Chameleon Studio is owned and operated by Tom and Jackie Pickett Copyright 2007 - 2008
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS
ROBIN DOUGLAS
Programs: One Day Commercial Auditioning Workshop, Acting 101, Intermediate Acting // Workshop Instructor: Voice Over Seminars and U.S. Dialect
Robin Douglas is a veteran of over thirty years as a performer, appearing on stage, screen and television. A native New Yorker, she began her professional training as a teenager at the High School of Performing Arts, the inspiration for the movie Fame. She continued her training with a B.A. from N.Y.U. School of the Arts and Washington Square, and studied further at the famed HB Studio.
She then spent the next 15 years working on the stage in New York, including the Off-Broadway premiere of Joseph Heller's Catch - 22.
Since moving to the Pacific Northwest 16 years ago, Robin has worked as actress and voiceover performer while developing her skills as a private coach and teacher. She spent 5 years as the Dialogue Coach for The X-Files, and has worked as an American Dialect Coach for such films as X -Men 2, Prozac Nation and Miracle. Privately she has taught workshops in voice, speech, acting and American Dialect. While working with performers in her own workshops, Robin coached the summer program Take the Stage for three years.
In addition to her acting and teaching credits, Robin was the Associate Producer and Casting Director for the independent film, Beat Angel, shot in Bellingham.
She currently balances acting, voiceover work and teaching from her home in Point Roberts, Washington.
Robin's Teaching Style
In her own pursuit of acting training, Robin was lucky enough to study with instructors who represented some of the most famous influences in both American and British training. Her own teaching style is a combination of those influences. After thirty years of working as an actress, she has learned first hand what has been most useful both at auditions and on-set.
Robin's approach focuses primarily on two things: nurturing the creative side of the actor and showing the practicalities of "the business". Whether teaching a Commercial class, Scene Study, Audition Prep or Voice and Speech Classes, her classes have well-defined goals and she is known for respecting each individual's level of ability and experience, while maintaining a concern for professional standards.
ABOUT OUR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS
SUSANNE dePENCIER - Commercial Casting Director
Commercial Auditioning Workshop
Susanne's "Commercial Auditioning Workshop" is fast becoming one of the most recommended workshops by talent agents. Susanne dePencier is a Vancouver film industry veteran. She is an accomplished stage and screen actress, has hosted series for CBC & BCTV, is a former production manager, and has been a casting director for over 21 years. Her casting credits include TV series such as MacGyver, The Commish, several movies of the week, various feature films and too many commercials to count. She is currently casting all age ranges in commercials.
JOHN BANOVICH - Cinematographer, Director, Actor, Instructor
On Set Workshop
John Banovich, csc is an award winning Director, Cinematographer and Writer, having recently received a 2002 Telly award and a 2001 Gallant award for his involvement with Mothers Against Drinking and Driving TV Commercials shot in HD. He has also been honored with a 1999 Summit award, 1999 Telly award, and the 1999 Aurora award for his creative and directing abilities.
He got his start as an actor, performing bit parts on Vancouver TV Series and B-movies, while going to Simon Fraser University. After completing his post secondary education, he started taking night school classes in film and bought his first camera, an Arriflex 16mm. He took his camera and a bit of film, and headed off into the temporal rain forests of British Columbia to shoot wild life. John worked hard for many years, working in various rolls through out the industry, learning everything he could along the way. Today, John is an accomplished cinematographer, having won two international awards for his documentary work. His is a member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers and belongs to IATSE local 669, professional photographers union.
John's list of feature films, TV series , TV commercials, Documentaries and Music videos is long. He has a true passion for his craft, which can easily be seen in his work and has a very strong dramatic execution in his feature film, TV series and commercial materials. He has acquired over thirteen years of experience working as an actor, director, cinematographer, and writer in this industry.
DOLORES DRAKE
Programs: Advanced Acting
Dolores is a graduate of the "Studio 58" Theatre Arts program in Vancouver and has worked across the country in theatre, film, and television. Her stage credits include Lend Me A Tenor and Born Yesterday for the Theatre Northwest, Thirteen Hands and Then There Were None for the Arts Club Theatre, Cosi for the Globe Theatre, and Shirley Valentine for the Sunshine Theatre, WCTC, Theatre Northwest, and STC. She has been nominated twice for a Jessie Award.
Dolores's film credits include work with directors Costa Graves, Joel Schumnder, Bill Forseyth, and Anne Wheller. She has worked on several feature films, including New Cardiff, M.V.P. I & II, Trixie, Carpool, and most recently Chestnut: Hero of Central Park. Dolores also has extensive television credits, including principal, lead, and starring roles in Mentors, Beggars & Choosers, Breaker High, Adventures of Shirley Holmes, Ice Angel, The Spiral Staircase, and Ratz. She has served on the board of the WPAS, an organization providing professional workshops for Vancouver actors. As a teacher, director, and writer, Dolores has produced three plays for youth called The Pitt Stop, Just Too Much, and Mother's Day. She also wrote, produced, and starred in her own one woman play Randall's Wake. Recent director's credits include Lady Drinks the Blues, Love Letters, and The Boy Who Wanted To Be Julie Andrews.
Dolores's film credits include work with directors Costa Graves, Joel Schumnder, Bill Forseyth, and Anne Wheller. She has worked on several feature films, including New Cardiff, M.V.P. I & II, Trixie, Carpool, and most recently Chestnut: Hero of Central Park. Dolores also has extensive television credits, including principal, lead, and starring roles in Mentors, Beggars & Choosers, Breaker High, Adventures of Shirley Holmes, Ice Angel, The Spiral Staircase, and Ratz. She has served on the board of the WPAS, an organization providing professional workshops for Vancouver actors. As a teacher, director, and writer, Dolores has produced three plays for youth called The Pitt Stop, Just Too Much, and Mother's Day. She also wrote, produced, and starred in her own one woman play Randall's Wake. Recent director's credits include Lady Drinks the Blues, Love Letters, and The Boy Who Wanted To Be Julie Andrews.
Dolores has been teaching and coaching for 8 years through the Vancouver Youth Theatre, Theatrix, and Crichlow Actors' Studio (CASt), and is in demand as a private coach. At Chameleon Studio, Dolores will bring her exertise to the Advanced Auditioning program.
TOM PICKETT
Creative Director;
Singing Instructor/Acting Coach
Tom's acting career spans 17 years with a variety of accomplishments: Jessie Award winner, twice nominated, national/international tour with Hal Princes' ShowBoat; which concluded with a 5 month run in London's West End at the Prince Edward Theatre. Five seasons at Bard on the Beach, numerous plays at The Pacific Theatre where he earned his Jessie for the portrayal of Sam in Master Harold and the Boys.
Tom brings to his artistiic pursuits 6.5 years in the U.S Navy, 15 years in corporate life in the high tech industry in California's Silicon Valley and Vancouver.
People have always been Tom's passion and his business.
Growing up listening to his father's group The Original 4 Aces, his muisical tastes are very eclectic which serves him in providing diversified, quality vocal instruction to the South Surrey community.
