Differences between Film Actors & Theater Actors - PART 1

     One would think without any experience that Film Actors and Theater Actors are a lot like each other because they both involve the element of acting, right?  Well, yes, there are lots of similarities...don't get me wrong!  But, there are also lots of differences.  Below, you will find a diagram to express a highlight of some of the most obvious but complex differences:

	FILM ACTING	THEATER ACTING
FOOTAGE	Gathering footage for a reel is much simpler in terms of developing a reel to showcase off to an Agent or a Casting Director	Since theater performances are limited a given production or season, unless the play is recorded, it's hard to distribute footage for Casting Directors to look at either while being cast in a theater of a film production of some sorts.
STEPPING	Depending upon what location or position the film camera is located, actors need to be aware of where the camera is at all times.  It's almost like a separate craft has to be developed.  That way, cinematographers can easily establish correct screen direction.	Stepping is based upon the audiences' point of view and nothing more.  If the audience can't see the actors' perform, it's as almost if it didn't exist.
MEMORIZATION	Film Actors have an advantage of performing take after take per the director on set. There is more time in achieving the best possible take no matter the quantity.  As a result of the repetition, lines can better hold mentally. Still, it doesn't mean actors can be lazy with the lines. There's just more flexiblity between the rehearsals and the actual filming.	Let's face it, there is rehearsal after rehearsal in a theater production.  However, following Dress Rehearsal, the performers have only one shot to get it right.  There are no takes.  If one messes up, the show still goes on, but the impression is a dreadful one.  That's why theater acting takes serious dedication!

This is the Part 1 in highlighted some key differences. Future blogs will continue to follow.  Just take these first few differences in, and we'll build from there :-)

THE TRIUMPH OF THE OSCAR!

Any Actor's Dream, Any Writer's Dream, Any Director's Dream, Any Producer's Dream

The Oscars are handed out once a year by what what is known as the Academy.  The Academy formally belongs to an organization called the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.).  The Oscars were first handed out in 1928, and since then, many historical moments have happened; from Hattie McDaniel being the first black woman to winning the Oscar in 1939, to Daniel Day-Lewis known in 2013 as the first Male Actor to win 3 Leading Actors, as he accepted his 3rd Oscar. It is the highest recognition anyone can receive for outstanding excellence in film.  The awards are divided into categories such as Picture, Leading Actor, Leading Actress, or Director.  

Once the nominees are decided around January of each year, only then does the celebrations start.  Winning an Oscar again is if not the climax of most artist's careers, and it's the most prestigious award of all.

It is definitely a dream of most Actors and most especially mine (ever since I was 5 years old.) 

Need I say more ;-)

It is a priceless triumph!

Tips for Waiters...shall they just be given or earned?

     Based upon the comments I received from my original Facebook note, in addition to what I was taught in my upbringing, the consensus is for the most part, tips shall be earned!! 

     For example, friend Victoria Doucet (her comment is seen in my Facebook Note) voiced her opinion about this matter:

"I kind of land somewhere in the middle. Raise the "hourly" wage (to at least close to minimum wage), allow wait staff to earn tips based on service, and stop requiring customers to tip. I think tips should be based on the customer's opinion of service rather than social convention."

     People have to learn the value of a dollar and not accept things for granted, as there are many hard workers out there that make less by doing lots more labor.  Don't get me wrong, I like to reward based upon exceptional quality, but I will not reward based upon unsatisfactory service due to such things as the waiter not communicating, has a bad tone, does not intermittently check how a given table is doing, seemingly does not care about the customers, etc. It would be nice to raise the minimum wage, but at the same time, that has nothing to do with the concept of a tip...those are two separate buckets.

ORIGINAL POSTING ON FACEBOOK

(Link in regards to the Original Crowdsourcing Note on Facebook is found by clicking the above link

     Let's face it, waiters/servers work primarily for tips while waiting tables where customers are sitting hoping to receive the best dining experiences.

     However, much dispute is given between servers receiving a standard percentage for their service for every table that is being serviced despite the fact of how the servers are doing customer service wise.  On the other hand, many people believe waiters actually should have to earn their tip through exceptional customer service for each and every table.      

What is your take on this? Be as constructive as possible!                                                                      
Obviously, waiters and customers might have different perspectives and experiences to elaborate or give insight on.

AUDITION VIDEOS

Whether actors perform auditions in front of live Casting Directors or by tape, it's still extremely challenging.  As a dedicated actor, I've taken several auditioning method workshops just to take in the concept that repetition makes practice makes perfect! Being able to act naturally in front of a camera is not the same as being able to act "everyday like" in front of friends, family, or colleagues.

Above, you will find an example of an audition tape I was asked to create by my agent out in New Orleans in regards to a Television Series.  Out of hundreds of other actors that auditioned for this role, I was second in line at the time as far as being the best match based upon this audition video.  Even though it was tough to accept the rejection, not only does it make me want to fight and work harder as an actor, I still think it's one of the best audition videos I've ever created solo.  

In this audition video, I play an electrician investigating a disengaged alarm circuit only to find out it eventually comes back on.  Enjoy!!!

Mystery Diners - National Television Premiere!

MYSTERY DINERS PREMIERE!

 

 

For those of you out there that are unfamiliar with Mystery Diners, it is a Television Series that comes on the Food Network.  New episodes are released every Friday Night.  With hidden cameras installed in a random restaurant selected each week across the nation, Mystery Diners and the Restaurant Manager(s) are able to uncover any wrongdoings from any of the staff during a given shift while the manager(s) are absent.  Wrongdoings and offenses can include stealing cash tips, recipes, food, etc.  Nailing two birds with one stone, viewers across the country get entertained by watching this show. That's why the show is in its 3rd season.

 

Most recently, I appeared on a show episode that was filmed in Fort Worth, TX titled Barbecue Blues.  For fellow actors or people that have had the dream to entertain people, being on National Television creates the feeling of an optimistic rush.  Knowing that several thousands of people are watching you from around the world, in a way, I felt like I was making a difference by stamping a seal of emotion in the viewers' eye.  It's an escape vehicle for those that want to get away and be entertained or enlightened. 

 

The episode titled Barbecue Blues is consistently reran on The Food Network.  Feel free to check it out on YouTube here.

 

 



A Race Against Time

A RACE AGAINST TIME

 

 

     In 2009, a family in Lancaster, TX awakened to the loss of a girl named Sharla Butler, as she was only 16 years old.  Destined to be an Olympian in Track and Field, she suffered to complications from encephalitis.  Hoping to have followed in the footsteps of her two older sisters by winning state championships in Lancaster, her presence is and continues to be indescribably missed by her friends and family. 

 

     In honor of Sharla's family, in 2011, director Maurice Durham successfully directed an Independent Film titled A Race Against Time: The Sharla Butler Story. The film recounts the events leading up to her saddened death. I play the role of Matt Carson, a High School Track Coach.  Despite the fact it was a small, supporting role, I was superbly grateful to have been apart of the entire experience.  The trailer to the film indeed sets the expectation for what's to come in regards to a suspenseful, yet emotional film.  In October of 2011, the film was premiered at the Angelika Theater in Dallas, TX.  It will forever go on as an unforgettable and collaborative experience. 

 

To find out more information in regards to the dedicated cast and crew, please visit the film's IMDb page by clicking here.

If the trailer and/or storyline interested you, please don't hesitate to either rent or purchase the film from Amazon.com.

Enjoy.



The Development of The Present and Continuous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you didn't catch the teaser to The Present Continuous, you're missing the potential short film hit of the year! The cast and crew came together as an ensemble to make magic happen indescribably. Directed by Brothers Ely and Ike Bam's, the energy and intensified emotion embedded in this movie causes any heart-stopping viewer to increase his or her sense of awareness at all times! The directors used the right crew along with high-caliber cameras and film equipment to achieve the amount of superb depth. The synopsis of the story is as follows. James Burleson plays a family man and a judge.  Despite the fact he is making an unknown and illegal insurance deal with his partner named Sam portrayed by Grant James, his daughter Leila (portrayed by Kenzie Pallone) and wife Mary (portrayed by Amber Quinn) are waiting for him outside in lieu of his daughter's birthday.  This film touches on the choices people make especially with those that have families.  It also takes a deep glimpse into the what if.... What if you were given a second chance to actually undo a mistake?
 

The film is currently up for awards at the 168 Film Festival in Los Angeles in August, and it has been submitted internationally to festivals in Chicago, Berlin, Sweden, Korea and other exciting locations! The directors are also in talks with a prominent New York Film distributor in converting the film from a Short Film to a Feature.  Stay Tuned on the details!!!!

CAST	ROLE
James Burleson	Steven Anderson
Grant James	Sam Howard
Kenzie Pallone	Leila Anderson
Amber Quinn	Mary Ann Anderson
CREW	POSITION
Ely Bam's	Director/Writer/Co-Producer
Ike Bam's	Director/Co-Producer
Ross McDowell	Assistant Director
Juan Torres	Boom Operator
Jacques Cunningham	Grip
Yama Kolmakova	Makeup Artist