Sandra Bullock: Oscar® Thank You Cam and Backstage Interview

Q. I was wondering if you had any advice for students out there, acting students or just people who want to be in the entertainment industry who want to be in your shoes tonight

A. Well, don’t aspire to be in these shoes. You know, walk in your own. I mean everyone’s really good at telling everyone else how to live your life or how to be or how to do it. Just don’t listen. My mother beat it into our heads to be original, and I didn’t understand that until later on and just everyone’s unique and that’s what makes people exciting to watch, I think, so just savour what you are and not what everyone else wants you to be.

Q. So last time I asked you a question at the SAG Awards I suggested you were the favorite for the Oscars and you shushed me.

A. I’m going to shush you again.

Q. What does this mean to you and did you sort of think you were the favorite?

A. Are you joking? No. It’s as I said up on that stage, you know, I questioned did I win it or did I just wear everyone down? It’s if you hang in there the longest, it’s, you know you know, I didn’t aspire to this. I was in awe of it. I admired it. I got to watch it like everyone else did or present, but it wasn’t something that I said, One day when I get the Oscar.

I didn’t think it was something that was the opportunity would ever present itself for me to rise to that occasion. And I was okay with that and I was very happy working and this came out of left field, every pun intended. Sorry. I think everything’s going to be a metaphor tonight and I apologize. This is the film I said “no” to. If I thought this was going to be my, you know, golden ticket. It just was such odd circumstances and things came together in a way that I just didn’t see coming. No one saw coming. And I think that’s what makes it so overwhelming and unexpected. I look at the company I keep in this category and you can’t pick. There’s not one that rises above the others, and I love these women that I got to spend this time with so much for who they are. So I feel like I share it equally in five parts because we ladies need to stick together.

Q. And then this picture as well there’s a tie in there. I just want you to talk a little bit about what draws you to these projects that are youth oriented that are to do with

A. It’s not that I consciously draw I’m drawn to them. You know, we’re presented with the opportunities we’re presented with in this business, and you’re able to make some of your own opportunities. I didn’t it’s not conscious, but I think it makes a great inspirational story when you can see it work, when you see what someone can rise to the occasion and do. And you know, I’ve seen it happen day after day in New Orleans and that’s why I love that town so much, and it’s the people and the perseverance and the love of each other that makes that work. And I think that’s what works so well in stories like that. I love stories about passion and love. Love of country, love of people. Love of sport. It’s just it makes a good film. But I don’t think I’ve ever consciously been drawn to it. I just I just end up, I guess, maybe loving it the most.

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The Best Oscar® Speech From Last Night

Michael Giacchino has created some of the best scores in movies (and TV – Lost) in recent years.  The scores to both Star Trek and Up were just beautiful.

Last night he won for Best Original Score for his work on Up.

Here’s the speech… the best one of the night:

“Thank you, guys. When I was… I was nine and I asked my dad, “Can I have your movie camera? That old, wind-up 8 millimeter camera that was in your drawer?” And he goes, “Sure, take it.” And I took it and I started making movies with it and I started being as creative as I could, and never once in my life did my parents ever say, “What you’re doing is a waste of time.” Never.

And I grew up, I had teachers, I had colleagues, I had people that I worked with all through my life who always told me what you’re doing is not a waste of time. So that was normal to me that it was OK to do that.

I know there are kids out there that don’t have that support system so if you’re out there and you’re listening, listen to me: If you want to be creative, get out there and do it. It’s not a waste of time. Do it. OK? Thank you. Thank you.”

©AMPAS

Jeff Bridges: Oscar® Thank You Cam and Backstage Interview

Q. You were talking about sitting on the bed, your dad giving you all the pointers of being an actor. From that day to this moment, what kind of ride has this been? And did you ever see this happening?
A. Well, you know, ups and downs, what does the Dude say? Strikes and gutters, man. That’s about it. That’s about it.

Q. What part of Bad Blake do you most identify with personally, and also, will you and Colin Farrell please form a country band?
A. The music, that’s what I most identified with Bad. I have been writing music, playing music since I was a kid. Unlike Bad, I have you know, I didn’t think he had great parents. Certainly didn’t have he had four, probably, great wives that he got rid of, you know.

But I have a very strong marriage, you know. Bad didn’t have that. There’s a lot of stuff he didn’t have. But the music, I don’t know about forming a country band. Sounds like a good idea. I’ll talk with those guys, maybe.

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Send Your Stuff: Film “Yeah, Yeah, Whatever”

Dorian Frankel is casting the film, Yeah, Yeah, Whatever.

Info: An old con artist just released from prison tries to struggle to life on the outside.

Dorian Frankel
1617 N. EL CENTRO AVE. #14
LOS ANGELES CA 90028

You can find out more about Dorian here

LA Actors: Send Your Stuff!

Get your headshots or postcards ready!

Tracy Lilienfield Casting is casting the new pilot, Sh*t My Dad Says (CBS, 1/2)

Tracy Lilienfield Casting
5555 Melrose Ave.
Dreier Bldg.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Valko/Miller Casting is casting the pilot, Kindreds (NBC, 1 hour).

Valko/Miller Casting
3500 W. Olive Ave.
Suite 780
Burbank, CA 9150

Stordahl/Terry Casting is casting the pilot, Nomads (CW, 1 hour).

Stordahl /Terry Casting
121 West Lexington Drive
Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91203

And all labels are now updated (agents, casting directors & VO)!

The Casting Director labels are for what is currently casting (both New York & LA). Click here!

Christopher Walken on Christopher Walken

Here’s a pretty cool piece on Christopher Walken from the  New York Times.

The first bit he talks about his new show, Martin McDonagh’s play A Behanding in Spokane then it segues into him talking about his life, career and his acting. It’s after the jump!

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“Shutter Island”: Leonardo Dicaprio on his cast mates, character and Scorsese

Leonardo DiCaprio on:

…his cast mates and being specific when researching a character.

…his character

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Benicio Del Toro talks about working in “The Wolfman” costume

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81 Year Old Actress Makes Her Broadway Debut

While most 81 year old’s are sitting back and thinking about the accomplishments they’ve made in their lives, Alice Duffy isn’t resting on her laurels. She’s just made her Broadway debut at age 81(!) in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Noel Coward’s Present Laughter.

This is a totally inspirational story. Never give up your dreams!

Scarlett Johansson on her Broadway debut, playing a teenager and Iron Man 2

From wsj.com:

The Wall Street Journal: Normally you play characters who are older than you. Is it a challenge to play a teenager on stage?

Ms. Johansson: It’s really kind of agonizing in some ways to be 17, and I didn’t know if I wanted to go back there. I’m very wary of actors that are in their 20s that are playing teenagers, that play it with this really sort of false adolescence. It’s like a pet peeve of mine. I thought it was going to be an uncomfortable challenge—a challenge, but not a good kind of a challenge—and it turned out that I never thought about it again.

Did you work with a dialect coach?

We did have a dialect coach we’ve been working with. I’m from Manhattan and so it’s not an unfamiliar dialect for me. My mom’s side of the family’s all from New York, and of course they’re Jewish and from different boroughs, so it’s not exactly the same. The Italian Brooklyn accent is sort of particular to the Italians, but it’s similar.

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