Canada has many talented actors, writers, directors, and other content creators. To help our industry grow, we would like to introduce you to some of those talented folks who have managed to capture that magic on screen.
This week, we spoke with Vancouver actor, writer, producer, and media professional Stephanie Florian.
HNMAG: Dance brought you to Vancouver. What were you doing in the States?
Stephanie Florian: I was studying dance and performing arts in LA, then Oregon and Boulder, Colorado.
HNMAG: How did you get involved in working in the news industry?
Stephanie Florian: When I moved to Vancouver I was a professional dancer and actor with a side hustle as a waitress and promo model while I was trying to get my career off the ground. My first movie credit in Vancouver was as a dancer role in an MOW. After that I landed a big FORD commercial that aired during the Super Bowl and bookings were flowing. I was in my 20s at the time. Eventually I got really frustrated with the roles that I was going out for and quit the business. At the time there was a big reality show opportunity that was looking for a few Canadians and when I was chosen as a contestant that really changed the trajectory of my career.
HNMAG: The reality show messed you up?
Stephanie Florian: Yes. My acting teacher at the time, Michael David Simms, did not support the decision to do the show. I was chosen out of over 100,000 people for a new show called No Boundaries and it was the first reality show of its kind being filmed in Vancouver, Canada.
It was a Warner Brothers show. the same producers as The Amazing Race.
HNMAG: Was it similar in structure?
Stephanie Florian: The concept was based on a show from Scandinavia. It was fifteen people on an outdoor adventure all sponsored by Ford. A little close to home since I had just done the Ford No Boundaries commercial for the Super Bowl.
The audition process was very intense as was the 3 months we were in the wilderness. Because the show was being filmed here in BC, they had to allow a few Canadians on the show and I was one of the chosen few.
At the time I was young and impatient with my career and wanted everything to happen right away. Which we all know is never the way it works. Slow and steady wins the race.
HNMAG: Was the commercial union?
Stephanie Florian: Yes, I made about $18,000 US back in the beautiful days of residuals.
The cheques kept showing up at my house. It was so great.
HNMAG: What was the big takeaway from No Boundaries?
Stephanie Florian: It was a life changing experience. If I could change anything, it would be to have never quit acting as it’s been years of playing catch up alongside peers that never took a break or left. Working in the TV/Film industry really is a life-long journey you need to be in it for the long haul.
HNMAG: Sure.
Stephanie Florian: …to stay the course.
HNMAG: How did that lead to working in news?
Stephanie Florian: After the reality show, I taught surfing while figuring out my next steps. I needed to pivot and eventually won a contest for a station called XFM that landed me a permanent role on air. From there I went to JRfm and the rest is history. My broadcast career started in radio and then TV hosting. My first TV hosting gig was for a local Vancouver show called 24/604TV on Shaw and Novus. I was cast as the Fit and Fun Host and that led me to a TV Host internship with Shaw where I was able to build a solid demo that eventually landed me a job as a weather anchor.
HNMAG: Oh nice.
Stephanie Florian: I had a lot of outdoor experience from the reality show and was always a weather nerd studying surf and snow conditions so my interest in weather came full circle. I pitched a show called Peak Outdoors, and then it got picked up. I gained experience in community reporting and producing. But got my big break was at CTV in Vancouver. I was lucky because I landed a job in a major market right out of the gate which isn’t common in the Broadcast industry. One thing led to another – I left CTV for a few years and went to Global BC but now I’m back working at CTV Vancouver. See full circle. Life is funny that way.
HNMAG: Yeah, that’s good.
Stephanie Florian: During the SAG strike I gave up my union status because my agent at the time thought I would have better luck with non-union jobs. Looking back, for me at the time it wasn’t the right decision.
Once I started working in media I began landing a lot of reporter / news anchor roles. In hind-sight I believe the universe was guiding me back into the industry – only this time around I knew I was going to stick with it. Eventually my agent and I decided no more reporter roles unless they were straight to booking with a game plan to escape the news typecast.
HNMAG: What was your first job at CTV?
Stephanie Florian: Weather in 2013. I was moonlighting working weather shifts in TV and reporting live from NEWS 1130 community events. It was a grind working twelve-hour days getting my career of the ground.
HNMAG: When did you focus on acting again?
Stephanie Florian: I’ve been back to acting since 2013. As soon as I started working in live TV, I started to audition again.
HNMAG: Did you have to start over in terms of your union status?
Stephanie Florian: I did have to, yes.
HNMAG: When you first joined the union, you needed six credits. Did you still need another six at that point?
Stephanie Florian: I only needed three the second time.
HNMAG: It was a little more realistic.
Stephanie Florian: It was easier. I was lucky because I took a job working at IA669 the Cinematographers Guild. I worked there part-time while I was still working for the news. I got my union credits and gained valuable experience inside the industry from a union perspective. It was nice to get to know the camera operators and the Directors of Photography (DOPs). I was also doing stand-in work at the time to supplement my income.
IA669 was very supportive and would let me go to in person auditions as needed to support my dream. I have been paying my dues all over again it feels like playing catch up for taking a 10 year hiatus.
HNMAG: There are a lot of expenses to becoming a professional actor. Working for the union is a great way to stay involved in the industry. Did it get you to consider other creative outlets?
Stephanie Florian: I recently co-wrote a film with Rebecca Strom which we are still trying to get off paper. I also am working on writing my first feature. The writing / producing side has it’s challenges as well but it’s been exciting dipping into a different side of the industry. I’m learning a lot especially how much it takes to get a film off paper and how to pitch.
HNMAG: What’s your script about?
Stephanie Florian: It’s called A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Grief. It’s about a woman who struggles with grief after her bird-loving husband unexpectedly dies. She is overcome with confusion after seeing animated birds.
HNMAG: Now you’re back to acting as well.
Stephanie Florian: I’ve been auditioning, but it’s been slow for the past few months but it’s picking up again.
HNMAG: It goes up and down. When was the last time you were on set?
Stephanie Florian: I worked on UNTAMED last summer and recently had an opportunity to stand-in for the lead actress on a big show in town but couldn’t make it work with my current work schedule, however I do find stand in gigs have been a great way to learn the industry first hand and be part of the crew. Set is my happy place.
It was great to speak with such a diverse and driven talent as Stephanie Florian. It seems like she has lived a few lives in this industry, but her story is only starting. We look forward to enjoying her work on the big and small screens everywhere.
