Blog Stage - Acting in Film, TV, Theatre - Backstage

Post "True Blood" Q&A with Janina Gavankar

Video: Back Stage at the SAG Foundation Presents--Janina Gavankar, Star currently on HBO's hit show "True Blood."

 

Moderated by: Zino Macaluso

She will be sharing her tips regarding how young Hollywood is using and can best use social media.

Already a favorite of the devoted fans of her two earlier series, The L Word and The Gates, Janina now plays Luna on True Blood. She is a shape-shifter, which pretty much describes Janina in her real life.

In addition to her starring roles in three series, the three-quarters Indian, one-quarter Dutch beauty has appeared in Stargate Atlantis, Grey's Anatomy, The Cleaner, Dollhouse, NCIS  and Three Rivers.

But there’s also Janina the Geek, who not only writes program code for friends, but who was also the first celebrity to sign up with Twitter. She is so technologically creative that she is regularly asked to be on panels at conferences educating the entertainment industry on the practical application of multiple new digital platforms. Follow her on twitter @Janina.

Event Type: Conversations
Title: True Blood
Date: Tuesday, October 11th 2011
Time: 7pm
Location:  SAG Foundation Actors Center
                        5757 Wilshire Blvd, Mezzanine
                        Los Angeles

Like what you see?  Additional videos from the SAG Foundation available here!

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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'Lose Yourself' in the Background as a Movie Extra

Benjamin Gooch, Matt Flynn, and Ryan Shibley star in this hilarious new parody music video about actors doing background work in TV and movies, with music and lyrics based on Eminem's "Lose Yourself." Watch the video to see their take on the life of a professional extra:

'Book of Mormon' Stars Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells Interview Each Other for Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone asked Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, currently starring together in the hit Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, to interview each other for the video below, and they used their musical talents and natural chemistry to discuss performing with each other, Rannells' love of Gloria Estefan, how to pitch Book of Mormon to a Mormon, and more:

Laugh Factory Comedians Offer Advice to New Comics

In this video, comedians at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood offer their advice for comedians who are just getting started in funny business. Check it out to hear words of wisdom from comics such as Harland Williams, Elon Gold, Johnny Sanchez, Deon Cole, Donnell Rawlings, Darren Carter, Jim Tavare, and more:

Sanchez sums it up best: "There's an old saying in real estate: 'Location, location, location.' In comedy, it's 'Stage time, stage time, stage time'."

Watch 'Breaking Bad' Audition Tapes

 YouTube user monkophile has uploaded four audition tapes from the casting sessions for the Emmy-winning AMC series Breaking Bad. Check out these videos of Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, and Betsy Brandt.

Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman):

Jeremy Seglem On 'Cop/Cop,' Improvised Web Series at NYTVF

Jeremy Seglem began his acting career about five years ago, in a collection of short comedic web videos called "Treading Water." Since then, in partnership with writer/director Tim Young, he's continued to produce original video content for the web -- first as the co-creator and star of the mockumentary series "Twilight with Steve Cooper" and its follow-up, "Behind the Steve," and now as the co-creator and writer of "Cop/Cop," a new improvised comedy series starring Tyler Gilmore and Rob Cuthill as two inept cops who will go to any lengths to get a confession.

The first episode of "Cop/Cop," titled "Old Dogs," premiered online this week, and another episode has been selected to debut at the Channel 101 program at this year's New York Television Festival on Friday night in NYC. Channel 101 is a monthly series in which five-minute shows are screened for a live audience, who vote to "cancel" some series and "renew" others, new episodes of which are then presented as part of the new "prime time lineup" at the event the next month.

"I have not experienced a live situation, where people will laugh at something I've made," Seglem says. "So my goal is just to have people laugh at it. That's really all I can ask. It'd be nice to advance, but as long as people think it's funny, I don't care."

Watch the first episode of "Cop/Cop" below, then read our Q&A with Seglem to learn more about his creative process, how he finds an audience for funny three-minute videos among so much competition online, and why all actors should take on the role of a casting director.

(Warning: Language and situations may be NSFW)

Video: Back Stage at the SAG Foundation Presents--Yes, And…The Improv Night

Wondering how improvisation can help you as an actor?  Trying to decide where to study?

On Wednesday, September 14th, four of the top training centers in Los Angeles gathered to discuss all things improv in a Back Stage at the SAG Foundation panel event.  The evening ended with each of the schools showcasing ten minutes of an exercise from their school, a game, an alumni performance, or whatever they want!  It's improv...you'll have to watch to see!

 

 

Panel Includes:   Joshua Funk from The Second City, Drew Droege from The Groundlings, Seth Weitberg from iO West, and Joe Wengert from Upright Citizens Brigade.

Moderated by Jessica Gardner, Features Writer at Back Stage.

Like what you see?  Additional videos from the SAG Foundation available here!

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

Follow us on Twitter

Find us on Facebook 

'The Taper': Sara Schaefer Redefines the Cop Drama

You'd think that network television police procedurals would have covered every plot imaginable in a cop drama. But The Taper, a new short written, directed, and edited by comedian Sara Schaefer -- who was featured as one of Back Stage's "10 Comics to Watch" earlier this year -- finds a fresh angle by being a cop show about a cop whose only job is to put up police tape.

The Taper stars comedians Nick Vatterott and Nick Turner, and features other comics including Livia Scott, Mike O’Gorman, Kara Klenk, and more -- plus Scott Moran as a dead body.

Internet Fads Jump From Screen to Stage in 'Blogologues'

These days, it can seem nearly impossible to put down your Blackberry or iPhone. But two playwrights are using this media fascination to their advantage.

"As a theater artist, there's always been an issue of how to get your audience involved," said co-creator Allison Goldberg. "I think there's a way we can take this addiction and obsession with new media and use it to bring people back into live theater."

First Gay Couple to Get Engaged During a Broadway Show

On August 13, during the curtain call of Broadway’s “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” a man called up on to the Palace Theatre’s stage by Tony Award winner Tony Sheldon proposed marriage to his partner. They became the first gay couple to get engaged during a Broadway show.