Show Biz Meets the Law
The Group Theater lived in the thirties in New York, during the time of the Great Depression.
From that Stanislavsky based foundation in 1931, has grown most of what we deem today to be good actors, good directors, good writers, good theatre and good film. This book, The Fervent Years, will explain it all.Continue Reading Labor Day and Waiting for Lefty
Of course, their suit is about residuals for past work performed by this actor. They should know not to cross him, even in death!
Continue Reading Charles Bronson’s Estate Sues Warner Bros., MGM
I just read a review of 2 1/2 Men by a “communications professor” by the name of Robert Thompson. He admitted that while watching and critiquing the show, he would rather be balancing his checkbook.
The fact is, 2 1/2 Men is the only truly honest depiction of male and female behavior in our current American and possibly worldwide culture. It deals with real-life situations, and the greed, dishonesty and scamming that goes on at all levels of society and industry, producing the norms of life today. Its popularity, continuing with huge audience followers watching reruns, deny the premise put forth by this professor of communications.Continue Reading Could “Two and a Half Men” Be Better Than Ever With Ashton Kutcher?
This is a wonderful gathering of old-timers, like myself. If you’ve been in the business for 20 years or more, you qualify to apply for membership. We meet for a hearty lunch about once a month (except for summer) at the Sportsman’s Lodge in the Valley. There is always an honoree, being gently roasted by…
Celebrities are full of stories about their exploits, their famous friends, who they mix with, who they work with. It’s often to do with the size of their billing, or their latest agent’s gaffes. Then there are the less famous. People like me, with stories more down to earth, but, I think, more interesting, unless…
This is addressed to my professional actor friends, full members of the Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA, and Equity.
It is to say that I am tired of being invited by student directors to act in their videos, or films, for their benefit and for nothing. This is a huge step backward to the very beginnings of these esteemed organizations, back to the twenties and thirties. Student actors, go ahead. Professional actors, STOP!Continue Reading Copy, Credit, Meals
When you get to my age, a refresher covering most aspects of an active life in the Showbusiness is always a good idea. Also, the nature of the current showbiz tends to get away from you. With that in mind, I noticed a 1 week movie-making course being given just down the road from me, at the premises of Universal Studios (which brought back memories of the House Calls disaster).
Continue Reading Career Overview
I have to admit that this is the only sitcom that I hurry home to watch. It’s a lesson in comedy writing construction, and one notices that it remains listed at the top of the public’s favorites after 7 years.
A lot of this is due to Chuck Lorre, and readers deserve to be linked…
Excellent article in today’s NY Times, about the difficulty of cramming other people’s words into your brain, and making them come out as though you had just thought of them.
I never heard of having a prompter sitting in the first row, and mouthing your lines to you, as apparently Matthew Broderick has availed…
Standup is tough. I know, I’ve been doing a few open mikes. My subject is Old Age. You have to make it funny. It’s the only medium I haven’t tried, and it’s very challenging, for it requires writing skills as well as performance with a hand mike, and a good sense of humor.
I see…