Cinematic Haiku Hard Malice Syllable 1: Geeks

Dark Elf Films & Detour Entertainment Presents

Cinematic Haiku Hard Malice

Syllable 1:

Geeks

 

 A day in the life of two seemingly harmless video game nerds and their take on how the gaming industry has influenced society.


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Directed by Chris Greene

Written by Frank Tobin

"Mud Sport" A Cluster Duck Article

Mud Sport

A Cluster Duck Article

Written by

Frank Tobin  

I’m a simple man; I enjoy playing video games (AKA getting verbally accosted by racist twelve year old suburban brats), procrastinating to do important things, going out of my way to limit my physical activity, stuffing my face with saturated fats and carcinogen-filled Twinkies (rest in peace, you little delicious cylinders of impending obesity and eventual death). Ya know, true red-blooded American type stuff. 

So imagine my delayed surprise after the words “yeah, that’s sounds fun” escaped my lips in response to being asked to run (that’s right, I said run, as in walking so fast you’re not walking anymore) in a 5K; an obstacle littered, volunteer-zombie chasing, pretend you’re in a post-apocalyptic backwater barren wasteland (or Clermont, for short), no hope for survival unless you can outrun your attackers, three mile hike. Kill me. Please.

Now, you may be saying to yourself  “wow what a lazy jerk it’s just a three mile run who cares I do that stuff all the time it’s called being active and exercising.” To which I reply, “I hate run-on sentences.” And also, I’M A SLOBBINGLY INEFFECTIVE TROGLODYTE. I’m not built for this, at all.

These events are reserved for young athletic rapscallions, active runners, and people who actually walk down their driveways to check the mail. In other words, everything I stand fundamentally opposed to. 

 

But it was done. I’d sealed my fate. In six months, I was to take part in the “outdoor experience” with other people; living, breathing, socially adept and physically trained, human beings. Excuse me; got vomit in my throat.

What was I to do? I couldn’t back out of my obligation; my word is as good as the paper it’s printed on; which isn’t worth much, but I was trying to turn that around. Can’t be a crass, cynical, lazy prick my whole life… or can I?

The decision was made, pretty early on, that I was to (gulp) get in… shape. Which, a decade and a half ago, wouldn’t have been a problem. I mean, there was a time when playing marathon games of basketball was the dominant time-suck in my day, and the sun and I were on speaking terms. A rambunctious little blur of twitchy energy would have been an apt description of me. Hell, I even had calf muscles (aw yeah, ladies). But those days died off faster than a [insert appropriate analogy here… I suck at these]. 

Fast-forward five and a half months: I’ve been jogging, doing jumping-jacks, eating “healthy” (READ: fast food two nights a week instead of five), and just making an effort to power through the burning lungs and wet noodle legs from my body’s stubborn insistence to convince me that this was the worst idea in the long, sad history of bad ideas. It didn’t matter, though; I was going to throw a 12-inch knife into this 5K’s sternum and quip “stick around”, Dutch-style (uncomfortable knee pat to anyone who gets that reference). 

The actual event itself was a mix between outdoor concert festival and Ninja Warrior tournament. They had it all; live music, fried foods, scantily clad middle-aged men, and the kitchen sink! It was sort of infectious. The enthusiasm, the energy from a throng of younglings with their whole lives ahead of them, older folks with an ironclad grasp on their health, was starting to inspire me. 

My inner pep talk was the stuff of legends: “Now it’s time to see if you have the heart. Now is the time to prove to yourself and to everyone out there that even though you are woefully out-of-shape, you are somebody. You are worthy of something… Are you ready to go out there and take what’s yours? What you’ve worked hard for? (Well actually, I didn’t work THAT hard.) Are you ready to accept the challenge?” And yes, before you ask, I ripped that off from Dwayne Johnson’s seminal classic, Gridiron Gang.  But nevertheless, I was pumped, primed and ready to… puke, apparently (pro-tip: Don’t eat greasy food before exercising). 

I kid you not, a half mile in (a three mile hike, a three hour tour [couldn’t resist]) I hit the wall; in the worst way. Ya see, the way everything is set up, you have obstacles (mud pits, freezing cold water you have to wade through under ACTUAL barbed wire, low voltage fencing, climbable walls, and did I mention a kitchen sink at one point above?) and freaking-frocking zombies trying to steal your flags! I had waking nightmares of being harassed by the bigger kids during middle school bouts of “kill the man with the ball” except this time I had three flags (which represented my health bar) and I didn’t cry (much). 

Remember when kids liked Physical Education?

I was out for the count; expended what little lung capacity I had from my years of smoking on the first leg of the first mile by sprinting, and expertly dodging (I juked a few undead out of their socks, literally) every zombie I passed. I had to take a knee. My head was swirling, my legs wobbly, my chest tight…

Then it happened, after what seemed like a lifetime, through the muddy slog, the blood, sweat, tears and low voltage shock treatment, the obstacles, and embarrassment from losing my cool so early in the race, I crossed the finish line. Even though I lost all my flags, even though I was physically, mentally, emotionally, metaphysically, philosophically, ethologically (you get the point) EXHAUSTED, I’d finished; completed an event meant to promote physical wellness and fun through outdoor activity. 

And I had a load of fun doing it. The event was executed without a hitch. The volunteers were friendly and hysterical (a particularly whimsical “fairy” zombie actually muttered to her fellow undead “aw, let him pass, he only has one flag.” YAY FOR ZOMBIE PITY). Come next year, after I pretend to get in shape, I’ll be doing it again, make no mistake. 

After struggling to finish, I received a medal, took in a show, relaxed, and that night asked myself just one question: “How freaking badass am I”?

Answer: I ran a two and a half hour 5K, so not that badass. Figures.

Dark Elf Films Presents

Cinematic Haiku Hard Malice Syllable 3: Bond

 

 

IMDB Page

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Directed by Mario Giancini

Writted by Frank Tobin

Produced by Valensky Sylvain and Jeremy Wood

Starring:
Amber English
Joe Lucas
Sevan McBride

Cinematography By Mario Giancini

Sound by Justin Russo

Sound Effects Edited by David Cybulski

Music by Mario Giancini

Make-up by Lyndsay Simon

Script Sup: Sam Sylvain

Grip: John Rasmussen

Edited by Mario Giancini & David Cybulski

Fight Coordinator: Joe Lucas

Colorist: Caleb Mallery

Original Score by Mario Giancini

Casting By Valensky Sylvain

Cinematic Haiku Hard Romance Syllable 3: Uncomfortable Practice

Dark Elf Films Presents
In Association with Axum Media Group & Dual Coast Productions

Cinematic Haiku Hard Romance Syllable 3: Uncomfortable Practice

 

A person once said practice makes perfect. That person, was obviously not a virgin. For Sammy and May, this couldn't be anymore true. Getting pre-advice from their respected friends, Sammy and May prepare for the most interesting night either of them will have.

 

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Unit production manger:
Fari Hekmat
Stephanie Oukeo

Directed and edited by Ashton Bracciodieta
Written by Frank Tobin

Producers:
Valensky Sylvain
Adam Ben-Evi

Associate Producer:
Jeremy Wood

Casting By:
Valensky Sylvain

Director of Photography - Navid John Namzi

Cast:

Sammy - Joshua Kessler
Jes - Adam Ben-Evi
May - Dayana Rincon
Brittany - Ana Eligio
Silent Guy - TJ Mirbach

Gaffer - Uriah Ocean Peterson
Sound - David Cybulski
Art Department - Yonara Nucci
Grip - Joshua Wright
Grip - Adam Dinihanian
BTS - Domonique Megginson

Craft Services Provided by Fari Hekmat

Production Assistant:
Jaylene Winslow-Nieves

Equipment provided by:
Michael Gottino @ Indie Film Video
Marc Shapins @ Hoofta Productions

Special Thanks to:
Allen & Amy Megginson
Hoofta Productions
Indie Film Video
Nathan Jarman
Rosilin D. Hill
Lauren Buecker
Gabrielle A. B. Murray
John Rasmussen
Lindsi Jeter
Brianna Marie Walker
Ross Alagna

Very Special thanks to THE FORNICATOR

Cinematic Haiku Hard Romance Syllable 2: Uncomfortable Preferences

Dark Elf Films in Association with Axum Media Group and Dual Coast Productions Presents

Cinematic Haiku Hard Romance Syllable 2: Uncomfortable Preferences

IMDB Page

Fan Page

Produced by:
Valensky Sylvain
Adam Ben-Evi

Directed by: Ashton Bracciodetta

Written By: Frank Tobin

Starring:
Valensky Sylvain
Kyle Harden
Colleen Amos
Dominique Megginson
Stephanie Oukeo
Shakir Ansari

Director of Photography: Navid John Namazi

Edited by : Ashton Bracciodetta

Special thanks to:
517 Hookah Oasis
Shakir Ansari
Mike Rechis
Sarah Haimes
James Frederick
Brandon Cox
Amy LoCicero
Diana Ramos

Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave

1st Dibz Productions and Dark Elf Films Presents

Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave

"What would you do if you thought your spouse was cheating on you?"

 

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A 1st Dibz/Dark Elf Films Production

Directed by James Hunter

Starring Michael Santi and Melissa Williams

Produced by Valensky Sylvain, James Hunter, Michelle Long, Sean Nelson

Executive Produced by Mark Barbour, Tonya Barlow

Associate Produced by Cody Foltz and Rodney Luis Aquino

Cinematography by Kraig Swisher

Film Editing by Richard Aparicio

Casting by Valensky Sylvain

Art Direction by Mabel Barba

Set Decoration by Mabel Barba

Makeup Department: Wanda Gates

Production Manager: Trisha Connell

1st Assistant Director: Valensky Sylvain

Assistant Art Director: Trisha Connell

Sound: Josh Wright

Special Effects by Christian Claudio

Cam Op: Kraig Swisher

1st AC: Rogelio Mosqueda

2nd AC: Robbie Corcoran

Gaffer: Brandt Hackney

Key Grip: Navid Namazi

Grip: Kyle Conrad

Grip: Stefanie Gomez

Grip: Matt Sawyer

Grip: Roy Williams Jr.   

PA: Stefanie Gomez
 

Cinematic Haiku Hard Malice Syllable 3: Bond

Cinematic Haiku Hard Malice Syllable 3: Bond

Here is the much acclaimed and awaited full short film that has garnered so much praise!

Directed by Mario Giancini

Writted by Frank Tobin

Produced by Valensky Sylvain and Jeremy Wood

Starring:

Amber English
Joe Lucas
Sevan McBride

Cinematography By Mario Giancini

Sound by Justin Russo

Sound Effects Edited by David Cybulski

Music by Mario Giancini

Make-up by Lyndsay Simon

Script Sup: Sam Sylvain

Grip: John Rasmussen

Edited by Mario Giancini & David Cybulski

Fight Coordinator: Joe Lucas

Colorist: Caleb Mallery

Original Score by Mario Giancini

Casting By Valensky Sylvain

Check out more of our videos @ www.youtube.com/user/darkelffilms and follow us on facebook. 

Interview with 'Battlestar Galactica' legend Richard Hatch

Interview with Richard Hatch

By Lauren Honeycutt

1. How did you get involved in Acting?

It was a long process because I didn’t set out to be an actor, I was going to be an architect, I studied classical piano. I loved the arts but never thought I could have a career in acting. I was going to school waiting to take more specific electives. I was wandering like so many people, taking anything, trying to find out what I was going to do. I was dating a girl and got to meet a lot of the people in the business through her. I started learning more about show business. I had never done theatre in high school. I got to know a man who had a radio show, who was a press secretary for Yoko Ono. He would always give me insights into things I should look into; he is the one who said I should go to an acting class. I was shocked! Me? Are you kidding? I had never thought about it. I went to the class dealing with the method; it focused on progressed method and refinery. I learned acting techniques but more than that I watched the actors in the class learning to deal with their own stuff, it is really all about connecting with yourself in a deeper way. I thought this would be something that could help me, whether I wanted to be an actor or not, it would help me as a person. After a year I came to understand that I could be an actor when my teacher brought me aside and said if I really wanted too I could be an actor. I started hanging out with production groups, delivering scripts to Sally Field’s house. I played an extra on a soap opera, getting my foot in the door. I was living in my car, sleeping on people’s couches, and it slowly grew into something that I realized was a passion of mine. I love the art of the acting, the spiritual journey.

2. How long have you been an actor?

45 years

3. Are you working on any current projects?

Many things, I finished a bunch of films, the Pod, Dead by Friday, a pilot for Mind Bender, Dark Season, Little Matchmakers. I love writing. I’ve been working on developing a novel called Magellan, I am adapting it into a screenplay.

4. Which has been your favorite project you worked on?

Battlestar was the best experience of my life. Getting to play a complex multilevel character, I had an extraordinary time working on that show.

5. What are your strong points as an actor?

I have a combination of strength and sensitivity I am very empathetic, I feel very deeply into the characters, I connect in a profound way to the characters I play. My intuition, my instinctive part of which I am, I connect to who I am. I perceive things in a different way than many people. I can play scenes that require a lot of depth.

6. What have you learned from the directors that you have worked with throughout your career?

I’ve learned that every director has very distinct differences; some are good with technical aspects, some are good with character, some are good at both. You need to listen to their feedback; they have something valid to say you need to take the criticism. They can bring a stronger performance forward, I have learned to listen and take it in, and bring that into my performance. At the end of the day you have to trust your own gut, if something isn’t working for you and you have tried to do it differently sometimes you have to trust your gut and it doesn’t feel right to you you’re the one who’s up on the screen. You’re the one that is going to take responsibility for the performance. Take what the director says learn from that, but if you can’t do what they want after multiple tries go with your gut. You have to follow your instinct and the director can help you reach the place you have never been. I don’t want a director to leave me alone, I want a director to inspire me to give me feed back, I look for direction. At the end of the day your talent gives you the truth of that and you have to honor that.

7. What are your educational qualifications?

First of all I don’t think you need educational degrees. A degree doesn’t make you a great actor. It is an award of accomplishment but you can learn all the same things and more than the person who has the degree. I have studied in multiple classes all over the nation. I did it all independently in various places.

8. What kind of roles do you prefer?

I like character roles the most, the leading man, the romantic thing. I like the more complex characters. Deep profound characters, rich back-story, something to grab onto. I love doing comedy but I love doing comedy with a heart. Art to me should move you, should touch you and leave you with hope at the end of the day.

9. What are your weak points?

I was very insecure about my looks, I never felt like the more charming good-looking lead. That has gotten easier for me over the years but when I was younger I never thought I was good looking or sexy.

10. How do you work to improve your acting skills?

Acting is an extension of life. Every single day I begin to embrace who I am. I stop trying to be perfect, I embrace who I am with all my flaws and my self-love quotient grows. As fear diminishes you get far more bold and courageous and you become freer, your not so worried about what people think. I find that everyday I work on myself, loving and forgiving myself, allows me to have so much more confidence in myself as an actor. So as I grow as Richard Hatch I grow as an actor. I know all the acting techniques but you have to work on you. That’s the heart of the creative experience.

You can find more info about Richard Hatch on his imdb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0368745/

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Tom Hanks Electric City Review

Review by Ron Phillips

Edited by Amanda Blake Sutter

The idea of a web-series is to tell an intricate story in a serial format. However, with the attention span of the current average web user this proves to be a difficult task that must be accomplished in an average of seven minutes or less. Tom Hank's animated webseries Electric City has been all the buzz in this social media generation and for good reason. The story encompasses you in the tale of a post apocalyptic world where the luxury of living in bright lights and heat is a treasure. The series is about 20 episode long averaging around five minutes per episode. The show not only captures the audience with its premises, but it's delivery in conveying the story as well. This show has become such a success because the show creates traffic and makes people want to become part of the world created.

The series launched on July 17, 2012 with 10 episode out the gate.  Each episode gave the audience just enough to whet their appetite while managing to leave them always wanting more. The careful marketing stratagies assisted in making this possible. Careful consideration was used in deciding placement on the web and the accouterments that would be used. Collaboration with the Yahoo website allowed the show to be hosted on the Yahoo screens. This was the first plan to gain exposure. With Yahoo being many of today’s go to search engine and email carrier, the advertisment for the show was constantly shown to the website's users.  The second marketing plan to gain exposure was the gaming aspect. Hanks teamed up with iTunes and Google Apps  to create little games that corresponed to the show. The games were fun and addicting and helped the players becomes part of the intricate story.

Hank's project used every means to help make the series so inclusive that just seeing the first 10 episodes leaves the audience begging for more. By using himself and other big name actors such as Ginnfer Goodwin to help back up the show through voice acting, fans were already stirring up chatter. However, Hanks knew that fan chatter would lead to media chatter on shows such as Good Morning America. He also created buzz by Comic-con. Its is only natural for a collaboration such as this to get so much attention. This is a marketing concept that creates opportunity that can not and should not be ignored. Learning from this concept would be very benficial because it brings the community in.

These statagies show that the time you invest before the show actually airs come to fruition. The website hosted by Yahoo is so elaborate and detailed that the maps go along with the show. Instead of doing a full screen view, the page shows things such as the sun setting as it sets on screen. This is so engaging becauase the game downloaded from the app store serves a distinct and integral purpose to the flow of the show. This keeps users on the page and keeps them clicking on all the available snippets of the story that can be used to be a citizen of this new world. This generates more buzz through the best marketing tools available which is word of mouth. Others are brought on to be a part of this new feeling and community. The share button is hit on facebook and tweets are made about the show. Others make comments to add to the conversation and then more exposure is created. It becomes a cyclical  cycle in the method of human on human exposure to the show.

If a webseries is to be successful it must pop and shine out the gate. But sometimes that is not always enough.  By using social media as a means of exposure, the cycle begins and then starts anew.

Series can be found at http://electriccity.yahoo.com

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5 Questions with Brevard Talent Group’s President and Owner, Traci Danielle Part 2

1. Q: What do you say to actors who think the only way to have a career is to pick up and move
to Los Angeles? Is it possible to take your career to a high level living in Orlando?

A:  I would say good luck! Orlando is a great place to start your career and build up your credits before you move to a larger market. In the long run it really depends on what type of work an actor wants to pursue.  For film and television Los Angeles is the place to move to further your career.  For theater it is New York. Before an actor decides to move they need to be prepared financially and must have the talent to compete. The Southeast has more film incentives than anywhere else in the country.  It is a great place to build your resume and reel before you make the decision to relocate. It is also a great place to make a living as an actor and have a quality of life that most actors can’t afford in California. Actors are moving to the Southeast for opportunities they don’t have in Los Angeles.  Los Angeles and New York are both tough markets to break into. You need to be realistic and know the level of competition you will be competing with.  It could take years to get established and find the right team behind you in order for you to be a successful working actor.  

2. Q: If an actor is dead-set on moving to LA, what do you recommend they do beforehand in a smaller market like Orlando to prepare?

A: Save money, build up your resume and reel, continue to train and save more money. Make all the connections you can so you can build up a list of contacts. 

3. Q: Can you describe the “it” factor of your top booking talent and what you believe contributes to
their success?

A:  Actors are born with the “it” factor.  I believe either you have “it” or you don’t. They light up a room and the camera loves them.  If I could bottle and sell “it” I would not be an agent. 

4. Q: What things do you look for when you meet with a potential talent for representation?

A:  The process starts with submitting your headshot and resume to the agency. Find out who you should submit to. If I get a submission addressed to "Whom It May Concern" it leaves me to believe that the actor did not put a lot of effort into their submission.  Strike one against you with the submission ending up in the trash can. I do not accept on-line submissions.  Submission information can be found at www.brevardtalentgroup.com. Send a brief cover letter with your headshot, resume and contact information.  If I am interested I will schedule an appointment.  I interview each actor and depending on their type and goals I will have them read a scene or two. I evaluate if they would be a good fit for the agency.  They must be as good or better than whom I currently represent in order for me to work with them.  Their essence plays a big role in deciding if I want to represent them.  I think it should be a law for agents to interview actors that they are interested in representing. It baffles me an actor would put his career in the hands of an agent whom they have never met. 

5. Q: What are your hopes for the future of film in Florida?

A:   I wish we could compete with other states who have an unlimited cap on incentives. One of the main reasons Florida’s incentive is limited  is because we do not have a state income tax to help fund the program.  I believe the market would explode if we had an unlimited cap like Georgia and Louisiana.  Florida has fantastic locations.  From the beaches to the Space Center to South Beach to small town America. We also have great actors and crew. Florida started as a location state and continues to be a location state. Over time it has become apparent that the studios in Orlando are theme parks and not working studios. The days of Florida being “Hollywood East” have come and gone. Is it possible to get that back? Yes, but it is a constant struggle with our government to keep the incentive funded. Our fantastic film commissioners work hard to promote Florida. The bottom line is, if a producer can film elsewhere and save money by taking advantage of a better incentive, they will. 


You can find more info about Dark Elf Films @ www.darkelffilms.com and follow us on facebook @  www.facebook.com/darkelffilms and on twitter @ www.twitter.com/darkelffilms  

JourneyQuest The Webseries Review

JourneyQuest Review

By

Amanda Sutter

Journey Quest is an over the top fantasy web series that follows a group of characters on their epic quest for glory. Along the way a series of unforseen events leads the characters into a whirl wind of mischeif, battles, and awkward moments. From the creators of "The Gamers" and "The Gamers: Dorkness Rising," the series is a goofy comedy that leaves the viewers laughing continuously.

    Although the language takes a bit getting used to and the many subplots require careful attention, the series definitely has a unique quality to its story that will create a following in certain audiences.  The series has an overall good production value and intricate costume design. The series uses a combination of clever humor with slapstick comedy throughout its entirety that hit at the right moments in the plot line.  The actor's bring a lot to the table with portraying the character's humorus moments organically. Watching their performance is entertaining and is successful in creating an emotional connection with the audience.  The episodes are also kept short and the plot continuously advances at a steady, but fast pace. Journey Quest will deffidently gain support through specific cult followings, comedy lovers, and fantasy lovers.

    The pilot is a bit slow and confusing, however, the series as a whole is definitely worth watching.Ultimately Journey Quest is a fun and unique expereince for all viewers following this magical journey.

You can find more info about this series at: http://www.journey-quest.com/

You can also follow Dark Elf on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/darkelffilms  and on Twitter: www.twitter.com/darkelffilms 

5 Questions with Brevard Talent Group’s President and Owner, Traci Danielle

1. Q: Your talent is notorious for being very satisfied, with the talent/agent relationship you have with them. What would you say are the components of a mutually beneficial and long-lasting talent/agent relationship?

A: Communication. I can not tell you how many times I have met with an actor and then I never hear from them. They do not let me know if they are in acting classes, in a play or at the very least, alive and well. Then I hear that they told another actor that I never call them. I have numerous actors I represent and it is the actor’s responsibility to communicate with their agent, to let them know what they are doing to further their career. Not the other way around. I expect a lot from the actors I represent. I am too old to represent lazy, unmotivated and needy actors. The agent cannot do the majority of the work. It is up to the actor to be responsible for their career.

2. Q: If you could wave a magic wand and endow all actors with one trait, what trait would you select?

A: Besides being an organic actor, which I believe is a gift you are born with, I would have to
say common sense. I swear if I could bottle and sell it I would not be an agent.

3. Q: Going off of the saying “the only person standing in your way is yourself” --In your
experience, what have you seen to be the most common self-imposed roadblocks actors
struggle with during their careers? Any tips for helping them get out of their own way?

A: See the answer to question 1 and 2 AND QUIT MAKING EXCUSES. I have heard everyone of
them and quite frankly I am fed up with actors making excuses. As they say in the South “If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen”. Don’t waste another minute if you are not 110% dedicated in what it takes to succeed. It has become incredibly difficult for anyone to book a job in film and TV. The odds are stacked against you from the very beginning. If you can not commit to waking up every morning and being productive with your career then do something else with your life and let the actors who are on the right path have the opportunity they need to be successful.

4. Q: After facing disappointments, actors can tend to feel powerless within the structure of the business; feeling that their ability to work is being determined solely by agents, casting directors, clients, etc. Can you share any words to the contrary to remedy this thinking? Can you help give actors a clear understanding of the variables in their careers that are completely under their control, to hopefully help empower them to take charge and maintain personal accountability even when times are difficult?

A: Actors can control everything they do, until they leave the audition. Then it is out of their
hands. They must forget about it and move on to the next opportunity. Actors can control being on
time, being prepared for the audition, callback and booking. They can be nice, respectful to everyone and be professional. Without actors agents and casting directors would not be in business. Agents want to represent professional actors who are serious about their career. If actors do everything possible then a good agent will stand behind them and have their back. I know that life can get in the way and actors might have to book out until they are mentally and physically available to be in this business. I have actors who can’t afford gas to go to auditions or be put on tape. While I feel sorry for them I also have to be honest and tell them that they need to take a break, get it together and decide if they can afford to be in the business.

5. Q: What is the most fulfilling aspect of what you do?

A: Finding an actor who is new and working with them to develop their career and then be
able to say “You booked the job”. I made a deal with myself many years ago that if the day
came that I did not get joy from telling an actor the “B” word then I would hang it up and wait
tables.

6. What do you wish all actors would do?

1. Read the entire information that is sent to you for each audition. I cannot
understand actors who have the ability to receive all of the information prior to
the audition and still make excuses as to why they weren’t prepared. Remember
pagers & pay phone booths? If the actors from that generation can deal with
having to find a pay phone and write down the details for the audition, go to an
office supply store and get the script on fax then at the very least today actors can
read their emails and be prepared.

2. Train. Actors need to work on their craft by going to an on going acting class and
supplement that with workshops taught by industry professionals. Acting is an
acquired skill. You are not going to get any better unless you work on your craft.

Closing Statement

There are very few agents in the market that have been in business as long as
I have. I think Melanie Hurt and I have more experience than all of the other
agents put together. Both of us were agents when Florida was the third busiest
state in film and TV and when union commercials far outnumbered non-union.
We have seen thousands of actors come and go and in my opinion the actors who
are successful and very talented, know that Show Business is two words. This
business is not for everyone. It is hard and you have to pay your dues. If you can
do anything else with your life then DO IT! But, if you were born with the acting
gene you know you don’t have a choice. To wake up and be happy in a career that
gives you joy and to make a living in this fun exciting business is a blessing. I am
grateful to the actors I represent and I look forward to many more years to being
an agent in Central Florida.

Interview with Director James Hunter

Director James Hunter opens up about his creative pursuits and gives us an intimate glimpse into his unique personal journey and outlook on life.

Q: What are some of the qualities that you look for in the actors you work with?

A: The quality I look for the most in actors is dedication to their craft. I like to work with actors that are really serious about what they do and put time in to be the best they can be.  They also have to be reliable.  

Q: What is your favorite part of the filmmaking process?  

A: That’s a tough question, but what I love most of all is taking an idea and watching it grow into reality.  I love taking an idea and seeing it turn into the final product.  

Q: What art inspires you creatively?  

A: I am a big fan of Martin Scorsese and Antoine Fuqua.  I like their styles and how they film, but I also like how in most of their films, there is someone having a moral dilemma, facing right versus wrong and the choice they make determines the outcome of their lives.  At the end of the day, my outlook on filmmaking is parallel with my outlook on life.  I have had to make choices in my life that have had catastrophic outcomes.  I like to see a protagonist put in a situation and see the consequences of their choice and how it affects their life.

Q: You’re best known in the film community as a director, but some people may not know that you actually started out in music and have recently started rapping again.   How would you describe your sound and where do you see yourself going in the industry? 

A: A lot of people compare me to Jay-Z and this actually hindered my progress back in 2003-2004. I was on the cusp of making it before I got injured and I got a lot of grief because I sounded like Jay-Z.  I had a meeting with one of the engineers at Bad Boy Records and he told me after he listened to my mix tape he thought it was Jay-Z.  I told him “I can’t help the way my voice sounds.”  When I said that he seemed surprised and he said he thought I was trying to sound like Jay…I wasn’t.  So there’s nothing I can do about that.  I don’t want to be a rapper; I’m past that phase in my life.   I just love words and I like to dabble and play with them.  My goal with my music now, is to every now and again, throw a song of mine into my film projects.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not busy directing and creating music?

A: I’m very political.  I love politics and sometimes I wish I had gone to journalism school. I study politics a lot in my free time.  Another thing I do that people think is crazy-I really love numbers. I play with numbers in my head; like 1251 multiplied by 159 and see how fast I can figure out the answer.  This actually translates over to the industry because when numbers are being thrown around in meetings, I’m able to come up with the answers really fast.

Q: What is another thing that people don’t know about you?

A: I’m very sensitive.  I’m a very principled person.  I live and die by my principles.  When I deal with people, I expect them to be the same way.  I need to stop expecting people to be the same way I am because it usually ends in disappointment.  I will literally turn down a million-dollar project if it went against my principles.  The most important thing to me is that I give people my word and stand by it.  Not everyone is like that, so I’m learning that I have to evaluate people for who they are and not put my expectations on them.  Another thing people don’t know is that I love producing films as much as directing.  Also, I’m working on bettering myself as an editor.

Q: Anyone who knows you or who is friends with you on Facebook gets to hear and see your messages that are so positive and uplifting.  What inspires you to share that positivity with others?  

A: It’s funny because basically, my upbringing was surrounded by a lot of negativity.  I had a very rough upbringing and I feel like it’s my duty to turn all of that around.  There have been times in my life where I’ve gone headfirst into negativity but because of my beliefs, I always get pulled back out.  I know it’s not where I need to be.  Now that I have a better perspective on life, one of my motivations for being successful is to have a platform to reach millions to share a positive message.

Q: How have the injuries you sustained in the shooting leading you to be paralyzed affected how you live your life and your career?  How has this shaped your mission in life?  

A: When I first got hurt I was in the hospital for 2 ½ years.  This is obviously not an exact number, but I would say somewhere around 85 percent of the other people around me who were paralyzed were really depressed.  When I first got injured, I was positive on the outside, but inside I was wondering if this was punishment or torture or if this was meant to slow me down.  I came to the conclusion it was meant to slow me down.  I knew deep down that the negativity was not me and I had to turn this thing around.  When I changed my mind set, people starting complimenting me.   Although I was the patient, doctors would come to talk to me about their problems.  I started thinking, “this is where you need to be.  This is where you are most useful.”  Had I not been paralyzed, I would have been successful in music and wouldn’t have grown the way I have.   The injuries put me in a different zone.  One of the bullets went through me and hit my cousin.  If I wasn’t there to absorb those shots, he would have been the recipient of that and he wouldn’t be here today.  This pretty much sums it up:  While I was getting my bachelor’s degree at Full Sail, I got some life-threatening bed sores, caught bone infections and had to take 3 leaves of absence.  When I was in the hospital, a beautiful nurse came downstairs and said she knew me.  I was so caught up in her beauty, but then she explained she was my sign-out nurse a year before and she remembered how I got shot and how I was going to film school.  She was really, really pretty so I was more wrapped up in that, but after she was done explaining how she remembered me, I asked her how she remembered all of that from a 10-minute conversation from a year ago.  She said ever since that day we talked she uses me as her inspiration: “If James can go to school and do everything he does, I can go through anything in life without complaining.”  That really touched me.  Now, everyday people tell me I’m an inspiration.  My focus has shifted towards helping other people.  Friends of mine who I saw were going down the wrong path: I brought them in to be in the pilot for my new project Stripped ATL and now they want to get into acting.  Now I can help them make a change and I feel like everything is worth it.  When I first got shot, I would just say I got into an accident.  I didn’t want people to assume I was a bad guy.  I don’t like lying.   It bothered me a lot.  So I thought, I’m just going to tell people the truth and it’s up to them what they think about it.  I was having a conversation the other day about how rich people can be so uncaring.  If I accumulate $50 million, I wouldn’t get to see $1 million.  My goal wouldn’t be about me; it would be making sure my loved ones are good.  That’s the same way I look at my career; it’s not about me, it’s about spreading my message and taking care of people.  Life was about me for way too long; it has to be about more than us.  It can’t be about us anymore.

Q: What upcoming projects should we be on the lookout for?

A: Look out for the VH1 pilot for Stripped ATL.   It is a very compelling reality drama, which looks like a movie, shot like reality show.  It’s different than anything else out there.  It keeps you captivated all the way through and I’ve received very positive feedback from everyone who has seen the pilot.  The next step is presenting it to the execs at VH1.    Also, be on the lookout for updates on the series I’m So Fly; we are moving forward with that as well.