Fuzzy Wuzzies

OK that post title isn't fair.  We're talking about big cats here.  You know, the king of the savannah.  But gosh darn it, those cubs are adorable.  I've been hearing industry buzz about "African Cats" for months.  I don't know what Disney did but they certainly put the right words into the right medium at the right time.  Personally, I'm excited to see it-- like everyone else it seems.


For the low down on filming and some pics of super cute fuzzy wuzzies, check out this interview by Melody Simpson with the directors.


Happy creating!

Successes and Failures

So I've had a pretty interesting week and a half.  After a lull in auditions, I suddenly got two in a week.  Actually two in one day.  Which just happened to coincide with an appointment to find bridesmaids dresses.  But auditions are auditions and my artist soul tells me to never say no and just do it.  And to top it all off, I was called into the second audition partly due to my resume and reel but also on personal recommendation.  Yeah.  So someone else's personal reputation was on the line with my performance.  Let's play a game and take a guess how that one went.


It bombed.  Entirely.  Not really sure why as the lines were secure in my head, I had made character choices.  But as I walked into the room, the "sparkle" left.  And that's the only way I can describe it.  I took the director's notes and incorporated them into my performance but still no go.  Blah. Boring. Blah.


So now I agonize over it.  Berating myself for sucking so horribly and hey, maybe I shouldn't even do this acting thing.  Honestly, who am I fooling?  


Then a tiny little red and white star appears beside my email on my Blackberry.  And I open up my new messages.  The message read something like, "Hey Tonya, we loved you and want to offer you the part.  Script to come soon, from the first casting director from the first audition".  So during my insecure neurotic ramblings about my second audition performance, my brain had completely decided to ignore the kickass audition I did first thing that day.  The audition I knew I had hit out of the park.


Moral of the story?  Sometimes that insecure voice that we all actors have needs to be thrown against the wall and put in its place.  Like tossed over a cliff or hung by its toe nails.


Happy creating!

Wanna Make a Movie?

Then do your homework.  Honestly.  I'm all for picking up that camera and making something cool.  Go grab your buddies and shoot a scene for YouTube.  That's how you explore and learn your craft.  By doing it.  But if you want to make more than a film but a movie, one where people want to pay to come see it, do some leg work.


What do I mean by that?  Work with people who are professionals.  This isn't always expensive, trust me but if you don't personally know any professionals, you'll probably have to pay for their services.  This goes for that great DoP, actress, AD,  or lawyer.  Some times you really do get what you pay for.  And if you are looking to raise a bunch a'moola for your film, you may need to be prepared to invest some of your hard earned cash into making your pitch and package be the best they can possibly be.  Folks with tons of money got tons of money by being wise with their investments and probably won't give it to someone who just thinks their movie is going to be cool.


So don't rush headlong into it.  Most of my friends and family know I'm not the most patient person in the world but I'm learning that this industry is marked in decades, not weeks or months.  So do your research and know who and what your resources are and gather them.  If you don't much about pre-sales, gap financing, or writer contracts, find someone who does and get some help.  And maybe your film will be a great movie with some money behind it.


Now, anyone know a great lawyer?


Happy creating!

Lionsgate and Micro-Budgets

The love independents are getting these days is insane!  In a good way, of course.  Lionsgate announced last week that they are opening a micro-budget division, headed up by Matt Kaplan.  Specifically, they are looking to back ten films a year that are made on budgets of 2 million or less.  So we're looking at budgets on the level of Paranormal Activity or Blair Witch.


The reasoning seems to be clear; get behind a film that cost substantially less than studio-backed films for a better return on investment.  If you only have to pay back $2 million instead of $200 million, that's more cash in your pocket if your film does well.  And that is the key.  You can bet Lionsgate is looking for something like was seen in Sundance this year.  Films that are impeccably made with a targeted audience, a great cast, well acted, beautifully shot, and all the details attended to.  Which can translate into a film doing well.  If yours isn't, they probably won't look at it.


But despite that, things are looking up for the indie world.  Let's hope it continues!


Happy creating!

Raindance, You're Cool

So I feel like that kid who never got the secret joke that everyone else in the class knew.  You know, where you have to copy what the person does exactly to "get it"?  I finally did some research into Raindance.  Here's the kicker; I thought they were only in the UK.  Yup, I'm an idiot.  Not only are they in Toronto, they have a wildly active chapter in Toronto.  Between networking nights (now every last Wednesday of the month in Leslieville) and really cool sounding courses, they really are working to help give voice to great indie filmmakers.  


So why the lovefest?  Well, I firmly believe that indies don't get much of a chance anywhere but really not in Canada.  I went to a screening last night for a Canadian independent film and witnessed the support Raindance had given it.  I'm not talking money here.  I'm talking about guidance, mentoring, getting bums in seats, helping understand the legal jargon-- the intangible things a filmmaker needs to do and know but needs the experience to do it.  And it was great to see the head of Raindance Canada at the screening, lending her support to the project.


So Raindance peeps, expect to see another filmmaker/actress at your doorstep soon cuz I kinda like you.


Happy creating!

Meg Ryan to Make Directing Debut

I love when women take the helm...or camera, I guess.  I know Meg Ryan gets a lot of flack about being the former rom-com queen etc etc but I've always loved her on screen so I'm just as excited to see this next phase of her career develop.  Hey, Meg!  Need a cute redhead?


Meg Ryan to Make Directing Debut Women and Hollywood


Happy creating!