Defence Minister McCallum hires a new Atlantic aide Lampert 

Moncton, N.B., native Leigh Lampert replaces Mary Kirby who went to Transport Minister David Collenette's office 

National Defence Minister John McCallum has a new assistant for Atlantic Canada in his office. 

Leigh Lampert started with Mr. McCallum about two months ago. He filled the spot vacated by Mary Kirby who left the office to work for Minister of Transport David Collenette as an assistant on the Atlantic desk. 

Mr. Lampert is a Moncton, N.B., native who first came to Ottawa in 1995 to study political science at the University of Ottawa. 

During his stay in Ottawa, Mr. Lampert worked as a page in the Senate for two years and then joined Herb Gray's office in October 1997. Mr. Gray was Deputy Prime Minister at that time. He worked in the correspondence unit of Mr. Gray's office until April, 1998 and then went to Halifax's Dalhousie University for a four-year LLB and MBA program. 

For the last four summers, Mr. Lampert worked in the constituency office of Labour Minister Claudette Bradshaw as an aide in Moncton, N.B. 

After finishing his degree at Dalhousie University last summer, he found out that Mr. McCallum's office was looking for an assistant for the Atlantic region so he contacted Eugene Lang, executive assistant to the Defence Minister, applied for the job and was hired. 

While in high school, Mr. Lampert said he never thought he would ever be a staffer on the Hill. He said he always thought about going to McGill University Medical School but changed his mind once he started to work in the Senate as a page. He got a taste for politics and liked it. 

"I loved working in the Senate. I loved the people that I got to meet and worked with them. I loved being really in the centre of politics, not as a major player mind you, but I was there. At this point, I changed my mind and plans to go to medical school," said Mr. Lampert. 

"Then I went to law school and assumed that I would be practising law after finishing school but here I am rather than articling, I am here." 

In his capacity as a special assistant for the Atlantic region, Mr. Lampert is responsible for all the queries coming from MPs and Senators about Atlantic Canada. He will also be looking after Defence files related to Atlantic Canada. 

With a half dozen films to his credit, a self-assured Jason Betts is focused on his dream ... to become a star

Jason Betts of Moncton says he has never fit in.

To compensate, the 22-year old has been known to dress in his outlandish, expressive clothes combination. "I tried to be eccentric as possible with what I wore," he laughs.

Now, however, he sits comfortable in a pair of navy shorts and a white shirt, a cool combo on a sweltering day.

So why the change? Betts has found an outlet for the creativity that bubbles up inside him - a passion that both challenges him and excites him.

It's acting - for film and TV specifically.

Maybe it's in his genes that make him yearn for an audience. His father, John, plays on the political stage as the MLA for Moncton Cresent. His sister, Jessica, is known for singing both at the Wesleyan Church and to open the Wildcats games.

Whatever the impetus, Betts has found his calling, and relies on his family and faith in God for the strengh to follow his dreams.

Betts remebers praying to God in a bathroom stall during the 1996 New Brunswick Provincal Drama Festival.

He was just about to go onstage to perform in a Moncton High School entry. "I said, if this is the direction you want me to take, please let me do this well."

And God answered. At the awards ceremony after the performances, Betts was given the Marty Cochburn Award, presents to the performer demonstrating the most professional potential.

Now, Betts looks back on that memory with a smile, but with a scene of direction as well. So far, he's picked up a number of awards, including the Moonsnail Award for Best Male Actor at the Alantic Film Festival. Terminal Lunch, a short, silent film - in which he plays lead - won Best Atlantic Short Film Award, and the Moonsnail Awards for the best cinematography.

And after numerous roles in nationally aired programs like Paradise Siding and 106 Fire Hydrants, the introspective actor - who admits to playing make-believe "all the time" as a kid - is on his way.

In fact, as he sits in his black-painted bedroom with glittery stars on the ceiling and playbills from local band as well as his own artwork of covering the walls, Betts is just hours away from another shooting.

It's his big scene, too. Betts plays a victim's brother in CTV's made-for-TV movie based on the 1998 Swissair disaster (off Peggy's Cove, N.S.), called Blessed Stranger. Now filming in Prospect, N.S., the movie crew travelled into the waters of the actual crash area for some of the scenes.

Over the next few days he shot a large monologue, as his character reacted to his brother's death by channelling the good memories he cherishes.

Which makes the part a bit easier for Betts, since he's never experienced the death of a loved one in his life. "Fortunately for me I didn't have to be in the depths of despair."

Still, Betts is especially adept at producing an adeqate rseponse and developing his character, says Lara Cassidy, president of the Cassidy Group Talent Agency which represents him.

"Chameleon is the word I'd use," she say with a laugh. "Jason has a strong sense of being able to get into character.... He can do anything. It's mind-blowing, his instinct."

The opportunity to act with older, more experienced actors has been benefical for Betts in this role." I thought I would (feel intimidated)," he admits, "but they're so easy to play off. It's so easy to act with them because they're so realistic."

And realistic is what Betts must strive for. The up-close and personal nature of the camera allows for little exaggeration, a change Betts more readily embraces than stage acting.

"With film and TV you have to be really honest," he says." You shouldn't even have to pretend because it's so subtle and people will know you are pretending."

With the completion of this role, Betts will become a certified Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artist (ACTRA) member. The guild works to negotiate, safeguard and promote the professional rights of members, ensuring certain working conditions and rate of pay.

To enter the guild, actors have to go through an apprenticeship period and accumulate six "ACTRA credits" - which means the production in which they act is recognized by ACTRA and adheres to its standards.

With the ACTRA membership under his belt, Betts will head to Toronto in a few months time to make a go of it as an actor. He's moving to the big city for the second time; this time with an interdisciplinary B.A. from Atlantic Baptist Universitry under his belt, along with more maturity and experience.

And Betts knows that making a living as an actor is entirely possible, despite what some may think - even despite what he thought at one time.

"You always think that actors live in another world, that it's not going to happen to you, especially here," he says.

"But I don't want people thinking that I'm going there with stars in my eyes."

He doesn't expect to become a sensation overnight or make a million bucks. Betts looks upon acting like any other type of jobs.

In fact, he's missing the ego that Cassidy says is often present with actors and is easy to develop. "He keeps it real," she says.

Betts choice of occupation, however, is interesting considering his personality, one of which he's highly analyzed through the years.

"I'm a total introvert, almost agoraphobic," he says, noting he's strongest and more creative when he's alone.

He's also a perfectionist. "There are a few times when you feel you've reached your potencial," he adds.

But his personality is not uncommon in the acting industry, despite what people might imagine actors to be like, or what they have to become in the public eye in order to be successful.

"Actors are usually perfectionists, or introverts so it's ironic that in the industry you have to toughen up so much, and promote yourself," he says. "The hardest thing for me is getting the strength to go to the next audition. You just have to lick your wounds and go on."

Cassidy is fully behind Betts, no matter if he decides to stay or leave for Toronto. "If he went to a larger market, he'd do exceptionally well," she says with conviction. "I'd feel comfortable sending him to larger market, which is unusual because of his lack of experience. "His work is really strong ... and his ability would give him the job."

His focus, for example is often commented on by directors and others who work with him. For instance, during the filming at Prospect Bay, some residents were upset and tried to disrupt the shooting by running load lawnmowers, yelling, etc. "They were very impressed with him," Cassidy said. "Nothing fazed him. He never left his character."

Although Bett's talent has taken him a long way, he credits his family as a large source of his support. His parents, John and Rolene, wanted him to pursue his degree for the sake of security, but they're proud of his accomplishments and supportive of his dream.

"They've been really encouraging about anything artistic," he says. No wonder, since his dad is a former music teacher and his mother teaches art. "They're inspirational, a comfort to me ... medicine for my mind," he adds.

His faith also carries him through difficult times. In fact, Betts is hoping he can share his faith with his co-workers through his example on the set.

"I want to be a witness through this," he says. "The acting scene is just littered with immorality."

He wants his audience to identify with his choice of occupation and the way his faith is mingled within. Recognizing that it may hurt his career, Betts says he would steer clear of the immoral roles because of the message it sends to the viewer should the character come out on top.

"The only time I would play an immoral character is if it makes the point that there are consequences to their behavior," he says thoughtfully. "I want to entertain people, but I want the people I entertain to benefit from the entertainment.