Jacqui Kaese is back at the helm of the film and television acting school she founded.
Kaese purchased Spotlight Academy from Nanaimo-based actor Adrian Hough, who headed up the school for nearly four years.
“Spotlight was going through its own changes and it seemed like the time is right,” Kaese said. “I just feel that Spotlight is part of me.”
Kaese founded Spotlight Academy more than 15 years ago and helped young actors like Cameron Bright and Justin Chatwin as they made their first forays into the film industry.
Much of that happened during the boom years of Hollywood North, when dozens of full-length films and television series were shot in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
With two feature films already shot on the Island this year – both of which Kaese acted in – and a third set for late September, not to mention scenes from the upcoming Superman movie set for Nanaimo and Ucluelet, the industry feels like old times, Kaese said.
“It seems like the industry is going through a boom time,” she said.
She also sees another talented group of youngsters poised to be part of the industry.
“I want to be part of building their careers,” Kaese said.
She sold Spotlight four years ago to spend more time with her family and to raise money for Type 1 diabetes, which both her sons have. Now that they’re older, she feels the time is right to return to acting and teaching.
Kaese’s passion for film stems from the medium’s ability to reflect what goes on in the bedrooms, the bathrooms and the kitchens of the world.
“We’re recreating every day reality and people’s lives,” she said.
Kaese imparts that passion and knowledge during fall film, television and modelling classes, held at Headliners, beginning Sept. 12.
For more information or to register, please visit www.jacquikaese.com or call 250-753-2323.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
