 As we strike as SAG/AFTRA members with our sibling union, the WGA, we might feel, as artists, as if we once again, are in a holding pattern as we were in 2020 and beyond. We are only held down by that which we allow. The beautiful thing about being an artist is that one can create every day. There is an infinite number of possibilities for when, how and where you create. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Try writing if you haven't tried it. Direct some friends in a short if you are so motivated. CREATE.
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After yesterday's chaos - in San Fran, London and Alexandria, VA - I am reminded of why I first became an actor. The world is a fascinating, sometimes deeply disturbing, place. I would find myself, whilst young and broke in NYC, sitting on park benches for hours, watching people do whatever it was they felt compelled to do. This is time well spend for an actor. We are storytellers, put on this earth to shed light on the mysteries....and at some moments, simply throw shadows at the eternal unknowns....
Put yourself out there and WATCH the world. You will feel active in a world that gives us many challenges...and beauties. Look for the Collateral Beauty as Helen Mirren says..... As we near a close on the famous "pilot season", I can't count the number of actors who have told me how they got to the CDs room and because the reader wasn't as expected, they looked to the reader as to how to tell their story. It is so important to use the reader, but to use the reader as a motivator rather than a director. You have a passion for this story. Get the reader to share that passion. Let the reader see what you love about the film/TV show they are casting.
I am struck by the many descriptions of PSH as many mourn his passing – the everyman, the great character actor, the three dimensional actor…
What hits me the hardest is not the loss of these things, although certainly one could argue that they are lost, but rather the loss of an actor who felt a great responsibility to all stories that he told. This is the most beautiful artist – the artist that sees all stories as an opportunity to show us humanity, to show us truth in the face of darkness. This is the most handsome actor, not the one that sees beauty as he looks in the mirror. The storyteller is breathtaking beauty….he stops your breath for just a moment as he sheds light on things we too often choose to ignore – things that are in all of us, no matter how often we shut the door on them. Farewell Philip Seymour Hoffman. May your next tale be one of peace and tranquility…. Okay…well…maybe they don’t give us all the details from their upcoming film “Tarzan and Jane”….Say hello to Munich for us, Spencer P.P. Locke and we will see you soon!!!  Big day today:
Congrats to: Gev Khalulyan on his recurring role. Lindsay Bushman for her role in “The Ringer”. Kelli and Katie Cockrell on their roles in “Free Agents”!!! I had the great pleasure of getting to know Sherwood Schwartz…he was a man of great wit, charm and talent. He was open, friendly, giving of his time and talents. He was a surprise at every corner.
We will miss you, Sherwood. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone…. So, I am frequently asked why I still do the REEL CAMPS in a world where unless you “have significant TV/FILM credits”, you may not get through the door of the CD’s office to even read for a project. To this I say, NONSENSE!! Everyday, there are new actors coming out in films/TV shows. There are CDs who WANT to give a new actor his/her break. The purpose of any acting class/REEL shoot is to prepare the actor so when that day arrives, he/she will be up to the challenge. The REEL shoot is an opportunity to see how a film is shot. It is a chance to be on a “set” and get accustomed to all that will be required of the actor.
If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. Milton Berle Okay..so it was a pie in her face but she still looks like she had a great time!!
Congrats to Courtney and Christina Robinson for their Celebrity Appearance at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival: http://www.youtube.com/gardengrovetv3#p/ Check out Miss Reganne as she hits the set of “Mike and Molly”. This is the beginning of many set days to come!!  |