Childrens Movies Take Top

With "Tangled" in 3D and "Harry Potter" high atop the box office charts. The Wizards of Hogwarts prove that a seven day week that is totaling nearly $170 Million is a good way for producers to spend money. If there are films that we want to see, we often don't because we can't find a babysitter, but the trick is with these films that no matter what, you can even take the babysitter with you and that is the purchase of another ticket. So will we see more and more youth driven stories hit the silver screen. I assume that with the reinvigorated use of 3D glasses, the answer is yes. The trick is that as these films which are animated continue to be made, they will require less and less value over time in acquiring name talent to provide voices as the genre itself will bring in an audience.

Blocked

Sometimes as a screenwriter you want to pull your hair out. Just take a few steps back to analyze objects around you. Trees, air, and the grace of a butterflies wings. Things are much simpler than they seem.

"Gun Drugs and Dirty Money" Premiered!

Jon Anton's "Guns Drugs and Dirty Money" screened to a sold out audience at the Emagine Novi theatre last night. I must say that I was a bit reserved when considering the film, but by the time the opening credits had rolled, I was hooked. The highly stylized picture reminiscent of films like "Smokin' Aces" had a comic cook like interpretation within the editing style featuring black barred bordering and dialogue bubbles that would take us to the next scene. The character heavy picture was plentiful in comedy, drama and most of all...action. Local Detroit actors Jason Waugh and Michael Mili portray interesting roles with jocular propriety.

Michigan Actors Studio

Last week many of you may have read my article on acting coach Steve Blackwood. I recently came across another skipper of the theatrical arts; Richard Goteri of the Michigan Actors Studio. MAS seems to accommodate a habitat where talent can grow; Each actor who is enrolled in a one day a week, eight week program can stand alongside both aspiring and seasoned thespians. Like a greenhouse, as individuals they can also network in an environment where the aptitude of each individual can be shared through potential friendships. This and next weekend, the school is hosting a series of one act plays in an affair entitled "24 Hours" (conceived by Oliver Hailey and The Writers Workshop). However, only 12 hours will be played out in the PM (there is also an AM in the original written works) - Indeed the show that costs only $12 a seat ($10 w/ student I.D.) is a fine way to spend the evening and support the local art scene. "24 Hours" which was co-directed by Goteri and his comrade Rachel Bellack, features the talents of such local actors as Ken Alter, Sheela Sharma, Nana Allen, Rob Putansu, Michael Gillespie, Ann Johnstone Filippis and Michelle Balser Peterson.

How to Finance an Art Project

I often also get asked from people: How can I finance my project? Whether it be a movie, TV show pilot or line of boutique clothing wear such as jeans or jewlery...Investors are out there. If you want to find investors, here's a tip: Don't talk to people who are already in the business of your dream. Why is that? It's because they already do it, and they do it well. Why would anyone want to give money to someone who could potentially be a competitor? That is what they are thinking in their minds. Instead discuss your passion project or line of Michigan branded T-Shirts with someone who is not in that business. Someone who finds the sex appeal in something new. The draw of doing something different from the daily routine of one's own life is a psychological stimulus that can both affect the mind body and soul. For example: If I am a rich doctor who never gets out to see a movie because I have patients all day but I am rich, then I am likely to be far more excited to hear about your ideas then if I am already a rich movie producer. That's my tip of the day.

More Actor Advice...

The behaviour in Detroit isn't what you see on "Entourage"...Contending for a role in town doesn’t promote agitating the casting directors. There is only 2 or 3 of em here anyhow. I understand that one needs to campaign for a role, but in the mid-west it needs to be done quietly. Leave the fast talking and smooth walking to the L.A. people who know what they are doing and have been bred into each other for so long. So advice to up and coming actors, is to cool it down. Do you work, do it well, be persistent but not petulant, and the roles and people will come to you.