BY BELINDA BREMNER
A word of caution and several of congratulations begin this installment.
I’ve had a few calls of late concerning questionable behavior on shoots. And, no, this is not an actor-scold. It seems that some producers aren’t practicing good ethics these days. Reports have reached me of production types approaching actors on shoots and telling them that their agent(s) have made a mistake and sent too many actors to the shoot and that some will have to go home. Now actors should always be pleasant, but before you comply with such a suggestion, take a step back and pick up that cell phone. Call your agent and check this out. If it is a very early call (say before your agent is in his/her office), tell the nice PA that you cannot possibly do anything regarding leaving or staying until you’ve checked with your agent. Politeness is key here. The attitude to adopt is, "Gee, I’d really like to help you out but I have to clear everything with my agent and my union." Do nothing until you have discussed it with your agent and he/she tells you what to do.
Many years ago I had to fly out to Los Angeles for additional shooting on a film. We’d already shot in Chicago and New York but the star/producer was still not happy with the product and scheduled yet another revision and reshoot. The project had been a nightmare from day one but it was a job. During the reshoot, I was taken aside all friendly-like by one of the co-producers and cozily asked if, since the budget was being stretched a little thin, I wouldn’t mind not being paid for my travel days and taking a flat fee for the reshoot. DING! DING! DING! All those years of convent education paid off. I smiled sweetly and said that all such negotiations were out of my control and that, as much as I would like to help, they’d really have to take that up with my agent. It took a couple lifetimes but I did get paid–with penalties.
So, let the agent do the agent’s job. The same goes for anything that doesn’t seem right on a set. Like working conditions. This is why we have agents, unions and cell phones to alert both.
Now, fanfare and applause please! AFTRA’s Equal Employment Opportunities Committee recently announced the winner of its American Scene Awards, "recognizing television and radio producers who portray the diversity of the American scene in a realistic and balanced manner." The Crystal Award in the radio category honored Unshackled, produced by the Pacific Garden Mission and directed by the redoubtable and beloved Bob O’Donell. Now in its 51st year, this weekly radio broadcast is the longest running radio drama performed before a live audience. The cast is made up of the who’s who of Chicago actors and reflects the full spectrum of ethnic, gender and age diversity. The program is heard worldwide on over 1,350 stations. Also honored was WLS-TV and general manager Emily Barr who will receive a Special Chairs’ Award "in recognition of that station’s overall coverage of disability issues and for the employment of Karen L. Meyers, a profoundly deaf broadcaster, as a regular contributor to its nightly newscasts." Congratulations to all!
Film news (or hopes thereof): Nothing really strange or startling to report as of this writing. Half a dozen projects are scouting, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed for a busy and productive late-September into October. "What About Joan?" has begun shooting and will continue to crank out episodes until after Christmas. And "ER" will return on the weekend of the August 24th. Also due in town is "Mind of the Married Man." Good ole Road To Perdition will return for some more first unit pickup footage
Tenner Paskal is busy with a passel of commercial projects. And, what about Joan? Who’s playing with her? Jane Alderman Casting booked Tenisha Davis, Elizabeth Mathis, Weston Mueller, Vanessa Conway, David Lively, Chris Rehmann, Dorie Barton and Lina Miranda.
Claire Simon cast J. D. Mathein for TCEF and is working on a spot for Evanston Northwestern Health Center as well as casting Morning Star for Missouri Rep.
The Chicago Casting Center reports that Tim Decker and Dana Green were cast in Blue Room and that they are casting for A Christmas Carol and Dracula for Actors Theatre of Louisville and for The Beard of Avon for Seattle Rep. Other projects include an industrial for the Museum of World Religions and casting for Miracle of 34th Street. They are still working on Lion King and report that Disney has hired them and their training center to "implement a four week workshop that is currently being done in New York for an ongoing training program for Disney Theatrical future productions."
Lots of commercial bookings to report from Lily’s. Spots were booked by Nancy Oda, Karen Hess, Sarah and Caitlin Gorecki, Sam Sweis, Joe Slatter, Rula Gardiner, Erike Giglia, Allison Hart. Mark Stephen, Nancy Walker and Geno Ramierez.
And loads of commercials, too, for the clients at Emilia Lorence. Work was booked by Chris Jackson, Jessica Vilichis, Nancy Oda, Nancy Watson, Sophia Thomas, Jeanne Scurek, Alicia Skirball, Kevin Lingle, Phil Tang, Gerald McQuirter, Ginny Vandermeer, Wally Vandermeer, Andrew Whatley, Merel Marine, Diane Harkin, Tim Klein, Lorie McDonald, Melissa Culverwell, Deb Johnson, Jamie Newell, Iris Lieberman, Dana Gilhooley, Jan Nisbet, Greg Sandquist, Dave Kappas, Dave Nisbet, Marty Couch, Robert North, Eric Weston, Stan Adams, Joe Krowka, Steve Saltz, Joe Lutz, Charles Scholvin, Cyndi Rhodes, Liz Klein, Ed Fudacz and Ray Andrecheck. Voice-overs went to Cathy Breslin and Rick Plastina.
Peace.