Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Baby It's Cold Outside and I still Ain't Playin!

Hi Everyone, Happy 2011 and Welcome Back to my Blog.

As I see snow cascading (yet again) from the window of my home-office, I have to glance at my Blackberry's wall paper to verify that beaches do in fact exist. The new year is settling into the relief that we are more than surviving but indeed thriving with whatever life (and the industry) presents to us. The Casting Solutions Facebook Group Page, maintained by the fabulous Cahill Connolly is a great way for direct access to what the office is up to. We also can be respectively followed on twitter via our names for current updates. As I continue my dual role as Producer/Casting Director, Cahill is faithfully in the wings for Casting Solutions and I Ain't Playin Films. She's continuing to succeed on her own as a Head Shot Photographer, www.cahillconnolly.com, photo editor and production coordinator. I am truly blessed to have such a solid support system when needed. As always I am proud of her evolution since her college days.

With the launch of I Ain't Playin Films last year I truly feel as if I've earned my place within the New York City Indie Film Community. The gratification of producing is felt more profoundly than casting and I see this is as the path of my natural progression. Although on too many occasions I found myself putting out fires and talking directors off the ledge, the result was the satisfaction of contributing to creating film as art. The list of filmmakers who I love working with continues to expand and I look forward to future collaborations with those who are new to me.

Quite a few films with the casting/producing hybrid have done very well in the festival circuit world wide. Two high points: Sundance 2011 screened "Crazy Beats Strong Every Time" written & directed by Moon Molson and HBO plans to air "The Cycle", written & directed by Roy Clovis Jr. starting Feb. 1st.

I continue to meet new talent by attending showcases, giving workshops for the SAG foundation and teaching at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I enjoy seeing who's out there and keeping the casting files fresh, current and most importantly, diverse. Those of you who know me understand the mission of diversity and inclusion in casting is a life long one for me. I've noticed, expressed from a producer's perspective the issue has more of an impact and I'm taking full advantage of that platform. I'm having a great time working independently and challenging myself in ways I never thought possible. I want to thank everyone for their continued support for my book "Ace Your Acting Audition" designed of course by the multi-talented Cahill Connolly. Sales are steady and it's available at the Drama Book Shop and of course Amazon.com

I continue to be inspired by the world around me and the artists in it. Please feel free to be in touch via the Casting Solutions Facebook group page. There are about 1,400 members from around the globe which is a very heartwarming statistic to know.

Until the next time, be well and come in from the storm.
I wish you all the best- Liz