PRESENCE was created by Canadian artist Helena Kulasingham.
HOW WE STARTED
Born in Toronto to Indian and Tamil-Sri Lankan parents, she was inspired by the incredible stories shared by her family about their experiences; immigrating to Canada, living in South Africa, escaping war in Sri Lanka, stories of love, loss, hope... Stories so vast and opposing to the singular stories she saw of her people on TV (Apu, Baljeet, Ravi).
With a passion for acting and storytelling since childhood, Helena began her hustle to break through the film industry at age 11.
After her first signing with a talent agent, she began to see how few and far between authentic roles were for people like her, let alone roles that casted Brown faces at all. Furthermore, she understood how having an agent that understands your identity, experiences, and struggles, will help them better champion you as an artist.
Helena began to critically assess how mainstream film and TV have negatively impacted how minorities view themselves and their place in the world. She began to better understand how subconscious biases from those in power trickle down to the creation of media that misrepresents communities.
So, once graduated high school in 2020, Helena made her way from Toronto to Cal State LA, studying psychology and the business of film.
It was here she worked with many incredible mentors in the industry who inspired her to use her voice and talents to support her people.
Now, in 2024 Helena is graduating with her Bchelor's and endeavours to continue learning the ins and outs of the industry, using this knowledge to serve South Asian and Middle Eastern artists and flood Western film and TV with our talents.
Helena has worked closely with:
Melinda Shankar and Miss Conception Society to hone her skills in actor self-care and wellbeing, branding, and project development.
Lilly Singh's Production Company Unicorn Island as an intern following development of new content and production.
Professor Daniel Spitz Esq. in his comprehensive course on Entertainment Law and Finance in which she presented the class winning film pitch to a panel of industry experts.
Industry talent manager Karli Doumanis as her assistant, beginning her journey to master the business of representation.
LB Acting Studio Toronto (since 2014) where she continues to develop her understanding of the acting craft.