Scarlett Bruns

Since her first onstage appearance at the tender age of three, Vancouver actress and entrepreneur Scarlett Bruns has held a love for the performing arts. A native of Berlin, Germany, Scarlett immigrated with her family to Vancouver, British Columbia, where her love for the craft flourished. Here, the actress attended Waldorf High School, a private, Arts-focused school in North Vancouver, which encouraged her career as an actress and a creative individual.

Despite achieving acting success at an early age, Scarlett didn’t earn her first leading role until she was 15 in the film, Dreaming in Technicolor, which was shown in numerous international festivals. She has since gained a steady stream of lead roles in film and television productions, including her award winning performance in 2010’s Sunday’s Child, nominated at the Leo Awards, and receiving awards such as Best Film at Las Vegas PollyGrind International Film Festival.

Also See: Exclusive Interview: Vancouver BC Actress, Scarlett Bruns Speaks on her career with ACKCITY; How She Started Acting at The Age of Three

2013 is scheduled to be a busy year for the young actress. Through the early months, she will be carrying the lead role in the pilot for an upcoming television series, Tide Waters, where she is cast as Natalie Costigan, a smart-mouthed, independent-natured detective living within a small island town gripped with the bodies of homicide victims from distant countries washing up upon its shores. During the fall she is will be traveling to Calgary, BC to play the lead role in the upcoming Norman Gerard romantic comedy, Lost Luck, portraying the role of Emma Carlton.

She is also scheduled to appear in a local independent feature film production, Radio Daze, a project which she is also helping to initiate. Aside from this Scarlett has been busy casting and producing the Save BC Film PSA’s that have taken Canada by storm in British Columbia’s efforts to save their film industry.

Also See: Save BC Film; Actress Bruns speaks about challenges in industry

Bruns states that thus far her favorite character to portray has been Bethany Sunday in the film Sunday’s Child, as she felt the role allowed her to explore a very different angle of character than she had previously done. Although the character- a cold blooded murderer, who throughout the film kills three children - was more difficult for her to relate to than any other character of her career (thus far), she describes the role as a “crazy”, “fun” and rewarding experience. “Our cast and crew were amazing, everyone pulled together and overcame challenges, as one does on all film sets, especially low budget ones” she laughs. Scarlett has kept in close contact with a number of cast and crew from the film, a few of which have even gone on to work on numerous other projects with Scarlett. “Julia Stone, who is one of the kids I babysit in Sunday’s Child will actually be playing my younger sister in ‘Heart of Dance’! and Julian LeBlanc will be playing one of the principal dancers” she explains animatedly.

Bruns has an additional interest in behind the scenes work, and has explored several crew positions, producing, writing, and casting. To support her general love for film, at the age of thirteen, Scarlett established Bruns Family Productions, an independent, family run film production company of which Scarlett is the sole owner. “ I have always loved making home videos and editing them. When I was 13 my parents bought a new camcorder and I filmed everything, and I mean everything” she laughs. “I started playing around with editing, which I actually grew to love just as much as filming, and I wanted my video to look professional, so I came up with Bruns Family Productions”. She recalls fondly that she would cast family members as crew “Mom was always Craft Services (catering), my Dad was always Transportation Coordinator, my dog, Bruno was security and so on”. The company has since produced and coproduced a handful of successful independent films, and today specializes in publicity and distribution for independent film productions. The change in direction came about through Scarlett’s love for behind the scenes footage. “I LOVE behind the scenes footage, if I buy a dvd the only deciding factor is the special features” she laughs. ‘With BFP (Bruns Family Productions) focusing on publicity and distribution I get to shoot all the EPK (Electronic Press Kit) footage. I love to edit as well, so filming and editing EPK’s is another creative outlet for me”

In 2007, while ill with a lung condition, the actress penned the script for her company’s first feature length film, Heart of Dance. Scarlett describes being inspired by a recurring dream and, unable to sleep, writing down the story, which she would finish within four days and later present to director Terence H. Winkless. The film, produced by Bruns, who additionally plays a leading role, is largely a commentary and reflection on the tragically high rate of eating disorders within today’s teenage population, particularly in dancers and models. A dancer herself, and having a younger sister who is an international model, this is a topic close to the actresses’ heart.

Seeing numerous girls within her cohort struggle with a negative body image, and eventually losing a friend to the condition prompted Scarlett to give back to her community. Thirty-percent of her company’s profits from Heart of Dance are being donated to the Looking Glass Foundation For Eating Disorders, who have given their full support to the production. A number of talented and well known Canadian actors have also jumped on board the film. Despite being approached by a surprisingly large amount of celebrity actors about the film Scarlett has chosen to once again support her community by only hiring Canadian actors most of which hail from Scarlett’s home of Vancouver, BC. Scarlett and Heart of Dance were recently featured in the Canne’s Film Festival Magazine, All Lights, which has generated a huge amount of press and interest both for Scarlett and the film. Pre-production for Heart of Dance is scheduled to commence this coming Spring.

To support her work in promoting a healthy body image for teenage girls in her feature film, Bruns has recently joined Normal, a local charity organization, in their pledge to educate people about eating disorders, body image and self esteem through arts and mindfulness. Scarlett will continue acting as a guest speaker in high schools across North America to discuss and promote a positive body image this time with the support of Normal. “I’m extremely excited about the partnership with Normal!” she gushes. “They do amazing work, not only in schools but also in the community with fundraisers”. Scarlett has already supported these fundraisers donating a Heart of Dance gift pack and a on set visit with her to their silent auction coming up in February. If you’re interested in bidding, Scarlett asks that you visit charitybuzz.com and search for ‘Heart of Dance’ to bid on both items. To learn more about ‘Normal’ visit their website

Scarlett also actively takes part in numerous other charity organizations, such as the Make a Wish Foundation, BC Children’s Hospital, BC SPCA and the Starlight Foundation, simply to name a few. “I am really passionate about giving back, but also careful. I know that not all of the money donated goes to the actual cause, in many cases only small percentages actually go to the cause; which is why I prefer to volunteer and help in a hands on way or donate items instead.” Scarlett is not alone in realizing and acknowledging this problem. Websites like charitywatch.org give you an insight into which charities are using what percentage of donated funds for the actual cause. Friends and family have described Scarlett as unbelievably positive, with a bubbly energy that is completely contagious! “You never see Scarlett not smiling, especially when she’s on set” reveals a close friend. Scarlett uses the same energy and enthusiasm in her everyday life, working on her own projects whether film or charity related.

Additionally Scarlett has had a career as a Plus-Size Model after being approached in 2009, following her performance in the film Killer Instinct. Although she has since retired from modeling and chosen to focus solely on her film career, Scarlett has appeared on thirteen runways, and been featured in a number of campaigns, an impressive feat, and currently works as a modeling agent at JL Model Talent Management, a Vancouver-based enterprise. As if her dedication to acting, modeling, charity and business have not been remarkable enough, Bruns has run a handmade greeting card business Classy Creations since the age of 15.

So does she hope to make it to Hollywood some day and be household name? “In a perfect world I’d play the lead role on a small Canadian TV show that runs for 10 seasons or something like that” she laughs. “I have no desire to be famous, but I do like to be recognized for my work, so ideally I’d work on a show that people love to watch and when they see me on the street they say oh look it’s that girl from...”. But Scarlett understands that fans come with the territory. “Don’t get me wrong I love my fans, without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I love.

Fans are the ones who enable me to achieve my dreams and I am eternally grateful for that.” It is clear that amid the abundance of self-centered, image-focused actors and actresses within today’s society, Bruns stands out as an example of true talent, passion and dedication. Her hard-working, philanthropic nature is an example to us all, as is her strong desire to positively contribute to her society through addressing and promoting awareness to many significant social problems. Thus it can be clearly concluded that Scarlett Bruns is a true star, and I am sure all will join with us in wishing her great success in all her future endeavors!

Meet Scarlett on Facebook and follow her on Twitter

Category: American Entertainers

Scarlett Bruns

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