May 13, 2016
Vancouver, BC – Langara Film Arts Department Chair and Studio 58 alumnus Garwin Sanford is the recipient of the 2015 Sam Payne Award, named in honour of Sam Payne, a well-known, well-loved and consummate actor.
The annual award has been presented to deserving members of the performing arts community in BC since 1984. It recognizes Union of BC Performers (UBCP) and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) members who demonstrate the qualities ascribed to Sam Payne: humanity, integrity and the encouragement of new talent.
“I encourage students to explore and try to go beyond his or her own self-imposed limits,” said Sanford. “This is a somewhat scary proposition and I strive to create a safe environment to do this. If a student reaches out beyond their safety zone and fails, we pick them back up, show them that we have their back, and we try again.”
Sanford is a Gemini-nominated Vancouver based actor known for roles in The Tall Man, Get Carter, The Barber, Smallville, Airwolf , MacGyver, Sliders, The Odyssey, The Outer Limits, Earth: Final Conflict, Dark Angel, The 4400, Eureka, So Weird, and Supernatural.
Sanford credits Studio 58 with much of his success as an actor, director, and mentor.
“Antony Holland, the founder of the program and one of my favourite mentors, said ‘the longer you are out of Studio 58, the more you will realize how valuable the training was’. Truer words were never spoken,” added Sanford.
He now teaches acting and filmmaking in Langara’s Film Arts program. Many of his students have gone on to have success in their fields and Garwin has been credited with promoting and nurturing former students throughout their careers. The Sam Payne Committee recognizes his commitment to mentoring others and passion for his profession.
“In every film I act in, direct or produce the skills I learned at the hands of my mentors at Studio 58 comes into play in such a palpable way,” said Sanford. “The professionalism, the practical skills, the understanding of the dynamics of story telling that I learned there resonate not only in my professional life but in my private life as well.”
About UBCP/ACTRA
The Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP/ACTRA) is an autonomous branch of ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), the national organization of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of 22,000 members across Canada – the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.
About Langara
Located in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as house of teachings, a name given to it by the Musqueam people on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.
Learn more.
Carly Barrett
Communications Officer
604.323.5176
cbarrett@langara.bc.ca
