BackStage Boston

Short Emerson College Film Seeks Actors

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 09:20:22 -0700

"Backroads," a short Emerson College Senior Thesis Film, is seeking a male and female lead. "Backroads" will be shooting on location in New Jersey from October 8-12. Transportation and lodging will be provided for all actors. "Backroads" is the story of a young couple, Raymond and Mona, who take a weekend away from their busy lives in Providence to spend some time together in Mona's family cabin in the backwoods of Connecticut. Their plans change, however, when Mona decides to take a detour into an old park to show Ray that she can be spontaneous and "fun". As the sun sets, and they roam deeper into the trails, they find themselves in a hidden cemetery, where small silver bells adorn each headstone. Committed to her promise of adventure, Mona and Ray have an evening tryst in a clearing near the center of the grounds. When they awake, the two find that the graveyard has changed, and the soft ring of a bell in the distance begins their terrifying attempt to escape from a place filled with the dead that seems quite alive; and determined to have Ray and Mona be its newest inhabitants. Available roles: Ray: Male. Mid-20's to early-30's. Average build, average to tall height. Open to any ethnicity. Mona: Female. Early to mid-20's. Slim to average build, petite to average height. Open to any ethnicity. Auditions will take place on Thursday, September 24th, from 6:00 - 10:00 pm, and on Saturday, September 26th, from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm. Please e-mail covetedentertainment.us@gmail.com for script pages and to schedule an audition slot within those time frames.

Alfebet City

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 06:48:05 -0700

"Aflebet City" is looking for 2 "non union" actors (male/female) to be co-hosts for a Reality TV Show. Casting call will be on August 10th from 8-11pm @ Choices Restaurant & Lounge, 381 Somerville Ave. Somerville, MA. For more info, find us on Facebook! Search "Alfebet City" & Join the group...Positions are unpaid; great opportunity for exposure and future projects.

Feature Film Audition--Atomic Beach Party

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:08:02 -0700

The auditions for Scorpio Film Releasing's newest feature the 50s sci-fi/comedy/horror ATOMIC BEACH PARTY will be taking place on Wednesday July 29th at the West Side Arts Center, 745 Westminster St in Providence, Rhode Island at 6pm. We are looking for all types over 18 years of age. There are still some major roles left, as well as a delightful assortment of colorful supporting roles. This is a non-union production, so no SAG actors, please. ATOMIC BEACH PARTY, which will mark Scorpio Film Releasing's ninth feature, will be shooting in RI, CT, and MA from late September to early November. Scorpio Film Releasing's movies can be found at video stores like Blockbuster, Hollywood Video and on-line at Netflix, Amazon.com, and many more. For more info, email Richard Griffin: scorpiodirector@gmail.com http://backstageboston.com/images/fbfiles/images/Atomic_temp.jpg

Still proud of what I've become

nadine_gertsen@hotmail.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:00 -0700

As someone who was raised to be always on time, I find it ironic that I became a procrastinator that I become an adult. My folks would say, if they are still alive, God bless their souls, that I am not the daughter they have raise.

My life was very sheltered as a child . We lived in a house with very high ceilings, three fireplaces, five [...]

More on Plymouth Rock Studios

javajed@gmail.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Infrastructure funding has been denied, but Plymouth Rock Studios is moving forward with their plans.Backers: Studio is real deal: State funds denial a snag, they say (Christine Legere, Globe Correspondent - June 18, 2009)The state's recent refusal to provide $50 million in infrastructure bonds for the movie studio planned in Plymouth surprised Plymouth Rock Studios executives as well as local officials.But studio principals were quick to recover, getting a word of assurance out to Plymouth [...]

BREAKING NEWS re: SouthField Studios

javajed@gmail.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:00:00 -0700

ISG, developers of the planned SouthField Studios in Weymouth, MA, have announced that they're "ready to start accepting tenants." More good news for the Boston film scene, coming on the heels of Plymouth Rock Studios announcement that they were proceeding with their planned construction, despite losing out on some expected public infrastructure funding.
SouthField Studios Boston ready to start accepting tenants
The Patriot Ledger
The developers of a proposed movie studio complex in South Wey [...]

Re:Dear Screen Actors Guild Member

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:45:59 -0700

Before you vote here are some facts that the slight majority of our National Board has neglected to tell you. Main changes if this contract is voted up; 1. Loss of Residuals - At the day-player scale rate, every actor will lose $2,000.00 for each day they work. They will also, lose 14.8% for pension & health($296.00) It will be replaced with $22.77($3.33 for pension and health) for 6 months of streaming on the net. Although this will be bad for each actor on an individual level, can you imagine how fast our pension and health fund will dry up? They are going to show all re-runs on the internet. No more re-runs on TV. There is a lot of room to negotiate between $2,000.00 and $22.77 and many of us feel that they can go back to the table and do a better job! 2. Non-Union work in Original Made for New Media Productions - Unless the budget is $25,000.00/minute or more(average thus far is $2500.00), the producers will use 32 pages of our contract full of exclusions and requirements to decide who is a "Qualified Performer". And then, they can produce with only that one SAG cast member and the rest of the cast can be all Non-Union yet they will want us to call it a SAG Production! If voted up, this trend can easily spread to TV and Film. 3. Clip Consent - Since 1960, we have had Clip Consent. If a producer wants to use one of your clips in a movie, tv show, documentary, on the internet, etc., they must first get your permission, and then negotiate a price for the use. If this contract is voted up, the producers can use your clips 'intact' in any project they choose(what if the project involves subject matter that you are opposed to?). With the current state of Computer Generated Images, they can also take you out of context and have you doing things you would never have consented to do in the first place. They will be able to do all of this without your consent, and without paying you. 4. Product Integration - We all know about Product Placement, but if this contract passes, we will all become commercial spokespeople for the particular products in the tv show or film. If the product is Coke, and you are already a Pepsi spokesperson, make a choice. You will lose either your Pepsi sponsorship, or that roll. You will not be payed for the endorsement of the product. You will not receive residuals when they use the Clip Consent Clause and take your product endorsement out of the project and use it separately as a commercial. And, finally, the pool of regular separate commercials necessary to sell products will become smaller because many of us will be doing commercials and promoting products as part of our artistic expression in a given scene in any given project. 5. Force Majeure - Since 1937, this is what protects you once you have been booked and you spend many hours learning your part and getting into character, and also turning down other lucrative work because you are already booked. If they book you, and production is halted do to a strike, or an act of God, or any other reason, they must pay you five weeks at half your rate. As of right now, the producers owe SAG Actors at least $60,000,000.00 and as much as $400,000,000.00 for last years strike. If this contract is voted up, the producers will have to pay only $20,000,000.00 total, and each member will have to bargain individually for Force Majeure protection. The obvious strength in numbers of the collective bargaining of SAG will no longer provide Force Majeure protection. If you are not an 'A' list actor, good luck! www.myspace.com/sagstars

Living the Neo-Bohemian Life

wihatepadi@cust.in — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Its three in the morning according to the wall clock. I woke up in another unknown place, in an unfamiliar bed and a girl I hardly had a conversation with. Where in the world am I, I asked myself. No matter where the unfamiliar place is, I still experience the same thing all over again. If I were living in the sixties, people would call me a hippie. Now anyone living in this century calls me a bum, freeloader or just a plain loser.

I always knew I [...]

Performers

Wed, 13 May 2009 14:51:42 -0700

The Booth Theater is in need of 2 male and 2 female performers to perform in the musical "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?" The Booth Theater is located in Ogunquit, Maine. All interested performers should email the Director, Rick, at boothproductions@gmail.com for all specific details. The show will run July 1-18. Rehearsals begin June 13. There is a stipend and free housing at the Betty Doon Hotel for five weeks. A speedy response is desired.

Are People Really Losing Money?

iyobayan@gmail.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:00:00 -0700

I recently read my sisters term paper in Economics that people all over the globe are losing money due to the global financial meltdown. True, companies are closing down and people lose their jobs. But do you think people are actually getting poorer by the second?

Thats probably true when you look at the statistics. But when you think people idolizing the celebrities, they wouldnt notice how much they spend on clothes or designer handbags or jewelry just to feel and look like a cel [...]

Short film contests: call for entries

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:37:08 -0700

Are you a filmmaker or an aspiring filmmaker?, What are you waiting for? let�s get those cameras rolling! Submit your 3 to 15-minute short to BigStar.TV�s monthly short film contests to any or all of the categories below and compete with other users to win $1,000. Student Film Short, Submit by March 31, 2009 High Definition Short, Submit by April 15, 2009 Animation short, Submit by April 30, 2009 Thriller Short, Submit by May 14, 2009 Drama Short, Submit by June 15, 2009 *Open Contest - *No specific level of expertise to enter! - *No Entry Fee - *No submission limit For official contest rules & entry information please visit http://www.bigstar.tv/film-contests Good luck, Martin

Costume Designer

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:09:37 -0700

Company One, a resident company at the Boston Center for the Arts, seeks a COSTUME DESIGNER for their July/August 2009 production of AFTER THE QUAKE, by Haruki Murakami, adapted for the stage by Frank Galati. AFTER THE QUAKE is a gentle tale of life in the wake of earth-shaking disaster. A timid man woos an old flame, enchanting her anxious daughter with whimsical bedtime stories of a six foot frog's fight to save Tokyo. Qualified Candidates will have previous costume design experience. Production meetings will begin mid-May. A stipend will be provided. To apply please email your cover letter and resume to Sarah Cohan, Production Manager, at scohan@companyone.org.

Stage Manager

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:07:46 -0700

Company One, a resident company at the Boston Center for the Arts, is in search of a Stage Manager for their July/August 2009 production of AFTER THE QUAKE, by Haruki Murakami, adapted for the stage by Frank Galati. AFTER THE QUAKE is a gentle tale of life in the wake of earth-shaking disaster. A timid man woos an old flame, enchanting her anxious daughter with whimsical bedtime stories of a six foot frog's fight to save Tokyo. The first full cast mtng + read through are the evening of Tues, May 26, rehearsals will begin June 1 and run Mon-Thurs nights, Sunday mornings/afternoons. Tech week: Mon-Thurs nights. The show schedule is: Friday July 17 through Saturday August 15. Wed + Thurs call at 5:30 for 7:30 shows, Fri + Sat call at 6 for 8pm shows, Sundays call at noon for 2pm shows. Stipend provided. Please email your resume and cover letter to Scohan@companyone.org.

Casting Call for BU Short Film

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:41:28 -0700

Casting for "Wide Awake" - a short film to be produced at Boston University College of Communication. Auditions will be held at BU on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 pm. Shooting on the film will begin the following week. Vince - male - early 30s ; lead, cop The Connection - male - 20-30; supporting, drug dealer Lieutenant - male - 40-60; supporting E-mail for a script and casting location. SAG and non-SAG please apply, but this will be an UNPAID job. Craft services will be provided on days of shooting.

U2 and More...

javajed@gmail.com — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Some good stuff in the news today (from my handy-dandy Google Alerts):

Boston GlobeBono, The Edge Arrive At Somerville TheatreBoston Channel.com - ‎14 hours ago‎NewsCenter 5’s Steve Lacy reported that fans lined the outside of the theater waiting to catch a glimpse of the band, which arrived at the&n [...]

AUDITION---Dinner With Friends

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:28:40 -0800

Show Information Dinner With Friends by Donald Margulies Dir. Benjamin Flad June 25-27, 8 pm in the Factory Theatre Audition Meeting Place : Boston University College of Arts and Sciences, Second Floor (follow the signs!), 725 Commonwealth Ave, Boston MA Time : March 3-5, 7 pm-9 pm Callbacks will be on March 8 at 12 pm. Details : Dinner With Friends is a comedy-drama about two married couples. The four close friends had always planned to grow old together, but when Beth visits Gabe and Karen for dinner, she shares some shocking news -- Tom is leaving her for another woman. Cast calls for two males and two females, all of whom appear roughly 40 years old. No preparation or experience is necessary. Scenes and monologues will be provided. Feel free to bring a theatrical resume. This job is unpaid. All auditions for the Independent Drama Society are open call.

CrewStar Gets their Gold Watch

javajed@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:00:00 -0800

More good signs for the MA production industry from the Massachusetts Film Office :

Media Services Acquires Crewstar, Inc. and Expands Payroll Operations for New England's Burgeoning Production Industry

MFO NEWS January 13, 2008

Media Services, a leading entertainment accounting, payroll, and software provider, today announced the acquisition of CrewStar, Inc., a production crew payroll, search and booking company in Boston, Massachusetts. The acquisition is part of Media Se [...]

Banks is Back

javajed@gmail.com — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:00:00 -0800

Elizabeth Banks graced the State House with her presence on Tuesday for the Commonwealth Awards, as reported in the Herald's Inside Track :

‘Porno’ star Elizabeth Banks praises humble Pittsfield roots

Boston Herald
January 15, 2009

Pittsfield homegal Elizabeth Banks might never have tried to seduce “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” if it weren’t for the drama program at her alma mater.

“I owe my life to arts programming,” said the r [...]

Hollywood East! (Brought to you by the good folks of Plymouth)

javajed@gmail.com — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:00:00 -0700

The town of Plymouth, MA have brought us one step closer to "Hollywood East" by approving the $400 million Plymouth Rock Studio! Here are a bunch of news items I pulled from the Massachusetts Film Office website (thank you MFO!):

Plymouth Rock Studios scores hit with townspeople

javajed@gmail.com — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:55:53 -0700

Studio officials show residents how 30- to 40-foot-high, tree-lined earthen berms that would screen any view of studio sound stages and mute any noise from inside.

(from www.mafilm.org - By Tamara Race, GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE, Aug 26, 2008)

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Rock Studios officials wowed planners and residents and did it without special effects, stunts, song or dance.

Studio officials showed residents how 30- to 40-foot-high, tree-lined earthen berms along Long Pond Road [...]

Breaking news! McCain picks a mate!

javajed@gmail.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:00:00 -0700

This just in... CNN is reporting that John McCain has picked 44-year-old former beauty-queen Sarah Palin as his new mate, replacing aging wife, Cindy "Beer Bitch" McCain. Clearly we should have seen this coming. After all, he has been heard calling her a "c**t" and a "trollup".

"In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the [...]

Progressive's on the Move!