Pepper Jay and Olivia Newton-John

Actors Reporter host Pepper Jay interviews iconic singer actress Olivia Newton John on the red carpet at the Las Vegas Fame Awards.

Olivia Newton-John’s appeal seems to be timeless. With a career spanning more than five decades she is still a vibrant, creative individual adored by fans around the globe. Born in Cambridge, England in 1948, the youngest child of Professor Brin Newton-John and Irene, daughter of Nobel Prize winning physicist, Max Born, Olivia moved to Melbourne, Australia with her family when she was five. Her first big break was winning a talent contest on the popular TV show, “Sing, Sing, Sing,” which earned Olivia a trip to London. By the age of fifteen she had formed an all-girl group called Sol Four and, in 1963, Olivia was appearing on local daytime TV shows and weekly pop music programs in Australia. When she eventually took her prize-winning trip to London, she teamed up with her friend from Melbourne, Pat Carroll (now Farrar), to create a double act, “Pat & Olivia,” and the duo toured army bases and clubs throughout the UK and Europe. Olivia cut her first single for Decca Records in 1966, a version of Jackie DeShannon’s “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine,” and in 1971, she recorded a cover of Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You,” co-produced by Bruce Welch and fellow Aussie and friend, John Farrar, whom she continues to collaborate with today.

Olivia’s U.S. album debut, “Let Me Be There,” produced her first top ten single of the same name, with Olivia being honored by the Academy Of Country Music as Most Promising Female Vocalist and a Grammy Award as Best Country Vocalist. This proved to be only the beginning of a very exciting career. With more than 100 million albums sold, Olivia’s successes include four Grammy Awards, numerous Country Music, American Music and Peoples Choice Awards, ten #1 hits including “Physical,” which topped the charts for ten consecutive weeks, and over 15 top 10 singles. In November 2015, Billboard Magazine listed “Physical” at #8 on their Top 100 Songs Of All Time list and in 2010 listed it as “The Sexiest Song of All Time.” In addition, in 2015 Olivia was ranked #20 on Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Artists.”

In 1978, her co-starring role with John Travolta in “Grease” catapulted Olivia into super-stardom. This film’s best-selling soundtrack featured the duets “You’re The One That I Want” and “Summer Nights,” with Travolta, as well as her mega-hit, “Hopelessly Devoted To You.” To date “Grease” remains the most successful movie musical in history. Her other feature film credits include “Funny Things Happen Down Under,” “Toomorrow,” “Xanadu,” “Two Of A Kind,” “It’s My Party,” “Sordid Lives,” “Score: A Hockey Musical,” and “A Few Best Men.”

Throughout her career, the much-loved star, who danced with Gene Kelly in “Xanadu,” hosted the popular internationally syndicated “Wild Life” television show, was bestowed an O.B.E. (Order Of The British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth in 1979, has held many humanitarian causes close to her heart, particularly since the birth of her daughter Chloe in 1986. Olivia was named the first Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme and in 1991, served as the national spokesperson for the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC), which was founded after the tragic death of Chloe’s best friend from a rare childhood cancer. Her devotion and shared commitment to CHEC’s (now Healthy Child, Healthy World) mission and goals enabled the organization to receive worldwide attention and support. (For more information visit HealthyChild.org

Her charmed life has not been without its share of upset. In the 90’s, Olivia successfully overcame her own battle with breast cancer, which inspired her self-penned and produced album, “Gaia,” her most personal album reflecting upon her experiences with cancer. She used these experiences to gain greater self-awareness and became a positive inspiration to millions of people battling cancer. As a breast cancer “thriver”, Olivia has become increasingly well known and respected for talking openly about her battle with breast cancer and for promoting public awareness of the importance of early detection. Her personal triumph over cancer led her to announce her partnership with Austin Health and the creation of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre (ONJCWC) on the Austin Campus in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia. In April 2008, Olivia led a team of fellow cancer survivors, celebrities and Olympians on a trek along the Great Wall of China and raised more than $2 million to find a new way to treat cancer and build the ONJCWC. After continuing the fundraising efforts and helping to raise nearly $200 million, the ONJCWC, opened in June 2012, and provides a comprehensive range of services and facilities for cancer treatment, education, training and research including a wellness center for the mind, body and spirit (www.oliviaappeal.com). In 2014, Olivia was thrilled when the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute opened on the grounds of the ONJCWC. The strategic co-location of research laboratories and research-training within a clinical environment enables clinicians and researchers to work together to integrate clinical medicine with basic and translational cancer research for the ultimate benefit of cancer patients.

Continuing her efforts to create breast health and cancer awareness, Olivia launched the Liv Aid ®, a breast self-examination aid that assists women to exercise breast self-exams correctly (www.Liv.com). Olivia credits her own breast self-exam as the first step to her eventual diagnosis of breast cancer. Now, 22 years later (and cancer free) she has become a passionate advocate in creating awareness for early detection and, encouraging women to take a more active role in their breast health.

Olivia continues to give back to the community generously and has been acknowledged many times by charitable and environmental organizations for her ongoing efforts, among them: the American Red Cross, the Environmental Media Association, the Women’s Guild of Cedar’s Sinai Medical Center, and the Rainforest Alliance and Concept Cure. In 1992 she created National Tree Day, which is responsible for planting more than 10 million trees in Australia. Most recently she co-founded One Tree, One Child, an international school initiative with the goal of having every child under the age of ten plant at least one tree.

In the new millennium, her international recognition has continued to grow. She was invited by the Vatican on behalf of Pope John Paul II to perform at the “Jubilee Celebration for the Sick and Healthcare Workers” and, she was thrilled to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics to an estimated global viewing audience of four billion people. Adding to this Olympic experience is what Olivia feels is one of her most memorable moments – the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch during the Olympic Torch Relay.

In 1983, as an entrepreneur with a desire to bring “everything Australian” to the world, she opened her first store, Koala Blue, with her friend and former singing partner, Pat Farrar. Her passion for Australia was proven once again when Olivia and Pat launched their distinctly Australian wines under the iconic homegrown Koala Blue brand, to proudly bring the “taste of Australia” to the rest of the world in 2002. That year Olivia was also inducted into the prestigious Australian Music Hall Of Fame at the 16th Annual Aria Awards. Then, in 2006 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by friend John Travolta at the G’Day L.A. Gala.

In February 2005, along with her business partners Gregg Cave, Warwick Evans and Ruth Kalnin, Olivia opened the Gaia Retreat & Spa in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia, as an ideal place to renew, refresh and restore. The retreat has received numerous awards since it has opened including: the Conde Nast Traveller 2008 Readers’ Spa Award Winner for the “Favourite Overseas Hotel Spa: Australasia & South Pacific.” In January 2010, TripAdvisor named Gaia #3 of the “Top 10 Celebrity-Owned Hotels in the World,” putting Olivia in the company of fellow hotel owners, Robert Redford, Bono and Robert DeNiro among others. In 2011 Gaia also received the “Best Health Retreat” Award at the Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards, as well as TripAdvisor’s “Traveller’s Choice Award for Best Relaxation/Spa Hotels in South Pacific,” and placed #3 in the World for “Best Relaxation/Spa Hotels.” And, for two consecutive years (2013 and 2014) the World Travel Awards honored Gaia as “Australia’s Leading Spa Resort” and “Australia’s Leading Boutique Hotel.” In 2014, Gaia also became a member of Virtuoso, the travel industry’s leading luxury network spanning over 26 countries and 9,000 travel advisors. 2014 also saw the launch of Gaia’s elite and acclaimed skin care line, “Retreatment.” In 2015, Gaia Retreat & Spa celebrated its 10th anniversary and was also awarded “World’s Best Day Spa” and “Oceania’s Best Day Spa” by the World Spa Awards.

Olivia’s 2007 holiday recording, “Christmas Wish” features both new and classic holiday favorites and duets with such Grammy winners as Barry Manilow, Michael McDonald, David Foster and Jon Secada, to name a few, and was called one of the “Best Holiday CDs of 2007” by USA Today. That year she also premiered her first concert special for Public Television – “Olivia Newton-John: Live From Sydney!” filmed at the historic Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony. A two-hour DVD release of this stunning performance, featuring additional concert footage and Olivia’s personal tour of some of her favorite spots in Sydney, was released by Capitol / EMI in January 2008 and subsequently became a favorite concert special on PBS. In 2008, Olivia began co-hosting and co-producing the PBS series, “Healing Quest” and, she reprised her film role of Bitsy Mae Harling from “Sordid Lives” in the LOGO series to rave reviews.

In 2008, Olivia married “Amazon John” Easterling and, together they are spreading the word about the importance of preserving the Rainforest and, the health values found in the botanicals of the Amazon. They currently serve as spokespersons for the renowned wellness company TriVita and are working closely with the ACEER Organization (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research) to help the indigenous people of the Amazon gain ownership and title to their land. In September 2009, they also joined forces with Prince Charles’ The Prince’s Rainforest Project to further stress the global importance of preserving the Rainforest.

In 2010, Olivia also appeared as herself in two episodes of the hit series, “Glee,” adding another Top 100 hit to her credits with a new version of “Physical” sung with Jane Lynch. In October 2010 Olivia starred in the breast cancer docudrama “1 A Minute” and, the Canadian film “Score: A Hockey Musical.” Her 2012 film, “A Few Best Men,” garnered her some of the best reviews of her film career. The soundtrack to the film features dance remixes of classic hits such as “Sugar Sugar” and “Daydream Believer” recorded by Olivia and remixed by some of the hottest club remixers in the world. In addition the CD reunites Olivia with her longtime producer and songwriter, John Farrar, on the single, “Weightless.”

Also in 2010, Olivia was honored with the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia from Governor General Quentin Bryce. In addition to starring in films and on television and writing books and music, Olivia continues to spend time in the recording studio. Her healing CD, “Grace and Gratitude: Renewed” (2010), debuted at #2 on the Billboard Magazine New Age chart. In addition, Billboard celebrated Olivia’s new music by saying, “Newton-John is soulfully committed to every word she sings, and fans will be taken by the plush arrangements, melodic warmth, and of course, the artist’s regal vocals.”

Olivia released her second book, LivWise: Easy Recipes For A Healthy, Happy Life (Murdoch Books) in Australia in 2011. (Her first book, A Pig Tale, an environmentally-themed story written for children, was released in 1993.) In LivWise, Olivia explains her belief in the importance of eating a healthy diet in order to maintain wellness and balance and, Olivia’s proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the ONJCWC. In addition in 2012, she reunited with John Travolta to release “This Christmas,” a holiday CD collection that was also a fundraiser for both the ONJCWC and The Jett Travolta Foundation. In 2012, Olivia was bestowed the honor of being named one of Australia’s “National Living Treasures” by the National Trust of Australia. This was followed by another honor in 2013 when Olivia was bestowed her owns stamp as part of the “Australia Post Legends” stamp series.

In April 2014, Olivia began her residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas with “Summer Nights,” a musical journey through her career in movies and music. To coincide with the show, she released “Hotel Sessions” an EP collection of songs recorded in hotel rooms in Melbourne over a ten-year period with her nephew Brett Goldsmith. The CD is dedicated to her late sister Rona Newton-John, who was always supportive of Olivia and Brett working together. Due to the popularity of the Las Vegas show, Olivia’s residency has been extended through January 2016 and, a 2-CD set, “Summer Nights – Live in Las Vegas” was released earlier this year.

For Newton-John, 2015 has proven to be a chart topping and award-winning year for the 67-year-old. She recently topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart with the #1 hit, “You Have to Believe,” with her daughter Chloe. In April of 2015 Olivia toured arenas in Australia with fellow Aussie icon, John Farnham, with the aptly titled show, “Two Strong Hearts.” A CD of highlights form this sold-out debuted at #1 on the Aria Album charts, where it remained in the top spot for three weeks. The CD went on to receive an Aria Award nomination and, the live DVD held the #1 spot on the Aria DVD chart for 10 weeks.

Olivia’s appeal seems to be timeless. She is currently selling out her acclaimed “Summer Nights” concert residency at Flamingo Las Vegas through December 2016 and, is thrilled that a portion of every ticket sold to her Flamingo shows benefits the Wellness Programs at the ONJCWRC.

Still extremely busy in the recording studio, Olivia recently released two projects back to back. The first, “LIV ON,” a collaborative, inspiring new CD with friends Beth Nielsen Chapman and Amy Sky is intended for those who wish to transcend loss while walking a journey toward new-found meaning and hope, was released in October 2016. In addition, Olivia reunited with John Farnham for the holiday release, “Friends for Christmas,” which was released November 11, 2016.

With her current and ongoing projects and philanthropic endeavors, Olivia’s worldwide popularity is as strong as ever! For more information visit OliviaNewton-John.com or follow her on Twitter @OliviaNJ or Instagram @TheRealONJ.

Al Bowman awarding Olivia Newton-John with Icon Award

Special Thank you to:
NEAL PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING Serving Clients Worldwide for 35 years 3042 N. KEYSTONE ST BURBANK CA 91504 PUBLIC RELATION MEDIA CO-ORDINATION TEL – 323-366-2796 E-MAIL: prstarus2000@yahoo.com

Roger Neal and Pepper Jay

Calendar Girl and Events is a show on Actors Reporter, a site on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.

Marty Allen and Pepper Jay

Actors Reporter host Pepper Jay interviews legendary comedian Marty Allen on the red carpet at the Las Vegas Fame Awards, where Marty was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Comedian Award.

Marty Allen, Comedian

Marty was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Louis and Elsie Allen. His father owned a restaurant-bar. Marty grew up in an atmosphere of love and security. He found he enjoyed making people laugh and soon started dreaming about a career in show business. Marty often entertained his friends at parties. “I would break it up by doing record pantomimes and impressions,” he recalled.

He graduated from Alderdice High School during World War 2, so he immediately joined the Air Force. He was stationed in Italy where he attained the rank of sergeant and earned a Soldier’s Medal Of Valor. Marty was on guard duty while a plane was being refueled. Suddenly sparks set off a fire in the plane. Marty saw the potential for disaster and jumped into the cab of the fuel truck and drove it away, preventing an explosion. He then raced back to the plane, crawled into the bomb bay and rolled on the flames to extinguish the fire. In addition to the medal, his heroism earned him a full-dress parade.

After the war, Marty attended the University of Southern California where he studied journalism,. “I like to write, and I wanted to be a reporter so I could trench coat,” he explained. He was still doing a comedy act in the small clubs, but to supplement his GI bill allotment, he hit on a novel idea. He became the first door-to-door dance salesman. “I got the idea that women would love to learn to dance or just dance for the fun of it during their work day. So, for $10 a half-hour, I’d arrive at their door with a record player and records and we’d dance,” he said. “I finally had to give it up. I was visiting 15 clients a day! It was costing me a fortune in new shoes and foot powder.”

While working in the nightclubs, Marty polished his many comedy routines and developed a first-rate act. Eventually, the job offers he received became too lucrative for him to remain in college. He began to travel all over the country gaining experience and popularity. He did return to California briefly, to perform as the rear end of a dancing horse. “To this day, I still can’t believe I actually had to audition for that job,” Marty said.

During the 1950s, Marty worked in many of the top nightclubs in the country as opening act for established stars such as Sarah Vaughan, Eydie Gorme and many others, including the legendary Nat “King” Cole. It was during this time that he became part of the great comedy team of Allen & Rossi. That association produced a string of hit comedy albums, dozens of television appearances, including 40 visits to the Ed Sullivan Show, and the theatrical motion picture “The Last Of The Secret Agents.”

Marty Allen on the Ed Sullivan Show

Eventually, Marty decided to try his hand at some strait dramatic roles. His debut as a serious actor came on “The Big Valley” TV series. In an episode titled “The Jonah,” Marty played a character who was considered a jinx and blamed for a run of bad luck at the ranch. “I met two great ladies doing that show,” Marty said, “Linda Evans was very nice to me, and when Barbara Stanwyk complimented me on my acting, I was in heaven.” Marty appeared in several other dramatic productions, including the TV movie “Mister Jerico,” and “The Ballad of Billie Blue” and a Rod Serling “Night Gallery” segment.

The Big Valley

Helping others, who are less fortunate, is part of his personal credo. In 1968 he made a “Hello Dere” tour of military hospitals in the United States, paying for his own transportation and hotel costs. A commendation for his good deeds was placed in the Congressional Record. He repeated the tour yearly through 1972. On each tour, he spent long hours talking to and entertaining the wounded soldiers who had just returned from Vietnam. He is also involved in a number of charitable causes including American Cancer Society, The Heart Fund, March Of Dimes, Fight For Sight, Cerebral Palsy, and is on the board of the Epilepsy Foundation. “I believe that if you have a talent and you use it to become successful, you should give back in return for the good fortune you’ve had,” he said.

Hello Dere

Throughout the 1970s and into the’80s, Marty made hundreds of TV appearances. “I went up and down the dial. I did all the talk shows and even became a regular on ‘Hollywood Squares.” He also appeared on “The Circus Of The Stars,” “Password” and many other game shows plus 10 movies for television. ” They used to call me ‘the darling of daytime television.’ I did everything except ‘Sermonette.'” It was during this time he met Karon Kate Blackwell. The two began performing together, combining “Katie’s” music and Marty’s comedy. The scene was almost as wild as Marty Allen’s hair.

Karon Kate Blackwell and Marty Allen

Forty years ago Monday, Las Vegans Marty Allen and Steve Rossi were at the epicenter of the Beatles’ U.S. debut, an earthquake in pop culture. “It was total pandemonium, pure electricity” recalled Allen. Every time Ed Sullivan tried to introduce the British boy band on Feb. 9, 1964, “all those girls went bananas. You knew this was going to sweep the country.” At the time, Allen and Rossi, six years into their act, were one of the hottest comedy teams of their era. They were making their 12th appearance on Sullivan’s Sunday night TV show, then the entertainment world’s greatest launching pad.

Allen and Rossi

After the Beatles’ five-song set before a then-record 73 million viewers, Allen and Rossi’s dilemma was immediately apparent: How do you avoid bombing when you’re following the most explosive act ever? With a screeching teeny-bopper crowd drowning out Sullivan, Allen and Rossi stepped into the swirl. “If we had done our comedy bit, we would have died,” Rossi said.

The big-haired Allen, who earlier cracked up John Lennon backstage with, “A lot of people mistake me for you,” went with his trademark opener, “Hello dere,” and added, “I’m Ringo’s mother.” Big applause. Then Rossi, an accomplished singer, launched into the Beatles’ hit song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” as Allen ran up the aisle, dancing and clapping. “Marty got them hand clapping. We won ’em over,” said Rossi, who teamed up with Allen for almost 30 years, including 44 appearances on the Sullivan show. Allen & Rossi have gone separate directions but continue to entertain. Allen, who just turned a very active and spry 88 in March, and his wife, Karon Kate Blackwell, are cruise ship sensations. … Over 600 shows in 10 years!

Marty Allen and The Beatles

Since 1999, Marty and Karon have revamped the show biz act that made him famous. Marty has added new material to include present day events while Karon sings, plays the piano, and plays the strait person for Marty during their on stage comedy routine.

Marty and Karon still love performing. They travel extensively, routinely performing to sold out shows. After 25 years of marriage, Karon brings a new spark to the show with her Jerry Lee Louis style piano playing, remarkably gorgeous outfits, and lovely presence. Marty still has the wild hair, albeit, looking more like a human troll doll these days… but still bringing down the house with style and flair! Marty and Karon prove during every show that great comedy and entertainment is timeless!

Cruise Ship Sensations!

Marty Allen on red carpet with Olivia Newton-John

Special Thank you to:
NEAL PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING Serving Clients Worldwide for 35 years 3042 N. KEYSTONE ST BURBANK CA 91504 PUBLIC RELATION MEDIA CO-ORDINATION TEL – 323-366-2796 E-MAIL: prstarus2000@yahoo.com

Roger Neal and Pepper Jay

 

Al Bowman

Learn more about Marty Allen on Wikipedia

Connect with Pepper Jay at PepperJay.com

Calendar Girl and Events is a show on Actors Reporter, a site on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.

Francine York

A full house at the Sportsmen’s Lodge of entertainment industry, friends, and fans celebrate the life and career of Francine Jane York!

Some of the photos from the Memorial for Francine York of those in attendance:

Special Thank you from Pepper Jay and Robert Coatney, Co-Trustees for the Estate of Francine York to:
Clarke Dailey ECD Auctions for help with the auctions and raffles! Please visit his website to take a look at the online auction of Francine York memorabilia, which will be ongoing through the month of May.

FrancineYork.net

PepperJay.com

Actors Reporter is an entertainment internet and cable magazine on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.

Submissions to the Actors Reporter Event Calendar are received from around the world. On-going events, film festivals, competitions, dinner theatre, small theatre, concerts, contests, vacation destinations, and much more:

Through 27th August 2017 – Cirque le Noir. Enter the captivating world of Le Noir, an extraordinary evening of intimate cirque style entertainment starring some of the most incredible acrobatic acts on earth. Audiences will be immersed in an amazing visual feast using metaphors of white, red and black to describe the diverse range of our personalities. At the Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno, Nevada.
Cirque le Nori

1st-4th July 2017 – The Key Lime Festival – The fifth annual affair is a celebration of Florida’s official state pie. It includes, of course, pie eating and pie making contests, but also much more: an attempt to make a world-record largest Key Lime pie, the Key Lime Bar Sip & Stroll, a wacky talent show, samplings of Keys-distilled rum flavored with the tangy lime and the Miss Key Lime Pie and L’il Miss Key Lime pageants. New this year: The Key Lime Pie Hop. A spectacular fireworks display on the fourth concludes the affair. Key West, Fl
Key Lime Festival

1st July 2017 – Fashen at EDGE Nightclub. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino. Phoenix, Arizona native Daniel Kutz, better known as Fashen, became an essential part of the budding Los Angeles club circuit in the late 90s. With over 10 years of radio under his belt and almost two decades behind the turntables performing at concerts, clubs, and producing multiple mix CDs and remixes, Fashen continues to dominate and secure his position at the forefront in the evolving world of DJing.
Fashen

4th July 2017 – Pentatonix Firework Spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl. Celebrate Independence Day with three-time Grammy®-winning a cappella group Pentatonix, whose hits include arrangements of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Daft Punk.”
Hollywood Bowl

1st – 15th July 2017 – Falstaff, Opera Saratoga 2017 Summer Festival. Satatoga Springs, New York
Opera Saratoga

2nd – 14th July 2017 – Zémire et Azor (Beauty and the Beast), Opera Saratoga 2017 Summer Festival. Satatoga Springs, NY
Opera Saratoga

Paris Appreciation Awards

8 July 2017 -The Eiffel Tower is gearing up to usher in the Paris Appreciation Awards, which are slated to be launched on July 8, 2017. The awards program is being touted as a historic event of global reach and significance.Bollywood and Hollywood to converge at Paris Appreciation Awards 2017. Munni Irone and Pepper Jay among the scheduled speakers. Paris, France Paris Appreciation Awards

9th – 16th July 2017 – The Cradle Will Rock, Opera Saratoga 2017 Summer Festival. Satatoga Springs, New York
Opera Saratoga

Dave Hemingway, center, hoists his trophy after winning the 2016 Ernest “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest (Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

18th-23rd July 2017 – Hemingway Days – The annual Papa-fest turns 37 this year and features readings, a museum exhibit of rare Ernest Hemingway memorabilia, a zany “Running of the Bulls,” a three-day marlin tournament, a short story competition, street fair, a party commemorating his July 21st birthday and, of course, the famous Look-Alike Contest. Key West.
Hemmingway Media

27th-30th July 2017 – Florida Supercon – If you’re a fan of comic books, anime, animation, video games, fantasy, sci-fi, and pop culture, this four-day geek-a-thon is for you. It features celebrity guests, comic book creators, voice actors, industry guests, cosplayers, writers, panels, Q&A’s, films & shorts, costume & cosplay contests, vendors, parties and workshops. Among the featured guests: Actors Linda Blair, LeVar Burton and Ralph Macchio. Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale
Florida Super Con

On-going: Griffith Park Outdoor Movies in Griffith Park next to The Autry, 4700 Western Heritage Way. Free parking. Dog Friendly. Food Trucks, Live music. Los Angeles, California
Griffith Park

On-going: Every Sunday – 9AM to 5PM – Rain or Shine. The Melrose Trading Post LAs favorite flea market. On the Campus of Fairfax High School, Parking entrance at Clinton and Fairfax. 7850 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California
Melrose Trading Post

On-going: Things are heating up in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Pool parties, comedians, DJs, concerts, UFC 160 and more! Start your summer early.
You can book your entire trip – hotel, flight and shows – at the one and only LasVegas.com

On-Going: Tommy Guns Garage Dinner Theatre
CHICAGO’S LONGEST RUNNING AUDIENCE INTERACTIVE DINNER SHOW

Tommy Guns Garage
2114 South Wabash, Chicago, Illinois

Metropolitan Room

On-going: Metropolitan Room – Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Cabaret
The World Capital of Cabaret.
34 West 22nd Street, New York City
Metropolitan Room – It’s where the action is!
This Flatiron “class act” aims to revive the “golden age of cabaret” as “up-and-coming stars” and “renowned performers” alike take the stage in an “intimate” room with “great acoustics”; run with “professionalism” by a “gracious staff”, it’s “worth every penny” for a “sophisticated” night out. – ZAGAT 2014
FOR TICKETS : MetropolitanRoom.com
FOR RESERVATIONS: 212.206.0440

Billings Studio Theatre

The Billings Studio Theatre, Billings, Montana
Welcome to Billings Studio Theatre. Box Office Summer Hours Tuesday – Friday 10:00am – 4:00pm.
1500 Rimrock Rd, Billings, Montana 59102 / (406) 248-1141
The Billings Studio Theatre

Florida Theatre

The Florida Theatre
Located in downtown Jacksonville; listing of coming concerts and plays.
128 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32205 / (904) 355-5661
Florida Theatre

The Texas Theatre

On-going: Welcome to the site of the Texas Theatre, the historic and newly-renovated movie theatre in Dallas, Texas. Visit the site for event and movie showtime
231 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75208 / (214) 948-1546
The Texas Theatre

On-going: Broadway World
A theatre resource featuring news, message boards, video previews, show information, photos and biographies. BroadwayWorld.com is the The #1 Web Site for Broadway, Theatre, and Live Entertainment Around the World!

Broadway World

On-going: Think Hollywood in California is the only place with fun events?

Check out

Visit Hollywood Florida to stay current on South Florida’s ever-changing entertainment, events and Hollywood’s unique style and local flavor.

Inclusion on the Actors Reporter calendar is for a fee of $50/month (small theatre groups and charities $25/month) Interested? Please email info@ActorsReporter.com
Actors Reporter reserves the right to select which entertainment calendar entries to include on its calendar. Thank you.

Welcome to the TradeVine whose purpose is to encourage the entertainment industry to read their trades: Variety, Backstage, Hollywood Reporter, etc. Enjoy learning about your industry.

Each Friday, The TradeVine seeks out a few of the informative trade articles you may have missed. Please visit the trade, itself, for the entire article.

Backstage – How to Audition for Commercials Without Dialogue, by Cathryn Hartt

I teach commercial classes all the time. In an earlier article, I covered tips for commercials in which you make a pitch directly to the audience. Today, I want to concentrate on an area that seems to stump a lot of actors: commercial auditions that have no dialogue.

First and foremost, you must always be prepared to feel like an idiot at most commercial auditions. If you felt stupid, you probably looked great and aced your audition. But if you tried to protect yourself from looking stupid, that was actually when you looked stupid.

You often feel especially stupid in the auditions with no dialogue. You are standing in front of a blank wall and someone tells you to do something that makes no sense. Perhaps you have been given the task of looking at the meat products in the counter at the grocery store. Or maybe you are looking at a beautiful sunset. Actors audition for these parts all the time. How do they win them?

Use your imagination.
Picture where your scene might come in the actual commercial. Start watching commercials and notice all of the scenarios of people just walking or looking or smiling or holding a product or eating—think of all those vignettes of people looking at products on shelves or walking in the woods while the off-camera voice talks about a pill. If there is a storyboard, look at it to see how your moment fits into the whole commercial to help you to visualize better.
Then picture the meat counter. Really see the different types of meat there. Or visualize the sunset and use your sense memory to feel as if you are there. Feel as though you are standing in the woods. Create your reality just like you would for any other acting scene. Read Entire Artice Here

The Hollywood Reporter – ‘Hawaii Five-o’ Star Exits Spark Asian-American Concern: “Racial Hierarchy” Remains “Intact”, by Rebecca Sun

Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park left the series ahead of season eight after failed contract negotiations with CBS and CBS Television Studios.

Members of Hollywood’s small but vocal Asian-American community are speaking out in support of former Hawaii Five-0 stars Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, who have left the series after failed contract negotiations with CBS and CBS Television Studios.
“Unfortunately, the racial hierarchy established in the original 1968-1980 series remained intact in the 2010 reboot: Two white stars on top, two Asian/Pacific Islander stars on bottom,” Guy Aoki, founding president of Media Action Network for Asian Americans, wrote in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

News of Kim’s and Park’s departures broke Friday before the Independence Day holiday, with sources confirming to THR that Kim and Park had requested and been denied pay equity alongside fellow original castmembers Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan. In a lengthy Facebook post Wednesday, Kim noted that he based his decision to leave on the inability to reach an agreement on a new contract, and added, “The path to equality is rarely easy.” Sources say that Kim and Park asked to be compensated on par with leads O’Loughlin and Caan, who also receive a cut of the series’ back-end profit. Read Entire Artice Here

Variety – Cirque du Soleil Acquires Blue Man Group, by Gordon Cox

In a move that brings two large-scale live entertainment brands under the same umbrella, Cirque du Soleil has acquired Blue Man Productions for an undisclosed sum said to number in the tens of millions of dollars.

Both Cirque and Blue Man, the company behind New York’s downtown-gone-global Blue Man Group, share a level of international name recognition and a global reach rare in the realm of live performing-arts entertainment. In recent years, Cirque has grappled with the challenges of expansion and diversification, eventually resulting in a restructuring that led private equity firm TPG to become the major controlling shareholder of the troupe.

The acquisition of Blue Man marks one step on Cirque’s path toward growth and diversity. With its cheeky take on percussive performance art and its memorable aesthetic, Blue Man Group began as a small-scale show in New York more than 25 years ago and has since proliferated to play 20 countries. The company currently has six resident productions running in the U.S. and Germany, as well as North American and international tours. Read Entire Artice Here

Please send any questions or comments to TradeVine@ActorsReporter.com

And, remember, you heard it through The TradeVine.

 

Spirit Summit

ezWay_Influencers_Panel_Spirit_Summit

 

ezWay Broadcasting presents Influencers Panel at the Spirit Summit 2017, with speakers Pepper Jay, Fred Smith, Summer Helene, Brian Smith, Casey Thomas, Berny Dohnmann, and Dr. Emily Letran. Coverage by Actors Reporter, a channel on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.

And a special thank you to Allison Hildebrandt Larsen and David Fagan and Eric Zuley for a terrific event!

Panelist Pepper Jay, Fred Smith, Barny Dohrmann, Shea Vaugh

 

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Pepper Jay speaking at Spirit Summit 2017

 

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Speaker Author Pepper Jay with Eric Zuley

 

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Pepper Jay interviews Founder of Make a Wish, Frank Shankowitz

 

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Bornsteins and Pepper Jay

 

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Authors Pepper Jay and Dave Andrews

 

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Pepper Jay and Mark Gerou

 

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Shea Vaughn, Pepper Jay, and Tiffany M Garvin

 

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Pepper Jay / Dynamic Song Performance

 

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Connect with ezWay Broadcasting

SpiritSummit.com

PepperJay.com

Submissions to the Actors Reporter Event Calendar are received from around the world. On-going events, film festivals, competitions, dinner theatre, small theatre, concerts, contests, vacation destinations, and much more:

Through 27th August 2017 – Cirque le Noir. Enter the captivating world of Le Noir, an extraordinary evening of intimate cirque style entertainment starring some of the most incredible acrobatic acts on earth. Audiences will be immersed in an amazing visual feast using metaphors of white, red and black to describe the diverse range of our personalities. At the Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno, Nevada.
Cirque le Nori

1st August 2017 – The Astonishing Show Show! An evening of magic, music, and puppetry on stage LIVE at El CID! Broadway and Sirius XM’s Benjamin Schrader and “Magic Castle” magician Robert Ramirez host a show featuring astonishing magical acts from some of the best award-winning magicians in the country, as well as weird and wonderful performances from some of LA’s finest professional puppeteers, all accompanied by the retro funky beats of DJ Victoria Rawlins. Performers include magicians from America’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us,” and puppeteers from Broadway and The Jim Henson Company. Los Angeles, California.
El Cid Sunset

1st August-5th September 2017 – Times Square Arts and artist Aman Mojadidi bring Once Upon a Place, an interactive public art installation that creates a platform for immigrant voices, to Duffy Square. The installation will include 70 different stories that will last anywhere between 2 and 15 minutes.
Once Upon a Time

1st August-7th October 2017 – Solid Gold Soul. These unique performers not only sound like the originals, they look like the originals! Bobby Brooks Wilson son of the legendary Jackie Wilson, steers this fast locomotive that takes you on a ride down memory lane of the greatest hits from Motown. Reno, NV.
Solid Gold

4th-6th August 2017 – African Diaspora Dance and Drum Festival of Florida – Presented by Delou Africa, this yearly event is always a family-friendly multi-cultural arts and educational gathering. You’ll enjoy African and Caribbean dance and drumming and music workshops and much more. Miami, FL.
Little Haiti Cultural Center

4th-20th August 2017 – Jazz and Beyond: Carson City Music Festival. The annual festival features more than 60 performances and over 100 performers, and most offer free admission. Beyond jazz, the festival included bluegrass, blues, Latin, and more. Concerts held at Carson Mall, Comma Courtyard, the Brewery Arts Center, and other downtown Carson City venues. Carson City, Nevada
Carson City Music Festival

18th-20th August 2017 – People from diverse races, nationalities and backgrounds come together to enjoy important cinematic works of creativity, intellectual expansion, identity, and equality. In this world there are no boundaries around people because they are embraced in a universal understanding of humanity. This is the element of commonality that weaves through this annual event of images from Africa and the African Diaspora. New York, NY.
NYaDiff

18th-20th August 2017 – Reno Greek Festival. Be greek for the weekend at this annual festival! Traditional Greek dance, music, desserts, and imports create a Mediterranean atmosphere and a family friendly environment.
Fisherman’s Village

25th-27th August 2017 – Fishermen’s Village Pirate Fest – All are welcome but ye best prepare to get wet, maties and wenches! There is a mock pirate invasion and anyone standing dockside will be sprayed with water guns by a flotilla of attacking boats encircling the fun-infested waters of Charlotte Harbor. Bring your water weapons and do your best to keep the invaders at bay. Also included: a pirate parade, pirate costume contests and a kid’s pirate treasure hunt.
Fishermans Village

Through 15 January 2018 – Hurricane Andrew: 25 Years Later – Yes, it’s been a quarter of a century since Hurricane Andrew roared through Miami (on Aug. 16) and there is a museum exhibit that reflects on the historic Category 5 storm with amazing video footage, stories from people who lived through it and historic photos.
History Miami

On-going: Griffith Park Outdoor Movies in Griffith Park next to The Autry, 4700 Western Heritage Way. Free parking. Dog Friendly. Food Trucks, Live music. Los Angeles, California
Griffith Park

On-going: Every Sunday – 9AM to 5PM – Rain or Shine. The Melrose Trading Post LAs favorite flea market. On the Campus of Fairfax High School, Parking entrance at Clinton and Fairfax. 7850 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California
Melrose Trading Post

On-going: Things are heating up in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Pool parties, comedians, DJs, concerts, UFC 160 and more! Start your summer early.
You can book your entire trip – hotel, flight and shows – at the one and only LasVegas.com

On-Going: Tommy Guns Garage Dinner Theatre
CHICAGO’S LONGEST RUNNING AUDIENCE INTERACTIVE DINNER SHOW

Tommy Guns Garage
2114 South Wabash, Chicago, Illinois

Metropolitan Room

On-going: Metropolitan Room – Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Cabaret
The World Capital of Cabaret.
34 West 22nd Street, New York City
Metropolitan Room – It’s where the action is!
This Flatiron “class act” aims to revive the “golden age of cabaret” as “up-and-coming stars” and “renowned performers” alike take the stage in an “intimate” room with “great acoustics”; run with “professionalism” by a “gracious staff”, it’s “worth every penny” for a “sophisticated” night out. – ZAGAT 2014
FOR TICKETS : MetropolitanRoom.com
FOR RESERVATIONS: 212.206.0440

Billings Studio Theatre

The Billings Studio Theatre, Billings, Montana
Welcome to Billings Studio Theatre. Box Office Summer Hours Tuesday – Friday 10:00am – 4:00pm.
1500 Rimrock Rd, Billings, Montana 59102 / (406) 248-1141
The Billings Studio Theatre

Florida Theatre

The Florida Theatre
Located in downtown Jacksonville; listing of coming concerts and plays.
128 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32205 / (904) 355-5661
Florida Theatre

The Texas Theatre

On-going: Welcome to the site of the Texas Theatre, the historic and newly-renovated movie theatre in Dallas, Texas. Visit the site for event and movie showtime
231 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75208 / (214) 948-1546
The Texas Theatre

On-going: Broadway World
A theatre resource featuring news, message boards, video previews, show information, photos and biographies. BroadwayWorld.com is the The #1 Web Site for Broadway, Theatre, and Live Entertainment Around the World!

Broadway World

On-going: Think Hollywood in California is the only place with fun events?

Check out

Visit Hollywood Florida to stay current on South Florida’s ever-changing entertainment, events and Hollywood’s unique style and local flavor.

Inclusion on the Actors Reporter calendar is for a fee of $50/month (small theatre groups and charities $25/month) Interested? Please email info@ActorsReporter.com
Actors Reporter reserves the right to select which entertainment calendar entries to include on its calendar. Thank you.

Welcome to the TradeVine whose purpose is to encourage the entertainment industry to read their trades: Variety, Backstage, Hollywood Reporter, etc. Enjoy learning about your industry.

Each Friday, The TradeVine seeks out a few of the informative trade articles you may have missed. Please visit the trade, itself, for the entire article.

Backstage – 9 Tips for Your First Time on Set, by Matt Newton

Your first TV role. It’s nerve-wracking. Everything you have trained for has been working toward this. You get your call time, show up (after not much sleep), wait for hours sitting in your tiny trailer obsessing over your three lines waiting for them to call you. You are about to fall asleep, when the second AD finally knocks on your door and says, “We are ready for you!” and walks you to the location.
Most actors have no idea what to expect when they walk onto a huge TV set for the first time. This isn’t a student film. There are dozens of people on the crew, and they already know each other. They are like a family, where everyone has a very specific job to help make you look good.
Everyone expects you to know what you are doing. But the truth is, you have absolutely no idea. Nothing prepares you for the reality of being on a real set. There are so many things going on that it’s hard to focus on your acting. So how do you prepare yourself mentally?

Here is what you need to know:
1. You will probably only get one rehearsal.
“What? But when I did ‘Grease’ in college I had 15 weeks of rehearsal.” Not anymore. If this is a one-hour drama or a single-camera comedy, you will most likely get one tiny little rehearsal, and you will be working with people you have never met before. You will say a brief hello to the director (who you probably saw at the callback), and who is extremely busy, and then you will run through the lines with the other actors at the location. They will discuss the blocking, talk briefly about the scene, and then do a “marking rehearsal,” where the crew comes in and they figure out where everyone will be standing so they can set up the lights. That’s right, dozens of eyes on you. Be confident and act like you have been doing this forever. Read Entire Artice Here

The Hollywood Reporter – The Mystery of L.A. Billboard Diva Angelyne’s Real Identity Is Finally Solved, by Gary Baum

Way before Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, the enigmatic blonde bombshell was famous for being famous, perpetually driving the streets of Hollywood in that pink Corvette. But her true identity has remained secret all these years … until now.

“Would you be interested in a story on Angelyne’s true identity?” the man wrote last fall under a pseudonym, referring to the enigmatic L.A. billboard diva who has been a pop culture icon of self-creation and self-marketing since the early 1980s — and is now regarded as a forerunner to Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and every personal-brand hustler on social media. “I have many details on her life — all well documented — from when her parents met to early adulthood. It’s very different from her public, concocted story — and more interesting.”

Angelyne is one of the vanishingly few contemporary public figures whose background has remained shrouded in mystery, along with the conceptual artist Banksy, Bitcoin founder Satoshi Nakamoto and aircraft hijacker D.B. Cooper. The man, who claimed to work in an undefined role for the federal government, said he was a hobbyist genealogist, occasionally taking on paid assignments in the field as an amusing side gig. A few years earlier, he’d decided it’d be fun to set himself the challenge of cracking Angelyne’s case. “And I did,” he explained. Read Entire Artice Here

Variety – Film Review: ‘The Dark Tower’, by Owen Gleiberman

Stephen King’s eight-novel multiverse has been turned into a slice of lean-and-mean metaphysical action pulp, featuring a stylishly stoic Idris Elba and a magnetically evil Matthew McConaughey.
As a critic, I know I’m supposed to do my homework. So let me confess right up front that I did notprepare myself to review “The Dark Tower,” the droolingly anticipated film version of Stephen King’s multiverse novel series, by consuming all eight books in the series. I had a go at “The Gunslinger” back in the ’80s (my one period of submersion in all things King), but I never followed through on the sequels. And when I learned that the movie version was going to clock in at a mere 95 minutes, I thought: It’s clear that the filmmakers have taken the 4,000-plus pages of King’s time-tripping, parallel-universe-hopping genre mash and compressed them into something that doesn’t pretend to be a page-by-page transcription of the novels. As a result, I decided to devote myself to what’s up on screen instead of what isn’t there.

Here’s what I saw. “The Dark Tower” has been plagued by tales of last-minute re-editing and multiple cooks in the kitchen, but the movie that’s come out of all this is no shambles. It aims low and hits (sort of). It’s a competent and watchable paranoid metaphysical video game that doesn’t overstay its welcome, includes some luridly entertaining visual effects, and — it has to be said — summons an emotional impact of close to zero. Which in a film like this one isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. Read Entire Artice Here

Please send any questions or comments to TradeVine@ActorsReporter.com

And, remember, you heard it through The TradeVine.

 

Welcome to the TradeVine whose purpose is to encourage the entertainment industry to read their trades: Variety, Backstage, Hollywood Reporter, etc. Enjoy learning about your industry.

Each Friday, The TradeVine seeks out a few of the informative trade articles you may have missed. Please visit the trade, itself, for the entire article.

Backstage – Are You Ever Too Old To Start Acting, by Philip Hernández

Q: Is there an age that is too old to start acting? I’m 42 and I just now have the courage and time to attend acting classes. — Brandy T.

You are not too old to start acting. Having the time and the courage (and probably the funds) to pursue your passion is an enviable position for a beginning actor to be in. The years of life experience you have to draw upon will be a distinct advantage and an immeasurable gift as you begin your new adventure.
At 42, you’re probably more self-aware than someone with fewer years under their belt. By now you know you’re not the center of the universe. You know the joy of falling in love and the pain of falling in love with the wrong person. You’ve mourned the death of a loved one. You’ve been the hero, the bad guy, the scapegoat, and the supportive friend, and you’ve been around long enough to understand the intricate dance that relationships are. You’ve known the thrill of getting something you desperately want and the crushing disappointment of failing.
You may also have learned that setting goals and working hard to achieve them is what distinguishes the winners from the rest of the pack. You’re likely more motivated to learn, less impressionable, and a little bit more patient. You’ve made plenty of mistakes and have learned how to “pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.”
Most importantly, your years of experience have given you something to say! The choices you’ve made have made you who you are and have given you a unique, personal point of view. Lessons learned from running a business, raising a family, or caring for a sick parent have given you an awareness that would be difficult to attain without having lived them. All this adds depth to your work as an actor. Read Entire Artice Here

The Hollywood Reporter – Appalachian Opioid Addiction Drama ‘Back Fork’ Rounds Out Cast, by Borys Kit

Actor turned director Josh Stewart is helming the film, beginning production in West Virginia.

A.J. Cook, Agnes Bruckner and Eden Brolin are set to star in Back Fork, an indie drama from actor turned director Josh Stewart.
Stewart also toplines Fork, which he wrote and is directing. Production began Thursday in Back Fork, West Virginia.
Stewart is also producing with Jeffrey Tinnell and Robert Tinnell. Tony Sgro is executive producing.
The drama deals with opioid addiction, a timely topic as it has become a national health crisis in the U.S. and President Donald Trump spoke on the topic Tuesday. The location and situations are close to Stewart’s heart as the filmmaker is from West Virginia.
The story tells of a young couple in Appalachia torn apart by a tragic accident and the devastating addiction in its aftermath.
Stewart is playing a coal miner who turns to prescription painkillers in the wake of the death of his daughter. Read Entire Artice Here

Variety – Ryan Seacrest Productions Sets Scripted Development Deal With ABC Studios, by Cynthia Littleton

Photo by Sara Jaye Weiss
Ryan Seacrest
KIIS FM 102.7 Wango Tango Concert, Portraits, Carson, USA – 22 May 2017

Ryan Seacrest Productions has set a development pact for scripted projects with ABC Studios.

The multi-year deal strengthens Seacrest’s ties to Disney, where he is working as co-host of the syndicated morning show “Live With Kelly and Ryan” and will be on the Alphabet’s air next year as host of ABC’s revival of “American Idol.” He’s also the longtime host of ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”
Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) had previously been under a scripted development deal with CBS Television Studios that ended earlier this month.

As part of the move to ABC Studios, Nina Wass has re-upped her contract to serve as president of scripted programming for RSP. Andrea Shay has also extended as exec VP.
“Nina and RSP are tremendous assets to our studio,” said Patrick Moran, president of ABC Studios. “Her taste, contacts and abilities are the best in the industry.” Read Entire Artice Here

Please send any questions or comments to TradeVine@ActorsReporter.com

And, remember, you heard it through The TradeVine.

 

Welcome to the TradeVine whose purpose is to encourage the entertainment industry to read their trades: Variety, Backstage, Hollywood Reporter, etc. Enjoy learning about your industry.

Each Friday, The TradeVine seeks out a few of the informative trade articles you may have missed. Please visit the trade, itself, for the entire article.

Backstage – How Young Actors Can Play Emotional Scenes, by Denise Simon

As an acting teacher for young actors, parents frequently ask if I can help their child cry on cue. Having once been a young actress myself, I thought this skill was the key to being a good actor. I believed it was a complicated technique that only the most skilled and talented had mastered.
Then during a college lecture with actress Jean Marsh as the guest, she was asked about crying on cue. In her very British accent, she responded, “I just turn around and poke myself in the eye.” It was then that I realized it was pretty simple. Simple, yes, but not easy.
Emotions like sadness and anger may come naturally for some, but for many young actors, producing real emotion is an acquired skill. It’s not the real tears that are of concern—that’s what glycerin drops are for. Rather, it’s finding and applying the honest emotional life of the character.
There’s a term in the industry called “indicating,” which is when an actor plays a scene showing but not connecting to the emotional life of the character. Good actors communicate real emotions, not pretend ones. But remember that preparing for an emotionally challenging scene can be deeply personal, so you’ll want to make sure your child actor is going about it the right way.

Here are some tips to help your child learn the necessary skills and let go of fake emoting habits. Read Entire Artice Here

The Hollywood Reporter – The Top 25 American Film Schools 2017, by THR Staff

The Hollywood Reporter grades the colleges and universities — from USC to AFI — training Hollywood’s next generation of cinematic geniuses.

Some people go to film school to learn the latest about 360-degree fly cams and head-mounted display systems. Others go to study the esoterics of film history and theory (usually at No. 10 Wesleyan). And many just want to figure out how to point a camera and make the movies that keep playing out in their heads.
These days, there’s a school for everybody, though not all are created equal, so here’s THR’s annual Top 25 Film Schools list to sort out the differences. The magazine consulted with educators, alumni and industry pros to rank the best of the best. Somewhere on these pages is a school to match every ambition, even if that ambition is to just make friends in a TV writers room (see No. 11, University of Texas).

Reporting by Ashley Cullins, Rebecca Ford, Mia Galuppo, Borys Kit, Pamela McClintock, Brian Porreca, Tatiana Siegel and Rebecca Sun. Read Entire Artice Here

Variety – Alan Arkin Joins Tim Burton’s Live – Action ‘Dumbo’, by Justin Kroll

Photo by Jim Smeal/BEI/BEI/Shutterstock (4706289bw)

Alan Arkin has joined the cast of Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Dumbo” directed by Tim Burton.
The film’s cast already includes Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Michael Keaton, and Danny DeVito. Nico Parker and Finley Hobbins will also appear in their first film roles.
Ehren Kruger penned the script. Justin Springer, who worked on “Tron: Legacy,” is producing with Kruger. Nigel Gostelow will serve as an executive producer.
The original story followed an ostracized baby circus elephant who strives to achieve his full potential. In this version, the film follows Holt Farrier (Farrell), a former circus star who finds his life turned upside down when he returns from the war. Circus owner Max Medici (DeVito) enlists Holt to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when Holt’s children (Parker and Hobbins) discover that Dumbo can fly, persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Keaton) and an aerial artist named Colette Marchant (Green) swoop in to make the peculiar pachyderm a star. Arkin will play J Griffin Remington, a Wall Street tycoon. Read Entire Artice Here

Please send any questions or comments to TradeVine@ActorsReporter.com

And, remember, you heard it through The TradeVine.

 

Welcome to the TradeVine whose purpose is to encourage the entertainment industry to read their trades: Variety, Backstage, Hollywood Reporter, etc. Enjoy learning about your industry.

Each Friday, The TradeVine seeks out a few of the informative trade articles you may have missed. Please visit the trade, itself, for the entire article.

Backstage – Backstage Experts Give 6 Ways to Determine Your Type, by Backstage Staff

So much of the business of being an actor is the ability to understand and influence how people view you. From casting directors and agents, to directors and co-stars, nailing down your “type” will go a long way in your ability not only to narrow down the auditions you should be applying for, the way you should dress in the room, and the sort of headshots you should be using, but it’ll also give you a better idea of the shows and films that could be right for you!
We rounded up some top advice from Backstage Experts to help you nail down your type.
Know the current playing field.
“Write down three shows you could see yourself on. Series regular, guest star, costar…whatever. There are about 30 shows filming in New York right now. Watch them, learn from them, observe what kind of actors they are casting. Take notes. Look up the casting director and the actors. If you are right for that show, and are trained, and they cast your type over and over, then by all means sign up for a casting director workshop to meet them in person. If you are over 50 and play ‘extraterrestrial’ roles all the time, probably don’t sign up for a soap opera casting workshop.” —MATT NEWTON
Take your age into consideration.
“An actor’s age range is no more than five years. Most importantly, your real age must be within that five-year span. The only exceptions are kids who only get a two-year range because they change so quickly and senior actors (75+) who are usually all clumped together in the ‘older actor’ category.” —TOM BURKE Read Entire Artice Here

The Hollywood Reporter – The Next Hef: Hugh’s 25-Year-Old Son Reveals Plan to Remake Playboy “For My Generation’, by Gary Baum

Cooper Hefner has assumed creative control at the brand his father launched 64 years ago as he brings nude images back to the magazine while lamenting the company’s involvement in lowbrow licensing and reality TV: “Nudity hadn’t been the problem — it was how it’d been presented.”

It’s true: Cooper Hefner, youngest son of Hugh and newly ascended chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, did enjoy a youth that was the stuff of teenage wet dreams. Celebrities and scantily clad bunnies wallpapered his life. He and his schoolmates could order anything they could think of, and the Playboy Mansion kitchen would send it right out. There was a private zoo.

Yet the good times came with a Freudian twist. His mom, 1989 Playmate of the Year Kimberley Conrad, hung in the library, depicted nude in a large portrait frame. “Yeah, that was weird,” Cooper explains over lunch at the mansion. “It was like the elephant in the room.” Read Entire Artice Here

Variety – 10 Most Anticipated New Films of Oscar Season, by Kristopher Tapley

Oscar season is officially on our doorstep as the 74th annual Venice Film Festival is set to take flight a week from today with the world premiere of Alexander Payne’s “Downsizing.” Recent contenders like “Birdman,” “Spotlight,” and “La La Land” have begun their journeys on the Lido before taking the season by storm.

Commencing in the Colorado mountains next Friday will be the Telluride Film Festival’s 44th Labor Day sprint, where major players like “Moonlight,” “12 Years a Slave,” and “Argo” all unspooled. Other awards season launchpads in Toronto, New York, and Hollywood (AFI Fest) will follow soon after.

Many new films will plant their flags throughout this circuit, while plenty more will aim for strategic exposure after the festival dust settles. The six-month season will be long — longer than usual, thanks to the Winter Olympics — but the reward will (hopefully) be a string of quality prestige films from many of the finest filmmakers in the world. Read Entire Artice Here

Please send any questions or comments to TradeVine@ActorsReporter.com

And, remember, you heard it through The TradeVine.

 

Hollywood Weekly Film Festival

 

Eric Zuley award for Digital Trail Blazer

Pepper Jay hosts the red carpet for Actors Reporter at the Third Annual Hollywood Weekly Film Festival and witnesses Hollywood Weekly bestow its First Annual Digital Trail Blazer Award to Eric Zuley. Pepper Jay chats with Eric Zuley, James Zuley, Frank Helring, Dante, Carmelita Pittman, Joe Lee, Delka Nenkova, Newton Lee, Will V. Moore, and more.

Eric Zuley is the CEO and Founder of eZWay Business. Eric Zuley was dubbed Top Ten Social Media Influencer in the world by Weekly Billboard Magazine.
Check out

eZWay Business

Eric Zuley

Eric Zuley is a 14 time award winning host, tv/radio personality, speaker, producer, actor and entrepretainer. Founder of ezwaytube.com a content housing/distribution platform with 220 influencer channels powered by eZWaybroadcasting.com He is a Online Media Platform Specialist. He is the founder of ezwayaccess.com a social network similar to facebook and twitter with over 2,000 elite CEO’s and social media influencers.

Published by several magazine covers and being # 7 on a top ten list of social media influencers by Weekly Billboard Magazine, 2016 Cover of Hollywood Weekly Magazine, Actors Reporter, Cold Heat News he stands out above the rest. Eric Zuley is the founder of eZWay Broadcasting, INC which houses 20 eZWay divisions. has 25 media partners and 1000’s of elite affilaites. His radio tv company eZWay.tv owns 23 live broadcast channels with distribution and syndication to 650 channels reaching a average of 77 million viewers on Filmon.tv. his team maintains over 500 facebook groups with 50k members per group. He is the face of Axe Body Spray Music Star and has helped create and brand some of the biggest names in Entrepretainment. He started becoming recognized as the online influencer of the influencers after he was recognized by congressman Brad Sherman and woman Judy Chew, he had a award named after him by the Multicultual Motion Picture Association signed off by the city and county of Los Angeles then honoring the co-founder of E Entertainment Larry Namer, Founder of Woman of Global Change Dame Shellie Hunt, Capital Records EMI promotions president Steve Resnik and now in 2017 he will be honoring the creator of the Make a Wish foundation Frank Shankwitz which he also sits next to as a board member for the Speakers Coalition, 2016 Eric was given the Hero medallion by the children’s trust fund Los Angeles for having helped tens of thousands of Foster-care children.

Mr. Zuley was recently honored by Hollywood Weekly Magazine with a specialized category they created around Eric’s digital inovation, the “Digital Content Trail Blazer Award” this was presented at the 4th Annual Hollywood Weekly Magazine Film Festival, which every year gives out 1 prestiegous special category award like this, the previous recipient was the legendary Stevie Wonder. Eric is the creator of Hollywood Unites with Red Cross for the victims of Japan and Hatie. Through his company eZWay Promotions Mr. Zuley and his team have helped over 500 brands and individuals in their career’s using his digital media influence.

Eric Zuley is also a Sag eligable actor and has acted in several films, he is a producer of his own radio and tv talk show partnered with Actors Entertainment ranked very well with over 40 episodes on IMDB. Eric Zuley and his worldwide household name brand has been endorsed by some of the biggest names in Hollywood and business world. Frank Shankwitz creator of Make A Wish, Gloria Allred, Radio personality Big Boy, former director of the Golden Globe Awards Chris Donavan, Chairman of CEO Space Berny Dohrmann, creator of the credit card magnet strip Ron Klein, Actor Anthony Anderson and thousands more. Eric is a radio/tv live stream personality with a weekly radio.tv show. Mr. Zuley even has his own eZWay credit card about to release with a expentancy of a million supporters to use it, this card will be giving back through the eZWay Cares program.

Follow Eric Zuley and the #eZWay movement all over the globe and be apart of the #eZWayFam
Eric Zuley’s Website

The Hollywood Weekly Magazine Film Festival is an exciting, relatively new, international film festival in Hollywood that is unique in many ways. With visitors streaming in from all over the globe and tickets already sold for the gala evening, this young festival’s fourth year in town is proving to be a glamorous and star studded event. Established and new talent alike will be donning their red carpet best and rubbing elbows with industry heavy weights on September 23rd.

The festival being created was inevitable. Mr Prather Jackson’s more than 20 years in the business with Hollywood Weekly Magazine, connecting people from all over the world, led him to establish this annual event. It has quickly become one of the largest, most international, networking scenes around. During one intense gala evening in the fall films are selected from an enormous amount of submissions and presented at the festival. Winners will be picked and lauded.

The Hollywood Weekly Film Festival is constantly working on strengthening relationships with the industry in the US as well as in countries worldwide to make it even more of a natural international meeting place for them and the movie goers. By sponsoring this fresh, new and unique event, you will be supporting a rich cultural life, not just in Hollywood, but also from a national and international perspective. Your support not only strengthens cultural activities but also contributes to a competitive region to live and work in.

Eric Zuley receives First Annual Digital Trail Blazer Award from Prather Jackson of Hollywood Weekly

Pepper Jay and Eric Zuley (Co-Producers The EZ Show)

Pepper Jay with Prather Jackson (CEO and Publisher of Hollywood Weekly)

Red Carpet Hollywood Weekly Film Festival

Frank Helring (CEO ezWay Business) with Pepper Jay

Cindy Mirkamali (Marketing Director ezWay Business) with Pepper Jay

James Zuley (Consultant exWay Broadcasting) with Pepper Jay

Dante (exWay Broadcasting Spokesperson and Host) with Pepper Jay

Carmelita Pittman

Prather Jackson and team prepare film festival awards

Actor and Bodyguard Joe Lee with Eric Zuley

Paparazzi

James Zuley (Consultant exWay Broadcasting) with Pepper Jay

Dante (exWay Angel), Carmelita Pittman (Radio Boomers Live Host), Eric Zuley, with Pepper Jay

Frank Helring (CEO ezWay Business) with Pepper Jay

Follow Hollywood Weekly Film Festival On Facebook

Connect with ezWay Broadcasting

Learn more about PepperJay.com

Ride Hard Live Free
starring Emilio Rivera
and
Lainee Rhodes

Pepper Jay (“Old Zyra”) interviews actor Emilio Rivera (“Gauge”) on set of feature film “Ride Hard Live Free”.

Mobile Version

Emilio Rivera

Emilio Rivera as Gauge

Actor, Emilio Rivera, is a talented gentleman. Even with all of the celebrity of Sons of Anchary, Emilio touches the people around him with kindness.

Emilio Rivera has discovered that turning your life around is the key to making dreams come true. His acting credentials have allowed him to top the list of successful Latino actors. His resume continues to grow with starring roles in films such as High Crimes (2002) with Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman and the much anticipated film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Emilio was born in San Antonio, Texas as the oldest child of four brothers and three sisters. When Emilio was a young boy his family moved to an area of Los Angeles nicknamed Frog Town and Emilio continued to seek the attention of those around him. His first experience with acting was in his third grade production of “Rumpelstiltskin”. Emilio admits his childhood was not easy growing up as a minority in a poor section of town.

Underneath the exterior Emilio’s passion for acting thrived and after much soul searching Emilio decided to take his biggest risk and pursue acting. The training, discipline and extensive hours of studying changed Emilio life forever. Those around him were amazed at the positive yet radical change in Emilio and realized he had found his true passion in life. In between his time studying Emilio worked as a mechanical engineer.

His first feature role was in the TV series Renegade (1992) with Lorenzo Lamas. He left his day job behind after he landed a role in the feature film Con Air (1997) co-starring Nicolas Cage. Emilio has appeared in countless commercials, television programs and feature films including Traffic (2000), The Cable Guy (1996), NYPD Blue (1993), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990), Walker, Texas Ranger (1993), JAG (1995), and ER (1994).

Director Tony Mendoza

RIde Hard Live Free was directed by Tony Mendoza and executive produced by Steve Lowry.

 

Derek Russo, R.A. Mihailoff

Derek Russo

Lainee Rhodes and Emilio Rivera

Pepper Jay and Emilio Rivera VO session

R.A. Mihailoff

 

Learn more about Emilio Rivera:
On IMDb

Connect with Emilio Rivera:
On Twitter

On Facebook

Learn more about Pepper Jay (who plays “Old Zyra” in Ride Hard Live Free:
On IMDb

Connect with Pepper Jay:
On Twitter
On Facebook

Pepper Jay as Old Zyra by Herb Cintron

Pepper Jay as Old Zyra by John Michael Ferrari

Pepper Jay and Lainee Rhodes on set of Ride Hard Live Free

Learn more about Ride Hard Live Free
 

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Actors Reporter Interviews is an exclusive interview show on Actors Reporter, a channel on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Productions LLC production.

 

 

 

Francine York

By private invitation only … A full house at the Sportsmen’s Lodge of entertainment industry, friends, and fans celebrate the life and career of Francine Jane York!

Some of the photos from the Memorial for Francine York of those in attendance:

Rob Coatney and Pepper Jay

Tim Abell

Tanya Lemani, Pepper Jay, and John Solari

Erin Gavin

David Sherry, Harrison Held

Ellie B. Brown and Ed Lozzi

Irina K

Norman Vincelli and Tanya Lemani

Michelle Marotta and Ed Lozzi

Kristina Nikols

Tanya Lemani and Fred Ascher

Gred Leiviska

Don Mantarro

Don Mantarro and Barbara Brighton

Ron Brewington and Pepper Jay

Debbie Rothstein

John Solari

Special Thank you from Pepper Jay and Robert Coatney, Co-Trustees for the Estate of Francine York to:
Clarke Dailey ECD Auctions for help with the auctions and raffles! Please visit his website to take a look at the online auction of Francine York memorabilia, which will be ongoing through the month of May.

FrancineYork.net

PepperJay.com

Actors Reporter is an entertainment internet and cable magazine on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.

Recipients of Diamond Rose Awards 2016 from Multicultural Motion Picture Association

Jarvee E. Hutcherson, Pepper Jay, and Denise O’Brien

Pepper Jay accepts Multicultural Motion Picture Award in Entertainment 2016

Jarvee E. Hutcherson, President of the MMPA and Pepper Jay

Pepper Jay with LaRita Shelby on red carpet

Dakota Black and Pepper Jay

Denise O’Brien, Jarvee Hutchinson, Carmelita Pittman

The Multicultural Motion Picture Association (MMPA) is a 501c3 film organization, it has played host to some of entertainment’s biggest names, and provides aspiring filmmakers with an opportunity to reap the benefits of this charitable event. It has been supported and nurtured over the years by writers, cinematographers, directors, and actors all of whom believe that the greatest path to success is one paved with opportunity. This is what the MMPA strives to provide. The MMPA also provides thousands of dollars annually to men and women of diverse backgrounds seeking to bring various voices and perspectives to the film making community.

MMPA’s Annual “Lady In Red, Diamond Rose Awards” honors women in the fields of Entertainment, Fashion, Education, Community, Non Profit, Law & Medicine for their outstanding contributions in various fields.

Winners of Diamond Rose Awards 2016

For more information about MMPA, please visit mmpassoc.org/

For more information about Pepper Jay, please visit PepperJay.com

For more information about LaRita Shelby, please visit LaRita Shelby on IMDb

Actors Reporter is an American entertainment trade magazine (Internet and Cable) for an inside look at working actors and the entertainment industry.

Laura-Beth Hill covers the red carpet of the 11th Annual Toscars Awards for Actors Reporter. The Toscars are awards for films that spoof or parody the Best Film Oscar Nominations. With a celebrity red carpet and a glitzy ceremony, The Toscars celebrate 5 minute films created by randomly-selected teams. The Toscars 2018 was hosted by Lucy Pohl.

Lucy Pohl

BRITS IN LA presented THE 11th ANNUAL TOSCARS SHOW on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the Renberg Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

The 9 Feature Films nominated for Best Picture by The Academy of Motion Pictures (OSCARS) and their parody Toscars film:

 

Call Me by Your Name – Call me by your Maid

 

Darkest Hour – Dankest Hour

Dankest Hour

 

Dunkirk – Dunsingin’

 

Get Out – Get Out La Tonya

 

Lady Bird – Lady Boy

 

Phantom Thread – Phattom Thread

 

The Post – The Twatter Post

 

The Shape of Water – The Shade of Aqua

 

Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri – Three Cellphones Inside Venice California

 

Actors Reporter is a channel on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.

Spirit Summit

ezWay_Influencers_Panel_Spirit_Summit

 

ezWay Broadcasting presents Influencers Panel at the Spirit Summit 2017, with speakers Pepper Jay, Fred Smith, Summer Helene, Brian Smith, Casey Thomas, Berny Dohnmann, and Dr. Emily Letran. Coverage by Actors Reporter, a channel on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.

And a special thank you to Allison Hildebrandt Larsen and David Fagan and Eric Zuley for a terrific event!

Panelist Pepper Jay, Fred Smith, Barny Dohrmann, Shea Vaugh

 

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Pepper Jay speaking at Spirit Summit 2017

 

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Speaker Author Pepper Jay with Eric Zuley

 

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Pepper Jay interviews Founder of Make a Wish, Frank Shankowitz

 

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Bornsteins and Pepper Jay

 

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Authors Pepper Jay and Dave Andrews

 

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Pepper Jay and Mark Gerou

 

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Shea Vaughn, Pepper Jay, and Tiffany M Garvin

 

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Pepper Jay / Dynamic Song Performance

 

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Connect with ezWay Broadcasting

SpiritSummit.com

PepperJay.com

Welcome to the TradeVine whose purpose is to encourage the entertainment industry to read their trades: Variety, Backstage, Hollywood Reporter, etc. Enjoy learning about your industry.

Each Friday, The TradeVine seeks out a few of the informative trade articles you may have missed. Please visit the trade, itself, for the entire article.

Backstage – 9 Tips for Your First Time on Set, by Matt Newton

Your first TV role. It’s nerve-wracking. Everything you have trained for has been working toward this. You get your call time, show up (after not much sleep), wait for hours sitting in your tiny trailer obsessing over your three lines waiting for them to call you. You are about to fall asleep, when the second AD finally knocks on your door and says, “We are ready for you!” and walks you to the location.
Most actors have no idea what to expect when they walk onto a huge TV set for the first time. This isn’t a student film. There are dozens of people on the crew, and they already know each other. They are like a family, where everyone has a very specific job to help make you look good.
Everyone expects you to know what you are doing. But the truth is, you have absolutely no idea. Nothing prepares you for the reality of being on a real set. There are so many things going on that it’s hard to focus on your acting. So how do you prepare yourself mentally?

Here is what you need to know:
1. You will probably only get one rehearsal.
“What? But when I did ‘Grease’ in college I had 15 weeks of rehearsal.” Not anymore. If this is a one-hour drama or a single-camera comedy, you will most likely get one tiny little rehearsal, and you will be working with people you have never met before. You will say a brief hello to the director (who you probably saw at the callback), and who is extremely busy, and then you will run through the lines with the other actors at the location. They will discuss the blocking, talk briefly about the scene, and then do a “marking rehearsal,” where the crew comes in and they figure out where everyone will be standing so they can set up the lights. That’s right, dozens of eyes on you. Be confident and act like you have been doing this forever. Read Entire Artice Here

The Hollywood Reporter – The Mystery of L.A. Billboard Diva Angelyne’s Real Identity Is Finally Solved, by Gary Baum

Way before Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, the enigmatic blonde bombshell was famous for being famous, perpetually driving the streets of Hollywood in that pink Corvette. But her true identity has remained secret all these years … until now.

“Would you be interested in a story on Angelyne’s true identity?” the man wrote last fall under a pseudonym, referring to the enigmatic L.A. billboard diva who has been a pop culture icon of self-creation and self-marketing since the early 1980s — and is now regarded as a forerunner to Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and every personal-brand hustler on social media. “I have many details on her life — all well documented — from when her parents met to early adulthood. It’s very different from her public, concocted story — and more interesting.”

Angelyne is one of the vanishingly few contemporary public figures whose background has remained shrouded in mystery, along with the conceptual artist Banksy, Bitcoin founder Satoshi Nakamoto and aircraft hijacker D.B. Cooper. The man, who claimed to work in an undefined role for the federal government, said he was a hobbyist genealogist, occasionally taking on paid assignments in the field as an amusing side gig. A few years earlier, he’d decided it’d be fun to set himself the challenge of cracking Angelyne’s case. “And I did,” he explained. Read Entire Artice Here

Variety – Film Review: ‘The Dark Tower’, by Owen Gleiberman

Stephen King’s eight-novel multiverse has been turned into a slice of lean-and-mean metaphysical action pulp, featuring a stylishly stoic Idris Elba and a magnetically evil Matthew McConaughey.
As a critic, I know I’m supposed to do my homework. So let me confess right up front that I did notprepare myself to review “The Dark Tower,” the droolingly anticipated film version of Stephen King’s multiverse novel series, by consuming all eight books in the series. I had a go at “The Gunslinger” back in the ’80s (my one period of submersion in all things King), but I never followed through on the sequels. And when I learned that the movie version was going to clock in at a mere 95 minutes, I thought: It’s clear that the filmmakers have taken the 4,000-plus pages of King’s time-tripping, parallel-universe-hopping genre mash and compressed them into something that doesn’t pretend to be a page-by-page transcription of the novels. As a result, I decided to devote myself to what’s up on screen instead of what isn’t there.

Here’s what I saw. “The Dark Tower” has been plagued by tales of last-minute re-editing and multiple cooks in the kitchen, but the movie that’s come out of all this is no shambles. It aims low and hits (sort of). It’s a competent and watchable paranoid metaphysical video game that doesn’t overstay its welcome, includes some luridly entertaining visual effects, and — it has to be said — summons an emotional impact of close to zero. Which in a film like this one isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. Read Entire Artice Here

Please send any questions or comments to TradeVine@ActorsReporter.com

And, remember, you heard it through The TradeVine.

 

Welcome to the TradeVine whose purpose is to encourage the entertainment industry to read their trades: Variety, Backstage, Hollywood Reporter, etc. Enjoy learning about your industry.

Each Friday, The TradeVine seeks out a few of the informative trade articles you may have missed. Please visit the trade, itself, for the entire article.

Backstage – Are You Ever Too Old To Start Acting, by Philip Hernández

Q: Is there an age that is too old to start acting? I’m 42 and I just now have the courage and time to attend acting classes. — Brandy T.

You are not too old to start acting. Having the time and the courage (and probably the funds) to pursue your passion is an enviable position for a beginning actor to be in. The years of life experience you have to draw upon will be a distinct advantage and an immeasurable gift as you begin your new adventure.
At 42, you’re probably more self-aware than someone with fewer years under their belt. By now you know you’re not the center of the universe. You know the joy of falling in love and the pain of falling in love with the wrong person. You’ve mourned the death of a loved one. You’ve been the hero, the bad guy, the scapegoat, and the supportive friend, and you’ve been around long enough to understand the intricate dance that relationships are. You’ve known the thrill of getting something you desperately want and the crushing disappointment of failing.
You may also have learned that setting goals and working hard to achieve them is what distinguishes the winners from the rest of the pack. You’re likely more motivated to learn, less impressionable, and a little bit more patient. You’ve made plenty of mistakes and have learned how to “pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.”
Most importantly, your years of experience have given you something to say! The choices you’ve made have made you who you are and have given you a unique, personal point of view. Lessons learned from running a business, raising a family, or caring for a sick parent have given you an awareness that would be difficult to attain without having lived them. All this adds depth to your work as an actor. Read Entire Artice Here

The Hollywood Reporter – Appalachian Opioid Addiction Drama ‘Back Fork’ Rounds Out Cast, by Borys Kit

Actor turned director Josh Stewart is helming the film, beginning production in West Virginia.

A.J. Cook, Agnes Bruckner and Eden Brolin are set to star in Back Fork, an indie drama from actor turned director Josh Stewart.
Stewart also toplines Fork, which he wrote and is directing. Production began Thursday in Back Fork, West Virginia.
Stewart is also producing with Jeffrey Tinnell and Robert Tinnell. Tony Sgro is executive producing.
The drama deals with opioid addiction, a timely topic as it has become a national health crisis in the U.S. and President Donald Trump spoke on the topic Tuesday. The location and situations are close to Stewart’s heart as the filmmaker is from West Virginia.
The story tells of a young couple in Appalachia torn apart by a tragic accident and the devastating addiction in its aftermath.
Stewart is playing a coal miner who turns to prescription painkillers in the wake of the death of his daughter. Read Entire Artice Here

Variety – Ryan Seacrest Productions Sets Scripted Development Deal With ABC Studios, by Cynthia Littleton

Photo by Sara Jaye Weiss
Ryan Seacrest
KIIS FM 102.7 Wango Tango Concert, Portraits, Carson, USA – 22 May 2017

Ryan Seacrest Productions has set a development pact for scripted projects with ABC Studios.

The multi-year deal strengthens Seacrest’s ties to Disney, where he is working as co-host of the syndicated morning show “Live With Kelly and Ryan” and will be on the Alphabet’s air next year as host of ABC’s revival of “American Idol.” He’s also the longtime host of ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”
Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) had previously been under a scripted development deal with CBS Television Studios that ended earlier this month.

As part of the move to ABC Studios, Nina Wass has re-upped her contract to serve as president of scripted programming for RSP. Andrea Shay has also extended as exec VP.
“Nina and RSP are tremendous assets to our studio,” said Patrick Moran, president of ABC Studios. “Her taste, contacts and abilities are the best in the industry.” Read Entire Artice Here

Please send any questions or comments to TradeVine@ActorsReporter.com

And, remember, you heard it through The TradeVine.