the other side...

I was in a long casting session tonight only for just the second time in my life, I was on the other side of the table.  I once helped out with casting for a Remy Martin industrial gig a few years back, but tonight, this was my first time I was on the casting side of a film audition as I'm helping my friend Natalie produce a short film she wrote and will star in.

That Remy spot was all about finding a beautiful girl to star in the spot - no lines - just be a knock-out.  (Oh, the injustice of it all.)   Tonight was far different.  Tonight was about  finding folks who have the chops, the acting chops.

I must say, it's weird being on the other side as I'm usually the one in the hot seat, being judged by a team of people whom sit on the other side.  It's also kinda neat.  Actors walk in and instantly you can tell they are excited to see you and treat you with so much respect for they all figure you're the decision maker and have their fate awaiting in your hands.

It's wasn't so much the power rush, but it was the fact that I could see these actors working and I really felt like I wanted all of them to succeed.   I was rooting for all of them to be good.  I wanted to be friends with all of them.  It's strange and a little hard to explain, but since I've recently decided to explore becoming a producer, this was something I wanted to take on and so far, so good.

We found several solid actors for the different roles and it's exciting thinking about being part of the process of putting this all together - the cast, crew, and other things that all go into the making of a film - even if it's just a short.

We're shooting this puppy over the US Labor Day Weekend over 4-days, using my apartment as one of the locations, and will be seeking a lot of favors as we try to do this on the cheap cheap.  I'm hoping to find a food sponsor who is willing to donate some hot meals to our production, so if any of you have any food folks in NYC who can extend a hand, give a holler!

You bet I'm curious to see how this all turns out eventually.  Hopefully when it gets edited and all that, I'll be able to share it.  Until then, I've got a callback session to oversee in a couple days. 

Can't wait to do this on a feature film level one day...

P.S.  They finally are starting to allow mangosteens into the States.  Get this - here in NYC,   you can get one for $11 each.  That's not a typo.  ELEVEN BUCKS A POP.  That's just mean.