Returning once again at Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend is TORONTO COMICON. The three-day event runs March 16-18, 2018, bringing together all things Comics, Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime, Cosplay and Gaming-related.
Artists and Celebrities are abound at the event, giving Fans a rare chance to meet the talent including the likes of Seth Gilliam (The Walking Dead), Eugene Brave Rock (Wonder Woman), Manu Bennett (Arrow), Mitch Pileggi (The X-Files), Joonas Suotamo (Star Wars), Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables), Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones), Mara Wilson (Matlida) and John Wesley Shipp (The Flash).
We even spotted iconic international DJ/Producer Deadmau5 out and about with his wife Kelly Fedoni. They looked extremely excited to meet Game of Thrones’ Kristian Nairn (Hodor)! You just never know who you’ll see at Toronto Comicon!
We got to chat with some of the talent at this year’s Comicon including the likes of Gilliam, Rock and Shipp at a Press Conference launching the event. We chat about some of their fan experiences and their own paths to success.
EUGENE BRAVE ROCK
Rock, an Alberta native now living in Los Angeles who has starred in the likes of Oscar-winning The Revenant, tells us that L.A. has made him “soft” in dealing with the Canadian cold. Since his role as Wonder Woman as The Chief, had admits “It’s nice not having to audition and just being given the role sometimes. I’ve been in this business a long time. It’s nice to be where I am. I’m thankful.”.
He was just in Salt Lake City for the Premiere of his Short Film Reign of Judges which he hopes will become a Trilogy or a Feature.
SETH GILLIAM
Gilliam whose The Walking Dead character Father Gabriel has recently been upgraded as a main character, tells us about his journey on the beloved Series. “It’s been surreal. Like holding onto a locomotive train and holding onto dear life.”. On some of the crazier experiences he has had on the Convention circuit, he says it’s “when people blur the lines between Father Gabriel and Seth Gilliam.“. “People tell me ‘I don’t like the way you did this and that’ and I’m like, ‘Okay, do you want me to conjure Father Gabriel for you? I’ll give you three turns and you can talk to Father Gabriel so you can talk to him!'”, he jokes.
On what makes Father Gabriel different from the him, he says “The real Seth likes to use profanity.”. We love real people!
JOHN WESLEY SHIPP
Shipp has built a long-lasting career on Series like Dawson’s Creek to now, The Flash playing psychopaths to superheroes. On still being in his prime, he reveals, “I work out four or five days a week. I was a really skinny kid. It wasn’t something I got into until I was 19 or 20.”.
On touring the Convention circuit, he tells us the greatest thing about it. “It’s an amazing opportunity to interact with an audience. Other than in Theatre which I’ve done, we don’t get that kind of rush in the studio. If all we had to do was work within the studio having a great time with each other, all we’d do is be pleased with each other but what makes it matter is the audience.”. He adds, “People are so warm and generous in their actions.”.
See some Snaps from the event below. Hover cursor left and right to navigate.
Learn more about Toronto Comicon here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
It’s that time of the year again! Awards Season wouldn’t be complete without the Canadian Screen Awards, set to take place Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts for a fourth year. The Gala to be hosted by comedian Norm MacDonald, recognizes the finest accomplishments in Canadian Film, Digital Media and Television, revealing its nominees this morning at TIFF Bell Lightbox with the help of Actors Aislinn Paul (Degrassi, Heroes Reborn) and Lyriq Bent (The Book of Negroes). The Duo were revealed as nominees too.
Leading the Film nominees this year is Academy Award Best Picture-nominated ROOM with eleven nods including Best Motion Picture, Achievement in Art Direction, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Makeup, Music, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Actor in a Leading Role (Jacob Tremblay), Actress in a Leading Role (Brie Larson) and Actress in a Supporting Role (Joan Allen). Both Larson and nine-year-old Tremblay are fresh off Critics’ Choice Awards this past weekend for their work in the Toronto-made Film.
Following closely behind were HYENA ROAD, which despite a whopping eight nominations didn’t receive a Best Motion Picture nomination, and French-language Film OUR LOVED ONES with seven nominations.
SCHITT’S CREEK leads Television category nominees with 14 nominations, plus one in the Digital Media division, including Best Comedy Series, Best Direction in a Comedy Series (twice), Best Photography in a Comedy Series, Best Editing in a Comedy Series, Best Writing in a Comedy Series (twice), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy), Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Chris Elliott) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Annie Murphy, Catherine O’Hara). Interestingly, father-son duo Eugene and Daniel Levy are going head-to-head in this category.
CSAs favourite Orphan Black follows closely behind in second with 13 nominations. Tied with 12 nominations apiece were Mr. D and 19-2.
A star-studded list of nominees were announced with the likes of Rossif Sutherland, Christopher Plummer, Jared Keeso, Tatiana Maslany, Missy Peregrym, Megan Follows and several more. We wait to see the list of talent to grace the Red Carpet in March!
Earlier at the Press Conference, the new Discovery Award was presented to Director Yosef Baraki and Producers Andrew Korogyi and Asef Baraki for their Afghanistan-filmed Feature, MINA WALKING. The Award is for emerging Filmmakers working with a budget of under $250k.
Once again this year, Fans will get a chance to connect with their favourite Canadian stars Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Eaton Centre in the Canadian Screen Awards Fanzone. Fans also will be given a chance to win a spot in the Red Carpet section at the Sony Centre on the day of the Awards and even have a chance to vote for their favourite Canadian star in the Fan’s Choice Award voting. Details can be found here.
The 2016 Canadian Screen Awards air 8 PM on CBC Sunday, March 13, 2016. See the full list of Nominees here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com