As an admirer of Johnny Depp as an actor, it has always been interesting to me how little formal acting training he has received. There have been other star-actors who intuitively could perfect their craft without a lot of coaching. Depp says that there has to be some of yourself in each part you do or it's not acting - it's lying. How many successful actors have been dismissed for "playing themselves?' So, I think there is something to bringing who you are to every role. After all, Depp says so…
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Added by Pat McCall on December 7, 2009 at 8:56am —
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In film work most producers, directors are looking for the right look for the different parts. So, it's important to dress the part when auditioning. Sometimes it can be difficult to get a bead on what the character should be wearing, but it is important to try to get guidance from the sides you are given. And , in reality this will help you get into character when performing your audition.
The production of PERCEPTION continues and my day of portraying a DA in a wheelchair is coming up next wee…
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Added by Pat McCall on November 30, 2009 at 8:40am —
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Despite the lack of worthwhile incentives offered by Florida to prospective film production, there are some exciting projects that are bubbling under the surface and awaiting financing. My friend Beau Burton, Exec Producer at Florida Films here in Sarasota, has shared some of the percolating projects that he is working on. I wish I could give more details on them, but that would be inappropriate at this time. Rest assured that I will tell you everything when the time is right.
Despite my knee se…
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Added by Pat McCall on November 23, 2009 at 10:19am —
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It's easy to get dazzled by the new video technology that can deliver high quality - even HD - images at an incredibly low cost. This allows many aspiring film folk to go out there and film away. However good this is, it does not address the quality of a script, direction or acting - not to mention composition or lighting. Somebody is still going to have to write an interesting script, be the producer who marshals the resources and find a director and actors who can deliver the vision of the fil…
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Added by Pat McCall on November 16, 2009 at 8:49am —
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Actors are often accused of hiding who they really are by playing parts that vary from their true selves. I like to think that actors should bring themselves into the roles they play. After all, an actor should apply his or her experiences and sometimes attitudes to truly embrace a character.Yes, we are still pretending to be someone else.
AMERICAN SOUTH starts shooting on the 13th for me, so I am prepping myself to be a sleazy mayor of a very small town. I am still awaiting word on the PERCEPTI…
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Added by Pat McCall on November 9, 2009 at 10:16am —
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Despite a highly painful medical problem in my left knee, I am still moving from an acting point of view. Nobody hates being hit with a problem that forces one to be immobile more than I. I must admit that I am easily fed up with being a patient. However, while in the mostly prone position I received news that I was cast as a District Attorney in Capstone Entertainment's thriller PERCEPTION. The folks at Garner-Alan Productions were able to rechedule my shoot night for HAVOK to accomodate my kne…
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Added by Pat McCall on November 2, 2009 at 9:27am —
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Can you see me in a Panama hat with a Southern drawl strutting my stuff as a mayor of a very small Florida town? Well, apparently the producer and writer/director of AMERICAN SOUTH can. This thriller-feature is about a very small town that suddenly is the victim of a serial killer - and there are no strangers to blame. Principal filming begins next month.
I am also glad to say that Ascension Films here in Sarasota has tapped me for one of its upcoming projects. And, my audition as a high-powered…
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Added by Pat McCall on October 27, 2009 at 9:00am —
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The past week was full of contrasts from playing a schizophrenic homeless guy with Tourrette's Syndrome to a Mafia guy in CAGED DREAMS and a bar owner in SAVING GOD. This week there is a meeting with a panel of Hollywood producers in Sarasota - which should be very interesting. It was put together by my friend Jeanne Corcoran at the Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office in hopes to get more movies done in this area. We are all for that!!
More commercial voiceover work this week and ano…
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Added by Pat McCall on October 19, 2009 at 9:58am —
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Yes, Jason is back! At least the actor, Warrington Gillette, is alive and he was here in Sarasota. He was at the Screamfest in Orlando and came here for a get together orchestrated by Florida Films Productions. He is now doing the Slasher Festival circuit while trying to put together a game studio he wants in Miami. I'll post a photo of us together when I get it.
This past Saturday, Bad Fish Productions shot a viral ad that featured me as a schizophrenic homeless guy with Tourette's Syndrome.
I…
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Added by Pat McCall on October 12, 2009 at 10:32am —
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Did not see the curb in the parking lot the other night and ended landing mostly on my right knee. I thought it would be okay, but it got worse over a couple of days. The doc had me put my whole leg in a brace and advised that I should not put weight on it. So, my week is starting out slowly - and on crutches. I am hoping to get in my shoot as a BizShort Host at Intermedia Productions before the end of the week. The viral commercial shoot for Bad Fish Productions is slated for Saturday morning a…
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Added by Pat McCall on October 5, 2009 at 9:33am —
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Another interesting and challenging week coming up. At the end, there's a Film Florida benefit in Miami that should be fun and worthwhile too. There needs to be a constant push to have Florida adapt Tax Credit Incentives to lure more movie production into the state. At one time, Florida was a premier location, but is now woefully behind states like Louisiana and Michigan. That needs to end.
More auditions to do and finishing up a video series for Harmar Mobility on my plate, so far.
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Added by Pat McCall on September 28, 2009 at 8:40am —
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As a 12 year old, I was taken to a Par 3 golf course nearby to learn about the game. I wound up parring the course and thinking that golf was too easy a game to take seriously. That bit of Beginners Luck has recently hit me with irony. I was called in last week to be the voice talent on an instructional "game" for the Wii Console called MY PERSONAL GOLF TRAINER. Look for it this Christmas! You'll hear me instructing you on how to improve your swing!
At least one more film audition this coming we…
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Added by Pat McCall on September 21, 2009 at 9:08am —
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Tuesday is the shoot for Harmar Mobility in Sarasota. Good friends - The Ziffs, Bobbi Burrell, Carolyn Meeker and Dan Higgs - were cast by me for a promotional video about Harmar's wheelchair and scooter lifts. It will be fun working with MarsVision Productions on this project. Mark Palmer and Dennis Wonn know what they're doing.
I recently got cast as Hap the bar-owner in SAVING GOD - being shot in the Tampa area next month. As you know, I am really into the small character roles. I was also ca…
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Added by Pat McCall on September 14, 2009 at 8:50am —
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The Film Florida Legislative meeting underlined some basic points in what is happening and what has to happen to change it. Florida is not getting much in the way of film productions despite its natural plus points. As a result, production crews, stunt companies and actors are leaving Florida to go to States where films are being produced at greater volume. This not only effects the economy of those directly connected, but it also effects Tourism - Florida's number one industry. The solution is…
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Added by Pat McCall on September 8, 2009 at 9:28am —
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You would think that with all the wonderrful and interesting locales in Florida -and its being the Sunshine State - that movie producers would falling all over themselves to shoot movies here. Not to mention the great pool of acting talent available here. However, movie making is a business and States that provide large tax incentives draw the major movie makers. Florida does not come near in competing for these productions and the work and revenue that would be derived from them. Currently, Sta…
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Added by Pat McCall on August 31, 2009 at 9:27am —
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Now I know what it feels like to cast a project. I am doing a voiceover for a local manufacturer of lifts for wheelchairs and scooters. The producer asked me if I knew of local actors that would fit the background scenarios. He needed five of different generations. Fortunately, I do know five wonderful actors who fit the bill. Even though there is not dialogue involved, it is a paying gig! I am happy to say that it will be special to see them on set tomorrow.
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Added by Pat McCall on August 24, 2009 at 8:43am —
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It's always exciting to get involved in new projects. And, I believe that the way to do that is to keep busy marketing yourself - not only to get a role - but also when you are on a set and working. It;s always easier to find work with people who know and have a positive experience with you than it is to find work with people who do not know you. It's called networking on a basic level. But, it's more than just chatting it up - it's being a positive force on any and all projects. It takes focus…
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Added by Pat McCall on August 18, 2009 at 11:07am —
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There was a full cast meeting for TRIO, the TV pilot I am cast in, on Sunday. It's a rather G-Rated show that just may catch on. It is being pitched to a new cable network, VIZNetowork, that is not launched yet.
Saturday I did a part of an informercial for LifeBrands in Celebration FL. Celebration almost creeped me out looking like a superclean NJ.
Lori Wyman, CSA, and Ken Grant will be in Sarasota on two different weekends with great acting workshops in September. I am coordinating both and am…
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Added by Pat McCall on August 10, 2009 at 11:24am —
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Since Florida is a Right To Work state, the ramifications for actors are many. By far, most of the work available is non-union. However, if you want to get parts that pay well, you have to be a SAG member. There is a middle ground called SAG Eligible that has to be attained through a small part in a production by a SAG signatory. SAG Eligible is better than being simply non-union because the perception is that you are a real pro. Fortunately, that is where I find myself now. It will take a huge…
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Added by Pat McCall on August 3, 2009 at 4:23pm —
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I traveled up to JAX on a call back for a role in a TV pilot called TRIO and was cast as a (wait for it) bumbling pirate. It's a show for kids and should be fun as I do as good an ARGGHH as any pirate has ever done.
There's another movie planned on being shot inThe Sarasota area - Stalker - and I am auditioning for a role in it next week.
Speaking of exciting Sarasota film news, a new production company - Florida Films - is setting up here and will specialize in Action/SciFi flicks most likely s…
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Added by Pat McCall on July 27, 2009 at 12:00pm —
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