News and Reviews - Winter 08 Page 2

Bryon McKim, right, focuses on native mythology & sprituality.

Success in the performing arts takes time, tenacity and talent. Case in point: Byron McKim and his terrific journey to date. Byron has achieved a sense of fulfillment that many of us just dream about. He pursued his passion through sacrifice, dedication and patience.

A funny thing happened on the way to work

Byron hails from Dresden, Ontario, but left home at the age of 18, packing his outgoing personality, perseverance and positive attitude to study Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, he worked with Stelco in the Ingersoll lime quarries. His early roles were in management, overseeing the process of limestone mining. While in Ingersoll, Byron saw a play produced by Woodstock Little Theatre. Although he doesn’t remember the name of the production, he still recalls how he became enamored with the whole theatrical package.He loved it so much that he auditioned at his first opportunity and, much to his surprise, was given a lead role.Thus began a passion that consumed many of his evenings with various theatrical groups in London, Woodstock, and Ingersoll. Byron’s roles varied from stage manager, lighting operator, set design to actor and, ultimately, director. His vacations were spent immersed in theatrical courses, including Theatre Ontario’s two-week intensive sessions. In the meantime, Byron’s daytime job provided an opportunity to move to Mississauga, where he became involved with new theatrical families, Brampton Little Theatre and Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. The Dinner Theatre performed across the GTA as well as on the road: Muskoka, Talisman, Niagara wineries and company functions. “Where else can you have a job that lets you become someone else, entertain people to make them laugh, get a great meal, get paid for it and receive applause?” Byron asks. Unequivocally, the answer is nowhere.

Pursuing the dream

By 1993, Byron was experiencing full throttle success in all areas of his life. After taking an introductory film course at Ryerson, he realized that he wanted to learn much more. But taking the usual path was not in the cards. Byron heard about a “gorilla film school” called Vancouver Film School, where practical experience was taught right from the beginning, as opposed to the theoretical approach taken at universities. (Norman Jewison’s Canadian Film Centre was not yet established). So Byron quit his well-paid job, packed up his “life” (including his new wife), sold his car, bought a bicycle, and found a place to live in Vancouver. After 10 months, he graduated with a Certificate of Excellence, with state-of-the art film experience in directing and production design. After graduation, Byron was admitted into the Directors Guild of Canada and quickly found work as a Production Assistant, an entry level position that put Byron to the “commitment test” early on. One day he received a radio call from the Location Manager asking him to remove “dog mess” from the set. “It was a moment of truth, like no other,” Byron recalls. “But I stuck with it.” (No pun intended.) In time, Byron earned higher positions - until that humbling moment when he realized that his focus must ultimately be on writing and directing.

No looking back

Byron’s writing career was inspired by Ovide Mercredi’s captivating tale of his reincarnation from a poor, drunken man to grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He began a spiritual journey of his own to understand the aboriginal people. His first award-winning short film, Back to Turtle Island, drew ideas from Mercredi’s life and was awarded Best Short Film Drama at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco. Byron’s efforts over the last few years have been aired on Bravo! The first was Quest, for which he was nominated in 2004 for a Gemini award for Best Direction in a Performing Arts program. The lead dancer was nominated for Best Performer. His current performing artistry being aired
on Bravo! On Monday nights is Dancing With Spirit. The two year writing, directing and producing effort focuses on native mythology and spirituality. The cycle of life is presented with the cycle of seasons, amidst natural outdoor elements, filmed across various Canadian landscapes. Find out more about Byron at www.soaringheartpictures.com and www.kingofsiam.ca.