1. Shop Talk Friday in San Diego
2. Action Magazine Wants Actor/Writer/Director
3. Acting Workshop Feedback
4. Responsibilities of CDs & Directors
5. Casting Call for Stock Photography
6. MySpace + Film = ActorsAndCrew.com
7. More Audition Stats
8. New Extras Casting Site
9. Acting/Directing Tips
10. Member Updates
11. NBC's Native American Website
12. Cinderella Man's Marketing Scheme To Salvage Film

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1. SHOP TALK FRIDAY

When: Friday, July 1, 2005 from 5pm onwards (Happy Hour til 8pm)
Where: The Thin Room in downtown San Diego – one of my usual hangouts.
852 Fifth Ave San Diego, Ca 92101
21+up WITH ID

I had a couple of these recently with just a few friend talking shop and it was
amazing the ideas and inspiration we got out of it. Actually, two people
connected and one got a part and already shot a scene in the other's feature
film. Kinda cool if you ask me. (Disclaimer: Results not typical. ). So, I
thought
I'd try it on a larger scale and post it to this group. I will definitely be
there
unless I get a last minute call for an audition. Even if I'm not, don't worry
because it's happy hour and you can get ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI (limited -
meaning about 4 types) for only $5!!! That's even better than a Corleone
offer!!!!

Bring your cards, headshots and resumes. Fret not, LA people – I will have
one of these up there soon – if you know of a killer happy hour deal like this
let me know.

Hope to see ya there.

By the way, I would recommend NOT setting this newsletter to `daily digest'
because it will be sent at midnight instead of when I actually send it. I
usually
don't send out more than 2 or 3 a month nowadays, anyway. Since most of
the events in this newsletter is so last minute, due to the spontaneous nature
of auditioning, I can't plan ahead. Furthermore, my subject line makes it
easier to determine whether or not it's worth reading – instead of just a digest
#.

-Anup

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2. ORSON WELLES TYPE WANTED

Action magazine's Jenelle Riley is interested in actors who is starring as well
as writing and directing/prod a film. I know there are a few of you on in this
group who are doing that. Contact her at jriley@ [no space]backstage.com

Here's the last guy she interviewed http://www.mitchellvillethemovie.com -
John D. Harkrider, a lawyer by day and filmmaker by night. Got into
Sundance. Inspiring!

-Anup

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3. ACTING WORKSHOP FEEDBACK

Here is an anonymous report from a reliable source regarding the free acting
workshop I posted in the last newsletter.
-Anup

"I attended the FREE ACTING WORKSHOP at The Actors Creative Workshop
with Jeffery Brooks. It was a 2 hour session and the first hour and twenty
minutes was spent talking about Mr. Brooks experience and background. In a
nutshell, he is a personal manager, producer, actor, coach, casting director
and wants to earn extra cash teaching his knowledge to new actors. While it
was no secret that the seminar was a big sales pitch (Jeffery admitted this
openly), he did showcase his ability to help actors in the audition process.
If
you are an actor that has been called in for auditions and called back but
never booked the role, this class is for you. The class starts July 6th and
runs
for 6 weeks with a list price of $300."

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4. WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

In my previous newsletter (#116) I wrote about actors' faults. Now it's time to
turn the tables around. Casting directors (CD) and directors have lots of
power over actors. I went in for an audition in LA earlier this week with a
prominent casting director. S/he didn't have me do a read, but only looked at
me. Based on my looks, I was a `definite' to read for him/her the following
day. S/he stated that the agency would get in touch with me later on that
same day with more info. Next day I called and left a message. Yes, I realize
the `don't call us, we'll call you' situation which happens all the time and I
completely understand that method. However, when it's stated the actor will
`definitely' read and then never get back to the actor, it's very
unprofessional.
Actually, a member of this group, whom I'd met at the audition, flew in from
Phoenix and the same thing happened to him.

A different situation – I spoke to a student director whose film I worked on
asking for a copy. The director stated, `I was hoping you wouldn't call and
would've forgotten about it because I'm not at all happy with it.' I can
understand the time it takes for post-production can vary and can even be
lengthy at times. Hell, it took me over a year to get copies of my film
`Interminal' to my actors. But to not give to the actors is like not paying
someone after they worked for you. Especially when that's the only
compensation that was listed when the actor submitted `credit/copy/meals' a
lot of the times meals are even provided. That doesn't include the gas, wear
and tear, eating out all to work on the film.

After experiencing both of these this past week I decided it's time for action.
Just as I marked flakey actors who REPEATEDLY flaked, I will compile a list of
directors and CDs who do the same. This is not a `black list' and not
necessarily for retribution, mind you, but just so there won't be disappointment
if you have the unfortunate luck of working with them and something like this
happens.

Furthermore, if you're doing a small student project don't do `callbacks'.
Instead, videotape the auditions so you can compare the actors later instead
of having them drive back for a second round. It's not like it's a huge
hollywood project that pays and therefore has a dozen or so callbacks
rounds.

Ahh, I feel better now. ; )

-Anup

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5. CASTING CALL FOR STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
A major company is looking for models for their shoot. Yes, it's paid. If
you're
interested, reply and I will send you the followup info. I'm not at liberty to
post
it here.
-Anup

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6. ACTORS AND CREW WEBSITE

Acting/filmmaking crossed with MySpace. It looks like it has potential once
they work out all the bugs and more people join.
-Anup

ActorsandCrew.com is a networking and employment service for
entertainment professionals. It is a central place for everyone in the
entertainment community to come together. We have developed a service
where people can meet to exchange ideas, network, develop relationships,
post, find and submit to opportunities for projects, services, employment, and
quite a bit more. ActorsandCrew.com was founded on the belief that what our
users have to say to each other is far more important than anything we have
to say to you. We believe that in concert with hard work, talent and
perseverance, the relationships you develop are what facilitate your
opportunities in the entertainment business. This is what ActorsandCrew.com
is about, and we hope your experience on the site is fun, rewarding and that
it's a catalyst for your success.
http://www.actorsandcrew.com

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7. STATS AGAIN?

An acting friend was wondering which days she should have off from her
dayjob. So I went back and looked at my audition stats over the last 2-3
months. Here are my stats from the last 26 or so auditions:

7 Saturday auditions
6 Sunday auditions
3 Friday auditions
6 Thursday auditions
2 Tuesday auditions
4 Monday auditions

About 75% are student projects. Rest are misc. It's kind of a rough estimate,
but interesting nevertheless. However, I heard that most industry auditions
are during the week b/c that's their day job so they work 9-5 M-F and students
do most of their stuff on the weekends or on Thu so they can shoot last minute
on the weekend. However, the Thu's have usually been in the evens as well.
(See archived newsletter #120 for previous stats).

-Anup

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8. EXTRA! EXTRA!

Breakdown Services unveiled a totally new service at Actorfest on Saturday,
June 18.

Extrasaccess.com

Extras Access gives Background performers the ability to submit themselves
directly to casting for specific jobs much like Actors Access.

As of Tuesday, all jobs for Background work will only appear on Extras
Access and will not appear on Actors Access. Registering for Extras Access is
FREE! Just go to http://www.extrasaccess.com and follow the easy steps to
register. Just like Actors Access you can upload two pictures and update them
at no charge.

If you have any questions, please call Breakdown Services at (310) 276-9166
in Los Angeles and (212) 869-2003 in New York.

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9. ACTING TIPS

I was editing a friends film and couldn't find a cutaway to cut around some
weak acting. I ended up using the footage just after the clapper exited the
frame and before the director yelled action. So if you're an actor (or
directing
actors) hold 3 seconds after you hear action and three seconds after hearing
cut before breaking out of character. Usually a blank stare works best
because it can convey so many different emotions. I usually wait til I see (or
hear) the asst. camera turn off the camera before `breaking character'.
If you're assistant camera operator who's doing the `clapping' make sure your
shadow is out of frame as soon as possible. Otherwise, you can't use the take
even if the actor is still in character.

-Anup

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10. MEMBER UPDATES:

AND WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

Hey everyone,
This is a follow up to the email I sent out about 2 months ago asking
for you to vote for my poster. Well, for those of you who did....thank
you. I won the contest. Out of 90+ entries, over 2600 votes were
cast.
In fact, the first show is tomorrow night (Thurs. the 30th) at the
Santa Monica Pier. Easy Star All Stars, doing a really cool reggae
version of "Dark Side of the Moon." I actually have this album, it's
awesome. The best part is....it's free!

For the whole summer line-up go to www.twilightdance.org. You'll
actually be able to download the poster there too eventually (if you
care).

The poster actually turned out being a lot different than the original.
If you want to see the final outcome, you can take a look at it on my
site www.electricsoap.com

See you at the pier.

Jeff Verges
http://www.ElectricSoap.com

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AND ANOTHER ONE

Member Daeg Faerch (http://DaegFaerch.nowcasting.com) won a script
writing contest!

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WE'RE ALL WINNERS AREN'T WE?

Ok, come see "The Merchant of Venice"! Not because I am in it but because it
is great theater in LA! See the review below or check out the LA Times review.
http://www.calendarlive.com/stage/221452,0,4791089.event (you might have
to type in Merchant of Venice)

For the first time since I have lived in LA I am truly happy in some part
because of working with this troupe who is destined to change the world. I'm
not exaggerating. A few weeks ago I participated in the "Tolerance
Conference" for educators at the Goethe Institut on Miracle Mile. Lisa, artistic
director and amazing actor, is currently working on a documentary on the last
12 years of the company and writing her book. She also lectures all over the
world. Tickets are cheap and it is so worth it just to see her play. That's not
to
underplay the rest of the cast who are all talented, amazing actresses. I'm
blushing now. I needs must stop this gushing.

We only have two weeks more to go and the last weekend is almost sold out
so come this weekend if you can. We play from Wednesday- Sunday, but with
the split cast system I am playing Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at
2pm. Ticket prices are $15 online at www.lawsc.net or $20 at the door. But if
the ticket price is preventing you from getting there let me know and we'll
figure something out. Let me know when you are coming because I would
love to see you!

Kristin

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RADIO KILLED THE VIDEO STAR

I was fortunate enough to act in a music video for the artist, Hargo (http://
www.Hargo.net) directed by the ever-pleasant and prolific Gariss for Fourth
Project productions (http://www.FourthProject.com). They're constantly
working on projects so check out their site for headshot submission info.
-Anup

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11. NBC LAUNCHES A WEBSITE FOR NATIVE-AMERICAN TALENT

As part of NBC Universal's ongoing effort to promote diversity within the
entertainment industry, www.fourdirectionstalent.com was built and launched
as the only network-sponsored active website and searchable database
created for Native American actors, comics, models, singers, writers and
directors to post their headshots, resumes and demo reels free of charge.

The site also offers a posting board with up to date information on casting
opportunities and events that impact the Native-American community.

If you are a Native-American performer or you have a client who is, we
encourage you to complete your free online profile which can be searched by
casting directors, producers, and talent scouts nationwide.

GO TO http://www.fourdirectionstalent.com to register.

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12. PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS

Money-back guarantee offered for 'Cinderella Man'

By Steve Gorman
Wed Jun 29, 4:59 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In a rare marketing ploy, the No. 2 U.S. movie
theater chain, AMC Entertainment, is offering a money-back guarantee for
boxing picture "Cinderella Man," hoping to boost interest in the struggling film
amid a record box-office slump.

Advertisements offering on-the-spot refunds to AMC patrons unhappy with the
film began running on June 24 in newspapers and on the exhibitor's Web site
(www.amctheaters.com), AMC spokeswoman Pam Blase said on Tuesday.

The ads, welcomed by the film's distributor, Universal Pictures, say in part:
"AMC believes Cinderella Man is one of the finest motion pictures of the year!"

Blase said AMC provides occasional rebates to dissatisfied moviegoers on a
case-by-case basis. But the "Cinderella Man" offer marks the exhibitor's first
money-back guarantee since "Mystic Pizza," Julia Robert's breakout 1988
film.

"This is highly unusual," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office
tracking service Exhibitor Relations Inc. "That's putting your money where
your mouth is."

The AMC promotion is perhaps the most eye-catching step taken by
exhibitors in recent weeks to shake up sluggish movie admissions, which
some industry observers have attributed in part to a string of films widely
regarded as subpar.

The major studios and theater owners have now posted 18 straight weekends
of year-to-year declines in ticket sales, the longest slump since analysts
began keeping detailed box office tallies.

"If there's a question about the quality of movies that are being shown right
now, here is a movie that AMC would like to really tout as very high caliber,"
Blase said.

Starring Russell Crowe as the Depression-era boxing hero Jim Braddock,
"Cinderella Man" has received generally favorable reviews but fallen flat at
the box office.

The movie, which cost a reported $88 million to make, opened in fourth place
the weekend of June 3-5 and has grossed a lackluster $49.8 million through
its fourth weekend.

Executives at Universal, a unit of General Electric Co., have acknowledged
they took a gamble releasing a period drama aimed at adult moviegoers early
in a summer movie season awash in high-octane popcorn fare targeting
younger audiences.

Conventional wisdom holds that such films have a better chance in mid- to
late-summer, when older filmgoers are looking for a break from blockbusters.

"We took a risk, and this time period clearly didn't work," Universal spokesman
Paul Pflug told Reuters, adding that the studio is considering re-releasing the
picture in the fall, closer to Oscar season.

Blase said the AMC has not decided how much longer to keep "Cinderella
Man" in theaters, a decision that Universal said was up to individual exhibitors
at this point.

The number of refunds requested since the promotion began has been
"minuscule," but no figures were yet available, Blase said. Nor was there any
way to tell whether admissions to "Cinderella Man" have risen since the offer
began, she said.

The AMC promotion comes days after the privately held exhibitor announced
plans to acquire its next-largest rival, Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corp.
The newly merged venture will remain the No. 2 U.S. theater chain with about
5,900 movie screens in 450 venues.