Backrooms, distributed by A24 and directed by Kane Parsons, opened this weekend as the number one film worldwide — pulling in $118 million in its global debut and breaking multiple box office records in a single weekend.

Here’s what that opening weekend looked like:

• #1 movie worldwide with a $118 million global debut
• A24’s biggest opening weekend in the studio’s history
• Largest opening ever for an original horror film
• Highest opening weekend by a first-time director
• Kane Parsons became the youngest filmmaker to helm a worldwide number one film, at just 20 years old

Philip Granger, longtime Head of NIC’s Film Acting Conservatory, is part of it — on screen alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve – as the Meterman.

And Backrooms is only the latest chapter. Philip earned Leo Award nominations for Best Actor in consecutive years — first for The Order opposite Jude Law, and again for Robert. He has since wrapped a project with Oscar-winning director Guy Nativ, joining a cast that includes Bella Ramsey and Carrie Coon, and is attached to Soft Animals, with more in the pipeline. For an actor based in Vancouver, that is not a hot streak. That is a statement.

We are incredibly proud of Phil — as an educator, a mentor, and a working actor who continues to show up for his craft. Backrooms is in theatres now. Haven’t seen it yet? Head to theatres, grab a photo with the poster, and tag Phil (@grangerphilip) — we’d love to see our community showing up for him.

Check out Phil’s profile on IMDb:

Sources

• Forbes — The 5 Box Office Records Backrooms Just Broke In One Weekend (June 1, 2026)
• ‘Backrooms’ Crosses $100 Million in 6 Days to Become A24’s Biggest Movie at Domestic Box Office

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If you ask Phil about his character, he’ll only tell you one thing: “a presence in the hum” — and that’s all he’s giving us.
Backrooms is in theatres now. We’re incredibly proud of Philip and everything he brings to this community — as an educator and as a working actor.

Go see it, and tag Phil in your photos when you do! @grangerphilip

Check out Phil’s page on IMDb too!

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NIC Acting Instructor

Cody is a Canadian actor, writer, director and producer for theatre, television and film. For the past 6 years he has made a name for himself in the film industry with prominent roles on Riverdale (The CW), Daybreak (Netflix), Shadow of the Rougarou (APTN) and starring alongside Bruce Willis in the sci-fi indie Breach.

Cody is a founding member and current artistic director of Vagrant Players Theatre Society, a Vancouver-based theatre company specializing in contemporary, Canadian theatre. He is also the founder and Executive Director of the production company Persephone Pictures.

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NIC Acting Instructor

A multi-talented Canadian actor, writer, and musician who hails from Vancouver Island and now makes Vancouver his home.

With a passion for performance ignited at the age of 12, Michael has seamlessly transitioned from captivating audiences on the theater stage to leaving lasting impressions on screens both big and small.

He began his journey with a notable role in a Disney Star Wars Battlefront television spot, and he was hooked. From there, Michael’s career has flourished, with performances including recurring roles on Firefly Lane and a guest appearance on The Good Doctor embodying the character of Jeff Williams with depth and authenticity, as well as a guest appearance on Wild Cards, taking on the life of Finneas Taylor; A deeply scarred podcaster who specializes in Serial Killers.
Not content to be confined to one genre, Michael has showcased his versatility with a supporting lead role in the chilling anthology series Two Sentence Horror Stories.

In addition to his television work, Michael has also left his mark on the silver screen with his involvement in Soft-Spoken Weepy Cult Child, a feature film that delves into the complexities of rebellion, family dynamics, and love in all its forms.

Although he has played various instruments his entire life (notably piano since the age of 3); only recently he has begun his debut as a composer for film and television, receiving his first Original soundtrack credit for the heart-wrenching short-film A Lifetime Without You directed by Chris Carson.

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SFX students bring horror creature concept to life

The NIC Film Makeup Masters program recently held its Foam Latex Showcase, where students presented completed character builds to peers and supporters. This look, a haunting humanoid pig character complete with a human skin apron and props, is the final piece from this month’s event.

Foam latex is one of the most technically demanding materials in the SFX toolkit. Students worked through the full prosthetic process, from sculpting and mould-making to casting, painting, and final application — developing skills in texture building, realism, and prosthetic application along the way.
What makes this build stand out is the character-driven thinking behind it. The foam latex headpiece was paired with a styled apron, worn gloves, and prop elements to complete a fully realized look. At NIC, students are encouraged to consider not just the makeup, but the full visual story of a character — and this showcase is a strong example of that approach in action.

Builds like this one reflect exactly the kind of work that translates to film. Whether it’s a creature feature or a horror production, the ability to design and execute a fully realized character from the ground up is a skill that matters on set.

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Throughout her career, Kathy has worked with a diverse range of clients, from up-and-coming actors and actresses to established stars. She is known for her keen eye for talent and her ability to spot new and emerging stars. Her clients appreciate her personalized approach and her commitment to their success. To this day, Kathy is still as passionate about the entertainment industry as she was when she first started. She continues to work tirelessly to help her clients achieve their goals and to provide them with the guidance and support they need to succeed.

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Students wrap a week of live performances!

There’s nothing quite like opening night. The weeks of rehearsal, the late runs, the moment everything clicks — and then the curtain goes up, and it all becomes real. That’s exactly what second-year students in NIC’s Film Acting Conservatory experienced when they brought Così to the NIC Theatre stage.

Directed by instructor Marc Anthony, the production ran for a full week of live performances, with students stepping up every night to deliver their best work in front of a real audience. Live theatre has a way of sharpening everything. Students had to sustain their characters across multiple performances, stay connected to their scene partners, and bring genuine energy to every show. The kind of focus and commitment that it takes is something you can only really develop by doing it.

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew — you should be really proud of what you created together. And to everyone who came out to watch, thank you!

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Students in the Film Makeup Masters program gathered to present their final project: a full foam latex prosthetic character, applied to a live model and finished to a professional standard. It’s the project that pulls everything together: sculpting, moulding, casting, airbrushing, and a prosthetic application that can take up to six hours from start to finish. For many students, it’s the moment they get to see just how far they’ve come!

The project is built around the same process used on real film and television productions, so students aren’t just learning techniques; they’re practicing the actual workflow they’ll use in their careers.

Seeing the finished characters on display and the pride on students’ faces was a wonderful reminder of why this kind of hands-on training matters so much. We couldn’t be prouder of everyone who took part, and we’re grateful to all the friends, family, and supporters who came out to celebrate with them!

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Scene selection, rehearsal and getting ready to shoot

Demo reels shooting is just around the corner for second-year students in NIC’s Film Acting Conservatory, and the preparation is well underway.

After selecting their scenes, students get the opportunity to rehearse one-on-one with instructor Pascal, receiving professional direction and blocking to help bring each scene to its full potential. It’s a focused, collaborative process that’s about more than just running lines. It’s about refining the performance, making strong choices, and arriving on set feeling confident and ready.

We’re so excited for shoot day to arrive and can’t wait to share the behind-the-scenes moments and the final cuts with you. Stay tuned!

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Nail students’ training sessions this week!

At NIC, learning a new technique is just the beginning. In the Nails program, every new skill is followed by dedicated practice time, giving students the opportunity to build confidence and consistency before moving on.

Each class includes hands-on assignments that cover the core skills of professional nail work: extensions using forms, gel application, nail prep, filing, and acrylic ombre designs. Working through these techniques repeatedly in a structured environment helps students develop the precision and attention to detail that the industry demands.

This approach to training, learning a technique and then immediately putting it into practice, is what prepares NIC Nails students to work confidently and competently when they graduate.

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