Tag Archives: Acting

Desperate Housewives Spoiler: Who Dies?

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Spoiler Alert. Anyone who doesn’t want to know what happens in Desperate Housewives should not read further.

News of the series regular who is to die in an upcoming episode of Desperate Housewives has been revealed after it was let slip in a court hearing between the show creator Marc Cherry and Nicolette Sheridan.

 

 

James Denton’s character Mike Delfino will die. Denton has been a series regular since the show started in 2004 and he plays Teri Hatcher’s husband on the show.

Denton told Entertainment Weekly: “I was really surprised. Any other year, I would have been disappointed, but at this point I figured, well, we made it… As an actor, you just hope people care.”

“I remember lying in the threshold [while filming the scene] with the blood pouring out of me looking up at the top of the porch. I’ve been there for over eight years, and I’ve done so many scenes on that porch… It was a little creepy… It was sort of fitting.”

There will be another six episodes of Desperate Housewives after Denton’s onscreen death in the episode ‘You Take for Granted’.

This season is to the last season of Desperate Housewives.

SUNDANCE LONDON: FILM PROGRAMME UNVEILED FOR INAUGURAL EVENT

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London can never have enough film festivals, and the film legend that is Robert Redford has brought Sundance to our door. I am so excited.

14 Films Make Their UK Premieres, 26-29 April at The O2

London, 7 March 2012 — Sundance Institute and The O2 announced today the programme of 14 narrative and documentary feature films that will make their UK premieres at the inaugural Sundance London festival, taking place at The O2 from 26-29 April. These films premiered in January at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah – the premier independent film festival in the United States.

“I welcome the opportunity to see how people in the UK experience these films,” said Robert Redford, President and Founder of Sundance Institute. “While they are American productions they speak to universal experiences and global challenges.”

He went on to add, “Sundance London also is the perfect opportunity to continue our long-time commitment to growing a broader international community around new voices and new perspectives.”

John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, “Sundance London grew out of our desire to help American independent filmmakers expand their reach, and we are happy that these 14 filmmakers are joining us on this adventure. Their participation has helped us to not only create a programme for Sundance London that reflects the diversity of our film festival in Park City, but also that helps build an enduring legacy of American stories that speak to international audiences.”

Alex Hill, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer of AEG Europe, owners of host venue The O2, adds: “All at The O2 are very excited that the inaugural Sundance London film and music festival is nearly upon us. The 14 films which Sundance Institute is bringing to London reflect the strength, depth and breadth of American independent cinema that showcased earlier in the year at the Sundance Film Festival. They complement an exciting music component with performances from Tricky and Placebo, and our opening night event An Evening With Robert Redford and T Bone Burnett. In what is arguably the world’s most culturally diverse city, The O2 is proud to be hosting such a prestigious festival.”

In addition to film screenings, Sundance London will host live music performances and events each evening, including the previously announced Opening Night event An Evening With Robert Redford And T Bone Burnett, Placebo in concert and Tricky and Martina Topley-Bird performing Maxinquaye. Also on offer to Sundance London audiences will be unique opportunities to attend panels and hear guest speakers talk about the part they play in making films, documentaries and the role of music in modern cinema.

Forthcoming announcements include the festival’s short film programme, special events and additional music performers.

Programme information and ticket packages are available at www.sundance-london.com. Individual tickets will be on sale in early April.

Downton Abbey Star: Its Harder For Working Class Actors

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Downton Abbey star Rob James-Collier has said that it is harder for working class actors to make it as they don’t have the “comfort blanket” of wealth. The actor, who plays Thomas the footman in the hit period drama, said the early years of acting are like any other profession with the middle-class and privileged the only ones who can afford to work for free.

 

He said:

“You have to work for a year with no money. How on earth are you going to finance that?” he asked and said he had found it hard to make it as a “working class lad”.

The acting industry is full of Oxbridge graduates and people who went to Public School. These include Thandie Newton, Alexander Armstrong, David Mitchell, Olivia Williams, Sophie Winkleman, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hardy, Dominic West, Henry Cavill, Freddie Fox, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sophie Okonedo, Colin Firth, Helen Bonham-Carter, James Purefoy, Tom Hiddleston and Damien Lewis to name a few.

James-Collier, was raised in Stockport and he told the Radio Times that the acting industry favours the wealthy. He worked in manual labour jobs to fund his acting dream.

“Because you’ve done the horrible jobs it gives you an even grittier determination to succeed,” he said.

“If I had a comfort blanket, I wouldn’t have been as passionate and driven. When you get there, you really do appreciate it because you know where you have been.”

He also said that his mother had been supportive and that his father had allowed him to try his luck.

Join the debate, do you think working class actors have it worse? Do you think the acting industry favours the rich? Have your say.

Jason Croot on Making Films | Frost Interviews

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I interviewed Jason Croot for the second time recently. Jason is an incredibly talented film director, writer and actor. He is everything the British film industry needs: a talented, hard-working, pro-active filmmaker who puts himself out there and just does it. I am in a few of Jason’s films, notably Meeting Place and Le Fear, Le Sequel, but I am not biased- honest.

Jason: Hello Frost readers thank you for the interview.
 
How easy was Le Fear to make? Le Fear was a world-wind my directorial debut post production was only 3 weeks. We filmed it in 2 days, and we had a few difficult situations, but when you are making films you have to give everything and think on your feet. It was an improvised feature around a basic script and all in all I was very pleased with the outcome

What is the most important thing you learned?  A reliable crew is vital on a film set, we had a few people who let me down last-minute, but the crew where fantastic

Where did the idea come from? I was walking to the supermarket in Peckham and I thought I’d love to make a film about a film. After I made it I found there were about 30 films that were similar film within films, I’ve watched most of them. Day for Night is my favourite

How do filmmakers make money in this new climate? Great question, I’ve decided to show Le Fear for free currently on vodo.net http://vo.do/lefear.  There are a few distribution deals on the table but I believe vodo will hit 10,000 plus views and that’s what excites me more than anything at present, but to answer your question Netflix, Love Film, Creatspace will make you some income but it really depends how good your film is. My saying is ‘Cream always rises even in cheap coffee’.  

What has the feedback been like? Brilliant, when you send your film to be critiqued, especially when you have a budget of £1550 and this is a feature film you expect to be slammed, but out of 7 reviews we got one poor one, but the guy did give us 4 out of 5 for comedy so that was a good positive.

You obviously enjoyed yourself as you made a sequel, tell us about that; when will it be released? I would love to tell you about the sequel, I want to make Le Fear in to a series and really believe if people watch the first 2 films that dream can become a reality. The sequel is a 100% improvised feature unlike the original. It will be 90 minutes plus feature-length comedy horror, I must say the cast and crew where brilliant and we have 24 hours of footage to edit, I’m really excited about the prospect, no plans for a release yet, my films tend to be world-wind in making but lengthy in post, simply because I believe that method really works, okay give me a million pound budget I might film over 2 weeks, but the edit would take the same time generally 12-18 months after the film wraps, If you rush often your left unhappy so it will be ready when it’s ready. Sorry to be so vague, we will have a trailer out there this year and I have my target on a former number 1 soundtrack if I win the lottery I will definitely have that song in there, if not we will find a good track music and sound is so important in film making

What is next for you? Since moving into film making my acting as been limited but I’m hoping to get back into it. I’m currently looking at finding a new agent, I love directing so will hopefully will be working on some other films soon, I’ve decided not to make anymore of my own films until the four our out there{Le Fear, Demons and Doors, Meeting Place and Le Fear 2} hopefully start making some noise.

What advice do you have for people making their own films? Find a good crew, have your own equipment if possible, and always have a back up, especially with locations, finally sound is just as important as visuals; Finally never panic even if the crap hits the fan.
 
How important is IMDB to you?  I was on a mission for sometime to get into the top 10,000 on there starmeter, I think I hit the dizzy heights of 10, 861 in 2010 but I’m way out at present mainly because I’ve produced some low-budget films which sent my starmeter the opposite way. Generally actors are in the top 10,000 not film makers/actors. Saying that I believe it does hold a lot of weight and fell free to check me out 
 
What is your favourite movie? I don’t really do favourites, so I’d say Night on Earth

Favourite actor? Same again but I’d go with Roberto Benigni

Favourite director? I’m a big Jim Jarmusch fan

Thanks Jason.  Thank you Frost for having me!!!

Game of Thrones: New Trailer

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At Frost we are super excited about the new season for Game of Thrones, not least because our favourite actor Forbes KB is in it. There is a new trailer for the second season which will be on in less than a month. The first season was amazing so we have high hopes. Enjoy….

A Magical Production

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Lost in the Dark presents Ondine by Jean Giraudoux

When I was a child, I used to make up plays.  They would often involve princesses, love stories and magical powers.  Ondine is exactly the type of play that child would have loved: the embodiment of the sense of wonder that draws us to drama in the first place.  To bring this off in a small fringe venue like the White Bear is no small achievement.  But bring it off to a very high standard is precisely what Lost in the Dark have done.

Ondine is the story of a supernatural creature who falls in love with a mortal man..When Hans and Ondine meet, the worlds of a mortal man and a magical creature of the water dangerously collide and she is forced to make an inexorable pact, which will change both their lives forever. Should he betray her, he must die and, along with her time on earth, be erased completely from her memory for her to return to the world of the lake forever.

The first thing to strike me when I entered was the set.  Auguste (Michael Eden) and Eugenie (Terry Diab) were already seated, she knitting, he reading, in a fisherman’s cottage, complete with daub walls and a working window.  The small oil lamps were a particularly nice touch.  Haunting music played from offstage.  The first act takes place in this kitchen, with Hans (Andrew Venning) and Ondine (Elizabeth Merrick) completing the cast for this part of the story.  The second set takes place in the Royal Palace, where Richard Hurst, Brice Stratford, Rob Leonard, Phoebe Batteson Brown, David Frias Robles, Marian Elizabeth and Hilary Hodsman make their debuts.  The final act takes place on a rock by the sea, where the story comes to its tragic, but inevitable end.

There were no bum notes in this production, although a personal preference would be for the actors not to turn their back on the audience quite so much, but apart from that they dealt with the small space admirably.  Everyone involved did a fantastic job: however, there are some who deserve a special mention.  Firstly, set designer Zanna Mercer has created three excellent environments for the play, which are spectacular by the standards of black-box theatre.  Andrew Venning grabbed my attention from the moment he came on stage, and continued to captivate the audience throughout, with his expressive, heartfelt delivery and physical presence.  Elizabeth Merrick was superb as Ondine, her opera training showing to advantage in her movement, her vocal range, and her portrayal of wide-eyed wonder, tragedy and love.  The final scene between Ondine and Hans was particularly poignant, with both actors showing marvellous emotional depth.  Marian Elizabeth gave a lovely, credible performance as Bertha, particulary in one scene, where I almost believed she had a live bird in her hand.  She played the part with charm and grace.  I would have liked to see more of Phoebe Batteson Brown (Voilante/Kitchen Maid).  She drew my eyes whenever she was on stage and although her parts were small, they gave indications of a much larger potential.  Finally, a play is only as good as its director, and Cat Robey must take a large amount of credit for this magical piece of theatre.

Ondine is running at the White Bear Theatre, London, SE11 4DJ, 28th February – 18th March 2012, Tues-Sat 7:30pm, Sun 6pm.  For more information, visit www.ondine-lost-in-the-dark.com.

 

Ashton Kutcher On His New Village.

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HELLO ASHTON KUTCHER VILLAGE!

NEWS OF ASHTON KUTCHER VILLAGE TAKEOVERS REACHES US STAR HIMSELF!

Residents from across the UK were left bemused as their villages of ‘Ashton’ became the first villages in the UK to be named after a celebrity, the Hollywood hunk and US actor ‘Ashton Kutcher’.

In a prank, orchestrated by Comedy Central to celebrate the new series of Two and a Half Men, residents across the UK woke to find their small villages of Ashton had been transformed overnight to honour the television star.


The one and only Ashton Kutcher loved the prank, prompting his 9.5 million twitter followers to take a look at the UK tribute. He joked that at ‘least they’re carbon-neutral’ in reference to the village sign in Ashton Hayes, Chester which states the village’s aim to ‘become England’s first carbon-neutral village’. US media are also going crazy for the story too, of the quaint little UK villages that we’re transformed in homage to the US celebrity.

In the early hours, village signs were mysteriously changed to ‘Ashton Kutcher’, flowers beds sprang up spelling out the star’s name and local pubs were re-named the ‘Ashton Kutcher Arms’, serving 3.9% Ashton Kutcher Ale – much to the confusion of many of the regulars.

A mysterious bust statue of Ashton Kutcher himself was also spotted in the local village shop of Ashton Keynes, plus a further statue taking charge at the bar of The Golden Lion in Ashton Hayes. Bus drivers later pulled-up at Ashton Kutcher bus stops to let on passengers.

Details of the phenomenon have now made it across the Atlantic to the real Ashton Kutcher.

From the north to the south of the county, the local residents of Ashton Hayes in Cheshire, Ashton under Hill in Worcestershire, Ashton in South Northamptonshire and finally Ashton Keynes in Wiltshire, were left stunned as their villages were ‘taken over’ and transformed last week – well and truly putting The Two and a Half Men star on the UK map.

Bamboozled locals were led to believe that it was the work of Ashton Addiction – a self-help group of fans completely obsessed by the celebrity, often resulting in strange acts of homage.

Alerted to the news by leaflets and posters, the message to locals was clear: ‘Congratulations! Your village has now been named Ashton Kutcher’.

Shopkeeper Tessa Mills, from Ashton Keynes said: “I think it’s fantastic, and if he could even be here in person, especially as we’ll be having the village shop official opening soon, if he could be at that, I think we’d have really hit the jackpot. We’re a bit light on celebrities in this village so actually, if we could have Ashton Kutcher as our own, that would be fantastic.”

Steve Falder from Ashton said, ‘I think there’ll be quite a bit of debate about changing Ashton to Ashton Kutcher. I think we’d have to discuss that at the Parish Council Meeting, and probably in the Old Crown Pub actually. A little beer might be required to convince everyone’.

Unknown to the residents, the Ashton Kutcher village take-over was orchestrated by TV channel Comedy Central, who decided to play-out the prank in honour of the Hollywood star and celebrate the return of hit series Two and a Half Men, in which Ashton Kutcher plays the part of internet billionaire Walden Schmidt.

Bill Griffin, from Comedy Central said: “It seems the UK has been gripped by a kind of mania for Ashton Kutcher. Even the man himself has commented on this mysterious phenomena. The stunt was genuinely meant in good humour and if any of the locals were amused, bemused or in any way inconvenienced I’ll stand them a drink at the Ashton Kutcher Arms”.

The new series of Two and a Half Men is due to air on Comedy Central on Monday 5 March, 9pm.

Burlexe – Interview with Cast Member Dympna Messenger

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Tell us a little bit about yourself as a performer.

I was a “late starter” and came into the business after bringing up my 3 children and a stint of teaching drama in a Dagenham comprehensive. Because I hadn’t waited this long and trained this hard in order to be unemployed, on graduating I formed my own company “Time of Our Lives Music Theatre” with Keith Myers who had directed me at Drama School, sadly we lost our funding in 2008 so I am now relying on other producers to employ me and have the headaches.

How did you get involved with Burlexe?

I got involved with Burlexe by responding to an ad in Casting Call Pro, I never dreamed I get the job but so glad I did, it is so totally different to anything else I’ve ever done.

What was your impression of Burlesque prior to this?

Before this job I had no idea the Burlesque world existed! I was vaguely aware of things like Gypsy Rose Lee and Strip Tease.

What is it now?

Working with the Burlesque ladies has totally opened up my eyes to a whole style of entertainment that is the descendant of old fashioned Variety and Music Hall of which I am a big fan.

Has doing Burlexe changed you in any way?

Doing this job has been a revelation. I would love to have a discussion/debate with “women’s libbers” who disapprove of this type of thing, but my Burlesque friends tell me that they find what they do to be liberating and who am I to argue with them!

When and where is the next show?

The next show is in The Shadow Lounge, Brewer St, Soho on Wednesday 21st March at 8pm.  Frost readers are entitled to a £4 discount when they use the code burlx4ma.

Read our review of Burlexe here.