Thanksgiving; sights and sounds!

Finally!

Thanksgiving offers time to watch some really GREAT flicks!

Think of all the calories you’ll save.  None of these have any fat or calories…nope, just VEG!

So here’s my suggestions for Thanksgiving Day holiday-themed movies I’m sure you’ll LOVE!

1. The Savages (2007) Laura Linney, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Phillip Bosco star in this black comedy.
2. Pieces of April (2003) Katie Holmes, Oliver Platt and Patricia Clarkson; this has fast become a contemporary classic for me!
3. Home for The Holidays (1995) Holly Hunter, Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning; great performances, funny, sweet, story of my life in many ways.
4. The Lion In Winter (1968) Katharine Hepburn, Peter O’Toole and Anthony Hopkins (And you thought YOUR family had problems!)
5. Miracle on 34^th Street (1947) Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood; here’s the game plan: watch the parade (Macy’s, of course) while you’re making yourself useful by peeling potatoes, then follow it up with turning your youngest niece/nephew/cousins on to this puppy. It’s a sure-fire crowd pleaser.
6. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) Directed by Vincente Minnelli and stars Judy Garland and one of the best kid roles EVER (Tootie) played to perfection by Margaret O’Brien. The score alone is awesome (features ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’), the story is endearing. Besides we’d never know Liza Minnelli if it weren’t for this picture!
7. White Christmas (1954) Big Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney; okay, if I have to explain this one…that’s a flat out shame, because my friend you have been missing out! If you really, really, really need to have that long talk with your Dad after the football game… fine. Save this one for tomorrow and that mountain of leftovers. But watch it from start to finish and do it cuddled up with someone you love!

Other than that…you’re obligated to listen to the entirety of Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” while stuffing your bird and/or your face. Your call. Consider it tradition.  It’s comforting to know some things still stand up over the years. It’s thoroughly entertaining!! (If you’re unfamiliar, check out iTunes… I’m sure it’s there.)

Enjoy this wonderful day—it’s the onset of the season (it’s the very best part).

Enjoy family and friends. But most of all… enjoy yourself!

It’s comforting and important to be reminded of all the things you can be thankful for this holiday season!

Me? I’m just thankful I know YOU!

Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

By Any Other Name…

It happens all the time.  Actors ask me, “Do you think I should change my name?”

To be honest, asking anyone with a name like mine (‘McClanaghan’) is sort of a silly question, don’t you think? 

Frankly, unless someone in SAG already has your name, I’d avoid it going to all that trouble.

I say that primarily because what may seem a simple, harmless thing to do at the onset may quickly become a terrific obstacle standing between you and cashing your checks unless you do it legally.

Even then it can come with all sorts of setbacks.

I ask you, what actor needs yet another obstacle coming between them and getting paid? Ugh.

The topic begs yet another question, if you’re still bent on this notion: “How do you find out whether your name is taken by another SAG member?” which would render your own name unusable by you as a professional actor. 

Here’s what SAG suggests (from their site): “Because the list of available names changes daily, it would not be helpful to you for us to research your name choices before you join. During your joining appointment, we will ask you for three alternate name choices, in case your first choice is not available. A final name-availability check is done at the time the initiation fee is paid. Only then can an applicant be assured of having a particular professional name.”

Now, this may be convenient for SAG but frankly it may not be for you as a talent. In fact this is how a young Phil Hoffman ended up professionally known as Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He had NEVER used his middle name prior to joining SAG at the ripe old age of 25. However, when he landed a plum, supporting role in “Scent Of A Woman”, SAG told him he could always change his name later. Not an easy task especially once you’ve establish your brand and identity.

And, let’s face it, that’s really the deal here, isn’t it? Identity.

On it’s own the name ‘Seymour’ might immediately evoke images of your nebbishy, old uncle, whom you loved but he had more than his share of hair growing out of his ears. (Okay, maybe that’s me.) But that’s the thing about names—they are all about whatever significance you attach to them.

My point is it certainly didn’t hurt Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s career any, using his middle name. We all know who he is NOW. He created a wonderful association to his name before long.

That’s a key element to keep in mind in the long run, because while you may find your own name tired and lacking pizzazz at the moment, you have to allow yourself the opportunity to connect your name with a remarkable body of work.

Of course, if you have a name that’s likely to already be taken by someone already in SAG, and we know there cannot be two of you…(makes for far too much confusion and wacky SAG paperwork problems and we can’t have that) then, okay, you should give it some thought in advance. After all, having to accept a name you rarely or, worse, wouldn’t care to answer to isn’t much of an option either, now is it?

Best advice: keep your name as it is whenever possible. But if you must change it, be sure you can cash your paychecks without having to dive through too many hoops of fire.

If your name is relatively common, best look it up on the SAG registry ahead of time so you can rule it out in advance and allow yourself the opportunity to make arrangements for something you, the bank and SAG all can live with for the duration of your long, lucrative, rewarding career! 

Cool? Good. Go get ‘em, Ace! ›

In Memory of a Legend

We lost Studs Terkel this past week.

He was ninety-some-odd years old, a Chicago icon and a national treasure. (No kidding. He literally was.)

I met him at a bus stop many years ago and he had me follow him to his office off Michigan Avenue, only to load me down with about 15 paperbacks he insisted I read right away.

I told him of my love of radio theatre and how I wanted to revive the medium.

He leaned in and told me, low and sincere, “I don’t know many people who can say this, but…during the ‘30’s, I was gangster in Chicago… on the RADIO!”

I was immediately enamored with him.

He came to see me in shows. We’d sip beers and chat about everyday things at the Red Lion Pub on Lincoln Avenue across from the Biograph Theatre where they shot Dillinger.

He even introduced me to Jean Sheppard once, the fellow who wrote and narrated the now-classic, “A Christmas Story”.

These two together were priceless. There was an easy rapport between them and about them. They never made you feel like you were intruding. The more the merrier.

Jean’s been gone for many years now.

But Studs always seemed timeless to me, somehow, like the three-story graystones and row houses that have littered Chicago since the place was renovated some ten years or so after the fire. He seemed ageless.

He was a kid—like me. He wasn’t older or younger… he just was. He wasn’t famous, even though he had won a Pulitzer and had a listening audience well into the millions for decades on end.

He just loved people and a great story.

And much like one of the characters in his novels, he was simply one of us.

He lead a long, remarkable life.

All of us should be so lucky, so kind… and so very, very alive!

May flights of angels greet you, Studs.

You shall be missed. ›

Tools of the Trade

Okay, here’s your homework, folks…when you have an audition or a booking for a product you’ve never heard of  or barely know, I strongly urge you to ‘Google it’! (What’s the point of having the Internet at our fingertips, if we  don’t access it? Go to www.google.com.

Make a habit of becoming familiar with what the product is, the direction of the current ad campaign and show some interest in the subject. It will certainly reflect in your read! If you are interested, you are interesting.

And if we’re recording your demo here at Sound Advice, we expect you to take responsibility for making
yourself familiar with not only the script, but the subject of each script by ‘Googling it’ so you know what you’re talking about at the session. This is a great way to better familiarize yourself with the product and overall concept. After all, you’re never selling the product you’re selling the concept.

Additionally, use www.imdb.com (‘imdb’ stands for Internet Movie Data Base) when you’re given a reference such as “this character should be a cross between David Morse and David Strathairn”, especially if you have no idea who they are referring to! If you do you’ll know precisely the feel those auditioning you are aiming for and be more prepared to deliver.

In fact, check out the two actors I just mentioned on imdb.  They’re pretty remarkable and so are their
careers. Also, look up actresses, Lili Taylor and Amanda Plumber, director Spike Jonze and screenwriter, Robin Swicord.

You’ll only BROADEN your industry vocabulary and knowledge by doing so!  Besides, it’s fun.

A Good Problem to Have

You may, at first blush, consider “good problems” to be something of an oxymoron. Okay, you’re right! It is.

But, consider what would be a good problem to have.

How about:

• Having too many auditions.
• Or having so many jobs you have to quit the day job and focus on being a professional talent full-time.
  You’re getting so many gigs–you have to hire a whole staff of people to handle promotion, finances, scheduling–the works.
• How about being so book-able, you set a trend in the industry and the client has to consider the fact whether you might be a bit over-exposed. That would be a very good problem.
• Or how about having a handful of truly outstanding talent agents and managers vying to rep you.
• How about delivering so many great reads at every session, the director/client can’t decide which one to use as the ‘keeper’. (“Man, they’re ALL awesome. Tough call.”)
• How about having too much work you couldn’t possibly take on even one more gig. (I mean there are only so many hours in the day.)
• How about being too smart, too good-looking, too articulate, too sane, too happy, too pleasant, too fun, too patient, too decent, too popular, too desirable, too savvy, too cool, too talented, too insightful, too intuitive, too playful, too clever, too buoyant, too considerate, too “right”, too thoughtful, too appreciative, too able, too sought-after, too healthy, too clear-headed, too rested, too young…too young. (How old would you have to be to be too young?)
• And, of course, (it’s almost too cliche to mention it…but) having more so much money, you couldn’t possible use even…one…more…penny. (Please…get it away from me! Ugh!)
• Or how about having too much time to pursue your deepest dreams and most heart-felt wishes.
• Well, there you have it…all of them very good problems to have.

We wish you all of them…and all at once. We will very happily assist you the best we can when they arise.
We’ll be here for the not-so-good-problems, too, of course. But never hope for ‘no-problems’ at all. You’re not in the game if you haven’t got a single problem. In fact, it would be doubtful you’d be alive at all.

Instead, check your pulse. Pinch yourself. Know you’re awake and kicking. And roll the dice again when your turn comes around.

Play for keeps. Play for fun. But just…play! You’re in very good company. And it is YOUR turn.

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” —Edgar Allan Poe