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

iFilmGroup Actor George Crosby’s Acting Career Advances to Stage Performances

iFilmGroup actor George Crosby

As summer ends and autumn comes upon us students of all ages get back into the routine of attending classes and going to school. It is also the official start of the Film Festival year and new and exciting Live Theatre shows.

When you think about students getting back to learning and combining that with Live Theatre. One program in London and area comes to mind. Since its establishment in 1998, the Grand Theatre’s High School Project (HSP) has provided unparalleled theatrical training and mentorship to the next generation of Canadian theatre artists. It is the only program of its kind in North America.

This unique and empowering program has been the launch pad for many theatre artists. The students start in early July/August to prepare for the show. HSP offers an exceptional opportunity for students to receive education and hands-on training in the working environment of a professional theatre. High school students from London and area are mentored by professional artists and coaches in all departments (performance, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, sound, orchestra, photography, and marketing) culminating in a production staged in the Grand’s 839-seat theatre: the Spriet Stage. The initiative provides leadership, creative skills, and communication aptitude that serve these students on and off stage - in every area of their lives.

This style of teaching an artist the art of acting or crew is the same style of template that iFilmGroup uses for filmmaking. Many former HSP alumni have worked with iFilmGroup and many members of the iFilmGroup have been a part of HSP productions.

Mentoring is the cornerstone of iFilmGroup’s mission and mandate. The goal is to mentor members in the filmmaking process while making award-winning films. Matthew Marshall who is an award-winning film Director and Head of Film Production for iFilmGroup and is also one of the group's co-founders feels mentoring is a very important element to pass what someone has learned in a particular field and pass it along to the next generation. “I have many great mentors in my life that have taught me the skills that I am now giving to the next generation”, says Marshall. After years of being mentored. Marshall now feels it is only fitting that he passes it forward. A quote from Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg has always stuck out in Marshall’s mind and sums up mentorship and what iFilmGroup does. Spielberg says “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves”.

Marshall and fellow co-founder Don Hickey have used that concept to create two forms of mentorship within the iFilmGroup. The common and recognized form of mentorship within iFilmGroup is called the "Standard Mentoring Program". This is what iFilmGroup members receive during their workshop programs and when the members are working on film sets during these projects. The second form of mentorship is the “Accredited Mentorship/Internship Program” where participants from high school, college and or University must arrange with iFilmGroup and their school before they go through the application process and are accepted into the Accredited Mentorship Program with iFilmGroup. This is an internship/co-op with iFilmGroup in the art of acting or Filmmaking.

“Everyone needs a mentor to give you guidance and help you get to where you want to go to in a particular skill or profession”, says iFilmGroup Community Engagement Manager and Co-Founder of the program Don Hickey. Often mentors go unrecognized... living in the shadow of the person that has been mentored and the success they have. Marshall feels that through mentoring you change lives and really does not feel that any more recognition is needed. “That is enough on most days,” says Marshall.

iFilmGroup Actor George Crosby on set of ‘Not Ready’

However recently Matthew Marshall and the iFilmGroup Team were recognized for their work with one member. George Crosby who is in iFilmGroup soon to be released new film “Not Ready” and who is also part of the cast for in this year's Grand Theatre’s High School production of “Into the Woods”, nominated Matthew Marshall as a significant teacher/mentor in their life. Student participants from HSP were prompted to reflect upon a teacher, mentor, school staff member, etc. who has guided, assisted, encouraged or inspired their interest in the arts. Marshall was nominated because George felt he deserve recognition, and George wanted to say thank you for Marshall and the iFilmGroup team's support and contribution to the arts in our community. “They have helped me by including me in their productions and allowing me to be involved in the film community. Matthew has encouraged me to express my full self being a mentor in expression, creativity and compassion”, says Crosby.

George Crosby (center) on set of movie “Not Ready’

Marshall and Hickey will be excited and proud to see Crosby on stage at the Grand Theatre in “Into the Woods” which runs from September 20th to Oct 1st, 2022.

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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

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