A few weekends ago I had my first opportunity to be on set for the short film that I alluded to many months ago. It was an amazing but exhausting experience. And if it was that way for me, I can only imagine how it was for everyone else!
I joined Paige S. as production assistant for the weekend and helped a bit moving furniture around and dressing the set with the art director. Only two of the main cast (Karen and Brandon) were on set the first day, but the next day Brandon was there along with close to a dozen extras. Yet everything happened pretty much on schedule, and I have to say that every person there was very professional and took his or her roles in the production seriously. Everyone seemed to have a good working relationship. I would love to work with any of them on future projects. The hours were really long (especially for the director as she was up late every night problem solving for the next day's shoot), and it was *so* hot & dark on set while shooting, but every single person took it in stride. Not one complaint was heard, and spirits were surprisingly high.
Having worked briefly as a PA on another short I'd already come to realize the importance of sound. Now I understand, too, the importance of lighting and of craft services! Not that I understand sound or lighting (too much technical info. for my brain to absorb), only that I am amazed at the way the light changes the look & mood on film (or in this case, DV). I'd always been aware, but it's completely different to witness the transformation in front of you. And we were lucky to have artist Irvin Stafford serving up lunch on Saturday. The crew were still speaking about Irvin's burgers the next day. Good, plentiful food and the availability of water, soda & coffee definitely helped keep everyone energized throughout both days.
Watching, in person, the set up of a scene and then watching it unfold (both on monitor and in front of the camera) was more informative and educational than reading what someone else has written about that process. It's incredible the amount of detail that a director has to keep straight in her head (and the lack of sleep she gets). Props to Sharifa for being organized enough to do all of that (and then some). Someday I hope to direct a web series I've been planning, but I realize I'm not quite ready for that yet. There is a lot of preproduction that has to be done! (I've finally started writing the story out; that's a start at least.)
For now I'm enjoying the learning process on Sharifa's film. In one scene sheets and a pillow had to be straightened between takes. So I get to add pillow fluffer to my resume. ;) I had the opportunity to help with makeup as well. Applying makeup to cover up tattoos can be unsettling if you're not sure what you're doing. Luckily, it looked great on camera!
I saw a final cut of THE GATEWAY MEAT, filmed in Massachusetts. I appear in the film, I get brutally murdered and got to write my own death scene. Unfortunately my face is bound up with duct tape and we shot for 8 or 10 hours and I couldn't see and was covered in cold fake blood all day. The DVD will be out soon. The film is AMAZING- oh my god- so gory! I was only in a small part and did not see the script so knew nothing about the plot of the film or anything about it except my scenes.
Also out soon on DVD:
Countess Bathoria's Graveyard Picture Show, which debuted at the Fantasia Film Fest, and which I co-wrote.
I am writing for The Independent Magazine website and will be interviewing Jeremy Kasten, director of the upcoming remake of The Wizard of Gore.
I have an interview in the next Girls and Corpses magazine with Erik Ruhling, author of Infernal Device, an illustrated book of torture devices.
Although I put it aside months and months ago it looks like my script A Fistful of Anger may be optioned.
I don't know what it takes to get recognized, respected & noticed on this website by the people in charge?
I can't get an email back from them about how to become a "Selected blog".
Or, How to become Acknowledged as a legitimate blogger on this site?
I am like a Ghost in the Machine... A phantom dream... I can't get no damn RESPECT!
They won't put me as a Selected blog.... Or put me on the front page of Past blogs... Or even acknowledge my existence by returning my emails... But they do it for so many others....
But........... NOT FOR ME!.... WHY?
Did I do something wrong???
Did I kick their little doggy??
Did I strangle their Pet Kitty??
This is starting to remind me of my Good ole days in Hollywood when nice Show Biz Celebrities like: Gene Simmons, Lemmy Kilmeister, Jane Seymour, Kirstey Alley, all Hated me & yet I don't recall ever doing anything to them to get such a Violent reaction.
But yet, Sean Lennon enjoyed my company... Angela Bowie thought I was a darling... Ronnie James Dio Protected me... Burt Reynolds told me I did a really great job & my Only True Hollywood Friend "Bruce Campbell" Loved me!... What did these people see in me that so many others couldn't???
Am I to be forever Misunderstood & maligned?
From Coast to coast to Sea to Shining sea...
From Hollywood to Beanywood...
Peons to Stars vacillate between their love & hatred of my personality...
CAN I EVER GET A DAMN BREAK?
I have gotten off the track again...... Back to my point:
I have written 20 blogs here which have included various info on:
Productions in the New England area... With such varied content as: Real Television commercials... Presidential candidate web promos... Motor-cross X game stunt show coverage... Documentary shooting for ER Doctors... Rock & Roll live concert events... Quasi-Religious Short films... I've spoken on such Hot topics as: Show Biz deals, heartbreaks & Busted dreams from the very Beast Herself... "Hollywood".....
But still it seems I do not seem to RATE HERE... Why?
If a guy that spent 12 long years slugging it out in the trenches of Hollywood California...The very CessPit that is Show biz Hell itself... can't get acknowledgment here.... Then what does it take?
I have attempted to broach such topics as Human kindness... Hard work... Creativity... Dedication... Respect for others... Being a Team player... The ethics of doing REAL PAYING gigs....
BUT STILL..... NOTHING... NADA-- ZIP.......
What does a guy gotta do to get recognition here by the POWERS THAT BE?
Am I like some Bastard Step child?... The Black sheep of the family?... The drunken Uncle that says dirty, awkward & embarrassing things at the dinner table in front of mixed company?
I am ever so Confused... Is this Professional Jealousy?... Pettiness? Or just plain Childishness???
What can a poor boy do, But sing for a Rock & Roll band?
Anybody have any clues out there for me?
Anybody wanna give me any pointers on the Human Condition that I don't seem to have a clue about?
Am I just so far gone from banging my head against the brick wall of life that I have lost all of my sense?
I attempt to truly be Enlightening... Humorous... Insightful... Educational... About Hollywood... Life... New England Productions & REAL show Biz Examples....
Is this not what this site is supposed to be about????
I just don't know anymore......
IS IT ME?
So I propose this:
If any of you fine folks of Boston want to see me gone....
To VOTE ME OFF OF THIS BEANYWOOD SITE...
Then please POST YOUR VOTES!
I am SERIOUS!
IF THERE ARE 10 VOTES POSTED THAT WANT ME TO DISAPPEAR....
THEN I WILL GLADLY GO...
I don't want to be were I am not Invited.... Wanted... Or appreciated....
PLEASE.... POST YOUR VOTES...
SHOULD CRAIG AMABELLO STAY BLOGGING ON THIS SITE?
OR DO YOU WANT ME TO GO?
The choice is now left to THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON.
We live in a Democracy.... (Albeit, a very crooked, Corrupt & at times, Insanely Inept bureaucracy, that borders at times on being a Fascist, Dictatorial, Totalitarian Nazi Regime).... So lets see if THE PEOPLE WILL TRULEY SPEAK UP....
CAST YOUR VOTES TODAY... DO NOT DELAY.... TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE....
If 10 of you want me to go... I will go, with my tail between my legs, running back to the Hills, (The Hollywood hills that is)... A place were I seem to fit in much better than here in New England... The place of my Childhood.
IT IS ALL IN YOUR HANDS NOW FINE FOLKS OF NEW ENGLAND.
Oh ya..... Thanks to the few people that have answered my ads... Said nice things about me... & seemed to understand my Eclectic style.... I truly do appreciate your understanding & good will.
And if any of you actors & Actresses out there want to contact me about comedy Sketches I am in pre-production on for really insane, cutting edge & funny Web shows... Please contact me: laconnection101@aol.com.
I am also looking to hitch up with a few cool, dark humored writers to help me put my ideas to scripts for full length feature films & Shorts, please let me know.
Keep believing in yourselves... Don't kick a dog when he's down... & have fun creating cool, entertaining, & Profitable stuff for the Bewildered Masses....
I know I sure am.
Signed, Your truly Demented Reporter & X-Hollywood Reject, Craig Amabello
While I certainly don't consider myself an expert filmmaker, I've worked on enough films, and exchanged enough horror stories, to feel comfortable giving advice to other independent filmmakers. For this reason, I've decided to write a series of articles about independent film production, with the hope that they'll benefit others in the Beanywood community. Needless to say, these articles will reflect my own experience, so if something here doesn't seem right to you, go with your gut.
I decided to start with the subject of casting because I was inspired by Kevin Cirone's informative article, Rules of Engagement for the Acting World. I thought that having two articles about casting, one by an actor and one by a filmmaker, could be a good way for each group to learn more about the concerns the other has as they go through the casting process together.
I look forward to reading any comments from the Beanywood community. Moreover, if readers have any feedback regarding these articles, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Let's assume, for the purposes of this article, that you're not using a casting agency. If you could afford one, you wouldn't be running around trying to find an audition space yourself.
Choosing a location for your auditions is more important than you may think. Why? Well, let's break it down:
First, let's think about the proximity of your audition space to the pool of actors you'll be targeting for auditions. Choosing a location in or near the city can make a huge difference for the following reasons:
When you're in the city, actors can reach you by car, by public transportation, or by foot. When you're in a suburb, or even further away, actors have to drive out to your location. This can make it more difficult for students and city residents to get to you.
The closer you are to the city, the higher the population is. This means you'll be able to find more actors who are close to your audition space. Some actors will drive for hours to get to an audition, but others have to contend with work, school, and family schedules, which means they can't necessarily afford to take half a day off for an audition.
People are much more comfortable driving to a place they know. Especially for young women, auditioning in the city -- at a theatre, for instance -- is a much safer prospect than driving out to a secluded area they've never been before.
Second, let's think about the type of location you'll want to use. Here are some things to consider:
Don't ever, ever hold auditions in a hotel room. I don't care if your parents own the hotel. It's creepy and inappropriate. While we're on the subject, don't hold auditions at your home, either.
You'll want to find a place that has a separate audition space and waiting area. This may seem pretty obvious, but you'd be surprised how many times novice filmmakers find themselves with a bunch of actors with nowhere to sit, cluttering up a hallway. Not only is this poor planning, it's disrespectful to the actors. Can you imagine wanting to work for someone who couldn't think far enough ahead to bring chairs?
If possible, try to find a location that has even a loose affiliation with the arts -- a small auditorium; a theatre; an acting school; a dance studio. You'll probably find your actors more relaxed in this type of environment than they would be at a law office or some other unrelated business.
Third, let's think about the actual room where you'll be conducting your auditions:
Make sure the room isn't too cramped. You'll want some distance between yourself and the actors who are reading for you. This way you won't be focused just on their faces; you'll get a better feel for their body language and their overall skill and comfort as actors.
You'll no doubt want to take notes during the auditioning process, so make sure to have a table or desk in the room.
Test out the sound in your audition space. If the actors in the waiting room can hear the auditions taking place, they'll be preoccupied with the thought of other actors listening in on their auditions, so they won't be at their best when they read for you.
Actor Search/Casting Call:
There are two reliable ways to find actors: first, you can go out and search for them, and second, you can ask them to come to you. My suggestion is to use both of these approaches.
Let's first tackle the prospect of actively searching for actors. Unless you want to roam the streets aimlessly, asking strangers if they can act, you've probably got three options:
Go to local screenings and performances to scout talent.
Get recommendations from other filmmakers and industry professionals.
Search online databases for local actors: when it comes to this option, my suggestion is to start right here on this site with the Beanywood Advanced People Search. As opposed to a lot of other online databases, Beanywood lets you do what casting agencies do -- a detailed search for a specific age, height, weight, hair color, etc. Always take advantage of the tools you've been given.
Now let's tackle the prospect of getting actors to come to you. How do you do this? By sending out a casting call. When you sit down to write it, make sure to include the following information:
The name of your production company
The type of project you're shooting (feature/short; drama/comedy/horror)
The shooting format (35 mm/16 mm/HD/DV): the more specific you are, the more organized you appear. Simply being organized and efficient can go a long way toward winning people over. Moreover, if you happen to be shooting on film, you'll certainly want to advertise this fact. Most actors will go to great lengths for the the opportunity to be in a film, as opposed to "just another DV movie."
Who are you looking for? (gender; age group; specific appearance; accents and other special skills): when it comes to things such as age and ethnic appearance, make sure to ask yourself if these factors are actually relevant to the character. If they're not relevant, then exclude this information from your casting call. Otherwise, you'll just be limiting your pool of actors for no good reason.
Is this a union or non-union shoot? If you don't include this information, you'll probably get about fifty e-mails asking this very question. Save yourself the headache.
Is this a paying job? If it's not, then just say so. Tricking people doesn't win you any points.
