NEWS pholo Brad Ledwidge in. resident Jamie Levitt represents approximately 40 actors in her role as an agent with Northern Exposure. Rober Gaister News Reporter robert@nsnews.com MAKING it. To a prospective actor, the term is bookmarked by fame and merely eating. _: Whatever. the interpretation, the Lower Mainland is teeming with aspiring actors of all shapes, sizés and ages. While there is no-short- ‘age.of work in Hollywood North, there isn’t * quite enough to go around. ‘What.sets the successful actors apart from * Starbucks baristas and restaurant servers with stl unrealized dreams is sometimes little >more than luck. More often it is the result of Smart carcer moves augmented by the onc thing no one can learn or teach: talent. Presumably all aspiring actors think they have talent, All that’s left is convincing the rest of the world of that fact. Tools of the trade include a resume and an 8%” by 11” photo with name inscribed for starters (See those of Fargey and Jellis below). From there it gets considerably more diffi- cult An agent is a must, but few worth a hill of beans are willing to take on inexperienced actors. The result is a situation which can become untenable for those who haven't worked in the indusiry and can’t get work. North Vancouve: ‘esident and actors’ agent Jamie Levitt works with Northern Exposure. She has been in the business for five years and represents some 40 iwtors. While she fell into the industry almost tv accident, few actors she ‘King the big dream knows of do it the same way. “All those people who don’t have an agent and don’t have any experience have to do the- aire,” said Levitt. “And I see a lot of theatre. A lot of agents see a lot of theatre ... I only have to see someone once to know they’ve got it.” Lynne Carrow, a West Vancouver casting director who has worked on dozens of films, shares Levitt’s sense of partiality to the benefits of working in theatre. Both Carrow and Levitt went further to stress the importance of proper training. “If I see someone hag accredited training school I’m that much more likely to audition them,” said Carrow, “I'd like co be a surgeon, but f think I'd go to school first.” See Agents page & Winning the game A handful of present and former North Shore resi- dents have found fame in the acting profession. JASON PRIESTLEY Jason Priestley, best known for his role as Brandon on the long-running Beverly Hills 90210, of which he is now execu- tive producer, grew up in North: Vancouver and attended Argyte : Secondary. Recently he starred | ture film Love and Death on’ Long Idand. ae on Sarah Chalke is one of | . Canada’s busiest young actoys: . ! Sve Actors page & ; cai actors seeking stardust memorit News Reporter robert@nsnews.com ALTHOUGH it was a life-long dream of his, Guy Jellis didn’t start : acting until he was 23. Bt ~ Robert Galster ews Reporter robert@nsnews.com JILLIAN Fargey was attending Canyon Heights elementary school when her first big bre: - came along. She played Huckleberry Finn in the North Vancouver school’s production of Tom Sawyer. “Which I think upset some of the parents — you know gender crossing,” said Fargey. She has been acting ever since. Although her career has tocused on the stage, a place where she has met with considerable suc- cess, several film credits als. figure in her CV. Stage highlights include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Tix Crucible, both Vancouver Playhouse productions. She has appeared.on The X-Files and js litchhiker. Upon graduating from Handsworth secondary, she enrolled in Langara College’s theatre school: Studio 58. “T think if you’re going © study in Canada you should go there (Studio 58) or the National ( !heatre School of Canada in Montreal),” said Fargey. ough 20 started in he: class, she was one of only three graduates. Fargey knows she has been fortunate. “ve been very, very lucky,” said Farg She has not had to take a job outside of acting to sustain herself. In spite of her experience, Fargey is not resting on her laurels. “It’s « struggle sometimes, but I love my life — 1 get to do what I want.” Which leads to a point of advice she stressed to anyone considering attempting an acting carcer. “Make sure youre doing it because ar because you’re setting you! v to finish the statement with: for failure. not because you want to b said without finding it nece Tr goes without saying. certo iy sais abisicb~ u love it, up,” she Three years later, he has left Squamish where he grew up and is finally beginning to . Feap the benefits of his-decision. 3) 2 20s _ “It’s something [ always wanted todo but - when you live in Squamish it’s just something you don’t do. It’s just not feasible,” said Jellis, adding that the prospects of getting a job with a railroad or asa lumberjack would have been much more promising. re ‘. Upon arriving in North Vancouver, Jellis. enrolled in the Vancouver Film School's six- NEWS Brad Ledwidge ty oe proto month acting program. He also got a.job as a doorman and bartender at Montana’s nightclub to pay the bills.’ At the program’s conclusion, he started working in commercials and got an a Since then he continued showing up at auditions and training at a variety of local schools. . . Jellis purposely changes his training ground regularly, oS “When you’re acting you’re never comfortable,” said Jellis, who, consequently never stays at a single acting school fong enough to ger comfortable. “The more I pursued it, the more [ found it became a reality not just an idea.” . He’s done commercials and has had many roles in both television and film. His latest triumph is getting cast in a principal role of.a major motion picture set to start shooting this September. To prepare, Jellis’ has hired the services of an acting coach, ; His advice to anyone in the throes of an acting career: “Itis work and everyone is going through it (the hard times). It’s hard but don’t give * up.