Michael Bott – Marathon Man

Follow MICHAEL BOTT on Twitter @MichaelBott and @ActorChatTV

Here is the Michael Bott WEB SITE

Why do I say Michael Bott is a Marathon Man? Because it seems to me he embodies the notion that an acting career is ‘a marathon not a sprint’. He’s in for the long haul.

With 35+ years experience in stage and film acting with credits such as the National Theater and the Royal Shakespeare Company in addition to a number of film and television roles (most recently a 15 episode stint on the BBC daytime drama DOCTORS) Michael Bott has a resume to be proud of.

This actor’s journey hasn’t been all in a straight line, however. After about twenty years in ‘the game’ Michael stepped away temporarily from acting to work as a videographer and documentary filmmaker. One of his projects is an outstanding documentary called STANDING WITH STONES. More about that project a bit farther down the page.

Michael Bott – Actor Chat

I first became aware of Michael via the BLAB.IM live streaming platform. I had heard about BLAB while listening to a podcast and I decided to see what all the stir was about.

Of course I went there searching for content about acting and filmmaking and one of the first shows I happened upon was one called Actor Chat, with Michael Bott as the host and discussion leader. I found the Actor Chat sessions to be absolutely terrific and I was hooked on them and I suppose to an extent on Blab.

I recall being absolutely shocked while listening to one of the Actor Chat recordings when I heard the discussion veer onto a topic that included a reference to some content from an episode of this podcast. Wow! I always HOPE that some helpful information is being distributed through Actors Talk, but to hear something referenced in a live chat happening across the Atlantic was pretty cool indeed.

Michael Bott – Actor Notes Podcast

As I began to search for more information about Michael Bott and his career, I soon learned that, like myself, he produces a podcast.

Once I had found and subscribed to his ACTOR NOTES podcast, I became an even bigger fan. The presentation skills Michael Bott possesses are top notch. With a smooth delivery and a wonderful tone to his voice, I quickly ‘binge listened’ to (at the time) all nine episodes of Actor Notes. I never miss an episode.

As a bonus, not only is the listener treated to Michael’s thoughts about acting and ‘the business’ but he also has a series of shows featuring his wife, Sharon Bott, who is a life coach and a terrific podcaster in her own right.

If you check out just one episode, I think you’ll become a regular listener.

Michael Bott – Standing With Stones

One of his documentaries, a film called STANDING WITH STONES, which he photographed and directed, is particularly impressive. Imagine packing up in a motor home and hitting the road to through Britain, Ireland and Scotland to shoot a film about prehistoric stone structures. That’s what he did, along with fellow traveler on this project, writer, Rupert Soskin.

Here’s what Michael Bott has to say about the project:

Chantel Riley – From Open Call To Broadway

Chantel Riley was working at an insurance agency in Toronto,CAN and pondering if she should become a dance instructor at the school where she had studied. Then IT happened. A friend told her about and open call for Disney. For THE LION KING.

Let’s put a hold on Chantel Riley’s story for just a second. Time for a reality check.

Open Call – Cattle Call

Google search the term OPEN CALL or alternatively CATTLE CALL and, if you’re an inexperienced, hopeful actor/singer/dancer, prepare to be jolted into reality.

Open Calls are just that – OPEN. To anyone who fits the basic profile of the talent sought – age, gender, height, body type, sometimes even ethnicity can all be relevant to what the producers are searching for.

Still since we are talking Open Calls, there is almost a certainty that if the casting call specified the producers are looking only for blonde women at least 6 feet tall, there will be a certain number of hopefuls who show up not even coming close to the desired specs. They’ve heard the stories about actors getting discovered in stranger ways and JUST MAYBE THEY will be the lucky one who gets picked ahead of the mass of actors who DO actually meet the desired spec. Stop it. Throw cold water on your face and get a grip on reality.

Chantel Riley has been in THE LION KING on BROADWAY for several years as of this writing and now she’s landed her first role in a major Hollywood film. RACE from Focus Features is the film about American track star Jesse Owens and his experiences at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. After seeing the trailer for this film several times recently, RACE has the look of a good film and hopefully, a big hit.

Chantel Riley, Paging Chantel Riley

Typically everyone is told to arrive at the same time. The actor (or the actor’s parents) will sign in and take a seat. Then they will typically wait. And wait. And wait.

According to Chantel Riley, when she arrived at the open call she attended, it was packed. She signed in. And she waited. Just like everyone else.

At some point, if the actor is actually in the ballpark physically, she/he will be called to audition. If the audition goes well, the actor may get a callback. Or, as with any other audition, the actor may be terrific, but just not what the producers are seeking. Such is the nature of the business.

That’s the good news.

Open Calls – The Bad News

The bad news is that the experienced, trained talent is grouped, at least initially, in with the likely majority of ‘talent’ who have little or no training and a similar amount of experience. This is one reason experienced, trained actors stay away from open calls. There is no filter for who is allowed to attend.

I’m not even going to get into the total SCAM OPEN CALLS that purport to be casting for Disney or some other reputable entity when in fact they don’t. Does that really happen? Again, just take to Google or your favorite search engine and do some research.

The bottom line on Open Calls and Cattle Calls is this: If you have the time and patience and if you have little training and no agent representation, then go for it. If you have training and experience but you’re not booking work then you might want to consider an open call. As long as no one asks you for any money, ANY MONEY,

JOE HANSARD – CHARACTER ACTOR

Joe Hansard, the actor I’m pleased to spend some time with on this episode of Actors Talk is a wonderful character actor from the New York area. Joe has been a professional actor for several decades and it shows in his presence on the screen. Whether he’s playing one of America’s most wanted, a NY Cop at the turn of the century on THE KNICK or a homeless person on the mean streets of the big city, Joe Hansard brings something special to each role. The label, Character Actor, is a badge of honor, as well it should be. He wears it well.

Follow Joe on Twitter

Interested in having Joe Hansard in your project? Joe’s Agent

Equally at home in mainstream media and the independent film scene, Hansard has years of experience as both lead and supporting player. Known for an eclectic screen persona, his characters span the gamut, from hillbillies to the homeless — a mixed bag of lovable creeps, kooks, cops, etc.

What image comes to mind when you hear the term ‘Character Actor’?

If you’re a fan of the Steven Soderbergh series, THE KNICK, then you’ll recall seeing Joe Hansard recently in his fine turn as Tuggle, a bull dog of a detective who bites off more than he can chew in THIS IS ALL WE ARE, the final episode of season two. Or maybe you caught him as the homeless man in MYSTERIES OF LAURA or on THE WIRE, HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET or one of the many other shows to which he’s contributed his talent.

Joe Hansard – Nature of The Business

It’s the nature of the business that many fine actors, fine character actors in particular, often labor in a kind on anonymity. They are ‘that guy in that thing.’ Or ‘you

know…THAT guy.” Familiar faces who always deliver something interesting in what can be rather pedestrian programming.

They are actors whose faces may ring a bell but whose names, sadly, often escape us. But to the people who produce and cast television and film roles, it is these wonderful actors who can be pivotal to the success of a project.

LUCAS KITCHEN – A CREATIVE MIND – NOTES

Affiliate Link: Infinite Tomorrow: The Kingdom Chronicles Book One

On this page you’ll find the host’s notes taken as he listened back to the recorded interview with Lucas Kitchen.

TIME STAMPS

At various headings and in the interior of some comments you may find some ‘time stamps’ designated [21:29] for example.

That is the approximate location within the recording that the comments noted occur. Hopefully that will make it easier for you to skip to areas that you might find most interesting.

If you’d like the notes in their entirety, look for the ‘Read Full Transcript’ notice at the bottom of the page and click the arrow.

Please let me know if adding the time codes is of any help or value to you!

LESSONS FROM DAD

[4:15]

Dad had a lesson he taught us – never go anywhere without a sketchbook

We always had something to draw with or something to write with

There were definitely times when we’d stop the van and pull over to sketch a scene or something

MUSIC THEN WRITING

[5:37]

Writing came along later, I think for a very specific reason. Being a pretty poor speller and confused about punctuation as a young kid, I thought I couldn’t write.

I thought that technical skill that I lacked would keep me from writing. So for years I shied away from letting people see my written work because I was afraid I was

doing it wrong.

I wish someone would’ve sat me down and said ‘hey, you’re a good storyteller, you havve some weaknesses, it would be great if you worked on those because you really

could do something with this. [6:14]

LUCAS KITCHEN – VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ROCKS

[7:50]

I’m a big believer in high school level vocational programs. I first picked up a camera in a high school media class. I got acquainted with a lot of the basics of video production there, using a camera, storyboarding, etc.

LUCAS KITCHEN – KID’S CAMPS TO START

[8:28]

First professional

projects were kid’s summer camps. Someone asked me to shoot video at a summer camp. He called around and booked 10 camps to video that

summer and a freelance videography career was born. That phase of the career lasted 7 years.

LUCAS KITCHEN – THE DREAM

[9:28]

Work on freelance videography projects to fund the kind of film projects I really wanted to be doing. The benefits were that I had the equipment and the skill to put together shot film projects and even some feature length documentary projects. The freelance work was fueled by the education and confidence gained originally via the high school vocational video classes

LUCAS KITCHEN – WHY STAY IN A SMALL MARKET

[12:00]

I wondered if Lucas had ever considered giving up a rather enjoyable small town lifestyle for life in a bigger market. My question, which I failed to follow up on

properly was really about being able to work with more accomplished people than one might find in a smaller market.

Lucas’ talks about the reality that in larger markets there is a lot more competition from talented people. In his East Texas location,

THE AUDIO PLAYER HAS MOVED TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

After recovering my site following the recent hack as explained in the podcast audio, I have started using a new tool called Thrive Content Builder. Unfortunately there are some issues between this plugin and my audio player. So for now, Please scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to listen to this episode. Hopefully I'll be able to return the player to the top of the page soon. Thanks for your patience!!

Interview with Sean Johnson and  Sydnee Simone

I got HACKED! Listen to my comments following the interview with Sean Johnson Jr and Sydnee Simone and I'll tell you how I rescued 4 YEARS of podcast episodes after some low life hacked my site and my web host closed me down!

Screenwriting Workshop WITH New York Film Academy Top Graduate SEAN JOHNSON JR

Writer of "Down By The River," Sean Johnson will be hosting his 2nd annual Screenwriting Workshop in Houston, Tx on January 16th, 2016. The top graduate of New York Film Academic will be sharing the secrets to help you turn your idea into a feature length screenplay. 99.9% of notable screenwriters use this same technique from what we like to call the "Beat Sheet." He will teach you how to finish your story from beginning to end before you even type the first letter of your script! You can reserve your seat now! Click here to go to the EventBrite Sign Up Page.Or you can make a payment for $75 via PayPal.The PayPal Email is [email protected] and we'll send your ticket to enter the workshop.[email protected]

Jason Tyler

Sean Johnson's screenwriting class teaches how to know your screenplay from the beginning to end before you even type the first letter of your title page! He truly teaches you how to master the screenplay

Nzinga Rideaux

Sean Johnson's Screenwriting Classes are a must for beginners. As an aspiring screenwriter I thoroughly enjoyed the class and his one on one coaching style. I am now in the process of completing my first screenplay for review. This would not have happened if I had not taken this class.

​

My guests for this episode of Actors Talk are filmmakers Sean Johnson  and Sydnee Simone. Sean is one of the Exec. Producers and Syndee is the director and one of the lead actors in a new indie film called Pastor's Daughters.In this episode I spent a few minutes with Sean and Sydnee exploring some of the challenges of producing in the low budget indie market, in the faith-based niche and also to some extent, for an African American target audience.​Pastor's Daughters was the first feature film that Ms. Simone has directed but as you'll hear in the interview, she was well prepared following a long season of training behind the scenes from every position from PA to Unit Production Manager prior to accepting this directing assignment.​For those of you who are long-time Actors Talk listeners and readers, you'll remember Sean from previous episodes.

From The Novel To The Audiobook

From the novel to the audiobook. That’s the journey we’re taking in this episode. If you are an actor who wants to explore audiobook narration but don’t know where to start, this episode will hopefully give you some information you can use.

In this episode I’ll be talking with my good friend John Jones. In the interview you’ll hear me refer to him as John J Asher. That is his pen name.

As John J Asher he has written a collection of short stories called Stories From Separation, Texas and the novels A Dignified Exit, Yellow Mesquite and The Dogs of Mexico. All of these works can be found at his website, JohnJAsher.com or on his author’s page on Amazon.

This episode is a bit different in that it was not recorded via a Skype interview, it was recorded in person in John’s home. Other than the intro and outro to this episode, all audio was recorded live on a Zoom H4N portable recorder.

A Little Backstory

[vimeo 134268479 w=500&h=281]

John grew up in West Texas, in a town of about three hundred. His earliest artistic inclinations were not toward writing but drawing and painting. John tells me in the interview that he was always drawing and sketching as a youngster, even in the Baptist Hymnal at church. His favorite subjects to draw: Guns. Maybe he was just preparing for some of the action scenes he would much later write in THE DOGS OF MEXICO.

From west Texas, John journeyed to Southeast Texas to the Golden Triangle, though I’m not sure that’s what it was called in those says. He worked at the refinery in the Beaumont-Pt. Arthur area and continued to draw. John met several local artists including Lynn Sweat with whom he remains friends to this day.

With layoffs happening at the refinery, John took the opportunity to take a severance from that job and head to New York. There he worked as an artist and illustrator. After having completed a significant number of paintings, John approached several New York galleries and made some promising connections. While waiting for an upcoming show that would showcase his work, John lost all of his paintings, over 50 in number, and collection of art books in a house fire.

The fire took a toll on John’s aspirations in the art world. He spent the next several years designing and building a new house on the site where his house and all his paintings had burned.

John continued to work as an illustrator for many years in New York and later in Austin, Texas where he now lives and writes.

Audiobook Production at Home

I have talked and written previously about my interest in narrating audiobooks. I believe I’ve also mentioned some of the challenges associated with producing and narrating audiobooks.

The challenges can seem quite daunting. I know that for a fact. It was contemplating these seemingly endless challenges that kept narrating as a ‘bucket list’ item rather than a reality for far too long.

Let me give you an idea of what is required by ACX, the Audiobook Creation Exchange, to produce acceptable audio:

AUDIO SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS – FROM

Your success, however you may define that, is likely tied to some ‘personal indelibility’ some instant reaction people have to YOU, not to the part you’re playing, but to YOU. That’s hard to teach…in fact you can’t teach it. But you can open people’s eyes to it.

Michael Laskin – Actor – Teacher – Author

In this episode of Actors Talk I’m speaking with actor, teacher and now author, Michael Laskin about his new book The Authentic Actor The Art and Business of Being Yourself and about how he came to pursue the actor’s life.

Some actors and other artists I speak with know from a very early age that we want to act or write stories or music or pursue other creative endeavors, and sometime it’s others who see in us something we might not yet see in ourselves.

Such is the case with Michael Laskin. I found out that Michael is a Minessota kid who was a good student but really had no aspirations to become a professional actor…at least not until his high school guidance counselor planted that seed in his mind that acting was something he could study and just maybe do well.

He went to Northwestern and studied theater, moved to Minneapolis and became immersed in the regional theater scene: he was in the company at the Gutherie, worked in Seattle, Louisville, off-Broadway for 10-11 years and in 1983 decided to move to L.A.

With that as a background we pick up the interview where I’m asking Michael what percipitated the move away from a successful career in regional theater into the film and television world in Los Angeles.

ACTING – FROM STAGE TO SCREEN

Michael Laskin made the move from busy regional theater actor to L.A. based actor around 1983 with a play called THE BASEMENT TAPES written by Erik Brogger.

So, I wondered, was the transition from stage to screen an easy one or were there some bumps in the road.

“For me it was a difficult transition and…in a large way it has informed my teaching and the book I wrote…”

He had early success.

Michael tells how his friendship with a writer on HILL STREET BLUES, Stephen Bochco’s seminal 1980s era cop show, help Michael gain a foothold into the L.A. market.

Within six weeks of landing in L.A. he had an agent and he had booked his first job.

But, Michael says,

I was terrible in my first job. I saw it on TV and I was just mortified….That pivot from stage to screen was a challenge.

LEARNING FROM A REAL PRO

… most TV and film actors do not get the chance to be transformative. we are generally hired to be something akin to ourselves a more truthful dynamic version of who we appear to be when we enter into any human transaction..

Michael credits the late Jack Warden for helping him make the transition into becoming an authentic actor.

While working on a recurring role on Warden’s show CRAZY LIKE A FOX, Michael says he learned by watching how Warden worked.

Michael says he realized “Oh, he’s the same guy I’m talking to off the set when he’s on the set…it’s seamless. He’s mastered the art of completely being himself while doing all the things one has to do…to ...

MARKUS FLANAGAN IS A ROGUE

When I found out that actor-writer-teacher Markus Flanagan was doing ROGUES OF L.A., a new web series, I was immediately intrigued.

At first, I admit, I was a little confused. Perhaps because I learned of the project via social media and didn’t have all the details, I wasn’t sure exactly how Markus was involved.

I assumed he was acting in the show but didn’t realize until doing some investigating that his involvement ran much deeper than ‘just’ another acting gig.

You see, Markus Flanagan isn’t only part of the cast, he created and produces the show. That really should have been my first inclination.

Rogues trailer from Rogues of LA on Vimeo.

Over the past couple of years I’ve gotten to know Markus a bit, first as my guest on Actors Talk (Episode 12 – One Less Bitter Actor) then at an all too brief meeting here in Austin and also by watching some of his teaching videos online.

Through these points of contact I’ve come to trust Markus as an artist who truly has the heart of a teacher…the kind of person you’d want to mentor your kid if they were pursuing the actor’s journey.

So what kind of web series would this guy create? And why would he even go down this road? With a resume as robust as his, isn’t a web series somehow beneath him?

Sometime I make myself laugh out loud.

See, the Markus Flanagan I’ve come to know is not about the surface stuff that blinds many people in the acting business. It’s not about how cool it must be to work on this or that hit show. It’s about the experience. Is it remembered fondly for all the right reasons, or is it remembered as just another payday that really wasn’t all that rewarding.

His character, his values, his connection to ACTING go deeper. He is a teacher in the best sense of the word. He is a mentor. He is an artist. But he’s also a DOER.

Not satisfied to just come up with the idea for the show and try to sell it off, not interested in waiting for someone to give him ‘permission’ to do the show at a traditional network, Markus made the decision from the getgo to produce ROGUES OF L.A. as a web series.

The web series is the result of too many creative people frustrated over the thought that becoming successful at acting is now more about marketing than actually acting. When anyone with desire to contribute can’t find a suitable outlet they begin the slow progress into living the mundane life that’s presented.

ROGUES OF L.A. – THE PREMISE

The premise is beautifully simple: what if a group of twenty-somethings look around at their world, their immediate community and decide that they will be givers not takers; helpers not the helped? Why? Because they can.

“Rogues” are about finding a place to contribute, by fixing other people’s problems. It’s risky and it’s exciting and it’s being done by characters that aren’t specialists in this sort of thing.

Simple premise, yes? But brilliantly so. For a series, the story possibilities are almost endless.

From a practical point of view, and in order to keep the budget manageable, Markus Flanagan has tapped into all the resources he has at hand : He is a teacher at both his...

Audiobook Narration

I’ve been interested in audiobook narration for quite some time. Since I have no experience in that aspect of the voice over business, I’ve never really pursued it. There just seemed to be too many uncertainties. Too many complications.

When I heard or read information from narrators, it was often of the negative sort. It was too time consuming. It was a hard niche to break into. Etc. Etc.

ACX

ACX is a marketplace where professional authors, agents, publishers, and other Rights Holders can post fallow audiobook rights.

At ACX, those unused audio rights will be matched with narrators, engineers, recording studios, and other Producers capable of producing a finished audiobook, as well as with audiobook publishers.

The result: More audiobooks will be made.

Too many authors have been left out of the quickly growing and culturally repositioned digital audio market. Until now.

ACX puts you in the driver’s seat. If you’re a Rights Holder, you choose how you produce your audiobook—whether on your own or by engaging a Producer on ACX—and you choose among two royalty models.

If you’re a Producer, ACX allows you to post a profile and be seen. Plus, you can be proactive and audition on ACX for posted titles.

I’m not sure when I first became aware of Audiobook Creation Exchange or ACX.

Probably a couple of years back.

I’ve had account there for more than a year, I do know that. But once I created the account, I didn’t do anything with it.

Actually, the story is worse than that.

Not only did I not ‘do anything’ with ACX, I actually turned down a couple of opportunities that came my way from just establishing a profile there.

What? Yes, I turned down potential audiobook narration, money paying work. Why?

Because I was afraid. Of what?

I was afraid I wouldn’t be good enough…I’ve never narrated a book before.

I was afraid I would not be able to deliver the audiobook narration files in a manner that complies with the ACX audio quality control requirements.

And the editing requirements. It takes a LONG time to edit the narrated audio, removing bad takes, etc. Right? Yes. But one of the core elements of the ACX Master Class is instruction on how to speed up the editing process using the excellent, free audio editing software, AUDACITY.

I have no experience interacting with a rights holder in this way and I was also afraid of not knowing enough to be even modestly professional.

So I did nothing…mostly. Oh I would hit the site once or twice a month and download audition material to practice on. But really, that was it.

ACX MASTER CLASS

About a year ago I got an email about a class called the ACX Master Class.

The class, with a comprehensive syllabus covering audiobook narration on ACX, was to be taught by Dan O’Day and David H. Lawrence XVII. Dan O’Day, I wasn’t familiar with, but I was fairly familiar with Lawrence, who is a well-known voice over talent and teacher. He is also the developer of an app I like quite a bit called, Rehearsal. It’s an iPhone app for actors that helps with line memorization.

WATERCOLOR POSTCARDS

WATERCOLOR POSTCARDS aka HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, is now available on DVD at AMAZON.COM or for streaming or digital download on AMAZON.COM and on iTUNES

Don’t miss this film which features a top-notch cast headed by: Bailee Madison, Jonathan Banks, John C. McGinley, Laura Bell Bundy, and Conrad Goode. as Butch. Director is Rajeev Dassani.

Conrad Goode – A Change In Plans

Conrad Goode, unlike a lot of the prior guests on Actors Talk, did not grow up dreaming of becoming an actor, writer or filmmaker. He had other dreams and aspirations.

Conrad Goode’s father and step-father were both accomplished football players. That’s American football. College and Professional football to be more precise. Conrad’s father was an All-American football player for the University of Missouri and went on to play professionally for a time in the Canadian football league. Conrad’s step-father, Irv Goode had a long career in the NFL with the then, St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins.

It is not surprising, given this background, that Conrad grew up wanting to excel in sports. And excel he did. He was highly recruited out of high school and considered powerhouse schools such as Ohio State and Notre Dame before deciding to stay closer to home and attend the University of Missouri.

Watercolor Postcards Trailer 1 from Rajeev Dassani on Vimeo.

There he, like his father before him, won All-American honors and like his step-father, transitioned from college into the pros. He was drafted as the 87th overall pick by the New York Giants in 1984. His dream of playing professional football had become a reality.

But…yes there is a ‘but’… it didn’t take long for the life in professional football to lose its luster. There is a scene in WATERCOLOR POSTCARDS where BUTCH, a former pro football player, played by Conrad Goode, talks about how he wound up in this small Texas town selling watercolor postcards on the side of the road.

I had to break down years of brainwashing from all the football coaches to show any type of vulnerability…

 

He, Butch, had become disillusioned with football and simply walked away. And when he did, he found freedom from expectations but lost the relationships of those w...