Child Actor Coach Brings Hollywood to Sri Lanka

BY JEAN PAUL ZAPATA

When the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka sought a multi-talented individual to direct two filmmaking camps in politically sensitive regions this past August, they looked no further than Glendale resident Constance Tillotson.

 

Known as a trailblazer, Tillotson returned from Sri Lanka and the Maldives where she overcame language barriers and cultural boundaries to direct two camps that introduced the native participants to script writing and acting for the first time.  

In each country, eight short films documented the beautiful and often ugly nuances of the participants’ lives.  They are intended to promote education, rehabilitation and co-existence through the universal language of art. Tillotson is using her L.A. based “On-the-Set” Acting Camp as a model for both camps.

“Artistic expression is a vital element of personal evolution,” says Tillotson.  “Children can become stronger, release fear and garner compassionate leadership skills through film making.  I am honored to present these avenues to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.”  

 

Throughout her career, Tillotson has fostered actors to helm roles ranging from Nickelodeon and Disney TV shows to blockbuster feature films. A California native, Tillotson is CEO of Sterling Silver Studio, a premiere acting studio for young performers in Los Angeles and San Diego.  She also presides as National Vice-Chair of the Screen Actor’s Guild Conservatory where she serves as Director of Young Performers.

The first camp took place in a rehabilitation clinic in the Maldives, where the group of 47 Muslim men and two Muslim women  are all recovering heroin addicts.  Enrolled in the program for at least one year, the 17 to 35 year olds were directed by Tillotson in creating their short films.

 

After learning of the success of the premiere of the films, Vice President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohammed Waheed Hassan, called a meeting with Tillotson and invited her to represent the United States as a special speaker in the first anti-drug summit of the region, the Future Search Conference on Preventing Drug Abuse.

 

The second camp took place in Sri Lanka with children ages 12 to 17, who are reeling from the recent culmination of their country’s 25-year civil war with the Tamil Tigers.  Tillotson brought together for the first time children from different regions in this camp, face-to-face, a task made slightly easier by the interpreters present since the participants only speak the native language of the region. It was the first time any of the children had met an American.

 

“I am transferring my energy, knowledge and expertise of the entertainment industry in the hopes to create strength and positivity on a global level,” Tillotson notes.

The children made a special visit to MTV studios, Moratuwa University and other cultural venues located in the capital of Colombo. For many, it was the first exposure they out of their native villages.

 The Galle Film Festival in Sri Lanka will premiere screening of all the children’s films at their event in December.

Tillotson  recently accepted the position of cultural envoy in Sri Lanka. She will oversee and develop a training program for their local directors so that her films camps can take place several times a year offering the opportunity for more children to participate.

For more information on Constance Tillotson: www.sterlingstudioactors.com

Jean Paul Zapata is a Valley Boy, born and raised in Reseda. Currently, Jean Paul serves as Account Executive of CS Communications, a full-service public relations agency based in Sherman Oaks.  He is also a manager of Hamburger Mary’s in West Hollywood, an open-air and open-minded bar and grill.  The son of Colombian and Peruvian immigrants, he graduated from CSUN with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, emphasis on Public Relations and a minor in English. For clients, associates and writing samples, please visit Zapata Interest Section.