Rex Sikes' Movie Beat

Gordon Firemark began his career working behind the scenes in film, television and theatre.  Now, as an entertainment lawyer, that's still what he does.  As an attorney whose practice is devoted to the representation of clients in film, television and theatre, he helps producers, directors, writers, actors and other industry professionals make deals that make sense, and that get their productions developed, financed, produced and distributed.   His practice also covers intellectual property, cyberspace, new media, business, and corporate matters for clients in the entertainment industry. As the producer and host of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast, he provides a monthly roundup of news and commentary about the field of entertainment law for artists and professionals in the industry.  He also teaches producers, business people and lawyers about entertainment legal issues at Loyola Marymount University, Southwestern Law School and  the Theatre Producer Academy. Mr. Firemark holds a B.A. in Radio, Television and Film from the University of Oregon, and earned his law degree at Southwestern University School of Law.   Before starting his own firm, he was a partner in The Business Affairs Group, and worked in the legal and business affairs departments at Hanna Barbera Productions and the MGM/UA Worldwide Television Group. Gordon lives just outside of Los Angeles with his wife, two small children, a cat, and a mortgage. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com

Rex Piano, director, PT 3 Upon graduating NYU School of the Arts , Rex worked as a 1st A.D. on dozens of commercials and films until he took a full time position at a NY Commercial Production Company. In 1985 Rex as Head of Production for O’Quinn Productions. he produced numerous videos for Fangoria Magazine. In 1987 Rex became Head of Production for Associated Television International.  Rex wrote, produced and/or directed several TV specials and numerous travel videos. Rex also co-wrote and line produced the feature film “Chill Factor,” starring Paul Williams, Patrick Macnee and Andrew Prine. Rex line produced “Severed Ties” in 1991 for Fangoria Films. In 1995 he produced the syndicated TV show “High Tide,” starring Rick Springfield. Rex became one of the series’ rotating directors. Some of the episodic shows Rex has directed  “Mike Hammer, Private Eye”, “Silk Stalkings”, “Born Free”, “Air America” and “Nightman.” In 2000 Rex produced and directed the multi-award winning romantic comedy  feature film “The Month Of August.” Rex followed that film with the highly viewed and critically acclaimed TV movie “Hope Ranch” for The Animal Planet channel. Rex then began directing TV movies that aired on PAX and Lifetime Television. Rex has directed or produced 21 movies. In 2007 Rex was the primary director on “ROME – The Rise and Fall of an Empire,” for the History Channel. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great interviews, cast & crew listings, events, premieres & more at rexsikes.com

John Savage, actor, made his debut in the 1978 Oscar-winning Best Picture film, The Deer Hunter, which gained him international attention for his work. In1979 he had leads in two more big pictures, Milos Forman's musical Hair and Joseph Wambaugh's The Onion Field followed by Richard Donner's Inside Moves and The Amateur for which he was nominated for Best Actor-Foreign. He then co-starred in Maria's Lovers with Nastassja Kinsk and Robert Mitchum. He landed several TV series regular roles and movies  his first being "Jim Malloy" on NBC's "Gibbsville". During the late 80s through mid 90s, Savage threw his star power behind the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa working alongside Nelson Mandela.As a result he worked as the assistant production manager on Spike Lee's film Malcolm X. Savage previously worked with Lee as co-producer and one of the stars of Do the Right Thing, and later showed up again in Lee's Summer of Sam (1999) as well as his Showtime TV movie Sucker Free City. Since his return back to LA, John's career remains split between TV and film. He was a series regular on James Cameron's "Dark Angel", and HBO's "Carnivale"  The Thin Red Line and Message in a Bottle, Handsome Harry opposite Steve Buscemi and The Coverup opposite Eliza Dushku and Gabriel Macht. As a producer, John has several projects in development and is committed to working with up-and-coming writers and directors. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com

Gordon Firemark began his career working behind the scenes in film, television and theatre.  Now, as an entertainment lawyer, that's still what he does.  As an attorney whose practice is devoted to the representation of clients in film, television and theatre, he helps producers, directors, writers, actors and other industry professionals make deals that make sense, and that get their productions developed, financed, produced and distributed.   His practice also covers intellectual property, cyberspace, new media, business, and corporate matters for clients in the entertainment industry. As the producer and host of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast, he provides a monthly roundup of news and commentary about the field of entertainment law for artists and professionals in the industry.  He also teaches producers, business people and lawyers about entertainment legal issues at Loyola Marymount University, Southwestern Law School and  the Theatre Producer Academy. Mr. Firemark holds a B.A. in Radio, Television and Film from the University of Oregon, and earned his law degree at Southwestern University School of Law.   Before starting his own firm, he was a partner in The Business Affairs Group, and worked in the legal and business affairs departments at Hanna Barbera Productions and the MGM/UA Worldwide Television Group. Gordon lives just outside of Los Angeles with his wife, two small children, a cat, and a mortgage. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com

Sam Christensen, (PT 2) Image Expert, began his 35-year career as a concert promoter then worked as the company manager of the longest running musical of all time, THE FANTASTICKS. Later Sam served as a executive assistant to renowned playwright/screenwriter/director Arthur Laurents. CBS and MTM Productions brought Sam to Hollywood as an independent casting director. Among his many TV and feature film casting credits was the most popular small screen series of all time, MAS*H. Sam was the first person to ever be accorded front title billing on a major Hollywood release for his casting work on the MGM film, "Coma".  Pictures like "The Champ" and "The Clash Of The Titans" followed.  Sam continued to cast Broadway tours, television series and pilots and acclaimed mini-series, like the Emmy-winning "Jonestown, The Guyana Tragedy".  He retired from active casting in 1982 to become a personal manager and guided the careers of many important actors, including Rita Wilson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Patricia Elliott and Jean-Claude Van Damme. For two decades Sam Christensen has thrived as a teacher and personal consultant, advising working actors and movie stars, community leaders and political candidates, entrepreneurs and CEOs.  His original process, developed first for artists has been expanded to the corporate market and is the subject of his upcoming book Charisma: the art of authenticity.  Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com