From: Dugagjin Mullahasani
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Subject: question if possible.
Hi! MICHELE.
My name is Dugagjin, I'm from Kosova-Europe. my
hobby is Chinese martial arts. I'm interested
for martial art actor. I think I have natural
talent for acting. for action, I'm fast like
Bruce lee, I work very fast with Nunchaku and
pushups with one fingers like Bruce lee!. I'm
born in place with bad conditions, especially
for martial arts films. I like to express myself
because I can do many big things. please, can
you do something for me to be in right way.
thank you.
sincerely-Dugagjin Mullahasani
Kosova Europe
sorry for my English I'm Albanian
Dear
Dugagjin,
It will not be easy. As you mentioned, things
where you live have not been easy for anyone. I
offer my prayers for everyone in Kosova before I
go on. I am afraid the conditions there are
difficult for filming. This may seem harsh...but
you may have to consider moving to another part
of Europe. There is plenty of filming in Italy,
France, England, even Poland has more filmmaking
than you are likely to see near home. Now before
you worry...I might be wrong and there is more
filming than I have heard of in Kosova. There
may be something closer to you that I am not
aware of.
There is another idea that may seem very big.
Have you ever thought of trying to start a film
yourself? Maybe just a short film shot on video
to start, but you can teach yourself some things
as you go along. You might also seek other
people in your area who are interested in making
films. Filmmaking takes so much work but the
rewards for the soul are wonderful. Who
knows...maybe someday you might even make a
major film that makes lots of money! You never
know what can happen when you put your dreams to
action.
I hope this helped some. I would love if you
email the site again and share your progress and
any information about filmmaking in your
country.
Michele
KarateAngels.com
Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Subject: Can I be in a Martial
Arts Movie?
Hello, My name is Adreana B. and I am 12. I've
been in karate for about six years and I am a
red belt going to a black belt in a couple of
months. I wish I can be in a karate film so if
you need a kid on the set just email me.
Dear
Adreana B,
How I wish I could just hire
all of you who write...it just does not work
that way. I know how hard it was to get so far
in Martial Arts and it can be even harder to get
in to movies. Since you have learned so much
already, why not add on some acting too. If you
do want to get in movies someday, an acting
background is a must unless you only do certain
types of stunt work. Since you have youth on
your side...and you must be a very focused,
don't give up on the idea yet. Put that same
focus to work learning acting and how the movie
business works. Then you will beat out the
competition in a few short years!
Michele
From: mike founder
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Subject:
Michelle i would like to get some info on
getting in to the soaps
I have been non-union a background actor for
about eight months now, and its time to move on
to principal roles I think. I have done one
AFTRA show called half n half. I've got one sag
voucher from the movie CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, I
was a waiter.
This is important
to me and I think you might have some
suggestions or be able to want to help me out.
In American Dreams I was a football player on TV
just recently. I had to do some stunts as far as
being tackled and the blocker. The director
yelled get him dirty so they then tackled me my
team, cause director ordered it, Some of the
team told me that I wouldn't get extra money for
the tackle or being the blocker of the team. I
think what I did that day was considered a
stunt? I had to run and I had to be tackled and
be the blocker as in fullback.
I think there just
taking advantage over me cause I'm not union.
any suggestions it just happen about no less
then three days ago? Today is Sept. 29, 2002 I
worked two days as a football player and only
had to do those stunts the second day of the
shoot only cause the director insist I do it.
that's why I think I should at least get a bump
for it. But forget about that just wanted to
tell you that I think, I would qualify for stunt
work in football that is, but that's not why I
am writing to you today. I'm writing to you
today is because im interested in soap operas
and I am Taft Hartley and have sent two packets
out to two of the most important people. I would
think that are up there in the soap opera
business but I could be wrong? I mean I just
need some suggestions why is it so hard to be a
background actor in soap opera, am I sending it
to the wrong people? If so do you know who I can
send to to get in there? I would be more then
happy for your response on this. Thank you for
your time.
Ethnicity Caucasian, Neck 16 1/2, Waist 31,
Inseam 32, jacket 40, Age to play 18 to look
younger and 21 to 25, Height 6/2, weight 165,
Eyes yellow green, hair Dark Brown with Blonde
Highlights, hat 7 1/2, shoe size 11.
From Scott.
Dear
Scott,
If the film you played the
football part in was a union project (SAG), then
yes you are owed an upgrade. First, as soon as
you took any body hit it qualified as a stunt
(there are rare exceptions but without knowing
exactly the work done I can't make that call).
Second, if the director himself told you what to
do (not the assistant director, but the director
himself) then it comes under the heading of
non-speaking day player or specialty work. In
either case, you were taken advantage of and
unless they are still in production there may be
little you can do. If you know the casting
person who hired you, tell them all of the
details. If it is not too late they should help
you or you can contact SAG. They have a web site
at www.sag.com
with many helpful listings for local offices and
arbitration's of this kind.
As
far as the soaps are concerned, your up against
a hard battle. Many of the major shows have a
whole stable of young talent who do small parts
and walk on roles, even background. Many of
those actors are being groomed for possible
regular parts. You also have to be in the city
where they shoot or casting will not call you to
read...that would be under rare circumstance.
Many casting people in the major cities where
soaps shoot look for new talent through agents,
managers, acting teachers they are familiar
with, talent showcases and on stage. You may
want to look to one of those routes to speed
things up.
Also...never
include an age range...let them decide from your
look what age you can play...they may think you
can look older or younger than you do. Break a
leg in all your future efforts!
Michele
Sent: Sunday,
September 29, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Subject:
Do you know of any Agents?
Hello Michelle,
My Name is Eiji Hahn. Do you
know of any Agents That deal specifically with
getting people into martial arts movies? I do
have martial arts background in Tae Kwon Do She
Quan and Wushu.
Hi Eiji,
There are some agencies in NY
and LA that work mostly with action actors. To
check, pick up a copy of the Ross Report. It
lists agents and what type of talent they
represent. It can be purchased in NYC and LA at
many news stands but you can also order it by
calling the Drama Bookshop in NYC. They are
listed in the 1-800 directory and you can use a
credit card to order it. They change it once a
month because many agents change companies. Good
luck in your search for the right one for you!
Michele
Sent: Saturday,
September 28, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Subject:
Martial arts and films
Hello,
I recently came across an
article of yours about martial arts and movies.
I wanted to ask you a some things regarding the
advice you gave for any actor that wanted to be
an "action actor."
Personally I don't
really consider myself a very good actor, but I
do consider myself a very good martial artist. I
am interested in doing films, not as an actor
but as a stunt person. Or may by as a character
that has no to few lines and is basically there
as a fighter.
Do you know how I can get into movies as just a
stunt martial artist?
Would I need an agent just like an actor?
Is their any special type of training I should
do? Thank you for any help you can provide me.
Sincerely,
Juan Garcia
Dear
Juan,
Since you seem to have at
least some knowledge of acting and do have a
strong MA background, you may be able to get
yourself an agent if you live in the right area.
Since you are looking for mostly stunt work an
agent is not always needed. You need to network
with stunt people and MA folk who are involved
in film. Most often, stunt people are hired
because the stunt coordinator knew them
well...knew the talent or skill that the person
had...and knew they could be counted on. So they
often hire those they know the best. Stunt work
has so many possible problems that you have to
get your foot in the door slow and steady. If
you do want that small speaking part now and
then, you will need an agent. Sometimes they
give stunt men a line here and there...but they
also hire actors for small parts that require
stunts and if they can find one who can act and
do stunt...it made their day easier to find you!
Hope that helps!
Michele
From: Luigi B.
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Subject:
Michele
hi, my name is Luigi.
I'm trying to get into a
martial-arts movie; I'm 5`10 215lbs & very,
very fit, I teach 6 different arts, been the
arts now for 29yrs, I'm 33 now. I have a lot of
experience, I'm in a video game with Cynthia
Rothrock, so I know how to set up fight scenes
for the camera. I also have a lot of comedy
experience, & I have been a salesman all my
life, that's acting all in it's own,,, lol. But
on a serious note, not to toot my own horn but,
if I ever made a movie, I know it would blow van
dam & Segal away. I have the potential to be
a star, I just don't know how to get there, can
you help me?
Thank you Luigi. I
can send you some pictures if you would like?
Dear
Luigi,
From your email you seem to
have contacts, why do you need my help? Take the
following words as guidance and not
rudeness....Do not bother telling anyone how you
can blow Segal or Van Damme out of the way. The
fact is...they are making movies and money from
that very work. You have not done it yet...have
no track record in film...have no background in
acting specifically and then you send an email
asking for help. If you want help...and you
honestly want to act...don't try to sell
yourself. Acting is not sales...acting is
recreating real moments or the writers idea of a
real moment. Acting for camera requires skills
that are not taught on stage yet you think being
a salesman taught you how to act for camera?
If
you want to get there...back up...take some
acting for camera classes...lose the ego when
your not fighting and pick up the following
book: Hollywood 101 by Frederick Levy. Learn the
game before you try to play it...or you may get
taken out of the ball park!
Hope
that helped...it was meant to help but may seem
discouraging...it's the teacher side of me
coming out!
Michele
From: MISHEL CALI
Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Subject:
a training class or coach
Hi Michele,
I was wondering if you could
recommend a training class or coach for me in
Los Angeles. I am adult just starting out
although I am 40 yrs old. I would love to do
Soap Opera.
Any assistance
would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mishel A. Cali
Hi
Mishel,
There are far too many great
acting classes in California for me to suggest
any to be honest. I am not trying to cop out on
you but the fact is...the coach everyone loved
last year is seldom the one everyone is raving
about the following. Same with acting schools.
What
I suggest is to start questioning any actors you
do know who you think are good and ask who they
train with. You can also pick up the trades
(film mag's) to get to know the names of the
teachers and schools. That will help you when
researching them. All acting classes tend to
welcome all ages. People get started in acting
at so many different ages that 'adult acting
class' means ages 18-barely standing.
There
are always the old tried and true like The
Actors Studio and the like...or getting involved
with companies like the one at The Stella Adler
Theatre. You can also get some training under
the line of fire by getting involved with stage
in your community to get your feet wet.
I
hope that gave you the answer to get you
started. Let me know if you need more
information!
Michele
From:
jky4 on behalf of Jane
Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Michele-
I have a friend who wants to be a martial arts
actor. He has trained for
many years, and has performed on stage a couple
of times for martial arts
shows- including one in which he was the lead
actor. However, I have no
idea what his next step should be. He will
be getting headshots soon, but
I worked for a casting agency, and I know how
many we disregard. Do you
have any specific advice for what could be done?
jane
Dear
Jane,
If your friend wants to avoid the 'circular
file' (known to most as the trash can), he will
want to get some legitimate stage work under his
belt. The M.A. shows have certainly added to his
ability to be on a stage but he will need to add
some straight acting to both his resume and his
training. Since you work in casting you can get
an inside track for him on who the best acting
coaches are and what theatre do Black Box and
Studio Theatre. Check some resumes on the actors
you see get called in for auditions most often
and you will see certain acting coaches names
keep coming up. Those will be good for him to
train with. Adding the theatre work to his
resume will help agents and casting take him
more seriously.
Hope that helps!
Michele Seidman
For Karate Angels.com
Sent:
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Subject: seeking acting coach
My name is Jessica Frank, I am 18 years old.
I live in Calabash and am a theatre/film major at Brunswick
Community College (plan to transfer to ECU but dream to go to NCSA). BCC,
as you probably already
know, doesn't offer much in the area of acting
techniques. Therefore, I
am seeking the professional help of an acting
coach in the Wilmington
area, and you were suggested by a couple of
mutual friends. I am
trying to gain the knowledge and experience I
need before locating an
agent. I don't have very much experience, but I
am hardworking and
dedicated to succeeding in the business. I
would like to know your
hourly rate and working hours. Also I am
not familiar with how often
coach and student meet weekly. If you are
interested and would like to
know more or schedule a meeting please call or
email me.
Thank you for your time.
Dear
Jessica,
It sounds like your well on the way to good
training already. Your out there and involved
and asking questions. The best actors always do.
Since you are near my current location I will
provide a contact number so you can call me for
the details!
Michele
For KarateAngels.com
To:
advise@karateangels.com
Subject: Michele
Hello
Michele,
I just wanted to tell you that I
just read your article on acting. Very nice. My
son is Ryan Pinkston. (it looks like
KarateAngels.com is doing a story on him soon)
We live in Maryland but spend a lot of time on
the West Coast. Ryan has auditioned for lots of
movies in the past few months. (His selling
factors is that he is 14 but looks like he is
10.)He also shot a pilot for a new hidden camera
show for ABC. The last we heard, it will be on
for mid season replacement. The one thing that
caught my eye regarding your article is that you
spend time (or live) in Wilmington NC. We were
just there this past weekend for a family
wedding. We spend a lot on time in Wilmington,
NC since Ryan's older bro attends UNCW.
Take care. Respectfully, Linda Pinkston
check out Ryan's website sometime
www.ryanpinkston.com
Dear
Linda,
Ryan sounds like a talent agents charm! A young
talent who looks younger than their years comes
in very handy on set. They normally have more
patience and some of the time restrictions are
not needed with an older 'child' actor. Both of
those things will continue to work in his favor.
Keep me informed on the hidden camera show.
If you spend time in and around Wilmington, make
sure to get Ryan an agent for that territory.
Might as well make use of the time since
Wilmington is home to Screen Gems Studios.
Tell Ryan I said to 'break a leg'.
Michele Seidman
For KarateAngels.com
From:
Dynomitejay
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Okay
Michele,
I
want to be a Martial Arts actor. How can I be
the next Jet Li or something? Do I really
need a black belt because I have been teaching
myself for 9 years? I have my blue belt in
Shorin-ryu by Sid Campbell. I'm only 19
and I have a life ahead of me and I want acting
to be my lifetime goal.
Jason
Dear Jason,
You
said you have been training yourself for martial
arts. I commend your efforts. The only problem I
see with your doing this might be how greatly
your style will differ from others who trained
under a master. Martial Arts for camera are
almost harder than MA for sport or lifestyle.
Not only do they have to stage the fight, but
repeat the action over and over. Change angles
and do it again. Most MA stunt coordinators will
try to hire people with styles they know how to
choreograph. On the working film set, the MA
stunt coordinator is Sensei. They will want to
be sure you know all of the same moves,
performed with the same style as others trained
that way. Your self-training might cost you some
time getting your foot in the door. Good thing,
your only 19 and have time to add to your MA
training and your acting training. You did not
mention any acting background or work...you are
training for that side too?
Break
a leg!
Sincerely,
Michele Seidman
For: KarateAngels.com
Re:
Return response from date: February
08, 2002
From: Dynomitejay
Hello
Michele,
Yea
I would be different, but I know how most of the
stunts and all that work, I've trained under
only one master and that was sensei Sid Campbell
he was a actor too. For acting background I was
in the All American Stars group in 95 and 96 and
I won 2nd place. Then after that I was supposed
to go to the MGM Studio for the next
competition, but I didn't have enough money
saved to go. But I know everything that has to
be done to be a MA actor and it's just like the
classes you do the techniques a lot until
everything’s done. I have patients for that
and I would even kick the same kick for hours if
it was in the script I just want to act.
Jason
Dear
Jason,
...reference to: advise@karateangels.com
To: Dynomitejay,
If you want to act too...don't think the All
American Stars thing will open many doors. That
sounds like one of those shows that tours with
lots of musical stuff and dancing...am I wrong?
Most casting people will wonder why you’re
trying for camera work and not stage. Do
yourself the biggest favor you can...find a real
acting coach who specializes in acting for
camera! Trust me on this...I was an agent and
when I saw stuff like that on a resume, I myself
told them to go back to do legit stage
work...not musicals...to get legit camera acting
training. Truth is...stage and camera are not
the same...do not view the actor the same...do
not show the same flaws. You have to get
straight acting training meant for camera actors
or get yourself involved in some student films
to learn that way. Hope that does not sound
harsh...it is meant to give you a heads up!
Sincerely,
Michele
For:
KarateAngels.com
From:
Huang Aguilar
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Hi
I'm Maria,
While I was living in China,
during 12 years I learned Chinese styles and
opened my own school there. I was 4 times china
absolute champion Forms naked hand and weapons 4
times better fighter of China championship. Is
this a good curriculum to star? How is the way
to follow?????
Thanks,
Maria
Hello
Maria,
Your background in MA sounds
wonderful and will help you out in the world of
MA films. Many have gone to China to train and
there are many MA stunt coordinators who moved
here from China. It will be even better if you
speak and understand the language in some cases.
Case in point...martial arts actor Steve
Tartallia has not only been in many MA films in
the USA but may hold the record for the most MA
movies in China by an American talent. He
studied there and here and learned the language
so he travels back and forth doing MA movies
around the world. Steve also studied acting in
NYC and earned that side with the same
discipline as he approached the Martial Arts.
Your
off to a great start...keep up the great work.
Break
a leg!
Sincerely,
Michele Seidman
For: KarateAngels.com
From:
Latif
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002
To: advise@karateangels.com
Hi
Michelle,
If you can give me some
advice, I would appreciate that. I was champion
of Karate many times in Kosova, my country and
currently I am champion of USA 2001. I really
want to get into the movies. Where should I go?
Thanks,
Latif
Hello
Latif,
Sounds like your
Martial Arts background is strong and now your
ready to take on the acting side too! I am not
sure what city you are in now, but you can get
started almost anywhere in the country. You can
train with acting coaches and do stage in
community theatre to learn some tricks first.
You might also check to see if there is a film
school near you and try to audition for those
films. You can build a resume where you are
currently located and then move to a larger
market like LA or NYC, even Chicago,
Miami...there are several hot spots for
filmmaking in this country and in Canada. It
never hurts to get a little extra under your
belt and on your resume before hitting the big
market. You will meet actors who have been at it
for a long time and they can teach you tricks
before you run off to Hollywood. Like any other
industry, it will not happen fast, so take your
time and use the same discipline you used for
Martial Arts to learn and understand acting and
the film industry.
Break
a leg!
Sincerely,
Michele Seidman
For: KarateAngels.com
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