Filmworks casts homegrown talent

By Nadine Armstrong

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com



Mallory Moors

As a recent graduate of Radio and Television Arts local actress Mallory Moors can’t be accused of stage fright even during her first experience in a major movie production. She was one of many lucky candidates chosen by Filmworks as background performers in the made for TV Movie, The Tenth Circle, which has been filming in Windsor for the past two weeks.

Moors spent a total of four days on set during the high school, hockey rink and funeral scenes for the upcoming movie. And although it was her first time working as an extra she said it was more fun than nerve wrecking. “I really wasn't nervous. I went to school for to study TV so I'm comfortable in front of the camera.” She added that not having a speaking role helped ease her in, “It wasn't like we really had to do any acting.”

Moors heard of the opportunity to be cast with Filmworks through work of mouth and says being chosen certainly won’t hurt her future. “It’s definitely good for an acting career,” she said. “I’m now in the film works data base and closer to getting a paid acting gig. Now I know what to I need to do and how to get into the business.”

Moors was in a few crucial scenes with lead actor Jamie Johnson, who, she said, was “very nice.” Although he and many of the extras are a few years her junior she said, “It wasn't that hard to play a teenager, said the 21 year old. “I was one just a few years ago.”

It was also a great opportunity for her to measure what it takes to be part of such a large production. “There were a lot of 12 and 14 hour days. There are tons of extras that have to do exactly the same thing over and over again, it does take time.”

Her final take on the experience? “It was fun. They had extras of all ages in the funeral scene.” She said anyone can give it a whirl is the get the chance. “Don’t be afraid to try. It’s a lot of ‘hurry up and wait,’ but it’s worth it.”



Emily Campbell

Young up and coming actress Emily Campbell is comfortable up on stage but admits she was a little nervous her first moments as background actress for The Tenth Circle, but fascination quickly took over. “I was worried at first just because I wasn't sure what my cue was going to be, but then everything was fine.”

Campbell it was great just watching the production in action. “It was really interesting to see all the different angles the cameras would take. There'd be one across the street, one behind you and there was one right in my face. All for one shot,” she said. And getting direction was a real learning experience. “I think it's a really good experience to be on set and see what the director has to say. He was so good at placing people, he had a very cool vision and really set you up for getting into the scene.”

Campbell was on set at the Windsor Arena where extras held cups of steaming water standing in for hot chocolate and dodge camera men as the chased the lead actor for one scene. “I got hit by one of the camera men, but its was OK,” she laughed. The scene that really struck a cord for her was the funeral, which required the cast and crew to spend hours out doors the same day a major snow storm hit the town.

“It was really cool,” she said, and in more ways then one “We’re all just standing around in the snow for hours. My feet we're frozen.” But she said it was worth it for the funeral scene. “Everyone had to look very, very sad and it was so pretty with the snow falling.”

Will the experience aid her acting career? “You’d think it would,” she said. Campbell is cast in the Quick as a Wink Theatre production of The Replacements Feb 14. In the meantime, “I’ll call them –Filmworks -- and see if they’ll keep me on file.”