Boston Movie Extra

BREAKING NEWS! Production begins in August on the thriller, “Edge of Darkness,” written by William Monahan, the North Shore writer who won an Oscar for his “The Departed” screenplay, Variety reported yesterday. This will be Mel Gibson's first film since "What Women Want" it has been a long time for Mel but his return to acting is starting back here in Boston! So chalk another picture here in Massachusetts! Keep the jobs coming!

Our last poll had asked if you had some money to spend on yourself to enhance your career/ hobby in this business, what would you spend it on? What came in first is joining the union, second: classes and third: coaching. As far as the union goes that sounds good, it's a good goal to reach, but remember do as much non-union jobs as you can before joining. The reason for that is when you join the union, you obviously can not turn back. As far as the classes go do your research before you spend your hard earned money on a class, read the class reviews etc. If you do your homework on the class you want to attend, it will be time well earned. As always thank you for voteing and now please vote on our new poll on the right.

This has been a rumor for sometime and now I am hearing that it's very close to coming into RI. It is from what I'm hearing a Redue of The Three Stooges, now I am really not big into redues of films ie. Psycho, Casino Royale, etc. but hey it's work! Now the guys from "Something about Mary" and "Fever Pitch" are doing this so it should be somewhat funny. The only question is with a strike looming overhead, I hope this doesn't become a production victim. I will keep you posted when I hear more info. There are films currently today that are short on people... so submit your headshots to them DO NOT BE LEFT OUT! I will talk to you guys soon....

Word is that "The Surrogates" will start filming here next week, and Bruce has been spotted all around Boston. All I can tell you is that I am so psyched about this picture because at least in my memory for being in this business for close to 20 years I never heard of a sci-fi film this big come into Boston. Usually up till now it was mostly period pieces ie. Little Women, School Ties, Kennedy's of Massachusetts, Amistad, then it got a little urban ie. Civil Action, The Firm, etc. Now we have all kinds of different films but not a big sci-fi film! I am just really interested in how they are going to do it here because it is based on a comic book.

I was just recently on a few sets as probably most of all of you have been and I got to talking with a few people. I met this woman that had come all the way from NJ to work on a film here in town. Now some people might say she is Union and she is doing this to collect her 72 days to get insurance, nope... she was non union. Now what she and others were getting paid is $65/8, that's pretty low especially for her that wouldn't even cover her gas! Now this woman's situation is a bit over the top, because she lives 4 states away. But anyhow the point of this is with everything from gas to the cost of living here in Mass Union and Non-Union alike are getting paid a little low for most people's standards. Now you can say to me "Chris...we are getting paid just to be on a movie set and sit around, why not?" This is true but how much did it cost you to get there? gas, tolls, maybe even parking? Now take out the taxes and subtract your expenses and what are yo...

I think one of the funniest and effective types of training is improv training. Improv training will sharpen your instincts to acting in a dramtacic and comedic setting. There are plenty of improv groups out there but the best would be the improv asylum. First check out their show and see if it is something you would want to learn..I'm sure after a performance it will inspire you to do so.

As you might notice every week we put a new survey to this blog covering different topics. This past week the survey was "who is your favorite casting agency" and the winner is....(drum roll please) BOSTON CASTING! winning by a nose from LDI Casting. So thank you for those of you that voted a please look at our new poll on your right.