The Background Actor - Auditioning: the next step for extras

The Documentary Producer - Does my documentary need Fiscal Sponsorship?

The Background Actor - Often, the quirky, little ones are the most satisfying

My background acting career began on the East Coast and 95% of my jobs back there were major studio feature films. From the James Bond film, Licence to Kill, to the extraordinarily bad Burt Reynolds movie Cop and A Half, I’ve spent lots of time as …

Tags: Filmmaking, Film Blog, Movie Bloggers, Movie, Film Industry

The Storyboard Artist - “Of COURSE the storyboards will be on time”

When you freelance as a storyboard artist your client will frequently ask you, “how fast are you?”

This goes into how many frames can you do in “X” amount of time. You’ll only really find this answer after actually being in the field and doing different types of jobs.

Storyboards that are mostly “talking heads” or dialogue are a lot easier to do than an assignment consisting of camera moves, lots of characters and action.

Feature boards are something that you can work yourself into a rhythm. Commercial and music video boards are always on a strict deadline. They usually shoot within days of the completion of your work.

Feature films can have their own restrictions. A scene may have extreme pressure on getting done do to filming schedule or that the director just wants to keep a brisk pace of getting scenes done so they are prepared as possible upon filming.

While being honest with yourself, how fast are you? I say, when pressed on to can you get the job done, say “yes”, unless you are sure you can’t do it. If you are a little bit behind, the director will usually be all right with knowing the boards are on the way to being done. Note, I say this for a long term job. Commercial people will cut your throat if you make them miss the next days’ pre-pro meeting.

I am saying, if you think you can push yourself, and you need that gig, take the job and get it done!!!

I just did a week long job and busted my ^%$ dong detailed drawings and working ten to twelve hour days. The last day was about sixteen hours or so, but I got it done and made people smile.

Often, an intense gig will make you work more quickly and economically than you ever thought you could. I had to do a “steam punk” work and distinct body armor and clothes. I was tired, but my mind was racing in ways of getting the work to look nice and clear.

I made sure to spot blacks to add weight to the art and to add a healthy dose of direction arrows for screen direction. I “dutched” angles and added mang style speed lines to increase the arts’ energy. I guess it worked. My client was very happy with my storyboards.

Tags: Oscars, Film Industry, Movie Bloggers, Film Blog, Hollywood

The Manager - Tom Sawyer Entertainment: 4 Years Older and (Somewhat) Wiser

Yesterday we threw a “Tom Sawyer Entertainment is 4″ birthday party at our favorite local bar. We have survived one strike, one defacto strike and a recession, so it seemed like a great reason to celebrate.

And as I sat in a packed bar surrounded by all our clients, friends, former assistants, and interns who had come out to support us, I thought about all the things I’ve learned in the four years since founding Tom Sawyer.

• Find good people that you want to work with.

This applies to both executives, producers, lawyers and clients. A lot of people complain that there are no good people in Hollywood, but that is simply not true.  There are just less good people so it takes longer to find them. That’s why it is worth spending your time and energy meeting everyone so you can find the truly greats in this business.

• Work on material you love.

I can’t repeat this enough. This actually applies to both clients and projects. By working on material you love, when you get the first 100 passes, you will be just as passionate to make the next 100 calls. In the long run, it will be so much more rewarding when you see it through.

• If you are going into business with someone, make sure you know that person inside and out.

My business partner and I like to say we “dated for four years before we got married.” What we mean by this is that, as assistants, we worked as a team (at separate companies but combined forces to cover more ground) for four years before we started a company together. And even in the worst days, when we want to kill each other, we always make up before the end of the day and never walk away mad.

• Have fun.

This business is hard and you will get a lot of rejections. An important thing to remember is that we aren’t curing cancer — we are making entertainment. To entertain is literally in our job description. So take the work seriously but don’t take yourself too seriously. Have fun, enjoy yourself!

Tags: Film Blog, Film Industry, Actor, Hollywood, Director

The Actor - CHRIS CHALK IS SET TO HIT BROADWAY IN “FENCES” AND MY HEART SMILES

I realize it has been a little while since I last blogged.  Thus, I wanted to write a quick one and share the exciting news of my dear friend, and fellow actor Chris Chalk, whom I mentioned in my previous blog.  He has landed a role on Broadway, opposite two-time academy award winning actor Denzel Washington, in August Wilson’s “Fences!”

Needless to say, I could not be more thrilled for him.  No one deserves this more because he is not only extremely talented, but also giving, kind and a wonderful person and friend as well.  He and I first met in college where we were getting our Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in acting and theatre.  Since then, he has been a big part of both my family’s and my life, and we support him all the way and could not be prouder!

The play is set to hit Broadway, in previews, on April 14^th, at the Cort Theatre.  So, if you, or any of your friends, find time in New York City, and feel like taking in a show and/or seeing Denzel Washington right in front of you, I would love for you to check it out and help to support Chris!  He is the last person to brag about his accomplishments or spread the word.  Instead he is always so humble and gracious.  Therefore, I have decided to take on the role of a fan, in this moment, and spread the word myself!

On a side note, I have received e-mails asking about getting into the acting industry in general and how one goes about getting started later in life.  These are great questions, and I would love to be able to offer some insight and any help I can on the topic.  Therefore, next week, I plan to blog about just that and welcome any of your thoughts, in the comment section below or via e-mail, on it as well.  Until then, know that my heart is smiling for Chris, and that I appreciate each of you stopping by!

“Always looking to grow, love, learn, teach, work, relax, play, help, trust, care…trying my best to be my best me.” – Chris Chalk

Tags: Oscars, Filmmaking, Director, Film Blog, Movie

The Standby Painter - New Year’s Regrets and Resolutions

Here are some of the things I regret most from my career in film, followed by, just to lighten up all the negativity, some resolutions to prevent similar regrets from occurring in the future.  I think anyone reading these will learn something from my mistakes.  At least I hope they …

Tags: Movie Bloggers, Movie, Filmmaking, Movie Theatre, Film Industry

The Hollywood Career Coach - MY NEW MISSION (AND I’VE CHOSEN TO ACCEPT IT)

Hi Film Industry Blogger Community: I wrote a really long great article this month on the plane to Sundance.

However, I’m just going to send you the last part of it because I know your attention span is challenged. (As are all of our’s these days.)

I may post the rest later but for now. . . lets all just create community. Shall we?

—–

ON COMMUNITY AND MISSION. . .

I had a gathering of a small number of friends, colleagues and clients recently.

Because I had the presence of mind to get help with the party food and preparations I was able to have the time to think, actually. And be relaxed in the hours before people arrived.

And I thought about saying a few words when people were gathered there, but I didn’t, because it didn’t seem necessary at the time, but because the thank you I got was that they had all shown up, in my life, as well as my practice.

WHAT I REALIZED WAS THIS:

I actually had a mission for my business and my coaching practice that I’d never articulated.

HERE IT IS

My mission for Hollywood Coaching is to create a Hollywood that is Healthy, Rewarding, and Enlightening.

And I can only do that when people show up in my life who’re hungry for that as well. (And  I’m not just talking about coaching clients.)

JUST SHOWING UP

When people with a positive outlook show up at a networking event or a gathering or a meeting it allows me to bring and share my positive outlook and thoughts.

When someone makes a film or tells a story that facilitates or inspires a new way to see things, lives or the world, it speaks to that part of it’s audience members as well and allows them to see, feel or otherwise access lesser known parts of themselves.

I believe in a world that is growing, learning, expanding and getting generally, slowly smarter and more awake, aware and compassionate.

WHAT I BELIEVE

I believe that Hollywood, as in industry, is becoming that way was well. It’s hard to say whether it’s happening more slowly or more quickly than other industries but I have a feeling that it’s happening more slowly, actually.

SOMEHOW

The power disparity between those with power and those without seems great. And those who want to change their life, move to Hollywood, and live their dream of creating film, television, music or whatever, often feel grateful for the opportunity to be treated badly at some entry level stage of their career in the business.

That’s not to say that we shouldn’t work hard, pay our dues or do stuff that the folks back home would say is crazy.

I’M NOT

Take that assistant job, that extra work, that office job if it’s what it takes to get an inside look at how the machinery works.
But what I am saying is that for those of you who’re inside the machine, to whatever degree, I challenge you to challenge the paradigms of what’s expected at times.

You may not get exactly what you want. Or at least not now or at first. That’s ok.

THE CHALLENGE IS TO ASK
Ask for some time off during the day to make a phone call that will benefit your career.

Ask your possible new manager if the strange things you noticed during your interview are they way they do things around here?

Ask your old manager if he/she will still work with you if you put your education first, even when it might mean missing some auditions or meetings.

Set the intention to create, nurture and develop relationship and business opportunities with people that you like, trust and believe in.

A community with whom you can explore, reveal and support each other in the challenges and vulnerabilities and successes of your career journey as participant in the evolving story that is Hollywood at this point in the world’s development.

FIND YOUR COMMUNITY

Create a new Hollywood that will help create a new world.

—

And speaking of building community. . .

LITERATI SCHMOOZE - 2/25/10

Please join me at my  schmooze/hang/networking event. It’s my way of connecting my clients, friends and other interested professionals working in the creative industries and to meet up and chill out.

No RSVP. Come when you can. Trust the forces of randomness and synchronicity. Meet cool creative professionals. Be pleasantly surprised.

DATE/TIME - Thurs - 2/25/10 - 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

LOCATION: The Literati Café in Brentwood.
12081 Wilshire Blvd (At Bundy) Valet Parking available in the back. (310.231.7484)

(We’ll be in the cafe. Not the restaurant)

Tags: Film Industry, Movie Blog, Hollywood, Film Blog, Oscars

The Background Actor - Toxic extras can drag you down

Life bursts with interesting but dangerous characters. Since Hollywood is life enlarged, blended and diminished, it’s the same in the film industry. As children, we meet the bully, the brat, and the goody-goody, among others. Later, at work, we tolerate the pretty, popular gossip at the producer’s office simply because …

Tags: Hollywood, Television, Actor, Filmmaking, Movie Bloggers

The Independent Filmmaker - Energy Suckers

Sometimes while making a film you’ll find yourself working with people that you just don’t connect with.  No matter what you do you cannot communicate.  I’ve found this a couple times and have fortunately gotten pretty good at spotting people I know I’m going to conflict with before I get involved.I have never been able to understand people in this business who do not love what they do.  I just don’t get it.  And when I encounter these people it frustrates the crap out of me.  But the fact is that in Hollywood there are many like that here and for lots of reasons I can understand but it’s really not my problem to accept.

I thought I’d share some red flags to help others quickly identify these people and either run for the hills or jump in having been told.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make the deadline we agreed to, (insert bullshit here) came up.”

Translation: “I don’t find this to be my number one priority so you’re just going to have to wait until I do my other more important things first.”

“Is it ok with you?”

Translation: “I either don’t know if it’s good enough or I don’t care and I’m not going to bring anything to the table beyond precisely what you tell me to do.”

“I’m happy if you’re happy”

Translation: “I don’t work for myself.  I work for my weekend and my paycheck.”

“Not a problem.”

Translation: “This will become a problem very soon and I am keeping mental score of all the “not a problem” things I have to do.”  This is a sure sign of someone doing something through gritted teeth.

Talking about money before the creative

Translation: “When the going gets tough I’ll be the first to bring up my contract, my agreement, whatever.  I will not go above or beyond the bare minimum.”

Blaming/talking about anything in the past

Translation: “I just don’t want to take any risks or be responsible for anything.  Really, I probably shouldn’t be in charge of anything”

The drama prone/the bad homelife

Translation: “I want to chat constantly and will not go home at the end of the day because I prefer working to everything else in the world.”  (This is actually not so bad for the job sometimes if they can focus, but may start affecting your home life if you get sucked in.)

Rarely, I may still find myself working with these energy-suckers but when I do at least it’s not by mistake.  Now, I’ll only seldom do it knowingly as a result of weighing the pain of working with that person versus the gain I think I may get from the project.  And once I’ve made a decision to do it there’s only one thing I can do from that point out - shut up, smile and work my ass off to make the best of it.  Oh, and probably drink a lot too.

Tags: Hollywood, , Film, Television, Director

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