jessel magazine / spring 2022

Making contact with Aleks Paunovic in the first NFT movie

Into the woods: The amazing future of sustainable architecture

A need for speed: Brian Jessel’s passion for fast cars and auto racing

The access to and acquisition of land has driven much of the growth in the Fraser Valley. From Metro to Translink, to a changing climate and people, to startups and established business, to immigration and settlement; Land has been woven into the very core of what makes the Fraser Valley a great place to do business. Here’s to the next 25 years!

– Joe

LAND

SEA ROCK DEVELOPMENTS’ HARMONIOUS APPROACH TO ULTRA-LUXURY HOME DESIGN IS STRIKING A CHORD IN

WHITE ROCK — AND ABROAD

“We’re all about the lifestyle here the ocean and beaches, the parks and wide-open spaces,” Sharon says. “That’s why we design and build homes here; we fell in love with all it has to offer. We call it home.” The scenic landscapes certainly add to the WOW factor. Kaz and Sharon elevate them by integrating natural elements into their designs. “We strive to create a harmonious balance of flow and function that builds on what the location already offers and augments it with timeless artistic application,” Sharon says.

But they don’t equate their artistic vision to size or price tag. It’s about an organic symmetry of delightful custom features, intuitive functionality and unparalleled finishing inspired by art and nature, and unmatched anywhere else... in this part of the world, anyway. “There’s nothing that’s not possible,” Kaz says. Their “sky’s-the-limit” approach to building and design has put them in a unique position to serve a select clientele.

“Some of our clients are high-profile people with homes around the world, Kaz says, they want their estate here to be a showpiece they can be proud of, especially when entertaining guests.”

Favourite destinations for inspiration are Italy, France, Spain and New York

Generating creative ideas that match their clients’ tastes and functional needs usually starts abroad, with their clients traveling with them to get a sense of what inspires them. Their favourite destinations for inspiration are Italy, France, Spain and New York, where timeless art and culture can be found around every corner, and where structures are built to stand the test of time. Their penchant for working with natural materials arises from their desire for both quality and longevity, while carefully selected finishes are chosen for their ability to bring the outdoors inside.

The Art of Fine Custom Home Building

SEA ROCK DEVELOPMENTS is a master custom home builder of luxury homes establishing a tradition of excellence. From concept to completion, we are different in the quality, artistry, and innovation we bring to every home. With top quality craftsmanship of our in-house team, access to latest technologies and materials from around the world, and creative solutions, we build not just homes but lifestyles. Our commitment to the principles of quality, efficiency and integrity ensures that each home we build is a reflection of the high standard of excellence associated with Sea Rock Developments.

THE ELECTRIFYING FUTURE OF BMW

Jim Murray shares his thoughts on the exciting arrival of the all-electric BMWs in British Columbia.

18/ A NEED FOR SPEED

Brian Jessel reveals his lifelong passion for fast cars and auto racing, and some thoughts on Formula E racing in Vancouver.

22/ ARE WE GOING TO MAKE IT?

When it comes to all-electric vehicles , are we anywhere close to getting over our range anxiety?

26/ THE SKYE’S THE LIMIT

Surrey’s full-service real estate marketing firm, Skye Marketing, is doing something right because they’re on fire.

MAKING CONTACT WITH ALEKS PAUNOVIC

Playing a leading role in the world’s first-ever NFT movie alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins, the Winnipeg-born actor shares his unusual journey to stardom.

DON TAYLOR

The legendary sportscaster opens up about his journey in the radio and TV business.

52/ 604 RECORDS

Jonathan Simkin shares the accidental success of his iconic record label.

58/ GOOD WINE MAKES GOOD FRIENDS

Frank Gigliotti gives us a taste of how California Cult Classics became the premium wine club of Vancouver.

64/ INTO THE WOODS

The amazing future of sustainable architecture.

THE BMW 330 e: DRIVE IT AND LOVE IT

BMW ’s sassy new Plug-in Hybrid electric vehicle elevates the ride to glide.

76/ BLOCKCHAIN & CRYPTO

Scratching the surface of the disruptive and transformative blockchain technology.

80/ BEAUTY MISSION

Ana Allen shares her passion for the beauty industry and her mission to help others.

38/ NFT 101

A beginner’s guide to understanding non-fungible tokens and a look at the jaw-dropping art world in the metaverse.

President and CEO

Brian Jessel

Managing Partner

Jim Murray

Sales & Marketing Manager

Abdel Karim Awwad

Editor/Creative Director

Guylaine Rondeau

Contributing Creative Director

Julia Ouspenska

Contributing Editors

Joe Leary

Lin Stranberg

Contributing Writers

Jane Mundy

Lisa Manfield

Clare E Coughlan

Tania Cheffins

Tiffany Sloan

Leeta Liepins

Aurela Nasedkin

Cover

Aleks Paunovic actor

Hubert Kang photographer

Sarah D’Arcey stylist

Farrah Sanei makeup artist

Harry Rosen wardrobe

Contributing Photographers

Barry Calhoun page 20 ( left)

Hubert Kang cover, page 30, 35

Dylan Dufault page 47, 48, 49, 52

Mark Maryanovich page 54

Lia Crowe page 58, 60

Andrew Latreille page 68, 69

Vancouver Biennale, Nicole Wild page 79

Camilla Hrytzak page 80, 82, 83

Other Image Sources

BMW pages 23, 24, 73

Renderings

Perkins & Will page 65, 66, 67

Published by Brian Jessel BMW 2311 Boundary Road, Vancouver, BC V5M4W5

TURNING WINE INTO WATER

The Gargoyle Wine Club is helping make miracles come true for tens of thousands around the globe.

84 92

BMW EVENTS IN PICTURES

Yes, we do love a party. But most of all, we love to connect with our community.

98/ FORMULA E

88/ SEXY IN THE CITY

From a casual day in stylish comfort to a swanky evening on the town, bring your unique sense of style to the city for all the world to see.

Everything you need to know about the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and how to get your feet wet before its 2023 visit to Vancouver.

by JOE LEARY

FUTURE THE ELECTRIFYING OF BMW

“We have just delivered our first electric vehicle (EV) models and the reaction is exactly what we expected overwhelming,” says Jim Murray, Managing Partner, Brian Jessel BMW. “These are some of the most exciting BMW ’s ever produced, as our customers’ reaction attests.” But it’s no surprise. Murray says Canada opened its reservation system six months ago for the new fully electric BMW i 4 and i X models before a single vehicle was even built and has processed over two thousand reservations so far.

The bigger questions remains, however: How will the various regions adapt to EVs and will they give combustion engine vehicles a serious run for their money?

Murray suggests the response will be determined on a market-by-market basis, in conjunction with local governance and regional mandates. “ BMW Group will follow market demand and regulatory requirements in each area,” says Murray. “They have the

unique ability to adjust internal combustion engines; plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles on many of their new models, so if your market is more adaptable to EVs, more will be built.”

Given that Vancouver has a proven record of EV demand combined with one of the most aggressive provincial government Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) targets in North America, and given that EVs are clearly on the upswing, Murray believes British Columbia is on track to have a 30% EV mix by 2030 and 100% by 2040. And looking to the shortand long-term future of the BMW brand, Murray says it’s an exciting time to be in the automotive industry. “Our product line-up has never been more cutting-edge; filled with new technologies, digital experiences and environmentally sustainable products,” he adds. “One of BMW ’s core values is joy and I believe our EV models will deliver plenty of joy to our clients.”

Jim Murray at the epic party unveiling the all-electric BMW iX and BMW i 4 in July 2021 .

SPEED A NEED FOR

BRIAN’S PASSION FOR FAST CARS

by JOE LEARY

It should come as no surprise that Brian Jessel’s passion for fast cars and auto racing dates back almost as far as his association within the car industry, to his first access to highend vehicles.

“My interest in racing began in the 1970 s when I had a pre-owned car dealership at Burrard and 1st Avenue and sold Porsches, Ferraris and other exotic cars,” says Jessel. With an admitted penchant for speed, it was an invite from BMW that later solidified what became his passion.

“ BMW took us to the Atlanta Speedway, gave us brand new M3 ’s and told us to go as fast as we could. It was an amazing experience.” he quips. “Then in the early nineties while in Germany, we were given the new M5’s and told to drive 240 kph on the Autobahn.”

Having Vancouver on the Indy Champ Car Circuit from 1990 through 2004 further added to his exhilaration for auto racing.

“The scene was vibrant and cool and there were lots of great parties associated with the weekend’s race,” says Jessel. “I was a partner in ’Senor Frogs’ in Kitsilano then, and we hosted a huge, splashy breakfast on race day and drove the VIP s to the Indy in our ’Frog Van’.”

Needless to say, bonds were made with some of the big-name drivers that the Indy attracted to its stellar lineup. One night, Jessel got to drive Indy Car champion Alex Zinardi to a party in a Ferrari. “I even offered to let him drive, but he declined,” says Jessel, laughing. “He was a super nice guy; as were all the drivers I met. I struck up a friendship with Paul Tracy he was so down to earth for a young champion in his prime.”

But if Indy was the initial lure, it really was Formula One that sealed Jessel’s passion for speed and fast cars. After all, it is the premier class of international auto racing in the world, with cars going 360 kph and with the fastest recorded speed nearing 400 kph. And Jessel has witnessed several key events.

“I went to my very first F1 race in Las Vegas around 1980 and that got me hooked,” says Jessel. “Since then I’ve been to many races in Montreal, and thanks to my best friend Duncan Hobbs who happens to be the largest importer of champagne in Canada we got invitations to some great parties.”

And the roster of Jessel’s bucket-list events got even better!

“I was fortunate to see the Monaco Grand Prix, the most prestigious of all F1 races, not once but twice. The second time, BMW had a team (the BMW Sauber F1 team) and they had rented a villa overlooking the pits,” he reminisces. “I was able to make four visits to the pits over two days of racing, and I also got to walk around with the legendary Sir Jackie Stewart and the young Crown Prince of Monaco and his pals. Talk about an overthe-top weekend we even had a chauffeurdriven BMW 7 Series at our disposal 24/7.”

So what exactly is the main attraction to Formula One? Jessel says it’s complicated. The cars are ultra high-tech and everything about the F1 series is shrouded in secrecy.

If you want a taste of Formula One action, you can catch the series Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix it’s an exciting initiation to the sport.

It may not be as fast as an F1 car, but Brian, who never misses a race, is always all smiles when roaring around in his 2008 BMW M Roadster.

The starting grid of an F1 race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

Formula E ’s starting grid might be quieter than in F1 , but it’s still one of the most exciting moments in a race as cars fight for better position while trying to avoid each other.

“If you follow F1 , you are part of a worldwide brotherhood,” he explains. “Just to be able to truly follow the announcers takes years.”

Now, however, with the ever-expanding trend toward electric vehicles, the ’Formula E Championship Series’ is gaining traction. Originally scheduled for Vancouver this summer, the E-Prix is now planned for 2023 , when Vancouver will join a list of world-class destinations that includes Rome, Monaco, Berlin and New York.

It’s hard to fathom that what started as a shared vision, scrolled on a napkin back in 2011 , has blossomed into what is now considered to be the most exciting and fastestgrowing event in motorsports today. But will Vancouver embrace this new style of racing?

“I have watched very little Formula E to date,” Jessel admits, “but from an environmental standpoint it’s excellent and I really do hope it succeeds.”

This of course begs the question: isn’t the high decibel sound of the screaming vehicles the best part of racing? “We gear-heads sure love the sound of the engines,” he says, with a chuckle. “It’ll be interesting to see.”

“If there are lots of glamorous parties centered on the race as in the Indy days people will get excited,” Jessel says. “And there are many people like me who really love cars and look forward to a great spectacle in our hometown. I’m all in for anything automotive in Vancouver.”

MAKE IT? ARE WE GOING TO

GETTING OVER OUR RANGE ANXIETY

by LIN STRANBERG

Range anxiety is a real thing. It’s been around as long as electric vehicles, and it’s time to let it go. Range anxiety is the fear of running out of battery power in places where charging stations are scarce or nonexistent. Even with a dashboard readout of how many kilometres the vehicle will go on its current charge, some drivers are still nervous about being disrupted or worse, stranded. As a result, they drive far fewer kilometres than they can — or resist buying an electric vehicle at all.

A 2021 survey from J D. Power, a global data and analytics company, showed range how far the car can travel on a single battery charge was the factor most mentioned in deciding what EV to buy. Once the EV is purchased, owners rate its ability to match the manufacturer’s stated range as equally important. Brent Gruber, J D. Power’s Senior Director of Global Automotive, said that in both cases, it’s about the owners’ peace of mind, although he did say the importance of range came as a bit of a surprise to him.

It seems like range anxiety just won’t go away. Back in 2015 , Elon Musk, the patron saint of EVs, declared that range anxiety was a mental condition that was totally curable, and that the new software he unveiled for his new (at the time) Model S was just the fix. Range anxiety didn’t really go away, but earlier this year AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson told CNBC it was “dramatically disappearing,” mostly because people tend to use their EVs for day-to-day errands and short trips, and charge them at home overnight.

But what if they decide to take a longer trip?

As the country gradually opens up to travel, people are choosing road trips over increasingly crowded airplanes. At the same time, automakers are quickly moving away from vehicles powered by fossil fuel combustion and into EVs with increased range (the new BMW i X and i 4 models have a range of up to 475 km). Just this fall, Hertz purchased 100,000 EVs for its rental car fleet. Tesla makes semis.

As new technologies are adopted, our behaviours need to adapt. Maybe it’s more about the change than the range. Either way, planning ahead isn’t just advised, it’s essential. The available km’s displayed on the dashboard are based on a number of factors, like climate and speed. Colder weather can affect range, for example, and if you like to drive fast on the highway, actual distance available on a single charge will be lower

similar to highway driving in gas-powered vehicles. That said, not only is it better for the environment, taking a road trip in an EV costs significantly less than travelling in a gas-powered vehicle. It’s time to lose that range anxiety and trade in outdated habits for new ones.

According to BC Hydro, the typical driver does about 80% of their charging at home, supplementing that with any combination of charging at work (often free), public stations (often free), or at fast charging stations that range in price from free to about three times the kilowatt-hour BC Hydro residential rate.

The public charging station network has mushroomed. There are more than 2,500 located in BC alone. Many of those are fast chargers, and a fast charger can charge the average EV battery to 80% in 30 to 40 minutes. There are several free apps,

Smaller EV batteries today have a range of about 300 km, while their larger counterparts can reach as high as 475-515 km on a charge. Still, range anxiety remains a prominent deciding factor in EV purchase consideration.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 2500 CHARGING STATIONS IN BC ALONE.”

(PlugShare, ChargePoint, ChargeHub, etc., or BC Hydro in BC ) to help drivers find the way to their nearest charging station. Many resorts have charging locations onsite, so drivers can simply repeat their overnight charge routine on the road.

The winning design was created by James Silvester, an award-winning Scotland-based architect with global experience designing sustainable architecture. Named ’More with Less’, the design creates a relaxing environment where electric vehicle drivers can take a breath and recharge not just their vehicles, but themselves as well.

“The environmentally friendly materials and modular nature of the ’More with Less’ concept provides tremendous versatility,” said Darren Smart, Parkland’s SVP Energy Transition and Corporate Development. “It can be scaled large or small and accommodate the amenities we know EV customers value while they charge, such as our ’On the Run’ convenience stores and high-quality dining. It also creates a series of outdoor spaces. The result is a destination that customers can enjoy and an environment where nature is integral to the structure.” Parkland also plans to open British Columbia’s largest network (by site count) of ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers, located with ’On the Run’ convenience stores and Triple O’s restaurants on high-traffic routes through British Columbia and into Calgary. According to Parkland, the network will be completed in the second half of 2022

International competition: the winning design for a reimagined charging station, named ’More with Less’, creates a relaxing environment where both vehicle and driver can recharge.

The charging opportunities are evolving quickly. Parkland Company, a convenience and fuel marketing business based in Calgary, Alberta, announced in February 2022 that it plans to build the ”Electric Charging Destination of the Future” and set a new standard for EV charging and customer experience. Parkland developed its initial architectural concept by sponsoring an international design competition to engage architects and designers in reimagining the charging experience for EV drivers.

SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND JUST DO IT.

Starting from Vancouver with a full battery charge, here are some weekend road trips to get you on your way to road-tripping without range anxiety. They’re quick and easy drives to great destinations along the new BC Bird Trail, a terrific way to get outside and explore birdwatching, conservation, and community in beautiful British Columbia. Once you’ve got your feet wet, get a little further into wine country with some minimal planning.

VANCOUVER TO HARRISON MILLS

The Harrison River Valley offers some of the best birding and outdoor adventuring in BC It’s a great place to see bald eagles there are 250 resident nesting bald eagles in the valley, and historic Harrison Mills is home to the largest concentrated wintering bald eagle gathering in the world. Check out Harrison Eco-tours for walking, kayaking and boat tours.

If you’re looking for a secluded getaway and a round of golf, stay in a luxury cottage at Rowena’s Inn on the River in Harrison Mills. It has an 18 -hole, 72 par golf course and its own birdwatching trails leading to the Harrison River. Plug in overnight at their onsite charging station and away you go.

VANCOUVER TO PARKSVILLE

Parksville-Qualicum Beach area, a group of more than a dozen different communities on the east coast of Vancouver Island, is ground zero for wellness and family tourism.

Parksville is a great place to relax, rejuvenate and reset, and Tigh-Na-Mara is the smart choice for a stay. The Grotto Spa, voted #1 in Canada by Spas of America, is the high point of the sprawling resort. The spa is renowned for its mineral pools, high-quality treatments, and the lovely Treetop Tapas & Grill. Plug in your EV at one of the resort’s charging stations, head for the spa and unplug from stress, worries and range anxiety.

VANCOUVER TO OSOYOOS

Build your range confidence with a trip to wine country. The Okanagan Valley is Canada’s second largest and BC ’s foremost grape growing region, offering a multitude of fabulous wineries, restaurants, hiking trails and water sports. High daytime temperatures

combined with cooler nights create the signature natural acidity for which BC wines have become renowned.

Drive through the south Okanagan from Oliver to Osoyoos along the Black Sage Road for a taste of deep, bold reds. If crisp, fresh whites are your thing, be sure to stop in the Penticton/Naramata Bench area. Bring your hiking shoes or your bike and cruise a portion of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail just outside of Naramata. To alleviate range concerns on your journey, stop in Keremeos ( 346 kms from Vancouver) for a charge at the BC Hydro Charging Station and enjoy a bite to eat at the newly-renovated Wrong Turn Tavern, just a six-minute walk away. Smaller battery? Stop in Hope or Princeton ( 152 and 283 km from Vancouver, respectively) for a charge and to stretch your legs.

Gas stations may be much more ubiquitous than fast charge stations for now, but that’s changing, and battery technology innovations will also overcome range hurdles with time. However, if you find range concerns continue to get the best of you, consider a plug-in hybrid vehicle until the distance delivered on an EV battery charge increases enough to assuage your concerns.

The most important piece of advice for any road trip, and the key to eliminating range anxiety, is to plan ahead: be sure to map out your route, including charge station infrastructure, and plan your stops accordingly.

Then it’s just you and the road... Don your driving gloves, turn on your favourite tunes, and enjoy the ride, with confidence you’ve got enough juice to get to the next stop. Range anxiety has nothing on you.

SKYE MARKETING THE LIMIT THE SKYE’S

by LISA MANFIELD

The Metro Vancouver real estate market has had a hot several years, and so has Skye Marketing. The full-service real estate marketing firm based in Surrey has been responsible for such successes as NOVA , the wood-frame condo building in Fleetwood, that sold out at a record-breaking price of $935 per square foot in 2021 .

Over the past six years, Skye has put its planning, branding and sales talents to work on projects that include the Prosper townhome complex in Willoughby, Langley, and The Ridge condo development in Maple Ridge. “Many developers don’t know the ins and outs of the residential development industry when it comes to creating a brand for their company in the communities they’re building in,” says Surjan Pahal, Marketing Manager at Skye. “We have a development background and get involved in projects when they’re still in the city planning phase so that we can help add

value to the project that others may not see. That’s what’s different about us. We’re looking to help build trusted brands for the developers we work with.”

WE COME IN EARLY AND STAY LATE

Skye gets involved in new development projects at the planning stages, and works with developers to create optimal layouts, maximize unit space and include features that increase scale. “Our team understands schematics and knows how to make suggestions that can result in million dollar increases,” Pahal says.

To do that, they start with a full analysis of the architectural and landscape plans, and offer recommendations on the best fit for the neighbourhood. That’s followed by a pricing analysis and report on the community and competing projects in order to target the right price point. “We don’t look simply to sell and get out quickly,” Pahal says. “We see this as more of a ladder than a race. We want to make sure the developer is getting everything they need and we’re there to help them build their reputation.”

“

This real estate marketing firm takes a long - game approach to building brands and communities.”

above:

Skye’s work with the Mortise Group is a great example of their approach to longterm relationships in the developer community. “Before we came in, they had been building for 15 to 20 years without much brand recognition,” Pahal says. “We worked to promote their brand and the trust and integrity behind it and helped them to become one of the most wellknown developers in the Lower Mainland.”

In addition to planning and pricing analysis, Skye works with developers to define their corporate image, interior design, branding strategy, and to develop all of the associated marketing materials necessary when launching a project.

Skye’s experienced interior design team, led by designer Kash Dhaliwal, handles everything from show home design to material boards, interior renderings, colour schemes and staging. Then Skye’s sales managers seasoned presale experts work to train the sales team and, ultimately, sell the units. “We take care of everything in house,” Pahal says. “The benefit to the developer is that it’s one person they’re dealing with, instead of multiple agencies. This makes Skye a one stop shop for developers and helps relieve the headache and stress when it comes to dealing with this side of the business.”

previous page: Nova Phase 2, a collection of wood-frame condos in the heart of Fleetwood, Surrey.

Orenda townhomes situated in the sought-after neighbourhood of Clayton Heights in Surrey.

ON TOP OF THE TRENDS

Many of Skye’s upcoming projects reflect shifting needs in Metro Vancouver communities as the cost of living rises and more people explore options in Fraser Valley suburbs. In the works coming later this year is a development, Unison in Langley, that includes a wide range of condos and an amazing daycare centre. “Residents will have first access to the daycare spots,” Pahal says. “It’s going to be a big benefit to the community.”

They’re also working on a rental building in White Rock with a move-in target of early 2024 . “It’s the first of its kind for us,” Pahal says. “We don’t see a lot of rentals in the South Surrey/White Rock communities so this is a project that will provide a huge benefit to that region.”

While Skye works to build trust and sales for its clients, its “sky’s the limit” approach to service and innovation continues to put it on its own path to sky-high success.

Prosper townhomes, nestled in a quiet enclave in the all-inclusive community of Willoughby, Langley.

The Ridge, amongst breathtaking natural landscapes, in the heart of Maple Ridge.

Burke Place, boutique townhomes in the community of Burke Mountain, in Northeast Coquitlam.

branding website renderings advertising sales sales centers

MAKING CONTACT WITH

ALEKS PAUNOVIC

by JOE LEARY

An actor is seemingly always up for a challenge that can further expand their resume. At the same time, they’re continually developing their craft and striving for that key role or unique opportunity that will give their career a significant boost. When a cutting-edge project brought film and blockchain together, Aleks Paunovic found his moment.

Heavy-metal-rocker-turnedchampion-boxer-turned-actor: the many faces of Aleks Paunovic.

Wardrobe provided by Harry Rosen: Harry Rosen wool-cashmere overcoat $998 , Eton dress shirt $290 , Canali suit $1998 , and leather gloves $175 ( seen on cover )

Aleks Paunovic has distinguished himself with a truly historic first, playing a leading role in the world’s first-ever NFT movie Zero Contact . The Winnipeg-born actor stars alongside the legendary Sir Anthony Hopkins in this film, which was shot entirely during the initial COVID -19 lockdown.

It was an ambitious project to say the least. It was produced in 17 countries, entirely virtually, and released as an NFT : the latest crypto currency phenomenon to go mainstream.

“It was one of those things where the pandemic was happening and the wordof-mouth was that there was going to be a lockdown.” Paunovic said. “Rick Dugdale and his company, Enderby Pictures, who produced and directed Zero Contact , basically had a whole team going off to Europe to shoot a film and it got shut down. They wanted to stay creative so they decided to write something that could be done remotely. The filming was all done during the COVID -19 lockdown using Zoom, iPhones and GoPros.” The project presented a significant challenge.

“Knowing there was going to be a lockdown, I felt it could be a chill time because you’re always hustling as an actor. But this came along at a time when nothing was being done so I thought ’let’s do it.’

“There was no background on the NFT situation at the time and there was no ’Anthony Hopkins’ at the time either. It was simply a group of people wanting to get together and be creative.”

A steadily-employed actor for more than two decades, Paunovic maintains a work ethic dictated largely by entering the profession later in life.

“I hustled for a lot of years after coming into the game late,” he adds. “I didn’t really start taking acting seriously, or wanting to be a part of it, until my mid -30 s. When I hit 40 was when I slowly started to work. I understood what that whole dichotomy was, and I just wanted to work. You go to dozens of auditions and you may get one or two jobs. For me it’s easy: I love saying yes to new opportunities and being part of a set where you can learn so much.

“I became a producer and a lead on a film called Puppet Killer, and it was not something that I would ever think about doing. I ended up playing a 17-year-old high school kid when I was almost a 50 -year-old man. It’s just cool to be creative and keep moving forward. I enjoy being a part of that process.”

A towering 6’ 5”, Aleks Paunovic has been cast multiple times as the “heavy” in film; not surprising given his past life as a championship boxer.

ALEKS PAUNOVIC / CONT’D

THE FILM WAS ALL DONE USING ZOOM, IPHONE AND GOPRO. IT WAS DEFINITELY A CHALLENGE.”

The first feature film released on the NFT platform Vuele, Zero Contact follows five characters who are forced to work together to shut down the top secret invention of a tech titan ( played by Sir Anthony Hopkins ) that will either solve humankind’s problems or bring about the end of life on earth.

Not lost on the actor, however, is the desire to show a deeper side. “I love playing the bad dudes,” he admits. “I don’t even consider them bad they just want something more than the other people. But I love finding the little cracks in the story where this guy would go further. Being a bad guy has never been a thing for me. What I would like to do is portray someone deeply flawed who is trying to do the right thing. I just really dig those characters but those scripts haven’t come across my desk yet.”

Despite the preponderance of villainy on his resume, the affable Paunovic can similarly show a lighter side. “I did a Disney film which Peter DeLuise directed, called Zapped and I played a teenager’s dad. It was a comedy and I loved it. I love all the goofy stuff too.”

Paunovic initially played in a heavy metal band, but he soon shifted toward the boxing ring and followed that path until he was sidelined by an injury.

“I played bass in a band called Specula Black but I’ve always had boxing in my blood. My grandfather, my uncle and my dad were all champion boxers and I absolutely love it. Later on in my life I started to compete because I really wanted to get our relationship tighter as father and son.

“I basically conned my dad into going to this gym in Winnipeg that I was already going to... I knew that he would love to be a part of it as he had trained fighters there for years. It made our relationship a lot better. He was my coach and we went to a pretty high level together, but there was never any time where I felt like I was going to turn pro.

“I was on my way to the Pan American Games, and the Olympics, then I popped my shoulder out fighting against Argentina. That was it for me.”

IT WAS AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT PRODUCED IN 17 COUNTRIES.”

Not much slows Paunovic down in his acting life. 2021 was a banner year he landed the role of Ivan, a member of the Tracksuit Mafia in Marvel’s Hawkeye which debuted on Disney Plus in late November; it also marked the second season of his role in TNT ’s Snowpiercer, and the series finale of Syfy’s Van Helsing

On the heels of Zero Contact ’s success, the production team announced two sequels, the first of which finished filming this past winter. The twist for the sequel? The film cast and crew actually went to all 12 countries in the script, the most notable adventure involving 20 days in Antarctica, marking another first: the only Hollywood-scripted film shot in the south pole to date.

As for whether the actor’s art ever imitates life with a role that calls for him to enter the ring?

“I’ve done a lot of films where I kind of throw it out there about maybe putting a heavy bag in a scene so I can throw in some boxing,” he admits. “I did Arctic Air where they knew

I was a boxer, so I had episodes boxing and it was the same thing with Snowpiercer I did five years of the series Van Helsing and they made his mythology and origin story that of a 1930 s boxer.

“Usually though, all those scenes that put me in the ring, I get knocked out in the scene. I never win any of those fights.

“So yes, I have been able to incorporate my love of boxing, but I’ve not been able to do anything in heavy metal… yet.”

His current big project, as lead actor and Executive Producer of the Sci-Fi series GenZeroes , promises to keep things interesting and cutting-edge for this multi-talented actor. The series comprises ten episodes augmented by a motion graphic comic book, and it is the first live-action series to be sold as an NFT, with varying levels and benefits including fractional series ownership.

Needless to say, Paunovic is rocking life even without a role playing bass guitar. Yet.

ALEKS PAUNOVIC / CONT’D

SCAN THE CODE TO BROWSE OUR NEW COLLECTION

NON-FUNGIBLE TOKENS 101 NFT

by LIN STRANBERG

He doesn’t want his name mentioned. He wanted no details revealed about who he is, what he does, and where he lives. Cyber criminals are everywhere in his world, he explained, and he didn’t want to be an easy target.

NFT collectors, with the exception of people like Paris Hilton and Steve Aoki, use handles and avatars, not names and photos. Okay, let’s just say our contact is a thirty-something Vancouver professional who bought his first NFT in August 2021

He said his NFT, or non-fungible token, is a “cartoon-like piece of digital art I bought when it was minted (released) by an NFT artist that I follow. The artist gets a royalty every time there is a transaction, and we’re already at more than a dozen processing transactions. The value can go up or down, depending on the latest transaction.”

His NFT may look like digital art, but in fact it’s a unique and non-interchangeable unit of data that lives on the blockchain. What does that even mean? Let’s start with “fungible.”

In economics, a fungible good or commodity is one where individual units are interchangeable and each part of it is indistinguishable from another part. For example, money and gold are fungible: a specific amount of money or pure gold is equivalent to that same amount of money or pure gold, whether in foreign currency, gold bars, coins or other forms. Stocks and bonds are also fungible.

Non-fungible tokens are unique and not interchangeable, or fungible. This lack of interchangeability, or fungibility, sets NFTs apart from blockchain cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, for example. Even though their value can change like standard currencies, one Bitcoin is always equal to another. Bitcoin is fungible.

Although most of the focus so far has been on digital art, NFT s can be anything digital, really. They have revolutionized music, film and books as well, and that’s only the beginning.

THE TOKEN IS A KIND OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY, GIVING OWNERS BRAGGING RIGHTS.”

With its gold fur, Bored Ape #4873 is part of less than 1% of all Bored Apes. Browse some of the collection of 10,000 Bored Ape NFTs — maybe you can even acquire one of your own.

Non-fungible tokens can depict easily reproducible items like artwork, photos, videos, audio and other types of digital files, as unique, one-of-a-kind items. NFTs can be anything digital, really, although most of the focus so far has been on digital art. Copies of the original digital file can be shared and copied like any file the files are not restricted to the NFT ’s owner.

The value comes from its token. Each token has a unique digital signature that makes it impossible for NFTs to be exchanged or equal to one another. It’s a kind of certificate of authenticity that uses blockchain technology to establish proof of ownership and grants the right to sell it. “The token represents the unique features of the piece,” our contact said. “It’s almost like bragging rights.”

NFTs live on the Ethereum blockchain, and that’s the cryptocurrency most often used to buy them. They’re usually bought and sold online. In August 2021 , NBA basketball player Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors shelled out 55 ETH ( $180,000 USD at the time) for a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT In terms of art market appreciation, the first Bored Ape sold for 0.68 ETH in May 2021 , and just recently, Bored Ape #3749 saw numbers in the 1,500 ETH (around $4.8 million USD) range.

Bored Ape Yacht Club #8817, a rare NFT of an ape with golden fur, sold on Sotheby’s new Metaverse digital art marketplace in October for a record $3.4 million USD. It was the first time it had become available since it was minted. “Less than 1% of all Bored Apes have the gold fur trait, making it an NFT with historical significance,” Sotheby’s said. Yes, historical significance.

Everydays: the First 5000 Days

Every day for 13 and a half years, the artist known as Beeple created a digital artwork and posted it online. Then he created a collage of his work.

The first 5,000 days of this project, collected together, are the first purely digital artwork ever sold at Christie’s. It sold for $69,346,250 USD. Check out the last 82 seconds of this auction.

Probably the best-known digital artist is Mike Winkelmann, an American artist, graphic designer and animator known as Beeple. An NFT of his collage, “Everydays: the First 5000 Days” sold at Christie’s in March 2021 for $69 million USD, making it one of the most expensive artworks by a living artist. The sale positions him “among the top three most valuable living artists,” according to the auction house. His first video sculpture, titled “Human One” sold in November of the same year for $25 million. He sees the walking astronaut as “the first human born into the metaverse.” He said it “taps into the true potential of digital art” and plans to be making changes to it over the course of his lifetime. Beeple has a fan base of about 2.4 million followers across social channels, and he creates a new digital artwork every day as part of his ongoing “Everydays” project.

In December 2021 , digital creator Pak’s “The Merge” was bought by 28,983 collectors collectively for a total of $91.8 million, officially making it the most expensive NFT ever sold. The price set a record for an artwork sold publicly by a living artist, according to Nifty Gateway, a leading NFT marketplace. By the time this publication goes to press, however, who knows that this record won’t be broken yet again.

On the Canadian side, digital creator Michah Dowbak, who goes by the name of Mad Dog Jones, created a piece titled “Replicator,” an NFT that produces a new variant of itself every 28 days, for a total of seven generations. That one sold for $4.1 million, a new record for a living Canadian artist.

Each artwork in “Everydays” is a fully detailed image depicting something current on that day, from the artist’s viewpoint or opinion. Visit the archives to browse through the images of this collage.

The American rock band Kings of Leon was the first band to tokenize an album and they made millions. Many other musicians Grimes, Steve Aoki, and Ghostface Killah, to name just a few have since released music NFTs of their own.

Last year, in yet another arena, the first-ever NFT movie, Zero Contact , was released. You can read about it and one of the leading actors in our cover story, on page 30

The value of NFT projects is predicted to increase both fiscally and historically as we move into an increasingly digital era. The ability for artists and collectors to connect regardless of age, gender or location is revolutionary in the art world. Some collectors believe the digital artists of today will be seen as pioneers of a possible trillion dollar industry in the years to come. What began as a group of hobbyists became an emerging global market that operates 24/7 and enables artists to earn royalties.

What’s more, NFTs have started to have some applications outside the digital world, and that’s only the beginning according to Gary Vaynerchuk, one of the world’s leading marketing experts. He says, “ NFTs matters long-term because it’s a technology that creates a transparent ledger which documents providence, actual digital ownership, and the history of an asset.”

“ NFTs have been around for a few years, but they’re just now hitting the social conscious-

ness of humanity. What we’ve been focusing on so far in early NFT mainstream knowledge, is collectibles in art. That is a part of it. However, the far bigger impact of an NFT is the technology itself. That token has an underlining ‘smart contract’ potential built into it. And that contract can represent anything: a deed to a home, a VIP ticket to a concert, green room access to an event it can also represent that in buying this NFT, the seller must contractually send you a physical good along with it.”

Vaynerchuk believes that in the next decade, as people become more educated on the ‘smart contract’ part of the NFT, we will see an explosion in its everyday use.

This doesn’t look like a passing fad. Get psyched. By the end of the decade NFTs may be as familiar to us as the internet itself.

View the animated digital sculpture of Human One, the first human born in the metaverse, on Christie’s YouTube channel. It sold for $28,900,000 USD.

DON TAYLOR LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER

by JOE LEARY

Don Taylor has been a fixture on local television screens for over four decades. From his earliest appearances back in the eighties on Vancouver’s iconic ’Sports Page’ through to his current stint as host of ’Donnie and Dhali: The Team’, Taylor is without a doubt one of the most recognizable names and faces associated with sports broadcasting in British Columbia.

Taylor’s rise to the top began in 1979 at the tender age of 19. Right out of Columbia Academy he landed a job as a newscaster at CJDC in Dawson Creek. “I didn’t care what job I had at the time; my instructor told me ’just take it’. I don’t know how I survived but it was wonderful,” says Taylor, laughing.

Compensation for small town radio jobs was typically brutal and Taylor’s pay was no exception: a meager $400 per month. He remembers moving about six times during the first four months in the “northern wilds” until he moved into Centennial Manor with

three other guys. But Taylor stuck it out; he was determined to either do sports or become a disc jockey, and eventually he did both.

Working in a small market radio station, people come and go. When the DJ left, Taylor landed the midnight shift. “I was happy as can be playing songs like ’Cruel to be Kind’ by Nick Lowe and ’I’m the Man’ by Joe Jackson; it was the greatest thing in the world,” says Taylor. “Eventually the Sports Director left and I took over that position, which wasn’t a big deal because I was the only person in the department.”

The TV side of Don Taylor also surfaced in Dawson Creek. “It was like, oh by the way you’re doing the weather. And then they made me do the news,” Taylor quips. “I barely knew what I was doing, but I guess I did all right.” One of Taylor’s best memories of Dawson Creek was a cold summer night glowing with the Northern Lights, and under it CJDC ’s massive marquee. “It was beautiful, like an old theatre lit up in neon,” he recalls. “I finished my shift, looked back at the marquee, and I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I loved it.”

Next up, a stint in Red Deer’s CKGY gave Taylor the opportunity to focus on sports. “Red Deer was a country music station and I was also doing play-by-play on Shaw Cable for free, just to cut my chops,” says Taylor. “I would also volunteer and do the odd TV

cast.” Taylor had been five years up north when a phone call from then UTV Sports Director Paul Carson would soon secure his television future. It was 1984 . Carson had heard about Taylor and wanted a demo tape so the people at Shaw helped him put one together. He didn’t get the job but, as luck would have it, Taylor successfully auditioned for another position a job that launched his lengthy career.

Sports Page was legend to sports fans all over British Columbia, and Taylor’s fame soared alongside it. “The plan was just to do my best at that job. There was a huge learning curve but I loved it,” says Taylor. “I didn’t know much about reporting or editing or anything like that. I was basically just a host up north, but my new position was much more multi-faceted.”

After Don Taylor’s career came to a halt, a new opportunity with CHEK-TV arrived that allows Taylor to share his unique blend of sports knowledge and wit with Vancouver fans.

After a lengthy run as a top-rated TV sports anchor, Taylor returned in 2000 to the radio airwaves at CKNW, but the gig was shortlived. He was then courted by Sportsnet and within a year moved back to TV, doing double duty for a while on both Sportsnet and TEAM 1040 Radio. Unfortunately, everything screeched to a halt on February 9, 2021, with the unexpected demise of the sports radio station then known as TSN 1040

“I wasn’t listening to 1040 driving into work that morning,” he recalls. “I got a call from a friend on a construction site asking what was going on with the station. When he told me that it was off the air, playing music and saying a special announcement was coming up, I was thinking though unbelievably we’re done!” While that alone can cause anguish, it served as a double whammy for the affable sports host. “I had been coaching hockey the night before in Port Moody and didn’t feel 100 percent. COVID -19 was going around in my community. So, I lose my job, see my colleagues very emotional, hugging and crying, and I’m not feeling too well…”

Wait, it gets worse. Later that day Taylor got tested, “Not only did I lose my job and get COVID -19, but I gave it to my then co-host The Moj (Bob Marjanovich), my producer Ryan Henderson, then to my wife.

I FINISHED MY SHIFT, LOOKED BACK AT THE MARQUEE, AND I KNEW WHAT I WANTED TO DO FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.”

My two boys also got it, and Lord knows who else? February 9 th was a nightmare,” Taylor says, sighing.

Not surprisingly, when your career is abruptly halted, overriding thoughts are financial concerns. “I was thinking, do I have enough money in my bank account to retire? At that point I was tired of the business and felt I had enough. It was the second time I had been laid off in ten years, and while I know I’m not the only one (many people had been laid off multiple times in the industry), I wondered if I really wanted to keep doing this.”

Taylor received supplemental offers, but his preoccupation was battling the disease until one particular opportunity piqued his curiosity. “While on my COVID bed I got an enquiry from CHEK-TV which got more interesting and more realistic as the days went by, but I couldn’t really do anything

because I was so sick,” he explains. “So I asked CHEK to give me a week or two because at that point I was having a hard time simply moving around.”

That gig was ’Donnie and Dhali’ which launched April 5 , 2021 with veteran broadcaster Rick Dhaliwal and which reunited Taylor with his longtime radio show producer, Ryan Henderson. Taylor relishes the opportunity to again offer his unique blend of sports knowledge and wit to the Vancouver airwaves on a daily basis.

“This is the second best thing I’ve done next to ’Sports Page’, and everyone at CHEK would understand,” Taylor adds, “but this is right up there.”

You can catch ’Donnie and Dhali’ from 10am to noon weekdays on CHEK-TV

Rick Dhaliwal and Don Taylor now co-host ’Donnie and Dhali’. Taylor is a proud hockey dad and enjoys spending quality time with his sons while coaching.