Untitled Feature in Pre-Green Light Stage

Philip Bache's untitled feature film that I am an Associate Producer on is officially in the "Pre-Green Light" stage. This is where the producers work to put together the logistics and business aspect of the film, such as the shooting schedule, the budget, and the marketing plan. Once all of that is complete, we will create a marketing package to present to potential investors. If we are lucky enough to find the investors to cover our budget, then our project becomes "Green Lighted", and we will move into the “Pre-Production” stage.

It really is amazing how long it takes to put a production together. To do it right, it takes at least 6-8 month of preparation before the shooting can begin. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a film that will have the “two kids with a camera” look. It takes months of planning and forecasting to create a successful shooting environment.

I like to compare it to building a home (something else I am familiar with). You can’t just decide one day to build a home and go out the next day with wood and nails. You need to create a budget, architect the design, bid out the work, find a location, figure out how your going to pay for it all, have the plans approved, hire the builders (and someone to manage them), and create a specific building schedule. Then, if the planets align correctly, you can begin to build your home.

Of course, the construction of a home doesn’t always go as scheduled, and there will certainly be schedule delays, material problems, budget issues, etc. But those are concerns that we will save for when we reach the “Production” stage. For now, all our focus needs to be on the task at hand – to become “Green Lighted”.

"The Misguided" Production Update

Things are moving along with the production of The Misguided. I met this week with film producer Art W. Smith Jr., and we will be producing The Misguided under his company, the No Budget Movie Company. Art brings years of film production expertise to the table, and he will also be supplying all of the equipment and most of the crew. We owe thanks to Co-Producer Ken Matthews for introducing Art to us.

The next key date for our production will be October 1st, when we will have a major production meeting. The goal for this meeting will be to finalize the script, create the storyboards and schedule the shooting dates and times. Then, we are tentatively scheduled for October 8th for our open-call casting. Stay tuned...

"Amateur" shoot complete

I completed my shooting on the short film Amateur earlier today. I play the role of Cliff, a father and surgeon who is upset about the actions taken by his son's youth basketball coach. The character of Cliff is an extremely "precise" man who likes everything to be in order (for those of you who know me, stop laughing - I'm not that much like Cliff). When Cliff is first seen in the film, he is in his yard trimming his lawn with a pair of scissors and a ruler. This mockumentary-style film is sure to make people wonder, "Are there really people like that out there?"

On another note, I met with Ken Matthews today to discuss the production of Chris Seligmiller's short film The Misguided. Things are progressing nicely and I hope to have a major update by the end of this week. Stay tuned...

Class is back in session!

After a long hiatus over the summer, I started back with my acting classes tonight in Shauna Bartel's A*C*T class.

As an actor, it is important to exercise the skill in order to progress. I love being in class and interacting with my fellow students. The nice thing about a class setting is getting to try different things and then seeing what it looks like (since all of our acting is on camera).

I remember when I first started with Shauna about 14 months ago - I could barely stand up in front of the camera and say my name. Since then, I've taken her commercial acting class, private lessons, and a couple of film acting classes, and what a difference it has made! I'm truly amazed at how far I've come in the short period of time, and I owe much of my success to Shauna. Please click on her picture above to visit her website.

Marnee McClellan will be "Misguided"

Marnee McClellan has signed on to play the lead role of Emily in Chris Seligmiller's upcoming short film, The Misguided. I had the privledge of working with Marnee on the feature film, Sodom and Gomorrah. Marnee is a very talented young actress, and we are excited that she is on board to take control of the very complex character of Emily.

For the additional cast, we will have an open casting sometime in early October. Stay tuned...

"Killers Over Coffee" Debuts

Chris Seligmiller's short film, Killers Over Coffee, made its debut at the Downtown Media Arts Center in Orlando.


The film was very well received and I thought that Chris did a great job with it. I, of course, struggled through watching my performance, and I found many, many areas that I need to improve on. I completely understand why some actors never watch their own work. But I also feel that the best actors are never completely satisfied with their work. Johnny Depp said it best when he said "Satisfaction is death to an actor" - meaning that the best actors are never completely satisfied with their work, and they always strive to improve each performance.

I was very impressed with how Chris handled himself throughout the night. There was a question and answer period and Chris clearly stood out from the other filmmakers - he was much more composed, spoke very well to the audience and was extremely articulate. The audience was quite impressed as well.

We also conducted a production meeting for The Misguided, but I'll save that for my next post.

"Uninvited" in Sarasota

I made my journey today to Sarasota, Florida for an audition for the upcoming film, The Uninvited: Extreme Ways by Relic Films. It's a fantasy/horror film that focuses on the lives of young witches. Anyone that knows me understands my love for the fantasy/sci-fi genre, from Lord of the Rings, to Star Trek, to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I'm a sucker for it all! I felt like the audition went very well, and I am keeping my fingers crossed - I would love to be involved with this film. Click on the banner above for more info on The Uninvited.

On the production side of things, I made my first management decision for The Misguided. One important thing that I learned in the business world is that the quality and effectiveness of a manager or leader is only as good as their surrounding associates. Which is why I am thrilled that Ken Matthews and John English have signed on as Associate Producers. They both bring a world of knowledge to the table, and I am resting easier now that they are on board. I am meeting with Ken and Director Chris Seligmiller on Sunday evening for a pre-production meeting. We are still hopeful to shoot the film in October, but I am learning fast that in the world of film production, nothing ever goes as planned.

On another front, I have been asked to help produce a feature film by writer/director Philip Bache, along side Producer Valensky "V" Sylvain and Associate Producer Ken Matthews. The script is incredible and I absolutely love the director's vision. I can't say too much more about it at this time, but stay tuned as more is sure to come...

"Amateur" getting closer

The second table read for Amateur was conducted tonight, and it is getting interesting. We have a great group of actors on board for this film, and everyone is bringing something different to the table. The short film, which is a mockumentary about an out-of-control youth basketball coach, is set to shoot in about 10 days. In tonight's read, we worked on improv for the characters to see how outrageous we could make them - while keeping them "real" at the same time. My character, Cliff, is an obsessive-compulsive doctor who is opposed to the coach’s attitude and behavior. I’m having fun creating this type of character, and I am excited about seeing the end result. More to come…

A Time To Reflect, A Time To Pray...

There are some moments that come into our lives that make us stop and think... stop and reflect... stop and pray! Hurricane Katrina is now one of those times.

I am still in shock over how devastating this hurricane has been. It is very surreal to me to think that one of the nation's major cities is now gone - possibly forever. New Orleans will never be the same. Many, many years from now, we will be looking back and talking about how the hurricane of 2005 was the one that destroyed New Orleans. I am having trouble grasping that concept.

Even though I see the images on the news, I still am having trouble understanding the extent of the damage. I can't imagine that 80% of a major U.S. city is under water... that all of the population has been evacuated... that these people have been left with nothing! No home... No job... Nothing! It does not seem possible.

I lived through hurricane Andrew back in 1992. This does not compare. I was heartbroken when the September 11th attacks occurred in 2001. This is somehow worse. With both of the previous situations, we could recover. From this, I am unsure...

I know that if you are not directly involved or connected to the area, you may not understand how bad the situation actually is. But I can tell you, whatever you can imagine, it is worse.

Please take the time to stop and reflect on what is important in your life. Stop and reflect on how everything you have and everything you consider important in your life can be gone in an instant. And stop and think about what should be important in your life!

And please, please take and moment to stop and pray for all of those in New Orleans. None of us can possibly imagine what they are going through, and we should pray that we never will. And if there is any way that you can help, please do so - with money, blood, clothes, supplies, or in any way. This is the time where all of us should come together and unite for the benefit of the greater good.

If nothing else, please take the time and reflect.