Darlene Morrison Website

Category: Aspiring Director

  • m & s Marshall Productions and iFilmGroup select their cast for Social Disobedience

    By Matthew Marshall, Director & Writer, m & s Marshall Productions and iFilmGroup Co-Founder

    iFilmGroup

    m & s Marshall Productions

    London, Ontario 

    Social Disobedience Film Has Selected Its Cast

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 24, 2020

    iFilmGroup and m & s Marshall Productions are happy to announce their cast for their upcoming film called Social Disobedience. Filming of the entire film will take place through social distance with scenes being filmed throughout Ontario and the United States, with smart phones, tablets, and Wi-Fi devices. 

    “The concept of this film excites me. As we are all relating right now to dealing with a virus and having to stay at home and or isolate” says award winning film director Matthew Marshall who is the film’s writer and director. 

    Newmarket Actress Ashleigh Morrison will lead the cast as Eden. The pandemic has gotten to her and she doesn’t want to play by the rules. London Actress Jordyn Taylor will play the role of Danica, Eden’s best friend; while London Actor Max Steinberg will play the character Greyson who likes to cause trouble for both Eden and Danica.  Ashleigh Morrison, Jordyn Taylor, and Max Steinberg are all award-winning actors. 

    Max Steinberg, Jordyn Taylor & Ashleigh Morrison all won a Joey Award/2019

    London actress Jessica Ladd will be taking on the role of Dove Linney, Jessica Windibank will play the character Bridget, and Actress Olivia Tovar from Houston, Texas, will play the role of Blair. Additional casting for other roles is on-going.

    Jessica Ladd
    Jessica Windibank
    Olivia Tovar

    What Marshall likes about this film is going inside the characters to see the struggles they are having with dealing with a virus that has changed their lives. How isolation is affecting them on emotional and mental levels and how each character has a different response and is pushed to the point of social disobedience. Marshall feels that each person cast so far will bring to life the characters he has created in very interesting ways.

    m & s Marshall Productions and iFilmGroup are very excited to work with the talent selected and look forward to filming Social Disobedience in the upcoming months. 

    For Social Disobedience filming information and updates, please follow iFilmGroup at https://www.ifilmgroup.org or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/ifilmgroup

    For more information or media enquiries, please contact Matthew Marshall of m & s Marshall Productions and iFilmGroup.

    IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12752650/

    Contact Information:

    Matthew Marshall

    m & s Marshall Productions

    iFilmGroup

    Phone# 519-777-9538

    Email: msmarshall@sympatico.ca

  • Kalkaden Productions Does It Again; Semi-Finalists in the Festigious Film Festival

    Petersburg has just been announced as a semi-finalist in the Festigious International Film Festival.

    Festigious is a monthly film festival. Each month, their Jury awards the best films through private screenings, and then creates a special interview with the winner of the Best Film of the Month award. The Film of the Month winners will also compete at the end of the year for Best of Fest Award (best film of the year).

    Petersburg is written by Tyler Robinson and stars Robinson also. The film was produced and directed by Kaleb Laidman and the Kalkaden Productions team.

    The cast and crew of Petersburg/Supplied Photo

    You can FOLLOW Kalkaden Productions on their social media pages:

    Website https://www.kalkadenproductions.com

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalkaden_productions/

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kalkadenproductions

    TO LEARN ABOUT FESTIGIOUS FILM FESTIVAL:

    https://www.festigious.com/about

  • Petersburg Reaches the Semi-Finals at the LA Film Awards

    Congrats to Tyler Robinson, Kaleb Laidman and the Kalkaden Productions team; the film Petersburg has been selected to the semi-finals at the Los Angeles Film Awards, announced recently.

    Photo/Los Angeles Film Awards/Instagram

    Tyler Robinson wrote and starred in Petersburg while Kaleb Laidman produced and directed. Kalkaden Productions has an amazing crew behind them.

    Photo/Kalkaden Productions

    To learn more about Petersburg and Kalkaden Productions, you can visit http://www.kalkadenproductions.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA:

    Instagram: https://www.ihttps://www.instagram.com/kalkaden_productions/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kalkadenproductions

  • Isolation Short Film Festival

    Kaleb Laidman submitted his film “Undone” to the Isolation Film Festival that was streamed on YouTube a couple of weeks ago. The festival was amazing and highlighted over 800+ submissions.

    Kaleb received an honourable mention for his Directing for the film “Undone. The film was written by Jadiel Dowlin.

    Congrats to Kaleb, Jadiel, and to the actors Kiera Laidman and Connor Laidman.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=4CVYgnGI3vE&fbclid=IwAR25TmEIfR3wxKLZoYrTz66FiIewY7J6bsTmLt8nNKJJ62dIJcf6thwE0bA&app=desktop

    You can watch the LIVE Isolation Short Film Festival here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrVnJGluLP8&t=10708s

    Great job to the Organizers and all Sponsors involved! You all did an incredible event!

  • Young Artists Academy Awards Announced; Kaleb Laidman

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    June 5, 2020

    Hamilton Director Kaleb Laidman has been nominated for an OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR and OUTSTANDING PRODUCER Award in Los Angeles, California, for his great work in the film Petersburg. 

    The nomination was announced on May 31, 2020, on the Young Artists Academy Awards YouTube website Announcement. 

    Kaleb Laidman recently was nominated for Best Young Director by the Young Entertainer Awards in May 2020, for Petersburg, and also received an Honorable mention at the Isolation Short Film Festival for his directorial role in the film “Undone”. The film was written by Jadiel Dowlin. 

    He has to date been awarded Best Young Filmmaker for his film Heart Strings as well as an Honourable Mention for Editing from the Topshorts Film Festival. Heart Strings also was a winner at the Los Angeles Film Festival where he took home the Best Young Filmmaker Award.  

    Kaleb travelled to Vancouver for the 2018 and 2019 Joey Awards where he was also nominated for Best Filmmaker for his film Jade and HeartStrings.

    Kaleb began in the industry as an actor, but he soon realized just how much he loved working behind the scenes as a Director, and Filmmaker. Recently, Kaleb has directed projects such as In My Heart music video, the film Petersburg, Wedding projects, creating and directing Magic Shots, as well as representing commercials for Dodge Ram, Yoga, and two “Food4Kids” commercials.

    Kaleb Laidman started his own production company KalKaden Productions at the young age of 16 and still two years later, is a powerhouse.  While he graduates this year from studying his craft at a specialized arts school in Toronto, he continues to work hard on many projects.

    KALEB IS REPRESENTED BY: GLICKMAN ALEXANDER TALENT MANAGEMENT in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  AGENT: Annie Oakes  

    FOLLOW KALEB ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

    FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kalkadenproductions/

    INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kalkaden_productions/

    IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7596035/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

    FOLLOW YOUNG ENTERTAINER AWARDS:

    http://www.youngentertainerawards.org/index.html

    FOR INFORMATION OR MEDIA INQUIRES, PLEASE CONTACT: 

    Darlene Morrison by email at: Darlene.morrison@rogers.com or phone: (905) 868-6286.

    TO WORK WITH KALEB LAIDMAN FOR ACTING/COMMERCIAL WORK, PLEASE CONTACT: 

    annie@glickman-alexander.com

    TO WORK WITH KALKADEN PRODUCTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:

    KalKadenProductions@gmail.com

  • Meet John Krissilas & Lena Burmenko

    As part of our Aspiring Talent Series on eBOSS Canada, we recently spoke with John and Lena.

     

    John Krissilas and Lena Burmenko are Toronto-based actors, filmmakers, and the creative team behind the indie web series MARKED.

    Q & A

    As a child, did you want to be an actor, or did it fall into place through other activities?

    Lena: I started taking music and painting lessons as early as 3 years old, which was the initial gateway for me into acting. It was mostly just for fun because growing up in Ukraine acting didn’t seem like a viable career choice that I could pursue there. That changed when I immigrated to Canada. I remember when my parents said that we were moving to Canada my response was “Yay! We’re moving closer to Hollywood!”.

    John: I booked my first acting gig as Prince Charming in my pre-school’s production of Cinderella. Does that count? In all seriousness, acting is fairly new for me compared to Lena. I was actually scared of the spotlight growing up and I was terrified to play the Prince!

    Who inspired you to follow your dream to pursue acting?

    Lena: I would have to say my family. My older sister Vira is a professional violin performer. She’s been into the arts for as long as I can remember which is what got me interested in the arts as well in the first place. Our parents have always been very supportive of both of us.

    John: Lena! It’s cheesy, yes. But being around someone who lives and breathes acting and already has so much talent inspires me to want to do the same.

    What challenges have you faced in the entertainment industry? What has been your most rewarding experience?

    John & Lena: For both of us, it’s been a challenge being considered for the kind of roles that we ultimately want to play. For example, a recurring role in a TV series. Acting is a long journey and you have to work your way up, but it can be frustrating.

    So, while working towards that, we created our own web series for YouTube called MARKED. We wrote the story together, cast ourselves and our actor friends in the lead roles, and used our skills as filmmakers to produce it. It’s given us a taste of what it would be like to play a recurring series role, and that has been incredibly rewarding!

    What is your favourite type of character to play?

    John: Agent Mulder! I love the X-Files, so we wrote my character in MARKED, Agent Stevens, to be our version of Mulder. It was a blast!

    Lena: I’m a big fan of the sci-fi and fantasy genre so I would love to play a character in a series like Supernatural or Doctor Who, or something magic oriented like Harry Potter. I love playing quirky and fun characters that also have some intensity to them.  

    What market do you currently work in? Are there other areas you would like to work?

    John & Lena: We’re both Toronto-based but we would love to explore working in other places like Vancouver and LA in the future. Each city has unique projects that are filmed and casted there. For example, Supernatural is filmed in Vancouver (hint, from Lena!).

    What advice would you give to someone new trying to make it in the acting industry?

    John & Lena: Don’t just sit around and wait. Create your own work. Don’t be afraid to learn new skills and try new things. Not a writer? Try writing. You never know, you might surprise yourself. Tried working with cameras but technology isn’t your friend? Collaborate with others who are great with equipment and computers. This industry is built on teamwork. It’s always easier to come up with excuses of why you shouldn’t do something rather than just doing it. You can take the first step towards your dream role by writing it yourself!

    John and Lena co-created the sci-fi mystery web series MARKED, which they wrote, filmed, acted in, and edited themselves.  They produced the show entirely themselves without budget, sponsors or crowdfunding. They believe in using what they have and just creating with it rather than waiting to make it with a bigger budget or a larger crew. John and Lena recently released the 4th episode on YouTube, just in time for MARKED to become an Official Selection at the International Online Web Fest just a few days following – the only Canadian series selected by the festival.

    Marked Episode 1 “Scars Re-Opened”:

    https://youtu.be/dAnnovYX5jA

    Marked Episode 2 “Sisters”:

    https://youtu.be/9EGpTatXLk4

    Marked Episode 3 “The Event”:

    https://youtu.be/ttyL2-Eko0Y

    Marked Episode 4 “Real Life, Again”:

    https://youtu.be/aHkNwIAFAug

    For more info on John & Lena’s web series MARKED, visit:

    www.MarkedWebSeries.com

    To Follow John and Lena, please feel free to check out their websites:

    John:  www.johnkrissilas.actor

    Lena:  www.lenaburmenko.com

    Facebook:

    John: https://www.facebook.com/johnkrissilas

    Lena: https://www.facebook.com/lena.b.31

    Instagram:

    John: https://www.instagram.com/johnkrissilas/

    Lena: https://www.instagram.com/lenaburmenko/

    Lena is represented by the Ritter Talent Agency https://sites.google.com/rittertalentagency.com/main

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Meet Mohammed Junaid~ Model/Actor & Director

    Please meet Mohammed Junaid, he is a Model, Actor and Director in Toronto and represented by  KG Talent.  Check out our Q & A below:

     As a child, did you want to be an actor, or did it fall into place through other activities?

    I was the only child of my parents and had no siblings my parents wanted me to pursue a normal career. I remember my mom used to say that one day my son would work for a multinational company. In my whole family no one ever pursued acting. As a child I knew I wanted to do something great. It was later that I found out that the happiest I have ever been is when I am on set performing I just love it. I grew up watching movies, which stared Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Arnold Schwarzenegger. I always knew I wanted to do what they did its just that the older I have become this dream has become more stronger.

    Who inspired you to follow your dream to pursue acting?

    One day I saw a documentary about Arnold Schwarzenegger how he moved to America and became the biggest star of his time defying all odds how he was huge and even had a thick accent, how many Agents and Managers though it couldn’t be done. I told myself I have always had a similar dream so what do I have to lose I can’t lose this dream I have just found my real purpose and passion in life. I want to inspire others to achieve greatness to defy odds and to make this world a better place. I hope to inspire others into believing that no matter where you come from you can make this world a better place.

    What challenges have you faced in the entertainment industry?  What has been your most rewarding experience?

    I believe when I landed my first Agent and he started sending me out for auditions it was during that time I didn’t knew other actors who could help me with self tapes or even practice my lines before an audition. I also struggled between jobs trying to find something flexible enough which allows me to make my days available for auditions. I suffered financially for a bit but then I was able to get through it just like everything else. With time my connections grew and I was able to utilize different areas of making money within the entertainment industry I do modeling, commercials and brand ambassador work as well. I designed a life that allows me to keep my days open for auditions and make decent money on the side. I guess one of my rewarding experiences would have to be when I got an Actor role on Suits.

     What is your favourite type of character to play?

    I would like to play characters from Marvel franchises I have always been inspired by super heroes and how they save our world from terror. I love Iron man, Batman, Spiderman, and Captain America. I do also like dark characters like Joker (Batman) and Loki (Thor)

     

    What market do you currently work in?  Are there other areas you would like to work?

    I currently work in Toronto and I am represented by KG Talent, however I have travelled to NYC and have had few meeting with agencies. I am also looking to get representation in Los Angeles in the near future so that I can apply for an 0-1 visa which is for actors who are willing to work in the US market. I also do modelling, commercials and have started shooting my own projects so directing is another area I would like to capitalize in. As a model I have been punished in several magazines here in Canada and have a modeling agent as well.

     What advice would you give to someone new trying to make it in the acting industry?

    I believe the first and the most important thing is you have to love it. Theirs a lot of opportunity here in this city, network with follow actors, try to add your self to different casting sites I always recommend eBoss Canada, Casting Workbook and Actors Access. Get head shots from photographers land independent films and submit your self to agencies. Think of yourself as the CEO of your own business and be open to making some investments in areas such as quality head shots, casting website registrations and acting classes. Always have a long-lasting career goal in mind and remember you only lose when you give up.

    Why, What fuels your passion?

    Performing can be very powerful.  Although it can be for entertainment and comedy, it can also be used to inspire people. When I watch inspirational movies, I love how there can be a message which you can gain from that can make you stop to reevaluate yourself or benefit you. For instance, when I watched the Pursuit of Happiness, Will Smith’s character struggled to get where he wanted.  Even though it wasn’t a huge difference at the end of the movie, the audience knew things would get easier and he would eventually get to his goal. Through the struggle, he didn’t stop but persevered. I can use this in my own life as I know acting is not easy and there will be a lot of challenges along the way but I just need to keep on being determined and dedicated and I will eventually reach my goal.

     What is something about you that most people would never guess

    I am afraid of cats, I find it hilarious

    If you were to do it all over again, would you do things exactly the same?  Do you have any regrets?  Successes that make you proud?

    Yes, without a doubt. I would do it all over again. I have been very blessed to do what I love. Perusing acting is the best decision I have ever made. I enjoy all my successes and Failures. I know that I have a goal to accomplish and everyday I am working towards it. I would like to quote Steve Jobs “Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by Dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your ear and intuition.”

    Commercials:

    https://vimeo.com/264791319

    https://vimeo.com/264791347

    https://vimeo.com/264791369

    Cinematic Videos:

    https://vimeo.com/245464068

    https://vimeo.com/257739725

    https://vimeo.com/257519248

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohammed_junaid77/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mohammed-Junaid-202315079867824/

    Imdb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm4357245/