Parents, Teachers, Friends: Arm yourself with a few facts before younger ones see "Anonymous"My favorite quote in this New York Times article:
"...superactorly British actors who tend to make you feel that you should be enjoying their performances even when you’re not." Ha, ha!!
http://nyti.ms/Anonymous_Shake speare_Bunk
Even still, can't wait to see it. Eye candy and fractured history - shld be great! Even the trailer is funny.
It occurred to me the other day that so many people I meet are curious about an actor's process and they wonder what it's like. This is the first in a series of blog posts on the subject of 7 Ways an Actress Prepares. (I'm a girl, so I use actress instead of actor.) The posts follow me through the process of submitting for the job, securing the job and then playing the role of Mrs. Carter in the stage play "What's Wrong With Angry" opening at Celebration Theatre in Los Angeles (opens in September) If you're already a working actor or actress, this will probably bore you, but if you're just curious about actors and the process of an actor's career, you might find this interesting.
Submitting for the role: This particular auditon came from Actor's Access. I check audition notices a few times a day at Actor's Access. Of the dozens of auditions that are available, actors sort through and find the ones that work for their schedules, their "type" and their career path. The site lists auditions for many professional productions in film, new media, television, industrial films, a few commercials and stage. Professional union jobs, non-union jobs and non-paying assignments are on the site. The auditions listed there are in no way ALL of the auditions available. Just the ones producers have chosen to post online. How many submissions do they receive? From what casting directors report it can be from 500 - 5000 - all depends on the age range, etc.
A typical audition can take about 2 hours of prep time and in Los Angeles there's another 2-3 hour commitment to drive to location, audition, and return home. If each audition is a 4-5 hour commitment - just to be considered for the job, you can see that we have to choose wisely.
The Role: Mrs. Carter - mother of a teenage son - all good there. It's true - After age 30, we're all old enough to be someone's mother or father. It's an understudy role - so if I understudy someone really great, I'll learn a TON.Total time to research and submit - on this one about 20 minutes.
Does every submission take that long? No. Most take just a few minutes. The process takes a little longer if I don't know the people involved and a little extra research if the presumed time commitment for the project is extensive. Time is life's most precious gift - so I try to use it carefully. :-)
And then? We wait! (tick tock, tick tock)
Christian Marclay's The Clock is a masterpiece. Pure and simple. I had no idea what to expect - I thought interesting captures of clocks and a few words of dialogue with each one? Could be dull, but could be really interesting. I was pleasantly blown away and audibly gasping at regular intervals as I watched my first 1.5 hrs - 7:35 to 9:06 or so when LACMA staff had to send us all home. 
Always a little sensitive to time, as I watched Christian Marclay's The Clock the symbolism of time and clocks began to run even deeper in my awareness. Each cut of the film fits so beautifully with the others, the black and white classic films blending so perfectly with more modern, color films, sometimes the subjects and the dialogue blending seamlessly - it is a true editing masterpiece and I can't wait to see more. Some films are well known, and some only the most avid film addicts will recognize.
Never more appropriate than for this film is Emily's quote from Thorton Wilder's play "Our Town" - "Do any human beings realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?" (Yes, it still makes me cry.)
Thanks to LACMA and KCRW, the screening itself is free and it's worth every minute you watch and every dollar you pay for parking. If you get therebefore me - save me a seat. ;-) Runs Thursday, July 29 - 5pm to Friday July 30 - 4:59? More details at this link and below...
Bing Theater | Free, no reservations | Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis | The Plaza Café will be open July 28 until 11 pm and will open again on July 29 at 8 am | Ray's will be open from 11 am until 11 pm & Stark Bar will remain open until 2 am | Please park in the Spaulding lot on the corner of Wilshire & Spaulding; $10; free from 7 pm to 6 am | Film may not be appropriate for all ages.
Truth has a stunning way of electrifying human beings. Some people shut their thinking down, get scared and run from it. Others turn to face it. Attorney, filmmaker Susan Saladoff serves up caffeine in the form of truth in her film "Hot Coffee". I encourage you to challenge your assumptions and watch the film as soon as you can. I saw it last week at the Los Angeles Film Festival and my DVR is set to record it on HBO tonight so I can watch it again.
I thought I knew the facts about the 15 year old case of a woman who spilled hot McDonalds coffee on her lap and subsequently sued McDonalds. I was brainwashed just like the majority of other Americans to think it was a frivolous case - until
a) I saw the photos of the actual burns (skin grafs required to heal)
b) learned that McDonalds had received many similar complaints of spilled McDonald's coffee causing serious skin burns (over 700 to be exact)
c) learned the mechanics, intent and truth behind those "Mandatory Arbitration" agreements you might be signing when you start a new job.
Watch the trailer, then see this film and leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
Am I crazy - or just ahead of my time? Take a look at this hoverbike. Australian Chris Malloy invented this hoverbike and it's hovering 3 feet off the ground. In real life it might be dangerous; it would take years for the permits for actually driving it in daily life to pass through any court - but I see sport possibilities. When I look at this I see a new XGames sport - a real life Harry Potter Quidditch-type sport. What do you see?
Here's the full article from nerdapproved.com
Check out the log line on this film script - Marco Polo: Gateway to Heaven
Writer / Director Katherine Boutry has submitted this action / adventure script to the Amazon Studios competition. Dang! Nothing like the promise of adventure to wake up your soul. This is your chance to have access to a brand new script, read it, review it online and influence the decision makers. Get too it! http://bit.ly/MarcoPoloGatewayToHeaven
Dr. Kevorkian's death has certainly prompted the national conversation on our rights as we near the end of our lives. Death is a difficult subject and an excruciating dialogue for many of us and we all need as much guidance and assistance from wise people to navigate that road. (The occassional temper tantrum can be really helpful, too.) Unfortunately, the NY Times did not really help the dialogue this week. Comments had to be closed down for this NY Times op-ed contribution: "Dr. Kevorkian's Victims" by Ross Douthat. Understandably so. The title is inaccurate and designed to incite argument either by clever avoidance or simple ignorance. Further down in the op-ed piece he writes around other facts about Dr. Kevorkian. If you're reading this blog post and would like factual information on Dr. Kevorkian's practices - I refer you to the 2010 documentary KEVORKIAN. Since the NY Times comments are closed, I share my comments on Mr. Douthat's op-ed here: (1) Dr. Kevorkian had no "victims". People came to him seeking his assistance. In the documentary you can see actual footage of their requests. (2) Dr. Kevorkian was not called Dr. Death because he assisted so many suffering people who were ready to end their lives -- he was called Dr. Death because he was a military doctor who was highly skilled at observing the exact moment of death of soldiers on the battlefield. He was responsible for "person to person" blood transfusions on the battlefield and saved the lives of hundreds... (READ MORE @ ORIGINAL POST- http://bit.ly/DrKevorkianDeathPromptingDiscussion)
Free Writer's Panel - FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN - presented by West Los Angeles College
SUCCESSFUL FILM / TV WRITERS SHARE THEIR WORKING EXPERIENCES
PANELISTS: Matt Lopez - The Sorcerer's Apprentice; Chris Pearson - Dan vs. ; Joy Kecken - The Wire (bios below)
MODERATORS: Drew Brody (Desert of Blood) and Katherine Boutry (The Haunting Hour) -- (bios below)
Date: Thursday, May 26
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Where: West Los Angeles College, 9000 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA 90230
(intersection of Overland Ave. and Freshman Drive)
Room: Fine Arts Theater
Parking: Parking is $2.00 Park in the South Parking Structure adjacent to the theater. (Follow the signs)
Admission: Free
More info: Michelle Long-Coffee, Dir. PR & Advertising (310) 287-4597 | longcofm@wlac.edu
You are invited to join students at West Los Angeles College as they listen and learn from professional entertainment writers about how to
get a script onto the big or small screen. This free event will be held in the West Los Angeles campus Fine Arts Theater
on Thursday, May 26 from 7:30-9:00pm. The panel will feature successful industry veterans including Matt Lopez, writer of “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “Bedtime Stories;”
Chris Pearson, writer and creator of “Dan vs;” and Joy Kecken, writer on “The Wire” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
Ashok Patil, an award winning maker of Indian films and a professor at WLAC will also address the audience.
Panelists will discuss the process of turning the written word into an actual filmed scene. Please join us for this evening of film clips and spirited discussion.
PANELISTS:
MATT LOPEZ’s writing credits include The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer; the Walt Disney comedy Bedtime Stories, starring Adam Sandler; and the sci-fi actioner Race to Witch Mountain, starring Dwayne Johnson. Projects in development include Asteroids, a re-imagining of the classic Atari video game, to be produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers); and The Dangerous Book for Boys, based on the bestselling book, to be produced by Scott Rudin (The Social Network). Matt has recently expanded into producing, teaming with Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher (Pulp Fiction) on Safari for Paramount Pictures; and with Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot (Hairspray) on Night Crew for Walt Disney. After graduating from film school at Florida State University, Matt attended New York University School of Law and worked for several years as an entertainment attorney and business affairs executive at DreamWorks.
JOY LUSCO KECKEN is a writer, producer and director. She has writing credits for the award-winning Television series, Homicide: Life on the Street and The Wire. In 1998, she co-wrote the 100th episode, season finale of Homicide, which TV Guide voted the Top Ten Best Show of the Year. In 1999, she received the Individual Artist Award for Screenwriting from the Maryland State Arts Council, while winning the award previously in 1997 and 1995. She wrote and co-directed the short film,Louisville, starring Emmy award-winning actor Andre Braugher. The short won acclaim and awards throughout its festival run including Best Short from the New York Independent International Film Festival, a Jury Award from the Atlanta Film and Video Festival and the Lumiere Award from the New Orleans Film and Video Festival.Joy's diverse credits include the Jim Sheridan directed 50 Cent biography movie, Get Rich or Die Trying. Her co-written feature narrative, Maker of Saints, will soon be in production, starring Erykah Badu. Joy was a Story Producer for the reality TV series, Random 1, which aired on the A&E channel. In 2007, Joy co-directed for "The Wire", her television directorial debut.
CHRIS PEARSON moved to Los Angeles from the DC suburbs in 1999. One short decade later, he started getting paid for writing. He is the co-creator of the animated show "Dan vs." on The Hub network, and has written a feature-length screenplay for Vanguard Animation called "Alien Band."
ASHOK PATIL
Shortly after becoming an instructor of computer science information technology here at West, Patil enrolled in the Masters of Fine Arts in Film Making program at prestigious Chapman University. Since then, he has completed 2 successful films that have run in Karnataka and here in the U.S. The first film was a drama titled SHAAPA. It won four Kamataka State Awards including best screenplay, best cinematography and best actress. His second
film, a comedy, enjoyed a 25 week run. In June, his latest film – a suspense thriller – will debut in Kamataka and in the U.S. for Indian audiences. The movie, written, produced and directed by Patil, is about a taxi driver pressed
into making a delivery for some underworld types to cover medical expenses for his mother. The driver has just 3 hours to complete his task …or else. Patil shot the latest film, “9 to 12,” in a tight 27 days – just 7 days over his plan and within budget. He credits his engineering experience and analytical skills for his success in film making. Patil hopes to one day share his cinema experience with film students here at West.
MODERATORS: DREW BRODY and KATHERINE BOUTRY
Drew Brody is an award-winning playwright and producer whose credits include horror film Desert of Blood which aired on Showtime. His films, web series, stage plays, and other live events in Los Angeles and New York, have featured James Cromwell, Ed Harris, Gregg Henry, Rex Lee, Amy Madigan, Rob Morrow, Dermot Mulroney, Jenny O’Hara, Lou Diamond Phillips, Bill Pullman, Sara Rue, Richard Schiff, Martin Sheen, and French Stewart, among many others. Produced works include dozens of world premieres for the stage including two by Pulitzer Prize winning playwrights: Sam Shepard’s It Wasn’t Proust, and Beth Henley’s Tight Pants. Drew won back-to-back “Excellence in Producing” awards at the New York International Fringe Festival, where his production of Fluffy Bunnies in a Field of Daisies earned an award for Best Ensemble and was named Best of Fringe. In addition to writing and producing, Drew teaches screenwriting in the Graduate Program in Humanities at Mount St. Mary’s College.
Katherine Boutry teaches screenwriting at West Los Angeles College and is a writer for the Hub television series “The Haunting Hour.” She received her PhD in English from Harvard University where she taught for five years before moving to LA to be a television staff writer and professor.
The full announcement is here http://on.mash.to/GoogleKansasCityKansas
News of documentary film 365 Grateful just arrived in my email box. They call it a documentary about living on the sunny side of life - and the impact that can have in your life. More in their own words...
Please join them on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/365Grateful
From my friend Steve Weiss who hosts the amazing FILM BAR in Phoenix, Arizona.
"On Friday, Facebook will start using your photos in ads that will appear on the profile page of your contacts.
It's legal and is mentioned in the fine print when you create your account.
TO STOP THIS do the following: Click on your Account --> then Account Settings
Then click on Facebook Ads (far right hand tab)
You will want to choose "No one" on two menus.
When you see "Allow ads on platform pages to show my information to "Choose "No one"
Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
When you see "Show my social actions in Facebook Ads to" Choose "No one"
Finally - click "save changes" under both drop down menus to make the choice stick.
Best to you - Melinda
Are you busy sinning but have NO TIME to get to one of those pesky confessionals at the local Catholic church? There's an app for that. http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/02/08/smartphone-sins-catholic-church-approves-...
Seriously - here it is.
And apparently the pope now approves of social media - in case you were waiting for his approval to get started.
What is this? It looks like our "Three-Fifty" DVD (mailed via US Post office) was attacked by a Land Shark. Somewhere between the post office near my home and the 5 miles the package traveled to get to El Segundo... it was sliced and diced and lost the DVD, but the envelope and packaging made it to the address.
Despite this, I still believe the post office is good at heart. I have an Anne Frank complex. I know this. Despite evidence to the contrary, I believe that people really are good at heart and am almost always ready to forgive whomever for whatever with time and other balms. It's a weakness. Or a strength. Depending on who you are.
I like the post office. Amidst the recession and the news of post office having to cut services and shut postal facilities - my response is about how much I actually love the post office and I ask, "Why can't we figure out ways they can increase revenue instead of just shutter them down?" The post office is so important to smaller communities. You might imagine that after this "episode" with a simple mailing of a DVD, I would be upset and change my mind; but no. I hold fast to my love.
I like stamps. I like buying stamps, I like placing stamps on envelopes, I like going to the post office and standing in line and buying my stamps from a person rather than from a machine. I like mailing stamped letters and I like getting stamped letters in the mail. On large envelopes I have, at times, even created collages and stories out of a variety of different valued stamps so that the recipient can smile and see the connection between the stamps and feel a story, crack a smile.
I like to catch the eye of the manager locking the doors at 4:59:59 and smile, make that connection and slip my way through the glass doors at 4:59:59.9 because my Twitter addiction made lose track of time and I'm late. Again.
I like seeing who is at the post office and I wonder what they are shipping and to whom they are shipping. And I wonder who do they love so much that they schlepped a bulging box almost bigger than themselves to this little post office, to ship it in person? That's some serious love. Sometimes I ask them outloud. Sometimes I mind my own business.
I like saying "Hi, Grace!" to Grace behind the window - and watching her be surprised and a little fearful that someone actually knows and calls her by name.
I like figuring out how many stamps I need and buying more stamps than I need. I like seeing the new artwork for stamps and buying some for friends and relatives if the stamps happen to be related to their interests. And I love that anytime I might have a yearning for an analog experience, all I have to do is walk to the post office, hand real cash for a few stamps to a real human being and there it is - a little piece of life that the iPhone can't even begin to replace.
Get upset over a machine (or a land shark) chewing through an envelope, a cardboard DVD cover and losing a DVD? Nope. Look at that picture - it's a priceless laugh.
At little moments I feel the truth of that statement. When I was very young and people would die it seemed a mystery. Then in early adulthood death seemed a tragedy. And now in real adulthood it seems a mystery again.
From Robert Lanza, MD on the Huffington Post: ”Your consciousness will always be in the present — balanced between the infinite past and the indefinite future — moving intermittently between realities along the edge of time, having new adventures and meeting new (and rejoining old) friends.”
Take a peek at Mubi.com's top favorite movie posters. Some gorgeous work.
I'm so curious to know from you, my sexy readers -
(1) which of these are your favorites?
(2) have you heard of all of these films?
(3) What is your favorite way to keep up on new movies? I ask this b/c I noticed that as much as I read every day and as many films as I watch - I hadn't heard of many of these.
