Neil began working in the film industry back in 1983 as an apprentice film editor in Los Angeles working on documentaries and industrials. During that time period he also took some acting classes and did background work and a few small speaking roles.
It was in 1994 when he started training and coaching actors in Vancouver, a city he has spent most of his life in. During the 90’s Neil had the fortune to meet and be taught by one of the greatest acting teachers of all time, Warren Robertson.
While acting in such well known productions as The A-Team, Watchmen (the movie), Fringe (series), etc., Neil continued to train actors not only in Vancouver but across Canada and around the world – mainly in Africa – Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa.
With his extensive film editing experience, acting experience and acting coaching experience, Neil was ready to step into the role of Director. And he did. Producer Dorothy Ghettuba, who is now Director Content, Series and Film, Africa @ Netflix, invited Neil to Kenya where he did all the casting and directing of 150+ episodes of drama for national and international audiences. He then took the natural progression to write teleplays and screenplays and produce them as well. More recently, Neil has been commissioned to write and direct four feature films – Blind Justice (a book adaptation), White Gold, Grassroots and The Vanquished. The first two screenplays are complete and the other two are being written concurrently.
Neil’s production company, Troy Pictures Inc., has partnered with Buffalo 8 (A Bondit Company) who are Executive producers for the feature film.
The Vanquished – proof of concept
Grassroots – proof of concept
As Neil’s experience with writing and directing expanded, so too did his ability to coach and train actors. Neil brings that unique and valued view of an accomplished writer/director/actor and acting coach to every training session. His wealth of experience and information, and his encouraging teaching style empowers his acting students to new heights and abilities.
With limited time to coach every actor that wants his expertise, Neil has put together a series of online acting lessons from the beginner (neophyte) level to a professional level (thespian).
There are two streams of training available. One is that of enhancing your skills as an actor starting with the very basics of how to prepare a monologue (one character talking) to working the close up in a five page scene. The other stream is for your business. Since actors are the CEO’s of their business, Neil imparts the behind the scenes ins and outs of the film and TV industries which is essential to any actor advancing their career into full time work.
If you wish to work with Neil directly and in real time, he occasionally has openings for one-on-one, live Zoom sessions and he does do live, in-person workshops in major centres across Canada.
As you advance as an actor in your career and skills, you may want to take advantage of commissioning Neil to write and direct a short film that not only enhances your demo reel, shows off your best acting skills and gives you the opportunity to submit to film festivals of import but also makes you a producer and the owner of the IP (Intellectual property) that has the potential to be developed into a series or a feature film.
You can only book private, one-on-one time with Neil or commission him to write and direct when he is not on set directing. Please enquire to see if his schedule has openings for you.
NEWSLETTER
Neil writes a newsletter on all things film from his perspective in live action and animation.
https://embeds.beehiiv.com/55591355-12b0-4514-a4df-792fa43a645c
Series – drama
Neil’s writing has been noticed. It has been inspired from his experiences living and working in Kenya and South Africa for the past 15 years. He created a series entitled Oasis along with Loyce Kareri. Original Pictures, based in Toronto (Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo, etc.), have partnered with him. Oasis has received development funding from the Canadian Media Fund and the South African National Film and Video Foundation.
OASIS – Organization of African Security Intelligence Services
An idealistic human rights lawyer from South Africa joins a multinational African counter-terrorism organization called OASIS and finds herself in the middle of an underground battle for the continent.
Animation
Neil also created the animated series Maxus about a young Kenyan named Max who is bestowed with the power of a superhero and the responsibility of defeating a villainous alien to save his family, his continent and the world. Story and characters created by Neil, pilot teleplay written by Neil in consultation with Ian Kimanje (Uganda) for authenticity with story edited by Ndinda Kioko (Kenya) who also contributed to authenticity. Illustrations of the characters by Richwealth Orphan (Soweto, South Africa). A 3 minute proof of concept animation is now available.
Feature Films
Neil has eight projects in development – five as a writer/director/producer, two as producer/director, one as writer directer and one as director. He was commissioned to write and direct the feature film White Gold set in the nefarious world of elephant poaching in East Africa. Filmed in May/June 2022.
Blind Justice is an adaptation of a novel of the same name written by Thomas Nyandoro. Adaptation written by Neil and to be directed by Neil. Troy Pictures Inc. is producing this film. Executive Producer, Buffalo 8.
The Silver Thimble Gang, story by Marnie Madden, is being produced by Troy Pictures Inc. and directed by Neil.
Grassroots, written by Neil and to be directed by Neil. You can see the proof of concept short film above.
The Vanquished, written by Neil. Troy Pictures will be producing and Neil will be directing.
Maxus is an animated African superhero feature film written by Neil (see above). “Maxus:The New King”a finalist in the prestigious AfroAnimation Short Film Festival in Los Angeles and was picked up the online TV channel FoxSOUL. t
This is being produced by Troy Pictures Inc.
One Bullet is a story of how poverty and violence can adversely affect young men. Directed by Neil. Action/Crime shooting in Toronto area 2026.
Romeo Niner is based on a true story about a Brit to immigrates to Kenya to work in the agriculture sector and winds up being a Police Reservist who operates like a vigilante in Nairobi fighting crime. Written and directed by Neil, produced by Troy Pictures Inc.
Acting Coach
Neil has been coaching actors across Canada and around the world for over 3 decades. Actors in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Cape Town, Nairobi and Lagos have all benefited from his expertise and unique ability to help actors reach their full potential.
An Actors Training Route
After coaching actors for 30+ years, Neil isolated the key steps to developing a successful acting career – a route which he himself had followed and has helped many actors follow as well.
Neil Schell 