Greetings from a comfy apartment on a weather-nastified day in the greatest city in the world. For a week now, I've been geeking out about the new touch-screen soda machine at the Regal Movie Theatre on 42nd Street. In this world where people are immunizing children on a day of peace in war-torn countries and introducing micro lending so empowered women can break free of abusive husbands in restrictive societies, I am giddy about the fact that I pressed a screen and had a cup full of vanilla-flavored root beer. (It's really cool.) But for you, my FOD, I recommend a hot apple cider flavored with SNAP as we embark on this e-journey together, and when we reach the e-conclusion, oh yes, there will be the usual 2 (by which I mean five) items of interest for FODs!)
Audio Books!
Life-long goal: check. After taking Paul Ruben's Audio Book Narration Class (You should read Paul Ruben's excellent blog), my work as an Audio Book storyteller has begun.
Ellen Kushner's brilliant novel SWORDSPOINT is being brought to life by Producer/Director Sue Zizza and Master Studio Engineer David Shinn of SueMedia Productions for Audible.com. Ellen Kushner is the main narrator and a host of excellent audio actors joined in to dramatize key scenes at DuArt in NYC. I read the roles of Lord Bertram and Chris Nevillson amongst an all-star cast that included Dion Graham, Katherine Kellgren, Robert Fass, Wilson Bridges, Nick Sullivan, Sam Guncler, Anne Bobby, Stewart Hamilton, Nick Azzaretti, Butch D'Ambrosio, Jack O'Connell, Sue Anne Dennehy, Tom Curley and Simon Jones.
And for those of you who want to ask "How did you book this swell job?" it did not come from attacking industry people at parties with my business card. It came from building genuine relationships with people I love and admire and opening my mouth about the work I want to bring into the world. Then, when the opportunity arose, I was on their mind and they brought me in for the audition. Next thing I know, I'm reading opposite Katherine Kellgren.
And in the Even More Reasons to Be Thankful to Ellen Kushner department, she recommended me for THE BIG READ of Ursula K. Le Guin's A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA at The Center for Fiction. It was my first time being brought in as a professional reader and I held my own among the likes of Barbara Rosenblat, John Cameron Mitchell, Katherine Kellgren, Dion Graham, Patricia Angelin, Anne Bobby, Alaya Johnson, Sarah Beth Durst, Delia Sherman (you must read her book Changeling) and Ellen Kushner herself. Even better, I was given the section with dialogue between the hero and the dragon. Thanks to everyone who watched the live stream of the event!
We interrupt this regularly scheduled e-newsletter to bring you breaking news about FOD Celebrity Darling Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!) She has a wee bairn on the way (with special mention to husband Jeff Bratcher who contributed greatly to the effort)! So, if anyone needs a tall, ethnically ambiguous pregnant lady for print or TV/Film work, she's your gal! Since Alex is part Danish Viking, we're referring to the baby as Thor. Click here for more fun Viking names for your child!
...now back to your regularly scheduled newsletter...
Makin' Movies in Maine
If you are a filmmaker, corporate video producer, or photographer, you need to know about Maine Media College and Maine Media Workshops. They offer MFAs, Certificate Programs and classes in photography, filmmaking, and multimedia and bring in experts in the industry. So, what was I doing there? They also bring in actors as Artists-in-Residence to perform in their students' work. I spent a week learning about cinematography and performing in works by some very talented filmmakers:
1. A photo story-telling piece written and filmed by Natalie Kingston in which I played a writer working his way through writer's block;
2. A short film with director Daniel Jacobs and Cinematographers Natalie Kingston and Klemens Koscher about a stalker (David DeRoos) following happy couple (Emily King and me)...but which one is his obsession?
3. A short film with director Vince O'Connell and Cinematographers Sam Membrino and Jonathan Tvrdik in which a diner waitress (Jenny Paul) is talking about a recent kidnapping to three men (Adam Williams, David DeRoos), and me) who seem to fit their description.
This class in Camera and Visual Storytelling was taught by Cinematographer Daniel Pearl with assistance from Joshua Jenks and Taylor McIntosh. The class included a very talented group of directors and cinematographers: Matt Bates, Ben Bishop, Christian Herrera, Daniel Jacobs, Natalie Kingston, Klemens Koscher, Sam Membrino, Shani Naima, Vince O'Connell, Camila Pereira Bento Garcia, Diogo Ribeiro, Juana Romero, Pedro Silva Miguez, Jon Tvrdik, and Gil Woodley.
I also lent my comic skills to the Corporate Video Production class for their "How to Eat a Lobster" project. It was an instructional video in which Jenny Paul knows the correct way to eat a lobster and I end up with lobster legs behind my ear as I beat the claw with the nutcracker (and a brilliant cameo with Ingrid Johnson as a lobster-loving activist). Under the tutelage of Steve R. Cartwright, this video was a collaborative effort between directors Justin "J.T." Fairley, Thomas Kennedy, David Nolley, Chad O'Donnell, Alex Smith, and Gerald Speight.
So, you want you should be an Artist-in-Residence and act in films for a week like Juli Cooper, David DeRoos, Emily King, Ingrid Johnson, Jenny Paul, Adam Williams and me? Perhaps secure some great spots for your demo reel? E-mail your headshot and resume to talent@mainemedia.edu and tell them Doug Shapiro sent you!
Balthazar Bratcher. That could be a fun name for the child of Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!)
Join Doug, the Yuletide Jew!
This will be my fourth season bringing Holiday cheer with The Yuletide Carolers. These quartets of beautifully costumed singers are available for parties and events all over the nation: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Southern Florida. For bookings, you can head to their website or call 1 (800) 791-0210.
And SAVE THE DATE! On Friday, December 16 at 7:00pm is the annual Holiday Concert with The Madison Avenue Baptist Church. My current plan is to sing an original piece by Ellen Mandel (who was the composer for THREE LITTLE PIGS that I performed at The Public Theatre in Maine). Please join us for a great concert that evening!
Cavorting with Composers and Whisking about with Wordsmiths...
My FOD Composers and Wordsmiths continue to bring amazing things into the world and I get to be their vehicle! Here's the latest news:
"Thanks to the Lighthouse" by Duane Boutte
FOD Duane Boutte was commissioned to write a work for The Little Red Lighthouse Festival and wrote a swell 15-minute musical about the Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge. Rob Rokicki, Marissa Rosen and I had a great time entertaining the kids.
"When You're a Mensch" by Nicholas Levin
For the Jewish New Year, FOD Nicholas Levin rewrote "When You're a Jet" as "When You're a Mensch." It was performed at The Salon, hosted by Mark Janas with the combined Jewish powers of Nicholas, Richie Eisenberg, and myself.
"The Masked Zinfandel" by Justin Warner and Peter Yarin
What's coming up? I'll be playing a multitude of characters in the reading of THE MASKED ZINFANDEL with Book and Lyrics by Justin Warner and Music by Peter Yarin. The Story: Long ago, in the Grand Fiefdom of Helvetica, a young shoemaker takes over the role of a Zorro-esque celebrity hero. Directed by Hilary Adams, the cast will include Stanley Bahorek, Raymond Bokhour, Mike McGowan, Lauren Molina, Sarah Sokolovic, Dewey Caddell, David Garry, Caryn Hartglass, Kelsey Olson, Lawrence Rush, Charlotte Graham, and me.
WHEN: Monday, November 21st at 8:00pm WHERE: Greenwich House Music School
47 Barrow Street in NYC
Google Map COST: Free admission, but it's almost sold out. Reservations/Inquiries: maskedzinfandel@gmail.com.
Buckbeak Bratcher. That could be a fun Harry Potterish name for the child of Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!)
Coaching with Clients...
The Savvy Actor, founded by the actor/business mavens Jodie Bentley and Kevin Urban, just celebrated its fourth year of empowering artists to work like small business owners! In my side career as a career consultant with this great organization, I have been helping my savvy clients set up business systems for themselves through classes, coaching and seminars both in New York and in Los Angeles. Recently, my clients have signed with managers, booked off-Broadway shows, earned their union cards, and got things DONE.
Interested in doing this work for yourself?
Click this link to set up a free half-hour intro session with me.
Interested in bringing me in for a workshop with your university students?
Send me an e-mail!
And I'm teaching too!
Jodie and I just served on a panel with a great new organization, Singing OnStage Productions. The event was called "Theatre Artists Connect" and the theme of the evening was how this community of artists can authentically connect with one another.
Besides Jodie and myself, the panel included Artistic Director/Founder of the company Richard Biever, Producer Michael Roderick (more on this gentleman later), Composer Joe Iconis, Director John Simpkins, and Actors Jason "Sweet Tooth" Williams and Lance Rubin and we were unified in our message. You don't get a job by throwing your card or resume at some poor unsuspecting soul at a networking event. You're always more likely to land a job when you build authentic relationships and are then recommended as a known quantity. Richard brought in a wonderfully diverse group of professionals that included stage managers, music directors, choreographers, actors, company managers and more. Great evening!
And speaking of getting your career going, my next webinar: Mailings - Faster, Smarter, Cheaper! is coming up on Sunday, November 20th at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time and you can be there from your own computer. Now I can even show you how to add video to your card. That's right, add a scanable QR code that links to your demo video which you can then send to Industry folk. Click this link to register for this webinar!
The last Savvy Actor Crash Course MBA Weekend of the year takes place on December 3rd and 4th in New York. Oh, and if you're interested in the Weekend, e-mail me. I know a guy that can get you a FOD discount. ;-)
Dougbytes
***The Savvy Actor participated in its third year in the 2011 Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure and we raised $3739.50. Thanks so much to all of you who contributed!
***I participated in table reads of THE MOLE by Josh Cohen and Lavell Blackwell and TEMPING by Kristina LaTour.
***VEGUCATED won Best Documentary of a World Premiere at the Toronto Independent Film Festival and had a sold out United States premiere in New York City! Marisa Miller Wolfson produced this guerrilla-style documentary that follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks and learn what it's all about. In the supermarket section, I provided a fun game show host voice. This is especially interesting because Game Show Host Bob Barker attended the screening in Los Angeles.
***I sang for my third season with Park Avenue Synagogue. This year, I was with a quartet that included Toby Newman, Elisa Singer, Lawrence Rush and myself. We raised our voices in prayer with Cantor Shiree Kidron and accompanist Liya Petrides. Special thanks to cantor Azi Schwartz and alto Bess Morrison for their support in what was the most challenging gig of my career.
***I continue to sing Sunday mornings at The Madison Avenue Baptist Church with choir director Paul Stephan, singers Erika Buchholz, Karen Rich, Richard Binder, Brian Long, and Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!) The congregation is led by the fabulous Reverend Susan Sparks and Leslie Jackson. The sermons are podcast! (The choir is not.) Remember the Holiday Concert on December 16!
Please Don't Panic! I'm busier than a gopher on a golf course -- but for you, I'll find the time. Should you need me to speak the spot, give face time for the photo, or sing the song, let's create something great together.
Beethoven Bratcher. That could bring out the inherent musical ability in the child of Alexandra de Suze! (Surely you've heard of Alexandra de Suze!)
And now the monthly Two (by which I mean Five) Items of Interest for FODs...
You deserve a little Lovin' from me to you...
My latest article for The Savvy Actor addresses self-examination of your values and whether it's time to change your current career path. Take a gander at "Is It Time to Walk Away?" and I'd love to hear your thoughts.
There. Thou hast been coached.
You deserve to learn networking from the best in the industry...
Producer and networking guru Michael Roderick is in high demand for his networking and business expertise. He offers strategy consultation for entrepreneurs and theatre companies and you can sign up for these valuable sessions here. Oh, and on 10/31- use the code "halloween" and get 50% off. Plus if you are a FOD you get an additional 30-minute networking evaluation from him for free! Get on this man's mailing list and bring him in to speak with your organization. You'll be glad you did. You can also send him an e-mail at smallpondenterprises@gmail.com.
You deserve funding for your work of art...
So I'm up in Maine, hanging out with film/commercial/experience design director and musician Jon Tvrdik and we're talking about artistic mission. We start talking about his friend and co-creator Drew Billings, who died way before his time and in whose honor Jon and another friend have set up The Drew Billings Foundation. Through charitable donations, every year on May 27th, Drew's birthday, The Foundation gives an Artist's Grant to an artist or artists whose project, goals and professionalism are most in line with Drew's loves and aspirations. And the irony, Jon mentioned, is that they have an easier time raising money than getting people to apply for the grant!
...So, my FOD's, you won't be shy about applying for the 2012 grant, will you?
You deserve a job...
Here come the job creators! If you or anyone you know needs a commission-based job that they can do from home, read on! FOD and voiceover talent Brett Barry owns and operates Silver Hollow Audio, an independent studio and audio publishing company in the Hudson Valley. He produces well-received (and award-winning) audio books about nature and place, but he admittedly has no natural talent for selling them. So, if anyone with a sales background and/or winning personality has time to make calls to libraries and audio book retailers, you can reach Brett at publicity@silverhollowaudio.com. Let him know you're an FOD.
You deserve great financial guidance...
Of course I must brag on my husband. After eighteen years as an actuary, Shawn brought his industry savvy to the people side of the business seven years ago to be a financial advisor. His business has grown wonderfully and he is helping a lot of people start to save money and protect their loved ones. Have you been reading the news lately? Perhaps it's time to talk with him. He knows his stuff, will not try to sell you something you don't need, and is quite easy on the eyes. scowls@mac.com to start the conversation.
Life is good here. FOD Barbara Rosenblat is a member of BAFTA and brought me to two movie screenings. One was PUSS IN BOOTS, which was fun but really exciting because of the aforementioned soda machine (Shawn had peach Sprite!). The other was ANONYMOUS and it was an incredible surprise to have seen the beautifully staged Shakespeare scenes and then discover in the credits that the stage director was none other than FOD Tamara Harvey, with whom I worked my Shakespeare Thang at The Theater at Monmouth! This woman is absolute sunlight in the world and I am thrilled for her well-deserved success.
Take some breathing time for yourself, tell me your birthday, and thanks for being in my life. Please let me know what's going on in yours!
Enjoy Yourself!
Doug
