Debra McGrath, Colin Mochrie and Kinley Mochrie joined Rabiya Mansoor, the inaugural Outstanding Performance Non-Binary/Gender Non-Confirming winner at the 23rd ACTRA Awards in Toronto, along with Asher Rose and Madelaine Rose, for a heartfelt and timely conversation about the passion behind the creation of this award, shaping authentic characters, and why it's so special to be recognized for who you are.

We hope you enjoy this episode of ACTRA Spotlight, an audio and video podcast from ACTRA Toronto speaking with Canadian performers about their stories and work in the industry. Stay tuned for Part Two!

Listen to this exclusive panel discussion with ACTRA Toronto members Tantoo Cardinal, Shawn Doyle, Kevin Hanchard and Tatiana Maslany, hosted by ACTRA Toronto Executive Council member Amy Matysio, about the importance of a strike authorization vote during negotiations.

Visit ACTRA Toronto's IPA Bargaining page: https://actratoronto.com/ipa-bargaining/

In this episode, Asante Tracey speaks with ACTRA Toronto Executive Councillor and AI Subcommittee Co-Chair John Cleland about the critical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry. They discuss two key types of AI affecting performers: digital replicas and generative AI, and John highlights concerns such as the lack of consent protections, control over biometric data, and inadequate compensation for AI use. Further, John stresses the importance of ACTRA Members educating themselves, advocating for legislative protections, and actively participating in union efforts to address these challenges.

In this episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, IPA Bargaining Team Member Jennifer Wigmore joins host Kate Ziegler to discuss her experience as a performer and union representative, focusing on the challenges, priorities and what's at stake in IPA negotiations. Jennifer reflects on her time on the council in the 1990s, highlighting groundbreaking moments like integrating internet protections into the IPA—a reminder of the evolving nature of agreements. She underscores the importance of addressing digital streaming and residuals, citing the lack of protections for performers as streaming services dominate the industry. Jennifer also emphasizes the impact of self-tape auditions, highlighting their increased demands and hidden costs for actors. She stresses the critical need for updated language in agreements to protect performers in areas like AI, travel, and inflation while advocating for engagement by union members to ensure informed representation and collective progress.

Ongoing updates about IPA Bargaining can be found here: https://actratoronto.com/ipa-bargaining/

Asante Tracey chats with ACTRA Toronto Councillor & IPA Bargaining team member Tonjha Richardson about her extensive career, her return to the industry after a 15-year hiatus, and her current role on the Bargaining team. Tonjha discusses the "AIR" priorities—Artificial Intelligence and Accessibility, Inclusion and Inflation, and Residuals and Respect—and their significance in improving working conditions for performers. She shares insights into today's challenges facing performers, including unpaid work for self-tapes and the need for better wages, accessibility and residuals, while also highlighting the importance of fostering respect on set. Tonjha's optimism, dedication and belief in the collective power of the union is an inspiration to fight for meaningful change.

In this episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, Kate Ziegler speaks with IPA bargaining team member and veteran stunt performer Steven "Shack" Shackleton about the unique challenges and contributions of the stunt community in the IPA Bargaining process. Shack highlights the critical priorities of "AIR"—Accessibility, Inclusion, Residuals, and Artificial Intelligence—focusing on AI-related concerns like deep fakes, data capture, and digital doubles, which could impact the livelihoods of performers. He also sheds light on the physical demands of stunt work and the importance of health and safety. The conversation underscores the growing representation of the stunt community within ACTRA Toronto, fostering unity and collaboration to ensure fair treatment and recognition for all members.

In this episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, Asante Tracey speaks with ACTRA Toronto VP, Councillor and IPA Bargaining team member George Alevizos about the challenges and aspirations of diverse performers in Canada. George shares his journey in the industry, his advocacy for accessibility and inclusion, and the critical issues facing diverse artists, such as AI's impact and the need for genuine representation. He speaks passionately about the "AIR" priorities for bargaining—Accessibility, Inclusion, and Residuals—emphasising the importance of authentic opportunities for all artists. Watch now for an inspiring conversation on the power of representation and the future of diversity in our industry.

In this episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, ACTRA Award-winning voice performer and IPA bargaining team member Cory Doran speaks with Kate Ziegler about the challenges and opportunities facing performers today, including the importance of AI protections, fair compensation, and control over one's likeness, especially in the evolving voice and animation sectors. Cory also touches on the value of union solidarity, particularly for voice performers and precarious workers, as they navigate an industry reshaped by technology, inflation, and streaming.

In this episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, Asante Tracey sits down with ACTRA Toronto Councillor Gugun Deep Singh to discuss his journey as an actor and advocate, as well as key issues facing the industry as we head into IPA bargaining. Gugun explains the "AIR" acronym, referring to Accessibility, Inclusion, and Respect, and highlights the critical issues of artificial intelligence, fair wages, and residuals for performers. Gugun and Asante also discuss the importance of creating supportive and safe environments on set, inclusive practices, and setting standards for performers in a rapidly evolving landscape.

In our second episode of ACTRA Toronto Reel Talk, Kate Ziegler speaks with ACTRA Toronto VP and Councillor Amy Matysio. Amy shares her experiences preparing for union bargaining, discussing key issues such as the rise of AI in the industry, the challenges of self-taped auditions, and the economic pressures facing performers. She also emphasizes the need for updated protections, fair compensation, and greater respect and care for all performers.