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Camping It Up With ‘Joyful Noise’ Director Todd Graff

CAMPposters

“It’s all going to the same playbook over and over,” admits Joyful Noise director Todd Graff. “Not only is it people performing, but performing in competitions and benefits and big final numbers.”

With a filmography that also includes the musical features Bandslam (2009) and CAMP (2003), it is hard to deny the existence of a pattern on the director's resume. Projects that celebrate diversity among young performers have become Graff’s de facto calling card. It's a seemingly natural extension of the career he launched as a pre-teen actor on The Electric Company, the landmark 1970s TV variety show that famously introduced to wider audiences a young—though by no means teenaged—Morgan Freeman.

Back Stage caught up with Mr. Graff in between final sound-mixing sessions for Noise to reflect on the 10 years -- and three seasons of Glee -- since the making of CAMP, and the joys of being “pigeonholed.” (We should all be so lucky.)

 

Billed as "a comedy about drama" and released to positive reviews but little promotion on the arthouse circuit, CAMP may not have garnered much attention at the box office, but thanks to DVD and frequent airings on IFC, the film steadily earned bona-fide cult favorite status among legions of young performers who could appreciate its spot-on ribbing of the hilariously age-inappropriate repertoire sometimes found in adolescent theater programs.

Continue reading "Camping It Up With ‘Joyful Noise’ Director Todd Graff" »

January 27, 2012 in Movies | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Watch 'The Artist' Q&A Live Tonight on Back Stage!

Watch chat and ask questions of the filmmakers and cast of 'The Artist.'

A live Q&A starts tonight -- Friday, January 6th -- a 9 p.m./PT (or 12 midnight/ET) on Back Stage.  Come back tonight to watch it here.

For more information, visit "The Artist" page on Facebook.

January 06, 2012 in Movies | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

NY Production Listings - Film & TV - 12/30/11

Prod-list-image-2-2011 
Every week Back Stage publishes updated production listings on BackStage.com and in the Back Stage newspaper. These production charts are not casting notices, but do reflect the best general information available about current casting assignments, so you can find out what casting directors are currently working on each production; whether or not the projects are still casting; and where you can send your pix & résumés.

Covering major feature film and television projects in New York and Los Angeles (and top theater projects in NYC), these listings contain valuable casting data available exclusively to Back Stage subscribers.

To view our current production listings — plus lots of additional entertainment-industry listings — visit BackStage.com/Listings. And to find contact info for top casting directors and agents, visit BackStage.com/CallSheet. (And don't forget to sign up for Back Stage's free Espresso e-newsletter at BackStage.com/Newsletter to receive free access to updated production listings, casting notices, news, interviews, and reviews.)

Check out the list below for an overview of some of the projects currently included in Back Stage's production listings.

Continue reading "NY Production Listings - Film & TV - 12/30/11" »

December 30, 2011 in Movies, Television | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

L.A. Production Listings - Film & Television - TV Pilot Season Casting - 12/30/11

 Prod-list-image-2-2011 

Every week Back Stage publishes updated production listings on BackStage.com and in the Back Stage newspaper. These production charts are not casting notices, but do reflect the best general information available about current casting assignments, so you can find out what casting directors are currently working on each production; whether or not the projects are still casting; and where you can send your pix & résumés.

Covering major feature film and television projects in New York and Los Angeles (and top theater projects in NYC), these listings contain valuable casting data available exclusively to Back Stage subscribers.

To view our current production listings — plus lots of additional entertainment-industry listings — visit BackStage.com/Listings. And to find contact info for top casting directors and agents, visit BackStage.com/CallSheet. (And don't forget to sign up for Back Stage's free Espresso e-newsletter at BackStage.com/Newsletter to receive free access to updated production listings, casting notices, news, interviews, and reviews.)

Check out the list below for an overview of some of the projects currently included in Back Stage's production listings.

Continue reading "L.A. Production Listings - Film & Television - TV Pilot Season Casting - 12/30/11" »

December 30, 2011 in Movies, Television | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Watch the 'Rock of Ages' Movie Trailer

Based on the hit Broadway musical, the film is directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray) and stars Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige, and more.

(Guess we'll have to wait until the film is released next year to find out if Tom Cruise can actually sing, though...)

December 14, 2011 in Internet & Video, Movies | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Today at 2 pm/ET: Live Q&A with Kenneth Branagh of 'My Week With Marilyn'

Exclusively on BackStage.com: Catch a unique interview with celebrated actor-director Kenneth Branagh as he discusses his new film "My Week With Marilyn" and much more.  The live online Q&A starts today—Thursday, Dec. 8th—at 2 pm/ET, and can be watched below.

Tune in to watch, chat, and ask questions!

Continue reading "Today at 2 pm/ET: Live Q&A with Kenneth Branagh of 'My Week With Marilyn'" »

December 08, 2011 in Internet & Video, Movies | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

On Tuesday, Watch a Live Online Q&A with Actress Meryl Streep!

Following an upcoming advance screening of the new film "The Iron Lady," you will be able to participate in a live online Q&A session with acclaimed actress Meryl Streep and director Phyllida Lloyd.

The event takes place on Tuesday, December 6th. After a select screening at the DGA Theater in New York City, the live Q&A will begin at approximately 8:45 p.m./ET, and will be made available online.

Continue reading "On Tuesday, Watch a Live Online Q&A with Actress Meryl Streep!" »

December 06, 2011 in Internet & Video, Movies, New York City Events | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Watch Unearthed Sandra Bullock Audition Video

20 years before becoming America's sweetheart and winning an Academy Award for her performance in The Blind Side, Sandra Bullock was another struggling young actress who actually had to audition for roles. In this never-before-seen footage from 1991, Bullock (then 27 years old) adopts a Jersey accent and big hair to audition for an unknown film:

Continue reading "Watch Unearthed Sandra Bullock Audition Video" »

October 27, 2011 in Actor Life, Movies | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Screening of "The Last Rites of Joe May" and a Q&A by Dennis Farina

The Last Rites of Joe May LastRitesOfJoeMay

Screening Event: Followed by Q&A with Dennis Farina (Actor portraying Joe May)

Date: 
Friday, October 21, 2011

Time:  
7:00PM (Check-in starts at 6:15 PM)

Location:
NYIT Auditorium on Broadway
1871 Broadway  (Between 61st & 62nd St)
New York City

www.nyit.edu/aob

Details: 

Showcasing a tour-de-force performance from veteran Dennis Farina, THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY chronicles the final days of an aging, short money hustler clinging to the belief that he’s one scam away from the glorious destiny he’s always deserved. Now in his sixties, his health failing and resources dwindling, Joe is presented with one last shot at redemption in the eyes of a community that’s all but left him for dead.  This film is directed by Joe Maggio.  

Running time is 103 minutes.

Seating is limited.  RSVP Required.  Union members (SAG/AFTRA/Equity) can register to attend and bring a guest HERE This is a no-cost event.

* * * * *

Funded by grants and donations, the non-profit Screen Actors Guild Foundation’s free programs assist, educate and inspire actors toward their fullest potential in career, life and community. Celebrate the actor – support the SAG Foundation! www.sagfoundation.org

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October 14, 2011 in Actor Life, Movies, New York City Events, SAG Foundation | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

'Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film!' Premieres at the Paley Center in NYC

Tell your friends nyc premiere_cast red carpet
"Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film!" premieres in NYC (Left to right: Kurt Braunohler, Leo Allen, Rob Paravonian, Kristen Schaal, Liam McEneany, Victor Varnado, Christian Finnegan). Photo credit: Lindsay Aikman/Michael Priest Photography.

Last night, Sketchfest NYC presented the New York premiere of Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film!, a documentary about the indie comedy scene in New York City and the long-running comedy show "Tell Your Friends!," which is hosted each week by Liam McEneaney on the Lower East Side. McEneaney and director Victor Varnado (The Awkward Comedy Show) say their goal was to create a filmed document of the current comedy movement -- like Woodstock or The Last Waltz did for music -- by combining live performances with insightful interviews and candid backstage footage to create an overall sense of the scene.

The film was shot at a live "Tell Your Friends!" show at The Bell House in Brooklyn last summer and features performances by Reggie Watts, Kurt Braunohler & Kristen Schaal, Christian Finnegan, Leo Allen, Rob Paravonian, and McEneaney. The documentary also includes interviews with comedians Janeane Garofalo, Jim Gaffigan, Colin Quinn, Marc Maron, Paul F. Tompkins, Eddie Brill, Wyatt Cenac, Hannibal Buress, and Kumail Nanjiani.

Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film! premiered at SXSW earlier this year, and has also screened at Just for Laughs in Montreal and Chicago, as well as other film festivals. Watch the trailer for the film below, then check out our video interviews with the creators and cast:

Continue reading "'Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film!' Premieres at the Paley Center in NYC" »

September 23, 2011 in Comedy, Movies | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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