AFFT letter to the editor on incentives

The following letter from Jan Austin was printed today in The Tennessean. 


State is losing out on film projects


There has been considerable local and national publicity about the feature film "The Blind Side" starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw and even UT’s Phil Fulmer.


Sadly for Tennessee, however, the production of this touching true story from Memphis never spent a minute shooting in Tennessee. Why? The answer is simple. The state of Georgia offers film and television incentives that render Tennessee’s recruitment efforts useless.


"The Blind Side" was shot in Georgia while Tennessee’s crew base sat idly by or made efforts to land work elsewhere in the country. This isn’t the first loss of this kind for the state. The list is growing longer by the month.




Yes, Tennessee has film and television incentives. Unfortunately, they are temporary and uncompetitive. Nearly every state bordering Tennessee (not to mention the rest of the country) has now embraced robust incentive packages in an effort to recruit film and television projects to their states. 




What do they know that we haven’t learned yet? The answer to that is simple, as well. Film and television projects bring a huge infusion of capital into the communities they select and people are put to work.




It was painful knowing that a red carpet screening of "The Blind Side" was held in Nashville even though the tremendous pool of talent in our state had no part in the making of it.


Jan Austin, 
Executive Director, Association for the Future of Film and Television in Tennessee

Auditions Saturday for local indie short

+++KEEP IN MIND... IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A MONOLOGUE / RESUME / HEADSHOT IT'S OKAY. TAG ALONG RECENT PHOTO AND YOUR PERSONALITY+++


FILMING STARTS IN MID JANUARY




NON-PAYING


AUDITION
DATE / LOCATION / TIME:
November 21, 2009 


Java Co (Cafe')'
3133 Forest Hill Irene
Germantown, TN
3:00pm - 6:00pm
----------------------------------------------------


This short film portrays a southern man from Louisiana that struggles through life with a wonderful heart that just didn't want to work. Aaron Childers played the piano most of his life, till his health wouldn't allow him to do so anymore.


“In his long life Aaron Childers suffered from diabetes, six heart attacks, numerous bypass surgeries, three strokes, and one in which he had during a house fire. He was also a prostate cancer survivor. I didn’t write this to remember how sick he was, yet to recap moments with my favorite musician of all time, my Daddy.”- Nora Childers




AVAILABLE ROLES / ACTING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
AARON CHILDERS: Caucasian / Mature Male (50+)
-southern / laid back / rough neck looking


YOUNG NORA: Caucasian / Girl (age 9)
-Blonde hair blue eyed Daddy's girl. / Not at all shy


Hotel Worker / Male (18+)
-Serious look to the face / Shy / Clumsy


Paramedic / Male (30+)
-Stern / Gets the job done attitude / Athletic


Nurse / Woman (30+)
-Stern / Gets the job done attitude 


If none of the above roles fit your persona, that is okay. WE NEED EXTRAS!




NOTE: Be prepared to speak a monologue (memorization isn't needed) You may perform your own.


NOTE: If you are auditioning for a specific role. The monologue that you bring must be similar to the description of the character.




***BRING A RECENT PHOTO / HEAD SHOT AND RESUME TO THE AUDITION***


***BACK-UP CREW / BACK-UP EQUIPMENT NEEDED. KEEP IN MIND FILMING STARTS IN MID JANUARY.***

New Initiative Launches to Help Finance Memphis Independent Films

 “Do what you love and you'll never
work a day in your life.”  That phrase represents one of the
influences for filmmakers and a new non-profit organization whose goal
is to promote the Memphis independent film industry by connecting
filmmakers with investors.  Fuel Film Memphis, powered by Launch
Memphis, recognized a void when it came to Memphis filmmakers doing
what they loved but also having to pay the bills.  As a result, they
are holding an open conversation about entrepreneurship and
filmmaking, Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Otherlands Café at 7:30
p.m.   http://filmstorm.eventbrite.com

The event, called "Film Storm: Creative Conversations about
Entrepreneurship and Independent Film," which is being sponsored by
the Memphis Film Commission, will consist of a brainstorming session
on the development, funding and marketing of independent films in
today's marketplace.   Fuel Film recognized that although the digital
revolution greatly decreased the cost of producing a film, to have a
successful and sustainable career in filmmaking, cash is still king.

“The problem is not the lack of ideas or creativity,” says Matt
Beickert, one of the founders of Fuel Film, “the problem is a lack of
funding options to not only produce a film, but to actually promote
it.”

An independent film movement has definitely been brewing for many
years.  The days that film producers wait to be picked up by a
distributor and give away all of their rights with minuscule profits,
if any, are slowly fading away.  They are looking outside of Hollywood
for solutions, reaching their core audiences in unconventional ways
via the Internet and word of mouth.  They are also looking for
financing outside of the very closed Hollywood system.

Fuel Film, powered by Launch Memphis, is a new initiative engaged in
promoting growth of the Memphis film industry through education of
Filmmakers, Producers, and Investors.

Crucible auditions (for theater)

November 28th at 10:00am. AND November 29th at 2pm, Harrell Theatre 440 W. Powell Rd., Collierville, TN 38017 Callbacks TBA (Please note that if you are unable to make these dates and times please contact Amy atahanford@harrelltheatre.org to schedule another audition time).



Please prepare a 2 min contemporary monologue (either from The Crucible or a piece of your own choosing). It is highly recommended that you read or re-read The Crucible to familiarize yourself with the play before your audition. You may be asked to do a small excerpt from the play. 

This is a cold reading chosen by the director; however, I do suggest familiarizing yourself with some of the most significant speeches. 

Please bring a headshot and/or snapshot along with a performance resume to your audition. 

Below is a list of characters (all roles are open):



Elizabeth Proctor - Supremely virtuous, god-fearing wife of John Proctor, can be cold and unaffectionate but loyal.


Mrs Ann Putnam - Wife of Thomas Putnam, a very superstitious woman who believes that the deaths of her babies in childbirth was caused by supernatural means


Rebecca Nurse - Wife to Francis Nurse. She is a pious old woman who has often acted as a midwife for women of the town, including Ann Putnam. 


Sarah Good - One of the accused. She admits to witchcraft to save herself from death.


Tituba - Servant to the Parris household. She is a native of Barbados. She is enlisted by the girls to cast spells and create charms. Tituba confesses to save herself.


Abigail Williams - Orphaned niece of Reverend Parris. She was once the lover of John Proctor but was turned out when his wife discovered the affair. She is extremely jealous of Elizabeth Proctor. She is the leader of the girls, manipulative and vengeful, and convincing.


Betty Parris - Parris's daughter, a weak girl who goes along with Abigail under threat and is easily manipulated.


Mary Warren - Servant to the Proctor household. She is persuaded by Proctor to expose the girls, but is not strong enough to fight Abigail and as soon as Abigail leads the other girls against her, Mary caves in.


Mercy Lewis - Servant to the Putnam household. She is a merciless girl who delights in the girls' activities. 


Susanna Walcott - One of the girls, easily guided by Abigail.


Ezekiel Cheever - He is the clerk of the court during the witchcraft trials. He delivers arrest warrants for the accused.


Francis Nurse - Husband to Rebecca Nurse. He is a respected man in the community but is ignored when he attempts to speak for his wife. 


Giles Corey - Elderly, feisty farmer, husband to Martha, he is arrested for contempt of court. He is eventually pressed to death when he refuses to enter a plea


Governor Danforth - Deputy Governor of Massachusetts. He is sensitive to the presence of the devil and reacts explosively to whatever evidence is presented.


John Proctor - Honest, upright, and blunt-spoken; a good man with a secret, fatal flaw. He had an affair with Abigail when she was employed in his household. He refuses to admit to witchcraft and is hanged.


Judge Hathorne - Judge in the Salem court, a man who is not easily persuaded, he needs absolute proof of innocence.


Reverend Parris - Pastor of the church in Salem. He is the father of Betty and the uncle of Abigail Williams. He believes that he is being persecuted and that the townspeople and believes if he cannot control his own household, he may not be trusted with an entire village. 


Reverend Hale - An expert on witchcraft, summoned to determine whether the devil is in Salem and enthusiastically participates in the court proceedings. He finally realizes that the girls are lying and attempts to convince the condemned to admit to witchcraft and save themselves from death.

Thomas Putnam - Husband of Ann Putnam, father to Ruth. He is a powerful and wealthy man in the village with a long family line. He is accused of coercing his daughter to accuse people, to gain their land.



Director: Amy Hanford; 
Stage Manager: Lindsay Mitchell



Performance dates: Feb. 19-28 (School matinee performances will possibly be added)-TBA



Please contact ahanford@harrelltheatre.org for more information or if you are unable to make the scheduled auditions.

Stage audition notice

Bartlett Theatre Company is pleased to announce AUDITIONS for the comedy, DEARLY BELOVED, directed by Ruth Johnson.

AUDITIONS:
2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14
6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15

CALLBACKS, IF NEEDED:
7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16

CASTING:
- One female 20s
- Three females 40s
- Three females 30-70
- One male 20s
- Three males 40-50s

WHERE:
Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center (BPACC)
3663 Appling Rd., 38133, one block south of Summer Ave.

PERFORMANCES AT BPACC:
8 p.m., Jan. 28, 29, 30; and 3 p.m., Jan. 31, 2010

ABOUT BARTLETT THEATRE COMPANY:
Bartlett Theatre Company is a cooperative effort between members of Bartlett Community Theatre and the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center. Past successes include Greater Tuna, The Odd Couple, Dearly Departed, and Catch Me If You Can. Performances are presented with the audience seated on stage in an intimate arena configuration.

MORE INFO:
Visit our web site for show info: bartlettcommunitytheatre.org (or) contact Greg Broy, producer, at bct@... or via Facebook.

NEXT UP FROM BARTLETT THEATRE:
A Tuna Christmas, directed by Ann Marie Hall, Dec. 17-20 at BPACC. Tickets $16 advance, $18 door, on sale Nov. 17. Reserved auditorium (off-stage) seating.