EDITOR JEREMY SALLY THE VOICE, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012 4 Photo finish for imagin Recent graduate of Langara’s Photo Imaging department wins award for her ‘Painted Lady’ portrait By STEVEN CHUA lhree years ago, Jnoanna Tamayo swapped a career in information technology to pursue photogra- phy. The decision has served the Philip- pine native well — as of this November, she has an Applied Arts magazine award to show for it, as well as a front cover feature on the publication’s cur- rent issue. The 25-year-old says the career change was rough. Her decision to pursue the craft as- tonished her parents, who preferred she work with a mouse and keyboard as opposed to a camera and lens. “I sort of hinted it a bit,” says Tamayo. “Because I’m really afraid of our dad... I don’t know how to tell him, I know he’s going be mad.” Several months after, her father fi- nally accepted her decision. Tamayo’s passion began in 2009 when a friend handy with a camera asked her to model in his shoots. But posing for photos wasn’t enough. Tamayo wanted to know what it was like to be the one taking them. She pursued the interest as a hobby for about a year until she visted her sis- ter in Vancouver, who introduced Tamayo to Langara’s photo-imaging program. She enrolled in 2010, despite her ap- prehensions of being in an alien land. “T felt like a nervous wreck,” laughed Tamayo. “It was my first time coming to a foreign country — most of my classmates are white, right? I was like ‘Tm the only Asian student here.” Langara photo-imaging instructor Catharine O’Brien-Bell remembers Tamayo as a quiet student hungry to learn. “She wasn’t the sort of person that stood out from the crowd,” O’Brien- Bell says. “She improved dramatically and became confident but quietly so.” Tamayo says staying flexible and open to her photo team’s opinions, es- pecially the makeup artist, was what led to the creation of the Painted Lady. She currently works for Artona Stu- dios, and hopes to start a photography firm with several of her friends. 11) OME DESIGNERS JHOANNA TAMAYO and STEVEN CHUA photos Jhoanna Tamayo (bottom) and her photo ‘Painted Lady’ have won a cover page on Applied Arts Free pass inspires city residents Library hosted program gives Vancouverites deluxe access to big attractions at no cost By RYAN BANAGAN spiration Pass program became available to city residents. The program is a free recreational and cultural pass program that gives Vancouver residents and their families the opportunity to check out some of the city’s top attractions. Participating partners include the Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World, and more. “Tt’s just a phenomenal way for peo- ple to experience the city who might not previously [have] had the opportu- nity to do so,” said Stephen Barrington, the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Vancouver Public Li- brary. “Vancouver is r4 4 a world class city with tremendous oo facilities. Thede- It’s justa sire was to make phenom- that as accessi- ble as possible to enal way as many people as possible.” for people The pass also to expert- grants residents ence the access to skating . ” rinks, pools, and city cee pitch-and-putt 0: November 1, the Vancouver In- Stephen golf courses Barrington To borrow a VPL pass, one must be a Vancouver resident age 14 or older with a valid Vancouver Public Library card. International students with a Van- couver mailing address are also eligi- ble. Passes are lent out for two weeks One pass grants admission to a fam- ily of two adults and up to four chil- dren, or up to six young people ages 14 to 18. The pass has already generated massive demand. “The problem with the Inspiration Pass is that it’s going to take you two years to get,” said Linda Demps, a li- brarian at the Kitsilano Public Library. “There is such a high demand right now and we only have five passes to give out.” There are only 120 passes in the VPL’s system. Barrington says that shouldn’t deter people from reserving one. “The experiences they can have are unbelievable.” Studio 58's Government Inspector digs up laughs Showtimes HE The Government Nov. 15 - Dec. 2. ME luesday: $12.25 By GILLIAN HAMES ME Wednesday & Camp and cliche rule in this outrageous, large and Inspector runs from fun production thanks a strong cast’s riotous acting - Adults: $20.75 ernment Inspector is a visually Thursday S:= 58’s production of The Gov- - Seniors/Students: $19.75 Friday & Saturday: $24.75 Matinee's (Sat/Sun at 3:00pm): $14.25 ticketstonight.ticketforce.com entertaining, laugh-out-loud com- edy depicting a provincial Russian vil- lage thrown into chaos when a govern- ment inspector comes to review the town. Slapstick gags and broad comedy moments delighted a full house open- ing night last Saturday. The audience was extremely receptive and rarely a moment went by where laughter or ap- plause couldn’t be heard. Characters often directly addressed the audience throughout the perfor- mance, including Tim W. Carlson’s character who drunkenly stumbled into the audience, berating them near the end of the first act. Set in the early 1800s, The Govern- ment Inspector portrays corruption, bribery, ambitious officials and subse- quent hijinks. Based on Nikolai Gogol’s 1836 novel, the plot centers on a case of mistaken identity, a typical comedic plot device bordering on cliché. However, the strong cast and crew kept the story fresh, with quick scene changes and snappy dialogue. The audience always has something to look and laugh at, with compelling performances by both main and sup- porting cast members. “Everything is just so outrageous and large and fun,” said Carlson. “[But] it’s very sharp. Everything has its point. All the gags serve the story.” Stephanie Izsak, playing the role of Anna Andreyevna, stole the show. Her confident portrayal of the may- or’s over-the-top, social-climbing wife had audience members laughing even when she wasn’t delivering a line. Despite three costume changes, a hairstyle that defied gravity and make- up that wouldn’t look out of place in a circus show, she looked completely at home on the stage. “When you're working with farce this size, it’s very technical,” said Iz- sak. “You want the pace to be very crisp.” Both Joel Wirkkunen, a Studio 58 alumnus who plays the pompous may- or, and Carlson, portraying the charm- ing con artist Ivan Alexandreyevich Khlestakov mistaken to be the illustri- ous inspector, had solid performances. Besides the campy comedy and elab- orate costumes, the play’s strength lies in its humanity. The townsfolk are unintelligent, yet conniving people who don’t hesitate to bribe the inspector for personal gain. Still, they are people who’ve had few opportunities but are still trying to bet- ter themselves the only way they know how. “There’s a little bit of us in these dis- gusting characters,” Carlson said. The Government Informant runs un- til December 15. Matinee rates run over the weekend and students enjoy Tuesday discounts.