Tag Archives: Catherine Balavage

Casting Call Pro Interview. Advice for actors and businesspeople.

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Catherine Balavage interviews Simon Dale from Casting Call Pro.

1) What was the idea behind the business?
We’d worked together in online recruitment for the film & tv industry for four years, working at The Production Base, a service for all those behind the camera (e.g. editors, camera operators, sound recordists, runners etc.), so we knew the industry. Chris’s sister was graduating from Mountview and was paying substantial subscriptions to a number of casting breakdown services. We realised that with our background and technical expertise this was an arena we could enter.
2) How did you make it a success
Crucially, we wanted to offer members more than a simple directory listing. With this in mind we built community elements in addition to the casting breakdowns – we wanted to bring the actors tools to help develop their career. Hence the directories of agencies, photographers, theatres, schools… and the community aspect to the site. Individuals, schools and companies are now using it to track and stay in touch with friends, alumni and old colleagues. We also offered a very different model to the other services out there in that we offer a completely free profile listing in the directory – which has helped us grow to our current size of 25,000+ members. We do have a premium subscription, but the profile listing is entirely free.
3) What mistakes do actors make?
Some have an inflated sense of their ‘right to perform’, perhaps down to ego, perhaps thinking that the mere fact of undergoing training entitles them to a lifetime of work. The harsh reality is that it’s a very competitive field whose daily currency is rejection. It’s hard to be seen for parts, harder still to be cast – that’s simple mathematics, there will always be a huge number of people up for the same part, many of whom will be talented. And so often (especially for commercials) it’s less about the depth of the acting talent and more about the surface look.
We hear about actors who breeze into an audition having done no preparation, no background research, not even having learned the lines they’ve been given. Sure, there will always be stories about people who stroll in, shoot from the hip and land the role. But you’re taking a huge risk if that’s your general modus operandi.
4) What advice can you give to actors?
Be proactive – don’t expect work to come to you. Try and find an agent if you don’t already have one. Network with people, attend industry events. Go to as many auditions as you can – it will help your technique and even if you’re not cast you are still in front of the casting directors. I have a friend who was up for a part two years ago – she didn’t get it, but the Casting Director contacted her eighteen months later with a role she thought she’d be perfect for. Difficult as it is, try and remain positive. Rejection day in day out is, inevitably, going to wear you down at some stage. Remember that you’ve chosen to enter an incredibly difficult profession, and that you might not be landing the roles may not be down to your acting talent. Keep the faith!
5) What advice can you give to other businesspeople?
Plan ahead. And plan ahead some more. Prepare your budget, make realistic forecasts. Bed yourself down for some lean times at the outset. We left well paid jobs to set up Casting Call Pro. We took huge risks and made personal sacrifices. We worked without salary and had to put in an awful lot of time and effort, not knowing if, further down the line, we would have a successful service (though of course we believed that we would, or we wouldn’t have taken the risks!). Look at the business holistically. As you grow, operating a business becomes so much more than running the core service that you set out with. You’ll need to learn about finances, PAYE, VAT, Corporation Tax… you’ll be interviewing and employing staff, running an office – all the while trying to run and expand your original business idea. For small companies (less than twenty employees) it probably won’t be feasible or necessary for you to hire HR staff or in-house accountants and lawyers – so you’ll be wearing many hats, office manager, bookkeeper, HR…
It’s likely that at some point in the first two years you will hit a low – financially or emotionally. You’re putting in all the work but not seeing the returns. These are absolutely pivotal times – most businesses fold within the first two years. If you retain your belief then you might turn the corner. We had to get different jobs to pay the bills, but we didn’t give up. And then we turned the corner and have never looked back.
6) What it the best thing an actor can do for their career?
Find an agent. Be proactive in trying to independently find and put themselves up for auditions (though do keep your agent informed). Train. See as much theatre, film and television as possible. Periodically reassess their career and drive – and, if necessary, give themselves a metaphoric shot in the arm to keep their spirits up. (Remember all the positives, your ambition, your passion – those things that first inspired you to get into acting.

7) What is the funniest casting you have ever had?
Among the strangest we’ve had are requests for actors to play pranks on bosses and ex-partners, as well as a over-zealous salesman who was offering an all-expenses-paid trip to Helsinki for anyone who was willing to impersonate his CEO at a client meeting the the real CEO couldn’t attend.
8 ) What do you thing of actor’s paying for casting director workshops?
It’s entirely up to the individual. Sessions with CDs seem to be on the increase. Research the company providing them, and the CD(s) themselves. What have they cast? These seminars and workshops can vary enormously – some being straightforward talks, panel discussions, Q&A, and even interactive sessions at which the actors perform a piece and receive feedback from the CDs. As with all these things (casting services included), ask friends and peers – what do others think of them?

9)  What is next for Casting Call Pro?
As ever, we’ll keep developing the service, building new features and adding new tools to try and help the actor and to better our service. Already we have expanded out from actors to create allied sites for dancers, stage crew, film crew etc. Watch this space!

Casting Call Pro is an excellent website for actors. Both of Frost Magazines editor are on it. To find out more and to join follow the link http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/

Retro Film Reviews: Thomas Crown Affair.

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Some films make you yearn for a bygone era, regardless of whether or not you were born then.The clothes, the manners, women being women, men being men. This film is perfect, sophisticated and sexy. Starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. The film is slightly dates by some of it’s camera shots, but the script, the acting, the pure class. Norman Jewison is a much under-rated film director.

This film was Steve McQueens favourite of his own films.

Steve McQueen is a multi-millionaire who robs banks just for kicks. Faye Dunaway is the women who works for the insurance company who always gets her man. If you have ever wondered why Steve McQueen is still famous, so many years after his death. Watch this film. it’s a love story, it’s a heist movie, it’s everything a film should be. It is hard to believe this film was made in 1968. 42 years old!

There is one word this film encapsulates: class. Rent it , buy it or steal it. It’s a classic.

The Inept Girl's guide to cooking.

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Cooking food: Sometimes you just need it to be quick, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want it to be good. Ready meals will never taste as good as a home cooked meal. However, the speed and convenience of just punching a hole in something with a fork, and microwaving it for two minutes wins out. With this in mind I have two words for you: stir fry. Yes, I know all the food I have cooked is quite easy so far. The clue is in the title.

I made a sweet chilli king prawn stir fry with rice. It is a quick and delicious meal. I am proud to say that I have perfected the art of cooking rice. This is how….

You want Basmati rice. It’s more expensive, but the taste makes it worth it. Always measure rice by volume and not by weight: use a measuring jug and measure 2½ fl oz (65 ml) per person (5 fl oz/150 ml for two, 10 fl oz/275 ml for four and so on). The quantity of liquid you will need is roughly double the volume of rice; so 5 fl oz (150 ml) of rice needs 10 fl oz (275 ml) of hot water.

Put in a pan and add boiling water ( I always boil the kettle and then add the water.) DO NOT STIR. Once is fine but anymore will ruin the rice. Put the lid on the pan and turn the heating down to the lowest setting. The leave it alone. Do not peak to see if is ready. Leave white rice for 15 minute and brown rice 40. Use a timer. Do not overcook the rice. This spoils it. Simply bit a grain to see if it is ready. If it is not ready, give it a few more minutes.

When the rice is cooked, remove the lid, turn the heat off and place a clean tea cloth over the pan for 5-10 minutes. This absorbs the steam.

Now for the rest….

You need: King prawns, sweet chilli sauce, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, any other vegetables you want to use.

Wash the veg and cut it up. Add some olive oil to a wok or frying pan. Leave until the oil warms up. Add vegetables for a minute and stir constantly. Add the king prawns. Keep stirring for a minute or until cooked. Add some sweet chilli sauce. And your done!

You can always leave the rice if your in a rush and cook some noodles. Just add some noodles in a pot with some water. Takes a few minutes to cook. Keep stirring.

So, did it taste good? Yes. I was given full points.

If you would like to suggest something for me to cook, comment below, or email frostmagazine@gmail.com.

Pig Business. Filmmaker Tracy Worcester exposes the price of cheap meat.

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I recently saw a film that changed my life. It is easy to say this, but films that change your life are few and far between. The film was called “Pig Business”. Because of it I changed my attitude to cheap, processed meat. As an animal lover, I found some of the scenes heartbreakingly haunting.

Pig Business charts the rise of the factory farm in the USA and the spread of the industrial model into Europe. As we follow filmmaker Tracy Worcester from the giant pig factories in Poland to the sausages on our supermarket shelves, we hear from the individuals affected by this growing industry. We meet migrant workers and the small farmers they replace, find communities overshadowed by giant farms and hear from those affected by air and water pollution.

The experts, including Robert Kennedy Junior, expose the controversial practices of the multinational meat corporations – from the environmental impacts to the destruction of rural livelihoods at home and abroad. As the hidden long-term consequences of factory farming become apparent you find yourself asking ‘does it have to be like this?’. Pig Business shows that all is not lost; consumers have a choice, to support a cruel and unsustainable industry or buy high welfare meat that doesn’t cost the earth

The film has done well in the UK. It ws recently shown at the Real Food Festival and has been shown at The House of Commons. Further afield Tracy will be in Canada presenting the film at Ideas City, Toronto Canada in mid- June.

To help out on the campiagn and find out more info follow the link

www.pigbusiness.co.uk

Chelsea Flower Show 2010. Facts and highlights.

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The sun came out and the flowers nearly wilted. The higlight of the Horticulture calender was, once again, sold out. In honour of another amazing year for the Chelsea Flower show – here are some facts.

1) The 2010 RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the 88th show to be held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital and the ‘RHS Chelsea Flower Show’ is the lasting title of an exhibition with a history of nearly 150 years.

2) A Show Garden at Chelsea can range in size from 10mx10m to 10mx22m.

3) Children under 5 years, babes-in-arms, prams and pushchairs are
not admitted.

Photographer: Abi Silverston

Photographer: Abi Silverston

Lisa Rawley's Gold Medal winning stand. Featuring a Hidcote Greenhouse from the Alitex National Trust Collection.

4) Urban Spaces are 7mx5m and Courtyard Gardens are 5mx4m.

5) The Great Pavilion is 12000m2, which is the same size as two football pitches – enough room to park 500 London buses.

6) 157,000 visitors visit the show each year. The number has been capped at this since 1988.

7) 98.4% of the materials used at Chelsea 2009, including glass, plastic and paper was recycled

8 ) It takes 800 people, just over three weeks to build the show.

9) It takes up to three weeks to build a show garden, and 10 days to build courtyard and urban gardens, but the gardens all come apart in just five days.

10) Streptocarpus ‘Harlequin Blue’ has been crowned the 2010 RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year following the first ever Plantsman Conference, held on the 24 May, at the 2010 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

11 ) Lots of gardeners wanted time lapse filming but could not afford the £10,000 bill.

Here is a video of Swamibu’s video highlights: Swamibu’s Chelsea highlights.

Details for attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Date: 24 –29 May
25-26 May RHS members only
27-29 May RHS members and non-members
Time: 25-28 May 8am-8pm

29 May 8am-5.30pm (sell off starts at 4pm)

Venue: The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London, SW3

Ticket hotline: 0844 209 1810 http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea
RHS show information: 020 7649 1883 http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea

Main picture and top by Abi Silverston. All rights reserved.

Catherine Balavage's Top Ten Books.

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I love reading. I have been known to read a book in a day. I also go through magazines and newspapers ferociously. At school I was actually made fun of for reading so much. I feel I got the last laugh. My top ten books are ever changing, but here is my current list. Read these books. They are amazing and will change your life. In no particular order….

“What’s left?” Nick Cohen
Nick Cohen is one of the smartest people I have ever met. I read this book long before I met him in person. Even it you do not agree with his political views, the sheer brilliance of his political argument wins you over. Nick has a brave voice and his compassion comes through in this book of his dissection of how the left lost it’s way.

“How Mumbo jumbo ruled the world.” Francis Wheen.
I am guilty of bulk buying this book and giving it as Christmas presents. Not only is this a great book, but I get the sense that Mr Wheen has a very good bullshit detector.

“ Midnight’s Children.” Salman Rushdie.
Fun, beautiful, erudite. Hard to choose just one of his books but I love this for the magical realism. Salman Rushdie is known as one of the greatest writers. And with good reason.

“The Count of Monte Christo” Alexander Dumas.
A roaring adventure book. Brilliant from beginning to end. Quite an achievement considering it’s over 1,000 pages

“A Much Married Man.” Nicholas Coleridge
This is one of my favourite novels. The story is about a wealthy man who constantly re-marries, hence the title. Coleridge is an amazing writer. Constantly noticing things about his characters and their lives. Beautiful and quaint.

“The Constant Economy.” Zac Goldsmith.
Goldsmith, who was editor of The Ecologist for many years, certainly knows his stuff. Here he maps out his ideas for a “constant economy” The most readable eco book I have ever read. Brilliant stuff. Now he is a member of parliament expect a much greener government.

“ Crime and Punishment” Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
I love this book. A darkly wonderful book about a young man who commits murder without remorse or regret. It becomes a book about redemption. “A new life is not given for nothing….” I read this book and I wish I could read it in it’s original Russian.

“Lazy ways to earn a living.” Abigail Bosanka
This may seem like a random choice. I have read this book three times. The first time during a hellish holiday in Spain. It is set in Edinburgh and it about a women who is fired from her job. She is highly educated but doing odd jobs to survive and bumps into someone she used to know…It is a book full of detail, knowledge, love and chess. I was on a film set recently and saw a women reading it . We instantly became friends.

“How to lose friends and alienate people.” Toby Young.
A funny and insightful book on publishing and media. Re-read it many times. You should as well. Young is a brilliant writer. He has a social conscience so the book is more than a shallow biography.

“Lord of the rings.” J.R.R Tolkien.
I read this book when I was 13. I eagerly awaited the films for many years. Fantasy writing at it’s best.

Now you have read mine, please send your top ten books to frostmagazine@gmail.com

Film Review: Petropolis

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Documentary filmmaker Peter Mettler takes an original and effective way to tell the story of the Alberta tar sands. This 45 minute documentary it told mostly visually. Shot entirely on a helicopter, it is aerial shots of oil projects that are shocking and beautiful.

The devastation looks different from above.

Canada’s tar sands are the second largest oil reserve in the world. Estimates at 174 billion barrels of oil. This area is the size of England. I recommend you see this film. Not just because it is original and visually stunning but because we must stop our dependency on the power of petroleum. The environmental devastation and damage to the health of any breathing thing in the vicinity is not worth the price. At the Q & A afterwards it was revealed that birds have to be scared of from landing near the tar sands as they get sick and die.

In light of the current problems with the BP oil spill this film is more relevant than ever. Well done to Greenpeace, ( who funded and produced the film in Canada ) Dogwoof and the Co-operative for funding such a brave and shocking film.

To find out more about the film go to www.petropolis-film.com.
To find out more about Tar Sands go to www.toxicfuels.com

Elephant Parade

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As an animal lover I can barely contain my glee at the 250 elephants that have sprouted up all around London. Far from just pretty artwork – no, not real elephants! – they are to raise awareness of the Asian Elephant that is threatened with extinction. In the past 100 years, the elephant population in Asia has shrunk by 90%. In another 30 years, it could easily vanish altogether.

It is a social enterprise founded by father and son Mike and Marc Spits. The benefits of the Elephant Parade are donated to the Elephant Family, the largest elephant charity in the world.

Mark Shands is the founding trustee of Elephant Family. The preferred charity of The Elephant Parade. It is the only charity just for the Asian Elephants.  The Elephant Family Patrons are Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, Goldie Hawn, Sir George Martin CBE, Duchess of York, Tanaz Dizadj, Priya, and Cyrus Vandrevala.

The Elephant Parade took pace in other capitals of Europe in previous years. Happily, it is not London’s turn.  All elephants will be auctioned to raise money for this charity.

These “objets d’art” will be enhancing the London scene between 22 April – 14 June. If you pop down Carnaby Street there is even a gallery.

To donate, volunteer or to find out more – go here: http://www.elephantfamily.org/