Why is it important to have your demo online? Well, more and more actors are being asked for links to their online demos when being submitted for film projects. Just makes sense to have your demo as available as possible. Next up for me is getting clips up on Actors Access and Now Casting. I’ve put that off as it’s a little more difficult when one isn’t located in Los Angeles. Here’s the current demo on Vimeo. Please take a look and let me know what you think.

Film Acting Demo Reel – Tommy G. Kendrick SAG / AFTRA from Tommy G. Kendrick on Vimeo.

If you’re not a member of TXMPA, join today. TXMPA is at the forefront of the success of the current Texas Film Incentive program which has helped generate $610 Million in new in-state spending.

Given the current budget shortfall that is in the news practically every day, the film incentive program will likely face a serious test in the upcomming legislative session. Hopefully, the powers that be will see the benefit of $610 Million dollars flowing through our economy and the fact that the program has accounted for 55,000 jobs for Texans over the past two years.

Here’s the missive from TXMPA:

CHASE – 8pm Mondays on NBC
THE GOOD GUYS – 7pm Fridays on FOX

While we mourn the untimely loss of FOX’s LONE STAR (shot in Dallas) and ABC’s MY GENERATION (shot in Austin) earlier this Fall, and also say a fond farewell to FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (airing its final season now on DirecTV, and this spring on NBC), we’re proud to still have two Texas shows in primetime every week, and look forward to more on the horizon.

Currently, Lifetime is prepping a pilot for MEET JANE in Austin, and TNT is developing a remake of DALLAS. Meanwhile, CBS and CSI creator Anthony Zuiker are developing a new crime drama called DESPERADO set in San Antonio. Thanks to the incentives and our top flight crews, the word is out that Texas is one of the best places to shoot series television.

TV is great for Texas – the Dallas Morning News reports that even short-lived LONE STAR “pumped about $7 million into the local economy”. And it’s not just the big cities that benefit – read about how CHASE filmed at Trinidad ISD in Henderson County:

“This was a way to generate some good, positive things for Trinidad,” said TISD Superintendent David Atkeisson. “Obviously our focus is on books, but we also want to expose our students to experiences that might spur them on to future endeavors. The thing I was most impressed with was the professionalism and patience of the cast and crew working with our kids. It was a great experience.”

Of course, longtime Dallas theater goers will remember that the trilogy of plays, THE OLDEST LIVING GRADUATE, LU ANN HAMPTON LAVERTY OBERLANDER and THE LAST MEETING OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE WHITE MAGNOLIA were originally collectively known as THE BRADLEYVILLE TRILOGY and they were originally produced in the old DOWN CENTER STAGE and in the KALITA HUMPHREYS THEATRE at DALLAS THEATER CENTER under the direction of the late PAUL BAKER.

So…it should be a very interesting and entertaining evening to hear the draft of Preston’s screenplay read aloud for what may be the first time. As a special treat former Dallas Theater Center actor RANDY MOORE is scheduled to be onhand to read the role of Colonel J.C. Kinkaid, a role he originated in the original productions of the TRILOGY plays.

On this this Friday night in June of 2010, I find myself back in “L.A.” for the first time since 1994.

FLASHBACK:

When my wife, Jane I arrived in Hollywood in 1979, I was a “young” actor from Dallas. And I was the prototypical fish out of water.

Like many before and after me, I arrived knowing no one. I did come prepared with a list of contacts generously provided to me by producers for whom I had worked in Dallas

That gave me a leg up and I was quickly able to parlay those contacts into first rate commercial representation and I turned my first Hollywood audition into my first Hollywood job. But, even with that solid start, I quickly realized that I was, as my first agent was quick to inform me, a ‘llittle fish in a very big pond’.

Time to get grounded:

One of the first things Jane and I did when we settled into our apartment in North Hollywood was to look for a church to attend.

I was raised a Baptist. In Texas and throughout the south there is a Baptist church on every block, seemingly. Not so in Hollywood. But we located a little Baptist church in Burbank and went to check it out.

The preacher was a tall, handsome man with a distinctively deep voice and an accent that I would learn was rooted in North Carolina. The preacher had a wonderful ‘presence’ in the pulpit and from the first sermon we heard, we knew we’d found a new church home.

What we didn’t know at the time was that we had also found a life-long friend.

Who was this man?

At first, I didn’t make ‘the connection’. To me, the name and face were familiar, but I couldn’t put two and two together. But Jane, a avid watcher of westerns….films and television shows….locked in on the preacher’s identity immediately.

Our new pastor was Gregory Walcott, an actor with a long and successful Hollywood career.

If you got to know Greg, you got to know Barbara, his beautiful wife.

While Greg had forged a successful acting career, Barbara had become a highly successful elementary school teacher. Her creativity in the classroom won her many accolades and over the years she touched the lives of thousands of school children.

Jane and I were blessed to become very close to the entire Walcott family. This is a family that reached beyond Greg and Barbara and their three children.

As we discovered, the Walcott ‘family’ was extensive…their neighbors, kids’ friends, film people, church people and eventually, even a couple of strays who wandered in from Dallas.

In 1994 following the Northridge earthquake, we decided that Texas was calling us home and we made the difficult decision to leave L.A. The most difficult part of the decision was knowing that we were leaving behind such good friends.

During our time in California we shared a lot of great times with these friends but we shared some sad, devastating times as well. Losing a child will test your faith. That I can promise you. Through all of that we were blessed with the love and support of Greg and Barbara and the entire Walcott family. God’s mercy was there for us in the form of this family.

Sadly, last week, Barbara Walcott, Greg’s wife of 55 years passed away.

Barbara was a kind and loving woman who was Greg’s first true love and his perfect mate. Bound together by their love and a strong faith in God, they raised three great kids Jina, Pam and Todd who now have great kids of their own.

So, tonight I sit in this hotel room thinking of and praying for friends who are hurting. ,

Tomorrow I will be privileged to join the Walcott’s extended family in the celebration of the life of a wonderful wife, mom and friend.

God bless you, Barbara. You enriched our lives and for that we are grateful.

Philip Daay and Chris Engen & Cast of TWILIGHT NATION

Check out the AAC Facebook page for a calendar of upcoming events.

Twilight Nation Poster

FREE and open to the public

Seating is limited: RSVP to the  AustinActorsConservatory at gmail.com

As a Reminder, parking signs at St. Edward’s are NOT enforced on the weekends.

SCREENWRITERS BIOs:

PHILIP DAAY
Based in Austin, Philip Daay learned his craft from the late Malvin Wald, the Oscar-nominated writer of the legendary noir classic The Naked City. Born to immigrants, his mother from Thailand and his father from Iraq, Philip’s first break came with the sale of his movie Left In Darkness to prolific television producer/writer Stephen J. Cannell. The movie enjoyed a release on Worldwide DVD and the Sci-Fi Channel (SyFy).

Ever since, Philip has continued his work in the entertainment industry. Past options include a Horror project to Haxan Films/White Ape; the creators of the cult hit The Blair Witch Project. He has also signed a past option on a Sci-Fi/Horror script with producer Robert Kandle and Oscar-nominated producer David Levy. He has recently concluded a Romance/Comedy assignment still in development for director Todd Cantelon and Trillenium Media Group up in Canada.

Philip’s upcoming projects include Black Salt, an Action/Martial Arts/Thriller starring Michael Jai White and Tom Sizemore to be directed by veteran stunt coordinator Nick Powell. He also wrote the upcoming Sci-Fi/Action graphic novel Scionic for Arcana Studios to be published in 2010.

CHRIS ENGEN A talented writer, musician and actor, Chris Engen has enjoyed an extensive career over the past decade. He played recurring roles on varied television shows such as CSI: New York and Felicity and main character roles for Saints & Sinners and As If. His movie career began in 2004 with DIRTY DANCING: HAVANA NIGHTS. His acting continued as one of the main characters on the movie LEFT IN DARKNESS written by Philip Daay. His latest projects include primary cast in EASY RIDER: THE RIDE BACK the official prequel to the classic EASY RIDER in 1969 starring Dennis Hopper. His collaborative relationship with Philip began on the set of LEFT IN DARKNESS which culminated with Twilight Nation.

More about Script to Screen:

The Script to Screen series is a LIVE read with professional actors of un-produced film or TV scripts before an industry audience. Our scripts are selected from professional writers and/or script festival winners. They are rehearsed, directed and performed by professionals before industry casting directors, producers, directors, potential investors and industry pros for one performance only.

The Script to Screen program began in Houston in 2007 and has grown to now include regular reads in the Austin and Dallas area. Production, financing and re-development of these projects has been the result. Script to Screen is committed to helping professional writers present their work to potential investors and provide a level of talent that can help facilitate casting. Our goal is to provide more work opportunities for industry professionals living and working in Texas.

We are currently casting for our next Script to Screen production. Please review the following breakdowns for BOTH pilots.

Actors for consideration YOU MUST BE A PAID-UP SAG/AFTRA MEMBER. Please submit your headshot and resume and the role(s) you are interested in to  sheila.cooper at sag.org.

Participation requires a commitment of one performance held at on Sunday, JUNE 6, 2010 and 2 rehearsals on Saturdays, MAY 15 and MAY 22, all in Austin. This is a live performed read by professional actors BEFORE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS MAY 7, 2010. AUDITIONS BY APPT ONLY ON SATURDAY MAY 8, 2010 OR BY VIRTUAL AUDITION. (ask for details when submitting)
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AUSTIN ACTORS CONSERVATORY
SCRIPT TO SCREEN TEAM CASTING FOR “JAKEVILLE, USA”

JAKEVILLE, USA by Jamie Preyer, is a television series pilot. Country Music Legend, Jake Wilson, opens up his place to the reality show “World’s Greatest Stuntman” and all that comes with it.

CAST BREAKDOWN

JAKE WILSON – 50-60, Male, Famous Music Legend. Think Willie Nelson complete with pony tail and beard.

HARPER WILSON – 30’s, Female, daughter to the Jake Wilson, Business professional and stunningly beautiful.

RYAN BAINES – early 20’s, Male, Jake’s Nephew. Fun loving, all American guy

CHRIS JOHNS– 30’s, Male, Tall, handsome, Cowboy type (New York accept a plus)

BEN HAYGOOD – late 20’s, Male, thin, frailer Cowboy

LARRY PRIDE – 30s, Male, TV Producer

EUGENE – 60’s, Male, homeless man that Jack has taken under his wing

VICKY JOY – 30’s, Female, Country comedian with a body like Dolly Parton and a sense of humor like Minnie Pearl

JOSH HURLEY – 30’s Male, TV show host

HONDO – 50’s, Male, Jake’s long time friend and tour bus Driver

NARRATOR (reads all narration and set ups)

COWBOY #1 and COWBOY #2
FEMALE CREW MEMBER #1, #2 – 18-30’s, Female twins
COWGIRL CONTESTANT
CAMERA MAN – No lines but a lot of action
PRODUCER voice over

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AUSTIN ACTORS CONSERVATORY
SCRIPT TO SCREEN TEAM CASTING FOR “TWILIGHT NATION”

TWILIGHT NATION by Philip Daay and Chris Engen, is a television series pilot. Set in the old west, William must choose how he will live his life and after life with the guidance of others.

CAST BREAKDOWN

WILLIAM MITCHELL – 50’s, Male, Gruff Cowboy
GAIL MITCHELL – 40’s, Female, William’s wife
JAKE MITCHELL – 20’s, Male, William’s Son
SHERIFF – 50’s, Male
NORMAN FLANNERY – 40’s, Male, Upscale businessman
BLACK KETTLE – late 50’s, Male, Native American
COMM. ALBERT BOONE – 40’s, Male, politician
MAJOR JOHN SEDGWICK – 40’s, Male
SHANE HARLAN 30’s, Male, Gunfighter
KANATI – 60’s, Male, Native American Elder
RAZIELLE – 20’s, Female, Red-haired beauty gunslinger
EVENGELINE – 40’s, Female, Blond bar owner in a buxom dress
DAIMON – 30’s, Male, Native American
NARRATOR – Reads all narration and set ups
TOWNSMAN #1, 30’s, Male
TOWNSWOMAN #1, 30’s, Female
TOWNSWOMAN #2, 30’s, Female
TOWNSWOMAN #3, 30’s, Female
CHEROKEE FEMALE – 20’s, Female
CHEROKEE CORPSES – 40’s , Male, Native American in a dream sequence.
MESSENGER RIDER – 20’s, Male
UNION SUPPORTS – 30’s, Male
CONFEDERATE SUPPORTER – 30’s, Male

We look forward to your submissions!

Sincerely,
Austin Actors Conservatory

–
Austin Actors Conservatory
c/o Screen Actors Guild
15950 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400
Dallas, TX 75248
(800) 724-0767, ext. 7 or (972) 361-8185

Agent Panel

April 25, 2010
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
St. Edward’s University
Jones Auditorium located in the Ragsdale Center
3001 South Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas

Meet top agents in Austin and find out what they’re looking for as film production picks up in Texas.

COST: Members of the AAC attend for FREE. Please bring your SAG/AFTRA card for admittance (as a reminder all members of AAC must be paid up and in good standing with their unions). * Fans of the AAC: $20.00 *All others: $25.00.

If you would like to download forms to become a Member or Fan, please visit: http://www.sag.org/austin-conservatory

Please RSVP for this EVENT:  AustinActorsConservatory at gmail.com

Moderated by Tommy G. Kendrick

Agent Panelists: Check back the week of April 18th for a listing of panelists that will be attending including commercial, theatrical and voiceover agents.

Who we are:

Austin Actors Conservatory provides ongoing workshops on the business of SHOW and the business of Show BUSINESS to all industry groups at various levels of experience.

The Conservatory, formed in 2008 by a dedicated group of professional actors and members of the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA, strives to bring educational and networking opportunities to all of the moving image industry and help raise the bar of professional talent in south Texas.

Visit us on the web:  http://www.sag.org/austin-conservatory

The following is a list of POSSIBLE SAG signatory productions that are either already shooting or are considering production in Texas. Keep in mind that some productions begin the signatory process but don’t follow through, so before agreeing to participate in any film production, verify its signatory status with SAG. Check www.sag.org for online verification or to locate the appropriate phone contact number.

The start dates as listed below are not set in stone. For instance, the ULB (Ultra Low Budget) film, NATURAL SELECTION, has pushed back their start date to at least March 22, apparently due to the availability of their lead actress. Actual start dates of other productions may likely vary from the stated dates as well.

If you see something you’re interested in pursuing, be smart. The best method is to work through your agent. If you don’t have an agent or for some other reason don’t want to work through your present agent, be very careful about contacting production sources. Always be professional and to the point in any emails. Avoid phone calls to the production office, if the number is listed. Don’t get yourself put on someone’s ‘always ignore’ list.

This list is being published as a service to the Texas actors community. Use the information below wisely.

The list:

“Benavides Born” – 00257737
SDB, LLC – Low Budget
Location: San Diego/Benavides, TX
Start Date: March 15, 2010
Casting: Toni Cobb Brock/Sally Allen

“Beyond the Farthest Star” – 00233502
Pathlight Entertainment, LLC – Low Budget Modified
Location: Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
Start Date: March 15, 2010
Casting: Karen Armstrong

“Cash’n In” – 00256261
Lisa Norcia – Low Budget
Location: Dallas/Waco, TX
Start Date: To be determined

“Cherry Bomb” – 00246793
Strike Anywhere Productions, LLC – Ultra Low Budget
Location: Austin, TX
Start Date: To be determined
Casting: Garrett Hargrove at  contact at cherrybombfilm.com

“Cowgirl Chicks, The” – 00248526
Rodeo Films, LLC – Low Budget Modified
Location: Ft. Worth, TX
Start Date: March 2010
Casting: Judy Belshe-Toernblom, Los Angeles

“Friday Night Lights” – 00246956
NBC Studios, Inc.
Start Date: September 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Casting: Beth Sepko at  info at bethsepkocasting.com

“Limited Engagement” – 00252416
Rodeo Pictures, LLC – Low Budget
Start Date: Late April, 2010
Location: Tyler/Dallas, TX

“Mortal Vampire, The” – 00256260
E. W. Bradfute – Low Budget
Start Date: To be determined
Location: San Antonio, TX

“Natural Selection” – 00228417
Windar Productions, LLC – Ultra Low Budget
Location: Smithville, TX
Start Date: March 15, 2010
Casting: Karen Halford (TX), Meg Morman/Sunny Boling (L.A.)

“September Morning” – 00254521
Doki-Doki Productions, LLC – Low Budget Modified
Location: Texas and California, unspecified
Start Date: To be determined
Casting: Jacqueline Rush Rivera at  submit at chriseska.com

“Ten Days in County” – 00252746
Real Men Productions – Theatrical
Location: Houston, TX
Start Date: To be determined

“Theory” – 00258132
Aqua Foxx Productions, LLC – Internet/New Media
Location: Houston, TX
Start Date: March 23, 2010
Casting:  TheoryPilot at gmail.com

“True Grit” – 00257202
DW Studios Productions, LLC – Theatrical
Location: Austin, TX., Santa Fe, NM
Start date: March 15, 2010
Casting: Debbie DeLisi at  texascasting2010 at gmail.com

“Under the Western Sun”
Zobest Pictures
Start Date: April 13, 2010
Location: Austin/Smithville, TX