Friday, December 13, 2002
Greetings and salutations! Ever since we've been promoting the crap out of Tampa Bay Independent Actor a week ago, this web site has been slammed with E-mails! That's great, but it's been a mixed bag, and some of these senders don't seem to know where they are sending E-mails to. Either that, or actors are really eager to work. Speaking of work, some of these "job" companies send us offers that are unsuitable for posting for one reason or another. I would list the specifics of a proper job post here, but since it is outlined in our Job Board section, why bother? People need to read and take the time out of their form letter campaigns to pay attention to what they are doing. Specifically targeting inquiries work much better than shotgunning the whole industry with spam. Now that I'm thinking of theJob Board, I'm happy to report that we will do what our big sister site Tampa Bay Independent Model is doing. We're going to be expanding it, with daily web searches to find the jobs to post, as well as adding tutorials on finding jobs and posting contact lists.-Brian
Distant Relative
FROM: Michele PassinaultSUBJECT: Related
Hello, I was trying to find my brothers website and I came across yours and ironically enough the founder of the company has the same last name as mine ( which is not a common last name ). Can you please forward this e-mail to Mr. Passinault regarding my request? I am wondering if we are related in some way. My boyfriend was a D.J. at a nightclub here in the area and browsing through your website, I saw that they were looking for Disc Jockeys. What kind of experience would he need to be qualified for a position? We live in Michigan and please send information of your company to my home address, because I am e-mailing from my work. Michele Passinault Midland, MI
Hello Michele,It is true that C. A. Passinault is one of our founders, and it looks like you are related to him, although by marriage and not by blood. On the Internet we are not going to go into details (security reasons, of course, but we can say that his Great Grandfather on his mother's side is John Barrymore, who is possibly one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. It also means that he's related to Drew Barrymore, for those trivia fans out there. Ironically, he inherited their talent, but none of the alcohol or drug vices; C. A. Passinault does not drink at all, and calls beer "yeast water"). The name Passinault is Canadian French, although Mr. Passinault, being German and Irish, acquired the last name as a child through marriage. As the name Passinault is becoming synonymous with quality, groundbreaking entertainment here in Florida, C. A. Passinault is the only Passinault in his entire family who is into entertainment. We've forwarded your E-mail to him.-Brian
Acting Challenge In Florida
FROM: FredSUBJECT: Challenge
Hello, My name is Fred Leksche. I live in Dunedin, Florida. I am in need of a new head shot and wondered if you could help me in this? I am interested in doing some acting in the Tampa/St.pete area.I went to school for acting at St. Pete college and was in a play called "Bus stop". I played the part of Virgil. I am currently going to school at the Asolo theater in Sarasota. I have 2 classes left. I'm looking forward to furthering my acting career some where in Florida because my childeren live in Engelwood, FL, and I visit them every other weekend. I'm excited about any next acting challenge that I come upon.I'm hoping that you can help me in this endeavor.Thanks, Fred Leksche.
Hello Fred,It is great that you are doing what you were meant to do with your life. In regards to head shots in Tampa Bay, I recommend Aurora PhotoArts, which offers high quality head shot photography and head shots specifically designed for targeted self promotion. Their prices are good, too.For more on acting challenges, check out our job board. This section will be expanded in the coming weeks. In the meantime, stick to those stage plays, as they will help you grow as an actor. In this market, movie and independent film roles are scarce, with most of the jobs being cheapo exploitative work that good actors need to stay away from. The only company in the Tampa Bay area that I could recommend would be Dream Nine Studios, found at DreamNineStudios.Com, which is currently working on several projects. First up is the two hour independent feature film called "Reverence", which will conclude casting in January and is scheduled to film the Spring and Summer of 2003. Reverence is a psychological thriller with dramatic and comedic elements, and has a well rounded line up of interesting characters. I have read the script, which was written by C. A. Passinault and Rachel Eaglin, and it is excellent. It ought to be, as it took a good year to write it. The second and third films are also casting, Rachel Eaglin's "Inducing Manic" (another great script, with a premise that you have to see to believe), and C. A. Passinault's romantic drama "Serenade". The second round of films due for production in late 2004/ early 2005 include Net Worth, Invisible Ink, Realms, and Born Beautiful.I know C. A. Passinault and know his team. Mark my words: These films will set a new standard for independent films, as the quality alone blows away any other project that I've seen. Believe it.
-Brian
British Connection
FROM: AnnetteSUBJECT: Help
Hi, I've read your site and you guys seem to know what you are talking about. I'm a UK based actress, but because of my mixed heritage I have a lot of problems getting TV work over here. I would love to be in a film and was wondering if you ever did castings in London for any of your productions?Annette Hamilton-Crooks ThirtyThree Ltd London Hello Annette,We are glad that actors are reading our articles and such, even if it is on the other side of the pond. Although you are in England, what he have on this web site is universal, and can be used just about anywhere there is commerce and marketing.What you are describing is known as typecasting, and it happens all of the time. While you did not specify what race you are or what particular look that you possess, regardless, there is always a market for what you look like (see our sister site, Tampa Bay Independent Model, for more on look type marketing). Companies have been known to rearrange roles to suit actors that their casting directors are impressed with, so work on targeted self promotion and audition techniques. We will have an article on typecasting soon, too. I'm wondering, though, is your lack of a British accent the thing that is hampering you (I'm guessing, as I've never heard you talk, but this is the only thing that I can think of that a casting director could have an issue with. I've known of actors losing roles becasue they were stuck in an accent, and could not break it)? If that's it, then a speech dialect course might help. In regards to casting projects in London, well, we are not an agency or a casting company. We don't work for the film companies that post in our job board, either, but to our knowledge all of the film companies here in Florida are too small to be doing much of anything out of state, not to mention out of the country.You have found a great resource with this site, however, and you may use it as much as you want to. Good luck, and keep us filled in.-Brian
Newbie.......
FROM: BethSUBJECT: No experience
HELLO BRIAN,I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS WEBSITE HAS EVERYTHING . I JUST SEEN YOUR AD FOR ACTORS ON EXTRAS ON CALL. DOES YOUR COMPANY ACCEPT PEOPLE WITH NO EXPERIENCE ? PLEASE GET BACK TO ME.THANKS BETH
Hi Beth, Thanks. This web site does have a lot. Tampa Bay Independent Actor will continue to grow, with more editorials, an enhanced job board, and tons of articles. Of course, weekly mail bags such as this are archived, too, so you'll always be able to find any E-mail that we've ever posted. I'm a bit confused ont ot what ad you're referring to. We don't cast anyone, and are not an agency. "Extras on call"? Never heard of them. You might be referring to ads for auditions that are on our job board, and we aren't those companies. If you wish to be put into our ACTOR SECTION, experience is not required, as long as you send us a head shot JPEG and resume text. As an FYI, good casting directors look for talent, and not necessarily experience. We have an article on targeted self promotion and audition tactics that may help you get established, and land roles, too.-Brian
....And Established
FROM: RussellSUBJECT: Jobs
Greetings to the Independent Actors Website! My name is Russell Hess. I am an actor and voiceover artist. I have been working full time in the business for the last 5 years and have had some considerable success in film, television, stage and voiceover. Please find my resume attached as well as some other interesting tidbits! I am completely comfortable with digital blue/green screen effects as well as prosthetic makeup, squibs etc. I also do 95% of all my own stunts. Please find voice list enclosed. I do more than 40 different vocal impressions and many characterizations. I have worked on animation projects and developed voices for cartoon characters. You may recognize me as the voice of the Toys R Us "ToyFinder" TM or maybe you caught my voice connect with the Space Program!Please contact me at your convenience. Best Regards, Russell Hess
Hi Mr. Hess,Sounds like you've had quite a career. I am curious, however about whether or not you book your roles independently or through agencies. I'm guessing that you've figured out that independently is the way to go. Otherwise, you've been working with at least a half dozen agencies. Commercial work is the bread and butter of this market, theater are the vitamins, and films are the cake. Well, you know what I mean.If you would like, send us a head shot JPG and a resume, and we'll be happy to put you in our job board section. If you're looking to be cast in something, check out our JOB BOARD.-Brian
Relaxation
FROM: HankSUBJECT: Relaxing
Hi Brian,I'm wondering what you do to relax. You work a hectic schedule. You need to find a way to unwind.Hank
Lately, Hank, I've been playing Metroid Prime to relax. It's incredible, and blows away any movie. I also get into Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, which has awesome acting and a great story. Equally incredible is my girlfriend Emily, who doesn't like Metroid Prime nearly as much as I do. When she does play games, though, she loves Animal Crossing and Monkey Ball. Besides games, Emily and I make time to go out to the movies, dine, and we even go away on the weekends to camp next to a campfire.-Brian
Reverence Role
FROM: KarenSUBJECT: Roles
I would like to audition for the role of Serena Perez in Reverence. I also noticed that the role of Amanda Emerson is now available, when it was previously cast. What happened? Can I audition for that role, too?-Karen
Hi Karen,For audition audition information, you'll have to go to Dream Nine Studios' web site at DreamNineStudios.Com. We don't cast, and have nothing to do with that project. We do know, however, that the next audition is set for late January. I also know that the role of Amanda became available after the actress who was cast had other commitments conflict with her role; something about investing in hamburger instead of waiting for the steak.-Brian
