Creative Spotlight: “How To Fail As A Pop Star” Director Vanessa Matsui

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The Wider Lens is DGC Ontario's content platform featuring interviews, articles, and videos that promote the work of our talented Membership, from emerging voices to award-winning talent on globally recognized productions like Heated Rivalry, Frankenstein, The Testaments, North of North, and more. With 275,000 website visitors in 2025 and over 9,500 newsletter subscribers, the Wider Lens has become a destination for discovering the artistry, collaboration, and innovation that powers Ontario’s film and television industry.

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October 26, 2023
1 minute read
Multi-talented DGC Ontario Director Vanessa Matsui sits down with Wider Lens to talk about her work in front of and behind the camera on CBC’s new comedy series How To Fail As a Pop Star, based on the hit play and book by Vivek Shraya.

Vanessa explores the unique Actor/Director dynamic, the empowering experience of working with a predominantly women and gender-nonconforming crew, and how embracing failure can be the key to unlocking new opportunities.

*Vanessa’s photo credit: Kourosh Keshiri Photography

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