community organizations in London and area and was a welcome addition to the team to help in the area of marketing, promotion and fundraising.

The cast from the film ‘Not Ready’ during the scenes at the Elgin Theatre Guild.

Busy movie director and producer Matthew Marshall found time during his busy schedule preparing for “Not Ready” to visit the Elgin Theatre Guild and be the VIP guest prior to their Youth theatre production of ‘The Exciting Exploits of an Effervescent Elf ‘. The day was during one of their last rehearsal and Marshall offered some additional advice to the youth to the young actors dealing with acting and lines. Some of the cast from the ETG production were cast to be part of “Not Ready” so Marshall thought the day was a benefit on several levels. Lesley Chapman, President at Elgin Theatre Guild (Community Theatre) said, “It’s a great event when we have professionals like Matthew coming by to visit our actors. The boost of energy and excitement is seen in the actors. Matthew is keen on sharing, teaching and definitely re-enforcing skills and attitude of our actors and volunteers”.

JUNE and JULY 2019
Productions and Guest Appearances
The team during June turned its focus toward preparing for production of “Not Ready” as the start of filming loomed large with the 10-day production schedule starting at the end of June start of July with the first four days of filming in London and area. The filming would take place at the local establishment of the Cardboard Café, Western University, and a local residence in London.

During the early weeks of July, Marshall broke away from production of “Not Ready” to again return to the Elgin Theatre Guild to be a special guest of Lesley Chapman’s again for the week-long workshop for the ETG Youth dealing with Scriptwriting. The group came up with a theme of “Then There was Silence” and each of the three groups ( “The Purple Alligators”, “The Unknown”, and “The Bactors”) had to come up with a concept, write a script and then rehearse it and perform it at the end of the week. Many of the youth from last year were back for this year’s workshop.

Matthew Marshall, co-founder of iFilmGroup Speaks at Elgin Theatre Guild’s Workshop

There were also a number of faces from the ETG Youth who are part of the cast of the film “Not Ready” as theatre kids in the Theatre Guild that is part of the film. By late July the team was back to principle production with three more days of filming for “Not Ready” taking the team over the hump of having most of the film in the can. But still having several more days to finish before the film would be done.

The scenes again took place at a Local London Residence and also took in a day of filming at the Elgin Theatre Guild in St Thomas where a number of the ETG kids got to play “Theatre Kids” that tied into the storyline. Also, ETG Adults like Jessica Fediw played bigger roles within the film as well.

AUGUST 2019
Filming Continued with Several Productions
Filming continued in August with two more days within London. The cast and crew were left with one more date that could not happen until the fall when the leaves had changed. Which took place in October on a nice autumn day with sunshine and warm temperatures. The scene was filmed in Dorchester, in southwestern Ontario. It is the opening scene of the film and included not only the opening scene on a dock fishing but also some drone footage that will be incorporated with previously shot drone footage to be part of the opening. The fall also included a few scenes to finish up some other films that have been pending. After much time a courtroom set was secured to do filming of a few remaining scenes for "Blue Love" by m & s Marshall Productions. Also, a police interrogation room secured to film one other outstanding scene to bring the dramatic film to a full wrap and ready for post-production.

Movie ‘Blue Love’ Courtroom Scene Cast and Crew

FALL 2019
Wrapping Up the Season with Multiple Productions and 100’s of Actors and Crew
Fall of 2019 also opened up to some new scenes for the bully film “Malicious Attack” were added to enhance the film and deal with some issues that had come up during editing of the film. This opened the door to some new people who had become part of iFilmGroup to be a part of a film they had been interested in but had not been able to be a part of. With these scenes, Marshall hopes the two-year journey of this film is wrapped and it is just down to post-production. “Malicious Attack” will be the featured project for marshal heading into 2020.

“2019 has brought much success for several iFilmGroup members”

— Matthew Marshall- co-founder, iFilmGroup

This year has brought much success for several iFilmGroup members outside of being a part of iFilmGroup. Talia Mielke won an Arts & Culture Award and headed off to Sheridan to be part of the BA of Music Theatre Performance program. She has been a part of two of the upcoming films. “Blue Love” as Maizie Dunne and cast in “Not Ready” as Katherine Campbell. George Crosby who played young Richard Pratt in “Not Ready” is now an Original Kids Theatre Company main cast member. He still walks the boards of Elgin Theatre Guild but he will be appearing in Original Kids in London Ontario in various productions in the upcoming year.

Jacob Gagen and iFilmGroup member cast in “The Ace and the Scout” for Electronic Motion Pictures. Jacob Gagen plays Collishaw in the film. He had a small role in “Not Ready” as a Night PSW.

Max Steinberg and Jordyn Taylor won Joey Awards

Max Steinberg and Jordyn Taylor have won Joey Awards in Vancouver. Jordyn won for Best Commercial Voice-over Actress. Max won Best Featured Actor in a Feature Film. Jordyn and Max have been part of the iFilmGroup family on different productions. Max is a principal actor in the movie called ‘Not Ready’, that’s in post-production and will be released in 2020. He also had small roles in “Blue Love” and “Malicious Attack”. Jordyn was part of the new scenes of ‘Malicious Attack’, produced by m & s Marshall Production, and was also had small roles in “Not Ready” and “Blue Love”

NOVEMBER and DECEMBER 2019
Catching Up and Forecasting 2020
Late November and December have been a recovery time for the iFilmGroup Team. While they are recovering, they are looking back at all they have done and looking forward to what 2020 has in store for them. The team is still working on much administrative business and making plans for the upcoming 2020 year for workshops and possible productions.

Applications have been coming in from people very interested in being part of the cast in any new productions. Both Hickey and Marshall have a number of ideas for what might be on the slate for 2020. But both have expressed a focus on getting the current three films edited and out. ■

“2019 has been an amazing year filled with great moments for the team and our actors & crew. The team is looking forward with great excitement to 2020.”

— iFilmGroup Co-founders

iFilmGroup
London ■ St. Thomas ■ Chatham-Kent
Ontario - Canada
WEBSITE - www.ifilmgroup.org