UPCOMING AUDITIONS

INDEPENDENT FILM AUDITIONS

Elevate Pictures Independent film 

“Monsters Under the Bed” 

Casting Where and When: 2PM to 5PM Saturday, Oct 2nd
The Phoenix Theatre for Children
55 East State Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Please email us at monstersunderthebedmovie@gmail.com to arrange a time we will be seeing people every 5 - 10 min.  Let us know when you would like to be there between the hours of 2 pm – 4:50 PM.   Please come prepared, you don't have to have the script memorized but please be familiar with it.   Please email any questions.   

TALENT needed:

Jonah - 1 lead - age 8-12 (young looking) white

Friend  (Double for Lead)  - age 8-12 white 

Bullies - 2 actors - age 10 - 13 - faces will not be seen

Old Man - age 65+ 

PROJECT RATE:

Lead - $150 for project

Double, old man and bullies - $50

SHOOT DATES:

Sometime the last 2 weeks of October. Estimated 2.5 full shoot days for lead, one partial day for bullies, old man and bullies. 

We will plan on several practice sessions in order to review blocking and run lines and work out timing. This is a visual effects piece and will call for some very specific blocking and setups. Estimate 3 to 5 rehearsals for lead. We will be shooting in the Worthington (north Columbus)  area. 

SYNOPSIS:

Taking place in suburban America, Monsters Under the Bed is the story about the poor, misunderstood kid in every classroom. Jonah is a quiet, reclusive boy who keeps to himself. When his teacher notices the bruises on his arms and questions him about it, he mentions an imaginary friend turned monster that did it to him. Questions arise about parental abuse and mental illness. But is there truth to the monster Jonah speaks of? Monsters Under the Bed is a short story that starts off typical and rushes up to a twist of a finish to leave you thinking.

Directors Bio:

Jeremy Hughes has been a filmmaker for over 10 years where he has directed national projects ranging from music videos to commercial and web-based productions. His music videos have aired on VH1, MTV and been featured in the top 25 on iTunes and include Grammy nominated and winning artists for Sony, EMI and WB Records. 

STUDENT FILM CASTING CALL

Roles:

Miss Day:
- Gender: female
- Age: 15-20
- Body: average height, slender figure.
- Race: any
Role in film: She is one of the antagonists. Her skills are deception, manipulation and leadership. She succeeds at carrying her goal out.

Miss Eve:
- Gender: female
- Age: 30's
- Body: somewhat lower than average height, slender figure.
- Race: asian
Role in film: She the other antagonist, the counterpart of Miss Day. Her skills are swordfighting and combat magic. She kills the hero.

Tammy:
- Gender: female
- Age: early 20's
- Body: average height, slender figure.
- Race: white
Role in film: She is the hero's sister, who has a multiple personality disorder. As her normal self she has no skills, in fact she keeps clinging into the hero's clothing to feel safe. As her alternate personality she is a capable fighter. She survives all the way through the story. This is the most challenging character to act out.

Olivia:
- Gender: female
- Age: 46
- Body: average height, slender figure.
- Race: white
Role in film: She is the hero's mother. She appears at the beginning of the story and helps setting up the emotional state of the hero. She is stubborn and has a strong personality.

The Voodoo Mage:
- Gender: male
- Age: 30's - 40's
- Body: tall, powerfully built.
- Race: african american
Role in film: He is a very powerful character, who deceives both the heroes and the antagonists. He ends up dead when he makes a bad choice.

The shooting days for characters are as follows:
Tammy being a main character has the following dates:
- All Saturdays between Oct 23 and Nov 27, except Nov 13.
Miss Day and Miss Eve: Nov 6 and Nov 20.
The Voodoo Master:Nov 13 and Nov 20.
Olivia: Oct 23.

Send photo and resumes to Director Zoltán Király: kiraly_z@denison.edu

SHORT FILM DIRECTOR LOOKING FOR TWO MEN 35-50

My short is an experimental film noir, in which a Private Detective chases a bad guy.  The Detective character is the same type as Sam Spade in "The Maltese Falcon".  It is experimental, but does have a narrative thread of sorts.  We will shoot in one month, here in the Toledo area.  The shoot will last three days-two on location days, and a green screen shoot.  I can pay $50 per day, plus food and a copy of the film.  I'm planning on entering the film in major festivals, so it may be good exposure.  

Send pictures/resumes to Omar Khan: 

oak1@hotmail.com

THEATRE AUDITIONS

COLUMBUS CHILDREN'S THEATRE AUDITIONS 

BABES IN TOYLAND

WHEN: Monday, October 4th 7:00 pm  &  Tuesday, October 5th 7:00 pm

WHERE: Columbus Children’s Theatre, 177 East Naghten St. Columbus, OH 43215

Callbacks will be on Wednesday, October 6th, 7:00 pm

• Actors should come with a prepared song and music. An accompanist will be provided.  NO TAPES.

• Actors should bring a current resume and a photo (snapshot is fine).

• Dress prepared to dance.

• Scripts are available at our offices (177 E. Naghten St. Cols, OH 43215) and may be checked out for 3 days with a $20 deposit.

For more information go to: 

http://www.colschildrenstheatre.org/auditions/auditions.html

EMERALD CITY PLAYERS AUDITIONS:

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 

Auditions: Sunday, September 26, 2010 - 7:00 PM

& Monday, September 27, 2010 - 7:00 PM

Those people auditioning for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, should be familiar with the show and come prepared with 16-32 bars of prepared music; music should tell a personal story, preferably in 1st person. An accompanist will be provided. 

Audition will also include cold reading, and improv work. Roles for 5 men and 4 women, ages 18-40.

Any questions should be directed to: kathysturm@emeraldcityplayers.org

UPCOMING ACTING CLASSES FOR KIDS AND TEENS

ACTING FOR TEENS: Acting in a Movie! (Ages 12-16)

Saturdays, beginning October 9, 2010 - November 20, 2010 2:00pm-4:00pm $250 at theOHIO THEATRE


This class is limited to 12 students. As of October 5, 2010 there are five (5) slots available. Call 614-455-0881 to register.

Here is your chance to see yourself on the big screen! An intensive on-camera workshop to prepare the teen actor for working on a film or television set. Students will concentrate on the development of acting skills through working on a film based on 12 ANGRY MEN, a 1957 film directed by Sidney Lumet.

Our modern adaptation, of this film, will allow each student to be cast in a substantial role. This class will guide the student, step by step, from the audition process, through preparation and rehearsal to actually filming on a set. In addition, students will also learn industry etiquette and terminology. Students, friends and family members are invited to attend the WRAP PARTY and SCREENING of the film on Saturday December 4, 2010 2:00pm at the Gateway Film Center. Students will receive a DVD of the film.

TRAILER: Advanced Acting for Teens - Summer 2010 - Production of '12'

ACTOR RESOURCES: Actor Access

Actor's Access is a site that is owned and operated by Breakdown Services.  This is the same company that produces the "breakdowns".  Breakdowns, according to the company's web site are "complete synopses of the characters contained within scripts."

Basically, "the breakdowns" (as they're known in the business) are how agents and managers in Los Angeles subscribe to the latest casting notices for their clients.   You can think of them as the job-postings for all the films and television shows that are cast in Los Angeles and New York.  This includes everything from the hit TV shows, blockbuster films, and Student Films.  This service is the pre-eminent method for casting notices for the film and television industry.

The Actor's Access web site is specifically designed for actors.  Using the site, Actors can register, and then upload their resume and photos into the site.  Once in there, the Actor can then submit their photo and resume electronically through the system.  Additionally, the Actor can download any sides from casting notices which are on the site.

Registration is free, and you have access to the casting listings which are made available to Actors.  Note, that this is not ALL of the casting notices provided by the Breakdown Services as mentioned above.  The full Breakdown Service is reserved for recognized Agents and Managers. Although Registration is free, the ability to get sides and submit yourself electronically requires a subscription to the service.  You have a choice - and can go a la carte (basically paying for each side you download, or each electronic submission) or you can pay $68 per year and you can submit yourself as much as you'd like and download as many sides as you want/need.

Signing up was really easy for us - and once in, it was very straightforward to create a profile, upload some photos and our resume.  Searching and submitting for casting notices was also very easy. And, because it's associated with one of the longest and trusted services in Hollywood, you know you're getting quality information.


For more information go to: http://www.actorsaccess.com/

Why Actors Need Websites

Having a website is one of the most important promotional tools an actor can have, second only to a good headshot. A website allows you to provide interested parties with a more full look at your body of work, your personality, and the way you run your business. And it allows them to do it in their own time, at their pace and leisure, which is vitally important in the larger, more competitive markets. The easier you can make it for a CD/agent to get to know you, the better chance you have of making an impact with them.

Now, some actors have “actor pages” created on industry websites, such as Actors Access, Now Casting or IMDB. While these are sufficient for communicating basic information, it is very difficult to allow your personality to come through with these sites. Your website, much like your headshot, is a calling card. After all, their templates are the same for every actor! A website is a reflection of your identity, and the more personalized you can make it, the better off you will be. If you do opt for this, at the very least you should purchase a domain name (www. yourname .com) and  link/forward it to your free page. That way, when someone types in your web address, they will automatically be forwarded to whatever website you choose. Some companies charge a nominal fee for forwarding, while others include it with the domain purchase.

A website is a reflection of your identity, and the more personalized you can make it, the better off you will be

That all being said, having a website can be relatively inexpensive if you do your research. One word of advice- before you sign up for ANY services, be sure to get all of the costs laid out UP FRONT. Websites contains a lot of components that add up to a well-created and maintained business tool. Make sure you have a strong understanding of all of the costs associated, including ongoing text changes, additions or updates to media (like photo, video and audio clips), and the creation of new pages. Often, the initial price tag seems small but the fee for design becomes much larger when considering the price of upkeep. It is very important to weigh all of the costs and decide what type of fee structure is best for your business, and then get all of this in writing before you choose your designer.

Remember the adage: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Regardless of how you choose to set up your site, all fees can be written off on your taxes as a business expense, and goes a long way in investing in your future as a professional performer. The internet is here to stay, and it is time for you to take advantage of this incredible promotional tool!

CRAFT NOTES by Ed Hooks

“BODY LANGUAGE”

Recently, I was watching a documentary entitled “Secrets of Body Language” on The History channel, and the point was made that only 7 percent of what we humans communicate to one another is via words. Fully 93 percent is via body language, non-verbal signals, eye-blinks, status transactions (Read “Impro” by Keith Johnstone) and such. This reinforces the essential lesson that “Acting has almost nothing to do with words.”

New actors often think that an ability to memorize lines is essential to being a good actor. Actually, it is not a good idea to memorize lines by rote, even if you can. If you can figure out what your character wants in a scene, then you will see that only those words written in the script will do. In other words, what you do is go from intention to intention rather than from line to line. True, television shows put a high premium on a fast-study, one-take kind of actor, but you don’t want to learn acting in the first place that way. Words are the caboose of a scene, not the locomotive.

This is also the reason why relaxation is so important on stage. If you are tense, you body will not move well, and you will block your emotions. Your gestures will appear studied and purposeful when, in fact, we rarely focus directly on gestures in real life. As I have said in previous craft notes, I do not personally include a lot of relaxation exercises in my acting workshops because I have discovered that, if an actor is confident, then relaxation will follow. On the other hand, I can put a self-doubting actor through relaxation exercises until she is as limp as a dishrag, and the moment she starts acting, the tension will return.

BOOK OF THE MONTH

The Book: An Actor's Guide to Chicago is the Chicago actor's one stop source for information. From where to live to how to get around the city to extensive information about theatre companies to advice on auditioning, The Book is truly the Actor's Bible. Need to know how to where a theatre is? What the registration policy is for an agent? Where to find the class on Meisner?

The Book can help.

Looking for a headshot photographer? Trying to find a chiropracter? Want to find a cool neighborhood to move to?The Book can answer all those questions as well. The Book contains detailed listings of every sort of service a Chicago actor might need. Temp agencies, acting coaches, health clubs and more can be found between its covers. In addition to acting as a "Yellow Pages" for the actor, The Book brims over with helpful essays and checklists.

But it's not just checklists! The Book also contains essays on all aspects of the Business. Directors talk about their processes. The mysteries of ear prompters are revealed. We give advice on how to have a successful relationship with your agent - or just how to get an agent. And actors don't go into photo sessions without looking through our Headshot Checklist.

If there's anything you wanted to know about Chicago, theatre or theatre in Chicago, chances are you can find it in...The Book.