Breaking Into Hollywood: Do I Need to Read the Trades?
I very regularly hear the question: Why should I read the trades? Here's the quick answer: you have to read the trades to know what's going on in the industry you're trying to earn work, income and respect in. I think the better question is: HOW should I read the trades? That's because once you zero in on the key information, you'll be less overwhelmed by all of the additional stories that make reading the trades feel like such a task.
Breaking Into Hollywood: What Materials Do I Need to Market Myself Effectively?
Recently, I was helping a friend of mine put together materials for an upcoming project. We requested a bio from one of the participants three times, and it finally arrived a few days later, with typos. At that moment I thought, Sometimes Hollywood hopefuls are so focused on what they hope employers are going to give them, they aren't prepared with what they're supposed to give US. So here are the five marketing materials, at minimum, you need to always have on hand to advance as a professional in show business.
Breaking Into Hollywood: How Much Should I Ask People to Pay Me?
If you're starting out or moving up in the entertainment industry, knowing what pay rate to ask for is particularly hard. In general, it's very important not to sell yourself too short OR price yourself too high. What determines this is not just the market rate for the services you're delivering. When you're setting your fee for a job, take nine key things into consideration - every time.
Breaking Into Hollywood: How Do I Sell My Own Reality TV Show?
How do you sell a reality show? Let's start with the gut answer. If you're like most people who work in reality TV, you sell a show by working for some years in reality television, amassing good credits and production experience, building strong relationships with production companies, networks and vendors, running someone else's shows for trench education, then pitching your concepts and your solid reputation to make your first sale(s). If that doesn't sound like you, or especially if it does, please read on.
Breaking Into Hollywood: How Do I Sell My New Screenplay?
When new screenwriters finish their scripts, they often begin the search for a rep to submit the work around town. But is that the best way to do it? Well, sure! But it's not the ONLY way to do it. As you prep to get your script sold, base your marketing strategy on these three steps.
Breaking Into Hollywood: How Do I Get a Job as a Story Analyst or Script Reader?
One of my first jobs in Los Angeles was as a story analyst at a major production company. If you'd love to spend long nights and weekends reading and analyzing the future hits (and not-so-much-a-hits) of Hollywood, here's how you go after this fascinating, funny and frankly high burn-out entry-level gig.
Movie Review: Sandler Reigns It In
Most who go to this movie will have an idea what it is about; a man loses his entire family and even his dog in a flight from Boston that fateful morning of September 11, 2001.
Celebrity Suicides And Deaths: Very Sad Stories-Part II Of III
After the suicide of band Boston leader Brad Delp and comedian Richard Jeni, I started to research other suicides by celebrities or famous people.
Reign Over Me Unscripted: Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle
Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle tackle depression and loss in Reign Over Me. But in their Unscripted, they treat us to a tour of Q-tips in nether regions, playing golf and music together and male-bonding on a go-ped. Alan Johnson has everything he needs to get through life: a good job, a beautiful and loving wife, and their wonderful children. Yet he feels isolated because he finds having a hard-working job and managing a family too much to handle and has no one to talk to about it. Charlie Fineman, on the other hand, doesn't have a job or a family. He used to have both until he lost his family on the fateful day of 9/11, and the grief he felt caused him to quit his job and isolate himself from everyone around him. As it turns out, Alan and Charlie were roommates in college, and a chance encounter one night rekindles the friendship they shared. They soon feel that their friendship is the one thing that allows them to forget about their problems.
Premonition Unscripted: Part 1
Sandra Bullock and Julian McMahon think they could be the next Regis and Kelly. The Premonition co-stars talk Chia Pets, TV-acting and filming in Louisiana. Depressed housewife learns her husband was killed in a car accident the day previously, awakens the next morning to find him alive and well at home, and then awakens the next day after to a world in which he is still dead.
Premonition Unscripted: Part 2
Sandra Bullock and Julian McMahon think they could be the next Regis and Kelly. The Premonition co-stars talk Chia Pets, TV-acting and filming in Louisiana. Depressed housewife learns her husband was killed in a car accident the day previously, awakens the next morning to find him alive and well at home, and then awakens the next day after to a world in which he is still dead.
Premonition Unscripted: Part 3
Sandra Bullock and Julian McMahon think they could be the next Regis and Kelly. The Premonition co-stars talk Chia Pets, TV-acting and filming in Louisiana. Depressed housewife learns her husband was killed in a car accident the day previously, awakens the next morning to find him alive and well at home, and then awakens the next day after to a world in which he is still dead.
Adam Sandler's Endless Love
How close did Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle get on their new movie? Alan Johnson has everything he needs to get through life: a good job, a beautiful and loving wife, and their wonderful children. Yet he feels isolated because he finds having a hard-working job and managing a family too much to handle and has no one to talk to about it. Charlie Fineman, on the other hand, doesn't have a job or a family. He used to have both until he lost his family on the fateful day of 9/11, and the grief he felt caused him to quit his job and isolate himself from everyone around him. As it turns out, Alan and Charlie were roommates in college, and a chance encounter one night rekindles the friendship they shared. They soon feel that their friendship is the one thing that allows them to forget about their problems.
Detox-Junos: Entourage, Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, 54-46
Weekly wrap of music, movies and TV.
Reign Over Me Review
Giovanni Campea gives his quick review of Reign Over Me. Alan Johnson has everything he needs to get through life: a good job, a beautiful and loving wife, and their wonderful children. Yet he feels isolated because he finds having a hard-working job and managing a family too much to handle and has no one to talk to about it. Charlie Fineman, on the other hand, doesn't have a job or a family. He used to have both until he lost his family on the fateful day of 9/11, and the grief he felt caused him to quit his job and isolate himself from everyone around him. As it turns out, Alan and Charlie were roommates in college, and a chance encounter one night rekindles the friendship they shared. They soon feel that their friendship is the one thing that allows them to forget about their problems.
Reign Over Me
Adam Sandler lost his family on a plane on 911 and he is emotionally disturbed as a result. His college roommate meets up with him and the both learn to live again.
Sidewalks TV: Reign Over Me
During a red carpet /special screening for U.C. Berkeley students, Sidewalks correspondents Natalie Manuel and Eve Galazin interview Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle and director Mike Binder about their film, Reign Over Me. Alan Johnson has everything he needs to get through life: a good job, a beautiful and loving wife, and their wonderful children. Yet he feels isolated because he finds having a hard-working job and managing a family too much to handle and has no one to talk to about it. Charlie Fineman, on the other hand, doesn't have a job or a family. He used to have both until he lost his family on the fateful day of 9/11, and the grief he felt caused him to quit his job and isolate himself from everyone around him. As it turns out, Alan and Charlie were roommates in college, and a chance encounter one night rekindles the friendship they shared. They soon feel that their friendship is the one thing that allows them to forget about their problems.
Blades of Glory Premiere in Hollywood
Will Ferrell and Jon Heder talked to ReelzChannel at the Hollywood premiere for the new movie, Blades of Glory. In 2002, two rival Olympic ice skaters were stripped of their gold medals and permanently banned from men's single competition. Presently, however, they've found a loophole that will allow them to qualify as a pairs team.
Will Ferrell and Jon Heder talk Blades of Glory
The stars of Blades of Glory sat down with Mike Richards from Dailies for an exclusive interview. In 2002, two rival Olympic ice skaters were stripped of their gold medals and permanently banned from men's single competition. Presently, however, they've found a loophole that will allow them to qualify as a pairs team.
Follow the Career of Will Ferrell
From A Night at the Roxbury in 1998 to Blades of Glory (2007), this comedic genius is already a legend in his own time. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Will Ferrell became interested in performing while a student at University High School in Irvine, California, where he made his school's daily morning announcements over the public address system in disguised voices. He started as a member of the Los Angeles comedy/improvisation group The Groundlings, where fellow cast members Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph and former Saturday Night Live (1975) repertory players such as Laraine Newman, Jon Lovitz and Phil Hartman began their careers. It was there he met Chris Kattan and the two became good friends and both went on to Saturday Night Live (1975) later. He has also appeared on several television programs, including Strangers with Candy (1999), Grace Under Fire (1993) and Living Single (1993) during his time at The Groundlings. Will also lent his voice to the armless and legless dad of cartoon family The Oblongs. In 1995 he became a feature cast member at Saturday Night Live (1975) during the show's rapid re-casting. He was declared quite possibly the worst cast member ever during his first season. However, his talents of impersonations and range of characters shot him forward to making him arguably the greatest Saturday Night Live (1975) cast member ever. During his seven year run he is one of the few cast members to ever be nominated for an Emmy for a performance and played George W. Bush during the 2000 elections. He's appeared in every Saturday Night Live (1975) movie since his premiere on the show in 1995. In 2002 he left Saturday Night Live (1975) and was the only cast member to ever receive a farewell from all the current cast members at the end of the season finale show. Since leaving the show Will has pursued a career in films. In 2000 he married and now lives in L.A.
Are We Done Yet? Movie Review
Ice Cube plays a agitated publisher who moves his new family to the country to buy a house that is more than he bargained for. Lots of slapstick, crashing, smashing, and laughing, when his realtor sells him more than a fixer up dream house. Newlyweds Nick (Ice Cube) and Suzanne (Long) decide to move to the suburbs to provide a better life for their two kids. But their idea of a dream home is disturbed by a contractor (McGinley) with a bizarre approach to business.
Liquid Generation Tag Teams Will Ferrell and Blades of Glory
LG got up close and personal with Will Ferrell and all the stars of the upcoming film Blades of Glory. Was Will able to handle our intense tag team interviews? Watch it and find out! In 2002, two rival Olympic ice skaters were stripped of their gold medals and permanently banned from men's single competition. Presently, however, they've found a loophole that will allow them to qualify as a pairs team.
