Magic act

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Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press Onalee Ames stands in her new studio space in the Kaye Building on McDermot Avenue as budding stars go over their lines.

"MY favourite thing is watching people get parts," says the owner of Onalee Ames Film Studios in Winnipeg. "It's really magical, like watching people live their dreams."

Two weeks ago, Ames moved her studio, where she coaches aspiring actors, back into the Exchange, where the many heritage buildings attract much of Winnipeg's film action. Since 2000, Ames has taught and coached more than 1,500 people in the art of acting, including Blue Bombers, firefighters and ballerinas, in classes of all ages.

She started out in a studio on Albert Street and subsequently moved to Garry Street and then Corydon Avenue. While there, she realized the Exchange area is really where it's at for creative people. So, she hauled her props and film lights up the elevator to the fourth floor of 245 McDermot Ave. for a new start.

"I've gone full circle," she grins. In fact, her new space is a circle. "It's a theatre-in-the-round, originally created as a sacred aboriginal space," she says. She has decided to preserved it, just as it was.

Ames came back to Winnipeg in 2000 so her husband, Dr. David Ames, could go to medical school and they could raise a family. Before that, she spent eight years in Vancouver and another eight in Los Angeles in the film business.

In her mid-20s, Ames used to hang out with the comedians at the Comedy Store in L.A. In fact, she and Seth Rogan started their first comedy classes together.

"He was such a good writer. We took stand-up together and we used to sneak him into bars at age 14 to do stand-up and then he'd have to leave right after!"

Her aim is to get as many Winnipeg kids into film action as she can. Many of her students have been in commercials. Others have got parts in films as bit players, extras and leads.

Mitchell Kummen, 13, has acted in a dozen movies and TV series, and most recently played Jack Layton's son, Michael, in Smilin' Jack Layton. He's also been in TV series Less Than Kind, Shattered, and Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story, playing the 10-year-old Donald Cherry.

"Onalee coached me for the Don Cherry part the night before, and the next day I got the part!" says Kummen. "I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am today if it weren't for her."

An important part of Ames' work is coaching people for big auditions, which are often videoed right here in Winnipeg and sent electronically. You don't have to fly to auditions these days, but you have to make a big impression from afar.

Georgina Oakley, 18, has been taking acting lessons with Ames for the last eight years and has acted as an extra in many films.

"She understands the whole film process from watching and being an extra. And Onalee explains what they should expect on a film, and the etiquette to follow when making a movie. She has the hands-on experience," says her mom, Melanie.

"I'm also going back to the basics, helping anyone who wants to act get in touch with their emotions," Ames says.

"Acting class is like going to the gym for creative people. They must have a place to practise their art the same way an Olympic athlete would get up every day and practise that sport."

Another focus of her business is getting casting directors to see Manitoba talent in an audition situation. "I'm bringing L.A. to Winnipeg for actors," she says. This spring she brought Adam Stone, an assistant casting director for shows such as Shake It Up, Hannah Montana and Lab Rats. Stone is the head of development for Mandalay Studios in L.A., and is coming back this fall. Well-known Vancouver acting coach Shea Hampton is also coming to town.

At the same time, Ames has her own film career. This weekend, she's at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), sharing the red carpet with the likes of Johnny Depp. Ames played exotic dancer Gypsy in My Awkward Sexual Adventure shot in nippy November in Winnipeg. The feature film is up for several awards at the festival. Ames also shadow-directed the film with director Sean Garrity as mentor and is getting ready to do her first film as a producer.

Past acting roles filmed in Winnipeg included a role in Shall We Dance.

"I played Susan Sarandon's assistant, Diane. I loved Susan, and the funny thing is she was the only person I ever wanted to work with in the movies -- and I got to do it in Winnipeg.

"My big scene was at the end, when Richard Gere tells his wife how much he loves her -- he was just lovely. I got to dance with him just for the fun of it, before the scene started."

In Faces in the Crowd, starring Milla Jovovich, Ames played a mother at a daycare. Were these actresses divas? "Nope. Milla was great too. I have been blessed to work with nice people," she says.

Linden Porco, 16, is a "little person" who's been taking acting lessons since he was five and hopes to make it big in the movies. He's already worked with the Wayan Brothers in the movie Little Man, filmed in Vancouver.

"Onalee helps you be truthful about your emotions in the part," he says.

Ames teaches her students to act from an experience in their own life, where they can feel the emotion their character is feeling, dig it out and express it.

"With Linden's auditions now, we see a real difference. He can really connect. Recently, he had to do a crying scene and he could dig down, and he was actually able to make ME cry," says Linden's mom, Allayne.

"Onalee also teaches you life lessons, like how not to be afraid of things such as forgetting the lines, so you can just go out there and do your part," says Caelan Nowicki, 9. Her sister, Gabriella, 11, adds: "She helps you get past the jitters and nervousness."

Parents Scott Nowicki and Elaine Gaynor say film-acting classes have helped both their daughters.

Outgoing Caelan has been able to harness her energy and shyer Gabriella has become more confident. And, Dad adds, "Onalee also reinforces what the kids learn at home and at school about life."

Ames says she sees big things for the local film industry here as long as Manitoba keeps training new actors and all the arms of the industry keep building the infrastructure for filmmaking.

"Manitoba is a special place for the arts. When I came to town in 2000, we really were a ghost town film-wise. It wasn't what it is today. It's been an honour to be a part of that growth. I came at the right time."

People can begin taking classes starting any Wednesday, by calling 204-943-6832.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 9, 2012 A6