When artists say they will do what it takes to get the job, most actors are talking about being prepared in that audition room. For one Broadway star though, it meant leaving home, couch surfing and a bout of homelessness. Amber Iman just made her Broadway debut playing legendary jazz
Breaking Bad returned last Sunday with a jaw-dropping episode, “Blood Money.” The first in the last eight episodes of the series was directed by star Bryan Cranston. Dean Norris, who plays DEA agent Hank Schrader, describes filming the intense final scene of the episode. “The last scene was really interesting.
With a name like Levi, it’s a no brainer that people will assume you’re Jewish. So, it does come as a surprise when Zachary Levi admits he’s not Jewish—he just changed his name once he became an actor. Levi was born with the last name Pugh, which agents suggested he
Though most places require permits when shooting television and film productions, back in my film school days we’d often easily get by shooting scenes quickly and on-the-fly without doing all the paperwork (and paying the expensive permit fees). Starving artists have to do what starving artists have to do, right?
Everyone always talks about survival jobs in Hollywood in order to have free time for auditions. The stereotypical days of waiting tables and pet sitting may be over for some aspiring actors because there is a new way to make money and achieve those career goals.
Walt Disney remains one of the most well-liked figures in Hollywood history — heck, his name alone brings smiles to children whose parents weren’t even born in Disney’s lifetime — so finding someone to play Disney in the upcoming movie Saving Mr. Banks must have been particularly challenging.
Brea: “I think all actors should direct something, even if it’s a short… because you learn so much”
Armie Hammer has had quite a rise in Hollywood — after small roles in film and television audiences got a double dose of him in The Social Network (he played twins). After a handful of other roles, including opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in J. Edgar, Hammer has been launched into super-stardom in Disney’s Lone Ranger alongside Johnny Depp.
Last week, I analyzed examples of the most successful examples of star casting on Broadway in recent years. While those productions are on the top tier, other productions don’t fare as well – with some even closing early, which is usually considered a major embarrassment for the star in question in additional to the significant financial loses faced by the producers.
As always, there is both good news and bad news in the Broadway League’s annual report of Broadway attendance and grosses.
