Actors Talk with Tommy G. Kendrick

Actor Kevin Sizemore takes us behind the scenes on his new film RedLine and on his journey as a professional actor. In the show opening I mention Producer-Director Ron Newcomb and his project THE FELLOWS HIP - RISE OF THE GAMERS. TFH has signed with distributor Highland Film Group. Highland Film Group is taking TFH to the American Film Market in Santa Monica, CA in October to acquire foreign distribution agreements. My interview with Ron Newcomb on Episode 4 of Actors Talk was my first interview and it's been really exciting to see how this project has progressed since that interview on January 16, 2012. Congratulations, Ron and all your team! I also mention the free audio book deal available only to podcast listeners through AUDIBLE.COM at this link - FREE AUDIO BOOK OFFER ACTOR KEVIN SIZEMORE Kevin Sizemore Demo I caught up with actor Kevin Sizemore at his home in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday evening October 2, 2012 to talk about his new film Red Line in which he stars with Nicole Gale Anderson, John Billingsley and Kunal Sharma. Kevin had just finished up with a coaching session with one of his acting students when I called and that's where we began our conversation about his actor's journey. Photo of Kevin, his wife Gina Lombardi and son, Gunnar Sizemore at the San Diego premiere of RedLine. We began our conversation talking briefly about Kevin's work as an acting coach; He teaches classes out of his house and limits his class size to no more than 12 student actors at any one time. According to Kevin, he limits his class size so " the actors have the opportunity to get up two or three times a night and we're going to rework these scenes so many different ways...because when you're going out for a real audition you can't just prep it one way because you're going to get redirected. And when you get redirected, if you've only learned it one way, you're stuck." GROWING UP IN WEST VIRGINIA We also talked about Kevin growing up Princeton, WVA, a town of about 3500 residents at that time, located on the border of West Virginia and Virginia. In high school, Kevin says he was more of a 'behind the scenes' tech guy. He admits that he didn't participate in any plays in high school because Drama was held in 7th period and he was through with school by 5th period and he didn't want to stay at school that long. Kevin says that was "the worst decision I could have ever made." As a high school senior, Kevin found out about a Maxwell House Coffee commercial that was casting in a nearby town. He convinced his father to take him to the audition and as fate would have it, he booked the job. Kevin says that experience gave him a taste of 'what it's like to get that energy when you're in front of the camera...from that point on I said okay this is what I'm going to do with the rest of my life.' EXTRA WORK IN PITTSBURGH From there Kevin went to Pittsburg and entered the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. While in school he began 'moonlighting' as an extra in films such as Innocent Blood and Hoffa and Bob Roberts...all film projects that came to the Pittsburg area to shoot. While working as an extra in the Tim Robbins film Bob Roberts, became disenchanted with extra work after working all night for "$35 and a half-way decent sandwich...I got so mad...I said, If I'm going to do this [be an actor] I'm not doing any more of this extra crap, I'm done...That's when I moved to New York City. That's when I started trying to get my career stated. That was in 1992-1993." WORKING HIS WAY TO HOLLYWOOD On transitioning from extra work to actor, Kevin said, "I do think there's a time if you're going to be an actor, this is what you're going to do for your career, you've got to lay it in the sand and say, Okay, I'm done here...you've got to know when you've got to cut it off, because if you don't you're always going to be known as an 'extra actor' and you're

The Film Business and the Law. It's in the contract. Or is it? L.A. Attorney Gordon Firemark My guest for episode 24 is Los Angeles based entertainment attorney Gordon Firemark. Gordon represents clients in theater, film, television and new media. I spoke with Gordon on September 20, 2012 and we discussed a host of topics that can impact actors and filmmakers, their projects and their careers. I first encountered Gordon Firemark while listening to Daniel J. Lewis's The Audacity To Podcast where he was discussing legal issues pertinent to podcasters and new media producers. In addition to being an attorney, Gordon Firemark is a self-described audio geek. who produces and co-hosts with attorney, Tamera Bennett, the entertaining and informative Entertainment Law Update Podcast. He is the author of The Podcast, Blog and New Media Producers Legal Survival Guide. Indie filmmakers can get information at this link about Gordon's upcoming Film Finance Bootcamp. You can also find Gordon Firemark at his ENTERTAINMENT LAW ANSWERS YouTube Channel. There you'll find a number of videos in which Gordon responds to real show business related legal questions. The video below is an example: Episode 24 - Included In The Discussion So you're an actor or you want to be an actor, screenwriter, film director or producer. What do you know about your rights and responsibilities concerning rights of privacy, work for hire, copyright and trademark issues. What does any of this legal stuff matter if all you want is to be an actor, to get a job in TV, to have a film career? Actors, you've ripped your scenes from the DVDs of films in which you appear. Is that a copyright infringement or a fair use? What about auditions? Can they be distributed to YouTube or another public video sharing site without the actor's permission? Chain Of Title FILMMAKERS, are you certain you have a clear CHAIN OF TITLE to your project? From Baseline Intelligence: The phrase “chain of title” within the context of the film industry refers to a series of documents or agreements that establish proprietary (ownership) rights in a motion picture and all its parts. It is a collection of all of the documents that relate to the creation of and transfers of title to any property used in the making of the film. Why is it imperative to have CHAIN OF TITLE issues resolved before you seek a distribution deal? How do these issues impact a documentary filmmaker? Actors, can you copyright a performance on stage or in a film or video? Producers, can your actors hold a copyright claim against your film? What about your director, DP, editor or a crew member? That's seems like an almost bizarre notion but it's one that is currently being litigated in Hollywood as part of the infamous INNOCENTS OF MUSLIMS video case in which the Prophet Mohammed is reportedly shown in a unflattering light. According to The Hollywood Reporter and other news outlets, actress Cindy Lee Garcia is asserting copyright claims against the project's producer as well as against YouTube and even individuals who reposted the video on YouTube. What, if any, are the implications for other actors and filmmakers? Copy right Laws How do you get a copyright on a work you've created? How does a copyright differ from a Trademark? Is it necessary to have a registered copyright? A registered trademark? Indie producer-filmmaker, your budget is so low you can't afford to hire a lawyer to draft contracts so you're working solely on handshake deals. Or maybe you've done what you can by using forms from a web site or a book. But is your project safe from claims by an associate, an actor, an editor or other crew person that THEY have certain rights to the project? Rights you didn't intend or don't believe you've granted? Did you have everyone working on the film sign a contract or a deal memo?

Some of the best paying jobs and actor can book are in commercials. But what does it take to book work in this highly competitive business? This episode of Actors Talk with Tommy G. Kendrick is sponsored by AUDIBLE.COM. For a free trial offer EXCLUSIVELY for podcast listeners follow this link for details. Here's a great YouTube.com video that gives a taste of the information covered in this episode of Actors Talk with Tommy G. Kendrick. Here's a LINK to a second Carolyne Barry YouTube.com video with more tips for actors. Learn How to Hit The Ground Running in my conversation with triple threat actress, teacher and casting director CAROLYNE BARRY. ...there's not one way to do or become anything... You have to sort of make your own decisions based on the input of people whose opinions you RESPECT Carolyne Barry on beginning your actor training with commercial classes... People say to me, I hear you're supposed to start in commercials..that's how you start. And I go well, you've got it ass backwards. The better the actor you are the better you're going to do in commercials. So I think you should train seriously in a professional setup for a year to two years. then you go get a commercial agent. And then you start doing commercials. What people should say is the first place you should try to get work is commercials but not the first place you should get trained. But where do you start? How do you keep from getting ripped off? What is the standard for professional instruction? Do you really need to take a commercial acting class? How many actors get seen for each role in a typical national commercial? What do you need to know to compete? Is your head shot appropriate for online casting? Can you work in Commercials if you're non-union? What percentage of commercials today are SAG, AFTRA or SAG-AFTRA and what percentage are non-union? What are the key mistakes actors commonly make during the commercial audition? What is the proper way to work with cue cards and how do you learn? How to Slate Like a Pro Do you CHEAT OUT or MOTIVATE OUT? What is MASTER TALENT TEACHERS and why you should know These are just a few of the topics I discuss with Carolyne Barry who has a thirty year career as an actress and teacher. Why should you listen to her? She's booked over 400 national commercials as an actress and she has cast over 500 commercials. She is at the top of the list of the best and most sought after commercial acting coaches in Hollywood. I highly recommend you visit CarolyneBarry.com and check out her blog posts. Recent posts include COMMERCIAL AUDITIONS INSIDER AUDITION TECHNIQUE, DEALING WITH STRESS, AUDITION PREPARATION TIPS, MEETING WITH A POTENTIAL AGENT and so many more. This is a wealth of FREE information. Each one of these blog posts is like a free acting class with Carolyne Barry. Be sure to bookmark her site and visit it often. Carolyne Barry is also the driving force behind an intriguing new endeavor called MASTER TALENT TEACHERS About MTT Achieving success with a career in the arts can often be daunting and intimidating. You might feel lonely, overwhelmed, a bit lost; swimming in a sea of opportunity with no real way to grasp onto that thing that will allow you to turn what you desire into your artistic career. That’s why we created Master Talent Teachers. MTT is a group of successful talent teachers with long and illustrious careers who have come together as a creative, synergistic group to pass on our recipes for success to you. We are a creative eclectic mix of gender, age, ideology, approach, disciplines and expertise. We are not offering “get rich quick” plan or a “ten easy steps to success” program. Better yet, MTT offers important craft and career training as well as how what we teach continues to thrive in the constantly evolving world of entertainment. By sharing our stories, tips,

Think Like A Producer and Stand Out From The Crowd Check out this video about building your own buzz: Actors are trained to be in touch with their feelings; to be emotionally expressive. Actors are trained to be in the moment and can be short...

Does my child have what it takes to make it as an actor in Hollywood? That is the most common common question asked of Hollywood acting coach Diane Christiansen by parents of young actors. Diane Christiansen takes on this question and much more in a three part series of free videos on the MASTER TALENT TEACHERS web site. I am very pleased to have Diane as my guest interviewee for this episode of Actors Talk. She has the experience (twenty years as an acting coach in Hollywood) and the accolades from industry resources and publications that demonstrate her professionalism and her success in the specialized area of coaching young actors in Hollywood and, thanks to the internet, across the US and in several foreign countries. She is a past receipient of Back Stage West Reader's Choice Awards as having the Best Acting Class for Teens and Kids. She has been voted the #1 Top Rated Acting Coach in Hollywood for kids and teens by Children in Film. She has been voted one of the top 10 most effective coaches in Hollywood by Actors Access. Here's a bit of information off MASTER TALENT TEACHERS web site that will give you a taste of what you will find there: What does it take to became a successful actor? The desire to become an Actor The commitment to find professional training The support system to get you there The drive and talent to succeed An understanding of your art and yourself – KNOWLEDGE …And most of all – A LOT OF FAITH. In other words…you need to be more than cute and talented. You need to be ‘The Package’ and you need to be coach-able and so does your parent. Some of the most talented and adorable kids and teens I’ve trained have parents that will ruin it for them. In the interview, Diane mentions a couple of very helpful web sites for parents and young actors: The BizParentz Foundation The BizParentz Foundation is a non-profit corporation providing education, advocacy, and charitable support to parents and children engaged in the entertainment industry. The organization promotes a positive public image regarding child performers and educates the public regarding the safety and rights of child performers including child labor laws and regulations. CHILDREN IN FILM: NOTE: Some content on this site may require a fee but the information looks very valuable for the parent of a young actor. The following CIF articles directly relate to your child's emotional and spiritual well being. When preparing for showbiz, the child's emotional needs often go undiscussed. How will you teach your child to deal with fear, anxiety, stress and depression? Children In Film is working together with child and family therapists, teachers, and spiritual leaders to bring you helpful info on this topic. We welcome your feedback on this or any other part of our website. Responsible Parenting Articles: College Bound? Team Etiquette Paperwork Prep The Psychology Behind Fame Giving Back Morality On Set Dealing with Rejection Here are some additional questions to consider and research prior to deciding on a coach for your young actor: How can make sure your child is training in a safe environment? How can you know you're working with a teacher or coach who really knows how give your child the tools to become a working actor? How can you know you're spending your money wisely? What is the Coogan Law and why do you need to know? What do parents need to know about Child Labor Laws? What parents need to know about dealing with the actors's union, SAG-AFTRA To be competitive in the acting business, training is a basic requirement. In an industry that is notoriously tough to break into and tougher still in which to sustain a career, mere training isn't enough. GREAT training is essential. The first thing parents have to do is become educated. That takes a bit of time, but thanks to the internet, the information is freely available.

FREE FALL COPS - A TV Show In The Palm Of Your Hand I learned about the FreeFall Cops project while moderating a recent Austin Actors Conservatory workshop where Phil Hardage appeared on a panel about working in the film industry. Click Image, Go to iTunes, Purchase App See Full Cast and Crew List at the bottom of this page With his wealth of experience, primarily as a 1st Assistant Director on projects like THE NOTEBOOK,THE TREE OF LIFE,THE ROOKIE,THE ALAMO,SPY KIDS,PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, BURN NOTICE, DALLAS, LONGMIRE ON A&E, Phil knows film production. He knows how to analyze a script, how to break it down for scheduling and budgetary purposes. His experience and expertise are significant assets to any film production on which he works. So it's not a huge leap to understand that he possesses some of the key tools necessary to produce his own projects. That's what he has done with FreeFall Cops, an intriguing new series that has just been released for distribution on, wait for it: iTunes. It's no secret that film and television distribution as we have known it is in the process of a major overhaul, maybe we should say a re-invention. Anyone with a NetFlix streaming account or a bookmark to HULU.com understands where this discussion is headed. Phil Hardage and his production partner, writer George Ayres have fashioned a good old fashioned shoot 'em up action/cop show into a series that is intended to be mobile, viewed on a smartphone or other mobile device that can download and play an iTunes App. Hardage and Ayres are tapping into the still evolving new media distribution opportunities offered by maturing internet technology. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjsmTkVakE&feature=colike FreeFall Cops is not your grandaddy's old TV series. Heck, it's not anyone's old TV series. This series has been tailored for this new media world, scripted in serial form as a series of ninety second, that's right 90 second, episodes. The first question that may arise is 'what kind of story can you tell in 90 seconds?' If the first series of FreeFall Cops is an indication, the answer is the same story you can tell in a 30 minute or 1 hour traditional television program. It's just shorter. And to watch it, the viewer isn't tethered to a television set. It is truly 'television' designed to be viewed in the palm of your hand. The idea of watching longform television or a feature length film on my iPhone frankly has little appeal to me. But a well produced series of 90 second 'television' episodes? Hummm. Now that gets my interest. The first 'series' of FreeFall Cops consists of five episodes all available as a package in the iTunes App Store for $.99. So for a buck you can download and check out this new media distribution experiment. Shot under a SAG New Media Agreement and headed by a terrific professional cast (Brad Leland, Julio Cesar Cedillo, Matt Pulliam, Tory Taylor Tompkins, Joshua Moody, Jorge A. Jimenez, Rocio Garza, Louis Moncivias), shot with a 54 person crew, FreeFall Cops is professional quality all the way. And for indie producers and those who might want to be, FreeFall Cops offers an interesting model. In fact, Hardage and his team envision a sort of 90 Second Network and have other projects in development that will also be designed and produced to fit this form and format. Let's be clear. I don't think anyone is proposing that all future television or film projects should be limited to 90 seconds and be viewable on mobile devices. But the fact is that there is a lack of scripted narrative content for these devices and FreeFall Cops looks like an attractive entertainment alternative to scrolling through emails and tweets. Is this a viable form for scripted entertainment? Is it a novelty that will fade or is it a glimpse into the possibilities available within the evolving new media distribution model?

PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, originally titled GRAVE ROBBERS FROM OUTER SPACE was written and directed by fringe filmmaker Ed Wood Jr. Plan 9 was Wood's magnum opus, his pride and joy. Wood's filmography includes GLEN OR GLENDA (1953), JAIL BAIT (1954), BRIDE OF THE MONSTER (1955) and PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959). Gregory Walcott as Jeff Trent in Plan 9 From Outer Space After the dismal failure of Plan 9, the career of Ed Wood Jr. veered off into an even lower rung on the Hollywood ladder as he wrote and directed porn movies and wrote and published transvestite themed paperbacks. Vampira and Tor Johnson from Plan 9 In addition to Gregory Walcott, Plan 9 starred Bela Lugosi, who had been dead for a couple of years when the film was shot; Tor Johnson - a 400 pound ex-wrestler, Vampira - the original 'mistress of the dark' on local L.A. television and Lyle Talbott - probably most memorable to us baby boomers from the Ozzie and Harriet show when we were kids. Here is an excerpt from Ed Wood's biography as published on IMDB and written by Jack Backstreet: Hacks are nothing new in Hollywood. Had Edward D. Wood been born a decade or so earlier it's easy to imagine him working out of some Poverty Row outfit in Gower Gulch, competing with the likes of Victor Adamson, Robert J. Horner and Dwain Esper for the title of all-time hack. He would've fit in nicely at Educational Pictures in the early '30s or PRC in the following decade. Wood, like everyone, is imprisoned in their own time, and in the 1950s Edward D. Wood Jr. simply had no competition. He was ignored throughout a spectacularly unsuccessful career and died a penniless alcoholic, only to be "rediscovered" when promoters in the early 1980s tagged him the worst director of all time (mostly thanks to the Medveds' hilarious book, "Golden Turkey Awards")- and was given the singular honor of a full-length biopic by Tim Burton. This post-mortem fame has made him infinitely more famous today than he ever was when alive. Ed Wood Jr. as he appeared in Glen or Glenda ... Wood attempted to break into the film industry, initially without success, but finally landed the chance to direct a film based on the real-life Christine Jorgensen sex-change story, then a hot topic. The result, Glen or Glenda (1953), gave a fascinating insight into Wood's own personality and shed light on his transvestism (an almost unthinkable subject for an early 1950s mainstream feature). Although devoutly heterosexual, Wood was an enthusiastic cross-dresser, with a particular fondness for angora. On the debit side, though, the film revealed an almost complete lack of talent that would mar all his subsequent films, his tendency to resort to stock footage of lightning during dramatic moments, laughable set design, and a near-incomprehensible performance by Bela Lugosi as a mad doctor whose presence is never adequately explained. The film deservedly flopped miserably but Wood, always upbeat, pressed ahead. ... All of his films exhibit illogical continuity, bizarre narratives and give the distinct impression that a director's job was simply to expose the least amount of film possible due to constant budget constraints. Visible wires connected to pie-pan UFOs, actors knocking over cardboard "headstones", cars changing models and years during chase sequences, scenes exhibiting a disturbing lack of handgun safety, and the ingenious use of shower curtains in rudder-less airplane cockpits are just a few of the trademarks of an Edward D. Wood Jr. production. When criticized for their innumerable flaws, he'd cheerfully explain his interpretation of the suspension of disbelief... Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) ... reaches a plateau of gross ineptitude that leaves viewers stunned. Plan 9 became his singular enduring legacy... His final years were spent largely drunk in his apartment and occasionally being rolled stumbling out of a local liquor store.

SAG ULB Agreement in 2012 - Issues and Answers Hello friends and welcome to EPISODE 18 of ACTORS TALK with me, I'm TOMMY G KENDRICK the producer and host of this program coming to you from Round Rock, TX. If you're wondering where that is we're just...

Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Martin Ritt, Michael Cimino, John Sturges, Tim Burton, Delbert Mann, Raoul Walsh, John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy. These are a few of the directors with whom Gregory Walcott worked in his long, productive career. If you nee...

INDIEGOGO VS KICKSTARTER - Does crowdfunding work? How does it work? Which crowd funding resource is best for your project? How did Shea Weaver Grubbs decide on INDIEGOGO vs KICKSTARTER as a fund raising mechanism for her documentary STRING THEORY, based on the life and career of singer-songwriter LEVI WEAVER? There are some of the issues we discuss in this episode of ACTORS TALK with Tommy G. Kendrick. SPECIAL UPDATE - JOIN LEVI WEAVER ON USTREAM - LIVE FROM BALTIMORE, MD SUNDAY JUNE 3, 2012 at 7pm Am I the only one old enough to know the Rick Nelson tune, Travelin' Man? Surely you've heard it at least. If not you should, if only because it was an early introduction to the artistry of not only Rick Nelson, but also his guitarist, the incredible James Burton. But I digress.... Travelin Man - "I've made a lot of stops, all over the world". I thought of that song when I learned of the story of LEVI WEAVER. String Theory covers a moment in the life of musician Levi Weaver. Following a six year span of his career, from touring with Imogen Heap to playing intimate house shows around the world and every kind of venue in between, the film features personal interviews, a multitude of concert footage, and uncommon access to Levi’s personal road footage. String Theory is a feature documentary with a first-hand look at the constant tension between art and commerce, Levi Weaver’s ever-evolving and inspiring creative process, and the distances he has driven to measure the road between fame and true success. My friend Shea Weaver Grubbs (no relation to Levi Weaver by the way) recently sent me a notification that she is involved in an INDIEGOGO campaign to fund a documentary called STRING THEORY. Relax. I'm NOT going into a discussion of particle physics or quantum mechanics...in fact I just had to look those terms up to write them down. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT STRING THEORY HERE: FACEBOOK OR HERE: STRING THEORY ON INDIEGOGO OR Connect with the project on TWITTER Listen to LEVI WEAVER on iTunes No, STRING THEORY is a documentary about the life and music of singer-songwriter, LEVI WEAVER. That description, singer-songwriter, sounds a little too simple when describing an artist like Levi Weaver. Listen to some of his music, like I have over the past few days and I think you'll agree. STRING THEORY could use your help. Grubbs and her husband Jonathan already have hours of concert and backstage footage that Weaver himself has compiled over the years. From the looks of their INDIEGOGO teaser, that footage alone could make a worthy documentary. But they aren't settling for editing only archival footage collected by the artist himself. Over the next year, the STRING THEORY production team will, with a skeleton crew, travel across the USA and the UK documenting Levi Weaver's life as a troubadour. The tour will take Weaver mostly into a series of HOUSE CONCERTS, intimate gatherings of fans and soon to be fans who will literally gather in a private residence for an up close and personal concert experience with this exceptionally talented performer. I hope you will listen to the podcast to get more or a sense of who Levi Weaver is and why Shea Weaver Grubbs is right to pursue him as a worthy subject for this documentary. If you are so moved, please donate to their effort and know that you can be a part of a film that will not only document a Travelin' Man, but will also explore the friction between SUCCESS and FAME and how that impacts not only artists who often ply their trade in virtual anonymity, but also any individual who has felt a passionate calling to a career that just hasn't worked out the way one thought it would.

Can a first time filmmaker with zero experience and a micro-budget succeed in the marketplace? If you're Christian Filmmaker, Kyle Prohaska the answer is a resounding YES! When he was approximately 18 years old, with no prior experience as a film director, Kyle Prohaska and an elder at his church formed Praise Pictures. Praise Pictures was formed as the umbrella under which Prohaska would shoot his first film, a feature length project called STANDING FIRM. I asked Kyle Prohaska about his earliest attractions to the arts and he talks about picking up pencil and paper and learning to draw. He also talks about how learning to draw began to teach him concepts about perspective, color, shapes and the use of light. Unlike some filmmakers, Prohaska did not grow up taking his parents camera out to make little short films. Instead his interest in films and in becoming a filmmaker was piqued by watching and rewatching VHS copies of films he loved. He would eventually become inspired by the early successes of the Kendrick brothers (no relation to this podcaster) - FLYWHEEL and FACING THE GIANTS. Prohaska took the unusual step of plunging ahead into making a feature film without ever having made a short or any other film project. Don't try this at home, kiddoes. In the interview we go on to discuss the ups and downs of making STANDING FIRM on a shoestring budget and with an all volunteer cast and crew. Prohaska, an accomplished graphic illustrator and web site designer also touches on what makes a good web site, what attracts viewers to a web site and how to leverage the power of social media. We talk about his experience with Facebook and Facebook advertising that helped propel the Standing Firm Facebook Page to an unprecedented number of 'Likes' for Standing Firm. Currently that number stands at: 292,551. That is a truly unbelievable number of likes for an independent film by a first time filmmaker, especially one that is aimed at a niche market. Those are results that a Hollywood PR firm would envy. And I haven't even touched on the fact that STANDING FIRM is or will soon be available on NetFlix, NetFlix Streaming and at a redbox kiosk near you! All this and more this extensive interview with Kyle Prohaska in Actors Talk with Tommy G. Kendrick Episode 15. And Finally, in an act of shameless self-promotion, I invite all in this audience to find a screening of Richard Linklater's new film BERNIE, starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey (and I just might be in there as well) coming soon to a theater near you.

DOWN BY THE RIVER - A FILMMAKING FAMILY AFFAIR Before we get into the current episode I want to take time to acknowledge a few people who reached out over the past week or two in support of Actors Talk Podcast. First Mr. Brett Chapin of LaLa Land on CRN an internet radio show that is part of CRN Digital Talk Radio and they can be found HERE ON FACEBOOK I also want to thank Mads Nybo Jorgensen @madsvid on Twitter, a listener from the UK who tweeted about several episodes this week. Thanks Mads, for the great support. And finally, thanks to Benjamin Dane, actor-producer who was my guest on episode 007 when we talked about his new film Beyond The Farthest Star. Check out Episode 12 to see the very nice comments Benjamin made about my interview with One Less Bitter Actor writer, actor Markus Flanagan. And now, here's some information about Sean Johnson and DOWN BY THE RIVER: Sean Johnson Jr. Bio: Sean Johnson was born on October 11, 1985 in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. At age 13, his life was shattered when he watched his father get a life sentence in prison. His mother, Trina Brown, a well known playwright in New Orleans kept him from following after that same path. Johnson assisted his mother with her plays like “Christmas in the Hood” and “We’re in this together." He would eventually discover that he had his mother's gift for writing. After high school and two years of college and still not sure what he should do with his life, Johnson was drawn to screenwriting and began writing screenplays. He received a scholarship to New York Film Academy in Los Angeles and graduated from the school as one of its top writers in more than a decade. But it would take more than that to swim with the sharks of show business. His mother and his mentor, Ameer Baraka, kept him encouraged as he knocked on the great walls of Hollywood at the time of the writer’s strike. Over time, Johnson realized that his passion to write was also his gift. Not long after he got an offer for a writer's internship at Raleigh Studios and was subsequently hired by Sagemont Studios to write the compelling family-based drama "Down By The River". The film is to be realeased in 2012. Down by the River - Trailer from William Molina on Vimeo. Type: Independent feature Executive producers: LaMarcus Tinker, Sean Johnson Co-executive producer: Alethea Bailey Produced by: Trina Brown, W.L. Molina Written by: Sean Johnson Directed by: William Leonardo Molina cast: Sean Johnson, Adriana Ford, Alethea Bailey, Trenise Gray, Beny Schwarzt, Chad Thackston, Chuck Houston The Story Skylar Ford (Sean Johnson) is a young man who aspires to be a writer, but must balance following his dreams with helping his mother, Tammy (Alethea Bailey) take care of his little sister, Hannah (Adriana Ford), who suffers from sickle cell anemia. Despite his lack of time, Skylar manages to complete his first story and attempts to get it published by a local publishing house, but finds that rejection is harder to take than he anticipated. As Hannah's birthday rapidly approaches, her estranged biological father, Leroy (Beny Schwarzt), comes home unannounced after several years, creating serious tension within the family. When Skylar meets Hannah's doctor, Julia (Trenise Gray), their desire for Hannah's well being creates a spark that brings Julia closer to the family. After a local publisher gives Skylar hope, he discovers that balancing his work, his family, and his dream is more difficult than he could have ever imagined. While Skylar attempts to hold things together, Hannah suddenly collapses at her birthday party, and the whole family is thrown into an emotional spiral which tests Skylar's limits, his faith, and makes the dreams he desperately pursues feel more out of reach than ever.

WHAT IS KARMALICITY AND HOW DOES IT WORK? WHO IS JOHN SOREN? DOES KARMALICITY WORK? WHAT IS THE IMDb STARmeter RANKING AND WHY DOES IT KEEP BOUNCING UP AND DOWN? WHAT ARE FACEBOOK LIKES? HOW CAN ACTORS HARNESS THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO PUBLICIZE THE...

ONE LESS BITTER ACTOR by MARKUS FLANAGAN "Tommy, what a fantastic interview! I re-tweeted it. It really is great. I want all my actor friends to hear this." Benjamin Dane, Actor-Producer Use the banner link below to get the audio version of ONE LESS BITTER ACTOR for FREE with a trial subscription to Audible.com. Cancel within 30 Days if you want to and there's no charge. You keep the audio book This episode of Actors Talk Podcast features an interview with actor-teacher-writer Markus Flanagan. I had actually forgotten that I had previously written a review of Flanagan's book on my former blog, Still Acting After All These Years. That review was published on May 4, 2008. I was reminded of that fact several weeks back when the publicist for Rick Lenz' book North of Hollywood (see episode 011 of this podcast) contacted me about reviewing Lenz' book. Please take a moment to leave me a voice mail message if you find this or other episodes helpful in your creative journey. If you will click on the musical note icon on the right side of the page that will take you to iTunes. There you can subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. That will help Actors Talk Podcast gain visibility in the iTunes directory. Thanks for doing that! I was subsequently able to read North of Hollywood and interview Rick Lenz for this podcast. And that contact drew my attention back to One Less Bitter Actor. I recently contacted Markus Flanagan about the possibility of interviewing him and discussing his book for this podcast. He was amenable to that suggestion and this episode of Actors Talk Podcast is the result of that discussion via skype on April 11, 2012. As I began to put together show notes for this podcast, I revisited my original review of One Less Bitter Actor and upon reading it, decided that I should cut to the chase and use my existing review as my show notes for the podcast. So here is my review of One Less Bitter Actor. I hope you enjoy the review and the podcast as much as I have enjoyed putting this episode together. God bless you and keep the faith! First let me dispel a few myths. “Auditions are about finding the best actor for the job.” Get that out of your head. And conversely, “I didn’t get the job, so I must not have been good.” Very, very wrong-get that out of your head immediately! So begins Actor Markus Flanagan’s book, ONE LESS BITTER ACTOR, THE ACTOR’S SURVIVAL GUIDE. This is a book that is filled with information and insight that it has taken me decades to figure out for myself…the hard way. Just the chapter on Auditioning is more than enough reason to purchase ONE LESS BITTER ACTOR. How I wish I’d had this book thirty years ago. I had no mentor, no acting guru and no relative in the business. The information and insight in this one chapter could have saved me a lot of angst, anger and agony along the way. And it is a book that every actor, particularly every actor at the beginning of his/her career should read and should keep handy for review during the tough times. Flanagan uses personal experiences from his successful acting career…twenty years and counting…to offer pointers on topics that every actor will find useful: * How do you combat getting typed? * Understanding the people you are auditioning for * Bad habits to avoid in the audition waiting room * The two deadliest questions you may be asked before starting your reading * What are they looking for in the call back? * Dealing positively with rejection Any actor who has been in the game for more than a little while has personally struggled with or has tried to help friends who have struggled with depression and bitterness. It’s almost inevitable. If a writer’s script is rejected for publication or production, it hurts. If a director’s film is rejected by the public, it hurts. But in each of these instances, the ‘product’ that is being rejected is a book, a script,

REVIEW: NORTH OF HOLLYWOOD by Rick Lenz In NORTH OF HOLLYWOOD, author Rick Lenz says: I love acting, but I don't much care for show business... Show business as a career, for those of us whom it chooses - we never choose it; no one lacks that much common sense - is the most enticing siren the gods ever conjured, at least to those with the weakness... Any wayfarer with even miniscule common sense would take whatever evasive action was necessary to avoid that route. And that was from a successful Hollywood actor. NORTH OF HOLLYWOOD, winner - Best Biography at the 2011-2012 Los Angeles Book Festival is an often funny, sometimes gut wrenching and immensely engaging true tale of one actor's journey to grab the brass ring of show business success and by extension, celebrity. Actor-playwright-artist and now author Rick Lenz moves in for an ECU (extreme close up) on a very successful career and an often dysfunctional personal life. How does the professional actor manage the demands of 'the business' and the responsibilities of a husband and father? Is it possible to maintain equilibrium in both? Of course it IS...but it's not going to be easy. And this isn't an 'easy' book. NORTH OF HOLLYWOOD gives the reader a raw to the bone, bravely personal view of what it can mean to succeed in show business. And what happens when, almost inevitably, that success slips away. From Lauren Bacall giving 'thumbs up' to Lenz taking over the role of Igor in the Broadway production of CACTUS FLOWER, to his rise to stardom following release of the film version with Goldie Hawn, Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman, the reader is along for what will become a bumpy show biz ride. The work, the fame, the celebrity are all enticing and seductive but ultimately a mirage: When I arrive on the set the director seems surprised. "I'm really sorry," he says. "You're not quite what I had in mind." When I ask him what he had in mind, he shrugs and simply says, "Someone younger." And this: ...I begin to freeze up at auditions. Years ago I was offered a role on COLUMBO...I said no to the job...Years later I have an audition with Peter Falk for one of his latter-years episodes of the show. I want it desperately, and that's how I read for it...I map out every moment. That's the number one film auditioning no-no. I'm programmed like a robot and that's how it comes out at the audition: mechanical, unnatural and dead...I've blown it by a combination of wanting it too much and my Trojan Horse acting. Ouch!! Lenz pulls few punches in illuminating the price success may extract from the actor and from the ones he loves. Though not in any way a religious book, NORTH OF HOLLYWOOD strikes me as the chronicle of a spiritual journey - though such might come as news to the author. Perhaps I'm reading that part in because it's the way I tend to see things. So be it: this book recounts a journey to hell and back with lots of detours along the way. If you think that's too strong, over the top as we actors would say, give some thought to what it would be like to battle your own addictions to booze and pills. Or worse, watch your daughter battling an addiction to drugs including crack cocaine. Acting along side of or rubbing shoulders with Goldie Hawn, Al Pacino, Jill Clayburgh, Angela Lansbury, Alan Alda, Jackie Gleason, Ingrid Bergman, Walter Matthau, Claude Rains, John Wayne, Richard Boone, Maureen O'Hara, Lauren Bacall, Jason Robards, Jimmy Stewart, Ron Howard, to name literally just a few of Lenz' co-workers and friends doesn't really make that more palatable, does it? Rick Lenz is a charming man, if my too-brief encounter with him is an accurate indicator. He's someone you want to know better. It's easy to understand how, beyond his talent, he became a successful actor: he has that likability factor in spades. But NORTH OF HOLLYWOOD lays bare the imperfections that so clearly establish him as,