A note from a producer…
I recently posted an audition notice for a contest revolving around the ‘Soon to be released’ (Sony Pictures) film, “Prom Night, a Night to Remember".
We cast two of the three actors as a result of their response to an ‘Actor’s Info Booth’ audition notice. Stephen Brevig and Lizzy Eklund won two roles, we have completed the project and have now been selected as one of five finalists (out of hundreds of submissions). First, my congratulations to the cast and crew of “After the Prom” for their excellent work. Next, I would like to thank Actor’s Info Booth for getting the word out. (We have yet another project working that they have helped with as well. Delray Beach.)
Finally, if you would like to show your support for the project, your fellow Florida talent and (of course) us, then please feel free to drop in on http://ugo.com/prom-night-film-contest/video.asp?vid=after-the-prom , watch the film (under 5 minutes) and (Please) vote for it. (You may vote once, every day.)
Thanks to all,
Reed Kalisher, Producer
Louis Pappas, Writer/Director
Angry Pig Productions
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From a producer’s POV!
By: Reed Kalisher
Many of you are ‘struggling actors’. I know this because I too am struggling and, most of the actors I know are struggling. Let me put this in perspective. According to SAG, only 2% of their members are in the ‘big leagues’, only about 7% even make a living from the trade. So, why do you do it? (I know my answer, but what about you?)
Over the last few years I expanded my horizons to include writing and producing, and that point of view has opened my eyes to the reason(s) why so many of us ‘struggle’. The first is (in my opinion) the single most important. It will come as a shock to many of you and might even offend some of you, but please hear me out first, then decide.
“YOU CAN’T ACT YOUR WAY OUT OF A WET PAPER BAG!”
That got your attention, didn’t it? Please allow me to explain. Taking classes from CD’s, to learn ‘how to address the lens is a great idea, and there are some really good ones around. Ask yourself this: “What good is romancing the lens if you don’t understand your character?” If you don’t have the slightest idea what motivates him/her, what they are after, what happened in the past, present and (even) future, then you aren’t ready to audition. Acting is not the ability to get on camera and look stupid (although there are plenty of ‘big’ names who do) but to ‘become’ the person whom you are acting. If you’re a young punk, you need to know why, how and much more. The ‘creating’ of a persona is just as important on camera as it is on stage, it’s just presented differently.
Once you can act, then you need to learn the techniques, and there are many. I have cast four films and assisted in the casting of another, and trust me when I say: “I have seen some real crap!” People who drove in from Orlando (to S FL) and they were terrible! (Yes, I felt very sorry for that actor too.) We (I still make mistakes too) have certain things we do that help us and some that hurt us, so let me list some for you.
HELPFULL:
• LEARN TO ACT! Take classes in acting 101! Read books too, such as “Audition” by Michael Shurtleff. (My favorite)
• Learn to work the lens. There are some great classes here n S FL.
• Be prepared. Nothing wasted my time in auditions more than waiting while an actor prepares to read 4 of 5 lines. You don’t have to be ‘off book’, but be familiar, understand the scene and your part.
• Ask simple questions when you walk in. Don’t ask ‘scene specific Q’s (Where will the horses enter from?) Ask things like, ‘Do we like this person’, ‘Is he/she telling the truth’, ‘is this person part of the problem or the solution’?
• Be on time, every time. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, be quiet in the waiting area and have your pics & resume ready.
HARMFULL:
• Walk in and ‘whine’. (Weather, traffic, unclear fax, etc.)
• Show us the back of your head! If you learned to act, but can’t locate the camera, OY!
• Futz with your ‘stuff’ for awhile. Dig for a photo in the studio, instead of the waiting room.
• Re-write the script! A favorite for many of you out there. IF there is more to read, you’ll get it. Adding a few words is (usually) okay, but leave the ‘meat’ alone.
• Blame someone else. Didn’t do your ‘due diligence’ and got the character wrong, or wardrobe, etc. It’s not your agent’s fault, it’s yours.
• Keep your face out of the pages! If the camera can’t see your face, then you aren’t booking. Be ‘familiar’ enough to look up!? PLEASE!!
These are the ‘biggies’. When your agent sends you, it means you may have fooled them into thinking you ‘can act’. When you get to the casting, the truth comes out, but most CD’s don’t relate that. Just because you book a lot, ask yourself if they are ‘speaking rolls’? If not, you should be a model and not an actor.
As a ‘Producer’, I have plenty on my plate. As a ‘small company producer’, I can’t always afford to hire a CD, so I have more on my plate. When you come in to audition, and waste my time, you make my job harder. I keep notes on most actors. If you stink, you won’t get in again. If you just don’t book, that’s okay. One last note; I don’t want to hear about your acting triumphs! Put it on your resume! Enter, slate, audition & leave. We can socialize later. You won’t book them all, but you will see an improvement in your ‘numbers’.
One last comment. If you think you want to act because of the fame, forget it. This is a highly competitive line of work, and if you aren’t prepared to make a ‘VERY SERIOUS’ commitment, then please spare us all.
Well, that’s a pretty harsh article, but it’s honest. Brutally honest. Learn to act! I wish you all the best of success in this, or any, business.