Morning Reactions from Emmy Nominees

“I’ll just say ‘Bazinga!’ ” lead comedy actor nominee Jim Parsons said of his second nomination for his role as master geek Sheldon Cooper on CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory.” Parsons, who was up walking his dog when he heard the news this year as opposed to announcing the nominations at the TV Academy, said he hoped he’d be less nervous his second time around. “I was there last year, which was a weird experience. The first time you do anything is kind of jarring, but if there’s a difference this time, I hope that I’ll feel a little more relaxed, but I do have a lot of nervous energy running through me.” As for what comes next for his asexual character, Parsons expects the writers to extend Sheldon’s relationship with Mayim Bialik. “I look forward to seeing what they do because it won’t be ordinary and it’s nothing I can dream up,” he said. “If this relationship extends, it won’t be a typical second, third date. It will be very fun to play.”

Matthew Morrison couldn’t sleep and opted to go for a 10-mile run in New York ahead of the announcement that saw “Glee” score 19 nominations, including his for lead actor in a comedy series. “I want to say this stuff doesn’t matter to me right now, but I can’t wipe the smile off my face.” The show’s success with Emmy voters will “only feed the monster”: “I’m going to get humbled with bad hair jokes,” Morrison said in a nod to fellow nominee and on-screen rival Jane Lynch. “I think the fact that it is in the comedy category is great but it’s so much more than that. It’s a show about the underdog and I’m so happy the underdog is kicking ass right now.” Asked what song he’d opt to sing to commemorate the nominations, it was a no-brainer: the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Got a Feeling.” To celebrate, Morrison will spend the day in the studio recording his solo album but hoped to fit in a late dinner with friends.

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62nd Primetime Emmy Nominees

Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series
Glee • FOX • A Ryan Murphy TV Production in association with 20th Century Fox TV
Robert J. Ulrich, CSA, Casting Director
Eric Dawson, CSA, Casting Director
Jim Carnahan, New York Casting Director

Modern Family • ABC • Twentieth Century Fox Television
Jeff Greenberg, CSA, Casting by

Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Lionsgate Television, Jackson Group Entertainment, Madison Grain Elevator, Inc. & Delong Lumber; A Caryn Mandabach Production
Julie Tucker, CSA, Casting by
Ross Meyerson, CSA, Casting by

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Media Studio
Jennifer McNamara-Schroff, Casting by

United States Of Tara • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Dreamworks Television
Cami Patton, CSA, Casting by
Jennifer Lare, CSA, Casting by

Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series
Big Love • HBO • Anima Sola Productions and Playtone in association with HBO Entertainment
Junie Lowry Johnson, CSA, Casting Director
Libby Goldstein, Casting Director
Lisa Soltau, Casting Director

Dexter • Showtime • Showtime Presents, John Goldwyn Productions, The Colleton Company, Clyde Phillips Productions
Shawn Dawson, CSA, Casting by

Friday Night Lights • DirecTV • Imagine Entertainment in association with Universal Media Studios and Film 44
Linda Lowy, CSA, Casting Director
John Brace, Casting Director
Beth Sepko, CSA, Location Casting Director – Texas

The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Productions
Mark Saks, Casting by

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Laura Schiff, CSA, Casting by
Carrie Audino, CSA, Casting by

True Blood • HBO • Your Face Goes Here Entertainment in association with HBO Entertainment
Junie Lowry Johnson, CSA, Casting Director
Libby Goldstein, Casting Director

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Legal Issues to Consider Before Signing with an Agent or Manager

Talent agents have seen their fair share of courtrooms. Everyone from Lady Gaga to Kate Walsh has brought lawsuits against talent agents and managers. However, many lawsuits can easily be avoided if you conduct your due diligence before signing on the dotted line.

Prior to signing an agency contract, obtain as much information as possible on your prospective agent. For starters, make sure your agent is properly licensed. Actual agents and agencies require extensive licensing which varies from state to state. Both New York and California, the states with the largest concentrations in the entertainment industries, have enacted legislation to control agents. For instance, California Labor Code §1700 and §1701 is among the most restrictive in the country. Under the Code, every agent must undergo a strenuous process to obtain a license including providing fingerprints, affidavits; and a bond in the amount of $10,000 to cover charges of fraudulent or inappropriate acts.

Working with an unlicensed agent is dangerous for an actor’s career. Persons acting as unlicensed talent agents stand the risk of having their contracts declared null and void. The Association of Talent Agencies (ATA) has a list of agency licensing requirements by state. If you question your prospective agency’s licensing, contact the ATA through their website at: www.agentassociation.org.

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Re-Post: Exclusive Interview with John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill

If you have nothing to do this weekend, check out Cyrus!

I saw this back in March at SXSW and it’s one of the funniest movies I’ve seen this year.

I interviewed both John and Jonah for the film (along with the directors, Mark & Jay Duplass).

For the entire interview, click here.

For the Duplass Brothers interview, click here.

Here’s a quick excerpt:

You guys did a lot of – I know that the Duplass Brothers do a lot of improvising in their movies.  How much did you guys stray away from the script?

John:  Dialogue-wise we never really did the script.  There were a few places where we did what was written, but for the most part I mean, I thought that was a really kind of egoless way to direct a movie especially since they wrote it.

Jonah:  And it was a really good script. It was a great script. It was actually one of the better scripts I’ve ever read.

John:  Yeah, you know what needs to happen here.  We don’t have to say this. Just say it as honestly as you can to each other.  It was a lot of fun, very empowering, but also a big responsibility.

Did you ever worry that you were ever going to just like – were there a lot of scenes where it just didn’t work because you didn’t end up in the right place?

Jonah: Only one scene that I think….

John:  A couple places where scenes were…. what we found on the day didn’t exactly jive with what the structure of the movie needed to be in the editing room, so in those places I think they did those more creative voiceover things.  You heard dialogue while people are not saying dialogue.  Where they kind of layered, which I thought – it’s not what they intentionally set out to do.  It’s not that they filmed those scenes so they could do that, it’s that we improvised our way through a scene and they turned it into that.  It’s one of those cool moments where necessity is the mother of invention.  They created this new interested way to move the story along because they needed to because the scene that they shot was different than that.

Creating your brand, promotion and more! A Publicist Speaks!

Sofia Gian, does one thing each day to reach her goal of living her dream.  In this process she interviews industry professionals and learns tricks and tips which actors can use to move their careers forward.

Follow her daily quest on www.actressconfessions.typepad.com

Interview with Social Media Strategist/Personal Publicist Joy A. Kennelly

What it’s like to work as a Personal Publicist to promote and brand an actor?

Professional Social Media Strategist/Personal Publicist, Joy A. Kennelly knows exactly what goes on behind the scenes when working with an actor or other Celebrity to promote their work and themselves. Joy’s experience working red carpet events with her clients has successfully ensured the media develops her client’s personal brand through her efforts.

As the strategist behind the brand, Joy Kennelly discusses the world of celebrity marketing, branding and promotion.

How did you get into this industry?

I’ve been in the entertainment industry for many years and working with talent has always brought a lot of glamour and exposure to whatever I do. When I first started in the business, I produced the Short Pictures International Film Festival (SPIFF) for five years. During that time I worked with a variety of talent over the years, including Forrest Whitaker and Eriq La Salle, among others.

Since that time, I’ve seen a lot of my SPIFF filmmakers make it to the next level, most recently Tariq Jalil (Executive Producer of Marmaduke) and Jason Reitman (You know who this guy is – GO CANADA!). It’s very gratifying to see people I’ve worked with achieve what they want in the business.

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Trailer: The Dry Land

The Dry Land: James (Ryan O’Nan) returns from Iraq to face a new battle—reintegrating into his small-town life in Texas. His wife (America Ferrera), his mother (Melissa Leo), and his friend (Jason Ritter) provide support, but they can’t fully understand the pain and suffering he feels since his tour of duty ended. Lonely, James reconnects with an army buddy (Wilmer Valderrama), who provides him with compassion and camaraderie during his battle to process his experiences in Iraq. (from apple.trailers.com)

Cast: Ryan O’Nan, America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama, Jason Ritter, Melissa Leo

Director: Ryan Piers Williams

Trailer is after the jump

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Trailer: Red

RED: Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novel, RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren. Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren) used to be the CIA’s top agents – but the secrets they know just made them the Agency’s top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history. (from apple.trailers.com)

Director: Robert Schwentke

Cast: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Mary-Louise Parker

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