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

HOW IMPORTANT AGENTS ARE!

 



     As an Actor, I can't stress how important it is to have or at least try to get a reputable agent.  Back when I was a child or even in my early twenties, I didn't know the first thing about how to even start to look for an agent.  I realized then that two things helped: internet and connections.  I found out about an open call for my first agent about 6 years ago, and even though I thought I did horribly in the audition room while on an appointment, I received notification that my agent wanted to represent me.  I typically like to come out of an audition with little to no hope so I am not as disappointed if I did not get a given part.  Rejection is apart of every Actor's life...including celebrities....YES CELEBRITIES GET REJECTED!  Despite this, it's still significant to have an agent because there will casting calls that are not provided to the public and only to certain agencies.  Not to mention, Casting Directors might only go to agents who have a great reputation for gathering specified talent.  That's how they make their business, as agents get a specified percentage (usually 10-20%) of the talent's earned money.  When I've booked films or commercials through my agent, there was no way that I would have found out anything about them unless my agent advised or recommended me.  From there, you feel blessed and lucky, as good agents are slim pickings. To research reputable agencies within a given city, just Google your city's name along with talent agencies.  See what comes up...  You can also ask around to other professional friends within the business as well as go to the Better Business Bureau to research the history of a particular agency to know whether or not the agency is a legitimate agency or a scam if you are unsure.

 



ACTING IS REACTING!

 

 

Whether if you're acting for the first time or you're a veteran, and no matter if you're a theater or film actor, the concept has not changed in regards to Acting is reacting.  People not knowing much about what it takes to make a performance on screen may think it sounds like a riddle or part of a rhyming scheme in a poem. The truth is, the concept has always been alive, but perhaps never so much more than it is today.  The fact that stars and experienced actors make their job look so easy on screen or a stage is actually a compliment, because again, the truth is...IT'S NOT!!! The hardest obstacles to hurdle is the audition.  No matter who is reading opposite of you, it's the actor's responsibility while in the auditioning room in front of Casting Directors to project the actions in a scene per the script and bring that role to life.  It will not happen by just reading the lines with no vocal variety and not being natural.  Just because an actor is in between lines while the opposite character is speaking off screen or even on screen does not mean you can't react to their conversation.  With no reaction comes fake-action (I just made that term up!!!). I will not dive into the complexities between theater and film yet, but what I will say is that acting on stage can tend to be more exaggerated than on film, because it's the actor's job on stage to reach out to a live audience no matter the size and/or length.  With film, the actors might be a centimeter away or many feet away from the camera, and any expression will need to be at a normal pace depending upon the crew's expectations. The point is no matter the setting, distance away from the camera, or if you're seen on stage, audiences shouldn't be disappointed by the choices actors make due to lack of experience, laziness, or not listening thereby ruining an entire film or play.  Hence, acting is reacting!!!

 

 

Please take a look at acting expert Marci Liroff's interpretation of the concept of acting is reacting, as she instructs many audition bootcamps:

 

 

Marci Liroff: Acting Is Reacting

 

 



The Present Continuous - My Latest Film

BACKSTORY

In May 2013, my agent in Dallas pulled through for me by getting me an audition for a 168 Film titled The Present Continuous.  For those that are unfamiliar with the 168 Film Festival, it's a festival where filmmakers only have 7 days (24 hours x 7 = 168) to shoot and edit a short film.  It indeed was an optimistic challenge.  Since it's a Christianized Film Festival, there must be a biblical theme set for each film that is submitted before the deadline. 

SYNOPSIS

 

I play a judge named Steve who is illegally making an insurance deal with my business partner (portrayed by well known actor Grant James).  Steve's family is waiting outside for him.  It's his daughter's birthday, and Steve was only supposed to be consulting with his partner for five minutes and not any second longer.  This film explores the choices he makes by taking too long and the extreme consequences his tardiness has on his family.  Furthermore, despite the consequences, what would happen if people can redeem themselves by having a second chance??  This film dives into just that. 

 

The Present Continuous will be released in August 2013.  For now, please take a look at the teaser to the film by clicking on the below link:

 

Enjoy!!

  

The Present Continuous Teaser

  

Here are a couple of Still Production shots: