After two months auditioning for six different characters, Fort Liard resident Stevie Nande became part of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. Now, he is working on other exciting projects.
The live-action series, with a second season in production, is based on an animated show that aired from 2005 to 2008. The show’s plot includes four nations that represent the elements of earth, water, air and fire.
In the first season’s eighth episode, Nande played the role of a small boy’s father (you can find him about 13 and a half minutes in). While it’s a brief scene, he spent a significant amount of time self-taping auditions for his agent before he eventually reached the attention of the show’s casting director.
To protect a show’s identity during initial filming, TV companies often use fake names for their productions. At first, Nande thought he was auditioning for a movie named Red Dawn.
“They didn’t want any information leaking out because it is such a known TV show,” he said. “I auditioned for multiple characters in the series, from episode one all the way to episode eight.”
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Nande described his experience working on Avatar as “fun” because he did not know who he was going to share the screen with until he was on the set. He was excited to work next to American actor Amber Midthunder.
“I didn’t know what I was walking into,” he said.
“I was standing behind the camera while they were filming the rest of the scene, that I wasn’t in, but it was actually a lot of fun to just stand by and watch how things work on a big set like that.
“It was really helpful to just stand inside and see how the [technical] side of acting works.”
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Avatar also features the work of Indigenous designers, some of whom are from the NWT. In a February interview, Tuktoyaktuk’s Christina King said it was difficult to keep her involvement with the show a secret for more than two years. Inuvik resident Donna Wolki said she was excited to showcase her passion for sewing on a big platform.
Nande moved to British Columbia roughly seven years ago to pursue a career in acting. He attended the Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts with the help of a scholarship.
“It was something that I always dreamed of doing since I was a little kid. I was always interested in the film industry and acting just seemed like so much fun. Such a fun job to make a career. I just kept on chasing and dreaming,” he said.
Besides Avatar, Nande has taken part in independent productions. His most recent appearance was in a short film called Shacktown.
He said the “whole reason” he wanted to be a part of Avatar was to inspire young people in Fort Liard. Through the acting process, he learnt a lot about himself and what he is “capable of doing.”
“I really wanted to motivate the kids back home, to give them hope that they have big opportunities,” he said.
“I hope they can chase their dreams, because that’s what I am doing right now and this is kind-of for them, in a way. I am hoping that them seeing me on shows like Avatar gives them motivation.”
