Two young Island actors are getting their start in local independent short film Sandcastles.

The movie features Sooke resident Justin Holmes and North Saanich resident Koko Farion, both first-time actors who have learning disabilities. In the movie they play star-crossed lovers until an operation for HolmesB次元官网网址� character leads their parents to intervene and split them up. Determined, they run away together like in Romeo and Juliet.

Holmes has acted on the stage before with the Sooke Harbour Players B次元官网网址� his uncle Pete Holmes is vice-president of the troupe and encouraged his nephew to audition for the role.

B次元官网网址淚 never knew, thatB次元官网网址檚 the thing. I just did theatre for fun. But I never thought I had natural talent,B次元官网网址� said Justin Holmes. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been telling you that for years,B次元官网网址� Pete said to Justin with a laugh. B次元官网网址淗e doesnB次元官网网址檛 listen to me.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淛ustin is a natural storyteller. HeB次元官网网址檚 just a very entertaining guy. HeB次元官网网址檚 always making up stories and wants to tell his own stories and been telling me that for years B次元官网网址� I said, you should get into theatre.B次元官网网址�

Holmes found the transition to being in front of the camera an enjoyable one, although navigating the awkwardness of the romantic scenes was something he had to get used to.

Farion also felt nervous about those scenes, but said they were B次元官网网址渃ute,B次元官网网址� and her mother Younghee Farion said she quickly got over any nerves.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 been looking for an opportunity for a long time because she was pretty good at high school. The teachers and volunteers at school, they all saw how she acted on the stage, and they always asked me to find an agent B次元官网网址� they saw they saw the potential in her. So this opportunity came and weB次元官网网址檙e really happy. Especially Coco. SheB次元官网网址檚 so natural. SheB次元官网网址檚 not nervous at all. ItB次元官网网址檚 amazing to see that.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 want to be a superstar, I want to walk on the red carpet,B次元官网网址� said Farion.

The movie was funded by CineVicB次元官网网址檚 Dynamo Program, which gives grants and equipment rentals to films featuring diversity.

Director and producer Susan Ko teamed up with Langford-based writer and producer Brent Lanyon to work on the film, with shooting taking place in several locales, including LanyonB次元官网网址檚 house.

Last year there were several big moves towards boosting the film industry in the Langford, with council calling action on a rezoning to allow sound stages to be built at the old Westshore Motorsports Park site, as well as the Vancouver Island South Film Commission moving their office out to Langford.

Ko said seeing new facilities and places to rent equipment to will be helpful, but that Greater Victoria as a whole provides lots of opportunities for filmmakers.

B次元官网网址淲hen you make a movie usually have multiple locations right? So youB次元官网网址檙e driving all over the place. This is one of the reasons Victoria is so good is thereB次元官网网址檚 oceans, thereB次元官网网址檚 beaches, thereB次元官网网址檚 forests, thereB次元官网网址檚 city, thereB次元官网网址檚 nature B次元官网网址� lots of variety for filming, and different neighbourhoods that are very unique.B次元官网网址�

Ko said the film will likely be finished around in September and from there taken to festivals and hopefully a couple of local screenings.

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