BY BELINDA BREMNER
It will come as a surprise to absolutely no one that things are slow. Glacial, if you will. Yes, it’s summer and things are always slow in the dog days. Yes, there might have been a strike. Yes, there was a strike last year. Yes, the economy stinks. Can’t do a whole heckuva lot about those problems. But there is a bigger issue that we might just be able to do something about redressing.
Remember when Bush Pere spoke of that sucking sound to the south, meaning the jobs going to Mexico? Well, we can practically hear the whoosh as more and more productions go north. All those film jobs heading to Canada, where the dollar buys a bunch more and where the government is very accommodating. U.S. work on both sides of the camera is headed scattershot around the globe now. Anywhere but here. It’s called runaway production and it stinks. So, what’s a voter (and I trust we all are) to do? Put pen to paper or finger to keyboard and make those voices (for which you spent a king’s ransom in articulation training) be heard.
The amazing Dave Kappas, who spearheaded a phenomenally successful letter writing campaign during last year’s strike, hasn’t lost his fire or his contacts. Whatever your sentiments about the strike, this affects union and pre-union alike–he is organizing a campaign to contact elected officials. He writes: "The letter writing team that was put together last summer through SAG/AFTRA is back in action and looking for some new scribes. The letter team is currently working with members of your production community to bring runaway commercial, film and television production back home. Runaway production (production that has moved to other countries) accounts for thousands of lost jobs and millions of lost dollars every year. If you would like to get involved in this and a limited number of other projects through the year, e-mail davidkappas@aol.com. All the needed information will be provided. Union membership is not required to join the letter team, only a desire to strengthen the community you work in."
There are template letters and lists of addresses to which to send them. This is something everyone can get behind and actually feel as though you are doing something positive.
The economy may be as stinky as alewives in August, but something else smells pretty foul–Scams. Just like other perennial pests, they seem to be back. But never fear: Scambusters are here! As I write this, steam is coming out my ears at the reports I’ve been hearing. Three come to mind. The phone call I got–boy, did they pick the wrong house–saying that my child had been recommended to take classes at a modeling school where they "had great opportunities for her in runway and sit-coms." OK, what was your first clue? Drop everything and return call to ensure a dazzling future for my offspring. NO! Please, tell parents that this is a RIP OFF!
My ire was nothing compared to the next. My attention was brought to a casting notice for a movie (they said) for which actors 18-25 (Ding! Ding! Ding!) were needed and the "director felt actors would be more comfortable coming to his home!" The turnip truck to that suburban location will not be leaving if I have anything to do with it. HIS HOME! You have GOT to be kidding. This is one of the classic Seven Early Warning Signs. No! Don’t even think about it.
Subtler and therefore more dangerous is a certain outfit looking for talent and encouraging the young and hopeful to remove more and more of their clothing with the promise of big bucks to be made. Again, NO! These people are out to exploit you. Expose them, not yourselves. Blow the whistle, not your career and self-esteem. Call the Illinois Department of Labor at send this nemisis down the drain where they belong.
I haven’t even begun on the voice-over racquet. Those who promise jobs if you but drop several thousand in their pockets. Of course now that the commercial strike is settled they have less opportunity to rat out their union brothers and sisters as crypto-scabs, exploiting their students and doing everyone irreparable harm. Nope, haven’t even started on them.
But let’s talk about the good stuff. "ER" will be back at the end of August to start taping again. And as ever, the redoubtable Jane Alderman will be casting the local hires.
Tenner Paskal are casting "a bunch of commercials."
And, wowzers, has Claire Simon been busy with soft drink spots. Booked for Coca Cola were: Kecia Cooper, Lance Baker, Larry Neuman Jr., Andy Rothenberg, Dado, Stan Adams, Randy Steinmeyer, James Zoccoli, Larissa Borkowski, Peter De Faria, Clifford Frazier, Jonathon Menchin, Matt Furlin, Mike Bacarella, Justine Scarpa, Janice Leigh, Gary Sugarman, Jeff Rogers, John Hoogenakker, Dave Krause, Damaris Walker, Lusia Strus, Catherine O’Connor, Phil Castrogiovanni, Mitchell Fain, Rich Cotovsky, Jane Lasser, Dominic Capone and Deb Johnson. And she cast Rodney Weary, Bob Still, Dennis Anderson, Dominic Woody, Gustavo Lopez, Will Smith, Ramon Castillo, Miguel Cabrera, Eudy Lajara, Morocco Omari, Josh Willingham, Ryan Martin, Justin O’Connor and Jim Kavourias.
Chicago Casting Company reports that the folks at Cleveland Playhouse were thrilled with the Chicago talent they met recently. CCC is still casting for Lion King and the Meadowbrook production of Pump Boys and Dinettes, as well as for Miracle on 34th Street and The Blue Room (which Peter Forester will direct in their own space). Both Equity and non-Equity submissions are being taken for those two projects.
Lily’s sends word that there were commercial bookings for clients Eva Wilhelm, Kailey Purpur, Alexander Karanikas, Lauro Lopez, Johnny Wells, Matt Whitney, Christina Carrea, Michelle Messmer, Allen Alvarado, Brenda Pickleman, Dolcye Johnson, Sara Krauss, Pilar McQuinter, Geno Calabrese, CJ Lee, Thomas Roche, Matt Dunaway, John Roche, Andrew Davis, the adorable Susan Skofield, Charin Alvarez, Sophia Thomas, Mary Becker, Jimmy Guo, Hershal Hams, Angela McAuley, Albena Dodeva, Ana Maria Alvarez, Thomas Colby, Cyndi Rhoads, Nancy Oda, Richard Kimoto, Brad Reed and Mia Park. Shawn Christie booked an independent film and Gary Joy had a voice-over. Industrials went to Kellie Halihan and Stacey Ann Hepp.
Peace.