BY BELINDA BREMNER
A word or two before
we get into the much abbreviated Reel World.
I believe everyone knows how I stand on this strike. I am a union member and have been, proudly, since Hector was a pup. I have nothing but contempt for the miserable union members, cloaked in neither fish nor fowl of financial core, who are scabbing. One who appears to be making a killing (as in his or her own already terminal reputation) has had their unethical behavior espoused in previous columns.
Conversely, I have great admiration for the pre-union talent who have seen the wisdom of honoring their fellow actors in this strike. Yes, it is a matter of "us" aganist "them." And to clarify, "us" should mean actors and "them" should mean those who would try to exploit us. What do you think actors without union guidelines will be paid? You might as well be doing your Junior League volunteer hours.
Of course, if you are not a member of the union, have no interest in joining and want to work during the strike, that is your business. But be warned. Those jobs booked not under union jurisdiction are buy outs. That means they own you and your likeness for a measley $500 bucks in perpetuity. Congratulations, you now have a permanent product conflict for whatever it was that you sold-out for.
And too, if you want to go on auditions for struck work that’s your decision. But no actor should be browbeaten, threatened or strong armed by his agent into going on such jobs. I’ve already reported on a city agency that has repeatedly misrepresented the status of jobs for which they are pandering actors. Now come reports that the same agency is threatening actors with the trite but nonetheless intimidating "You’ll never work in this town again..." line if actors follow their consciences and refuse to scab. It’s a lot of pressure, but be honest. In one particular case, a casting director was extremely sympathetic and forgiving when she was told the details of the situation. Not only is the pre-union actor not in the casting director’s dog house or sleeping in a refrigerator box under lower Wacker, but the casting diretor actually aided the talent in gaining new representation.
As I have said earlier, I will not run struck work. So here’s what we have to report.
The Illinois Film Office reports that in addition to Keanu Reeve’s film Hardball, we will also be getting a piece of Sylvester Stallone’s Champs. It will be in for 10 days at the end of July. The Joan Cusack television series is scheduled to begin shooting 10 episodes starting in late August. There is scouting for Michael Mann’s biopic of Muhammad Ali starring Will Smith. We are sure to get some of the picture, which shoots late Fall. Paramount is also scouting here for feature which would begin right after Hardball.
Congratulations to Janelle Snow of Jane Alderman on her recent Jeff Citation.
Jane Alderman is back on-board casting for Till the End of Time starring Ben Kingsley for Turnaround.
Jennifer Rudnicki and Jaz Casting report the following cast for Wish. Appearing in the independent will be: Joe Fumo, Will Manati, Brad Johnson, Rebekah Smith, Duke Doyle, Lusia Strus, Craig Cackowski, Thomas Tinsley, Brian Calloway, Hugh Callaly, Mona Villareal, Nancy Lollar, Joe Kaplan, Roger Donzelli, Tammy Michelle, Katie Maringer, Krista Lally, Nicholas Rudall, Mierka Girten, Jack McBrayer, Jamie Newell, Albena Dodeva, Mary Doody Riff, Kathleen Puls, Ed Kross, Christopher Thometz, David Nisbet, Maury Cooper, Brian Merel, David Pease, Martie Sanders, and Elisabeth Oas. Appearing in non-speaking roles will be: Annie Demasy, Jenna Cramer, Anela Bullard, David Laurence, Denise McAleer, Cheridan Westmoreland, Steven Misetic, Crystal Bush, Bryan Irzyk, Sarah Dyer, Juliet Rivera, Lisa Fontana, the delightful Elizabeth Middleton, Tammy Stackpoole, Sherman Pasascio, Rosetta Pluker, Tara Jordan, Dave Inglis, Krysti Randall, Diane Tse, Dan Masterson, Josh Braaten, Kristin Mochnick, Brian Wilson, Rashidah Qaiyim, Victoria Saccomanto, Aaron Lisman, Gabriel Ortiz, Jason Parker, Ron Subeck, Ingrid Bonne, Ron Subeck, Ola Jaholkowska and Laurie Ann Gerdisch
As reported earlier, Claire Simon is casting Hardball.
Lily’s reports that Vanessa Lopez, Daniel Sarelas, Walter Bernard and Margaret Fairbanks had industrial work. The "Lucky Seven" for July are John Woo, Jerry Rozowsky, Mary Ann de la Cruz, Sierra Rhoads, Hunter Bradley, Karla Beard and Jeremy Carley.
It’s been a while since we caught up with our pals at Emilia Lorence. PRE-STRIKE commercial bookings include jobs for Craig Bryant, Jim Sawyer, Sierra Rhoads, Jonathon Reyes, Nancy Oda, Jeanette Blackwell, Matthew Hillbolt, Claudia Hommel, Trudie Maroncelli and Mike Vieau. Film work went to Tom Tinsley, Albena Dodeva and Tammy Michelle Cobb. There were industrial bookings for Tel Draper, Varen Black, Tim Gambleb, Lisa Dodson, Bernard Mixon, Nydia Rodriguez, Betty Owens, Sophia Thomas, Tecoa Garrett, Mary Jo Faraci, Jose Solis, Tom Tinsley, Lisa Keefe and Ken Smith.
MacBlaine had industrial bookings for Lisa Alvarez, Kimberly Olson, Bryce Bashford, Rachel Harrel, Ed Johnson, Richard Tanis, Donato Cruz, Paula Sweeney, Cyndy Walters, Alton Rollerson, Gary Goodson, Margaret Fairbanks, Emir Vonzon and Tricia Geiger.
Peace.
Reel World Archives