Film Crews are Like families (weird families)

Just one big happy family, that takes trips together, and lives together.

Kaz, a Slate, a Rice Cake, and Peanut Butter

This is how its done in Hollywoo.

You can dance if you want to!

What would a movie about the first boy band be without a Director that can dance. Watch Jon break it down, and see proof that breaks the myth “white boys can’t dance”.

Making Dreams Come True and more ROBB RUSS!!

This is what it’s about. On this day we had call backs for the local cast. We cast 8 local actors in speaking roles. Some of them are members of the Screen Actors Guild, and some of them are non-union with dreams of getting into the union and becoming professional actors. All of them will be paid SAG Modified Low Budget wages, and the non-union actors will become eligible to join the union from this film. I am someone who understands that opportunity so well.

I moved to L.A. in 1999 to pursue an acting career. It took me a few years to get into the union out there. I have always wanted to give opportunities to talented people from where I grew up, Worcester, and Massachusetts in general. This day was awesome. The people we cast were excited, appreciative, and ready to work. To Jon and I, it’s about talent, attitude, and personality. We have a lot we are trying to achieve with this film, and everyone who is a part of it from the cast to the crew to the volunteers, are all going to help make it all it can be. Call me cheesy, but dreams do come true. My eyes are sore from being so tired, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. This is wicked mint!

Andrea’s budgeting woes and Jon dreams BIG for the movie!

E-Knock and Lorenzo Hooker audition.

Ernest Phillips (E-Knock) and Lorenzo Hooker of Status Quo audition for the roles of Derf and Joda for We Got the Beat.

A chimpanzee firing an AK-47 from the back of a snowmobile

What constitutes ‘gangster rap’ music.

I am the Production Manager of ‘We Got the Beat’ and while my job title may sound cool, I am basically mired in paperwork. To date I have been insanely busy hiring, organizing, and managing but with nothing very exciting to blog about. This week as I was filling out our application for Production Insurance I came across the following little tidbit.

Qualification Questions (check yes/no):
Any: Stunts, Pyrotechnics, Aircraft, Boats, Animals, Race Tracks, Race Courses, Helicopters, Motorbikes, Snowmobiles, Blanks, Squibs, Guns, Live Gangster Rap Music, Hard-Core/Soft-Core Porn?

That’s right: LIVE GANGSTER RAP MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They just slipped that one in there didn’t they. I thought about this for a moment and then realized that while there is a lot of rapping in the film gangster rap didn’t exist as a genre until the late 80’s. Bullet dodged. Still how could a live music performance put you in the same risk category as a film featuring a chimpanzee firing an AK-47 from the back of a snowmobile as he pursues a couple of rogue hookers (on motorbikes) across a minefield. Looks like I will have to rethink this scene for my ‘Arctic Chimp Bordello’ screenplay if I ever want to insure it.

Rob Russ

There was a local kid who auditioned for We Got The Beat. His name was Rob Russ. He was awesome. I wasn’t sure where exactly he fit in the movie, so in true AA FILMS fashion, Andrea and I decided to create a role for him. He’s super funny and he will stand out in the movie. I’m wondering what audiences will think about our cast. We have a good number of roles being cast out of Hollywood, but we are also casting the majority of supporting roles locally. What do people want to see? All known talent? A mixture? I love seeing new people on screen. It makes me feel like I am doing more than just making a movie, I’m also giving unknown talent a chance to do something they love.

Orange Ocean CD release party.

Worcester felt like NYC or downtown LA this past weekend when I mc’d the Orange Ocean CD release party on the top floor of an office building. They had guest list girls, a huge security guard, a DJ, a diverse fun crowd, and duck yao.

I was introducing the director to the ORANGE OCEAN – my favorite Worcester band. They are amazing and I hope to get their music into the soundtrack somehow. Opening acts included Baker and Afro DZ Ak.

Lakers win!!!

I know. This is hard for me. I want the Celtics to win because there are many people I love out here in MA that want them to win, and quite frankly, their lively hood seams to depend on it, but I am a Lakers fan. I want them to beat the Celtics down to a tiny bubble of a team. The Celtics do seem to be a stronger team though. Remember Celtic fans… what ever victories you get, you are getting them against a Laker team that is missing one of their big three, Andrew Bynum. Imagine having the Celtics play without Pierce, Allen, or Garnet, although… many would argue that Garnet hasn’t really been there anyway.

We Got the Beat (Behind the Scenes) 2

We Got the Beat (Behind the Scenes) 1