iFilmGroup Production Team Leaders

ANNE THOMPSON
AUTHOR/POET - ACTOR - SONGWRITER - MUSIC PRODUCER
iFilmGroup In-House Career Mentor to Actors of all ages and experience.

My performance history began when I was two years old, performing my favourite song, “On the Slow Boat to China,” for family and friends.  By Grade 2, at age seven, my confidence had soared as I performed before a live audience. A school talent contest was the first door I opened to performing on stage before a larger audience.

In 1953, the singer Dinah Shore was my idol. I fell in love with the Chevrolet commercial where she sang the song “See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet” for the General Motors Automobile Company. I mimicked her totally, learning the lyrics to the entire commercial song.

My father provided a large cardboard box with a cutout to act as a television set, allowing me to appear as though I were on television performing the song.  I even copied her gestures, as well as her beautiful smile. The local Chevrolet dealership provided a large banner that served as the backdrop for my segment, making it seem as though I was actually performing the commercial on the school stage.

To my surprise, I won first prize in the contest, despite other participants who may have been more talented with singing and playing instruments. I was told later that my personality and the realism I expressed won me the title.

Piano, guitar, dancing and vocal lessons dominated the next decade of my music training.  By the time I graduated high school, I was on my way to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.  I was privileged to attend many plays, participate in a few small local productions, and help with set arrangement and wardrobe.  Recitals were a way of life for me during these years. Any shyness disappeared when I was on stage.  I knew I wanted to entertain- singing, dancing, comedy, anything to get me on stage.

Never one to remain idle for any length of time and to make a few dollars to buy special things I wanted, my first ‘job’ was babysitting starting at age 12.  By 16, I found I could work part-time at the soda fountain at Walgreens Pharmacy after school and on weekends. Choir practice and more recitals filled spare moments and reinforced my desire to perform until I was 18.

Reality hit when I realized the entertainment industry isn't a career choice that provides financial stability at the beginning. Many ‘wannabe’ entertainers fail to make the grade. It’s a tough occupation to choose as a lifelong career, but you can still pursue it as a hobby or avocation to improve your craft.   

University became the stabilizer for my future – knowing a craft that could immediately provide a steady income proved most beneficial.  I achieved a degree in Business Administration, which provided a major stepping stone to a lucrative financial future. An additional educational opportunity provided me with another financial gain in the medical profession. I was certified as a physician’s assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants. As my career choices evolved, my love of entertainment became a part-time vocation, allowing me to join a duet that became a trio when I joined as the female vocalist, performing three nights a week.  I was on my way to reaching my goal. 

My day job provided the means to support myself, finance my love of performing, and travel with the musical group.  I was advised to get an agent. Good advice should never be discounted. This proved to be another lucrative step in the right direction.  Within the next few months, my agent introduced me to a television station manager, and I landed acting engagements doing commercials for various businesses in South Florida on television and radio. This led to being asked to join a 5-piece rock band, again working three nights a week. 

I auditioned for musical theatre and got my first role in the musical “South Pacific” at the Palm Beach Playhouse as the character “Bloody Mary.” The play ran for a week. I loved the part, even though the makeup made me look older than my stated age.  More auditions followed for “The King and I,” which wasn't a major part, but I couldn't refuse the opportunity.  My second audition for another presentation of “South Pacific” landed me the lead as ‘Nellie Forbush.’  The dance and vocal lessons finally paid off!  This was the thrill of a lifetime. The show ran for two weeks, and though it was exhausting, it was a dream come true for me. 

I continued performing with the 5-piece band after taking a hiatus from onstage musical productions.  Another door opened when my agent contacted me about a new dance club that was hiring a 13-piece disco/salsa band.  I auditioned and was hired. Again, I was the usual band headliner for a three-night gig. I was a lead and backup female vocalist. The band’s reputation grew because of our energy and music choices, and I loved learning to involve the audience! The interaction between the band members and me during breaks proved to be a tremendous asset, as our personalities connected well with the audiences who attended our performances.  What was a ‘slow start’ in the beginning certainly picked up pace within a few weeks, when we were playing to a ‘packed house.’  This was a local booking and no travel time to suffer through.

I came to Canada and had to start from scratch to break into the music business. That was very difficult for me, coming from South Florida to a small rural Ontario town.   I joined the American Federation of Musicians, and demo tapes were distributed to band leaders, bars, radio stations, anyone or any venue I thought might be interested in giving me a chance in Ontario. 

Auditions with the local theatre group proved to be the ‘last straw.’  My ability to fall in love with the word “No” shaped my future.  I started my own music production company. I worked out of a large recording studio in Toronto. Barry Harvey, Gordon Lightfoot’s manager, mentored me and guided me through the steps of producing and managing artists. With some referrals already on my list, I started commuting to Toronto every other week to meet and audition aspiring talent, bands, vocalists, songwriters, and solo musicians.

The groups I worked with ranged from some already famous in their own right to others convinced they would be on a Las Vegas stage in a few weeks, including impersonators of other famous entertainers. Eventually, I was asked to produce song choices for well-known Canadian artists, and I was on my way to another successful career.  I also wanted to become a writer. Many poems, short stories, and a few books were in the works, and still are, to some degree. My life’s journey proves if you have a dream, – don’t quit!  Keep trying - doors will open if you knock loudly enough!