Tokens is a Canadian comedyweb series created by Winnifred Jong and produced along with Trinni Franke. The series premiered on Facebook and YouTube on May 6, 2019. It also stayed on Binge Networks for the first season and was later sold to Urbanflix TV.[1]
Tokens follows the lives of the actors of an "on call" casting agency who are dispatched to productions in order to fulfill diversity quotas. The series stars Connie Wang, Ryan Allen and Shelley Thompson. As of October 2019, Tokens has amassed more than 500,000 combined views across Facebook and YouTube.[2][3]
Plot
The series follows the actors of On Call Casting, a fictional agency designed to help busy production companies meet their mandated diversity quotas. Dispatcher Betty sends out whoever is on call, with the actors often finding themselves cast in the roles they least expect.
Cast and characters
Main
Connie Wang as Sammie Pang, an aspiring actress who joins On Call Casting in the hopes that she will find acting work beyond stereotypical token roles, despite the growing disapproval of her traditional parents.
Ryan Allen as DeMar Lowry, a stunt coordinator-turned-actor who befriends Sammie after joining On Call Casting.
Shelley Thompson as Betty, the eccentric, entrepreneurial dispatcher of On Call Casting.
Sammie, an aspiring Asian actress, tired of stereotypical roles, joins On Call Casting and gets an assignment which challenges how she sees herself.
2
2
"Your Inner Bruce Lee"
May 6, 2019 (2019-05-06)
5:44
Sammie has a moment of self-doubt when her parents see her on TV. She meets DeMar, a well-built tattooed stunt coordinator, who elevates her performance. She tells her best friend, and co-worker at the bubble tea cafe, Roxy, that she’s going all in with acting.
3
3
"Finding Cinderella"
May 6, 2019 (2019-05-06)
5:46
DeMar joins On Call Casting and finds himself in a role that no one believes he can do. The director lets him improvise his dialogue and he magically captures the essence of the character and wins everyone over.
4
4
"Include the Kitchen Sink"
May 6, 2019 (2019-05-06)
5:11
Betty, the owner of On Call Casting, fields a panicked call from production; inclusion riders are taking the industry by storm. DeMar, Sammie and Vasant, a Bollywood star, are sent out to a bizarre assignment that raises questions about Betty’s business model.
5
5
"Put Your Best Head Forward"
May 6, 2019 (2019-05-06)
7:19
Priya, a South Asian acting newcomer, seems destined to audition for medical roles even though she dreams of a sci-fi space drama. She’ll even go to great lengths to “look the part” and finds her big moment take an unforeseen turn.
6
6
"Whitewashing"
May 6, 2019 (2019-05-06)
7:51
Pressure from the Producer forces Jessica AD to get creative. Sammie and DeMar get an assignment that makes them uncomfortable. Back at the bubble tea shop, Sammie and DeMar reflect on the future.
7
7
"Dreams Start Somewhere"
May 6, 2019 (2019-05-06)
6:46
Sammie makes her frustrations known. Betty’s origins in the entertainment industry reveal why she started On Call Casting. Handing out some tough love advice to Priya gives Betty an idea for the future.
8
8
"This. Is. Real"
May 6, 2019 (2019-05-06)
6:53
Sammie’s parents make a big decision and Sammie faces a challenge at work. In the end, she takes a leap of faith to follow her dream.
Production
The first season of Tokens was funded through the Telefilm Talent-To-Watch program and the Bell Fund.[4] The series received additional funding through sponsorships from William F. White International and Grandé Camera (formerly Dazmo Camera).
In February 2019, Tokens creator Winnifred Jong and producer Trinni Franke participated in the Prime Time Throwdown pitch competition at the 2019 Prime Time in Ottawa conference, where they were awarded in-kind marketing services to support the release of the first season.[6] The series premiered to a sold-out audience at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on May 6, 2019, the same day the first season was released worldwide on Facebook and YouTube.[5]
Reception
Tokens has received praise for its satirical depiction of the issues of tokenism and representation in the entertainment industry.[6] Critics have noted the cultural relevance of the show's themes, with Greg David of TV, Eh? writing "Tokens couldn’t be more timely. Or scathingly on point."[7] In a Calgary Herald review, Melissa Hank remarked that the series "tackles Hollywood diversity with grace and humour."[8] Spring Marie Cullen of Starry Constellation Magazine wrote "it's smart, it's funny and it takes a unique look at the entertainment industry," concluding that "anyone who considers themselves a dreamer, no matter what career avenue they're headed down, will find enjoyment in this series."[9] Writing for The TV Junkies, Bridget Liszewski described Tokens as "a funny, bold, tongue-in-cheek look at issues of diversity, inclusion, and representation."[10]
As of July 2020, the first season of Tokens has been selected to screen at T.O. WebFest, Minnesota WebFest, NYC Web Fest, Bilbao Seriesland, NZ Web Fest, the Asia Web Awards, Santa Monica Webfest, Bogotá Web Fest, Apulia Web Fest, Miami Web Fest, Copenhagen Web Fest, New Jersey Web Fest, Santa Monica Webfest, DC Web Fest, Seoul Webfest, and Oakville Film Festival.[11]
It boldly became the first short form series to be nominated as Best Ensemble at the 2020 ACTRA Awards, competing with Kim's Convenience, Baroness von Sketch, Anne with an E and the eventual winner, Schitt's Creek. It was nominated for four Canadian Screen Awards in 2020, where Winnifred Jong won for Best Direction, Web Program or Series.
