www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 3, 2015 | 36 Artscene Twelve-year-old Kasey Lea is James Dean's cousin in LIFE, starring Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff "Connected to your Community" Oakville boy gets Hollywood debut in James Dean film ey had only been acting for about a year and a half (before); his first role was on Hemlock Grove when he was nine," she said. Kasey's other previous works include roles on TV's Rookie Blue, the pilot episode of Horizon and short film Jack in the Box, the official selection of the Starz Denver Film Festival for 2013. "(Kasey) is a really chatty, sociable person but not in a gushing way, he's pretty cool and calm about life, and is generally interested in people," said Gillian. "We loved the idea of the movie, and I was telling him everything I knew about James Dean and what an icon he was, and the whole LIFE magazine deal." Gillian said she was glad her son had the opportunity to work alongside Pattinson and DeHaan because of their big reputations as actors. "I think Kasey has been inspired by their commitment to the process and how focused they were. On the drive back from his last day of shooting he thanked me for giving him the opportunity to act -- that is just like him. "He's pretty goofy but a really good kid," she added. When asked how he felt about his debut in film, Kasey said he was excited to see what will be ahead of him in the acting world and is looking forward to working on more projects and meeting others in the business. "I'm still auditioning, going to school, playing hockey -- just being pretty regular," he added. Oakville's Kasey Lea is getting his Hollywood debut tomorrow (Friday) with the release of a film about James Dean. The 12-year-old plays Cousin Markie, James Dean's younger cousin in the Anton Corijn-directed LIFE, which stars Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan. The film follows LIFE magazine photographer Dennis Stock (played by Pattinson) and his spread of the thenunknown James Dean (DeHaan). Dean takes Stock to his Indiana homestead to meet the family that raised him, where he meets Cousin Markie, who is featured in a number of photos in the now-famous magazine spread. "I was really shocked when I heard I'd got the role of Cousin Markie," Kasey told the Oakville Beaver, who noted he had almost given up hope on getting the part after meeting the director, but then not hearing back for nearly two months after. "I remember telling my mom, `I guess I didn't get it,' and she said that I had done well to have met the director. Then, I think I got the call from my agent a day or so later." The River Oaks Public School student said he was a little anxious meeting stars Pattinson and DeHaan as "they are pretty intimidating talents." "But when I got on the set, I felt really comfortable around them and they talked to me and made me laugh," said Kasey. "My mom has a photo of Dane sharing a game on his phone with me and it's kind of spooky because it's just like the picture of James Dean and Markie reading comics together." Kasey's mom, Gillian Lea, said she has been really proud of her son and his "down-to-earth" attitude during the whole process of being in the film. "Getting this role was a big surprise for both of us as Kas- River Oaks Public School student Kasey Lea, 12, has his Hollywood debut in the upcoming film LIFE, which follows LIFE magazine photographer Dennis Stock and his now-famous spread of the then-unknown James Dean. The film comes out tomorrow (Friday) | supplied photo by John Bregar Oakville Galleries takes home top honours at OAAG Oakville Galleries recently took home top honours at the 38th annual Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG) awards night. "The OAAG Awards have consistently revealed the expanse and richness of art production on the part of Ontario's public art galleries," Shirley Madill, president of the OAAG board of directors and executive director at Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, said in media release. The 2015 OAAG Awards were presented at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto and are annual, province-wide, juried art gallery awards of artistic merit and excellence. It recognizes exhibitions, publications, programs, and community partnerships commissioned and produced by Ontario's public art galleries. Oakville Galleries was recognized for its following work in 2014: · Innovation in a Collections-based Exhibition Award -- Samuel Roy-Bois' exhibit Not a new world, just an old trick; · Curatorial Writing Award (Short Essay) -- Jon Davies for Roula Partheniou's exhibit Tongue and Groove; · Design Award (Digital Project) -- redesign of the Oakville Galleries website (oakvillegalleries.com) by Bluesponge Studios; · Honourable mention for Exhibition of the Year Award -- Roula Partheniou's exhibit House & Home & Garden. Happy Holidays from om Film.Ca! Star Wars: The Force Awakens Opens December 17th! Tickets available now Give the gift of movies for the holidays Film.ca Cinemas gift cards can be loaded with any amount you wish Cards can also be used to collect Loyalty Points for FREE movies & snacks Perfect for anyone on your list this season! 171 Speers Road (at Kerr) Oakville 905-338-6397 www.film.ca facebook.com/filmca @FilmCaCinemas Purchase in theatre or at film.ca