Vancouver talent agency that launched careers of Ryan Reynolds, Carly Pope celebrates 35th anniversary
Back in 1997, Vancouver 's Carly Pope was a high school student who signed up for the school play.
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Pope, who is best known for the TV series Pretty Little Liars, Arrow, Suits and Popular, was cast as the cop in Lord Byng Secondary School's all-female version of Neil Simon's classic comedy The Odd Couple.
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'I'm sure there's a very revealing, you know, VHS tape somewhere of that performance, which I never want to see in my waking life,' said Pope, who is currently living in Brooklyn.
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While Pope didn't necessarily see potential in her early performance, Vancouver talent agent Tyman Stewart did. He approached the adults involved with the play and asked about her. Nearly three decades later, Pope is still one of Stewart's top clients at The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver.
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'If I do some quick math on that, that makes it 28 years. Wow, which, inarguably, makes it my longest relationship,' said Pope with a laugh. 'It happened, I suppose you know, organically in that sense, and as a surprise gift to me … everything started to kind of snowball after that point.'
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That long relationship is just one of many that Stewart, who also helped to launch the careers of Ryan Reynolds and Sarah Chalke, has developed over the years.
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A Hollywood North staple, The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year.
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'While, mathematically, this is The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver's 36th year, we are calling it our 35th year because no one counts the year of COVID, kind of like the 13th floor in an elevator,' said Stewart, who is president of the company that also represents directors, voice-over talent, producers, designers, editors, casting directors and writers.
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The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver currently has 17 agents who handle around 80 clients each.
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Co-founded by Larry Goldhar (who started Characters in Toronto in the late 1960s) and Sam Feldman, the Vancouver office bought out Marie Morton of Morton Talent, one of only four agencies in the city at the time.
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Stewart got hired out of Toronto in July of 1989 and worked his way up the ladder, becoming a partner in 1995, and then the president in 2016, when he replaced Leonard Bonnell. Stewart signed his first client in 1992.
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The Province
18 hours ago
- The Province
Vancouver talent agency that launched careers of Ryan Reynolds, Carly Pope celebrates 35th anniversary
The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver is marking three and half decades in TV/film production business The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver president and agent Tyman Stewart says: 'While mathematically this is The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver's 36th year, we are calling it our 35th year because no one counts the year of COVID, kind of like the 13th floor in an elevator.' Photo by NICK PROCAYLO / 10108017A Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Back in 1997, Vancouver's Carly Pope was a high school student who signed up for the school play. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Pope, who is best known for the TV series Pretty Little Liars, Arrow, Suits and Popular, was cast as the cop in Lord Byng Secondary School's all-female version of Neil Simon's classic comedy The Odd Couple. 'I'm sure there's a very revealing, you know, VHS tape somewhere of that performance, which I never want to see in my waking life,' said Pope, who is currently living in Brooklyn. While Pope didn't necessarily see potential in her early performance, Vancouver talent agent Tyman Stewart did. He approached the adults involved with the play and asked about her. Nearly three decades later, Pope is still one of Stewart's top clients at The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver. 'If I do some quick math on that, that makes it 28 years. Wow, which, inarguably, makes it my longest relationship,' said Pope with a laugh. 'It happened, I suppose you know, organically in that sense, and as a surprise gift to me … everything started to kind of snowball after that point.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vancouver actor Carly Pope has worked with The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver's Tyman Stewart for almost 30 years. Stewart first spotted Pope when she was a Grade 11 student acting in a play at Lord Byng Secondary School. Photo by Courtesy of The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver / Courtesy of The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver That long relationship is just one of many that Stewart, who also helped to launch the careers of Ryan Reynolds and Sarah Chalke, has developed over the years. A Hollywood North staple, The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. 'While, mathematically, this is The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver's 36th year, we are calling it our 35th year because no one counts the year of COVID, kind of like the 13th floor in an elevator,' said Stewart, who is president of the company that also represents directors, voice-over talent, producers, designers, editors, casting directors and writers. The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver currently has 17 agents who handle around 80 clients each. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Co-founded by Larry Goldhar (who started Characters in Toronto in the late 1960s) and Sam Feldman, the Vancouver office bought out Marie Morton of Morton Talent, one of only four agencies in the city at the time. Stewart got hired out of Toronto in July of 1989 and worked his way up the ladder, becoming a partner in 1995, and then the president in 2016, when he replaced Leonard Bonnell. Stewart signed his first client in 1992. 'Sarah Chalke was my first client and, ironically, became my biggest star at that time when Canadians weren't being hired in the U.S. So, she and I started a trend,' said Stewart, who today still reps actors including Grace Park, Andrea Bang, Adam DiMarco and Jason Priestley. In addition to longtime clients, Stewart proudly points out that the agency also has longtime staff. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I've got agents working with me who've been at this for over 20 years, 10 years, 12 years, 15 years, 17 years,' Stewart says. 'It's just one of the reasons I love coming to work every day … it's just such a lovely environment.' Pope wholeheartedly agrees with that sentiment, saying she notices a huge difference between the Characters vibe and the vibe she has experienced at agencies in L.A. 'It basically was like the difference between getting a massage and getting a root canal, comforting versus clinical,' said Pope, who is busy these days being mom to a seven-month-old boy. 'I suppose it just creates a nice feeling, and it also creates a sense of trust that, to me, is so imperative in an industry that can be full of a lot of deceit and smoke and mirrors.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. When asked about change in his business over the decades, Stewart points to the internet as the biggest disrupter. 'The internet changed everything, it really did,' said Stewart. 'We don't even print photos or resumes anymore, everything is online. Back in the '90s, during the heavy-duty pilot season days, we used to spend $60,000 a year (shipping) VHS tapes to and from L.A. during pilot season … Everything is online, including these poor actors who have to audition for themselves in their own homes and post it all.' While actual human interactions have diminished, Stewart still places a great deal of importance on face-to-face experiences. 'Relationships with casting directors and producers that we've all worked with for decades really pay off. But for newer agents, it's really hard and they don't have those relationships,' said Stewart. 'It's kind of a funny joke in my office with my younger agents, it's like, they need to get something done, and then I tell them how to do it, and they start typing on their computer, and I say, pick up the phone. Build a rapport, build a relationship, get to know these people, you will see life change so drastically.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Right now, the TV/film business is in a worldwide slump with production down in the 20 per cent range around the globe. While he acknowledges the slow down, Stewart says Characters isn't panicking. 'As one of the larger agencies in Canada, we're still doing just fine, like literally all my agents are still more than paying their bills and working constantly, and our actors are still doing fairly well,' said Stewart. 'I mean, we do have a higher profile list than some others, but we also have good competition in the city, and we're all feeling a lull, but it is not lull that is stressing anyone out, certainly locally, I think Toronto is a little more stressed because they don't function as much the service industry as we do here. We're very much service oriented.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A service-oriented industry, many local production companies produce American product. 'The American work, even though it's down, I would say 70 per cent of what they are doing is still coming to Canada. So, we're not complaining,' said Stewart. With three-plus decades in the business, Stewart is no stranger to fluctuations in the industry. 'I've been through multiple problems over the 35 years we've been doing this between, you know, three writers strikes, the big SAG strike last year, COVID, I've seen it all. And we always hang in there,' said Stewart. 'There'll be a culling of some of the smaller agencies. A lot of the actors who weren't committed, all that stuff. The hardcore people who are really good at what they do will all stick around.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. To the outside world, the role of an agent, thanks in part to Hollywood, is that of a cutthroat character whose moral compass tends to always point toward the money. (Think: Ari Gold from Entourage, Bebe Glazer from Frasier, and Jerry Maguire.) 'Entourage is still the go-to in people's brains as to what an agent does,' says Stewart, referring to Jeremy Piven's character in the show. 'And I very clearly say that is a very exaggerated form of agent.' Stewart admits that some agents in the industry, albeit 'few and far between,' are a little Ari-like. 'Among personalities in the film industry, Tyman is a personality. And beyond that, he's a good man,' said Terry Chen, a Vancouver-based actor who has been repped by Stewart for more than a decade. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We've been able to do some incredible things while I was based out of Vancouver. You know, House of Cards was a great coup for us that I booked out of Vancouver. Jessica Jones, working for Marvel was another great coup for us. Opening the doors and creating opportunity is what he does.' When asked for any advice veteran actors would offer to newbies looking to sign with an agent, both Pope and Chen offered a few tips. 'I don't think you can ever go wrong with, first and foremost, seeking to find that dynamic that feels supportive, that feels innovative, and that feels excited about you,' said Pope. 'My advice would be trust your gut and find someone who makes you feel seen, but also makes you feel like they're going to fight for you.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vancouver actor Terry Chen, seen here in his latest film Lucky Star, says actors looking for an agent should do their due diligence and look at the potential agent's roster before meeting with them. Photo by Kino Sum Productions / Kino Sum Productions For Chen, a professional actor for 25 years, the key to a successful actor/agent relationship begins with research. 'Do your due diligence,' said Chen, adding it is important to look at the person's 'track record' and check out their roster before you meet with them. And, when you do meet with them, pay attention to what they are paying attention to. 'I've been in meetings with agents down in Los Angeles where we were talking about this one agent's ex-girlfriend the whole time, and how he could get back together with her. That was the context and the content of that meeting,' said Chen. 'He was with a huge agency, but I knew he would do nothing for me. So, you know, take the cues and look out for yourself. Because, at the end of the day, this is what you're entrusting in that person is for them to look out for you.' Dgee@ Read More Vancouver Canucks News Vancouver Canucks Sports News
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Calgary Herald
Vancouver talent agency that launched careers of Ryan Reynolds, Carly Pope celebrates 35th anniversary
Back in 1997, Vancouver 's Carly Pope was a high school student who signed up for the school play. Article content Pope, who is best known for the TV series Pretty Little Liars, Arrow, Suits and Popular, was cast as the cop in Lord Byng Secondary School's all-female version of Neil Simon's classic comedy The Odd Couple. Article content Article content 'I'm sure there's a very revealing, you know, VHS tape somewhere of that performance, which I never want to see in my waking life,' said Pope, who is currently living in Brooklyn. Article content Article content While Pope didn't necessarily see potential in her early performance, Vancouver talent agent Tyman Stewart did. He approached the adults involved with the play and asked about her. Nearly three decades later, Pope is still one of Stewart's top clients at The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver. Article content 'If I do some quick math on that, that makes it 28 years. Wow, which, inarguably, makes it my longest relationship,' said Pope with a laugh. 'It happened, I suppose you know, organically in that sense, and as a surprise gift to me … everything started to kind of snowball after that point.' Article content Article content That long relationship is just one of many that Stewart, who also helped to launch the careers of Ryan Reynolds and Sarah Chalke, has developed over the years. Article content A Hollywood North staple, The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. Article content Article content 'While, mathematically, this is The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver's 36th year, we are calling it our 35th year because no one counts the year of COVID, kind of like the 13th floor in an elevator,' said Stewart, who is president of the company that also represents directors, voice-over talent, producers, designers, editors, casting directors and writers. Article content Article content The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver currently has 17 agents who handle around 80 clients each. Article content Co-founded by Larry Goldhar (who started Characters in Toronto in the late 1960s) and Sam Feldman, the Vancouver office bought out Marie Morton of Morton Talent, one of only four agencies in the city at the time. Article content Stewart got hired out of Toronto in July of 1989 and worked his way up the ladder, becoming a partner in 1995, and then the president in 2016, when he replaced Leonard Bonnell. Stewart signed his first client in 1992.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver talent agency that launched careers of Ryan Reynolds, Carly Pope celebrates 35th anniversary
Back in 1997, Vancouver 's Carly Pope was a high school student who signed up for the school play. Pope, who is best known for the TV series Pretty Little Liars, Arrow, Suits and Popular, was cast as the cop in Lord Byng Secondary School's all-female version of Neil Simon's classic comedy The Odd Couple. 'I'm sure there's a very revealing, you know, VHS tape somewhere of that performance, which I never want to see in my waking life,' said Pope, who is currently living in Brooklyn. While Pope didn't necessarily see potential in her early performance, Vancouver talent agent Tyman Stewart did. He approached the adults involved with the play and asked about her. Nearly three decades later, Pope is still one of Stewart's top clients at The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'If I do some quick math on that, that makes it 28 years. Wow, which, inarguably, makes it my longest relationship,' said Pope with a laugh. 'It happened, I suppose you know, organically in that sense, and as a surprise gift to me … everything started to kind of snowball after that point.' That long relationship is just one of many that Stewart, who also helped to launch the careers of Ryan Reynolds and Sarah Chalke, has developed over the years. A Hollywood North staple, The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. 'While, mathematically, this is The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver's 36th year, we are calling it our 35th year because no one counts the year of COVID, kind of like the 13th floor in an elevator,' said Stewart, who is president of the company that also represents directors, voice-over talent, producers, designers, editors, casting directors and writers. The Characters Talent Agency Vancouver currently has 17 agents who handle around 80 clients each. Co-founded by Larry Goldhar (who started Characters in Toronto in the late 1960s) and Sam Feldman, the Vancouver office bought out Marie Morton of Morton Talent, one of only four agencies in the city at the time. Stewart got hired out of Toronto in July of 1989 and worked his way up the ladder, becoming a partner in 1995, and then the president in 2016, when he replaced Leonard Bonnell. Stewart signed his first client in 1992. 'Sarah Chalke was my first client and, ironically, became my biggest star at that time when Canadians weren't being hired in the U.S. So, she and I started a trend,' said Stewart, who today still reps actors including Grace Park, Andrea Bang, Adam DiMarco and Jason Priestley. In addition to longtime clients, Stewart proudly points out that the agency also has longtime staff. 'I've got agents working with me who've been at this for over 20 years, 10 years, 12 years, 15 years, 17 years,' Stewart says. 'It's just one of the reasons I love coming to work every day … it's just such a lovely environment.' Pope wholeheartedly agrees with that sentiment, saying she notices a huge difference between the Characters vibe and the vibe she has experienced at agencies in L.A. 'It basically was like the difference between getting a massage and getting a root canal, comforting versus clinical,' said Pope, who is busy these days being mom to a seven-month-old boy. 'I suppose it just creates a nice feeling, and it also creates a sense of trust that, to me, is so imperative in an industry that can be full of a lot of deceit and smoke and mirrors.' When asked about change in his business over the decades, Stewart points to the internet as the biggest disrupter. 'The internet changed everything, it really did,' said Stewart. 'We don't even print photos or resumes anymore, everything is online. Back in the '90s, during the heavy-duty pilot season days, we used to spend $60,000 a year (shipping) VHS tapes to and from L.A. during pilot season … Everything is online, including these poor actors who have to audition for themselves in their own homes and post it all.' While actual human interactions have diminished, Stewart still places a great deal of importance on face-to-face experiences. 'Relationships with casting directors and producers that we've all worked with for decades really pay off. But for newer agents, it's really hard and they don't have those relationships,' said Stewart. 'It's kind of a funny joke in my office with my younger agents, it's like, they need to get something done, and then I tell them how to do it, and they start typing on their computer, and I say, pick up the phone. Build a rapport, build a relationship, get to know these people, you will see life change so drastically.' Right now, the TV/film business is in a worldwide slump with production down in the 20 per cent range around the globe. While he acknowledges the slow down, Stewart says Characters isn't panicking. 'As one of the larger agencies in Canada, we're still doing just fine, like literally all my agents are still more than paying their bills and working constantly, and our actors are still doing fairly well,' said Stewart. 'I mean, we do have a higher profile list than some others, but we also have good competition in the city, and we're all feeling a lull, but it is not lull that is stressing anyone out, certainly locally, I think Toronto is a little more stressed because they don't function as much the service industry as we do here. We're very much service oriented.' A service-oriented industry, many local production companies produce American product. 'The American work, even though it's down, I would say 70 per cent of what they are doing is still coming to Canada. So, we're not complaining,' said Stewart. With three-plus decades in the business, Stewart is no stranger to fluctuations in the industry. 'I've been through multiple problems over the 35 years we've been doing this between, you know, three writers strikes, the big SAG strike last year, COVID, I've seen it all. And we always hang in there,' said Stewart. 'There'll be a culling of some of the smaller agencies. A lot of the actors who weren't committed, all that stuff. The hardcore people who are really good at what they do will all stick around.' To the outside world, the role of an agent, thanks in part to Hollywood, is that of a cutthroat character whose moral compass tends to always point toward the money. (Think: Ari Gold from Entourage, Bebe Glazer from Frasier, and Jerry Maguire.) 'Entourage is still the go-to in people's brains as to what an agent does,' says Stewart, referring to Jeremy Piven's character in the show. 'And I very clearly say that is a very exaggerated form of agent.' Stewart admits that some agents in the industry, albeit 'few and far between,' are a little Ari-like. 'Among personalities in the film industry, Tyman is a personality. And beyond that, he's a good man,' said Terry Chen, a Vancouver-based actor who has been repped by Stewart for more than a decade. 'We've been able to do some incredible things while I was based out of Vancouver. You know, House of Cards was a great coup for us that I booked out of Vancouver. Jessica Jones, working for Marvel was another great coup for us. Opening the doors and creating opportunity is what he does.' When asked for any advice veteran actors would offer to newbies looking to sign with an agent, both Pope and Chen offered a few tips. 'I don't think you can ever go wrong with, first and foremost, seeking to find that dynamic that feels supportive, that feels innovative, and that feels excited about you,' said Pope. 'My advice would be trust your gut and find someone who makes you feel seen, but also makes you feel like they're going to fight for you.' For Chen, a professional actor for 25 years, the key to a successful actor/agent relationship begins with research. 'Do your due diligence,' said Chen, adding it is important to look at the person's 'track record' and check out their roster before you meet with them. And, when you do meet with them, pay attention to what they are paying attention to. 'I've been in meetings with agents down in Los Angeles where we were talking about this one agent's ex-girlfriend the whole time, and how he could get back together with her. That was the context and the content of that meeting,' said Chen. 'He was with a huge agency, but I knew he would do nothing for me. So, you know, take the cues and look out for yourself. Because, at the end of the day, this is what you're entrusting in that person is for them to look out for you.' Dgee@
