17 May 2004
Mark Sikes' Industry Showcase
Keith Johnson took on the duties of scouting at this Industry Showcase put on by casting director and acting coach Mark Sikes. The showcase took place at the Globe Theatre and the best work came from Jennifer Pfalzgraff, Caroline Timm, Russ Burd, Melissa Stites, Ed Brigadier, Samantha Aisling, and Brittany Petros.
Many of the actors involved seem to have been very well-coached in the art of the follow-through. We've gotten quite a few mailings from the students showcased and that's a great habit. Looking forward to seeing more from these folks.
I'm also eager to get some more information about a summer workshop Mark runs called Icicle Creek Young Actors Conservatory. Reminds me--at first blush--of the Atlanta Workshop Players summer camp, a place I worked as a teen actor and later as a camp counselor. Hm...
Many of the actors involved seem to have been very well-coached in the art of the follow-through. We've gotten quite a few mailings from the students showcased and that's a great habit. Looking forward to seeing more from these folks.
I'm also eager to get some more information about a summer workshop Mark runs called Icicle Creek Young Actors Conservatory. Reminds me--at first blush--of the Atlanta Workshop Players summer camp, a place I worked as a teen actor and later as a camp counselor. Hm...
13 May 2004
Hurlyburly
I worked as casting consultant to producer/costar Kara Keeley on the Met Theatre's production of Hurlyburly. First impression: some of the coolest set design (by Sibyl Wickersheimer) and program design I have EVER seen. Really cool program (understated, lots of white space, cool layout).
I guess my biggest problem with the show was the story itself--no one to root for, no good guy, no sympathetic characters. What I commented to Keith Johnson, who liked the show much more than I did, was that it was like spending time with a drip of a friend... one who takes all of your energy by being sooo down on life and to whom you end up limiting your exposure simply to survive happily. Keith said that he doesn't mind that sort of thing, as he can always find a way to see something interesting about that person's process. I prefer--when it comes to my entertainment of choice--something a little more Boogie Nights than Hurlyburly. I just need to see some redemption or early signs of a journey I'm happily in on.
Acting was fine. Headshots in the program seem to be quite a bit out-of-date compared to the actors I saw on the stage. Silas Weir Mitchell was definitely the strongest among a well-trained cast. Really, all of the work was good. I was just distracted by my distaste for the story. Such a shame, since there was so much to love about the production itself. Hey, different strokes, right?
Really bummed I missed the run of 7 Met Shorts. I'll make sure to stay on top of that next run, for sure.
I guess my biggest problem with the show was the story itself--no one to root for, no good guy, no sympathetic characters. What I commented to Keith Johnson, who liked the show much more than I did, was that it was like spending time with a drip of a friend... one who takes all of your energy by being sooo down on life and to whom you end up limiting your exposure simply to survive happily. Keith said that he doesn't mind that sort of thing, as he can always find a way to see something interesting about that person's process. I prefer--when it comes to my entertainment of choice--something a little more Boogie Nights than Hurlyburly. I just need to see some redemption or early signs of a journey I'm happily in on.
Acting was fine. Headshots in the program seem to be quite a bit out-of-date compared to the actors I saw on the stage. Silas Weir Mitchell was definitely the strongest among a well-trained cast. Really, all of the work was good. I was just distracted by my distaste for the story. Such a shame, since there was so much to love about the production itself. Hey, different strokes, right?
Really bummed I missed the run of 7 Met Shorts. I'll make sure to stay on top of that next run, for sure.
12 May 2004
SAG Cold Reading Workshop
This was my first time as a casting director at the free SAG Cold Reading Workshop. I really enjoyed the quality of work I saw. I brought material from each of the four most-recent films I cast and got to see a good range of performances and interesting choices. Also did Q&A for a couple of hours, which is always fun.
Best actors of the night included August Caimi (great "heavy" type who has wonderful follow-up skills), Patrick Finerty (who has a great sense of humor), Taji Coleman (whose work I recall from auditions for The Female Perspective back in 2000), Mike Moreau (who has that great ambiguous ethnicity that makes folks easy to cast), Patrice Barrie, Adam Schram, Edgar Small (who paid me one of the nicest compliments I've ever received from an actor), Paul Morgan Fredrix (great instincts), Dred King (amazing timing--and great follow-up skills as well), Shawn Richardz (pretty, with good comedic timing), Kadina DeElejalde (great type), and Vivian Patrick (organizer, and a well-timed cynic in her acting choices).
The thank you notes I've received from this group outnumber those from any other event I've done in LA (I seem to recall getting a bunch after the Atlanta, Athens, and New York book tour dates). The organizers must do a very good job of coaching participants in this free night on the importance of expressions of gratitude to the industry folks who come in for the night. I will certainly be back again. This was a really enjoyable experience and the actors were all very receptive and open. That's always nice!
Best actors of the night included August Caimi (great "heavy" type who has wonderful follow-up skills), Patrick Finerty (who has a great sense of humor), Taji Coleman (whose work I recall from auditions for The Female Perspective back in 2000), Mike Moreau (who has that great ambiguous ethnicity that makes folks easy to cast), Patrice Barrie, Adam Schram, Edgar Small (who paid me one of the nicest compliments I've ever received from an actor), Paul Morgan Fredrix (great instincts), Dred King (amazing timing--and great follow-up skills as well), Shawn Richardz (pretty, with good comedic timing), Kadina DeElejalde (great type), and Vivian Patrick (organizer, and a well-timed cynic in her acting choices).
The thank you notes I've received from this group outnumber those from any other event I've done in LA (I seem to recall getting a bunch after the Atlanta, Athens, and New York book tour dates). The organizers must do a very good job of coaching participants in this free night on the importance of expressions of gratitude to the industry folks who come in for the night. I will certainly be back again. This was a really enjoyable experience and the actors were all very receptive and open. That's always nice!
11 May 2004
University of California at Irvine & Harvard American Repertory Theatre Showcase
Keith Johnson, Subhash Mandal, and l attend the Coast-to-Coast Showcase put on by UC Irvine and ART/MXAT Institute at Harvard at the Court Theatre, 722 N. LaCienega. We were in good company. Tony Shalhoub and Brian Thompson were in the house, checking out the new talent.
My favorite American Repertory Theatre/Moscow Art Theatre School actors were Eliza Bell, Alexandra Fulton (she's totally ready for LA), Torsten Hillhouse, David Mawhinney, Laura Nordin, and Will Peebles, though all members of the class were quite good. The best material was from Cheaters by Michael Jacobs and the legendary Cheese Shop from John Cleese and Michael Palin. The guys who did that scene (Jonathan Broke and Will Peebles) just absolutely nailed it... and it was complicated material. Well done! I was very pleased with this whole program.
From the crop of UC Irvine actors, I enjoyed the quirky Shannon Jarrell, Amanda Randall, and Martin Swoverland. My least favorite things about the UC Irvine "choices" were two: the minor was having each actor perform twice, sometimes showing me exactly what I'd already seen, sometimes talking me OUT of liking their work; the major was simply inexcusably casual toward-audience pointing of a gun in two scenes. No matter how you slice it, there should never be an audience pointed AT the audience in any setting. Just NOT cool. Other notes from this group: Steve Ivey and Christopher Trice did a very well-choreographed fight scene and Noel Iribe has a great voice! As for material, one of the BEST scenes I've seen in any showcase was The Un X-Mas Story, in which Amanda Randall and Martin Swoverland stole the show. Excellent work with excellent material!
Overall a fun experience with wine and pasta and salad, well-designed kits for the industry, and "leave-behind contact-me" sheets, as with most school showcases. This showcase was put on three times in Los Angeles and another three times in New York. Well done, graduating class! I look forward to seeing many of you again.
My favorite American Repertory Theatre/Moscow Art Theatre School actors were Eliza Bell, Alexandra Fulton (she's totally ready for LA), Torsten Hillhouse, David Mawhinney, Laura Nordin, and Will Peebles, though all members of the class were quite good. The best material was from Cheaters by Michael Jacobs and the legendary Cheese Shop from John Cleese and Michael Palin. The guys who did that scene (Jonathan Broke and Will Peebles) just absolutely nailed it... and it was complicated material. Well done! I was very pleased with this whole program.
From the crop of UC Irvine actors, I enjoyed the quirky Shannon Jarrell, Amanda Randall, and Martin Swoverland. My least favorite things about the UC Irvine "choices" were two: the minor was having each actor perform twice, sometimes showing me exactly what I'd already seen, sometimes talking me OUT of liking their work; the major was simply inexcusably casual toward-audience pointing of a gun in two scenes. No matter how you slice it, there should never be an audience pointed AT the audience in any setting. Just NOT cool. Other notes from this group: Steve Ivey and Christopher Trice did a very well-choreographed fight scene and Noel Iribe has a great voice! As for material, one of the BEST scenes I've seen in any showcase was The Un X-Mas Story, in which Amanda Randall and Martin Swoverland stole the show. Excellent work with excellent material!
Overall a fun experience with wine and pasta and salad, well-designed kits for the industry, and "leave-behind contact-me" sheets, as with most school showcases. This showcase was put on three times in Los Angeles and another three times in New York. Well done, graduating class! I look forward to seeing many of you again.
08 May 2004
ActorFest
Lots of fun being a part of this year's ActorFest, especially after last year's ActorFest-related drama. Since that time, another half-dozen of us have left Back Stage West. It was good to see old friends and notice how much things stay the same when they change.
I went as a part of the roll-out of my new weekly column for Showfax and Breakdown Services. Really rockstar day! They set me up in a little area with a table for book-signings and one-on-one mini-consultations.
It was really wonderful to meet some folks who've bought and read and loved my books (always love that) and chat with a few actors. Stand-outs in the masses: Guido Furlani (from HHH and Alessi), Brian Baldini and Sandy Villetti (also from HHH), Joan McGrady (from the AFTRA Senior Showcase), James Cromwell, Rob Edwards, the McCulty family, Alpha Blair (with whom I worked as a CBS audience-testing-show-screener in 1993) Bill Jackson, Julie Ness, Raphael Cuthbertson, Roni Valentine, Patrick Coogan, Ashley and Debra McCarthy, and delightful AMDA near-graduates Chandra, Anna, and Lindsey (they even brought me an iced chai latte with vanilla soy milk from Starbucks!!!).
And colleagues I always love to see and schmooze with: the Holdon Log dynamic duo (Kristina and Brian); acting coach Doug Warhit; TMA's Steven Nash, Paul Bennett, Horacio Blackwood, Betty McCormick-Aggas, Phil Brock; new co-workers Gary Marsh, Bob Brody, Kathleen Bueche, Peter Weiss, Kamali Minter, and Jeff Lam; CSA's Billy DaMota; CCDA's Danny Goldman; author/actor/coach Judy Kerr and instructor Anita Jesse; and the legendary Lawrence Parke, who joined the whole Showfax/Breakdowns gang for drinks after the show.
Just a really wonderful day, all the way around. Good chats with some really head-on-straight actors, reconnections with old friends, and lots of delicious food and drink with the gang after the day was done. Keith Johnson even got to hook up with us toward the end of the day, after having been shooting all morning (oh, and he was "celebrity spotted" by Joseph Butler, who'd read about Keith in Judy's book... right as she walked up... wild!). The whole day was just delightful!
I went as a part of the roll-out of my new weekly column for Showfax and Breakdown Services. Really rockstar day! They set me up in a little area with a table for book-signings and one-on-one mini-consultations.
It was really wonderful to meet some folks who've bought and read and loved my books (always love that) and chat with a few actors. Stand-outs in the masses: Guido Furlani (from HHH and Alessi), Brian Baldini and Sandy Villetti (also from HHH), Joan McGrady (from the AFTRA Senior Showcase), James Cromwell, Rob Edwards, the McCulty family, Alpha Blair (with whom I worked as a CBS audience-testing-show-screener in 1993) Bill Jackson, Julie Ness, Raphael Cuthbertson, Roni Valentine, Patrick Coogan, Ashley and Debra McCarthy, and delightful AMDA near-graduates Chandra, Anna, and Lindsey (they even brought me an iced chai latte with vanilla soy milk from Starbucks!!!).
And colleagues I always love to see and schmooze with: the Holdon Log dynamic duo (Kristina and Brian); acting coach Doug Warhit; TMA's Steven Nash, Paul Bennett, Horacio Blackwood, Betty McCormick-Aggas, Phil Brock; new co-workers Gary Marsh, Bob Brody, Kathleen Bueche, Peter Weiss, Kamali Minter, and Jeff Lam; CSA's Billy DaMota; CCDA's Danny Goldman; author/actor/coach Judy Kerr and instructor Anita Jesse; and the legendary Lawrence Parke, who joined the whole Showfax/Breakdowns gang for drinks after the show.
Just a really wonderful day, all the way around. Good chats with some really head-on-straight actors, reconnections with old friends, and lots of delicious food and drink with the gang after the day was done. Keith Johnson even got to hook up with us toward the end of the day, after having been shooting all morning (oh, and he was "celebrity spotted" by Joseph Butler, who'd read about Keith in Judy's book... right as she walked up... wild!). The whole day was just delightful!
04 May 2004
AMDA Graduate Showcase
This was really cool. I had gone to speak to the AMDA second year New York-to-Los Angeles actors back in February and only a couple of them had headshots at the time. What a difference three months make! Wow! Great stuff! So glad to know these kids.
Industry types all over: Michael Donovan, Mark Sikes, Jeff Gerrard, Daniel Hoff, Tim Omundson, Cleveland O'Neal, Steven Nash, Bill Blalock, Stu Levin, James Carey, Todd Breaugh, and of course Keith Johnson as my guest/partner in all things. There were more industry types there, but those were the ones who I knew on-sight. We all stayed around after and did the schmooze thing, giving feedback, enjoying the night. I was especially pleased to connect with so many great actors who were able to say, "I did what you said," and have the impact I'd made on them show--and thank me for it. Awesome.
Yeah, I'm still a teacher at heart.
Standout actors whose work we will all certainly know soon: Julia Morales, Africa Y. Boyd, Mia Moniz, Sundeep Mangat, Michelle Harding (my absolute FAVORITE of all the students--man, did she kick ass!!), Torrie Gregor, Pamela Rodriguez, Molly Durand, Garrett Allain, Chandra Goetz, N'daba Cetewayo, Asa Ambrister, Joanna Solis, Lora Lee Jones, and Ryan Gibson.
Man, there was so much good stuff there! I'm excited to see where these AMDA graduates go from here!
Industry types all over: Michael Donovan, Mark Sikes, Jeff Gerrard, Daniel Hoff, Tim Omundson, Cleveland O'Neal, Steven Nash, Bill Blalock, Stu Levin, James Carey, Todd Breaugh, and of course Keith Johnson as my guest/partner in all things. There were more industry types there, but those were the ones who I knew on-sight. We all stayed around after and did the schmooze thing, giving feedback, enjoying the night. I was especially pleased to connect with so many great actors who were able to say, "I did what you said," and have the impact I'd made on them show--and thank me for it. Awesome.
Yeah, I'm still a teacher at heart.
Standout actors whose work we will all certainly know soon: Julia Morales, Africa Y. Boyd, Mia Moniz, Sundeep Mangat, Michelle Harding (my absolute FAVORITE of all the students--man, did she kick ass!!), Torrie Gregor, Pamela Rodriguez, Molly Durand, Garrett Allain, Chandra Goetz, N'daba Cetewayo, Asa Ambrister, Joanna Solis, Lora Lee Jones, and Ryan Gibson.
Man, there was so much good stuff there! I'm excited to see where these AMDA graduates go from here!
01 May 2004
Fast & Loose
This was my first time back at the Sacred Fools Theatre, 660 N. Heliotrope Dr., in four years! Wow! Too long!
We went to see the Fools' critically acclaimed Fast & Loose, in which writers create a script based on elements provided on Friday at 10pm, directors cast actors (drawn at random) based on these scripts on Saturday at 10am, and actors do their damndest to bring these "instant plays" to life by Saturday at 10pm. Great experience! I really enjoyed it, and will be back again and again, for sure. Nothing like flying by the seat of your pants!
The very funny April Wade invited us, and we also got to see old online friend Corey Klemow strut his stuff (always good), plus learn the work of Phil Wofford (very funny host), Amir Talai, Bruno Oliver, and Stephanie Dees. Those were the standouts. Oh, and I am now a total fan of the writers Gerald McClanahan and Padraic Duffy. Wow! Great stuff. I will definitely be back for Gerald's adaptation of Judy Blume's Forever in June. Should be a hoot!
Ran into Jenine Mayring (fellow FOK) and Alan Heitz, plus Jenelle Riley (former co-worker of mine who is moving up in the world of Back Stage West) who wrote one of the night's plays.
Also "scouted" Deanna Raphael, who could play Robin Gwynne's sister, for sure. She has since followed up with a mailing. Cool deal.
Really cool night. Lots of fun. Will be back for more for damn sure!
You should definitely take in their upcoming Bingo-tini fundraiser on the 12th, if you're in town (details at their site).
We went to see the Fools' critically acclaimed Fast & Loose, in which writers create a script based on elements provided on Friday at 10pm, directors cast actors (drawn at random) based on these scripts on Saturday at 10am, and actors do their damndest to bring these "instant plays" to life by Saturday at 10pm. Great experience! I really enjoyed it, and will be back again and again, for sure. Nothing like flying by the seat of your pants!
The very funny April Wade invited us, and we also got to see old online friend Corey Klemow strut his stuff (always good), plus learn the work of Phil Wofford (very funny host), Amir Talai, Bruno Oliver, and Stephanie Dees. Those were the standouts. Oh, and I am now a total fan of the writers Gerald McClanahan and Padraic Duffy. Wow! Great stuff. I will definitely be back for Gerald's adaptation of Judy Blume's Forever in June. Should be a hoot!
Ran into Jenine Mayring (fellow FOK) and Alan Heitz, plus Jenelle Riley (former co-worker of mine who is moving up in the world of Back Stage West) who wrote one of the night's plays.
Also "scouted" Deanna Raphael, who could play Robin Gwynne's sister, for sure. She has since followed up with a mailing. Cool deal.
Really cool night. Lots of fun. Will be back for more for damn sure!
You should definitely take in their upcoming Bingo-tini fundraiser on the 12th, if you're in town (details at their site).
A Dull House
The first feature film I ever cast, A Dull House, screened at Panavision, 6219 De Soto, Woodland Hills. Ali Kiani, the writer/director, comes from the world of theatre and he really responded to my academic and theatre-based background, when looking at my "new" casting resumé last year. What a blessing! His decision to hire me as casting director for this feature film is what took me from doing a short-term temp job on a reality show for Fox into starting my own casting business. Amazing!
This was a very good first film, with all the issues that you'd expect in a "first film." Pacing could've been tightened up, some of the lighting was off, and the script probably could've benefited from one last edit on paper before shooting began. That said, this was a VERY GOOD first film. Cute story, great acting, and... if I do say so myself... wonderful casting. Tee hee.
I really liked the score and the locations. Ali's establishing shots were GREAT. And for this whole thing to have happened for under $40,000... well, that's pretty dang impressive.
Wonderful actors I cast--and who were in attendance at the screening--included: Shon Little (and I finally got to meet his ADORABLE wife, Jodi Shilling), Christine Harte, Janice Garcia (ass-kickingly good), the goddess Jennifer Fontaine (who simply ALWAYS floors me with her sex appeal, talent, and versatility--on top of being one of the coolest human beings on the planet), Baadja-Lyne Odums (another of my favorite people in the world, who brings deadpan humor up to the highest of levels), Keith Johnson (my honey, my partner), Kelly Sexton (whose husband, Tobe Sexton, AD'd this film and will be directing the second feature film I cast), and Miriam Bertke (in her FIRST film--and she did a great job).
Sadly, Mary Gilbert and John Gilbert were not able to attend the screening, but I understand that we'll be getting together to do another little screening when they're back from shooting in New York. They did a great job, just the same!
Lisa Soltau came with me, having worked with me, Jennifer, and Baadja-Lyne back in 2000 on The Female Perspective. It's always fun to see "my girls" back together again. Hope we'll do something again very soon.
Ah, it's so weird to see a "family" that I put together do all that good work on a big screen. Honestly, I was more nervous for this screening than I've been for any that I ever appeared in, back in my days as an actor. I just got chills from the opening scene that didn't go away 'til the final credits rolled. Wow. What a great experience! Congratulations, all!!
This was a very good first film, with all the issues that you'd expect in a "first film." Pacing could've been tightened up, some of the lighting was off, and the script probably could've benefited from one last edit on paper before shooting began. That said, this was a VERY GOOD first film. Cute story, great acting, and... if I do say so myself... wonderful casting. Tee hee.
I really liked the score and the locations. Ali's establishing shots were GREAT. And for this whole thing to have happened for under $40,000... well, that's pretty dang impressive.
Wonderful actors I cast--and who were in attendance at the screening--included: Shon Little (and I finally got to meet his ADORABLE wife, Jodi Shilling), Christine Harte, Janice Garcia (ass-kickingly good), the goddess Jennifer Fontaine (who simply ALWAYS floors me with her sex appeal, talent, and versatility--on top of being one of the coolest human beings on the planet), Baadja-Lyne Odums (another of my favorite people in the world, who brings deadpan humor up to the highest of levels), Keith Johnson (my honey, my partner), Kelly Sexton (whose husband, Tobe Sexton, AD'd this film and will be directing the second feature film I cast), and Miriam Bertke (in her FIRST film--and she did a great job).
Sadly, Mary Gilbert and John Gilbert were not able to attend the screening, but I understand that we'll be getting together to do another little screening when they're back from shooting in New York. They did a great job, just the same!
Lisa Soltau came with me, having worked with me, Jennifer, and Baadja-Lyne back in 2000 on The Female Perspective. It's always fun to see "my girls" back together again. Hope we'll do something again very soon.
Ah, it's so weird to see a "family" that I put together do all that good work on a big screen. Honestly, I was more nervous for this screening than I've been for any that I ever appeared in, back in my days as an actor. I just got chills from the opening scene that didn't go away 'til the final credits rolled. Wow. What a great experience! Congratulations, all!!
