Friday, September 8, 2006
Casting notice
Indie film company seeks: four European men ages 35-45 (or close); one Caucasian middle-aged woman with Southern accent; one African-American woman age 25-35. Several other smaller parts for all types and shapes. Call Raindog Productions at (901) 292-9643
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Audition tips
Thanks to Leslie K. Nelson for passing this along:
1. Don’t get cute with the slate.
This is not about you getting up and doing five at The Comedy Store. This is about you saying your name so we can match it to the coffee-stained callsheet. To put it another way, you know that obnoxious dude you auditioned with last week who made a horse’s ass of himself with some lame, Jokey McJoke in his slate? That guy you were embarrassed to be put on tape with? Don’t be that guy.
2. Don’t be a jerk to your fellow auditioners.
This includes showboating, scene-stealing, line-stepping-on and other forms of loud, selfish behavior. Remember, it is not just your acting talent that is being considered; it is your appeal in the fifteenth hour of a sixteen-hour day. Think you’re so slick? Think we can’t see it on tape?
Think again, chumley…
3. Don’t be needy.
I know—you need the job. We all need the job. Whatever. Don’t look or act like you do. If you need help with this, talk it over with your teacher or coach. Get a day job that pays enough you don’t need to rely on commercial income. But for the love of all that is holy, do NOT show us desperation. It has the loser taint we can smell a mile off, and no one wants a loser in the commercial they spent a year (yes, sometimes it takes A YEAR) getting to air.
4. Don’t improve on the copy unless you’re specifically asked to.
Remember: we are the jokesters, not you. Just because the copy is crappy by the time it’s reached your hands doesn’t mean it started out that way. Copywriters and art directors are usually pretty smart and funny people, even if we are sometimes dismissed as artsy-fartsy by suits and the client who consider themselves our mental superiors. (Does that chain of command sound familiar, actors?) So be on my side. Don’t mock the copy, even subtly. Yes, we know it (sometimes) blows. No, we don’t want to hear it from you.
And we’ll know. Oh, we’ll know.
5. Don’t look radically different from your headshot.
Not because we won't recognize you (you're on tape, right in front of me and my sandwich), but to avoid the endless scorn you will receive at our frustrated-screenwriter hands when we hold up a picture of you looking like Jessica Alba on a Maxim cover to the pudgy, middle-aged, Casual Mom-looking you on tape. Also, casting directors hate it. Frankly, this should be reason enough.
And finally…
6. Don’t sweat it.
Now that I’m on the other side of the camera, I routinely hear actors flipping out because their agent said business attire and they’ve shown up in casual business attire. Really—I SWEAR—it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are good and kick ass and have fun. We can buy you a lab coat/housecoat/fur coat; we can’t conjure up mad acting skills. If we could, we’d be actors.
1. Don’t get cute with the slate.
This is not about you getting up and doing five at The Comedy Store. This is about you saying your name so we can match it to the coffee-stained callsheet. To put it another way, you know that obnoxious dude you auditioned with last week who made a horse’s ass of himself with some lame, Jokey McJoke in his slate? That guy you were embarrassed to be put on tape with? Don’t be that guy.
2. Don’t be a jerk to your fellow auditioners.
This includes showboating, scene-stealing, line-stepping-on and other forms of loud, selfish behavior. Remember, it is not just your acting talent that is being considered; it is your appeal in the fifteenth hour of a sixteen-hour day. Think you’re so slick? Think we can’t see it on tape?
Think again, chumley…
3. Don’t be needy.
I know—you need the job. We all need the job. Whatever. Don’t look or act like you do. If you need help with this, talk it over with your teacher or coach. Get a day job that pays enough you don’t need to rely on commercial income. But for the love of all that is holy, do NOT show us desperation. It has the loser taint we can smell a mile off, and no one wants a loser in the commercial they spent a year (yes, sometimes it takes A YEAR) getting to air.
4. Don’t improve on the copy unless you’re specifically asked to.
Remember: we are the jokesters, not you. Just because the copy is crappy by the time it’s reached your hands doesn’t mean it started out that way. Copywriters and art directors are usually pretty smart and funny people, even if we are sometimes dismissed as artsy-fartsy by suits and the client who consider themselves our mental superiors. (Does that chain of command sound familiar, actors?) So be on my side. Don’t mock the copy, even subtly. Yes, we know it (sometimes) blows. No, we don’t want to hear it from you.
And we’ll know. Oh, we’ll know.
5. Don’t look radically different from your headshot.
Not because we won't recognize you (you're on tape, right in front of me and my sandwich), but to avoid the endless scorn you will receive at our frustrated-screenwriter hands when we hold up a picture of you looking like Jessica Alba on a Maxim cover to the pudgy, middle-aged, Casual Mom-looking you on tape. Also, casting directors hate it. Frankly, this should be reason enough.
And finally…
6. Don’t sweat it.
Now that I’m on the other side of the camera, I routinely hear actors flipping out because their agent said business attire and they’ve shown up in casual business attire. Really—I SWEAR—it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are good and kick ass and have fun. We can buy you a lab coat/housecoat/fur coat; we can’t conjure up mad acting skills. If we could, we’d be actors.
Monday, September 4, 2006
Open Auditions/Casting Call Notice
... for "Trick or Treat?", a short filmSaturday, September 16, 2006 from 9 a. m.-3 p. m.
at The Complex, 704 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38109
Sunday, September 17, 2006 from 9 a. m.-3 p. m.
at The University of Memphis, Theater and Communication Building, Rooms 207 and 209
Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38152-3150
Synopsis: Gene’s life as a lower-class preteen with an aloof mother and a menacing slum outside their apartment, does not leave him with much hope for his future. He tried to find beauty in his world but starts to retreat into his books and imagination. Then, one day, he comes across a new neighbor, Mary, and his life will never be the same.
Produced by: Funny Farm Films, Rachael Moeller
(901) 378-3455
rachael_moeller@hotmail.com
www.beautifullyflawed.com
characters
principals:
-EUGENE “GENE” FIG=male, preteen (on the cusp of puberty), smart and curious, unique features a plus
-MARY=neighbor, female, late 20s-early 40s, angelic and welcoming, like Virginia Madsen in A Prairie Home
Companion
-DEANNA FIG=Gene’s mother, female, late teens-early 20s, harsh and angry at the world, like Brittany
Murphy in 8 Mile
supporting cast:
-STANLEY=Deanna’s “boyfriend”, male, late 30s-early 50s, unique features a plus
-OFFICER=open
-CAMILLE=bag lady, female, late 40s-early 60s
-THREE GANGSTERS=male, late teens-late 20s
-TWO PROSTITUES=female
-PIMP=male
highly encouraged to come with an one minute monologue, resume, and headshot, but not necessary
Sides and improvisation exercises will be part of the auditions.
Minors must be accompanied by adults.
This is deferred payment.
Call backs will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2006 from 6:00 p. m. – 9:00 p. m. at The University of Memphis, Theater and Communication Building, Rooms 207 and 209, Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38152-3150.
Rehearsals start Friday, September 22, 2006, and shooting takes place the last three weekends in October.
Acting class
Lisa Lax is having class September 5th from 7-9:30pm. Email her at laxcast@bellsouth.net if you're coming. She's pulling some stuff for an audition. 174 Leif Cv., Cordova, TN 38018
LTTM Monthly Festival -- with J Lazarus Hawk and others
From Last Train to Memphis
LTTM's September Line Up
We are proud to announce the line-up for our September Shorts Festival. Thanks to all entrants. Remember, just because your film was not selected for this month, it does not mean it won’t be shown in a future episode. This is a monthly festival.
--The Morning Ritual directed by award winning director J Lazarus Hawk. Hawk says: "This episode will also include an interview with me, and SV-2's PROJECT 366 documentary video, of which i was a contributer. In the interview I mention that I am currently casting for two shorts, and we have also included a few short clips from a short that I have in post production entitled, US."
--Project 366 a film by Willy Bearden and David Tankersly
--Music for ending credits - Arms Open Wide by Ferdos Laraya
Be sure to look for bonus films at the end of the credits! Includes:
--Battle of the Gods directed by Danny Stanford and Corey Smithmier
--Beat Down in Clowntown directed by Danny Stanford and Corey Smithmier
--Music video - Decleyre by B Siler, song - It's Not Me, You're Just Being Difficult by Cale Lefevre
Weekly are on the Public Library's Channel 18 WYPL beginning September 4th.
*Sunday Night/Monday Morning 12 Midnight
*Thursday Morning 2am
*Thursday night 10:30pm
*Saturday Morning 1:30am
*Saturday Night 11pm
For more information or to enter a film in the festival: www.LastTraintoMemphis.com
LTTM's September Line Up
We are proud to announce the line-up for our September Shorts Festival. Thanks to all entrants. Remember, just because your film was not selected for this month, it does not mean it won’t be shown in a future episode. This is a monthly festival.
--The Morning Ritual directed by award winning director J Lazarus Hawk. Hawk says: "This episode will also include an interview with me, and SV-2's PROJECT 366 documentary video, of which i was a contributer. In the interview I mention that I am currently casting for two shorts, and we have also included a few short clips from a short that I have in post production entitled, US."
--Project 366 a film by Willy Bearden and David Tankersly
--Music for ending credits - Arms Open Wide by Ferdos Laraya
Be sure to look for bonus films at the end of the credits! Includes:
--Battle of the Gods directed by Danny Stanford and Corey Smithmier
--Beat Down in Clowntown directed by Danny Stanford and Corey Smithmier
--Music video - Decleyre by B Siler, song - It's Not Me, You're Just Being Difficult by Cale Lefevre
Weekly are on the Public Library's Channel 18 WYPL beginning September 4th.
*Sunday Night/Monday Morning 12 Midnight
*Thursday Morning 2am
*Thursday night 10:30pm
*Saturday Morning 1:30am
*Saturday Night 11pm
For more information or to enter a film in the festival: www.LastTraintoMemphis.com
Sunday, September 3, 2006
Casting notice
I'm passing on this note from Lindsey Roberts:
I have been lucky enough to
help out with the casting for the project described
below. It's going to be tons of fun and the pay is
really great. Below you will find the following
information: a breakdown of characters,
director/producer info, pay amount, shoot dates, and
all the necessary info you will need regarding the
filming of this pilot.
The talent pool in Memphis is so amazing, I just know
we can cast most of these characters using the
extraordinary actors in this city. The only character
that has been pre-cast is Nester. An actor in New
York will be coming in to play that part. The others
are wide open, so come on down.
This is happening very fast, so I will need all of
your submissions ASAP. We will be casting on
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH BEGINNING AT 9 AM. The
auditions will be held at 1460 Madison Avenue in
Midtown, Memphis. This means I have to receive your
headshot and resume no later than TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER
5TH.
Preferred way is to email to lindsey@playhouseonthesquare.org
Or you can drop them off first thing Tuesday at Playhouse on the Square,
51 South Cooper. We are open from 8 am to 5 pm. Playhouse phone
is 725-0776.
Once I have received your submission, I will call you
to set up your individual audition time. We are going
to schedule appointments in 10 minute increments. If
there are better times during the day for you, please
specify and give me all the availability options that
you have (of course there is no guarantee, but I will
do what I can). I also have sides for all of the
characters we are casting, so I will get those to
individuals as I set up your audition time. You can let me
know if you have a character preference. I would
prefer to send them via email. If this is a problem,
please let me know.
All the info you need is below, but please do not
hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. If
the characters say 3x's or 6x's beside it, that's how
many actors they are looking for with regards to that
role. Break a leg everyone - it's gonna be a blast.
I can't wait to see all of you on Wednesday.
[Title of project removed on 10-2-06 at request of producers]
CASTING BREAKDOWN SHEET
9/1/06
Memphis Local Casting
Independent Internet Video Pilot
Director: Kirt Gunn
Producer: Greg Schultz
Production Coordinator: Sharon Bicks
Casting Coordinator: Lindsey Roberts
AFTRA and Local Actor Pay Rate
$425/12 hours
Session fee includes one year internet buyout.
No agent fee.
Shoot Location: Memphis
Shoot Dates: 9/14-16 & 9/18-22
6 x Documentary Interviewees
Academics, Pundits, Researchers, Historians - in their
60s and up, all ethnicities, 75% men, 25% women. Can
be conventional or very eccentric looking.
Think of the experts from the Ken Burns documentary on
The Civil War.
All Sexes and Ethnicities.
I have been lucky enough to
help out with the casting for the project described
below. It's going to be tons of fun and the pay is
really great. Below you will find the following
information: a breakdown of characters,
director/producer info, pay amount, shoot dates, and
all the necessary info you will need regarding the
filming of this pilot.
The talent pool in Memphis is so amazing, I just know
we can cast most of these characters using the
extraordinary actors in this city. The only character
that has been pre-cast is Nester. An actor in New
York will be coming in to play that part. The others
are wide open, so come on down.
This is happening very fast, so I will need all of
your submissions ASAP. We will be casting on
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH BEGINNING AT 9 AM. The
auditions will be held at 1460 Madison Avenue in
Midtown, Memphis. This means I have to receive your
headshot and resume no later than TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER
5TH.
Preferred way is to email to lindsey@playhouseonthesquare.org
Or you can drop them off first thing Tuesday at Playhouse on the Square,
51 South Cooper. We are open from 8 am to 5 pm. Playhouse phone
is 725-0776.
Once I have received your submission, I will call you
to set up your individual audition time. We are going
to schedule appointments in 10 minute increments. If
there are better times during the day for you, please
specify and give me all the availability options that
you have (of course there is no guarantee, but I will
do what I can). I also have sides for all of the
characters we are casting, so I will get those to
individuals as I set up your audition time. You can let me
know if you have a character preference. I would
prefer to send them via email. If this is a problem,
please let me know.
All the info you need is below, but please do not
hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. If
the characters say 3x's or 6x's beside it, that's how
many actors they are looking for with regards to that
role. Break a leg everyone - it's gonna be a blast.
I can't wait to see all of you on Wednesday.
[Title of project removed on 10-2-06 at request of producers]
CASTING BREAKDOWN SHEET
9/1/06
Memphis Local Casting
Independent Internet Video Pilot
Director: Kirt Gunn
Producer: Greg Schultz
Production Coordinator: Sharon Bicks
Casting Coordinator: Lindsey Roberts
AFTRA and Local Actor Pay Rate
$425/12 hours
Session fee includes one year internet buyout.
No agent fee.
Shoot Location: Memphis
Shoot Dates: 9/14-16 & 9/18-22
6 x Documentary Interviewees
Academics, Pundits, Researchers, Historians - in their
60s and up, all ethnicities, 75% men, 25% women. Can
be conventional or very eccentric looking.
Think of the experts from the Ken Burns documentary on
The Civil War.
All Sexes and Ethnicities.
Saturday, September 2, 2006
September events
Amber sez:
So you might be thinking to yourself... "What is there to do in Memphis for the month of September???" Well…
September 5: There is a free Meisner workshop at the Co-Op. The time to be there is 7:30. We will be taking donations for the Co-Op so please bring some cash. This will be the last Meisner workshop I do in Memphis, so please come and find out what all the fun is about.
September 14- Nov 9: If you are a creative person and you have always wanted to find a way to get those creative juices flowing sign up for my LAST Meisner class. I will no longer be teaching Meisner in Memphis so sign up now. There is limited space so the sooner you sign up the better. All you need to do is contact me. For more information, go here.
www.livefrommemphis.com or www.sawedoffnet.com or john sparks thing (shhh I always forget the name of it…shhhhh)
[Hmph! -jws]
The Indie Film Festival in October, make sure you go. Check out "EAT" when you go, it is for sure going to be a winner. Also "Heart * String" although I am not sure if it will premiere there or not…but when it does YOU better go…please.
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