Prep Show

Accent Coach Sarah Valentine works with US actor Zach Meiser to learn a Scottish accent for a scene. How hard can it be?

We’re doing more of these accent coaching episodes. If you’re an actor and want to learn a particular accent, get in touch and we’ll do it on the show! https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

SHOW LINKS

Sarah Valentine: https://actorsaccentcoach.com/

Sarah Valentine IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1208516/

Zach Meiser (Helen Wells Agency): http://www.helenwellsagency.com/

Zach Meiser IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10010297/

Zach Meiser Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/Zacharythomasmeiser

Zach Meiser Backstage: https://www.backstage.com/tal/zachary-meiser/

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa

CONNECT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera

Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

On this episode of Prep Show, we help Director Ari Golan with the camera blocking on a Hallmark-type Christmas movie he’s in the middle of directing. Guests Ari Golan and Nigel Levy (Netflix, BBC, National Geographic).

Do you need help with camera blocking and want to be on the show? Get in touch! https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

SHOW LINKS

Ari Golan / Atomic Imaging Studios: https://www.atomicimaging.com

Nigel Levy IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1383080/

The Doc Fix: http://www.thedocfix.com/

Leviathan Films: http://www.leviathan-films.co.uk/

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa

CONNECT:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera

Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

On this episode of Prep Show, William Shatner and a director get into a kerfuffle. Is Shatner being a primadonna? Is the director clueless? So much to unpack! Guests Nigel Levy and Webb Pickersgill.

SHOW LINKS

Nigel Levy IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1383080/

Webb Pickersgill IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2167546/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

The Doc Fix: http://www.thedocfix.com/

Leviathan Films: http://www.leviathan-films.co.uk/

Deck Nine Games: http://deckninegames.com/

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa

CONNECT:

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera

Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

We try to fix the acting/directing in an interrogation scene from a film competition. It shows all the signs of being shot too quickly. The characters are unclear, and there’s some weird logic in the scene where the characters are having private conversations for all to hear. Joining us are actor Robert Riechel and director Rika Yasul Hammen.

Full Episode: https://youtu.be/M3qBFc5b6dY

SHOW LINKS

"Just Cops" Short Film: https://youtu.be/wkwJXaFZ-_0?t=156

"Just Cops" transcript of scene: https://www.dropbox.com/s/toj9jzvnq5obk41/Just%20Cops.pdf?dl=0

Robert Riechel IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5830123/

Rika Yasui Hammen IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4064380/

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/M3qBFc5b6dY

Indie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tv

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa

Download MP3 Audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/2h4hsz/Prep_Show_Fixing_Interrogation_Scene_Acting_-_Robert_Riechel_-_Rika_Hammen_19kca2.mp3

CONNECT:

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera

Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

EPISODE OUTLINE:

0:00 - Intro

1:12 - Welcome Robert and Rika

2:07 - Watching the scene

3:16 - Robert's first thoughts

7:34 - Rika's first thoughts

9:12 - The suspect's choice

10:29 - Weird blocking

14:31 - Framing the cops

16:15 - Direction for the older cop

17:53 - Shooting quickly

18:17 - Summarizing so far

18:59 - Too open and available

20:18 - Relationship between the cops

24:23 - Conversation with suspect

28:24 - Letting it breathe

30:57 - Power on screen

34:17 - Criticizing without shame

37:57 - When it's not working

44:25 - Self-control as a director

48:13 - Production affecting the acting

54:27 - Doing the exercise

55:28 - Experimental attitude

57:30 - Pressure on a TV show

59:09 - Different location?

1:00:43 - This is difficult

1:01:18 - Bombing as a actor?

1:02:18 - Not trusting the director

1:04:28 - Wrapping up

NCIS Executive Producer/Director Mark Horowitz help us with the camera blocking on a dramatic scene by Nikhil Kamkolkar. Mark shows how to properly understand the characters before designing the camera work, resulting in deeper and more meaningful camera angles. Nikhil Kamkolkar is a New York-based Director behind films such as Leaving Priyanka and Indian Cowboy. Mark previously produced Doogie Howser, M.D. and JAG.

Full Episode: https://youtu.be/j96FsbvepmQ

EPISODE LINKS

Download Script PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mswgpyj9kjz9hab/Holden-SceneBlocking-Extract.pdf?dl=0

Download Initial Storyboards: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gjww6e5u62o6tw/HOLDEN%20-%20Blocking%20and%20Framing%20Ideas.pdf?dl=0

Mark Horowitz IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0395317/

Nikhil Kamkolkar IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004667/

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/j96FsbvepmQ

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa

Download MP3 Audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ywe4u4/prep_show_camera_blocking_with_ncis_director_mark_horowitz_nikhil_kamkolkar9l08c.mp3

CONNECT:

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera

Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

EPISODE OUTLINE:

0:00 - Intro

2:11 - Hello Mark and Nikhil

3:06 - Mark's approach

4:46 - Explaining the scene

5:37 - Reveal the big reveal?

7:37 - Mark's process

11:29 - What character can be physically expressed?

13:17 - Character movement

17:40 - Jane's journey

20:01 - Framing the characters

22:24 - Jane's motivation/emotion

25:48 - Holden's motivation/emotion

27:33 - Something major happens

29:21 - High or low ambition?

35:44 - Quick geography

40:55 - Scene opening

51:05 - How do they face each other?

53:42 - Line crosses

56:00 - First cameras

1:00:12 - When do they face each other?

1:03:34 - Returning to the kitchen?

1:07:33 - New angles on the characters

1:11:42 - The confrontation

1:19:53 - Change the side of the line

1:23:39 - Cross-cutting monologue?

1:27:27 - Ending reveal

1:29:58 - Putting in all cameras

1:50:20 - NCIS question

1:54:22 - Wrapping up

1:58:38 - Final thoughts

Amazing directing exercise where we figure out what to say to the actors in a scene that isn’t quite working. The scariest feeling for a film director is dead air in a scene. Everyone can feel it isn’t working, and you don’t know what the problem is or even what to say to the actors. We’re joined by director Brendan Hughes and actor Brandon Galatz as we work through a scene that has promise, but that currently isn’t working. The scene is from a short “Just Cops” from a 168 hour film project.

Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/Z3RugS1IVpU

EPISODE LINKS

Original scene from Just Cops (starts at 1:42): https://youtu.be/wkwJXaFZ-_0?t=102

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

CONNECT:

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

EPISODE OUTLINE:

0:00 - Intro

Story guru Tom Vaughan helps outline a story based on a prison dream. The short story (by Per Holmes) is a decent idea, but it has unclear motivations and very little character evolution. On this episode of Prep Show, we try to turn this into a well-rounded story. Tristan Ofield joins us to help pitch in ideas.

SHOW LINKS

Tom Vaughan IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1129343/

Tom Vaughan’s Website: http://www.storyandplot.com

Tristan Ofield IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3138635/

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/zSQeoikpnjU

Indie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tv

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa

Download MP3 Audio: https://prepshow.podbean.com/mf/play/5d0g3u/Prep_Show_Outlining_Prison_Dream_Story_-_Tom_Vaughan_-_Tristan_Ofield_67zp1.mp3

CONNECT:

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera

Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

EPISODE OUTLINE:

0:00 - Intro

1:25 - Introducing the story

7:26 - What is the story about?

9:12 - How long would the short film be?

11:03 - What is the dramatic question?

14:03 - Where are the stakes?

14:38 - A completely different take

18:55 - Is the beginning needed?

21:58 - The other characters

24:45 - Withhold that it's a dream?

31:09 - What defines the main character?

40:39 - Putting in some beats

43:45 - The big character change

51:31 - Are other character aspects of himself?

1:00:29 - Owning the character's sensitivity

1:07:55 - Does he know who he is?

1:12:22 - Picking an angle

1:23:37 - Story questions

1:24:58 - Antagonist

1:36:29 - Wrapping up

1:44:48 - Final thoughts

TV director Marcus Stokes helps us do the camera blocking on an episode of a web series developed by UK director Tristan Ofield. This is a 4 page scene, so we need to find a way to make the camera work interesting, or the scene could feel excruciatingly slow. We also discuss how shooting multiple cameras keeps the actors from burning out, and how to make the acting more interesting.

SHOW LINKS

Marcus Stokes IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1684548/

Tristan Ofield IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3138635/

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/DQsKDaVI1EY

Indie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tv

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa

Download MP3 Audio: https://prepshow.podbean.com/mf/play/sjv5qk/Prep_Show_Blocking_A_War_Comedy_Scene_Tristan_Ofield_Marcus_Stokes_1_b671c.mp3

CONNECT:

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera

Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

EPISODE OUTLINE:

0:00 - Intro

1:19 - About The Project

10:47 - The original blocking

23:59 - The new blocking

1:05:05 - Concluding the scene

1:07:31 - Making acting interesting

1:19:36 - Final thoughts

Legendary director John Badham (Saturday Night Fever, Wargames, Supernatural) talks with Per Holmes about directing movie stars. How are stars different from “normal” actors? Do they need more direction? Less? How do you handle disagreements? What are you allowed to say or don’t say? How do you handle the power imbalance between an up-and-coming director and a very experienced actor? This episode answers these questions and countless more in this amazing episode.

SHOW LINKS

John Badham IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000824/

John is also the author of one of the best and most brutally honest books on filmmaking ever written, “I’ll Be In My Trailer”, about the relationship between actors and directors. https://www.amazon.com/Ill-Be-My-Trailer-Directors/dp/1932907149

His new book “On Directing 2”, is dropping in the fall of 2020. Check it out on his website: https://www.johnbadham.com/

Directing Actors Course: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com/directing-actors.html

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/mcY-ROX951c

Indie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tv

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa

Download MP3 Audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/nc7dh4/Prep_Show_John_Badham_Directing_Stars_8ud2q.mp3

CONNECT:

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera

Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

EPISODE OUTLINE:

0:00 - Intro

2:37 - Welcome to John

4:56 - Differences between "normal" actors and stars?

7:53 - How does conversation with a star sound differently?

10:47 - What does the first conversation with an actor sound like?

12:55 - Directors direct too much?

13:39 - Directing in actions

15:08 - Different actor results in different performance

15:49 - Directing a regular on a TV show

19:30 - Making the scenes work

20:46 - Making an actor not do something

23:27 - Criticizing actors

24:43 - Retakes for the heck of it

25:28 - Every take doesn't need direction

27:50 - Shaking up the scene

29:39 - Directing Jack Nicholson

34:17 - Marlon Brando testing his director

37:06 - What if actor won't discuss character?

40:38 - Gaining an actor's trust

44:32 - Calming an actor's nerves

47:38 - Super-confident actors

50:02 - How much to direct

52:51 - Taking bad direction back

53:33 - Giving actors attention after a take

56:02 - Being there for actors

57:01 - Directors should try a bit of acting

58:23 - Actors can see through a director

59:12 - Gaining the trust of actors

1:02:38 - How much freedom should actors have?

1:12:36 - Does a director need to be certain?

1:15:21 - Getting everybody invested in it

1:18:48 - How much or how little to direct?

1:25:51 - Imaginary directing situation: Joe Pesci

1:28:15 - Giving actors obstacles instead of directing them

1:35:48 - Working with strong-willed actors

1:40:25 - Strong-willed actors testing the director

1:46:49 - Summary of insights

1:53:07 - John's new book On Directing

1:56:07 - Wrap up

Katie Mancuso, Zach Meiser and Per Holmes workshop a scene from the pilot of The Orville. We work with a bunch of acting and directing techniques to make the backstory real, and create more active listening.

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:

Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/FuRWypTFTaY

Indie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tv

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa

Download MP3 Audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/toe453/Prep_Show_Acting_A_Scene_From_The_Orville_bolva.mp3

EPISODE LINKS:

Script PDF: https://bit.ly/3f9KayF

Zach Meiser IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10010297/

Katie Mancuso IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5694932/

CONNECT:

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera

Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com

EPISODE OUTLINE:

0:00 - Introduction

2:24 - Welcome Katie & Zach

3:43 - Read-through

8:14 - Katie's Motivation

8:40 - Scene Background

9:10 - Katie's Motivation

11:18 - Zach's Motivation

15:15 - Extreme Choices

16:20 - Take 2

20:55 - Going back to being reconciliatory

22:09 - Believing the back-story

24:05 - Rationalizations

24:32 - Role-playing the break-up

30:30 - Take 3

34:12 - How they're listening

35:47 - Take 4

41:34 - Where the scene is from

44:13 - What worked?

47:25 - Wrap