Happy Birthday to Daily Actor!

Today, Daily Actor is 2 years old!

I want to thank every one of you who has visited – either for the very first time or on a regular basis. You have helped the site grow tremendously and without you and your kind words of encouragement, I don’t know where this site would be.

I’ve been able to interview so many great actors; John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill, Oscar Nominated actress Melissa Leo, Tony Nominees Montego Glover and Stephen Kunken and many more. I hope you got as much out of the interviews as I did.

I don’t charge a fee for this website (like others do). All I ask is that you continue to pass the word on to your actor friends. The bigger this site gets, the more interviews I can do and that’s just more information I can pass onto you.

In the coming months, you can expect more great interviews and columns and a few more additions as well! And as always, if you have any suggestions, let me know what I’m missing. I love suggestions!

And, as a little thank you, I’m giving away new copy of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia – Seasons 1 & 2!

Just go to the Daily Actor Facebook page and put your name under the comment section. It’s as simple as that! I’ll randomly pick a name this Friday!

Once again, thanks so much and I wish you all so much success this year!

- Lance

Screenplay: Twilight Eclipse

Want the screenplay to Twilight Eclipse?

Sure you do!

Click here for the script

Director: David Slade

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Peter Facinelli, Jackson Rathbone, Elizabeth Reaser

Top 11 Reputable Casting Websites

One of the things that can get me incensed as a career coach is when casting websites pop up promising to give actors access to stardom. Some sites make it sounds like an actor’s big break is just around the corner, and all they need to do is pay a fee and they’re in! But most actors know that success comes with good training, strong relationship building, and the ability & wherewithal to seize an opportunity when it presents itself (also known as tenacity.) The trouble is, even the smartest actor has heard at least one rags-to-riches story, and the allure of a quick win sometimes overshadows common sense.

So, to combat the many unscrupulous characters baiting actors with empty promises, below you’ll find are 11 of my favorite reputable websites where casting notices can be found.

Actors Access
Backstage
Actors Equity Casting Call
Playbill
SAG Indie
Now Casting
Casting Networks/LACasting.com
Casting Networks/NYCasting.com
NYCastings.com
Mandy.com
Craigslist

Any of the others not listed here typically have the same notices that are on the above sites. If you are in LA or NY, I would caution you if paying to use any website other than these listed- it probably wouldn’t be worth the money. Of course, there are exceptions and I am sure a new website will come along and blow away the competition. But as of now, the above sites are the most reputable for those in the major markets.

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Screenplay: Knight and Day

Want the screenplay to Knight and Day?

Sure you do! (Ok, maybe not judging how much it made this weekend).

Click here for the script

Director: James Mangold

Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Viola Davis, Olivier Martinez, Paul Dano

A Day On The Set Of Modern Family

Modern Family is one of the best shows on TV, so much so that I”m even watching the re-runs.

Here’s a quick video of what happens on the set during the course of a day – all in 60 seconds!

Trailer: The Social Network

The Social Network: The true story about the founders of Facebook

Director: David Fincher

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Rashida Jones, Justin Timberlake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trailer: Little Fockers

Little Fockers: It has taken 10 years, two little Fockers and countless hurdles for Greg to finally get “in” with his tightly wound father-in-law, Jack. After the cash-strapped dad takes a job moonlighting for a drug company, however, Jack’s suspicions about his favorite male nurse come roaring back. When Greg and Pam’s entire clan—including Pam’s lovelorn ex, Kevin (Owen Wilson)—descends for the twins’ birthday party, Greg must prove to the skeptical Jack that he’s fully capable as the man of the house. (from apple.trailers.com)

Director: Paul Weitz

Cast: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, Jessica Alba, Laura Dern, Harvey Keitel, Teri Polo, Barbra Streisand

View the trailer after the jump

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The cast of Grown Ups talk about working together, coming up with jokes and more

Grown Ups comes out today. The film stars former Saturday Night Live greats Adam Sandler, Chris Rock (ok, he wasn’t so great on the show), David Spade and Rob Schneider along side Kevin James.

In the video below (after the jump) the cast talks about what is was like working together, coming up with the jokes and more.

My quick review: What do you get when you make a movie with a bunch of comedians and give them no real script? Stupidity. But guess what? I really enjoyed it.

Is the movie idiotic? Yes. Is there a real plot? No. Is the movie filled with stereotypes? Yes.

But I couldn’t help but laugh.

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Four Tips to Master the Telephone

Four Tips to Master the Telephone

by Dallas Travers, CEC

The telephone is one of the most powerful marketing resources you have at your disposal.  Think about Jeremy Piven’s character, Ari Gold on HBO’s Entrourage.  As Hollywood’s most powerful agent, Gold lives and breathes by the telephone.  He understands that the phone is the quickest way to really make things happen for his clients.

Regardless of what stage you are in your acting career, you must embrace the power of the telephone in your own marketing.  You don’t have to be an acerbic bulldog like Ari Gold, but you can step out of your comfort zone and reach out on the phone.

Whether you’re calling producers, casting directors, agents, or even friends, the phone can sometimes be an intimidating monster.  Let’s admit it, scary phone calls are never easy, but they are necessary if you want to elevate your career.  So, now I’d like to offer up four quick tips for conquering the telephone.

Be Clear

It’s essential that you know precisely WHY you are calling before you pick up the phone.  You must convey your request in a clear way.  Doing so allows whomever you’re calling to more easily help you because now they’ll actually know what the heck you really want.

Be sure to ask the real question.  The real question cuts right to the chase.  It may feel a little bold, but it’ll more than likely get you the answers you’re seeking.  The real question may be: “Can we set up a meeting?”  “Would you like to represent me?” or “How can I cultivate a relationship with you?”

If you’re calling to set up a meeting with a producer, ask for it.  You might say something like this:

Hi, I’m Joe smith.  I’m an actor committed to expanding my feature film career.  I’m calling to set up a 10 minute meeting with (insert producer’s name) to find out what you’re currently working on and how we might collaborate.

If you’re calling a casting office, simply request an audition.  You may say something like this:

Hi, this is Jane Johnson.  I think I’m perfect for the role of (insert role here).  What can I do to get an audition?

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Casey Affleck on how he chooses a role and what makes a killer tick

Casey Affleck is starring in The Killer Inside Me where he plays a small-town sheriff’s Deputy. Oh, and he a psychopathic killer.

He tells USA Today that he was attracted to the script “because it was a really interesting portrait of a very extreme person. The violence and sex were never sensationalistic. He’s a sad, violent, unhappy person. I felt for him.”

The director, Michael Winterbottom wanted Affleck from the very beginning. He says that Affleck “has a gift to convey that something else is going on in his head that he’s not showing you. He has a great sense of timing and he’s interesting. I don’t know if it’s technique or if it’s who he is. The days he had to be violent, those were the difficult days for him. You felt that Casey found it quite hard to get into Lou those days.”

In the video below, he talks briefly on how he chooses a role (at the:39 mark).

The trailer is after the jump

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