Mobile, Alabama: Ryan Reynolds Approved!

When asked what non-LA city was his favorite for shooting, actor Ryan Reynolds replied without hesitation: Mobile, Alabama! My hometown has a great little filmmaking community, which I have used myself on numerous occasions. I also have championed Mobile's friendly attitude towards tourists and warm climate as a great place to shoot, as well as praised the Mobile Film Office for its continued effort.

Reynolds recently wrapped Mississippi Grind, shot in Mobile, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge. It premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

Check out these other available shooting locations in Mobile!

Blacksher Hall on Government Blvd 

Old Courthouse (non-functioning) on Government Bvd

Visitation Monastery (actual religious building, ask Archdiocese of Mobile first!) on Springhill Blvd

Happy Filmmaking!

Best kept secret in filmmaking? Another shoot in Mobile!

 So...now South Alabama is apparently a great place to shoot! Duh. I already touched on this two years ago, but it is worth repeating. Last year, I worked in the Production Office on Yellow Day. This year, Tokarev is shooting. It starts Nic Cage and is directed by Paco Cabezas.

Look out, New Orleans! Mobile is stealing your productions! It's almost enough for me to ALMOST not miss Los Angeles. Almost.

When Nicolas Cage Comes to Town: TOKAREV to Shoot in Downtown Mobile | Mod Mobilian

Happy Filmmaking!

The Innocence of Filmmakers

On the anniversary of our now fabled 09/11, angry mobs in Egypt and Libya attacked US embassies. In Libya, a US ambassador and three other Americans were killed. While this Libyan attack may have actually been linked to a predetermined al-Qaida plot (because killing diplomats is always a good way to start a war), news sources report that the violence has been linked to outrage over an anti-Islamic American film.

One can argue that the filmmaker has the right to make this film, especially if he is American. One can argue that making such a film is embarrassing, intolerant, and irresponsible; especially since any depictions of the Muslim prophet Mohammad are forbidden in Islam. One can argue that the filmmaker put himself in danger, following the footsteps of Theo Van Gogh. One can argue that if he is Coptic, he may have placed other Coptics in danger. One can also argue that the actions by Islamic extremists, including the choice to attack US embassies, have nothing to do with the film or its maker. Terrorists of any religion or creed are opportunists by nature. There are many arguments to be made about who is right and who is wrong. However, this is a filmmaking blog. We'll focus on the film heard around the world.

The Innocence of Muslims is an amateurish production, shot on what appears to be a soundstage. The film has financial backers and consultants with alleged ties to the Coptic and Israeli communities. The cryptic "Sam Bacile", now revealed to be Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, had been previously convicted on fraud charges. Five million dollars spent, and real sand wasn't even used. That is half the budget of your average 90s-era, star-studded romcom. Given the filmmaker's reputation, I say the backers were severely duped. The Innocence of Muslims is the type of video that no one would ever pay attention to, and no one did until recently. The original video was posted more than two months ago.




No wonder Muslims are offended. But there is something else. Watching the video above, you might notice something is a little....off. Not just the blatant oversimplification of a major world religion. I have read Jack Chick tracts more accurate. But technically speaking, something is off. The dialogue seems overdubbed. And it is painfully obvious. Then you realize something even more sinister than offending 1/7 of the world's population is at play.



That's right. The actors in the film were mislead about the production.To them, the film was titled Desert Warriors. It's one thing to lie to your actors to get a good performance out of them. Hitchcock did it all the time. It's another thing to put a price on the head of your actors in order to further your own cause. And as predicted, a fatwa has been declared on the actors. If you are going to make a film insulting a large part of the global population, at least have the balls to let your actors in on it.

Happy Filmmaking.

Do professionals who play themselves deserve SAG cards?

Act of Valor receives more and more press everyday. Real Navy SEALs, real combat tactics, real bullets, real action (well, quasi-real action). The narrative posing as a doc found its selling point among the most patriotic of us and took off faster than a Tuskegee airman. The movie was shot in cinéma vérité style on a Canon 5d Mark II.

So, because the movie is a box office success, it begs the question: should these SEALs receive SAG cards? They haven't.



Judge for yourself. Now, technically, they cannot receive compensation for this film. However, given the filmmakers are making beaucoup money (sorry, beaucoup was the only word that works here), is it fair that these "few and proud" are not receiving the compensation they would if they were actors?

They were given lines to speak. They performed “action” and “business”. That’s the basic definition of an actor. Even reality TV defines one as such. It’s a complicated, legal issue. These SEALs are active-duty. They are already receiving a stipend. But, what about actors who sing? Or design clothes? Or have endorsements stated elsewhere?

I say go ahead and give them a SAG card. The film is not classified as a documentary. There may be some true actors upset; there may be some military members upset. But in the end, they performed the task of actors and if they were in any other profession (President Regan, anyone?), they would still receive residuals.

Happy Filmmaking.

"What's Your Survival Job?" - call for real-life stories

Backstage is looking for New York-based actors and filmmakers with stories about their "other" life. You know, the so-called "survival job" and all the trials, tribulations, and successes therein. Check out the link to answer the call. If you can't view the link, you can email Daniel Holloway at daniel.holloway@backstage.com.

Happy Filmmaking!

Test Scene for 'Niecy'

Greetings, everyone! The following video is a test scene from my most recent screenplay Niecy. Niecy was most recently named a drama finalist at The Script-a-Thon. Hope everyone likes it! I did it as a project for the Richard Lawson Studios.

Happy Filmmaking!

Sunset: Leslie Nielsen (1926-2010)

Funnyman Nielsen passed today at 84 of complications of pneumonia. We all know Nielsen from the Airplane series, which was the forerunner for many movie parodies. RIP, Nielsen.

Happy Filmmaking.

Sunset: Tony Curtis 1925-2010

The great, talented, and prolific Tony Curtis has passed. This is truly a sad day for film lovers everywhere. Just remember, nobody's perfect (get it?), but Curtis was a flawless actor. RIP, Spartacus.

Happy Filmmaking.

Know the Law: Child Actors

Ever wonder why the actors in all those “teen” comedies or dramas look like they are in their 20s? Because shooting youthful-looking actors posing as teens is cheaper than shooting real teens. Real teens are for the Jerry Bruckheimers and Harvey Weinsteins of the world. And even then, Mr. Bruckheimer and Mr. Weinstein know that casting an 18-year-old instead of a 17-year-old means huge savings for the company and/or studio.

All actors under the age of 18, although adorable, add to your project’s budget almost exponentially. Oftentimes, a child actor may be an unknown, meaning you can sign him or her on a project for cheaper. However, many beginning filmmakers do not factor in the hidden costs of having such a young individual on-set.

Some of the laws (yes, LAWS!) regarding child actors involves the all-important studio teacher. In case you haven’t seen Brüno or Little Miss Sunshine, or have never worked with children before, the generalized reputation of the so-called “stage parent” is an infamous one.

Although obviously not true across the board, stage parents have been stereotyped as overly anxious, overbearing, and dismissive of the child’s welfare for the sake of fame. Real life examples include the public’s perception of Lindsey Lohan’s parents, Joe Jackson, Kris Jenner, and Matthew Knowles.

A studio teacher’s job is to ensure the child actor continues classes during the shoot, to promote a safe environment for the child, and to oversee the child’s working schedule. So, in short, a studio teacher will most likely not allow you to shoot your 11-year-old actor hanging out of a moving car at 10:30pm on a Wednesday night. Studio teachers can cost somewhere between $150-400 a day! Also a studio teacher must be certified in accordance to the law. No hiring Uncle Jeff to watch the kiddies, unless Uncle Jeff is a social worker. You can search for California certified studio teachers here.

Since acting is technically a job (despite what your parents and ex may tell you), there is one more thing you’ll have to worry about with child actors: child labor laws. Good news: the state of California makes exceptions for child actors. Bad news: getting permission involves a lawyer and paperwork. In addition to an actor release, you’ll need a minor release signed by the parent and a permit to hire and work with minors for your production. Your young actors will also need a permit to work, which, depending on the child’s age and school year, will require other official paperwork. In general, children can only work between 5am and 10pm on school days, and up to 12:30am on non-school days. In addition to these restrictions, the allowed hours on-set for minors due to age are in this chart. Note how little time you have with babies and toddlers. This is why twins or triplets are cast as one baby. That's right: child labor laws made the Olsen Twins famous.

If—even with the legal requirements, strict scheduling, and price of studio teacher—you still want a 15-year-old actor for practical reasons, plan accordingly and work tightly. You may also want to consider only hiring a true teen for principal actors only. Examples of this strategy include Bring It On, Heathers, and Mean Girls. Also, don’t forget the obvious: no drugs, no booze, and especially no nude scenes.

Happy Filmmaking.

SAG: Whose side are you on?

It's all about "New Media." That 21st-century way of displaying the art of capturing life on film. What the writers' strike taught us is that New Media is not unlike the Wild West: undisciplined, unregulated, and so fairly new, everyone wants a cut.

The final ballots for the SAG decision are due 6 June. Variety reported wide Hollywood opposition towards the deal, however, smaller-named actors seem more willing to negotiate.

I'm spilt on the decision, mainly because I am not an actress. I agree that actors should be compensated fairly for their work, but at the same time, actors already tend to receive more benefits and pay than other industry professionals. Not to mention, everyone and their momma wants to act. Studios can easily make anyone the next Megan Fox.

But what about the Indies? There's the rub. Maybe this is one of those wait-and-sees.

Happy filmmaking.

Natasha Richardson, a true actress, dies

News sources all over report Natasha Richardson, whose hails from a family of actors, died at 45 from blunt trauma caused by a ski injury. The British actress's home was the stage, but like her mother and grandfather, she ventured into films between the curtain calls.

Richardson's notable indie films include the Merchant-Ivory film The White Countess, A Month in the Country, and The Handmaid's Tale.

She leaves her husband, actor and indie-regular Liam Neeson, and two sons. Rest in Peace, white countess.


Happy Filmmaking.

A Heavenly film joke...

Two young men die and meet at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter wasn't expecting them so soon, so he asked them to wait while he checks Heaven's records. While waiting, the two men carry a great conversation.

Eventually, one man asked the other, "So, how did you die?"

"You see," the man revealed, "I was a famous actor. I took advantage of the la dolce vita too many times. I was working on this new blockbuster action picture where I play this basejumping CIA agent running from Communists. I was awaiting my next scene in my trailer when I accidentally took too many uppers while having a manage-a-trois. How about you?"

The other man smiled, "I was your stuntman."

Happy Filmmaking!

One more reason to love indies!

On the eve of what may be another industry strike, Hollywood execs seem to be focusing on other entertaining entities: toys. After the success of Transformers, execs try their hand at other classic toys. This proves three things:

1.) Actors are disposable.
2.) "Male" toys are way more interesting than "female" toys.
3.) Studios and marketing wizards will stop at nothing to sell you something, even in a bust economy.

I'm pretty sure I am the not the only cinephile fed up with the two-hour commercials dressed up as movies. At least with indies, the focus lies on the story, not with product placement. Otherwise all indies would look like this:



How about this, Hollywood: instead of pandering to the 15-year-old boy who just grew out of his G.I. Joe stage, make some deals that will overall boost the quality of pictures that will put some butts back into the seats? That's the difference between today and the 1930s. I'm not saying the 30s were perfect--with the overmarketing of sound and all--but it did churn out some great classics. Learn from the past, Hollywood.

Happy Filmmaking!

“Smokey the Bear must be a pyromaniac”…and other crazy things people blurt out.

Originally published on my myspace page.

Today's blog is about developing good and natural sounding dialogue. Writers tend to want to be witty through their characters' dialogue and try too hard, resulting in stale, unnatural lines. The best way to learn natural dialogue is through people-watching or engaging into a conversation with someone close.

Think of these questions when writing dialogue:

• What does your character like to talk about?
• What events are happening in a character's life?
• What is your character's personality?
• Is your character cynical, witty, monotone?
• What is your character's age, gender, creed, and race?
• What is your character's political background?
• What is your character's socioeconomic status?
• What is your character's daily routine?
• Who hangs around your character?

A popular trend nowadays is to have a character blurt out witty, but disturbing one-liners, especially in comedies. Films and television shows that follow this trend with positive results include Little Miss Sunshine, Superbad, Juno, Ugly Betty, South Park, Wedding Crashers, and Mean Girls. This trend works because people do indeed say awkward things to their friends and family members. However, it is important not to overdo this in an attempt to cover up a lack of good dialogue. Your characters must be saying something relevant to the storyline.

Dialogue follows trends of the decade. In the 1930s and 40s, when film noir and screwball comedies were popular, characters were smart, cynical, fast-talking, and pessimistic. In the late 50s to early 60s, film dialogue softened tremendously towards a melodramatic side. If you are writing about a particular period of time, especially within the last century, take note on how films portrayed their contemporaries. Because the studio system used to hire scores of writers on one project, dialogue was usually done well.

English-language Films known for their excellent dialogue:
Casablanca (1942)
It Happened One Night (1934)
Sunset Blvd (1950)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Network (1975)
Toy Story (1995)
Godfather (1972)
The Player (1992)
Office Space (1999)

English-language "classics" with cheesy, over-the-top dialogue:
Showgirls (1995)
Top Gun (1986)
Catwoman (2004)
Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966)
Gigli (2003)

Check this out, too: http://www.filmsite.org/greatfilmquotes.html

Happy Filmmaking!

Joaquin Phoenix Quits Acting for Music!

The younger brother of the late River Phoenix told Associated Press last week that Two Lovers was his last film. The actor wants to focus more on his budding music career. He earlier displayed his musical talents as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line.

Phoenix started his acting career as a child, acting along side of his siblings. He gained critical acclaim for his roles in To Die For, U-Turn, and Gladiator.

Two Lovers, produced by 2929 Productions, is scheduled for USA release 13 February 2009. The film already previewed at Cannes, Hampton International, and London Film Festivals.


The Variety article is here.

Happy Filmmaking!