The Showrunner - Hard to Have Showrunners Without Shows
June 18, 2009
Once Upon a Time - well, back in the mid 1970’s actually -Lew Wasserman, the legendary chairman of MCA/Universal and widely considered to be the most powerful Hollywood executive of his or any other era, chose Senator John Tunney, a one-term lightweight Democrat from California, to make sure that Congress …
Tags: Film Industry, Actor, Movie Blog, , Director
The Production Manager - A little goes a long way
June 17, 2009
Another week and another round of interviews; it’s very strange to be on the receiving end of interviews and I decided to write my piece this week on the subject hoping some of my experiences will benefit both interviewees and interviewers.
I have interviewed my fair share of people, particularly in the last couple of years and I can tell you that no matter how good your technique, you’re likely to choose the right person only about half the time.
Most people tell you whatever they think you want to hear and I can’t count the number of times a PA I’m interviewing has told me their ultimate ambition is to be a producer.
In a nutshell the one thing that will encourage me to hire someone is enthusiasm. Enthusiasm for working in TV, for the job and for the work they’ve done previously because enthusiasm is what will take them through the long hours, crazy schedules and ridiculous demands. Sure experience counts for a lot, but it’s not enough without genuine enthusiasm.
Some advice to those being interviewed:
· Make sure you’re there on time
· Dress smartly
· Bring a copy of your resume,
· Do your research before you get there
· Ask questions
· And don’t be nervous; just remember to smile and be polite.
This is a list of things people have done in interviews that have instantly put me off hiring them.
· Going to the wrong address, if you can’t find your way to the interview, how can I trust you to get the crew to their location on time?
· Not making an effort with how you’re dressed – it tells me you’re not taking the job very seriously
· Making inappropriate personal comments – that’s an instant no, it tells me you will be just as inappropriate on set to talent or contributors, not to mention getting on my nerves
· Mumbling your answers or being extremely shy. I’m sorry but if you can’t be articulate with me then you’re unlikely to be an effective communicator on set.
· Being too cocky, this happens wayyy too often with people starting out. If you’re cocky and over confident in the interview it tells me that you’re going to have a hard time following instruction.
Interviewing on the other hand is such an imprecise art in our field that some interviewers can be forgiven for not taking the process seriously with many people choosing to make it up as they go along.
Case in point, I had an interview today where the guy didn’t seem to have any questions to ask me, not even the most common, am I eligible to work in the US (my English accent is a dead giveaway). In fact this interview was so relaxed that the interviewer seemed entirely surprised when I asked what they were looking for in the role. I find that to be an invaluable question to ask in an interview so you know exactly what you sort of job you’re walking into).
In my recent experience, male interviews tend to wing it going with their ‘gut’ instinct, which can be impossible to preempt, while women have a set list of questions. Sometimes a little too set. In a recent interview a women sat and read a list of questions without looking up from the list once.
My only advice to those interviewing is this: Please respect my time.
· It’s not respecting my time to take a personal phone call whilst in the middle of interviewing me (happened recently)
· It’s not respectful to interview me for a different position than the one I’ve applied for without telling me (happened recently and should have been a warning sign)
· And above all, it’s not respectful if I’ve taken the time to come in and meet with you not to drop me a two line email to say, thank you but we’ve hired someone else. (Only one company out of the dozens I’ve applied for have taken the time to let me know the position was filled).
On a serious note, this is happening with alarming regularity and while I appreciate that people are very busy, I don’t accept this as a viable excuse. If I can manage to find the time while working 16-18 hours a day 6 days a week, then you can also find two minutes to keep a little decency and respect in this industry. A little goes a long way.
Tags: Movie, , Director, Filmmaker, Movie
The Storyboard Artist - NEW STORYBOARD JOB…THOUGH, A BIG ONE
June 17, 2009
Let me see now.
In the last week and a half, I have been hired on to do some pre-pre-production work on a film called NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH.
The director is a very cool guy named David Dobkin who did THE WEDDING CRASHERS. Everything has gone fine so far.
Once again, I can’t discuss the film as I WILL GET FIRED, but it looks to be fun.
David likes to start with thumbnails and work from there. He has a good sense of story and character arcs and is quite open to contributions. David made me feel relaxed as soon as we met, as did his assistant, Seth.
I had to go home to NYC, as my Uncle, a great man named Rueben Holder passed away. I really loved him. He married my mother’s first cousin, and we all just called him “Uncle”. The exact relation never mattered, which is just as I believe.
Family is who loves you and whom you love.
After coming back from the funeral, I am grinding away on the boards. I am very happy not to be using paper as when you work digitally, you can reuse shots and make some wider or tighter.
After approval, I can either draw on another layer or just add detail to the sketches. Tomorrow, I hope to get in a quick workout, take my son to school and start drawing. I have three scenes to do by this coming Monday.
Yes, I am having a lot of fun, I might add.
Tags: Actor, Movie Theatre, , Movie, Movie Blog
The Casting Director - Aloha! Almost…
June 17, 2009
It’s Tuesday. I was supposed to be in Hawaii today, but my producer likes to buy tickets last minute and then decides the tickets are too expensive so I should come on Thursday. This happens a lot with this Producer. Which was fine with me because I knew as soon as the ticket was issued I would be able to upgrade to First for little money or points, which I did do, so now I get to fly First, which to be honest makes me happy. In the meantime I have not been told where I am staying when I get there, but I don’t really care, I have decided to be Zen about the things that I usually get frustrated, irritated and upset about…I’ll let you know how that goes for me!
In the meantime, I have had time to close the deal points on some of the cast in L.A, create the deal memo template for approval and start making contact with actors based in Hawaii. I am really happy with the actors we made offers to, I am hoping that everyone does it, because even though they may not be names, it is potentially, a fantastic acting piece and will show off the talent in a way that they have not been seen before. The deals for the actors are straightforward, Modified-Low budget scale, favored nations on all deal points. It is what it is and what it is, a job, in Hawaii. Life sucks.
On the dog front: The doggy adoption agency came to visit us yesterday to assess our home. We put the word out that we want another dog. The caseworker came with her 2 year-old Golden, Peanut, to check out the house. As soon as Peanut walked in, I cried like a big girl. I am suppressing my emotions about Austin’s passing. I need to go to an African grief ritual and purge myself, or I could make that real tomato Bloody Mary that was described in this months ‘Departure Magazine,’ expertly crafted by Chinese bartenders in Beijing. Why do I even question myself?
Back to work tomorrow to clean up the office, pack things away and ship what I need to Hawaii.
Tags: Movie Theatre, Actor, Oscars, Film, Filmmaking
The Genre Director - BEAUTY PAGEANTS, PLUTOCRATS, AND INGRAINED RACISM - A TALE FROM LIVE TELEVISION IN 1972
June 16, 2009
With an African American finally in the White House, the extreme right media blowhards have been busy playing the race card, albeit in code. When the Mountainous Rushmore called President Obama “a reverse racist” for appointing a Latina to the US Supreme Court, it was a case of the pot belly calling the kettle fat. Click the double-verging-on-triple-chin to hear the radio clip.
Limbaugh’s gleeful repeat playing of the “Barack the Magic Negro” song was indicative of how deep are the roots of his racism. I suspect when he thinks of Obama, the word that Rush uses in his heart, if not on air, has not been in common parlance for 50 years or so. Here’s an account of the last time I heard the “N” word spoken at a public gathering.
I was associate producer and director of film sequences for QUEST OF QUESTS, a yearly beauty pageant show broadcast by the Nine Network live across Australia from the ballroom of Sydney’s Wentworth Hotel. 200 high society guests, fortified by food and liquor, sat at tables to watch 22 contestants parade in evening gowns and swimsuits, vying for the crown. I have since come to view such beauty pageants as perpetuating the stereotype of woman as handmaiden, but for a 25 year old guy they sure were fun to work on. In the days leading up to the broadcast, I had shot film sequences on each girl depicting their favorite hobby. (For instance young Belinda Green from Tasmania, later to become Miss World, was a dab hand at finger painting.) Beauty, beauty everywhere, but not a drop to drink. Courtesy of the vigilant chaperone and den mother to the girls Mrs. Marjorie Colebrook, a tireless organizer and great lady who requested my participation two years running.
My major responsibility during the telecast itself was to ensure that all the contestants and guest judges were at the right place at the right time. The Guest of Honor was former Miss Grenada, Jennifer Holstein, the first black woman to win a major international beauty contest (I forget which). She was a charming statuesque beauty. Imagine a young Michelle Obama.
Sitting beside Jennifer Holstein at the high table overlooking the ballroom - the rich have their pecking order too - was the owner of the Network Sir Frank Packer (right), one of the three robber barons of Australian media, the others being Fairfax and Murdoch. Rupert may be the last man standing now, but Packer was the undoubted titan at the time. This portrait was painted by Judy Cassab and is on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
Halfway through the show, I approached the high table to collect Ms. Holstein for her next appearance on the stage. I was wearing a dinner jacket as all crew on the show were required to do. Sir Frank immediately mistook me for a waiter and said, “Get me a whiskey and soda.” So I quickly guided Ms. Holstein to her designated entrance point, then went in search of the requisite whisky and soda. It was not wise to ignore an instruction from Sir Frank, who reputedly fired a copy boy for speaking to him in the elevator. Given the overworked waiter staff, the quickest solution was to buy the scotch myself from the bar. Back at the high table I placed the tumbler beside Sir Frank and picked up his empty glass. Well, not quite empty. Sir Frank’s hand clamped firmly around my wrist, and without a word, tipped the dregs into the new glass. You do not fight the hand that feeds you. It was an indication of how the man turned a small newspaper into a media empire.
Eventually the winning girls were announced. Joy, tears, roll end credits. The live feed to the nation concluded. Just as well. Because at that point the sponsor of the show joined the guest judges on the stage and addressed the audience in the ballroom. Sir John Walton, knighted for his services to commerce, chairman of Waltons department stores offered his thanks to all who made the show possible. Standing right beside Jennifer Holstein, the very embodiment of black is beautiful, he thanked her for coming all the way to Australia. She received enthusiastic applause. Then Sir John turned his attention to the Quest organizer sitting in the audience. He offered particular thanks “to Mrs. Marjorie Colebrook, who has worked like a nigger.”
There was no discernable intake of breath from the audience, more a moment when 200 people involuntarily stop breathing. A sharp silence like a puff of cold air. Then Sir John continued on oblivious. I was too far back in the hall to gauge Jennifer Holstein’s reaction. But she remained on the stage. Would anyone believe this moment if they read it in a screenplay? Naturally it was never reported. Today it would be all over Youtube and TMZ in minutes. Remember that Michael Richards (Seinfeld’s Kramer) racist rant?
The irony of Sir John’s use of the “N” word was that he intended the word as a compliment. Negroes, like the show’s organizer, were hard working people.
I am sure he apologized later. I heard a rumor that Sir Frank apologized on behalf of the network and that Ms. Holstein had been gracious. Sir John meant no insult. He just had not shaken off the ingrained racial attitudes of his parent’s generation. It was a slip of the tongue.
With Limbaugh, and fellow narcissistic escapees from anger management class, Hannity, Beck, and Savage, their rhetoric is no accident. It is carefully calculated then wrapped in code. But when an “entertainer” says the President is a greater enemy of the United States than Al Qaeda, he has crossed the line into incitement. There is no doubt in my mind that the recent murders committed by right wing crazies are a result of the toxification of political discourse that has developed over the last 20 years, particularly since the 2000 election. So will they dial it down? For the greater good?
No. They have no shame.
Tags: Movie Blog, Director, Movie Bloggers, Film,
The Showrunner - Countdown to Showbizzle: The View from the Bunker
June 12, 2009
Starting next Monday, selected bloggers, media critics, potential sponsors, assorted friends and active members from what remains of our original social network will be invited to evaluate our new and improved website at showbizzle.com ahead of the pack.A week later, showbizzle goes live and open it up to …
Tags: Filmmaking, Movie, Oscars, Movie Blog, Filmmaker
The Casting Director - “Say Goodbye to Love” (yes I like ‘The Carpenters’)…
June 12, 2009
What a week I have had! I was out of town from Friday to Tuesday in Houston seeing my niece graduate from High School (gulp) and my nephew’s birthday. Before leaving, I had to set up auditions for the director of ONE KINE DAY who was flying in from Hawaii with the actor who is playing the lead in the film. I always say this job is mobile and I could do it from anywhere and now was the time to prove it. The good news is that you really can be mobile and set up auditions on the phone, I don’t really need to be in the office to do that. However I do need to be in the office when auditions happen (obviously). With all of the family stuff going on, setting up auditions, talking to agents/manager via phone or on-line was sorted out in a timely manner and with the help of my new office mate, casting director Monika Mikkelsen – who substituted for me at the Tuesday casting session, sessions went smoothly and I am happy to say offers should be out today to our mainland based cast.
Tuesday, I fly to Honolulu and finish casting the film. I am going to be there for 3-4 weeks as I am looking for actors who are authentic to Hawaii. This will mean not only auditioning actors in Hawaii who are really actors, but also finding people who may have never acted in a film and casting them. For me, this is an amazing opportunity to do what I love: CAST A FILM. It is the nut and bolts of casting to me, to weave together a cast out of thin air, or at least that is how it feels to me right now.
I love the script, I like the people I am working with and the setting is pretty cool. I will miss my home, I’m not really good at being away from my creature comforts and husband, but as I said this is an amazing opportunity for me. So, if you know anyone in Hawaii who is an actor or wants to be one, have him or her email me!
On a sad note, my best friend, my loyal companion, my cherished baby boy, my dog, Austin, passed away Wednesday evening. I could probably write a book on why I loved him so much, but anyone who loves dogs, will know what I am feeling right now. There is a void in my life and by my bedside. We rescued Austin in 2003 when he was hit by a car. He came into our home with so much joy and love and he left with peace. I could see how much he loved us – I think that is what I will miss the most – his unconditional love that only a dog can bring.
All of this just reminds me of how fragile life really is and to not be so serious about everything. I think in this business I am in, I have worked with stressed out people/bosses/actors who have, well let me just say for lack of a better term, “issues,” and need an “Austin” in their life to chill them out. Austin did that for me. In fact, I have never felt so at ease as I have in my life as in the moment I am in now. A perfect moment for me to go to Hawaii, be open, be free to find a cast in an environment totally foreign to me and put together something amazing and inspired. At least that is what I hope to do; Austin would want me to do that…
Austin L. Flynn (a.k.a ‘His Royal Fluffiness’ ‘Mr. Magoo,’ ‘Snoopy’)
Tags: Actor, Hollywood, Director, Movie, Oscars
The Production Manager - Making Waves
June 11, 2009
While I’m have a little time between jobs I’m using it to brush up on my technical skills. There’s not a lot of call for production managers to be able to hoist up a camera and be able to shoot but the way budgets are going that may not be far off.
So I went online and found a great little evening course in downtown Manhattan (dctvny.org in case you’re interested). I was the only TV professional in our small class but I was infinitely the least active. What I mean by this was that the other people on the course were all using the class to learn skills for documentary making and my god were these interesting topics they were working on. One was documenting the stories of people involved in the civil rights movement in New York; another was interviewing Hollywood bigwigs for her new website; an American Idol for film makers (www.moviehatch.com). Another girl had just completed a film (Making Waves, Saving Lies) about a school in Kenya that teaches women rape and AIDS awareness – look out for it screening in NYC.
What struck me was how simply these people were going about and filming these stories without fuss or budgets or network approval. Sure, they’re not broadcasting on television but the stories are still out there being seen and heard.
This is something that’s really running around my mind at the moment, why there aren’t more interesting documentaries shown on television outside of HBO & Showtime. I was having dinner with a friend last night and she said that people in the states don’t want to be depressed, they want to be entertained.
Is that true folks? Is there no real documentary out there because people don’t want them or are people interested in hearing stories from the world around them? I’d love to know your thoughts on this…
Tags: Actor, Movie Blog, Movie, Television, Movie Bloggers
The Actor - SAG TOP SECRET BALLOTS ARE IN
June 10, 2009
That’s right, the “Top Secret” ballots that I spoke of in an earlier blog are in, and the results are crystal clear. A year after the former SAG contract expired, Screen Actor’s Guild members overwhelming, 78% to 22%, voted to ratify the 2-year contract that goes into effect today, June 10th.
Though the members voted in favor of the contract, SAG President Alan Rosenberg stands behind the fight for more rights, which is what started the yearlong negotiation process, and ultimate contract vote, in the first place. In a statement made by him last night, and sent to every member of SAG, his unhappiness rings loudly through…
“The membership has spoken and has decided to work under the terms of this contract that many of us, who have been involved in these negotiations from the beginning, believe to be devastatingly unsatisfactory. Tomorrow morning I will be contacting the elected leadership of the other talent unions with the hope of beginning a series of pre-negotiation summit meetings in preparation for 2011. I call upon all SAG members to begin to ready themselves for the battle ahead.”
In contrast, actor and star of the award winning USA show “Monk,” Tony Shalhoub, with whom I had the true pleasure of working on that show, stated…
“This is a great decision for SAG and I’m so appreciative of everything the new leadership is doing to put the Guild back on track…they’ve obviously got the right ideas for making SAG stronger.”
Personally, I feel as though the entertainment industry has been a bit out of sync over the last couple years, starting with the WGA (Writer’s Guild of America) strike that happened in 2007. Pilot season, which is when we actors tend to get the most opportunities for auditions and are out making our rounds for all the new shows in the network lineups, were quieter. Things just seemed slower all around.
For an actor, it is a step-by-step process towards being successful, although what defines success is different for each person. Therefore, having somewhat missed out on what is usually the busiest time for us, we can easily perceived it as a step back. That said, we must remember that everyone in and around the industry felt it too, and, so, it was a group step back, so to speak, in unison.
Regardless of where you stand on the vote, the results are in. We must now move forward under the new contract, and stay hopeful towards what the future of the industry might be, which is uncertain. Then again, uncertainty goes with the territory, so one must get used to it. I shall now hold tight and see how things change in the industry, as well as on the audition front, while looking forward to some exciting events happening for my family, outside of acting.
“Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don’t let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.” - R. I. Fitzhenry
Tags: , Hollywood, Filmmaking, Movie Bloggers, Film
The Hollywood Career Coach - GOT WORK? GOT HELP?
June 10, 2009
Hi there Film Industry Blogger community. Here’s a formal announcement of a new program I’m doing that I thought you might be interested in.
Read on and if you’re interested, sign up.
See ya soon.
(I’ll be Speaking on Career Strategy at the Great American Pitch Fest this weekend.)
-David
–
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD?
There have never been so many people in Hollywood looking for a new job or career direction.
YOU ARE INVITED
You are invited to join and create a small group (15 max) of experienced Hollywood professionals who are in career transition.
In a facilitated group setting, you will receive powerful support, inspiration and accountability around your career transition.
TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER
I’ll be leading the group as a facilitator and coach to make sure everyone gets the best out of the interactions and to design the meeting and keep things moving.
STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT
You’ll get group support in your next career move, hear about new opportunities, meet other Hollywood professionals, and definitely feel better about your career direction and your life.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
This group is for industry professionals who’ve been in the business a while, know the industry landscape, have some experience.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
–Structure, Support, Contacts,
–Accountability, Information, Ideas, Leads.
–Actual human interaction with actual humans in a similar situation
–An experience of the power of well facilitated group creativity.
Your first meeting will be at minimal cost to get an experience of how it works and will help you on your career path and to see if it’s right for you.
MEMBERSHIP FEES:
Your initial meeting will cost $20.00. If you like the group experience and want to continue the introductory rate will be $150 per month. This will include two 3-Hour facilitated group meetings per month and a private online discussion and support area (Wiki) available exclusively to group members.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION:
We’ll be meeting on the Westside. Final location to be determined by the number of participants we have.
GETTING STARTED
The first meeting of this group will be on June 23rd at 7:00 pm.
I’ve set up a page on MeetUp.com to handle preliminary registration. You can RSVP there and make your initial payment to guarantee your spot in the group.
HERE’S THE MEET UP LINK TO REGISTER:
SEND ME YOUR RESUME
So that I can make sure that this will be a compatible and professional group please send me your current resume and a brief paragraph about where your at in your career and where you’d like to be next.
GREEN LIGHT
I look forward to supporting you in mapping and green-lighting the next stage of your career.
Talk to you soon,
David Brownstein, PCC, CPCC.
Tags: Actor, Oscars, Filmmaking, , Director
