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Sunday, May 17, 2009 - 11:00 AM - Tampa Indie Film Log for Filmmaker C. A. Passinault
No More Actors For Selected Tampa Indie Films
For some reason, I tend to
meet and network with the top actors, models, and talent in Florida. I
have a roster of the very best actors and talent in the Tampa indie film
scene. I've demonstrated this over the years by referring several 
top
actors to Tampa film projects. I referred actress Roxanne Kowalska (Evensen)
to The Pledge (which was not a direct referral, but the filmmakers
met the actress, through me, at one of my auditions), "actress"
Lowie Narvaez to The Pledge (Lowie, like Roxy, was one of my
best models from 2001-2002, although I had issues with her ability as
an actress. Again, some filmmakers met Lowie and Roxy through me, and
after they became involved with a film, the parents of both of the then-17
year old actresses wanted to give me a power of attorney regarding their
participation with certain film projects, which I declined due to it being
a conflict of interest on my part- especially since it was never a direct
referral. I ended my friendship, and my professional ties, to both girls
due to some conflicts regarding participation with film projects which
I did not wish to get involved with; it was their mistake and loss, and
certainly not mine), actress Harmony Oswald as the lead in The Quiet
Place and actress Sarah Bray as the lead in Spaventare.
I've had mixed experiences referring actors to Tampa indie films. Lowie and Roxy proved to be disastrous referrals, since I never directly referred them and had no control over what was going on (although The Pledge wasn't as bad as I feared; it is the principle of the matter). Harmony was a good referral for The Quiet Place, but the film itself was a disaster, in my opinion, and certain people tried to take advantage of my trust by trying to discredit me and by attempting to get Harmony to work on other films. Harmony and I are good friends, and she is well aware of the issues that I have with certain filmmakers and the full story on what is going on. Sarah, too, was a good referral, as Chris Woods is one of the best filmmakers in the Tampa indie film scene, and he has earned my trust. I did not have much enjoyment working on Spaventare, and I actually hated the experience, but it really had nothing to do with Sarah or Chris. Let's just say that others brought their attitudes (Terence), and misconceptions, to the set, and I left that night in a rather annoyed mood. I'm sure that Sarah, who is one of my best friends, knew that I was annoyed as we drove back to Tampa. Ahem- I don't forget anything. Suffice it to say, I will no longer be working on film sets where I am forced to work with certain people. I really don't have the problem on the sets, and I really try to get along. They are the ones who are determined to make things far more difficult than they have to be.
Now,
I still have no problem referring actors to good indie film projects (as
few good films as there currently are) and filmmakers who have earned
my trust (as short as that list is). The list, however, really is short.
I would not hesitate to refer actors to Chris Woods, Andy Lalino, Shelby,
or Marcus, but I would have serious reservations on referring actors to
anyone else. I've heard a lot of complaints about a lot of Tampa filmmakers.
Many so-called Tampa filmmakers don't respect actors, and a lot of so-called
Tampa filmmakers are only out to exploit actors in their films.
I've seen a lot of poor judgment, too. I've seen actors who get involved with films which do not do their careers any favors (actors only have to ask me, and I will give my opinion regarding whether a Tampa film is worth being cast in or not. Many actors now do, and many listen to what I have to say, and follow-through on what I recommend). I've also seen Tampa filmmakers who don't have a clue how to evaluate actors in an audition, and who can't cast their films. Many roles go to their friends or to girls who sleep with them when they are promised a starring role in their film. So, you have miscast films with aspiring actors, bad acting, and a lot of issues surrounding the production of the films.
Recently, I have been meeting, and networking with, an increasing number of professional actors who are everything that a Tampa filmmaker would want, or need, to make a good film. Since I don't run a talent agency, and I am not an agent, I don't make a dime from referring anyone to any film projects, but that does not matter because I would refer actors to good film projects as a professional courtesy, and I meet these actors through other means (not by promising them auditions or roles in films, by the way). One large part of meeting great actors has been my Tampa headshot photography company. The actors find me. They get the headshots that their careers need (and my headshots are the best in Florida, in the opinion of many of my clients), and we talk- a lot. Just about every actor who I work with stays in touch, and uses my resource sites. Many of them, too, become professionally associated with me, and we become good friends.
This is a very good reason why is doesn't pay for a filmmaker to get on my bad side. If I don't know you, I give the actors the tools that they need to evaluate you and for them to make up their own minds. If I know you, and experience has helped me form a qualified opinion about you, the actors are informed, and many of them take what I have to say very seriously.
I'm busy with some things at the moment, but this summer, I will be mobilizing my actor resource web sites to help actors address Tampa films. Actors will become educated about the Tampa film scene. I will also be friends with more and more actors. At this moment, I have several actors on my speed dial who many filmmakers have been inquiring about. My advice? Don't bother. I will only refer actors to the best Tampa indie films, and for now, there are not that many. Don't bother trying to go around me and bother them by contacting them directly, either. The actors will ask me about you (I they already don't know), and I'll tell.
I will also have a team monitoring the Internet and working to undermine any audition notices or casting solicitations which we determine are not in the best interest of actors (don't even try to post on my audition boards, either). For many of you, it's going to be very tough to get the word out on your crappy film projects. Many actors will be spared the inconvenience of working with you because they simply won't ever be aware of you to begin with. My people and I have this capability, the ability to edit certain corners of the Internet (and we do it legally), and we will be working to make things better for professional actors.
Many Tampa filmmakers, obviously, have lost my respect, and it's going to have dire consequences on their ability to cast. I am concerned that, if these unprofessional filmmakers slander me, discriminate against me, and try to rip me off, that they will do it to actors, too. If they try to do it to me, they will certainly do it to you.
This said, my lack of support for certain filmmakers will hurt their projects and their careers. That, alone, is a nightmare. When I have people actively working against you, however, it makes in much worse. Let the talent boycott begin. Within two years, my allies and I will have full control of the Tampa casting market, and many Tampa filmmakers are going to find it difficult to find good actors for their mediocre films.
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UPDATED 12/09/10
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