Chicago Acting blog by David August

SAG & AFTRA Reach Agreement on Merger Rec to National Boards

2012-01-17T13:20:00.001-06:00

The unions are getting closer to merging, which is a very good thing. More on my LA acting blog.

Production Tax Credit for Big Theatre in Illinois

2012-01-06T13:03:00.002-06:00

The so-called Live Theatre Production Tax Credit, long sought by Broadway in Chicago, is designed to support Illinois engagements of pre-Broadway and long-running shows in theaters of 1,200 seats or more. It provides producers with tax credits in return for their spending in the State of Illnois; up to 20% of spending on such things as labor and marketing can be applied. The program is capped at $2 million per year

(from Chicago Tribune).

Juror Jailed for Ditching Court to See a Show

2012-01-02T17:57:00.002-06:00

A teenage juror, who interrupted a trial when he pretended to be ill so that he could go and see a London stage show, has been detained for 14 days...Banks [the juror] went to see the show Chicago in the West End.

(from The Guardian). He had it coming ;-).

Chicago Pride

2011-12-12T16:21:00.001-06:00

It's not the Willis Tower, it's the Sears Tower, I don't wear sneakers, I wear gym shoes. I don't drink soda, I drink pop. I don't go to the movies, I go to the show. Where I'm from is determimed by north, south, east, or west. I'm from the city with the best pizza, hot dogs and GUYros. I have taken the train, L, and subway at the same time without even leaving my seat. 40 degrees isn't cold. My basketball team has 6 rings. My football team did the super bowl shuffle. Your tall buildings don't impress me. Your country living don't move me. I don't need to put my city on a hat to tell where I'm from, the way I move explains enough! Repost if you are from THE CHI AND YOU LOVE IT! (from Erick Esteban).

Samuel French Ebooks and Digital Play Scripts

2011-11-15T15:36:00.002-06:00

Today, Samuel French began offering someone their publications digitally. Read details on my LA Acting blog.

Online Auditioning for Stage More Common

2011-08-09T22:14:00.002-05:00

A rite of passage for young actors - waiting in long lines to be seen by Broadway casting directors, clutching head shots with I-hope-I-get-it fervor - has faded, as more producers and directors have abandoned the long-held assumption that they need to be in the room to assess stage presence and other qualities. While some casting directors have looked at audition tapes here and there over the years, the advent of YouTube, Skype, Facebook, Flip cameras and widely available video equipment has recently given technology a greater role in theater casting, providing a foot in the stage door for the technically savvy.

While no breakout theater star has been discovered solely through online auditions, several casting directors said it was only a matter of time.

(from The New York Times).

Taymor Tries to Heal Her Image

2011-06-21T04:07:00.004-05:00

Breaking her silence about "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," the Broadway musical from which she was fired in March, Julie Taymor tacitly criticized her former producers on Saturday afternoon for relying on audience focus groups and said that the rise of Twitter and blogs for instant theater criticism was damaging to shows

(from The New York Times). The most expensive Broadway production ever produced, "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" was already controversial before Julie Taymor left the production. Last year, before opening, the production separately injured 4 different actors with broken wrists, ribs, feet (or a toe), a concussion and internal bleeding.

Lookingglass Wins Tony Award for Excellence in Regional Theater

2011-06-12T17:11:00.002-05:00

Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre Company has 22 ensemble members. Twenty-one of them will be in the confines of New York's Beacon Theatre on Sunday night when Lookingglass becomes the fifth Chicago company to win the Tony Award for excellence in regional theater.

You likely won't see them all on television

(from Chicago Tribune).

How Much a Tony Win is Worth

2011-06-12T16:57:00.002-05:00

On average, winners of the Tony for best musical saw their average weekly gross jump 48 percent, from $656,784 in the eight weeks before the ceremony to $972,006 in the eight weeks after. By contrast, the other nominees saw only a 21 percent increase in their weekly gross in the comparable time frames

(from The New York Times).

Mickey Grossman Memorial Service

2011-06-04T16:47:00.001-05:00

Plans are being made at this time to hold a memorial service in Chicago on Monday, June 13th. Exact location and time TBD. If you have any questions, please contact Mickie Paskal or Jennifer Rudnicke at 312-527-0665

-Jennifer Rudnicke

Nobody Knows Anything

2011-05-14T22:46:00.003-05:00

While originally written for the LA market, it applies to all of entertainment. My first guest post:

In Hollywood nobody knows anything. Clearly this is true. Otherwise every movie would be a hit. Every play would run forever. Every actor would be a millionaire, and every agent/manager/casting director would be too busy booking talent on brilliant and commercially wildly successful projects to get paid to attend workshops. We know nobody knows anything.

Read the rest of this on ActorRated.com.

Chicago Code Not Renewed

2011-05-12T12:58:00.001-05:00

The show will not have a second season on its current network; no word yet if another outlet may pick it up.

Combined Union Intitiation Dues

2011-05-11T16:44:00.001-05:00

If SAG and AFTRA merge, how initiation dues should be handled.

Acting Studio Chicago Free Class April 17, 1pm-4pm

2011-04-04T15:32:00.002-05:00

Kurt Naebig's talk about the job of the actor and the auditioning process. Kurt will give you a taste of what it takes by discussing Michael Shurtleff's 12 Guideposts...considered by some of the top professionals in the industry as the most practical, most specific way to work as an actor. His book Audition is considered by many to be the 'bible for aspiring actors.'

Call 312-527-4566 to reserve. This is all I know about this; caveat actor.

Spider-Man Losing Taymor

2011-03-09T18:15:00.002-06:00

The New York Times reports March 9 that Tony-winning director Julie Taymor will likely depart the troubled, $65 million musical Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark

(from Playbill).

Actor Branding

2011-02-18T20:34:00.003-06:00

...a slogan is only useful if someone, somewhere, might say the opposite. Otherwise you're not saying anything, especially anything that sets you apart from anyone else.

Read the rest of the post about having a point of view on my LA Acting blog.

Batman 3 Extras Casting in Chicago

2010-09-30T19:29:00.001-05:00

Looks like Joan Philo Casting will be doing local extras casting for the next Batman movie starting in March 2011.

RideAlong Picked Up

2010-05-24T20:48:00.003-05:00

The Fox pilot RideAlong has been picked up (Hollywood Reporter). The pilot shot in Chicago. Claire Simon Casting did local principle casting and ExtraOrdinary Casting did background casting.

May be too early to know what portion of the show, if any, will shoot in Chicago. Please leave a comment if you have any news/updates/insight (or know who will be casting).

Update February 2011 (better late than never): the show is now called 'Chicago Code' and is quite good.

Today is Talk Like Shakespeare Day

2010-04-23T13:39:00.002-05:00

In recognition of Shakespeare’s 446th birthday, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced that today, Friday, April 23, is Talk Like Shakespeare Day-an occasion for citizens to bring the spoken words of Shakespeare into their daily lives

(from Chicago Shakespeare). More at talklikeshakespeare.org.

Top 5 Things to Ask in an Agent Meeting

2010-04-21T19:02:00.001-05:00

An answer to "What are the top 5 things to ask when meeting with a potential agent?" While written for Los Angeles, much applies to the Chicago market as well.

Quality of Life

2010-02-22T16:15:00.001-06:00

Life's like a play; it's not the length but the excellence of the acting that matters.

-Seneca

Adrianne Cury on Early Mistakes

2010-02-01T18:58:00.001-06:00

Q: What is the biggest mistake that you have made in your early career?

A: Saying no a bit too much, for fear of making a poor choice. Seek advice, sure, and have a compass, but leap more often without fear

(from actingstudiochicago.com). However, as Bob Fraser points out, an actor's true power is the ability to say 'no'::

In business, it is critical to use your power. And in our business, as Leonard Hanzer so aptly put it, the only power you have is in denial of services. The ability to just say, "no."

However, we are steeped in "yes" attitude and because of that - we often get in trouble when it comes to the business end of our careers.

That is why I advise all actors to start practicing to say "no" immediately. This is not a power that comes later - along with the limo and the red carpet, after you've started making good money - it's something that you must start building now, from the ground up.

...you must have standards.

I think that a professional actor's minimal standards should include, "I'm doing this for money." Because, after all, remuneration lies at the very heart of the definition of 'professional.'

As Jeff Goldblum said succinctly, No pay, no Goldblum. That's it.

Midwest Independent Film Festival Feb. 2nd

2010-02-01T09:38:00.000-06:00

The Midwest Independent Film Festival takes place Tuesday, February 2nd at 6 p.m. at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark Street [Google Map].

Agent Interview with Elizabeth Geddes

2010-01-12T20:41:00.001-06:00

Headshots, of course, are important. Resumes should be current. Geddes emphasizes the importance of the drop-in. Check-in is an antiquated way of doing it. Actors should stop by every couple of weeks and check their files. Replenish photos! Every time they get a new booking, bring in a new resume

(from PerformInk circa 2000).

Agent Interview with Bob Schroeder

2010-01-04T13:01:00.001-06:00

[Rachael Patterson:] What is one piece of advice you would give an actor right out of college?

[Bob Schroeder, Senior Agent, Aria Talent:] Get a job! If the actor has decided to live and work in Chicago... Don't worry about finding an agent right away, you are most likely not ready for one. Do your work and research Chicago Theatre. Audition for small storefront theatre and work your way up. Eventually you will be cast. Chicago agents see theatre and we will find YOU

(from Acting Studio Chicago).