Bio

Yolanda Beasley is a writer/actor/model.

Writing

A former advertising executive, Yolanda knows a thing or two about what makes people tick and what sells.  She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in business and went on to study screenwriting at Ryerson University and U.C.L.A..   Through her memberships with LIFT (the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers Toronto) and WIFT (Women in Film and Television) she absorbed everything she could about filmmaking.  She directed a live call-in television show at Rogers Television, worked as a PA on the CBC’s Fifth Estate, and after three years moved on to work at a digital broadcaster in charge of corporate communications.

Comedy is her specialty.  She writes character-driven sophisticated verbal comedy for both film and television.  She likens her writing style to a cross between Norah Ephron and Bret Easton Ellis.  At a recent script reading, her original pilot was praised by noted actors and writer/director, Ken Finkleman.  Not long ago, two of her original series garnered serious interest from a local production company and landed her an agent with Characters Literary.

Most recently, Yolanda attended the Screenwriters’ Expo in Los Angeles and currently has several scripts out to production companies, agents and management companies.  Stay tuned.

Representation: Currently seeking

Acting (ACTRA Member)

Not only does Yolanda write comedy, but she performs it too.  She studied improv at Second City and The Impatient Theatre Company where the Creative Director called her “*@#$ing hilarious”.  She has performed with some of North America’s top improvisers from the likes of UCB, Second City, ITC, Bad Dog, etc., and inspired others to take up the craft.  For her performance in the film “Giving Joey The Finger” at the 48 Hour Film Challenge, she received a Best Actress nomination.  She has appeared in both film and television, such as the History Channel’s Mob Stories II and Urban Legends, and The Ron James Show.

Representation: currently seeking

Modeling

Yolanda began modeling as a teenager.  She booked fashion shows and landed an agent in New York before deciding to make the move to London England and to advertising.  A few years later, she returned to it mostly as a hobby, quickly booking several print ads and runway shows.  Most recently she appeared in Love You to Pieces’ charity fashion show for Juvenile Diabetes and can be found in the Stone Tile ad campaign set to run in Toronto Life magazine, billboards and online.

Representation: self-represented

Contact info:

Modeling or acting bookings: please contact her directly.

For more information on screenwriting or to request a script, you can also email her directly.

Fan mail: please feel free to contact her here.  She responds to all messages and loves to hear from you!