I am an award-winning filmmaker (ten short films in the past five years, wining over twenty awards); casting director of films, films for television, theatre, and commercials; and acclaimed acting teacher. I have been in the entertainment business for over thirty years, beginning as a leading talent agent in Canada and the US before transitioning to casting, producing and directing. I am currently also on the Jury of the Oaxaca International Film Festival; have served on the jury of the Canadian Screen Awards, The International Emmy Awards, The Genie Awards (Canadian TV), The Gemini Awards (Canadian Film); serve as Moderator of the Toronto Monologue SLAM; The Wildsound Screenwriting workshops; founder of Queer Ideas screenwriting development series (two seasons thus far); and am the producer of the Canadian Premier of Neill LaBute's "In A Forest Dark And Deep."
High Rise Rescue
(
TV Movie
(Action and Drama)
Casting director In this captivating and intense drama, Beth Davis (Catherine Bell), the successful architect of the state-of-the art high-rise Princeton Towers in Chicago's west loop, is off for a four-week business trip to Miami for another big project much to the chagrin of her husband Jack (Greg Bryk) and her 11-year-old son Charlie (Sam Ashe Arnold). Beth and Jack's marriage has been tense lately as the both seem to be searching for something different; she is focused on excelling in her career, and he's eager to expand their family. While at the airport waiting to board her flight, Beth is in shock when she sees that there has been a huge explosion and fire at Princeton Towers, the building she designed and her own family is living in. Fearing for her family, she rushes to the scene to learn that her husband and son are trapped inside their home on the 55th floor. Determined to do everything she can to free her family from the growing inferno, Beth sneaks into the building, and with the help of ...
Against the Wild 2: Survive the Serengeti
(
Film
(Adventure)
Casting director Two kids and their dog must use all their skills to survive in the African bush after a plane crash.
Total Frat Movie
(
Film
Casting department Charlie Martin, a JI whose fraternity gets kicked off campus after it takes the rap for a rival fraternity gone awry. Three years later, Charlie and the remaining brothers must throw the greatest rush event to recruit a new pledge class and bring the house back to glory. Written by stephenklessel
Pyotr495
(
Film
(Short, Horror and Sci-Fi)
Casting department Set one evening in present day Moscow, 16 year-old Pyotr is baited by an ultranationalist group known for their violent abductions and anti-gay attacks bolstered by Russia's LGBT propaganda law, but Pyotr has a dangerous secret his attackers could never have accounted for.
The Job Interview
(
Film
(Short and Comedy)
Director A corporate job interview is never pleasant. Especially when it's for a position you haven't even applied for.
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas
(
TV Movie
(Comedy and Romance)
Casting director Maggie is thrilled when Mitch, her long time crush, moves back to town. When she learns Mitch's love for Christmas has drastically changed, she tries to bring his holiday spirits back by showing him the magic of Christmas.
Merry Matrimony
(
TV Movie
(Comedy and Romance)
Casting director An ad exec for a fashion magazine lands her dream assignment to organize the perfect Christmas wedding. Just one thing. The photographer she's been partnered with is her ex-boyfriend. She's got to bring her A game, while working through unresolved feelings.
Christmas Incorporated
(
TV Movie
(Drama)
Casting director Riley Vance is hired as personal assistant to William Young, who recently inherited his father's company. He's under pressure to close the flagship toy factory of the firm, but Riley convinces him to visit the town and evaluate the plant and people. To save the town, she must rekindle his long-dormant Christmas spirit. Written by Cory Havens
Best Christmas Party Ever
(
TV Movie
(Drama and Family)
Casting director Jennie Stanton (Torrey DeVitto) throws the best Christmas parties every year for her company, Petra's Parties. Things are a little different this year, as Petra is retiring and looks to the next generation to take over. Jennie thinks she has her new job in the bag, until Petra's charismatic nephew, Nick (Steve Lund), shows up as "seasonal help" and his natural talent and confidence clashes with Jennie's stern work ethic and traditional values. The pair battle it out for the top job with unmistakable chemistry and symmetry, but when the new owners of the legendary Tyrell's Toys put the bottom line before Christmas spirit, threatening to pull the plug on Tyrell's Toys' annual Christmas party for the community, Jennie and Nick are forced to work together to throw the greatest Christmas party ever. Written by st. nick
Shelby
(
Film
(Family)
Casting director This isn't just a Christmas miracle... It's Christmas magic! In this heart-warming family tale, rescue dog Shelby manages to escape the dog pound on Christmas Eve and runs straight into the arms of little Jake (John Paul Ruttan, Robocop). Immediately the two are inseparable! Jake wants to be a magician and Shelby soon becomes the best friend and magical assistant he's always wanted... The only thing standing between them and a perfect Christmas is the notorious local dogcatcher - he has Shelby in his sights and he's not going to stop until he finds him! Can Shelby and Jake conjure up a little Christmas magic to save the day? Written by anon
The Hazing Secret
(
TV Movie
(Crime, Mystery and Thriller)
Casting director Everyday Megan Harris wakes from the same horrific dream about a pledge dying in a hazing ritual only to have her memory wiped clean. Determined to kick her Anterograde Amnesia and discover what happened to the girl who haunts her dreams, Megan joins her former sisters at a Greek-wide reunion. Her head reels as jealousies and misplaced loyalties begin to simmer, sending her on a downward spiral that has her wondering whether she can even trust herself... Megan fights for her life and battles time to find the truth before her memory is erased again. Written by Lifetime
Siren
(
Film
(Short, Drama and Thriller)
Casting director Two ambulance paramedics put their lives on the line when a routine call becomes a deadly race against time.
Kingdom Come
(
Film
(Horror)
Casting director A group of strangers who wake up in what appears to be an abandoned building, unable to remember how they got there, find themselves haunted by strange visions and are forced to face all the wrongs they have done in their lives.
Gaybasher
(
Film
(Short, Action, Crime and Drama)
Director In the dark of night and winter's harsh realm, a young man emerges from a violent encounter in the back alleys of the gay ghetto to become an avenging angel. Forged by the cruelty of bigotry, he takes back the name of the aggressors to become GAYBASHER! Written by Ron Leach
Finding Christmas
(
TV Movie
Casting director Sean, who runs a New York City advertising agency, and Owen, a small-town handyman and musician, swap residences for the holidays. Mia, who works for Sean, helps Owen get settled into his new apartment while Ryan, sent by Owen to fix a broken heater, helps Sean find the charm of living in a small town. Owen is a fish-out-of-water in the big city and tries to flirt with Halo, an aspiring model/actress/singer who lives in the apartment building. One night, after Mia has shown Owen around the town, Halo sees him entering the elevator while he's dressed in a wardrobe borrowed from Sean's closet. Thinking he's rich, Halo flirts back and sets up a date. Mia, however, warns him that she just thinks he has money because he's living in Sean's apartment and is wearing Sean's clothes. On the day of the big date, Owen realizes who he really is and what he really wants in life. Meanwhile, Sean is falling in love with the local veterinarian, who happens to be harboring a big secret - two, actually.... Written by Troy Whigham
A Very Merry Mix-Up
(
TV Movie
(Comedy, Drama, Family and Romance)
Casting director Shop owner Alice Chapman is nervous about meeting her future in-laws at Christmas, especially because she is arriving ahead of her new fiancé, Will Mitchum. Alice's trip becomes more stressful when her luggage is lost and her phone is damaged, leaving her no way to find Will's family! Written by AnonymousB
Against the Wild
(
TV Movie
(Adventure and Family)
Casting director Zach Wade, a mischievous kid who - along with his younger sister Hannah and their devoted dog Chinook - becomes lost in the wilderness when their small plane has engine problems and must make an emergency landing. Their mom and dad are frantic, and rescue teams are searching. But for the next few days, Zach, Hannah and Chinook must learn how to combine their skills, trust their instincts and navigate a terrain as beautiful as it is untamed. Written by Anchor Bay Entertainment Kids & Family
Victims
(
Film
(Drama and Thriller)
Casting department Lindsay and Spencer are a typical young couple, but their lives are changed forever after a violent home invasion. Now Lindsay finds herself a prisoner in her own home as her husband tortures the men responsible.
She Is Swimming
(
Film
(Short, Drama and Family)
Director A brief cab ride turns into a life parable for the outwardly successful urban white woman who hails the taxi. She has no expectations that the journey across town, will turn into a journey to the center of her soul and foreshadow momentous changes her life-journey will take. Written by Anonymous
Love Is
(
Film
(Short, Drama and Romance)
Director Sarah wakes up one morning reflecting on life, her decisions and what the meaning of love to her? She looks back to all her life choices and men that have placed a major role in shaping her today.
Kiss: Producer's Cut
(
Film
(Short and Drama)
Director Add a Plot »
Scare Tactics
(
Television
(Comedy, Horror, Reality-TV, Sci-Fi and 1 More)
Casting director The show, just the latest in a string of "reality based programming" will feature "Candid Camera" like stunts inspired by scenes from Science fiction television programs and movies. The "victims" will witness alien abductions, hauntings, and various other X-Philean type gags and their reactions will be chronicled here on this series. Written by Anonymous
Kiss: Director's Cut
(
Film
(Short, Drama, Family and Romance)
Director Kiss chronicles a romance, from first meeting to the flowering of love and loss.
Profile
(
Film
(Short, Drama, Mystery and Thriller)
Director Two young people are excited to meet each other after an initial introduction via the Internet. Their first blush meeting is filled with potential but, perhaps, wildly different expectations!
Anchor Baby
(
Film
(Drama and Thriller)
Casting director Married illegal immigrant couple, Joyce (Omoni Oboli) and Paul Unanga (Sam Sarpong) have been ordered to be deported by the US immigration. They agree to leave; only after Joyce who is 5 months pregnant delivers her baby inside the US. This will guarantee automatic citizenship for their child. Later, Paul is caught and deported. Then, Joyce struggles on her own to accomplish their dream. Joyce, meets Susan Backley (Terri Oliver), a married freelance writer who offers to help her with free accommodation until her baby is born. Joyce accepts the offer. Now, with the help of Susan, Joyce sets out on the most daring journey of her life; to achieve the 'American Dream' for her unborn child. She will try by any means necessary. Written by Anonymous
Saving Grace
(
Film
(Crime, Drama and Horror)
Casting director Grace is a beautiful young nurse who lives a life of pain and anguish. Her addiction to heroin has forced the authorities to take away her beloved daughter Jessica, and put her on the verge of losing her job at the hospital. Grace finds sickly solace at the end of a junkie's needle as she burns the days away, lost in the darkness of despair. A near fatal overdose lands her in the very hospital that she works-but also into the hands of one of the hospital's janitors, Clayton. He's an odd survivalist who hunts rabbits on the weekends from an abandoned school deep in the desolate countryside. When Grace wakes up in the bowels of Clayton's make-shift bunker, he tells her a bizarre story. One in which he has not only saved her from a life of drugs, but also from the horrors of the world itself. Written by Offical Website
Helpline
(
Film
(Short, Comedy, Drama and Mystery)
Director Helpline takes a comedic look at an optimistic young man confronting the reality of working at a suicide prevention call center, when the boredom of his everyday life confronts the reality of the outside world.
Altarcations
(
Film
(Short, Comedy and Romance)
Director Linda and Larry's forthcoming wedding hits a snag when the local parish priest comes to their home to do some much-needed marriage counseling. As Larry's anxieties about Linda's draconian wedding plans escalate, the priest turns out to be much less of a moderator than an instigator. Written by Anonymous
Shaky Grounds
(
Film
(Short, Comedy and Thriller)
Director Barista Gary's world is turned upside down when the woman he thought he was secretly stalking confronts him in his place of work. He has been absent from her garden windows and she demands to know where he has been.
The Good Times Are Killing Me
(
TV Movie
(Drama)
Casting director Kate Derby is a successful Washington DC lawyer, a career which does not seem to be enough to gain the acceptance or love of her parents, Cameron and Celia Derby, he a soon to be retired Canadian diplomat. Her parents' feelings are exacerbated by Kate accepting the case against their friend, Senator Sam Talbot. The case is a defamation lawsuit brought against him in he awarding a defense contract to a British firm, which has led to the financial ruin of Kate's American defense contractor client. En route from DC to London to gather information for the case, Kate collapses unconscious. She awakens in a secured London drug and alcohol rehab facility, she learns committed for a minimum of four months, the papers signed by her physician and an independent psychiatrist. She believes she is being framed by Talbot, especially since she is in possession of some sensitive information against him, while the facility administration tries to convince her that she has an alcohol abuse problem. As ... Written by Huggo
'Da Kink in My Hair
(
Television
(Comedy and Drama)
Casting director Add a Plot »
The Good Germany
(
TV Movie
(Comedy)
Casting director Add a Plot »
The Listener
(
Television
(Crime, Drama, Fantasy and Sci-Fi)
Casting director A young paramedic discovers he has telepathic powers.
Murdoch Mysteries
(
Television
(Crime, Drama and Mystery)
Casting department In the late 1890s, police Detective William Murdoch takes a new, more scientific approach to solving crimes. Assisted by coroner Dr. Julia Ogden and Constable George Crabtree, Murdoch introduces such concepts as finger marks and lie detecting machines. He has the support of his somewhat doubtful superior, Inspector Brackenreid, though at times, even he finds Murdoch's methods - and claims - somewhat astounding. Written by garykmcd
The Lovers
(
Film
(Short, Drama and Romance)
Casting director Add a Plot »
Monster Warriors
(
Television
(Animation, Action, Adventure and Family)
Casting director The series follows the adventures of four teenagers fighting to safeguard Capital City from the vengeful wrath of insane and disgruntled B-Movie director, Klaus Von Steinhauer, who possesses the ability to bring his cinematic monsters to life. Over the course of the series, various story arcs occur that expand the series cast and city locations. Each week sees the teens customize common household objects into useful weapons to fight against monstrous creations. Written by Shadowfax731
The Marsh
(
Film
(Horror and Thriller)
Casting director The successful children's writer Claire Holloway is troubled by scary nightmares and is under psychological treatment. While working out watching television, she sees the landscape of the Rose Marsh Farm in the Westmoreland County, and she notes that the farmhouse is linked to her nightmares. She decides to spend her vacation in the farm, which is located nearby a swamp, and she is haunted by the ghosts of a little girl and a teenage boy inside the house. She is befriended by the local publisher and historian Noah Pitney but after a sequence of disturbing visions, she decides to contact the paranormal consultant Geoffry Hunt. Together, they investigate the mystery and disclose a tragedy that happened in the farm about twenty years ago. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Sun Room
(
Film
(Short, Drama and Family)
Casting director Maggie learns to cope with her sister's chronic illness and the lack of attention she gets from her parents.
On the Couch, Volume Two: Toronto
(
Film
(Documentary and Adult)
Director Renowned artist Tom Bianchi allows film makers Leach and Santry into his San Francisco studio and to accompany him on the road to Toronto, to reveal the intimate and very interactive relationship he has with his models as he creates his homo erotic imagery! Written by RL
Dark Side
(
Film
(Drama and Thriller)
Casting director A lawyer investigates the puzzling suicide of her twin sister, discovering her sister's involvement with kinky sex and a mysterious lover
Fancy Dancing
(
Film
(Comedy and Musical)
Casting director Thirty year old Torontonian Asa Gemmill loves movie musicals of the 1930s and 1940s, especially little known Canadian movies starring Mar Stoddart, who he views as the Canadian Fred Astaire, and his regular partner Doreen Gaynor, most specifically one called "Fancy Dancing". He is irresponsible in the way he lives his life - living in the seedy Winchester Hotel where Stoddart once performed and where they still play big band and jazz standards, rooming with a fellow Scot named Schiff who is only understandable with subtitles, sleeping during the day, and trying to bed all the hotel club's aspiring Doreen Gaynors at night - at least in the eyes of his ex-wife, Charity, who he still loves. Charity threatens to cut off his access to their infant son Michael unless he gets his act together. Through an intervention, Asa ends up going to work at his Uncle Billy's small advertising agency. Although the nine to five life isn't for him, which isn't helped working under the supervision of anal ... Written by Huggo
The Fourth Angel
(
Film
(Thriller, Drama and Action)
Casting department The Economist reporter Jack Elgin, a workaholic, takes his family on a working trip to India, where he is to interview the PM. But their US airplane is hijacked in Limassol (Cyprus) by the unknown August 15 terrorist movement, which ends up in a bloodbath. Jack can save his pre-teen son Andrew, literally in his arms, but his wife and daughter are among the slaughter victims. Western governments seem unwilling to go after the fiends, even hide the identity of a high-profile fatal victim. Although now a single father, Jack uses all his contacts and snooping skill to seek the truth himself. A London-based Serbian free newspaper editor sets him on the trail of four Balkanic killers, but is murdered. Jack decides to exact revenge himself, tipped-off by Sûreté-contact Dugay. Meanwhile US embassy official Davidson and FBI Special Agent Jules Bernard play a key part in the official, MI5-lead investigation, which ends up crossing Jack's path. Written by KGF Vissers
The Highwayman
(
Film
(Comedy, Drama and Thriller)
Casting director A dark, comedic thriller about fraud, bank robbers and a search for love.
Secret Cutting
(
TV Movie
(Drama)
Casting department Dawn Cottrell (Peterson) seems like a typical sixteen-year-old girl, but she has a very dangerous secret. Unable to express her true feelings, whenever Dawn is upset she grabs a knife and cuts herself.
Grizzly Falls
(
Film
(Adventure)
Casting director Out in the wilds, an aged man tells his grandchildren a tale of his own youth. After his mother dies, his usually-absent father, whom he barely knows, takes him into these same wilds to hunt for a grizzly. They find a mother bear with two cubs. The hunters capture the cubs, but the grizzly captures the lad. Somehow, boy and bear bond and trek across the forest with dad and an Indian friend on their trail. After a while, the boy figures out where he and his new mother are going: toward her cubs. Rifles, dogs, hunters, bear, cubs, father, and son are headed for a rendezvous. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Blackheart
(
Film
(Crime, Drama and Thriller)
Casting director Ray and Annette are a couple who scam, lie and seduce to get wealth from unspecting wealthy people.
Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way
(
TV Movie
(Biography, Drama and Sport)
Casting director Joe Torre after failing to win a championship when he was a professional baseball player and as Manager to three teams is named Manager of the Yankees. And he finds himself having players like Dwight Gooden, Wade Boggs and Daryl Strawberry who are considered has beens. And players like David Cone who are ill. But nevertheless thinks he can win with them. At the same he deals with the loss of one brother and another brother battling the same condition that killed his brother. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com
Men with Guns
(
Film
(Action, Crime and Drama)
Casting director Three losers, Eddie, Lucas and Mamet, are sent to collect some debt at a remote farm. But the thugs there are too hard for them, and they are humiliated. They return for revenge, it gets out of hand, ends with a bloodbath and they are left with a big amount of cocaine. The drugs belong to local mob boss Horace Burke, who sends his son to find them. Cops are also after them. Written by Anonymous
Pale Saints
(
Film
(Crime, Mystery and Thriller)
Casting director Two small time hoods pretend to be serious henchmen in order to get to do a job in Toronto that they think will get them serious recognition in the mob. Things soon get out of control.
Gang in Blue
(
TV Movie
(Action, Crime, Drama and Thriller)
Casting director Gang In Blue is based on the real life investigations of several US police forces for racism and corruption. This production focuses on one of these police forces where Michael Rhoades is a new recruit who discovers much to his horror, a band of little Hitlers known as the 'Phantoms'. They let Rhoades know almost straight away that he is not wanted there and when he discovers corruption is rife he finds he is the target of a vicious campaign to set him up. Written by Scott Dawson <sdawson@easynet.co.uk>
Hiroshima
(
TV Movie
(Drama and War)
Casting director Harry Truman, the successor to the Oval Office after the late President Rosevelt, is plagued with the decisions of war that could save or cost a thousand lives. He is then confronted with the nuclear weapons project, which he approves. As tension ensues (although it is difficult to get into this because most know the end) Truman must make the devastating desicion to use the bomb of all bombs. After some delivering japanese performances, Truman must force suffering on the japanese people again in order to end the war. Written by kloqwerk
Shurtleff on Acting
(
TV Movie
(Documentary)
Producer A feature length documentary on legendary acting guru, casting agent and author, Michael Shurtleff. Interviews with actors such as Gene Hackman, Elliot Gould and Don Murray who learned under this master.
TC 2000
(
Film
(Action and Sci-Fi)
Casting director Somewhere in the future the environmental overkill had come. Many people had died. The rich were able to build the underworld, the poor had to stay on the surface building gangs to survive. Jason Storm, an underworld guard gets knowledge of a conspiracy to kill all people on the surface. He needs to flee to the surface, and wins Sumai, a respected martial arts master, as his ally to stop the dirty plot. Written by Oliver Heidelbach
Humanitarian Award, Oaxaca International Film Festival
(2014)