Celebrity and veteran actor James Hong lends his time to the Firecracker Run 2010. The Los Angeles Firecracker Run Committee, Inc. (LACFRC, Inc.) is a community based-based, 501.3(c)(3) non-profit organization with a non-salaried group of volunteers who donate their time and energies to organize and stage an annual run/walk event and to promote activities beneficial to the Los Angeles Chinatown community.

The “Firecracker Run” is recognized as one of the best-organized events in the running community. For 31 years, the event remains participant-oriented; to make his/her participation as memorable and enjoyable as possible.

Since its inception, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee, Inc. (LACFRC) has contributed over $400,000 to local elementary schools and non-profit community organizations providing service and programs to benefit the community.
Event proceeds and donations benefit the beneficiaries of our event activities If you’d like to assist, please contact us: (323) 256-1363 or info@firecracker10k.org. Website: www.firecracker10k.org

 
]]> http://www.actorsreporter.com/2010/calendar-girl/events/celeb-donates-time-to-firecracker-run/feed/ http://www.actorsreporter.com/2010/columnists/audition-hell-forgetting-something/ http://www.actorsreporter.com/2010/columnists/audition-hell-forgetting-something/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:58:38 +0000 admin http://www.actorsreporter.com/?p=3615 THE SEVEN LEVELS OF AUDITION HELL

Level Four: Forgetting Something?

The symptoms are all there as you stand in front of the “hiring line” – sweaty palms, trickle of sweat on your forehead, complete and utter memory loss over what it is you are there to do. Questions whisk through your consciousness: Where am I? What production I am trying out for? Am I an actor who moves well or a singer who dances?

Quickly coming to your senses, you start your song or monologue. Three lines in, you forget everything as your mind goes blanker than an unwritten check. Or you vamp for a few bars, or make up some dialogue, but nothing is helping. Do you stop and ask if you can start over again? Or do you just plug through, hoping the judgmental but supportive panel will admire your gusto and pick you above everyone else who remembered all their lines?

If you just miss a word or a beat, keep going, it’s no big deal and possibly not even noticeable. If you are completely thrown off, stop and regroup. One thing is for sure, it almost never hurts to ask about beginning again. At least it shows that you know that they know that you know you were going off track and had the wherewithal to stop and regroup.

If you blank out completely, admit it! If you need to stop, STOP! If you need to refer to your sides, refer to your sides. Apologize and start again. If we say, ‘thank you, no need to,’ they probably weren’t interested in the first place.

One other note: If you do have sides, always hold them in one hand even if you’ve memorized them. The script will always be there if you need to refer to it, and it also tends to make the casting staff less worried about you forgetting your lines and frees them up to focus on your performance.

In our next Career Cues, we’ll explore Level Five of Audition Hell … Shake, Rattle, & Roll. I’m Dan Woren of the Actors Reporter … Break a leg!

Actors Day in LA meets director Marianne Savell, and actors Nan McNamara and Dan Roberts on stage at the Terrace Theatre during a dress rehearsal of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, WIT, by Margaret Edson.

Nan McNamara talks about why she shaved her head for the role of Vivian.

When:
Running now until March 28th,

Where:
Actors Co-op Terrace Theatre,
1760 N. Gower S, Hollywood 90028

In it’s 18th season of illuminating theatre, Actors Co-op operates two 99-seat Equity-approved theatres on the campus of the Hollywood Presbyterian Church.

The Cast:
Nan McNamara *
Phil Crowley
Daniel J. Roberts
Tawny Mertes
Lori Berg
Beth Castle
Marcos Esteves
Alison Freeman
Preston Vanderslice

*Appearing courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association

The Crew:
Written by Margaret Edson
Directed by Marianne Savell
Produced by David Scales
Scenic Design by Gary Lee Reed
Costume Design by Paula Higgins
Lighting Design by James L. Moody
Original Music by Joseph King Barkley
Prop Design by Julie M. Smith
Stage Manager Leticia Gonzalez

Ticket Prices
Adults:  $30, Seniors (60 & over) $25, Students w/ ID: $20.00

For more information:
323-462-8460
x 300 Reservations
x 304 Directions to Theatre
s 115 Audition Information

For press and publicity, please contact Nan McNamara: publicrelations@actorsco-op.org

THE PURPOSE OF THE TRADEVINE IS TO ENCOURAGE THE INDUSTRY TO READ THEIR TRADES: VARIETY, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, & BACK STAGE. EACH TRADE PROVIDES YOU FREE ONLINE INFO! OR, SUBSCRIBE LIKE WE DO. EITHER WAY, ENJOY LEARNING ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY.

EACH FRIDAY, THE TRADEVINE SEEKS OUT A FEW OF THE INFORMATIVE ARTICLES THAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED. GO TO THE TRADE, ITSELF, FOR THE ENTIRE ARTICLE. FIND THE LINKS TO YOUR TRADES BELOW OR IN OUR ACTORS RESOURCE SECTION.

Back Stage National Edition, February 25th-March 3rd, “What’s the best piece of acting advice you ever got?” reported by Sarah Kuhn who can be reached at SarahKuhn@backstage.com. Traycee King from Los Angeles says, “an acting coach told her just to “let go,” and what he meant by “let go” was forget everything that was taught and “become” whoever you were trying to portray.” According to Erika Latta in New York, “The stage is sacred. It is where you lay the landscape of your imagination, where life and death and all of one’s happiness can exist and not exist with a single gesture.” Janet Varney says, “The first thing you have to do is try not to do it. Just be organic.”

Daily Variety, March 1st, 2010. “Guilds join up for looming talks,” by Dave McNary. Two years after showbiz writers concluded a bitter strike, stretching Hollywood’s nerves to the limit, the outlook for the next round of contract talks has begun to emerge. AFTRA took the latest step last Saturday, officially reconciling with the Screen Actors Guild by agreeing to joint negotiations on its primetime deal.

Daily Variety, March 3rd, ‘Glee’ kids take show on the road,” by Cynthia Littleton. The ‘Glee’ kids are hitting the road. Thesps for the hit Fox tuner will perform at a series of four concerts beginning May 18th at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix. The concerts mark another revenue stream for the series, which has already done very well in that regard. Tickets go on sale March 12th. After Phoenix, they will perform in Los Angeles May 20th and 21st, in Chicago May 25th and 26th and in Gotham May 28th and 29th. This may be a new stream of revenue for many of the talent shows. For Example, American Idol tours for a year with the top ten, or sometimes top 12, and now, the 3 favorite American Idol, Season Eight celebs, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, and Kris Allen, have been making special concert appearances this year while season nine is progressing.

You heard it through the Tradevine!

Patrick Kilpatrick provides assertive but gentle guidance to actors who want to improve their craft. Patrick Kilpatrick acting classes

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Solara Speaks – Power Thoughts
Multiple Intelligences

MI theory helps us all to appreciate that there is more to being smart than what shows up on an IQ test or “book smarts”.

Episode 4
Spatial Smart: To think in pictures and to perceive the visual world.

Welcome back to Solara Speaks: Power Thoughts, inspired by Dr. C. Branton Shearer of the Multiple Intelligences Research and Consulting in Ohio. Dr. Shearer’s theory is based upon the work of Howard Gardner of Harvard University. 
Dr. Shearer describes 8 types of Intelligence. Today, we’ll explore one type called Spatial Smart or what Dr. Shearer refers to as thinking in pictures and perceiving the visual world. And, you have no idea how excited I am to share today’s discussion with our guest. He’s an actor, appearing on TV, in films, and in commercials, he’s a world champion martial artist, a martial arts trainer, and a certified sports medicine trainer. And, he’s an author, and entertainer
Matt Mullins created the Sideswipe Performance Team, which is a martial arts-based group that blends traditional martial arts such as Karate and Tae Kwon Do, with gymnastics and acrobatics. The team creates an extreme, high-flying display of talent, strength and stamina unlike anything else. And, Sideswipe entertains audiences across the country.

According to Dr. Shearer. Spatial intelligence is to think in 3 dimensions and to transform one’s perceptions and re-create aspects on one’s visual experience via imagination. Spatial smarts also includes working with objects effectively. For example, space awareness allows one to solve problems of spatial orientation and to move objects through space, such as driving a car or, in the case of Matt Mullins, flipping through the air with apparent ease. Spatial awareness also includes the ability to make, build, fix, or assemble objects and, interestingly enough, to create artistic designs, drawings, or paintings.
Stay brainy!

Once you’ve gotten a handle on all those diet-busting extras, the next thing to do is figure out what in the world to order. But don’t worry, no matter where you choose to dine, you can find great healthy choices to keep you on your plan. Here are some helpful examples:

• Food stands: Many meals come from a cafeteria at work, a food court in the mall, or some other food stand-type location. You might be wondering what you can order from these places to stay on your plan. Look for a selection that contains a nice helping of chicken breast, turkey, or fish along with a healthy carb. Avoid any fried foods, cream sauces, and regular sodas.
• Delis: Delis are a great place to grab a healthy bite. Order a smoked turkey, chicken breast, or lean ham sandwich with no cheese and light mayo, then pile on the veggies to your heart’s content. The things to avoid are tuna or chicken salad, salami and processed meats, and regular cheese.
• Casual restaurants/diners/takeout: Almost every neighborhood America has an Italian, Mexican, and Asian eatery. If you’re lucky, you also have Thai, Indian, and Greek spots too. Look for dishes that are based on chicken, turkey, or fish and sometimes lean steak (preferably filet mignon, if you can afford it). If you go Greek, try chicken skewers with rice; hold the hummus. Want Italian? Have pasta with tomato sauce with chicken or shrimp, plus a side salad. Order chicken stir-fry or chicken teriyaki plus a side salad at you favorite Asian spot; hold the dressing and use rice vinegar on the salad.
• Fine dining: When dining in a full-service restaurant, eat a small meal 2 hours before your reservation. Often there is still a wait and you don’t want to be starving. Try not to eat the bread before the meal. Eating bread on am empty stomach causes a rapid rise in blood sugar. Better to order a chicken skewer or a crab or shrimp cocktail as an appetizer right away. Again stay away from fired foods, cream sauces, cheesy dishes, and oily or buttery dishes. Stay with tomato-based sauces and grilled meat cuts such as fish, chicken, and filet mignon.

You’ll find healthy choices are available no matter what type of restaurant you frequent, if you are vigilant about holding the high-fat extras like cheese and sour cream. You can also check out www.christinavanti.com for Christine’s “fast-food guide” letting you know the best and worst fast-food eats.

March 2010 Entertainment Industry Calendar of Events

March 2nd, 2010 – final ballots due for 82nd Academy Awards, which take place March 7th http://oscar.go.com/

March 4th- Beginning of “Improv Boot” at Synergy-LA Reservation required. GET YOUR IMPROV ABILITY GOING THIS PILOT SEASON! www.synergy-la.com

March 4th: Live Seminar : “Craft Meets Business” Thursday, March 4th
12PM - 2PM
Description: Valuable Acting Techniques &
The Career Tools You Need For Performing Success
Where: The Sanford Meisner Studio - Burbank, CA
Cost: FREE
Register: http://www.performertrack.com/event-reg-sms030410seminar.html
 

March 5th – 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards. Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization.  Our mission is to champion the cause of independent film and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision.
www.spiritawards.com

March 5-7, 2010. Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival. This Festival was honored by MovieMaker Magazine as one of “The 25 Coolest Film Festivals of 2009” and this year’s Festival promises an equally outstanding lineup of films, 26 features and 23 shorts that were selected from nearly 250 submissions from around the world.
www.sebastopolfilmfestival.org

March 6th - Synergy-LA provides two casting director workshops for actors in Los Angeles, Ca. . 11:00 Scott Davis, Casting director,1:30 Jeff Greenberg Casting. www.synergy-la.com

March 14th - The 5th Annual Omaha Film Festival. The Omaha Film Festival, a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization, sets out to deliver a fresh and innovative cinema experience through the exhibition of independent film and the growth of its Film Education Initiative program, and has become a staple of Omaha’s developing cultural identity. www.omahafilmfestival.org

March 7th - Academy of Motion Picture Sciences Academy Awards www.oscar.com

March 11th – 12th – San Diego Latino Film Festival. MEDIA ARTS Center San Diego’s 17th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival is proud to celebrate Mexico’s Bicentennial with an exciting array of Mexican short and feature films.
www.sdlatinofilm.com

March 12 - 21, 2010
Mark your calendars for the 16th Annual San Luis International Film Festival.
The 2010 King Vidor Award will be presented to Academy Award-winning actor, Alan Arkin. Tickets to this event and others are now on sale. www.slofilmfest.org

March 13th – Synergy- LA presents Susan Johnson casting workshop, at the AIDA Theatre in Hollywood. Reservations required.
www.synergy-la.com

March 15th: Deadline to enter Cheyenne International Film Festival - Deadline March 15, 2010 Festival will take place at the Atlas Theatre : May 14 – 16, Cheyenne, Wyoming. A production of Wyoming Community Media (WCM).
http://chyintlfilmfest.eventbrite.com/

March 6th: Live Seminar : “Talent On Target: Hitting Your Career Bull’s-Eye” Saturday, March 6th
12PM - 2PM
Description:
Stop spinning your wheels! Become a smart WORKING performer! Learn what it
means to hit your career bulls-eye & how to get there.
Where: The Sanford Meisner Studio - Burbank, CA
Cost: FREE
Register: http://www.performertrack.com/event-reg-sms030610seminar.html

March 16-28, 2010. 18th Environmental Film Festival in Washington, DC. http://www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org/

March 21st – April 6th Hong Kong International Film Festival. The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film.
www.hkiff.com

March 25, 2010 - April 1, 2010 Method Fest Independent Film Festival
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/event_display/tools_data/calendar/e3i0f3f51dd36c8c4f284c04ae9d26911bb
Festival lineup will be announced February 25
Calabasas, Calif., is looking for character and story-driven films featuring strong acting performances.
http://www.methodfest.com/

March 26th. Women’s International film festival in Miami.  Join us as we discover Women’s Dreams, Visions & Voices with nine days of films, art, fashion shows, workshops, parties and much more. 
www.wiffonline.org

Also see:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Calendar:
http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/calendar/index.html

and
Actors Connection New York and Los Angeles March Calendar:
http://www.actorsconnection.com/classes.php

Patrick Kilpatrick provides assertive but gentle guidance to actors who want to improve their craft. Patrick Kilpatrick acting classes

Back to exclusive interview

Patrick Kilpatrick provides assertive but gentle guidance to actors who want to improve their craft. Patrick Kilpatrick acting classes

Back to exclusive interview