The executive producer and head of marketing at the Vancouver Film School (VFS) is on the Island this week searching for creative, prospective students to apply to one of the many programs the school has to offer.
Christopher Bennett said one area of study at VFS is acting, and having a live audition gives Islanders the opportunity to apply for the program.
“In a lot of cases, they probably haven’t even been discovered or maybe they don’t know their potential, but we believe that every year we produce one of the most successful networks of alumni grads, and to do that you have to find really creative people, wherever they might be.”
The live audition, which takes place today at the Holman Grand, will put potential students not only in front of Bennett, but also in front of film producer Lisa Mazzotta and Jennifer Clement, head of the department for acting for film and television at VFS.
The prospective students will do a scene in front of the panel and then find out that same day if they are accepted into the school, Bennett said, adding he’s excited to see how the Island auditions go.
“I’ve been doing it in a few cities already and it’s awesome.”
This is the first time representatives from VFS have come to P.E.I. in search of students, and they don’t come empty-handed.
Bennett said VFS recently launched the Search Scholarship, which is a half a million-dollar fund, with $50,000 of that earmarked for P.E.I. students who need financial support to attend the school.
“(We are) looking in every nook and cranny of this incredible country to meet and touch perspective students in whatever they want to do, (including) animation, makeup, acting, directing, producing,” he said, adding the Island has a vibrant, artistic culture.
“You can see it everywhere,” he said. “This is the only place I’ve come across where people are that passionate about the arts, whether its music or dance or theatre, the culture here is very creative.”
The search is on for prospective students who stand out in a variety of areas, not just filmmaking, including graphic design, animation, video game design, programming, digital and multimedia design, makeup, writing, acting and directing.
While on the Island, Bennett will be talking to students at a few of the local high schools, and he will also host an information session for prospective students and their parents and guardians at the Holman Grand today. Spaces are still available and admission is free. For more information or to register for the live audition, visit Eventbrite.ca.
