Whirlwind

It has been quite the busy past couple of weeks.

I started a new class; The Hamlet Project Chicago opened; I auditioned for and was cast in another short film; and I had a dear friend come in from Tennessee. She had never been to Chicago before so I was playing tour guide again. I have another Tennessee friend coming in tomorrow for the second week of the show. Absolutely amazing. I am beyond thrilled that they were willing to make the trip north to see this crazy, weird, and fun show I've been working on. Seriously, you should come check it out. I will love you all forever if you do.

This post is a check in to tell you all that I haven't forgotten about this blog, and I have some things that I've learned in voiceover class that I want to share and I'll be updating my "What To Do When Friends Come to Visit" list.

When Parents, Spouses, Friends, etc. Don't Support Your Dream

I am going to preface this post with a disclaimer. I am fortunate to have a family and friends that are beyond supportive of my creative career path. However, many of my peers are not so fortunate. What follows is a wonderful video to inspire you. This video applies not only to careers in acting, but any sort of non-traditional life pursuit. I hope you enjoy and I hope it brings you some comfort.

If you follow me on twitter you'll have seen this one, but I think it's worth sharing again.

Should Actors Do Student Films?

As I've mentioned on this blog before, I have significantly more theatre credits than film credits. I'm comfortable in the theatre (as comfortable as I get anyway, still get nervous, etc.), but, when I started this blog I'd had one film experience. Since January, I've taken a highly recommended class, and participated in several film projects, the majority of them student produced. For one of those projects, check out the video below the list. These are some of the reasons I think student films are valuable for an actor.

1. We're learning together.
I find that student projects allow a bit a leeway. For example, (you'll see this in the video below) I had never done a Point of View (POV) shot. I didn't know where to look. If you look directly into the lens your eyes look a little crossed. The sweet spot is just above the lens. On the camera that was used (Canon, can't remember the model), I looked at the logo on the front of the body. The acting itself reminded me of when I was little and would playact to some inanimate object in my room. (You all did that right?) It's challenging in a different way than having a partner off which to play. The point is, at this juncture in my filmmaking journey, I'm still learning, still finding what works and so are they.  

2. Questions are fine.
This is probably my favorite part of working on a student film. I'm interested in not only acting, but the process of making film from pre to post production. I ask questions when I'm on set. I want to know what lens they're using, why they chose it, what the ISO does for a shot, etc. I want to know what the sound guy's favorite equipment is and how the director found the location. I would never, ever, do this on a professional set where time is money, etc. For professional shoots I'm there to do my work and get out. On student projects, however, I've always felt comfortable asking questions and I generally get enthusiastic replies. The crew is devoting their time to this project too. They like what they do, and when people like what they do they tend to like to talk about it. This being said, ask your questions in one of the myriad down times, not when people are trying to get stuff done.

3. Quick and Dirty
Granted, I've only done short films to this point, but I love how fast, at least for me, the process is. I learn my lines, maybe have a rehearsal, and then shoot. In general, filming takes a day or two. Granted, these days are often very long.

4. Micro-budget to the extreme.
This pertains more to my specific interests, but I am really into the micro-budget filmmaking process. Technology has opened up movie making to the masses. Anyone with an iPhone can make a film. Skeptical? Check out Uneasy Lies the Mind, a feature film shot entirely on the iPhone. With student films I get to observe who is necessary to a shoot, what can be cut, and creative solutions to make things work with very little man power.

5. These are the future superstars.
Is this too optimistic? Maybe. But, you are working with future professionals in an industry where relationships mean everything. In fact, I was recently contacted to audition for a project that I saw a breakdown for, but to which I didn't submit. I didn't think I was right for the role. However, one of the producers had seen my work in a classmate's project and liked what I did and wanted me to come in and read for it. Did I get the part? Probably not. But, I know I did well in the audition and met some more people.

My experiences have, thus far, been positive. This is not to say that I won't inadvertently get involved in a horribly inefficient and miserable project. But, I think that risk is worth the benefit of continuing to work on my craft with people who are also trying to perfect theirs.

What are your thoughts on doing student films?

Garden State (DC 462 Scene Recreation) from Matthew Baran on Vimeo.

Dealing with the Doldrums: Downtime and the Actor

Taken on a morning run along Lake Michigan.

Yes, yes, I'm late again. My dog had surgery back in my hometown so I had to take her down south, return for rehearsal, and then drive back to get her. I know, excuses, excuses.

The Doldrums "is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage, in which it refers to those parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a low-pressure area around the equator where the prevailing winds are calm.... The doldrums are... noted for calm periods when the winds disappear altogether, trapping sail-powered boats for periods of days or weeks." Wikipedia. 

I am in the midst of my own Doldrums. I'm not sure how it is for other people, but my acting cycle tends to come in starts and stops. I will have a hellishly busy (read wonderful) week where I feel like I can barely breathe for all the auditioning, filming, and rehearsing, my sink gets full of dirty dishes, and my tiny apartment looks like a hurricane blew through. (Nautical theme today, happy summer y'all). Then, the next week, nothing. Not a single audition. I try not to let despair set in. I know that eventually there will be another audition, this town is so full of theatres how could it not happen? It's a numbers game, and I haven't been here long enough for them all to hate me (<-- Bad state of mind. Avoid this!) So I try to use the time to learn about other areas of this business and to catch up on some good TV and film.

For example, I recently finished The Screenwriter's Bible. I'm interested in the process, and have a few ideas kicking around in my head. So I started a screenplay. We've talked about content creation and my doldrums are the time when I try to create more. To be perfectly honest, it doesn't always work. I tend to be massively inefficient when I'm not busy, but I know this about myself and am, sort of, working on it. 

I also use the time to catch up on TV and film that I've not seen. I love entertainment. Obviously, right? Observe what I'm doing with my life. I think it's valuable to be exposed to lots of different styles and genres. I learn something from every actor's performance that I watch. I even base (steal) some characters that I audition for on tics that I've seen other actors do. Right now I'm on a TV kick. I recently burned through the first season of Rectify. The show breathes. It's slow and methodical and the performances are absolutely amazing. It's tempting to say that nothing much happens, but it's rare for a show where the characters get to spend an entire episode, heck, a season, feeling. I cannot recommend it enough. Then, I tore through the first two seasons of Arrow. So. Good. I love that show and am obsessed with #Olicity. It's going to happen. But, I digress. Arrow is a completely different show than Rectify. It barely has room to breathe with the 45 minute action movie that every episode presents. But, I still find the characters to be compelling and the acting super solid. Different styles, different lessons.

Basically, I'm always trying to learn something about this craft that I love. Next up on my reading list is The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age. It's probably going to take me awhile.

How do you all deal with the doldrums?