NBC on the hunt for Native talent

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Media giant NBC and the Oneida Nation in the United States have joined forces for the second consecutive year to showcase Native talent.

Comedians and writers will compete in the second annual Four Directions Talent Search in auditions across Canada and the U.S. throughout October and November.

Four Directions Talent Search was created to increase the presence of Indigenous performers and writers on television, with the expectation of identifying Native actors, comedians and writers, and furthering their career opportunities.

Participants who win at the regional level will proceed to semi-finals at the Oneida Nation's Turning Stone Casino Resort in Verona, N.Y. The finalists will proceed to NBC's performance space facility in New York City's Soho district on Nov. 8.

"Breaking into the entertainment industry is difficult for anyone, but especially for Native Americans and the Aboriginal peoples of Canada who have talent but don't always have access to the opportunities. The Four Directions Talent Show hopes to open doors," said Mark Emery, director of media relations for the Oneida Nation. "There's a real shortage of talent from Native people in the film and television industry. In fact, a recent UCLA study noted that they were virtually invisible."

NBC has identified the areas of comedy and writing as being particularly lacking in representation.

"NBC has taken a real step forward in trying to bring Aboriginal people into the industry, both in front of the camera and behind," said Emery. "They have a need to have talent from all audiences and they are concerned with representation from all segments of the population."

To register for the regional rounds, participants must provide a copy of their tribal identification card, a resume, and a brief description of the material they will perform. Writers may submit a screenplay, script, or short story for review.

"Application forms are available from the Web site at www.fourdirectionstalent.com and questions can be answered at (315) 829-8399," said Emery. With 16 audition sites across the two countries, performers should find it fairly easy to travel to a location nearby.

Last year's producer Lou Viola of NBC was impressed with the quality of the 200-plus performers seen at the inaugural competition.

"We've been very surprised and encouraged by the level of expertise and professionalism we've seen so far. We're looking for people with the potential to make it on the air and we're getting them," he said.

Aboriginal comedian Don Kelly joined semi-finalists at the Oneida Nation last year and plans on participating in the talent search again this year. The Ottawa man who works for the Assembly of First Nations in the communications department has kept busy for the past seven years, entertaining audiences throughout the city and across Ontario. He said competing in an international talent show is a valuable experience.

"I went to New York City to the finals and it was great to meet the other performers, both the Canadians and the Americans," he said. "There is a great variety and depth of talent amongst the Aboriginal entertainers."

NBC and the Oneida Nation have done a great job of showcasing the talents of the comedians and writers of Indigenous heritage, he added. "The fact that they are running another event this year shows that NBC is committed to ensuring access to opportunities for everyone in the entertainment business."

NBC and producer Lou Viola are very influential in developing the careers of the entertainers who participate.

There were folks with important names observing last year's performances, such as the producer of the popular former TV comedy series Seinfeld.

"The talent of the finalists was being sized up for possible appearances in major productions," Kelly said, whose appearance in the finals was followed up by an invitation to appear on various stand-up comedy presentations.