Welcome to the Alza Acting Studio & Alza 44films Ltd. Productions.For Alza Acting Studio Schedule Classes - Please lick on tab above called classes. 'Pay in Full' Has secured Distribution. Directed/written and produced by award winning actor/filmmaker, Walter Alza. Starring Natalie Natalli Reznik “So you Think You Can Dance, Finalist) Walter Alza (Get Rich or Die Tryin'). Mike Realba (Saw IV, The House), Alan Van Sprang (Narc, Land of the Dead). Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, of Uruguayan and Vasco Spanol/Italian parents Walter Alza was introduced to the world of entertainment at the early age of five. After moving to Canada to further his career, Alza has earned over 250 hours of screen time as well as more than 40 films, television and theatrical credits to his name. However, while Alza is mostly known for his Leading and Character work, he is also an emerging Canadian director. His first film Redemption, Tears and Trains, garnered him critical acclaim from the media. Since then Alza has created his own production company which enables him to write/produce and direct films that address the ethnic diversity of the Canadian voice, allowing it to be heard at the global level. Because of his tireless efforts to portray diversity in his work, he won the Reel World Film Festival’s Trailblazer Award in 2005 and the City of Toronto Award in 2006. When directing, Alza looks to acclaimed directors Jim Sheridan and Ken Finkelman for inspiration. One of his most recent films, PIF which he wrote and directed, has recently earned distribution rights in Canada and his latest project, Clive Houston We Have a Problem is currently in pre-production. Walter Alza (Get Rich Or Die Tryin’) Since Alza has over 250 hours of screen time as well as more than 40 films, television and theatrical credits to his name during his 20 years in the industry, it comes as no surprise that he has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. He was directed by John Candy in Hostage for a Day (1994), played the hot blooded crooked cop in Direct Action directed by Sidney Furie (Superman 4) and starring Doplh Ludgren (Rocky IV), and made use of his many accents portraying three characters in the film Three and a Half; the homophobic Serbian Igor, the silent construction worker and an Indian man, in this film Alza again received rave reviews from The Sun, Liz Brawn: Walter Gives a Powerful Performance. Other credits include; The Hidden Room (1993) Co-Starring Catharine O’Hara (Home Alone) and Nick Campbell (Robocop); FX the series co-starring Michael Ironside (Terminator Salvation); a junkie in the series Doc Starring Billie Ray Sirus. He was directed in The Stupids, by John Landis (the Blues Brothers, and Michael Jackson Thriller) and worked alongside Lesley Nelsen playing his Assistant in Rent a Kid. You have seen him may times in Due South with Paul Gross and Callum Keith Rennie (Memento) and Alza also changed his appearance for a cameo in The Joe Torre Story sharing the screen with Robert Loggia (Scarface) and Paul Sorvino (Good fellows). Alza has also shared his voice in dozens of films and TV shows including the highly acclaimed feature film Requiem for a Dream, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans, directed by Darren Aronofsky. And finally he did the voice for the award winning documentary In Search of a Dream. Currently Alza is working on several projects in different capacities. Directing and Producing: Clive Houston, We have a Problem, starring and written by Brendan Jeffers (The Weight), to be shot in Feb 2010. He recently secured a distribution deal for the Feature film Pay in Full in which he did not only star, but wrote the screenplay, directed and produced. Alza also produced and directed Open Your Eyes Katarina; a dark drama following a troubled woman looking for her inner light. And finally in its’ last stages of production is The Adventure of Fuming Chu starring Jasmin Geljo (The Sentinel, Gangster Exchange, Land Of The Dead) in which he starred, wrote and directed. When Alza is not busy acting, directing or writing he is either running his production company Alza44Films or working in his acting studio. Here he offers classes on craft, acting on camera and numerous workshops with some of the best casting directors in the city. He has such a tremendous passion for coaching other actors that he has seen many of his students become successful in their own right. They have gone on to star in films, plays, musicals and even write their own scripts that have been produced. Alza is so proud of the development of some of his actors, that usually when he goes to cast any of the films that he is involved in he ends up casting them. Believing in creative collective collaboration, he doesn’t just preach it, he lives it. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, of Uruguayan and Vasco Spanol/Italian parents, Alza made the move to Canada in the late 80’s to pursue acting. He quickly jumped into learning English and training himself in theatre and on-camera at dozens of studios and schools, learning bio-mechanics, method acting and Meisner. In 1991 he emerged in the business and said, “I will not stop until the door opens!” And with that said he has become one of Toronto’s most successful actors. Awards
Reviews on Alza work (available online www.walteraza.com)
Actors/Students feedback (available online www.walteraza.com) Some reviews: Liz Braun, The Toronto Sun "Walter Alza gives an IMPRESSIVE performance"
Star: Re (Get Rich Or Die Trying: Walter, A Scene Stealer) Walter Alza nails the part as a homicidal killer in 'Get Rich or Die Trying' " - Mississauga News Alza co-starred with 50 Cent and Oscar Nominee Terrance Howard in 'Get Rich or Die Trying'; a Paramount Pictures' film with six-time Oscar Nominee and Director Jim Sheridan. Alza played Raoul Del Gato, a New York's King Pin. "Walter Alza is delicious as the testosterone - driven, boorish waiter Slavic." - John Doyle, Globe and Mail Alza plays a jealous, hot-headed Russian room-service waiter name Slavic, in Ken Finkleman's series 'At The Hotel' on CBC. 4 Stars The Globe and Mail: Watch Walter Alza as lead actor on METROPIA, a weekly Canadian TV series rolling out 90 episodes on OMNI 1 and 2: Monday to Thursday 11:00 p.m. and 11:30, and Sundays at 9:00 p.m - A new urban and trendy lifestyle drama from Toronto. It features Alza as Andreas Maradona. With superb work habits & impeccable honesty I watched him work flawlessly with Academy Award winning director Jim Sheridan & first timer 50 cent. In my opinion Walter can be only a help to anyone he works with & will shine in any role he takes on. Omar Miller (Get Rich or Die Tryin', Shall We Dance, 8 Mile, Law & Order, Things We Lost in the FireMiracle at St. Anna; Spike Lee.) Los Angeles -Walter Alza Nails the part as the homicidal killer in Get Rich Or Die trying- Mississauga News
"Walter is the first Canadian -Latin to have a lead role in a series in Canada." TV Guide, El Popular ShowBiz Weekly Toronto- Walter Alza, a multi-talented actor… WALTER ALZA DIRECTING Redemption, Tears & Trains "Very moving!!! A fantastic short, the music truly emphasized the feelings that were unspoken. It's a happy ending that still leaves us with the uestion...what happens next?" -Camilla Di Giuseppe, CityTV (CP24) News Anchor "One of the coolest-looking and most moving short films I have seen in a long time. The combination of emotional acting, gutsy camerawork and colorful digital effects gives it a dream-like quality that reminds me of German silent films in the 1920s. The music adds additional punch with which to draw out the viewers emotions. Despite almost no dialogue, you have given your characters such a human face that only the hard hearted and cynical could watch it and NOT be moved. Good work my friend and best of luck." -Jason Reid, Producer/Writer/ Channel 23 Journalist "Great flick!!! I thought that with the little amount of time you had to write and shoot this short, the outcome is awesome. The actors and the way it was shot depict the story very well. I also like the fact that there is no dialogue, it makes the viewer put their own emotions and thought into what is going on." -Elite Athlete Management "...beautifully shot short drama.." -ZedTV "I just watched Redemption...it was absolutely visually stunning--and a surprise touching ending with the little girl and her father. Congrats Walter, it makes me want to get back to making films." “Walter Alza is a talented storyteller. The acting conveys, without dialogue, the tangled relationships between the protagonists. The camerawork creates an atmosphere fraught with emotion and recrimination. The initially ambiguous plot resolves itself in a surprise ending.” "Walter Alza's Redemption, Trains and Tears is a bold and courageous effort. It is an achievement in DV film making both technically and artistically and engages the audience with its moving story line." Bill Coulter Toronto
Globe and Mail, March 7, 2006 > Star Week, Toronto Star, Oct. 22, 2004 > Press Conference Jan. 11, 2006 > ReelWorld Film Festival, 2005 > El Mondo Latino News, Dec.24, 2004 > Hispanic Magazine, Nov. 2005 > TorontoHispano.com, Nov.2, 2004 > Vida Latina News, Nov./Dec., 2004 >
The ReelWorld Trailblazer Award Winner 2005 The ReelWorld Trailblazer is presented to up-and-coming voices contributing to the cultural diversity making Canada such a vibrant country; an individual in the film and video industry finding new ways to approach the craft; a professional making great strides. Accomplished Walter Alza -- Vida Latina CTV E talk daily Walter: Canada’s very own bad Boy Ever the pioneer in his chosen craft of acting, Walter is now making Canadian theatrical history. Alza is the first Spanish/Canadian actor to have a leading role in a series in Canada. TV GUIIDE , & DIARIO POPULAR THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS quotes, "Walter Alza is the changing face of television.. " "Walter is the first Hispanic/Canadian to have a lead role in a series in Canada". DIARIO Popular & TV GUIDE "Walter Alza, The Most Recognized Latin Actor In Canada" Mundo Latino News (Dec 24, 2004) The Albanian Times Newspaper quotes " Walter Alza as the Best Actor of The Year" Liz Brawn from The Toronto Sun - Walter Alza gives an IMPRESSIVE performance as the hot while ShowBiz Weekly Toronto quoted in its weekly magazine that -A multi-talented actor. It is hard to summarize Walter Alza, but if we would really have to we would say that when talking about him eclectic becomes an understatement. Walter is the bearer of loyalty, a fighter for the underprivileged and lover of peacefulness - all in one. www.salsaspot.com
Hispanic Pride News Jan 2005 (Orgullo Latino) "...It is hard to summarize Walter Alza, but if we would really have to we would say that when talking about him eclectic becomes an understatement. Walter is the bearer of loyalty, a fighter for the underprivileged and lover of peacefulness - all in one..." www.salsaspot.com The Globe and Mail: Metropia 4 stars **** Metropia OMNI.2, Mon to Frid, 11:00 p.m.& 11:30; OMNI.1, Sundays, 9 "This talented actor's extensive and diverse body of work, has made him the most recognizable Latino actor in Canada. Aside from his achievements within the Latin community, Walter is the hope for those that wish to follow in his footsteps." - El Mundo Latino News, Ana Romero-Ramos Ever the pioneer in his chosen craft of acting, Walter is now making Canadian theatrical history. Walter is the first actor of Argentinean/Latin descent to play the lead character in any series ever produced in Canada!!! Walter Alza Press in LA & TO. RE: co-starring as Raoul in Oscar nominee director Jim Sheridan's new film "GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' " and Ken Finkleman's Hotel:
CTV E talk daily (800.000 viewers) Canada’s very own bad Boy Walter Alza's Director Reviews on "Redemption, Tears & Trains" "Redemption, Tears & Trains" "Very moving!!! A fantastic short, the music truly emphasized the feelings that were unspoken. It's a happy ending that still leaves us with the question...what happens next?" "One of the coolest-looking and most moving short films I have seen in a long time. The combination of emotional acting, gutsy camerawork and colorful digital effects gives it a dream-like quality that reminds me of German silent film in the 1920s. The music adds additional punch with which to draw out the viewers emotions. Despite almost no dialogue, you have given your characters such a human face that only the hard hearted and cynical could watch it and NOT be moved. Good work my friend and best of luck." "Great flick!!! I thought that with the little amount of time you had to write and shoot this short, the outcome is awesome. The actors and the way it was shot depict the story very well. I also like the fact that there is no dialogue, it makes the viewer put their own emotions and thought into what is going on." "...beautifully shot short drama.." "I just watched redemption...it was absolutely visually stunning--and a surprise touching ending with the little girl and her father. Congrats walter, it makes me want to get back to making films."
Walter Alza is a talented storyteller. The acting conveys, without dialogue,
Excellent work considering the short time span. Moving choice of music. The "Walter Alza's Redemption, Trains and Tears is a bold and courageous effort. It is an achievement in DV film making both technically and artistically and engages the audience with its moving story line." Bill Coulter Toronto 1
irector/Writer/Teacher Walter Alza has over 20 years of working experience, with over forty Film/TV credits and over 250 hours of Television and Film to his name. Some Recent credits included; Co-Starring in Paramount’s Pictures Get Rich or Die Tryin' with a team of award winning actor’s and directors. CBC’s At the Hotel. And in his Starring role in the series Metropia. Mr. Alza has won the Reel World Trailblazer Award and The City of Toronto Award: prestigious and exciting honors exemplary of his hard work, determination, perseverance and recognition as a leading male actor and artist. Walter also produces and teaches
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