Great Quote From Tracy Letts

"Make your own work and don't sit around waiting for the phone to ring with somebody offering you work. You can always self-produce in the theater. Gather people together to do a play. There's no reason not to be working." -Tracy Letts

GREG'S GUARDIAN ANGEL Update

Just got an email saying that GREG'S GUARDIAN ANGEL has been officially selected to be part of the Diamond Film Festival. Will provide more details as they become available.

Todd Mahoney on MALLAS, MA

I had to share this lovely email from our "Captain", the fantastic Todd Mahoney...abd his thoughts on MALLAS, MA.

"Mallas, MA" is a testament to what can be done with No or Low budget film making!! Don't get me wrong, there was a HUGE investment in gear that the film crew brought from their personnel collections and we're talking multiple car/SUV loads by some as well as paid work they gave up. The actor's, actress's, guardians, composer, pilot, photographers, writers & make up artist all gave of their personal time and loss of wages for 48 hours. Not to mention the Catering & Craft Services cost to nourish everyone. Hollywood take note their is a better way, better films, original films & I just lived it with twenty five others, now my close friends!!! New Forms of Distribution are here NOW, I've seen it up close!!!

MALLAS, MA Wins ''Audience Choice Award'' at the 48 Hour Film Project

Some very cool news...MALLAS, MA has won the Audience Choice Award for our screening group for the Boston 48 Hour Film Project.

This is fantastic news and I wish to send good wishes and thanks to Sean Meehan and the entire team for, once again, one of the best experiences I've ever had as an actor. 

 

Cast In Another 48 Hour Film Festival

Just spoke with Ross Mahler of 8mm Films, who has offered me a role in his upcoming film, which will be a part of a 48 Hour Film Festival. Like in Boston, we don't know what the film is going to be yet, but we do know that's going to be a blast putting it all together. I'll be working alongside Ross and his son Matthew and for now, I will be working all day on Long Island on June 1st.

For information on the festival, please visit: http://www.48hourfilm.com/en/newyork/

Yesterday on A GOOD MARRIAGE

As soon as I woke up yesterday morning, I didn't feel too well. As the day progressed, I felt worse and worse. As it turned out, I had the flu, so getting through the day on the A GOOD MARRIAGE set was an exercise in endurance. I did it, but I had a couple of close calls. I was quite fearful that I was going to throw up on camera, which obviously wouldn't have been good. That didn't happen, thankfully and I got through the day.

Rogue Cinema Review of TROUBLE

Film Reviews: Trouble (2013) - By Brian Morton
Posted on Friday, May 03, 2013 @ 10:55:01 Mountain Daylight Time by Duane

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Trouble is one of the more interesting shorts I've seen in quite a while. It's not a story per se, it's more of a character study. This is about a kid in a reform school who's being 'rehabilitated'. Their headmaster has them doing exercises that have them telling each other the correct way to solve problems, but, when class is over, they go back to solving problems their own way.

What Daniel Witkin has done with Trouble is given us a look at how problems should be solved and how their really solved in schools. Trouble isn't a movie that you're going to tell your friends about, but it is a movie that will make you think about the decisions you make and how they build your character.

I'm giving Trouble 3 out of 4 cigars, it's not perfect, but it's a movie that will make you think...which isn't bad, all the time!

Twisted Central Review of SIMPLE MIND

Twisted Central Review of SIMPLE WINE

07 May 2013

Simple Mind 2012 - REVIEW

This is probably gonna be my one and only chance to write the synopsis this way so here goes... Bob (Timothy J. Cox) is not happy. Bob has fantasies of traumatizing and murdering women. Bob goes to see a therapist. Bob tells his therapist about a woman named Samantha (Kristi McCarson). Bob wants to kill Samantha. Bob is one sick fucker. Okay, okay... even I'm annoyed now.

Director Phil Newsom managed to pull quite a few rabbits out of his hat with this one. He plays off the tired story of a depraved individual talking things out with his therapist but is able to add a little something something to it that makes you sit up and pay attention. A nice little twist at the end puts a giant bow on this little gem.

Cox did a fantastic job with his role as the sadistic Bob who I'm still not sure knows quite where he's at in life. The sound was bit echoey for me... maybe not echoey but hollow and since the film is mostly "told" to the audience that's kind of a major part. However, it wasn't distracting enough to take away from the rest of the film. Newsom definitely knows how to tell a complete story which is not easy to do in 7:23. Check it out and you'll see what I mean.

Back On A GOOD MARRIAGE On Monday

To my surprise, I will be back on A GOOD MARRIAGE on Monday morning, this time at the cemetary scene. I don't anticipate working again until 7AM the following day.

We'll see.

I Walked Into My Apartment, After the Shoot, At 7:15AM

Whew! What a night! I worked on A GOOD MARRIAGE from 5PM to 7AM.

Originally, I was slated to work 3 total days on the project, but I was wrapped yesterday, so I get to relax today, which, given how I and anyone who worked yesterday are off their normal sleeping schedules, a day a relaxation sounds perfect to me.

Yesterday was an enjoyable experience, although the role I played was nothing more than a featured background performer, yet I had a name...Brian Ellsworth. A little strange.

I hadn't done BG work in a while and last night, a few reminders crept into my memory as to why, chief among that is that BG work has nothing to do with acting. You're a piece of movable furniture, although in this case, aspects of it were pretty nice. I got to improv a scene and talk with Anthony LaPaglia, who again, was tops in my book. I also received direction from Peter Askin, who was also very kind to me. At the end of the shoot, I had the pleasure of shaking Joan Allen's hand. I, of course, stepped in, kissed her hand and said, ''I adore you'', which I do.

The flip side of that coin is how BG people are dismissed by people, mainly production assistants. I often don't blame then, as they are mostly overworked folks who get little sleep and no reward for their contributions.

The positives always outweigh the negatives and even though the day was long, I had a good time. I hadn't done BG work in 4 years, I think. I think the final scene of RESCUE ME was the last time I did BG work.

The money might be nice, but I'm an actor and I want to work, so I'll take my experience in Boston, on the MALLAS, MA set, over BG work any day of the week.

It's 1:15AM and I'm Still On Set

We just had a meal and are now getting back together for the continuation of a scene we were shooting before the break, a party scene involving Anthony LaPaglia and Joan Allen. I come in to grab Anthony's attention. Still having a blast being on this set. Director Peter Askin has been very kind as well so far. It's not a speaking part, but Peter still gives me direction, which I really respect and appreciate.

Signing off now. Back to work.

On Set Of A GOOD MARRIAGE Now

I arrived to set, in Ossining, NY at a little after 6pm and from there went right into rehearsals for my brief scene with Anthony LaPaglia, who's so cool and incredibly nice. We actually improvised a scene together, which was fun to do. I played a grieving father who turns to Anthony's character Bob, for advice and counsel. My character, Brian, will have a few more brief scenes. Now, I'm back in the holding area, awaiting my next scene.

I have a feeling it's going to be a long night...so I might as well get comfy.

A GOOD MARRIAGE Tonight

I'll be meeting a van in Manhattan at 5PM tonight, that will take me to the filming location for A GOOD MARRIAGE. Updates and more info to come.

48 Hour Film Project - Film Titled MALLAS, MA

Tomorrow night is the screening of MALLAS, MA at the 48 Hour Film Project. I'm saddened that I will not be in attendance to share in the evening with Sean Meehan and my colleagues, but I will be there in spirit.

I hope to share the film, as well as numerous on set pictures in the next couple of days.

A GOOD MARRIAGE Tomorrow

So, it's going to be a late day start for me on A GOOD MARRIAGE. I'll be meeting a bus in Manhattan at 5PM tomorrow night and from there will be taken to upstate New York, in Westchester. 

WE JUST WANT TO PLAY is Available for Viewing On Vimeo

Here's the comedy WE JUST WANT TO PLAY, from Team 3 Productions. I had a blast working on this film and am so thrilled so be a part of it. The film is hysterically funny and I like to thank everyone involved in the project for the chance to be a part of it.

We Just Want To Play from Rebecca Abbott on Vimeo.

Cast As A Blue Collar Type in A GOOD MARRIAGE

I will be working on the film A GOOD MARRIAGE on Thursday, Friday and next Monday. I'll be playing a blue collar guy named Brian and all I know is that my scenes will be with award winning actor Anthony LaPaglia, a great actor whose work in movies, theatre and television I have always enjoyed and admired. 

A GOOD MARRIAGE is the feature adaptation of Stephen King’s A Good Marriage.

Mr. LaPaglia will play Bob Anderson in the film, based on the 2010 novella by the best-selling author, about a wife who discovers her soft-spoken husband is a serial killer.

Oscar nominee Joan Allen plays his wife Darcy. Wow!

Mr. King adapted the screenplay from his own original work.

Peter Askin is directing the feature and producing with his Reno Productions partner Will Battersby.

This could be interesting. 

Edited Headshots, Compliments of Nick O'Donnell

FILMMAKER Insert This Morning

This morning, director Dan Kowalski will be making his way out to Astoria to capture one brief scene that he's going in insert into FILMMAKER. It shouldn't take long at all, as it's on;y one brief scene.