HOW AWARD WINNING ACTORS ARE MADE
Vira Burmenko
Award Winning Performing Artist, Violinist, Composer, Adjudicator, Author
HOW AWARD WINNING ACTORS ARE MADE
Meet Dwight Harrison - the Winner of Gold NYC Indie Award as Best Actor in my silent film La vie d'un clown. (Watch trailer)
Dwight is an African-Canadian actor, born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario.
Dwight moved to Toronto nine years ago. Having working as a Support Clerk in the MTO, he discovered his passion for acting and began to pursue his dream.
Dwight studied in various acting schools, among them, Milne Studios Toronto, and took workshops, including The Actors' Place with Ivan Wanis Ruiz and Dan Willmott. His peers began to notice Dwight's dedication and cast him in a handful of short films. Dwight wrote and directed his own short comedy Trump Wins, and it premiered in TAPFest, Sunday December 4, 2016.
*Did you know? The last day of shooting La vie d'un clown took place on the results of the American Election.*
As for Dwight's hobbies: he is athletic and loves football, basketball, volleyball; and is also a known computer nerd.
In only one year of acting Dwight landed a principle role that went on to win awards. The film itself too is gaining international recognition! La vie d'un clown is the Winner of Best Silent Film in Calcultta International Cult Film Festival; with two semi-finals, two nominations and five more official selections in the ongoing competitions around the world!
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When I was casting for Jacques I wanted to put out a call. My already assigned executive producers, John Krissilas (TAP Award Nominee 2016)and Lena Burmenko (Dan Wilmott Award Winner 2016), told me to wait a tick, because they already had the perfect guy for me…
Lena worked with Dwight on the short film Namaste in the 48-hour Film Challenge and said she had never seen an actor more focused and committed to the project.
Choosing the right team truly sets up your project for success. Everything else onward was smooth riding!
Ed Kruk - Sir Ted Cromwell and Dwight Harrison - Jacques Pitre of "La vie d'un clown"
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We have received a warm welcome in our home base premiere at TAPFest and brought home two awards and four nominations that night. I am thrilled! Receiving recognition from an international community who have not met us in person or built a relationship with us over the years, yet, - is an even bigger thrill! This is a proof that our artistry, story and raw, genuine, honest delivery have struck a chord with the audiences and judges.
Dwight is Jacques Pitre - new to the scene, full of potential, passionate, determined, physical, charismatic, and most crucial, I found - the attitude and dedication he brings in his work.
Humble in person, Dwight brings genuine emotion to the film and gives it a heart of a young, innocent, skilled artist, who dares to dream big, and uses his inventive mind to realize his dream. It makes for a powerful performance, and a story told through the senses of music and emotion. Dwight's Jacques Pitre received a nickname of "Silent Clown" in the local community.
We are all talented, and many young artists are short sighted by their talent, unable to see other necessary components required for their success. Just as in the film itself, it takes perseverance and determination, strength to stand up and stand alone for what you believe, even when everyone is laughing at you and discourages you.
Only those who learn how to channel their talent, lead by the right attitude and perseverance, truly succeed.
Way to go Dwight! And make more room for trophies on your shelves… We have over seventy international festivals coming up this year, with a 57% acceptance rate in the first ten!
Success comes to those who dare to live from their heart.
Art is what happens when you tell your story from a place of nothing to lose. When your ego has moved aside and you matured; you do not try to impress anyone, but to tell your story, because it deserves to be heard, and because it is the one thing no one can take from you.
AWARDS:
NYC Indie Gold Award - Best Actor - Dwight Harrison
Calcutta International Cult Film Festival - Best Silent Film
- The Dan Willmott Award - Lena Burmenko
- Oh No You Didn't Award - Dwayne Wilson
NOMINATIONS:
- TAPFest - Best Male Performance - Dwight Harrison
- TAPFest - TAP Award - Executive Producer and Co-Director John Krissilas
- TAPFest - Best Female Performance - Executive Producer - Lena Burmenko
- TAPFest - Judges' Pick Top Five for Audience's Choice
SEMI-FINALS
- Calcutta International Cult Film Festival - Best Short Film
- Hollywood Screenings - Best Short Film
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
- TAPFest
- Hollywood Screenings Film Festival
- Direct Short Film Festival
- NYC Indie Film Awards
- ROMA DOC Film Festival
- Calcutta International Cult Film Festival x2
Make Your Path - Living Outside The Box!
**If you love Louise Hay, Arielle Ford and Deepak Chopra or The Secret by Rhonda Byrne - this book is for you!**
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Photography by Antosia Fiedur www.antosiaphotography.com
Hair and Make Up by Irene Sy www.irenesy.com
Make Your Path - Living Outside The Box!
Vira Burmenko
Award Winning Performing Artist, Violin, Composer, Author of My Key to Immortality
SOCAN, ACTRA Apprentice
EMG Canada