Still from Web.Files interview with creators of BMB: Dirty Bomb Diaries

We’re at the beginning of a new age of ‘television’ and ‘film’ production and distribution. Some of the old models of content delivery are getting some competition and some are likely to fade altogether. For actors and all creatives this new model offers some great opportunities. No longer will it be absolutely necessary to live in one of the major markets in order to work in and hopefully, make a living in, ‘the business’. Take a look at this interview, check out some of the episodes of this and other web series on strike.tv or your favorite distribution channel.

SXSW, March 13-22, 2009AFS Screenings & Special Events During SXSW

1. SXSW PANEL: GET THE MOST OUT OF SXSW (3/13)
2. AFS SXSW Member Showcase 1 & 2 (3/14, 3/15)
3. SXSW PANEL: A CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD LINKLATER AND TODD HAYNES (3/17)
4. SXSW PANEL: TEXAS FILMMAKERS PRODUCTION FUND MINI-MEETING (3/17)
5. SXSW PANEL: SURVIVING THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT (3/17)
6. AFS/Austin Studios @ SXSW Film & Interactive Trade Show (3/14-3/16)
7. AFS Documentary Tour: THE EYES OF ME (3/15)
8. AFS Co-Sponsored Screening: THE 2 BOBS (3/16)

Friends of AFS and Program Alumni Screen at SXSW:

1. ALONG CAME KINKY… TEXAS JEWBOY FOR GOVERNOR – Directed by David Hartstein
2. FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES: THE STORY OF AMERICAN FILM CRITICISM – Directed by Gerald Peary
3. THE LEAST OF THESE – Directed by Clark & Jesse Lyda, Produced by Marcy Garriott (former AFS Board President)
4. LOVE, SADIE – Directed by Naiti Gamez
5. THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS – Directed by John Bryant
6. OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY – Michel Orion Scott
7. SKIP AND LESTER: HERE’S THE STAPLER IF YOU NEED IT – Directed by Lance Myers
8. ST. NICK – Directed by David Lowery
9. SUNSHINE – Directed by Karen Skloss
10. SWEETHEARTS OF THE PRISON RODEO – Directed by Bradley Beesley
11. TRUST US, THIS IS ALL MADE UP – Directed by Alex Karpovsky

See ticketing information at the bottom of this message.

AFS Screenings & Special Events During SXSW

1. SXSW PANEL: GET THE MOST OUT OF SXSW FILM (3/13)

WHEN: Fri March 13, 2-3 PM
WHERE: Austin Convention Center (500 East Cesar Chavez)
COST: SXSW Film/Gold/Platinum Badge-holders only
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/talks/schedule?acti…

Created for SXSW Interactive attendees, but useful for everyone, here’s an introduction to SXSW’s film conference and festival. Learn how to make meaningful connections with all the movie professionals in town for the event.

Moderated by Agnes Varnum, Communications Manager for the Austin Film Society

2. AFS SXSW Member Showcase 1 & 2 (3/14, 3/15)

WHEN: Sat Mar 14, 2 PM & Sun Mar 15, 12 PM
WHERE: Hideout Coffeehouse & Theatre (617 Congress)
COST: $10/Free for AFS members with current membership card, SXSW Film/Gold/Platinum badge-holders & Film Pass Holders
INFO: http://www.austinfilm.org/film/2009_sxsw…
 http://www.austinfilm.org/film/2009_sxsw…

SPANISH LESSONS WITH CHUPACABRA VOLUME 7: CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH by Bob RayThe Austin Film Society will present two programs of exciting, funny, eye-opening new short films from some of our 500-plus Filmmaker-Level Members at The Hideout during the SXSW Film Festival.

Program 1, Mar 14, 2pm:
SPANISH LESSONS WITH CHUPACABRA VOLUME 7: CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH by Bob Ray
BI DEFINITION by Kai Salim
TINKER TOY by Jabbar Raisani
REMAINS by Allison Cook
TYMPANIC by Benjamin Slamka
BLADE THROWERS by Mark Mederson
HEADCHEESE by Laura Android

Program 2, Mar 14, 12pm:
HEARTBREAKS by Avram Dodson
MARTHA by Katja Straub
SUNLIGHT by Alex Harder
JUNIOR by Allison Cook
VITULA ARCUS by Benjamin Slamka
DUPLEX by Cristina Salinas
SLEET/SNOW by Daniel Laabs

3. SXSW PANEL: A CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD LINKLATER & TODD HAYNES (3/17)

WHEN: Tue Mar 17, 1-2 PM
WHERE: Austin Convention Center (500 East Cesar Chavez)
COST: SXSW Film/Gold/Platinum Badge-holders only
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/talks/schedule/?act…

Writer/directors Todd Haynes and Richard Linklater hardly require introduction. As two of modern cinema’s great standard-bearers, they’ve spent the last couple of decades forging filmographies as aesthetically rich as they are thematically diverse. Join us at SXSW Film Conference to witness a rare discussion between these fierce independents as they discuss their influences, inspirations, their innate sensitivity to actors, and their working methods; both within and outside the system. We can’t wait, and hope you can’t either!

Moderated by Richard Linklater, Artistic Director, Austin Film Society

4. SXSW PANEL: TEXAS FILMMAKERS PRODUCTION FUND MINI-MEETING (3/17)

WHEN: Tues March 17, 11 AM-12 PM
WHERE: Austin Convention Center (500 East Cesar Chavez)
COST: SXSW Film/Gold/Platinum Badge-holders only
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/talks/schedule?acti…

Since 1996, the Austin Film Society’s Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund has supported Texas filmmakers by giving out $930,000 in cash, goods and services to 265 film and video projects. The deadline for the 2009 cycle is June 1st and if you are a filmmaker who has resided in Texas for at least one year, you are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in funding for your project. At this workshop, the Austin Film Society’s Director of Artist Services will take you through the application process step-by-step.

This workshop is open to SXSW Film/Gold/Platinum Badge-holders only, but AFS will host more TFPF workshops, free and open to the public, in April & May in Austin and other Texas cities. Stay tuned to www.austinfilm.org for dates, times & venues.

5. SXSW PANEL: SURVIVING THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT (3/17)

WHEN: Tue Mar 17, 3-4 PM
WHERE: Austin Convention Center (500 East Cesar Chavez)
COST: SXSW Film/Gold/Platinum Badge-holders only
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/talks/schedule?acti…

Nowadays it seems like nearly every city has its own film festival, eager for your entry fees. Navigating the field can be a confusing, expensive, and nerve-wracking experience. Join experienced festival programmers and filmmakers for a discussion of the ups and downs of today’s film festival circuit and a look forward to how new technologies and new expectations will shape the circuit in the future.

Moderated by Bryan Poyser, AFS Director of Artist Services

6. AFS/Austin Studios @ SXSW Film & Interactive Trade Show (3/14-3/16)

WHEN: Sat Mar 14 – Mon Mar 16, 12-6 PM (ends at 4 PM on Tues)
WHERE: Austin Convention Center (500 East Cesar Chavez)
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/trade_show/exhibito…

Austin Studios opened in the year 2000 as a unique public/private partnership between the City of Austin and the Austin Film Society. The centrally located 20 acre film/video facility contains 10,000 square feet of production office space (the ‘Red Building’) and over 100,000 square feet of production space.

The newly renovated Austin Studios’ five stages include full soundproofing and air-conditioning for two stages, improved security and safety, and state-of-the-art digital infrastructure including 3 wall hard cyc – largest in Texas (23x87x23) – ideal for photo, commercial and visual effects shoots. With the upgrades, Austin Studios will be a competitive draw for commercial, gaming and feature film production, bringing increased economic activity to Austin.

Attendees must be SXSW badge holders or iF! pass holders.

7. AFS Documentary Tour: THE EYES OF ME (3/18)

WHEN: Thu Mar 18, 7:15 PM
WHERE: Alamo South Lamar (1120 S Lamar Blvd)
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…
 http://illegalfilms.net/

The AFS Documentary Tour and SXSW present Keith Maitland’s THE EYES OF ME, an extraordinary look at 4 blind teens. The parallel stories of 2 freshmen and 2 seniors unfold over the course of one dynamic year at the Texas School for the Blind in Austin. THE EYES OF ME was a 2008 TFPF recipient and screened as part of AFS’s Docs-in-Progress program.

Other screening times for THE EYES OF ME:
7:15 PM, Wednesday March 18th – Alamo Lamar 1
11:30 AM, Friday March 20th – Alamo Lamar 3

8. AFS Co-Sponsored Screening: THE 2 BOBS (3/16)

WHEN: 6:30 PM, Monday March 16th
WHERE: The Paramount Theater (
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

Just as they finish their groundbreaking violent video-game masterpiece, the two gaming legends known as “The Two Bobs” discover that their precious game-software has been stolen… and with it, their livelihoods, genius reputations, everything they own. Directed by former AFS Board Member Tim McCanlies.

Other screening time for THE 2 BOBS:
6:45 PM, Friday March 13th – Austin Convention Ctr

Friends of AFS and Program Alumni Screen at SXSW:

The following films and filmmakers have been supported through AFS’s filmmaker programs like the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund (TFPF), fiscal sponsorship and our Docs-in-Progress and Narratives-in-Progress series. See ticketing information at the bottom of this message.

Along Came Kinky…Texas Jewboy for Governor by David Hartstein1. ALONG CAME KINKY… TEXAS JEWBOY FOR GOVERNOR – Directed by David Hartstein
Screening in Lone Star States. 2006 TFPF recipient, Docs-in-Progress alumnus
AFS Fiscally Sponsored Project
Documentary Feature
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

This documentary chronicles singing Jewish cowboy Kinky Friedman’s 2006 independent gubernatorial campaign in Texas.

7:30 PM, Thursday March 19th – Paramount

2. FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES: THE STORY OF AMERICAN FILM CRITICISM – Directed by Gerald Peary
features appearances by AFS Artistic Director Richard Linklater and AFS Advisory Board Member Harry Knowles
Documentary Feature, Spotlight Premiere
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

The first documentary to dramatize the rich, fascinating history of American film criticism.

8:00 PM, Monday March 16th – Alamo Ritz 2
12:00 PM, Wednesday March 18th – Alamo Ritz 2
4:00 PM, Saturday March 21st – Alamo Lamar 3

3. THE LEAST OF THESE – Directed by Clark & Jesse Lyda, Produced by Marcy Garriott
Documentary Feature, screening in Lone Star States
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

Detention of immigrant children in a former medium-security prison in Texas leads to controversy when three activist attorneys discover troubling conditions at the facility. This compelling film explores the role – and limits – of community activism, and considers how American rights and values apply to the least powerful among us.

11:00 AM, Monday March 16th – Alamo Ritz 1
7:00 PM, Wednesday March 18th – Alamo Lamar 3
11:00 AM, Friday March 20th – Paramount

4. LOVE, SADIE – Directed by Naiti Gamez
Narrative Short, screening in Texas Shorts
2006 TFPF recipient
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

Sadie and her high-school friends struggle to escape the banality of everyday life. Her friends search for approval, and answers about life, from Sadie, the one confidant who can’t articulate her own reality.

4:30 PM, Tuesday March 17th – Alamo Lamar 1
7:30 PM, Wednesday March 18th – Alamo Lamar 2
11:00 AM, Friday March 20th – Alamo Lamar 2

THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS by John Bryant5. THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS – John Bryant (2007 TFPF recipient)
Narrative Feature. In Competition
Narratives-in-Progress alumnus
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

Jason brings his girlfriend home for Christmas… and bad things happen.

4:15 PM, Sunday March 15th – Alamo Ritz 1
9:30 PM, Monday March 16th – Alamo Lamar 3
10:00 PM, Saturday March 21st – Paramount

6. OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY – Michel Orion Scott
Documentary Feature. Screening in Lone Star States
2007 TFPF recipient, Docs-in-Progress alumnus
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

This documentary chronicles the journey of the Isaacson family as they travel through Mongolia in search of a mysterious shaman they believe can heal their autistic son.

11:00 AM, Tuesday March 17th – Paramount
1:30 PM, Thursday March 19th – Alamo Lamar 2
7:00 PM, Friday March 20th – Austin Convention Ctr

7. SKIP AND LESTER: HERE’S THE STAPLER IF YOU NEED IT – Directed by Lance Myers (2001 & 2005 TFPF recipient)
Animated Short, screening in Animated Shorts
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

It’s Lester’s first day on the job at Copy-O’s copy shop and his manager has given him one very important directive: don’t let the customers use the big paper cutter in the back.

2:00 PM, Sunday March 15th – Alamo Lamar 1
11:30 AM, Tuesday March 17th – Alamo Lamar 1
1:30 PM, Wednesday March 18th – Alamo Lamar 1

8. ST. NICK – Directed by David Lowery
Narrative Feature. Screening in Emerging Visions
2007 TFPF recipient, Narratives-in-Progress alumnus
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

A stark, haunting portrait of childhood following the adventures of a runaway brother and sister as they try to survive, all on their own, out on the wintry plains of the great southwest.

12:00 PM, Sunday March 15th – Alamo Ritz 2
2:30 PM, Tuesday March 17th – Alamo Ritz 2
12:30 PM, Friday March 20th – Alamo Ritz 2

9. SUNSHINE by Karen SklossSUNSHINE – Directed by Karen Skloss
Documentary Feature, Screening in Lone Star States
2003 & 2004 TFPF recipient
AFS Fiscally Sponsored Project
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

In 1975 rural Texas, the local mayor’s daughter grapples with an unplanned pregnancy finally deciding to have her baby in secret before giving her away in a hidden adoption. Twenty-three years later, the adopted child also has an unplanned baby out of wedlock. The film tells the intimate story of these two single mothers, while exploring the times and circumstances that afforded them very different options.

3:00 PM, Saturday March 14th – Alamo Ritz 2
9:15 PM, Monday March 16th – Austin Convention Ctr
2:00 PM, Friday March 20th – Alamo Ritz 1

10. SWEETHEARTS OF THE PRISON RODEO – Directed by Bradley Beesley (2004 TFPF recipient)
Documentary Feature, Special Screening
AFS Fiscally Sponsored Project
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

Amidst stories of murder, hardship, heartache and redemption, the film follows the convict cowgirls of the Eddie Warriors Correctional Center in their preparation for the only rodeo where female prisoners compete rough-stock and as equals against male prison teams.

11:00 AM, Saturday March 14th – Paramount
1:30 PM, Tuesday March 17th – Alamo Ritz 1
4:30 PM, Friday March 20th – Austin Convention Ctr

11. TRUST US, THIS IS ALL MADE UP – Directed by Alex Karpovsky
Documentary Feature, Screening in Emerging Visions
Docs-in-Progress alumnus
INFO: http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/schedule…

Immortalized in the world of improv comedy, Second City veterans TJ Jagodowksi and David Pasquesi explore the unique partnership and transcendental forces that govern their legendary performances.

9:15 PM, Friday March 13th – Alamo Ritz 2
6:30 PM, Tuesday March 17th – Alamo Ritz 1
8:00 PM, Friday March 20th – Alamo Ritz 2

SXSW Film Festival Admission Policies:

* Free admission for SXSW Platinum, Gold, and Film Badge holders and SXSW Film Pass Holders.
* Individual tickets are $10 and go on sale 15 minutes prior to screenings at the theatre box office, if space is available.
* SXSW Film Passes are $70 and are available at Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas.

For the official SXSW website, please visit http://www.sxsw.com

TIME: 7:15am

LOCATION: The South Steps of the Capitol Building

WARDROBE: Wear Red. Look nice.

AGENDA:

· 7:15am – CALL TIME! Be on the South Steps of the Capitol Building in
your snazzy red outfits! There will be a table set up where you can get
information, pick up a Rally Fan, and be directed to the Rally area.

· 7:30am to 8:30am – Governor Rick Perry and other film bigwigs will
address our group while we RALLY and make a big show for the press

· 8:30am to 9:15am – Skits based on popular Texas films will be
performed for our entertainment and encouragement

· 9:15am to 11:15am – Rally on the steps OR walk the halls of the
Capitol wearing your red and carrying a sign or fan

· 11:30am to 1:30pm – Form a receiving line into and out of the lunch
tent so we can thank the legislators for their time and attention to our
issue (NOTE: Lunch is being served only to the legislators, their staff,
and TXMPA members who are taking meetings with them, not all in attendance!)

You are not REQUIRED to stay for any length of time for the Rally, but
we’d love to have the largest group possible earlier in the day to make
the best impression on the Governor and the press. If you can only come
for an hour or two, plan to be there right at CALL TIME!

Note that Texas has 11 potential signatory projects listed and Louisiana has 14. Of the eleven projects slated for shooting in Texas, three projects have budgets that place them in the ‘Theatrical’ category (Total budget over $2,500,000) and the other eight projects are “Low Budget” (Total budget of less than $2,500,000), “Modified Low Budget” (Total budget of less than $625,000) or “Ultra Low Budget” (Total budget of less than $200,000) projects.

Of the fourteen projects slated for Louisiana, nine have budgets at the “Theatrical” level, one is a Television Series, and only three are at the “Low Budget” or “Ultra Low Budget” level.

The TXMPA effort to significantly increase Texas’ current 5% incentive program is well underway. Visit the TXMPA site and see how you can help us bring more Theatrical budget level productions back to Texas.

Texas

Apparition

Firestorm Pictures – Ultra Low Budget

Location: Houston, TX

Start Date: To be determined

Beyond the Farthest Star

Pathlight Entertainment, LLC – Low Budget

Location: Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Start Date: February 2, 2009

Broken Promise, A South Texas Story

Que Tal Productions, LLC – Ultra Low Budget

Location: Brownsville, Mercedes, TX

Start Date: February 15, 2009

The Chops

Steven Cortinas – Ultra Low Budget

Location: Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA

Start Date: To be determined

The Final

Final Fate Features, LLC – Low Budget Modified

Location: Dallas, TX

Start Date: March 2, 2009

Kalle King

Susie T. Entertainment – Low Budget

Location: Dallas, TX, New York, NY, Hollywood, CA

Start Date: November 23, 2008

The Killer Inside Me

KIM Productions, LLC – Theatrical

Location: Oklahoma City, OK; Lockhart, TX

Start Date: To Be Determined

The Letter H

GCP Film, LLC – Theatrical

Location: Houston, El Paso, TX

Start Date: March 2, 2009

Minority Western

FAD Productions – Ultra Low Budget

Location: Arizona, Dallas, TX

Start Date: To Be Determined

Restive

Restive, LLC – Theatrical

Location: Waco, TX

Start Date: February 16, 2009

Shadow Play

Silvatar Media, LLC – Low Budget Modified

Location: Waco, TX

Start Date: February 16, 2009

Louisiana

Caged Innocence

United Spirits LLC – Theatrical

Location: Shreveport, LA

Start Date: To be determined

The Chameleon

Chameleon Productions, LLC – Theatrical

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Start Date: February 2, 2009

Dead Whisper

Dead Whisper Pictures, LLC – Theatrical

Location: New Orleans, LA; Big Bear, CA

Start Date: To be determined

Dead of Night

Long Distance Films, Inc – Theatrical

Location: New Orleans, LA

Start Date: To be determined

Disconnect

Triumphant Pictures – Theatrical

Location: New Orleans, LA

Start Date: March 10, 2009

The Expendables

Alta Vista Productions, LLC – Theatrical

Location: Shreveport, LA

Start Date: To be determined

Eyes of the King

Eyes of the King, LLC – Theatrical

Location: Louisiana (non-specific)

Start Date: To be determined

Happy Holidays Katherine Sloane

Happy Holidays Katherine Sloan, LLC – Theatrical

Location: New York, NY; New Orleans, LA

Start Date: February 1, 2009

Mania

Mania Productions, LLC – Low Budget

Location: New Orleans, LA

Start Date: March 10, 2009

Preaching to the Pastors

Digital Media Production House – Ultra Low Budget

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Start Date: To be determined

Sons of Thunder

Insight Entertainment, LLC – Theatrical

Location: Montgomery, AL; Atlanta, GA

Start Date: March 1, 2009

Three Stories about Joan

Three Stories Productions, LLC – Theatrical

Location: Shreveport, LA

Start Date: To be determined

True Blood – TV Series

HBO – TV

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Dates: February, April and June 2009

WSOT Productions 1, LLC – Low Budget

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Start Date: February 3, 2009

This is a reminder of what is at stake unless the Texas legislature improves the tax incentive program in the upcoming session. Actors, crew and businesses that service film productions can’t survive on low and ultra-low budgeted productions. We must have a better incentive program to lure back at least some of the bigger budgeted films that now go to Louisiana, New Mexico and now Michigan.

If you haven’t already done so, please join the TXMPA and help in the effort to rescue the Texas film industry.

Texas

Apparition – Ultra Low Budget

Firestorm Pictures

Location: Houston, TX

Start Date: To be determined

Beyond the Farthest Star – Low Budget

Pathlight Entertainment, LLC

Location: Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Start Date: February 2, 2009

Chops, The – Ultra Low Budget

Steven Cortinas

Location: Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA

Start Date: November 15, 2008

Fifth, The – Ultra Low Budget

Black Cloe Productions

Location: Grandbury, TX

Start Date: December 13, 2008

Kalle King – Low Budget

Susie T. Entertainment

Location: Dallas, TX, New York, NY, Hollywood, CA

Start Date: November 23, 2008

Sweet Justice – Ultra Low Budget

American Film Werkz

Location: Dallas, TX

Start Date: December 4, 2008

Louisiana

Caged Innocence – TH

United Spirits LLC

Location: Shreveport, LA

Start Date: January 10, 2009

Dead Whisper – TH

Dead Whisper Pictures, LLC

Location: New Orleans, LA; Big Bear, CA

Start Date: January 12, 2009

Eyes of the King – Theatrical

Eyes of the King, LLC

Location: Louisiana (non-specific)

Start Date: To be determined

House of Bones – Low Budget Affirmative Action

House of Bones, LLC

Location: New Orleans, LA

Start Date: December 1, 2008

Night of the Demons – Theatrical

Prodigy Entertainment

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Start Date: To be determined

Three Stories about Joan – Theatrical

Three Stories Productions, LLC

Location: Shreveport, LA

Start Date: To be determined

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS….SEASON 3 UPDATE

I was happy to get the call last week that Dr. Campbell, the character I played in Episode 2, “Tami Knows Best” would be reappearing in episode 11, “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” now shooting here in Austin. Filming in working hospital in the middle of the day was interesting…may not so much for the real patients…but this crew moves so well and so fast, that I think any interuption was minimal. Look for Matt to have deal with his grandmother’s deteriorating mental health.

Last night was the second big meeting by The Alliance Austin, a cooperative of Central Texas casting directors, talent agents and acting coaches. Speakers at this meeting were:

Representative Dawnna Dukes, Texas State Representative, District 46
 http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dis…

Nan Bernstein, Producer ­ Friday Night Lights
 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0076987/

Bob Hudgins, Texas Film Commissioner
 http://www.governor.state.tx.us/film/

The bottom line message was that we in Texas have a big fight on our hands to increase our film incentive in the coming legislative session. If you haven’t done so, please join the TXMPA

One of the most sobering statements made last night came from Texas Film Commission head, Bob Hudgins. Although the current Texas film incentive authorized by the state was capped at $20million over two years, Hudgins says its not likely that even that paltry amount will be expended. Why? Out current 5% incentive is so low that we are not even attracting enough production to deplete the $20Million that is available. We MUST have an increase in our INCENTIVE PERCENTAGE in order to compete with our primary competition in Louisiana and New Mexico.

Last year I had the pleasure of doing a decidedly small role in a project called KINGS OF THE EVENING. My role was a day player role, one sequence. The contract was SAG low-budget so the money was minimal and not a real enticement to do the job. But the script was good and it was an unusual project – the story set in the depression era and the cast predominantly African American. It seemed to me it would be a ‘different’ kind of project than we typically see in our market and it could be a fun experience. I decided to think of it as an acting class that I got paid to attend.

GETTING an acting job is often not that much fun. The process of searching out potential projects, submitting yourself or getting your agent on the case, etc. etc. gets tedious after a few decades. All that is work that is necessary but is not necessarily associated with the fun part of the acting business. Doing the job, on the other hand is almost always a real pleasure.

My role in KINGS was so small, I fully expected to be cut out…and maybe I have been. Wouldn’t be the first time and probably wouldn’t be the last. But since I’ve received an invitation to a screening and party following, I’m assuming my little contribution made the cut. We’ll see.

What I remember most from my involvement with the project was a brief exchange with Reginald Dorsey an actor and producer on the project. Between takes of a scene, I was seated near Dorsey when he leaned over to me and complimented something he had seen me doing in the scene. I was a bit surprised as it really wasn’t a difficult piece of action. But he complimented my consistency, take to take. Frankly I was impressed that someone noticed because really that’s a basic part of the job. Consistency is expected…and rightly so. That’s one of the reasons you’re getting paid a professional’s wage.

Even so, that brief exchange, a compliment from a respected colleague put a nice cap on what could have been ‘just another’ day’s work. Regardless of the size of the role, respect yourself and your profession enough to give it your best effort. If you can’t do that…don’t take the job.

UPDATE: This evening I received a very nice email from KINGS OF THE EVENING director Andrew Jones who had read this blog and who let me know that I had indeed been cut from the film. As I told Andrew…and as I think I expressed above, I’m not completely surprised.

The good experience of working on the film remains with me and is not subject an editorial decision. And…the check cashed just fine and has long been spent. I look forward to seeing the finished film next week in Austin.

Joe O’Connell’s column below has some more information on KINGS OF THE EVENING:

BY JOE O’CONNELL

‘Kings’ returns a winner

A film that shot somewhat quietly in the Austin area last year is
getting a lot of buzz and finally making it to town for a screening
primarily aimed at cast and crew at 7pm on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the
Galaxy Highland 10. Kings of the Evening is set in the Deep South in the
Depression era. Amid tough economic times, a group of African-American
men dress in their finest and compete to be the movie title’s King of
the Evening.

The film has already won a batch of awards, including Best Film, Best
Supporting Actor (Glynn Turman, who is up for an Emmy for work on In
Treatment), and Best Director at the San Diego Black Film Festival and
the audience award at the San Francisco Black Film Festival. Also count
Gary Bond of the Austin Film Office as a fan. He calls it a heartwarming
film that deserves distribution, a stand he seldom takes about locally
shot films. Distribution is something producer/director Andrew P. Jones
is working feverishly to accomplish. He and his father, the novelist and
retired public relations pro Robert Page Jones, crafted the story after
the elder Jones read a story about a similar men’s style contest in
South Africa.

In true indie spirit, father and son bankrolled the film themselves and
first looked at shooting in Birmingham, Ala., but the lack of a film
scene nixed that idea. “We knew for a first film we needed to surround
ourselves with experienced people, resources, and gear,” the younger
Jones said. They ended up shooting in Bartlett, a town he describes as
“frozen in time. We didn’t have to do much; it was perfect for us.” The
cast and crew were 85 to 90% local but included fashion model Tyson
Beckford in the lead and such veteran actors as Lynn Whitfield (The
Josephine Baker Story) and Reginald Dorsey (Return to Lonesome Dove).

by Craig Berlin
Founding Board Member (Retired)
Texas Motion Picture Alliance
 http://www.txmpa.org

Acting is something close to my heart. Talent does not guarantee
success and even though I did a lot of acting in high school and
college, I opted to go behind the camera as a career because it felt
safer (hah!) So, the plight of the production industry in Texas
touches me both from a business and personal standpoint on more than
one front.

Recently I was asked to address the Alliance, a network of Austin
casting directors, agents and acting coaches in order to keep them
up-to-date on the state of the industry but most importantly to help
them reach out to their clients, the myriad of actors we have in
locally. I’d like to pass along the information I shared with them
statewide and specifically address what I understand to be some of
the specific concerns actors have about TxMPA.

You may have heard that the Texas production business is hurting,
making it harder for actors and crew to find work and generally
impacting the state’s econcomy in a negative way. The alarm bells
being sounded regarding production business in Texas are from real
numbers, not just protectionist fear. Texas used to be considered
the “Third Coast” but that has changed. Producers who want to come
here no longer can because the money people won’t allow it. To be
frank, who can blame them? After all, as an industry of “artists” we
spend much of our time trying to convince the traditional business
community that film, music and the arts are “business” too, so we
can hardly expect the business decision-makers of production to
behave substantially differently in regard to “the bottom line” than
other bean counters would.

The truth is, production incentives work and a lack of them hurts.
In 2002, pre-incentive Louisiana had about $20 million/year in
production business. Since the advent of incentives, their business
had grown to over $640 million by 2005. Similar figures exist for
New Mexico. Michigan is currently building the second largest
production studio in the state as a direct result of new business
brought in by incentives, according to the mayor of Lansing. The
list of migration and infrastructure growing elsewhere goes on.

By contrast, Texas is DEAD LAST on the list of states with
incentives. As a result, our business has correspondingly shrunk. We
are now into the billions of dollars in lost revenue. Prison Break
left Dallas and even Robert Rodriguez is likely producing his next
feature in Michigan. We were barely able to hang on to Friday Night
Lights and that had a lot to do with help from the local support and
there are MANY more examples.

As the Third Coast, Texas offered talented and plentiful crew and
actors as well as varied locations, good facilities and of course,
Texas charm. While the charm and locations may remain, the rest of
our infrastructure is eroding due to lack of business. Some studios
are not being built because we lack incentives; others are not
getting badly needed upgrades. Our crew and actors are working
out-of-state more than they are working locally and that makes it
difficult to keep your roots here. As of now, the local crew labor
union IATSE reports they have more crew working out of state than in
Texas. While talent agents typically do not report specific numbers,
a SAG survey included alarming information as well. One talent agent
reported nearly 100 performers, or 75% of the agency roster, had
found work in Louisiana or New Mexico in the past year. Another
agent cited 36 film and television projects in Louisiana employing
75 of the agency’s Texas performers and five projects in New Mexico
employing 9 Texas performers in the past year. A third agent
reported total gross earnings from out of state in 2007 comprised
27% of the agency’s film/tv gross and increased to 28% in 2008,
whereas five years ago there were not measurable out of state
earnings. With the possible exception of commercial business in
Dallas, we simply cannot be satisfied with the status quo and expect
to have any kind of industry left in this state.

It is widely believed by those in the trenches that we have about 9
months to get our act together (no pun intended) and make something
happen or our a signficiant portion of our industry will be dealt
such a severe blow that it will literally wither and any opportunity
for regrowth will be years down the road. It is imperative that
actors join the cause individually and both JOIN the TxMPA and
participate in the grass roots effort by writing their legislators –
ESPECIALLY the naysayers such as Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden
in Williamson County.

While Bob Hudgins, Texas Film Commisioner, is an amazing advocate
for our industry, he is not in a position legally to take an
official stand and furthermore, his office is underfunded and
understaffed to do all the marketing we need to bring more business
to the state. Once we have successfully achieved better incentives,
the TxMPA needs to have a long-term mission of helping to solicit
business for our state and help improve our infrastructure, as well
as making sure that the “total package” we offer stays attractive
and competitive with other states.

It is often difficult for even the most talented actors to get jobs
when business is plentiful. Just imagine how it will be when
business is virutally nonexistent. Personally, I hope to do some
acting again in the future and my daughter is interested as well.
Beyond that, my job depends on a healthy production community.
Production business is not only good for the entire state but is
also significant part of what makes Texas “cool,” much as is live
music is for Austin. More importantly, we and our friends and
colleagues may have a mass exodus if we aren’t able to turn things
around.

As a local vendor, it has been difficult enough to compete with
internet companies to supply a local clientele made largely of
transplants from California and elsewhere who do not share the “Buy
Local” mentality of old in regard to their current home. With the
local business migrating elsewhere, it is likely that what remains
of local producers and potential location shoots may very well be
left with few options when the number of local suppliers left to
serve them shrinks even further. Just last week I learned that the
mobile HD editing facility Confidence Bay is moving to L.A. so they
can sustain their business until the industry climate is better
here, at least they have the ability to come back, if and when we
fix things. They are not alone.

A fair number of actors seem to have a particularly difficult time
believing in the issues or supporting TxMPA. There has been
concerned expressed by some regarding where the TxMPA money ends up.
As the first treasurer for TXMPA I can vouch for the fact that at
least 90% of the money raised goes to lobbying expenses. It case it
hasn’t been made clear, with over 5000 bills in front of a
legislature which only meets every other year, NOTHING gets passed
in Texas without a lobbyist. Most of the remainder of the money goes
to fundraising and promotional expenses. There are no paid board
members, employees or other gravy trains and most expenses such as
travel are absorbed by individual board members. As Chairman of the
Membership and Fundraising Committee our first year, if I went to
other cities to promote the organization I paid my own way.

Any way you slice it, our first priority must be to pass better
incentives to put Texas back on the list of viable choices and that
is the TxMPA’s prime directive. We can’t do it without the financial
and grass-roots support of the entire community, including actors.
Please let me know if you need help with specifics about how to get
involved beyond joining the organization; otherwise please visit
 http://www.txmpa.org and sign up. It’s an investment in your future
and we need you.