And to know this movie took so much work and so much time  and SO MUCH MONEY makes one think of where the directors priorities. But like I said, money cant always buy quality. So here is an article from Gizmodo about one of the good things this movie can offer (if not the only one)…the special effects. For the full article...Click Here.

Leaving a decent phone message seems like it would be a no-brainer, right? Unfortunately, not always. All too often Mr. Mumbles, Ms. Fast-Talker, and Mrs. Nocontactinfo leave messages. Yet the difference between a good message and a bad one might mean landing that next role or not. Casting directors and agents wont always be available, they are busy people if they are doing their job right, so its YOUR job to make sure you are understood and make it easier on them.

Here are some phone “dos”:

Slow down.

It’s true that no one wants to listen to a five-minute phone message, but there’s no need to leave a fast-talking voicemail. Slow down and speak clearly. Nothing is more frustrating than having to listen to a voicemail four or five times to understand the message… Or, as I often have to do, have someone else listen to it to see if they can understand what the person is saying (they usually have the same luck I have).

Explain why you’re calling.

I receive a ton of messages from people who simply leave their name and number. When I call them back, it turns out I’m not the person that can help. If they had left the specifics in their voicemail, they wouldn’t have wasted my time or their time with a call back that didn’t solve anything. Be specific.

Leave complete information.

For two days in a row I received a voicemail from a woman who left her first name and company but no phone number. I tried calling the general company line and asking for her but without a last name the large company could not help me. She ending up getting a hold of my secretary and leaving an angry message that I never got back to her. Trust me, I would have if she left the appropriate information.

Also, don’t assume that the person you’re calling has your information, even if you spoken to them before. It’s always appreciated when you leave a call back number; it saves the recipient from having to look up your number.

Repeat. Repeat again.

Say your name and phone number and then say it again. You should say your information at least twice, if not three times.

I’ve used a number of digital hand-held devices over the last few years.  Some were great time savers and others cost me more in productivity.  Here are some tips written by Mark Shead on choosing a PDA that will help you save time and be more organized and most of all, BE ACCESSIBLE.

1. Make sure you’ll actually use it.  For example, if the device requires you to select letters one by one using a stylus, be honest about whether or not you’ll have the patience to actually type anything that way.
2. Will you carry the device with you? If you are already toting a cell phone, wallet, pager, etc. are you going to have room for another device? If not, you might want to consider getting a combination device that works as a phone and a PDA.
3. Does the screen work in the places you plan to be?  Some screens can’t be read in direct sunlight.  If you plan to use your device outside, you should be aware of this.  Other screens work great in direct sunlight, but have weak backlights making them hard to use in dimly lit rooms.
4. What is better left to paper?  Before you buy make sure you are being realistic about how you will use the device.  For example, if you are a fast typist, you may find a small keyboard or stylus to be too annoying for taking lecture notes.  Paper may be a better alternative in that situation.  Also, if you need to write notes involving special symbols or sketches, it might be better to carry a small notebook for that task.
5. Syncing capability.  How does the device connect with your other electronic tools?  Will  you need to manually copy all of your addresses into it from your computer, or can it sync back and forth to keep both your desktop and hand-held up to date with the same information.
6. Wireless connectivity.  Does the device allow you to check your emails and browse the web?  If you need to be in constant email contact, this can be a liberating feature by freeing you from being at a computer.  Make sure you understand the coverage and charges associated with this feature.
7. Basic usability.  Make sure the device works the way you want to be able to work.  For example, can you quickly place a call or send an email directly from the address book?  If the device is a phone, how easy is it to record the number of someone who just called into a new or existing contact?

Here’s how to construct the perfect email:

Subject line
Subject lines are critical to getting people to actually open your email.

DO:

Always (always!) include a subject line.
Indicate if action is required.
Include an action verb, if appropriate. Example: “Join us for an important screen-test ”
Example of good subject line: “New Role Development Meeting Notes 02/28/08″
Example of good subject line: “New Changes on script – Response Requested”

DONT:

Use the subject line as the entire email.
Overdo the “high priority” button. You don’t want to be “the boy who cried wolf.”
Be too generic in your subject line.
Example of not-so-good subject line: “Notes”
Example of not-so-good subject line: “Changes”

Greeting
Always start your emails with a greeting. I almost always start my emails with “Hi (insert name).” Other options include: dear, hello, or just their name. Just make sure you include some kind of greeting. And even if you are writing an email to an agency seeking representation, do your homework and find someone to direct it to. Whether it be the Commercial department head, an associate agent…find their name!  NEVER say: “To whom it may concern” or anything of the likes.

Body
The body of your email should include all pertinent details in an easy-to-read format. Clearly state:
1. The purpose of the email.
2. Any actions or tasks required from the email. Don’t forget to include dates.
3. Any attachments to the email. These should be spelled out so the recipient knows exactly what should be included in the email.
4. A recap or next steps, if appropriate.

Attachments
A headshot and resume are mandatory here for new contacts. If its not your first time emailing this person thats a different story. Be sure to appropriately and accurately name your documents before attaching them so if they download them there is no misunderstandings. Similarily, if you attach more than one document, the recipient should know by looking at the names of the documents which one is which. And ALWAYS send ur resume and headshot in PDF form! No Text or other files.

Acceptable attachment name: “John Smith Resume 2/5/08 .Pdf”
Unacceptable attachment name: JS.pdf

Closing
Just like the greeting, always end with a closing, even it’s just your name (See Signature) . Other popular options include: thanks, talk soon, see you soon, look forward to talking to you soon, all the best, best, best wishes, thank you.

Signature
Always have a “signature” on the bottom of your email. (This is a personal preference of mine. I get so frustrated when I want to call someone in response to their email and their phone number is not included in the email signature.) Signatures can be set up so they automatically are included in the bottom of your email address – I highly recommend this.

This signature should include:
Your name
Your title (optional)
Your Agent
Your Agents Address
Your phone number
Your cell/fax number (optional)
Your email address (optional, but especially handy if the email is printed out and doesn’t include
your complete email address)

Here’s how to put it all together:

Subject: It’s pilot season and I need your help!

Hi Chris:

Can you believe it’s pilot season already? I really enjoyed working with you last year on the “Stranded” audition, and I wanted to invite you to our rehersal sessions this year to help out with a couple of us actors. We could use a great coach to give the show that extra umpf!

In these sessions you would assist:
1. Me
2. The 2 child actors: Katy Mink and Jack Stell
3. Actor Steven Guil
Attached please find the complete resumes, “Actors Resumes: Stranded season 2. 8/3/04 ”

I hope you can join us on the following dates:
1. Date & location #1
2. Date & location #2

Chris, thanks again for your support. Please let me know if you can make these dates.

I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Angela

Angela Strass
Rep: Jackson Artist Management
3680 W Grand Blvd
Phone: (555) 4567

Get emailing!

We have all been there. You use google to search for someone you just met, to verify something a date told you, to find info on your favorite actor. But what happens when you do? You normally get both sides of the story. The good and the bad harsh critics. So if you are thinking of searching for yourself…be ready.

The obvious dangers of looking to see what others say of you is of course; finding something you dont want to see. Worse than that, you might even find things written from people you DO know and who might have even once been considered your friends. Or nasty little critics who may have absolutely nothing in common with you but still claim they know you, or they dated you once, or they know your ex…so on and so on…

In very few cases, if you have started to actually be known for your work, the worst you will find is a not-so-good review of your last role. But more often than not, an actors life is going to be surrounded by negativity, criticism, skepticism and even lies. The greater an actor, normally the worst it gets. You have to deal with it if you chose this profession, but if you rather not hear it, then dont google yourself, or read the gossip magazines, or try and find out who is talking about you…

On the other hand, curiosity killed the cat. So in my case at least, I cant help it. I just want a glimpse at what is put out there. Granted, I take in the good AND the bad, and take it all with a grain of salt because you never know whats coming next. So my advice to all you curious actors out-there trying to know what is said about them, their work…etc, is NEVER take ANYTHING on the internet TO HEART. The good can be just as harmful to you as a person as the bad, so it goes for those wonderful fanblogs out there that claim you are a natural star and sooo underrated! Dont believe that either. Let it feel good to know others think it, but dont think it yourself. You will be setting yourself for disappointment. And the bad stuff? Well, its just gonna “keep on coming’” so I would just try and get over it as soon as possible. But try and use what you can of negative critics. For example: did a critic say no one

can understand you and the tone of your voice is as false as can be? Well maybe he is the one with the problem, or simply a jerk. But…could it also be possible that you could benefit from taking some good voice classes? Think about what positive things you can get out of even the most horrid criticisms.

A note on gossip: mostly Ive been referring on “professional” comments on google. But what about those pictures of you on a date and a note saying its your lover when its just a friend. Or the picture of a “not so good day” on the beach where they make fun of your “Love-handles”? Well ladies and gentlemen, if you cannot deal with those things (And I in no way think they are right. There SHOULD be a law to forbid it) but being the way show-biz is now a days, then you probably shouldn’t be in the biz. It comes with the title and as hard as it is, you need to be graceful about it, and ignore every single piece of gossip that comes out. On you OR on any other actor. Dont get sucked in.

Free application Zviewer is a one-stop shop for all your web video needs, integrating everything from Hulu and YouTube to Netflix Watch Instantly in a full-screen interface. The app lets you browse listings from different on-demand video sites and launch any video instantly. Apart from aggregating all this on-demand video, the cool thing about Zviewer is that it supports most Windows remote controls, so if you already have a Media Center PC, you can control the app from across the room. Unfortunately Zviewer is a little less of a full-service solution than we’d like, since playing a video simply launches a customized version of Firefox instead of handling the video itself. The company that develops Zviewer also sells an outrageously priced set-top box that does works similarly to the standalone app while adding more computer-to-TV functionality, but if your computer is already hooked up to your TV, Zviewer does the trick. Zviewer is a free download, Windows only.

Demo reels have one purpose and one purpose only: Showing you (I know you love it!). And that means it is of no importance who feeds you the line, their response, their shot, only you, you, you. Here is how a proper reel should look:

• Your name and a headshot (still-image) is generally the opening.

• The first 20 or 30 Seconds (the average time you have to make an impression on the Casting Director) should be small cuts of you: by that I mean, you sad, you from the side, you from the back, you from the front, you with your head up, you crying, you laughing, you looking great, you looking completely different, you turning to look at the camera…etc. This is where you let them wonder about you. If they see something they like they will keep watching, sadly otherwise, that’s when they press STOP.

• The next part (45 seconds to a minute) should be the best scene you’ve got. This time if you can, also focus on your shots, but if you cant just leave the scene as edited, complete and make sure it’s The Scene; your best one. Never put mediocre work on a demo, but if it’s the only one you have atleast leave it for the end.

• The rest should be other scenes in which (if possible) you are using very different resources and portraying different characters.

This gives you a perfectly decent demo reel. But two things to bear in mind: First: the casting directors go over thousands of reels each week so respecting this basic form, always try to use your imagination and give your personal touch to it. Whether it be with the music or amazing features… Second: EDIT EDIT EDIT. And then EDIT some more. Most actors (especially new comers) tend to want to put ALL their material on their reel. DON’T. Please realize its not about quantity but quality here guys, and its important to be selective. Take advantage of the fact that normally you will have no say in what image is chosen to portray you except now. So choose wisely.

If you want to see the website (I couldn’t really understand much)...click here.