Inspired by her Indigenous grandmother and childhood hairdresser in the Yukon, Kara Alaric discovered her love for hairstyling at a very young age. Today, Kara is an IATSE 891 Hair Department member, with credits to her name such as ‘Voicemails for Isabelle’, ‘Supernatural’, and ‘Midnight Sun’. In this Spotlight Q&A, she shares her journey from the small community of Teslin, Yukon, to Vancouver, British Columbia, and discusses the importance of Indigenous representation in film and television, as well as what National Day for Truth and Reconciliation means to her.

Micah Gilbert always knew he was going to be part of the motion picture world. Whether it was acting, working as a makeup artist, or creating industry-standard beauty products, Micah’s passion for film and television has always been clear. In this Member Spotlight, Micah talks about his journey to becoming a makeup artist, building his own business, and his behind-the-scenes experiences working on ‘Yellowjackets’, ‘Scrubs’, and ‘Elle’.

“I love to cook, and I also love to take care of people – I’m the mom of the set!” Cindy Hamilton is a First Aid/Craft Service member. She was in the kitchen by the age of five and has been cooking ever since – from landing her first Craft Service job in China, to building her own food truck business in Vancouver, to joining the Union’s First Aid Craft Service Department, Cindy shares her remarkable journey in the motion picture industry.

Have you ever watched a film or television series and wondered who turns ideas into the characters and worlds that we all know and love? From mythical creatures and demigods to video game characters in post-apocalyptic worlds, concept designers are often the first to shape a story’s visual identity. In this Member Spotlight, Concept Designer and Illustrator Keith Lau shares his creative process, his journey in the motion picture industry, and why he’s proud to be part of the Canadian motion picture community.

IATSE VOLT (Virtual Opportunities for Learning and Training) is an online learning tool that allows the Union to deliver virtual self-paced courses and training content to its membership. In this Member Q&A, we spoke with Dann Lisik, a member of the Special Effects, Construction, and Grips Departments at IATSE 891. Dann shares his experience using IATSE VOLT and why members should give IATSE VOLT a try.