Every Phil needs a Tony

I started out on this project as a last minute crew member for a night shoot at the Roostercat, location of our first episode and recent host location of our Kickstarter premiere. When I arrived on set I met this enthusiastic cast and crew so excited to finally be filming this story they had all fallen head over heels for. 

As it turns out, one could say they all had a little bit of Phil in them. They have a desire to go all out as filmmakers in Denver, Colorado. Their aspirations elevated by the story they were so excited to finally start telling.

Over the course of the next several months production was a bit slow, lots of opportunities dried up, things just couldn't happen. Not being involved in the planning phases, and being busy with my kids for the summer, I honestly thought nothing of it. Only near the end of the summer did I learn more about the challenges of putting on a show with no budget, how close they have gotten only to miss out on yet another chance to nail a shoot.

It occurred to me that this cast and crew of mini-Phils needed a Tony. You see, as washed up and sleazy as Tony may be, he always gives Phil an opportunity to shine. Be it an audition, in front of a camera, or just flat out stealing another actor's role, Tony wheels and deals until something becomes available for Phil, every episode. 

This story, the Art of Acting Out, needed more chances to shine. So, I put it upon myself to do everything I could to ensure that this cast and crew had the opportunity to get a production day lined up and start shinning.  It was time to find out if I could be this crew's Tony.

It was not just I, though. Everybody in the crew got tired of being a pushover Phil, and started finding the Tony in them. This led to a production packed October that seemed nothing short of a miracle. Weekend after weekend we landed big productions. Every potential shoot had moments that could have led to yet another missed chance. Collectively, we managed to weasel our way into more sealed deals. Instead of accepting defeat, we found ways to create another chance to set up, shoot, and shine. 

The results have led us to a fine tuned production powerhouse. We constantly impress new crew and cast additions that join us for the first time.

Now I want to ask everyone out there who has a little bit of Phil in them to look in the mirror, deep into themselves, and see if they can't find a bit of Tony.  If you do, why don't you help give us a chance to shine? Consider backing us at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1543547486/the-art-of-acting-out-kickstarter-campaign

Sincerely

Jeremiah Zentz

Assosciate Producer-the Art of Acting Out

Kickstarter Release Party

We definitely succeeded in having a tremendous turn out last night. It looks like our show is well received, the stickers and t-shirts are out there, and so is the most important item, our Kickstarter video! Go watch it now, then come back to this blog...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1543547486/the-art-of-acting-out-kickstarter-campaign

We would like to thank the silent auction sponsors, without their help we would not be where we are right now financially. Their contributions were a HUGE spring board into the next 30 days of fundraising, but we still need those pledges so jump on there and back our show!

The house band, with Drew Bradley (the series composer) on guitar and vocals, did an excellent job warming up the guests outside. Check them out below,ladies and gentlemen, the Young Freaks.

By the way, this and all photographs from that night wouldn't be here without the tireless efforts of Chris G, of Cg Photog, who live uploaded photos during the evening, straight to our FaceBook wall! Speaking of which, add him on FaceBook and show some love!

As you see the crowd packed into the viewing area to watch the first sneak peeks at scenes from episodes one through three. If you weren't there, sorry for you, these scenes won't be available for anyone but backers until 2014!

Jeremiah got up and fumbled a few words to make sure the crowd was nice and excited, oh boy were they. Then we went live on Kickstarter, which, by the way, go to the page, now...Seriously. Tyler jumped up to introduce our leads in character as Phil and Tony.

After Meeting Tony and Phil, the crowd started getting down to the beats of Nofrendo, who certainly made a few friends that night! The crowd made sure we didn't have any booze left, which is ok, since they made up for it in cash donations that pretty much covered their drinking, and as a bonus, the went home with over $1,000 in silent auction items. Way to go everybody, we love you! Now should we invite them all back for a get together near the final days of this kickstarter fundraising month? Which reminds me, go to Kickstarter and pledge pledge pledge!

Kick Starter and Silent Auction November 15th 2013 7pm Rooster Cat 1045 Lincoln, Denver, Co

After about 6 months of planning, production, shooting, and editing, the Art of Acting Out is thrilled to bring our friends, family, and followers together for a night of exclusive viewings, live music, mingling with the cast and crew, drinking and eating, donations and auctions! 

Friday night, November 15^th, RoosterCat Coffee House (location of our first episode!) will be closed up for a private party that we want YOU to attend!

Come down to 1045 Lincoln for free beer, drinks, and food starting at 7:30pm.

 Bid on our awesome silent auction items, many of which you can go home with that night!

Get to be the first to watch scenes from our first three episodes, months before they are released!

Finally, watch our Kick Starter Video, meet some special guests, and help us get to our fundraising goal by donating whatever you can.

Tony: Blog Entry 1 - Nailing Talent

Well, I've been scouring the local high school productions of Brigadoon and hanging out at Claire's in the mall, and I've discovered some new talent. Just signed a teenage girl named Lola Consuela Maria Lupe Conchita Lott!! This girl can twerk and always seems to have enough 1's on her to break a 20. She's only 17, but has learned to be a wonderful mother to all four of her noisy little kids!

She also made a salve for me of crushed pepper, vasoline, olive oil and black beans that she swears will help Phill get rid of that nasty lip herpe he seems to be so fond of. If it don't work, I've got some ice and an old friend who used to be a moil. 

Once Phil is presentable again (instead of looking like some kid who just moved here from Omaha and has to work nights on East Colfax just to make enough money to buy a bacon cheeseburger from Wendy's), I've got another audition for him - better shave his legs and learn how to ice skate!

I'm always looking to sign new talent, so if you know anyone with skills enough to not be recognized in a police line up, send them my way. Ok, gotta run - I've only got a couple credits left on this card and then I have to try and hail a cab from this Romantix to take me downtown. Shalom.

Tony Anthony
Hollywould Talent Agency
"We put the U in Hollywould!"

Sent from No-Credit-Mobile pay-per-use.
The third nationwide calling card phone.

Foils + Dyes shoot completes Episode 3!

Sooooo, Saturday we shot at Foils + Dyes, a massive screen printing, props and set production warehouse in downtown - I am not sure if Greg created this place with the screenplay, or if the location was THAT perfect.... Needless to say, the shoot was organized chaos with double-digit talent scheduling, the location closing up at 3p, beauty light setups, fans and glitter, and a train cruising by every half hour to destroy our audio. I personally don't think production success is complete without the shoot completely racking our brains, and it sure did.

Saturday, our talent was incredible - to the point that each part is humorous on its own within the script, but the performances tripled-over the humor within each character's scene. The mobsters look and accents were spot on, Seymour couldn't have been a creepier clown, our yoyo cowboy looked amazing, Malcolm's line meant for connecting the story became funnier just by him being back-lit by a moon and star prop and seeming uninterested, my friend Mary and her son Nate nailed the parts for "Worst Stage Mom Ever / poor son" [hope his arm is okay from the yanking!], "Jennifer" looks absolutely stunning with the fan shot at 60fs slo-mo, Tuwayne! so happy he's our bouncer and made us laugh every single take, our "PA" and "intern" were 'one-and-done' takes, and I don't think I could put words to Evan Duggan's performance as "Jack Ace"... sometimes you have to change small bits up from the script to the day of production, but Evan literally performed what my mind had perceived in Greg's screenplay, to the 'T'. As an improv comedian, his ad-libs are some of the best I've ever heard when pointing a camera in someone's face - "I'm more Denver than Peyton Manning's pearly petute!"

Episode 4, adding Todd and a few others to the mix of Evan/Beverly/Cody/Tuwayne... I hope I can hold it together behind the lens. So thankful for the talent we have, you guys/gals are incredible.

What to say about the crew? Shiiiiit, you all know you performed like magicians! Patrick Walter's creative lighting is my favorite, Paul McCullough finally came out gripping and 2nd ACing like he's been here for years, the incredible sound addition of Alberto Martinez was more than you could ask for in professionalism, Troy Ten Eyck nailed another steadi-cam shot, gripped and was driver for another moving shot outside, Corey's make-up work was perfect, as expected, Greg is working closely with the talent to nail his screenplay, Jeremiah rocking out on a few hours of sleep kept us all moving somehow, and Tyler - seriously, just a random stop and you sealed the perfect location! Great job to both of our producers Saturday, it's tough to put into words all the crazy shit you guys do, but I hope to continually thank you for doing what's generally thankless.

"Long live The Art of Acting Out!" - P.W.

Wa da ta, my damies. Wa da ta.

Buddy Thomas [Director of Photography]