Workshop #12 for the Hollywood Players Actor's Group!

January 27, 2013:  Workshop #12 was Talent Filled and Super fun!

This isn't everyone from last Sunday's Workshop. Two actors had to leave early! One is taking the photo.

INTROS
Circle of actors and three things about yourself!

WARM UP
Stretch out, head roll, shoulder roll, temper tantrum, jump rope, stretching of the quads, flat back, curve back, temper tantrum.

VOCAL WARM UP
Lip Trills to racing car sounds.  Me May Ma Mo Moo!! Low to High.
Face Stretch, scrunch face, big Yawn!

TONGUE TWISTERS
Eat each green pea. (3x) 
He Feels Keen as he scemes and dreams.  (3x)
Thought thinkers think things through. (3x)

AFFIRMATIONS
I am a gifted actor with STAR written all over me.
Acting is an art form and I am an amazing artist! 
I will keep trying until someone says yes!

EXERCISES
Back to back, chair lean with partner (trust exercise)
Feet to feet, clasp hands and lean back with each others weight keeping you balanced (trust exercise)
Firing Squad Word Game in a Circle.  Actors throw words at each other and throw a new word to another actor. 

IMPROVISATIONS
Improv #1: Starring Carl Rolle, Tayna Smith and Angela Devon.  Carl plays the President of the United States. He conducting a press conference with reports to inform America that the radiation from the Japanese Tsunami has made it's way to the beaches of the West Coast and they have made the recently discovered Giant Squids have super powers and the Giant Squid are coming onto land and killing homeless and anyone who is outside! He is warning the public to take cover and that he'll be safely in a bunker in the Colorado Mountains.  The reporters played by Tayna and Angela ask the questions regarding the military coming in to save the day.  Angela asks if the President will consider taking her to the bunker with him so that they might be safe.  The President puts his arms around the reporters and says "Well, maybe we can work this out and there might be something you can do for your country."  It was quiet a funny improv.  Good job.

Improv #2: Starring Dennis Hodapp and Lisa- Marie. Dennis plays an Army Sargent and Lisa-Marie plays a soldier who has come by to request that she be put down on the ground with the male troops to fight in combat. Dennis tells her to do 50 pushups and she can be put into combat. She can't do it. She tries to sweet talk him into it.  He asks her to recite the 11 rules of Combat. But she can't do that either! Lisa-Marie was practically trying to seduce her way into battle. It was really funny!! Dennis did a great job of acting like a drill Sargent! So funny!

Improv #3: Starring James MacLeod, Tayna Smith, Angela Devon,  Rebecca Hirshfeld and Kareema. Tayna Smith plays an agent at CAA and she's really mad because she found out that James MacLeod threw a party at Sundance that was full of girls scantily clad doing fake cocaine on mirrors, there was people in S & M Clothing with whips and chains, there was simulated sex happening in the corners. The clients of CAA have been complaining about the party and how sleazy it was! Two actresses come in during the meeting between James and Tanya and demand to know why that party was able to happen and they are so upset. Kareema plays the receptionist who gets caught in the middle of the mess! James ends up leaving the agency! Rebecca and Angela ask Tayna when they are getting their next big parts.  So typical of actresses. LOL! It was a funny scene. The life of Hollywood Actors!

Improv #4: Starring Carl Rolle, Kareema and Angela Devon.  Carl Rolle plays an old time R & B singer who is looking for his comeback. He wants to record a new CD and comes to music producer Kareema who is trying to do him a favor because her dad and Carl are old friends. She doesn't really want to work with him though. So goes to get Angela to try to get her to write a song with Carl with the promise that Kareema will get Angela a hot date for the Grammy's.  Carl was hilarious as the Soul Singer! Kareema was super funny trying to get out of this bind. Angela was perfectly selfish and not really wanting to work with Carl in any capacity.  Carl gets the message and ends up walking out of the meeting.  Very funny guys!! ;) Super good!

COLD READINGS 

"FLIGHT" Starring Carl Rolle, Dennis Hodapp, James MacLeod and Kareema.  Carl Rolle played the Denzel Washington role in this wonderful scene where he meets with his associate and his new Lawyer from Chicago.  Kareema played the waitress who comes and goes throughout the scene. Dennis played the Lawyer and he was wonderful with his Texas accent explaining what was going to happen with the case. James plays the role of Charlie, Carl (Whip's) oldest friend. The scene was riveting and super intense. Carl had never seen the movie, but had a total grasp on the character. I told them I want them to memorize that scene for the future! It's so good. I want to shoot it. Great work everyone.

"GENERAL HOSPITAL" starring James MacLeod and Lisa-Maria. James and Lisa-Marie play a couple engaged in a heated discussion about Lisa Marie's grandfather. Lisa-Marie is telling him that he hasn't changed, that she thought he'd changed for the better, but she's learned he hasn't.  James pleads with her to give him another chance, that no one has known him better than she has. She won't give in. The actors did great.  Lisa-Marie did her lines a bit too fast. With soap opera acting, you have to take your time and milk the lines. It's cheesy and over the top. It's different from sitcom or episode acting. It's an art form all is own. James did really well with the character and dialogue.

"CATWOMAN" Starring Carl Rolle and Kareema.  Kareem plays Selina (aka: Catwoman). She is on a date with Brock, played by Carl. They have some friendly banter until Brock brings up the duality of all men and women which sends Selina on a long speech about Duality of woman. It gets a bit serious for Brock and he changes the subject. She drops a big hint to Brock about being a superhero, but he is distracted by someone he thinks is Catwoman on the street.  Selina says "No, it's not." Because SHE'S Catwoman!!! LOL!  I loved the scene. I told Kareema to get off book and learn the monologue. It's puuurrrrfect for her! :)  Good work you two!

"CSI: NY" starring Angela Devon and Dennis Hodapp.  Dennis plays a detective who is explaining to Angela how her boyfriend got murdered by another cop. Angela was beside herself with emotion. Dennis played the role very caring and concerned. His voice was comforting as he explained how these things happen sometimes.  Then he pulls out a ring that was found on the boyfriend's body.  He tries to give it to Angela, she won't take as it will only remind her. Then in the next scene, Angela is at a press conference and she gives a wonderful monologue speech about her fiance and she starts to cry! It was a beautiful moment and I was very impressed with her connection to the role and the dialogue. Wonderful work! Get her on TV!!

"Rules of Deception" Starring Kelly Mullis and Lisa-Marie.  Kelly Mullis and Lisa Marie play a couple of spoiled socialites.  Well, Kelly's character is rich.  Lisa-Marie is wondering if they'd still be friends if they hadn't met in college and states they have "nothing in common".  Kelly says "No, we have ME in common!" This character was so fun to play for me. She is so entitled and spoiled rotten.  Lisa-Marie was so cute as my BFF.  So fun to work with her!

"SOUTHLAND" Starring Carl Rolle, Dennis Hodapp, James MacLeod, and Rebecca Hirshfeld.  This scene was so funny!  Carl plays a man in a compromising situation at the hands of Rebecca's character. James and Dennis are the policemen who show up on the scene and take Rebecca into custody for her unlawfulness.  It was wonderful how Carl and Rebecca made solid choices about their characters.  They committed to their characters! James and Dennis were very convincing playing the police officers who were finding this scenario very entertaining indeed!
Great work!

"Grey's Anatomy" Starring Tayna Smith, James MacLeod and Kelly Mullis. James plays a man who is very sick and dying. He has his whole family in the room because he knows he's nearing the end and he's going out with a bang. Only his mother and doctor are not onboard.  But then finally James explains where his head is to the Doctor and she can't fight him on his decision. James did great as the sick patient. Tayna Smith played the Doctor who explains the situation to James. It was a wonderful scene. Very well cast.  Well, except that I was playing James's mother and that would never happen! LOL!

"The Client List" Starring Dennis Hodapp, James MacLeod and Angela Devon. James plays a Pastor who is speaking to his congregation about marriage and how important it is to love your wife. Even though he visits prostitutes! Of course they don't know that! Later the Pastor meets with James and his wife in his chambers. James says that he's left his wife and kids. The Pastor asks him about his drug use, he explains he's been clean and sober for 6 months.  He's turning over a new leaf. Then Angela confesses that she's had an affair. Everyone did great playing their respective roles!  Really committed and had a clear understanding of their motives and objectives.

"Mistresses" Starring Rebecca Hirshfeld and Tayna Smith.Tanya plays a doctor who has given someone a fatal prescription for Morphine and the patient has died. Rebecca comes to question Tayna because she is going to represent her in the case. She wants Tayna to lie about her whereabouts the night of the incident.  Tayna is wonderful as the Doctor who isn't sure what's happening around her. She is confused by this visit and doesn't want to compromise herself by being dishonest.  Rebecca is a great lawyer. Perfect casting for these two!

"Whitney" Starring Tayna Smith, Angela Devon, & Kelly Mullis. Tayna plays a fertility doctor that Whitney and her sister go to visit.  Kelly Mullis plays Whitney, the neurotic and overly concerned sister of Angela who is willing to go to great lengths to conceive. When Tayna explains what will have to take place, Kelly (Whitney) is like "Oh no, no way! Let's get out of here. You can't do this!" It was a quick and funny scene. I like acting like Whitney.  I don't watch the show but the writing it quite good. :) Yay fun!

 "Friends with Benefits" Starring Angela Devon and Lisa-Marie. Angela plays spoiled and superficial Daniela to her friend Lisa-Marie, playing Paige. This scene is so funny because the girls are so about looks.  Angela is making fun of Lisa-Marie's lip injections and how its going to cost a fortune to maintain their looks in the future!  Lisa-Marie starts to get upset and Angela pretends like she going to hug her to make her feel better, but instead she pushes her on the sofa. Lisa-Marie was stunned! Great moment none of us were expecting. Then Angela reminds Lisa-Marie that there "is trouble in South Beach and her name is Amanda" and what are they going to do about it.  Angela reminds Lisa-Marie that this woman is after both of their boyfriends and this means war!! Such a funny scene. The girls were wonderful it it!  So bitchy and bratty. Loved it! 

"Hart of Dixie" Starring Tanya Smith, Dennis Hodapp, and Lisa-Marie.  Lisa-Marie was playing a very funny character that had great dialogue.  She was in a job interview for a position as a chef that she has no experience with except for the food channel network.  Then she starts making demands on her interviewers.  She ends up bribing her way into a job through sheer manipulation. Her insults fly and she is completely inappropriate.  Dennis and Tayna play their roles like a couple of people being railroaded by this new girl that they have to hire! It was a funny scene.  Lisa-Marie didn't make the most of the funny lines and she should have played up this larger than life character by standing up and marching around the room while making her demands! I liked it though.

That concludes yet another episode of The Hollywood Players Actor's Group!!

I know that next week is THE ALMIGHTY SUPER BOWL Game....but if you want to forgo the game and come have a great inspirational workshop full of acting and creativity....then send me a message on facebook or email me at: kellyart@pacbell.net or call me at 323.428.3739.

Next Workshop is on February 3rd!! Super Bowl Sunday! 3-6 PM!!

See you on the Stage!!
Best wishes,
Kelly Mullis, Artistic Director
Hollywood Players Actor's Group

There is a great vibe in this workshop!

Come and play with us!! You'll love it!

Mock Auditions and Original Characters at Workshop #11

January 20, 2013 was the 11th Hollywood Players Actor's Group Workshop! 

INTRO
The Workshop started out like all the other ones with a Group Circle and everyone introducing themselves and saying 3 things about themselves.

STRETCH/Physical & Vocal Warm UP
Then we did our stretching out, followed by a 30 second Dance Party!
We did some face stretching and scrunching, and deep breaths. Some deep belly laughs took place!
We did some vocal warm ups followed by some Affirmations!

AFFIRMATIONS 
EACH & EVERY DAY I GROW AS AN ACTOR
WHEN I ACT, I TAKE MY AUDIENCE ON A JOURNEY WITH ME.
I AM BRILLIANT AND BELIEVABLE IN EVERY ROLE I ACCEPT.
EVERY TIME I STEP ON STAGE, MAGIC HAPPENS. 

EXERCISES
Yes, And.....the subject was Sir Anthony Hopkins and it was an intriguing one. ;)

Then we did "Foreign Movie" where two actors speak jibberish to each other and two other actors translate.  It was too funny! I hurt my knee during my time on stage. Just got carried away!

Then we did the "Firing Squad" Exercise.  Actors line up and fire words at one lone actor across from them. He returns the word to the next actor. It's a work association game. You can't think, you just have to say the word that comes to your mind.

IMPROVISATIONS

"SUNDANCE INTERVIEW": We did a fake "Sundance" Interview with a Producer played by Jim McCaffree, a Director, played by James MacLeod, and the Star was played by Angela Devon. The interviewer was Shana Carr and, boy, did the secrets and scandals fly from this group! It was quite enlightening.  The attitudes were palpable from everyone.  Everyone was sleeping with each other. Tempers flaired during the shoot. They almost didn't get the movie done. Angela was a diva! She was cold in Poland! It was so hilarious!

Sundance Interview Improv

"Talk to the hand!"

"EXECUTIVE MEETING GONE BAD": Andy Wasif, our Star from the smash sitcom "Life With Andy" is having a meeting with his Producer, Kerry Liu,  of a new sitcom he's up for. His first mistake in the meeting is order that double whiskey. The waitress is cute and innocent, Kareema. While taking his order, she recognizes him and is completely enamored by him. Andy is 'ever the star' signing his autograph for the waitress/actress who is desperate to be discovered by 'anyone' who will discover her! Kareema was hilarious! Kerry Liu continues on a diatribe of viciousness about how the network doesn't want to work with an alcoholic and how he's got a terrible reputation.  Andy was calm and collected, never rattled during this negative attack on his reputation.  Kerry says they can get Ashton Kutcher for a good price and they don't have to worry about drinking or scandal. Kerry asks Kareem to get Ashton on the phone and Andy is forced to walk away from the meeting. I guess he's back to the 'stand up' circuit!  It was so funny!

"I'll have a double whiskey, no ice."

ORIGINAL CHARACTERS
I gave a few of the actors an assignment to come up with an 'original character'.  To give them a certain walk, a certain way they talk, and a back story and they were to talk as this character for 2-3 minutes.

I overbooked the activities of this particular workshop because I also had "mock auditions" planned, therefore we were only able to do two of the characters. We'll do more next Sunday!

The first one was Carl Rolle playing a very angry African American who had been accused of a crime he didn't commit and now that we was out of prison, he is always being profiled and he was just so angry! I loved Carl's character! He commanded the stage and his speech was incredible.  Carl is so fabulous!

The next character was played by Dennis Hodapp.  He was teaching us a class on the velocity of drool.  He set up some cups on a table and had a pointing stick and he was quite funny with his Texas accent talking about life on the farm where they had goats and cows and used to make their own Goat's Cheese.  I don't know what that had to do with drool, but it was darned funny!  Good job Dennis, you had everyone laughing!

MOCK AUDITIONS
These were great. I think everyone liked these. I gave the group the quicky version of how to approach an audition, how to enter the room and what to do and say.  To not shake the Casting Director's hand unless they offer it, to have your headshot ready to give them and if they ask you if you have any questions about the role....it's best not to have any and just show them what you've got!  To be a sweet and polite as you can because they don't want any attitude on the set and you won't get the gig.  Don't move around too much during your audition. Keep it simple and precise. I think they got it!

I had the actors wait outside, just like a real audition and I'd come and get them from the hall. I had a fake director and producer there as well. The Director would give feedback and sometimes have them do the scene again with his direction. It was great!

I chose scenes for the younger actresses in the group and a different for the older actresses.
Same with the men in the group, older and younger.


"GOLDEN BOY" Audition: For the younger actresses....they auditioned for an escort/prostitute who's friend has turned up missing. The girl is being interviewed by the police.
The actresses who auditioned were Kristen Korsnes, Kareema, and Angela Devon.
Kristin did great because she got emotional during the scene and teared up. Kareema did the scene very straight and did her lines strong. Angela was vulnerable and did her lines really well, but I would have liked to have seen a bit more emotion from her. The callbacks would have gone to Kristin and Angela.  Good work ladies!


"LAST RESORT" Audition: for the younger male actors. They played a Secret Service man who was giving instructions for when the President is on site.
The actors doing this audition were James MacLeod, Andy Wasif, and Robert Fabiani.
Andy Wasif did a great job. He was very clear and concise and said his words with great deliberation. James MacLeod was nearly off book which made his performance very strong and he really looked the part. Robert Fabiani didn't have too much time with the materials, he was a bit stuck on the page, but he did the role very well. The majority of the group felt that James MacLeod would have gotten the role. I agreed. Great work.


"RIZZOLI & ISLES" Auditions for the older actress in the group were played by Kerry Liu, Shana Carr and Kelly Mullis. We played a waitress who is talking to detectives about some poison that is making children sick. Shana was really good opting for a Southern Accent and getting pretty emotional. Kerry Liu was very good, a bit stuck on the page, and when scenes are serious, she tends to smile at the wrong times! LOL! I meant to tell her she did that. Then I had my shot at the part....I have been a waitress in real life for a long time, so I pulled that part off great. I did my lines and at the end of my audition I asked the director who got the part and not to give it to me just because I run the workshop.  But Jim and Andy, my two directors said that I got the part because I was really believable as the waitress and I seemed connected to the photos on the wall that I was talking about. I was so happy that I got the role. It helped to be off book. You can't really act well if you aren't off book. Remember that!! :)

"BILL PARKER" Audition for Carl Rolle, Dennis Hodapp and Jim McCaffree.  Bill is a Detective who works for the city. There is some talk of the Mafia and blackmail. There were quite a lot of chunky speeches.  Carl has a very commanding voice and was wonderful in the role. I would definitely called him back for a call back.  Jim McCaffree really nailed the character.  Dennis was solid and believable with his Texas Accent. I think the role would have gone to Jim.  :) Good job guys!

COLD READINGS

"MAX" starring Kareem and Andy Wasif. Kareema plays a detective who interviews Andy's character, who is a serial killer locked up in jail, to help her find another killer.  Andy is very creepy in this scene as he says very suggestive and harrassing things to Kareema. Kareema holds her own and doesn't get rattle by his gross behavior. Great work you two.

"Unforgettable" starring Robert Fabiani and Kerry Liu. Kerry and Robert play detectives who discuss a case. Robert doesn't think the perp did the crime. Kerry and Robert's characters clearly have a past. There is too much resentment between these two characters. They go back and forth fighting passionately about the case at hand. The actors did fine delivering the dialogue, but the stayed in their seats the entire time and they were both upstaging themselves, so we didn't get the full effect of their battle with each other.  I wish one or both would have walked around the stage and showed some passion. 

"Silence of the Lambs" starring Jim McCaffree as Hannibal Lector and Shana Carr as Clarice. Jim plays the very scary, smart, conniving Hannibal Lector. Jim kept his body very stiff with his arms at his sides during most of the scene which made him look mythodical and caculating, except for at the end when he releases a loud moan and dismisses Clarice. Shana was clearly afraid and rattled by Jim's character. Especially after he gets into her head about her father and her childhood. Shana was very interesting to watch as she struggled with her emotions as Jim toyed with her mind. I thought the scene went great.

"Bounce" starring James MacLeod, Shana Carr and Angela Devon. Angela plays a friend of James's character. Angela meets James and asks that he testify on her behalf, he refuses. She make him feel guilty because they are supposedly good friends. The second scene, Angela goes to see a therapist, Shana, and she talks about how naive she's been and how her husband abused her and how that abuse has changed her from her previous self and the life she had known.  But now she is determined to never be blind to the dangers of men again. Shana played a great therapist. Angela did great as the victim in these scenes.  Shana said that she could see Angela getting emotional during the scene, but we only saw profile.  Upstaging made us miss the emotions, but we could hear it in her voice. Great work everyone!

"Bad Brooklyn" written by Kelly Mullis,  starring Kareema and Carl Rolle. I wrote this scene for these two actors. I wanted to write something very edgy and street for Kareema to play. I filled the scene with bad words, only she wouldn't say any of them! She's a good girl and changed all the bad words to PG-rating words, which changed the dynamic of the scene, but that's okay. It was still really great to hear both actors saying my words. Carl plays a police detective questioning Kareema about a guy named "Soda Pop" who turns out to be her baby daddy.  He tells her that he's been killed. She gets emotional. Then she softens her approach with the detective. Carl was very sweet and gentle with her, even though she was being a brat in the scene until the end. Good job!

"Baby Daddy" starring Andy Wasif, Jim McCaffree, and Kristin Korsnes. Comedy Dream Team is what these three actors are!  Andy Wasif plays the boyfriend of Kristin who meets Kristin's dad for the first time.  Jim, the dad, decides he doesn't like Andy because he's not good enough for his little girl.  Jim is insulting as Andy tries his hardest to impress Jim with big words. It's not going to work. Kristin returns after some time and the men pretend that all is okay...but clearly its not! This scene was hilarious and I just loved the timing, they hit all the jokes and the characters they all played to  Perfection!!

"CSI: NY" starring Kerry Liu, Andy Wasif, Dennis Hodapp and Angela Devon. Kerry and Dennis play detectives who question Andy about a murder. Andy plays a very scared, gentle and kind suspect. Andy explains how he was a bar and met the most beautiful woman he's ever seen and they'd arranged to go up the her room.  Apparently there was someone else involved with the woman and some bad stuff went down.  Angela plays a clerk in the police station who explains what will happen to the 'beautiful woman' that is now a suspect of murder.  Everyone did great! Dennis and Kerry were really good as the detectives. Andy played the scared man perfectly innocent and naive. I believed him. Angela delivered her dialogue with ease.  Great work!

"Monday Morning" starring Carl Rolle and Robert Fabiani. I loved this scene. Carl played Dr. Hooten who is questioning Robert, playing Dr. Markham, about a little boy who dies after a typical medical procedure due to Robert's medical error.  Carl really let him have it. Robert's character had a lot of really difficult dialogue, but he held his own as a Doctor who doesn't apologize for his mistakes. Carl was relentless and mean.  I loved the dynamic between these two actors.

"Devious Maids" starring Kerry Liu, Kristin Korsnes and James MacLeod. This scene was really funny. Kerry plays a new chef who is working next door and who is also seducing James character who Kristin is in love with! Kristin is so cute as the jealous, warning friend who doesn't want James to get mixed up with the likes of Kerry, who is clearly trouble!  Great job all of you! Great timing! Great attitudes!

"Vegas" starring Dennis Hodapp, Angela Devon and Andy Wasif.  Dennis plays Jack and Andy plays Lamb, the two men question Angela, who is playing a woman from Budapest about her husband who as disappeared.  Jack and Lamb want information about her husband. Clearly she married him for his money and she doesn't really care what he does anymore, but she seems to be faking her emotions in this scene to throw them off the trail.  Angela was very convincing as the wife of the missing man and I loved Dennis playing Jack with his Texas accent. Andy was a great Lamb. 

Awesome work everyone!

Next Sunday, we'll see some more Original Characters and I'm sure some more Original material being performed!! And a lot more Acting FUN!!

If you'd like to get on the LIST for this coming Sunday, January 27, 2013 Workshop 3-6 PM
Please send me a message on facebook or email me at:  kellyart@pacbell.net 

Thanks for reading!
See you on the Stage.

Kelly Mullis, Artistic Director
Hollywood Players Actor's Group. 

Looking above for our Dreams to Come True!

Come join the fun!!!

10th HPAG Workshop: Original Material Performed by Group!

January 13, 2013....."10th Hollywood Players Actor's Group Workshop".

This was a very special workshop because a couple of actors in the group brought some of their writing. One was a short film and the other writer/actor brought in a couple of wonderful scenes. They had emailed me their pieces and I cast them with the group members. The result was more than I could have hoped for, but I'll get into that later in the blog.

While waiting for the people to arrive, a gentleman by the name of Dennis Hodapp from Lubbock, TX walked into the theater and said that he'd seen my flyer for the workshop on the internet and he wanted to check out the group and what we were all about.  He said he just got into town 9 days ago and he was serious about getting his career on the right track! He was tall, handsome, with salt and pepper hair and a Texas drawl.  Normally I like to know who is coming to the workshop so I can find the appropriate scenes for the actors...but I invited him to stay and decided I'd ask the other men in the group if I could take one of their many scenes that I'd cast them in.  They were cool, so I gave Dennis two parts in scenes to cold read. They had too many scenes anyway!

Dennis had a lot of questions about the business, like many actors who are new to town. They are overwhelmed by the steps one must take to get 'set up' and get the ball rolling.  Some other people where starting to arrive and while we were waiting for the late comers to arrive, I was filling Dennis in on Headshots, Agents, Demo Reels, Actors Access, and LA Casting.  I'm sure I overloaded him with information, but he was eager for the advice.  That's what this workshop is about as well, getting knowledge that will help you further your career.  Everyone was benefiting from the conversation we were having and it turned into a group discussion.

Finally it was time to begin. It was cold in there and the group wanted to WARM UP!!

PHYSICAL WARM UP
I did my best impersonation of an Army Sargent and made everyone stand at attention and salute.
Then I made them run in place for 10 seconds, then do 10 push ups and then back up on their feet for 10 seconds more of running in place.  Then back to attention with a salute! Now we were warm!

Next we did "THE ROBOT" dance, followed by some 80's style dancing, followed by "THE RUNNING MAN", then we did "Chur the Butter", and finally ended with break dancing, but not the kind on the floor!  Now we were really warm!!

VOCAL WARM UP
We did some Lip Trills to "Row Row Row Your Boat".  The we did some A.E.I.O.Us.  Starting each letter low and then going up High.

Then we recited "The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly On the Plain" in a British Accent 3 times.
Next we recited that phrase with a Southern Accent.  Finally we did it with a Tough, Thug accent.

For the last vocal warm up, I had everyone sing:
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious  4 times!!!  Good fun! 

MEISNER'S REPETITION EXERCISE 
Explaining the rules of this exercise is not easy task.  I got up with the first actor to show everyone how it works.  Some people just weren't sure when it was okay to change up the repetition of what the other person said. I explained that the exercise is all about listening to the other person and responding truthfully under imaginary circumstances.  To make an observation about the other person, say it and they would repeat it...to keep repeating it until someone originally feels compelled to change it based on how they are making you feel. Ie: uncomfortable, sad, or perhaps how they seem ie: 'you look mad'.  'I've hurt your feelings'.

Some of the group struggled, but gave it their best shot, some of them really got it!
The whole thing about the exercise is just to not think about what your going to say. Don't make up a story in your head.  Don't think too hard.  Don't make it conversational. Don't go backwards, keep the repetition going forward.  Don't think, just react how you react.

IMPROVISATIONS
Improv #1:  "Premature Baby" starring Kristin Korsnes,  James MacLeod as parents of a 24 week premature baby who is in the ICU for premature babies. Zack Van Eyck plays the doctor who comes in and give them bad advice about their baby, that it stands the risk of brain damage and learning disabilities and that the baby must stay in the ICU for 5 months until it can grow and get stronger. The couple gets hostile and they don't understand. They want to take their baby home. They don't want to keep the baby there.  Dr. Zack says "Well, you could do that, but we wouldn't advice it.  You see the hospital has to make money."  The couple starts to questions the doctor's credentials and where he went to school. Suddenly it turned a bit light.  At the end of the scene, the couple did decide to take their baby out of the hospital.  If it had been real life, I'm sure that wouldn't have ended well.

Improv #2:  "Adopted Child" starring Jim McCaffree, Shana Carr and Azra.  Jim and Shana have something very important that they need to tell their daughter Azra.  Azra gets nervous because they are being reluctant, until finally Jim blurts out "You're adopted".  "You might have noticed you don't look like me and your mother." Azra's reaction is "Why did you wait so long to tell me, why didn't you say it from the beginning?" Jim: "Because we wanted to wait till you were older. But we encourage you to find your birth parents and spread your wings and fly." Shana says "Yes, I couldn't get pregnant because actually we are related."  Azra is confused "What do you mean you're related? Related how?"  Shana and Jim look at each other uncomfortably, "Well we're actually brother and sister."  Suddenly Azra is disgusted and doesn't know what to say.  Jim says, "This has gotten on the wrong track, we were talking about her being adopted and now we're talking about our incest!"  Azra turns really bitchy and asks "Well, you're still going to pay for everything, right??"  Jim is taken aback by the question. Shana and Jim look astounded by Azra's terrible attitude.  Shana: "There's that attitude again..." she looks at Jim. So funny you guys!

Improv #3: "Lottery Winner" starring Kelly Mullis, James MacLeod, & Kristin Korsnes. Kelly goes over to her brother and sister-in-law's house to share some good news. Kelly looses her footing when she starts to sit down and James accuses her of drinking. Kelly says "Well, yeah okay, I stopped by a happy hour to celebrate because I'm really happy!" James gives her a hard time about her drinking and she returns the venom back to him. They go back and forth fighting as brothers and sisters do. Kristin tries to get them to stop. James asks "So what's your good news??" Kelly says "I don't even want to tell you now because you're being such an ass." Finally she tells them that she's won the lottery.  James's first question is "Where's the ticket?!"  Kelly:  "I had to hand it in. They're going to wire the money into my account."  James: "You gave them your banking information!?" Kelly: "Yes, that's the way it works." James: "How much did you win? Are you going to get it in payments or one lump sum? Are you going to pay us back the money you owe us?" Kelly replies "Yes, of course I am going to pay you back! I won 4 million and after taxes I'll have just over 3 million." James: "Well, you're going to give me some of that money, right?" Kelly: "Oh here we go, I knew this was going to happen." James: "I'm leaving her (re: Kristin), we're getting a divorce." Kelly: "You know what James, you're an ass! I'm giving the money to Kristin. I love her, you can't divorce her. She's like a sister to me." James: "Yeah, but I'm your brother!" Kelly: "But your a big jerk!" Kristin: "Please don't leave me here with him." Kelly and Kristin leave together to go celebrate, leaving James to wallow in his bad behavior.

Improv #4: "Abandoned Baby" starring Kareema, Dennis Hodapp, and Shana Carr.  Kareema returns to the church where she left her baby on the steps only one week prior to meet with the Pastor and the Sister.  She demands to get her baby back. The Pastor explains to her that the baby has been put up for adoption and there is no way to get the baby back.  Kareema starts to get angry and says "I just left her here a week ago.  I left her with for the Sister." Dennis, the Pastor, says "This is God's way. The baby will go to a good home." Kareema: "I had to go to Utah to get some money!" She holds up a bag that looks very full. "This bag is full of money. Do you know what I had to do to get this money?!" She's starting to get a bit too angry. The Pastor gets nervous and says to the Sister, Shana Carr, "Call security.  Now you have to leave, this is God's way."  That's there the scene ended.  Very intense!  I liked it! 

COLD READINGS

"Forty Year Old Virgin" starring Jim McCaffree, Zack Van Eyck, and Kristin Korsnes. Jim played Andy, the lead, who works in an electronics store and has sold Zack, playing the old man, a LOT of equipment.  Andy meets Trish who is looking to buy a VCR.  He explains the different models to her and she says "Looks aren't important." The old man returns and says "How much would it cost for you to come to my apartment and hook all this up for me?" Andy says, "He'll do it for free." Trish is impressed by his kindness and selflessness. She asks him out for coffee.  Andy is taken aback, but accepts shyly.  Trish, Kristin, assures him that she won't make him hook up her equipment.  He replies, "Well, I would if you asked me to." The scene was super cute. Jim plays awkward characters to a TEE. Kristin was so sweet as the innocent Trish. Zack was really funny as the old man! Great scene! 

"President Kenny" starring Jim McCaffree, Kristin Korsnes, and Azra. This was an original piece written by Zack Van Eyke. Azra comes to work at the "Campus Coffee" shop to find that her friend Maya, played by Kristin, has been promoted and there's a new owner. Liz, played by Azra is confused and wonders where she's making more money now and doesn't even have to work more than one day a week. Azra walks into the back office and sees that her father,  (Jim) playing Kenny, ex-Presidential Candidate for re-election, newly separated from his wife has purchased the coffee shop to keep on eye on his daughter and help her out. Liz is not happy about these developments as they cut into her sense of independence.  She angrily announces, "I quit this job, I quit you and I quit this family."
All the actors did a great job.  Jim was wonderful as the loving father. Azra has a very cutting side to her and she went from sweet to mad perfectly. Liz was the sweet, perky, positive friend always looking on the bright side.  Really cute scene. 

"Blue Bloods" starring James MacLeod, Kareema, Zack Van Eyck. James plays Danny in this scene. Zack plays Gormley a fellow detective who question Kareema playing "Letitia" about the death of her four year old son, shot at the hands of drug dealing gang bangers. The detectives want a name for the possible shooter. In the next scene, they return to ask her if she's involved in drugs and they inform her that she was the real target. She wonders who would want to kill her. They suspect it to be an enemy of hers. I thought the two detectives did a great job. Kareema is a brand new actress and she's still finding her voice as far as performing on stage. I wanted her to project a bit more and also get a bit defensive when they ask her questions about her being involved with drugs. The character could have really jumped off the page. I'd like to see her do that scene again actually!

"Taking His Bar" starring Kelly Mullis and Jim McCaffree. Kelly Mullis plays Jim's horrible ex-wife who has come to the bar they once ran together. The bar has been in Jim's family and Kelly has come to have one last drink since they are going through a divorce.  She reminisces about the past and the first time they met, which was a steamy, volatile first meeting. She proposes that they have sex on the bar one last time and reminds him of his infidelities of the past at that very bar. When Jim refuses her, she gets nasty. And says "It's too bad, because soon the place will be torn down to the ground and turned into a parking lot."  Jim lets Kelly have it. "You bitch!"  He calls her an aging alcoholic who is loosing her looks and not getting the attention she's used to. She tries to slap him, he stops her, she kisses him and gives him an evil smile and then leaves the bar.  Jim steams with anger. I felt good about the scene. It would be better to be off book and do it! Jim was wonderful as the husband! I felt we had the right amount of aggression towards each other! Fun scene!

"Southland" starring Kareema, Shana Carr, Zack Van Eyck, and Dennis Hodapp. Kareema plays detective Lydia. Shana plays a witness who is being questioned in regards to a serial killer. Zack is her crazy boyfriend who is quiet erratic and rude.  Dennis played another detective questioning the two about the neighbor.  Zack was so funny as this character. Shana played it perfectly as well. Dennis was endearing as the good cop and Kareema held her own with the questioning.  Good job everyone!

"The Perfect Woman" starring James MacLeod, Shana Carr, Kristin Korsnes, and Azra. Another Original Scene written by Zack Van Eyke. This was a hilarious few scenes. James comes to a shop called "The Perfect Gift".  The cheery owner, Cindy, played by Kristin asks James, playing the role of Richard what he's looking for.  Richard says he's looking for the 'perfect woman'. He tries to flirt with Cindy, but Cindy goes through a list of horrible descriptions that no man would ever want in a woman, she's describing herself. James says, that's not what he's looking for.  Cindy, then brings Agatha, played by Shana, out from the back room and gives Richard all the particulars of Agatha! "Agatha has been divorced four times, has six children, she's on parole for knifing her psychiatrist and has a mysterious fungus never before witnessed by her gynecologist!" Shana played this character full hilt! So funny, so outrageously. After some very witty dialogue she attempts to show James her boobs. He's not interested!! Agatha leaves because this clearly isn't going to happen. Cindy reads off of a print out all about Richard's horrible past and discrepancies. "OK, so I'm not perfect!" he exclaims. Cindy brings out her best and very expensive model named Barbara, played by Azra. Now we're talking! James loves Barbara.  She's says all the right things, "I love every sport, especially football and ultimate fighting. Cleaning house and preparing fattening meals are my true passions in life. And I love satisfying my man in every way, at any time..." Jack Pot!! Richard wants to marry her on the spot. Cindy informs him that there are no refunds. Seven minutes after they are hitched, Barbara turns into a bitch! She demands money for a mani-pedi, she says she actually hates sports, and now that they are married, they are never having sex again. He reminds her that they haven't had sex yet! Then Barbara says she wants 90% of everything he has. It was a perfect performance by everyone! I loved it! It was wonderful! :) Great writing Zack! Thanks for bringing it in. Perfect casting, perfect performances!

 
"Bitten" starring Dennis Hodapp, Azra, James MacLeod, Kristin Korsnes, & Jim McCaffree. Azra and Dennis played boyfriend/girlfriend, but clearly there is something amiss with her story. She's lying.  Later she meets her friend played by Kristin at a bar to celebrate and Azra gets hit on by a man at the bar. She sets his straight. Later, Azra meets her 'real lover' and the chemistry is hot as they banter about what they must do.  Everyone did a great job. Azra is so wonderful about going from nice to evil! Kristin is wonderful as the friend, supportive and cute.  Jim played the sleezy guy at the bar and nailed it. James was very sexy in the scene with Azra. Great work guys! 


"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" starring Kristin Korsnes and Zack Van Eyck. Kristin plays the light, airy, delightfully playful, free spirited Clementine.  Zack plays the slightly awkward, doesn't say too much Joel. He doesn't say too much because Clementine goes on a diatribe of dialogue with these funny speeches she says. It's as though she's been locked up alone forever and now she finally has someone to listen to her and she wants to say everything she's ever thought of. Kristin Korsnes is so adorable as this character! She was nervously awkward and couldn't keep still as she constantly shifted on the sofa, which really made the scene so much more adorable! Zack was also wonderfully awkward in the role of Joel!  I could have watched this scene all day.  What a great casting and what wonderful work you two!  Good job! 

"The Mark" starring Zack Van Eyck, James MacLeod, and Azra. This is an original Short Film written by James MacLeod.  James plays Jake who is having a romantic dinner with Jenny, played by Azra. The night unfolds and at the end, Jenny realizes that she's been drugged. The next morning she's tied up. James tries to explain what's going on, he tells her she's a mark. That he and his brother are going to ask for a ransom for her. She's shocked because she thought they were in love.  The brother shows up and he's mad because clearly there is something lovable going on between the two.  There are lots of twists and turns in this piece and I don't want to give away the ended, just in case James shoots this as a short! Which a really think she should. It's a very interesting piece that keeps you on the edge of your seat!  Kudos to Shana Carr for the great narration that she did reading all the stage directions so we could visualize what it would look like on screen.
Loved it and all the performance were steller! Zack was perfectly sadistic. James was great sticking to the character and not letting on the twists even though he knew what was going to happen. Azra played the victim, turned bitch perfectly! Great work you guys! 

That concludes another blog about The Hollywood Players Actor's Group! 
If you'd like to join up for our next workshop on January 20th, 2013 please send me
a message on facebook or email me at: kellyart@pacbell.net and I'll put you on the list.

Great work everyone!

See you on the STAGE!!!

Kelly Mullis, Artistic Director
The Hollywood Players Actor's Group

We have a blast in this group! Come join us!!!

Can I just say that you guys ROCK!!!