On Saturday, October 5, Campari had the pleasure of fully endorsing ‘Inside Hollywood: The Business of Being an Actor,’ an elegantly exclusive cocktail mingle event, in an audacious effort to uplift and assist Jamaica’s creative economy.
Campari endorses creative sector in Jamaica with ‘Inside Hollywood
This project, aimed at advancing the local film economy and bringing together prominent people from Hollywood and Jamaica’s entertainment sector,was held at the Julie Mango Restaurant, Mayfair Hotel, Kingston to discuss the intricacies of the acting industry beyond the stage and screen.
This elegantly casual event provided both established and aspiring Jamaican actors with a valuable opportunity to learn about the business side of the industry, network with established talent, and gain confidence in their abilities to compete on the global stage. Numerous actors shared their experiences while offering guidance to those looking to break into the acting world. The evening was filled with engaging conversations that bridged the gap between passion and practicality, making it an empowering experience for everyone present.
Sundra Oakley, a Jamaican actress based in Los Angeles and the organiser of the event, reflected on the inspiration behind Inside Hollywood.
“I created the first Inside Hollywood: The Business of Being an Actor to provide a venue to help actors in Jamaica learn about the business side of the industry and to show them that it’s not just about being on stage or in front of the camera, but that there is a whole business side to it,” said Oakley. “I also wanted to empower others and impart knowledge to help actors of Jamaica feel confident to go out and compete with the rest of the industry.”
She continued, “Kenisha Gibson, Julia Bras, and Tarik Alexander—they have been my fearless soldiers in making this a reality. Tonight, we celebrate having it a second time, bringing in these talented creatives who have come to share their knowledge with the actors. I want to also highlight the sponsors, supporters, and partners who came onboard. I want to specially thank Campari from the bottom of my heart, as they saw me and my vision and said yes. Campari’s support has meant so much to me, because doing this alone can really be scary, so to have Campari extend a hand to this initiative means the world to me.”
Mark Telfer, Brand Manager of Campari, emphasised the company’s commitment to the creative sector, stating,
“Fostering creativity and growth in Jamaica’s creative industry is something that Campari is proud to promote, and supporting the ‘Inside Hollywood’ event is a natural extension of that. The talent pool in our country is endless and we believe in providing opportunities for all. It has been incredible to see Sundra’s vision come to life, and we are honoured to be a part of an initiative that is making a real difference in the lives of Jamaican actors. We also believe in initiatives such as ‘Inside Hollywood’ as it gives local actors access to priceless information and opportunities that can propel them to an international level.”
An event such as this, is still a first of its kind in Jamaica, focused solely on actors and going beyond technique by teaching and giving key insights from the perspective of seasoned actors, Hollywood-based agents, casting directors and esteemed writer, producer and showrunners among other talents to fortify and educate the participants on how to pave the way towards a respectable informed career as actors, and not just as mere hobbyists. Emmy winner, four-time Golden Globe winner, and recent Oscar nominee Sterling K. Brown, with his wife, actress, Ryan Bathe, along with many other international greats were also on full display sharing insights to all who engaged.
The night concluded with renewed energy and motivation among the participants, with many inspired to take the next step in their acting careers. Inside Hollywood has successfully set the stage for Jamaican talent to navigate the complexities of the industry, leaving a mark that will resonate far beyond the evening.
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