SUPER BOWL SUNDAY's HPAP's 13th Workshop!

Powerful workshop by the Hollywood Players Actor's Group.

Can't you see that we are SERIOUS ACTORS?!!

INTRO
We did the individual Self Introductions today. Everyone said a bit about themselves and how they found their way to the HPAG Workshop!  

WARM UP
After some stretching, we did some running in place, jumping jacks,  & scissor kicks.
Then we threw a fake baseball into the middle of the circle.
We tossed the fake baseball around to each other in the group, sense memory.
Then the ball became a bowling ball.  Sense Memory changed. 

VOCAL WARM UP
We did some vocal warm up by doing LALALALALA, low and then high then back to low.
Followed by some FAFAFAFAFAFA, low then high then back to low.

Then we did some "FE FI FOE FUM, I smell the blood of an Englishman!" 3 X.

Then we did some British Dialogue:
"Hello, how are things?"
"Fine, thanks, how are you?"
"Well, I've been better."
"I'm sorry."
"That's alright."

(that was kind of funny!)


ACTING EXERCISES
We did some Meisner Repetition.  Always a good warm up.

Then we did something super fun.  We beat each other up....in a fake acting way, of course.
We did fake stage slapping and punching. It was so fun to do and watch!
Someone would sit in a chair like an interrogation and the other person would fake slap or punch them. The one getting hit would have to respond accordingly.  The actors were slapping their own hands for the great sound effects!
When I did my interrogation, I did a Russian accent and it was so fun! :)
Sharon Spence beat me up.  Good times! 

Dennis is rolling up his sleeves to give it to Sharon Spence. No one was harmed in this exercise!

IMPROVISATIONS
Improv #1: starring Andy Wasif and Michael Beardsley playing two guys watching the Super Bowl Game having a chat about their dating life.  Andy tells Michael that he's met a great gal and they have really hit it off and that she's Japanese.  Then Michael says he met someone as well and she's also Japanese. Then Andy suggests that they have a double date and mentions his ladies name.  Michael can't believe his ears....they are dating the same girl.  Michael goes a little crazy and Andy talks about the 'man code'.  It was quiet funny! 

Improv #2: starring Patrick Duncan and Sharon Spence.  Patrick is sitting on the sofa watching "Finding Bigfoot" when his wife Sharon comes into the room and drops a bomb on him. She says that her friend Shelia was at the same conference that Patrick was at and shows him a photo that her friend took of Patrick and "Patricia" talking very closely at the conference.  He tries to brush it off by saying that she was asking him a question about something at the conference. Then Sharon says, yes, but then Patricia sent me this photo of you two.  She shows Patrick and the gig is up! Sharon makes him leave and he's bummed because he can't watch the rest of his TV program.  Busted! :) Good stuff you two.

Improv#3: starring Kelly Mullis and Dennis Hodapp. Dennis plays a very wealthy oil tycoon who has agreed to take a meeting with a Hollywood Producer played by Kelly, me.  I thank him for taking the time to meet with me and explain that I have a few projects I'd like to pitch to him for possible financing. He gets a call and has to take it.  It's business.  After he gets off the phone, I pitch the first film about Alien Spaceships that hover over LA, New York and, of course, Houston, Texas. He loves the idea. I explain that Aliens that look like Giant Ants will come down and infiltrate the human race until all humans are destroyed.  The next film I pitch stars Matthew Mcconaughey and I talk about his recent weight loss, but that now he looks normal again.  Then Dennis has to make a call.  "Hello honey, yeah, it's me, I've got a guy from Hollywood here pitching me some films. I'm gonna be late for dinner."  When he hangs up, I say, "Did you just call me a guy?"  He looks me up and down. "I'm staying at the Four Seasons if you'd like to talk about this further." Next thing I know, he's swiped  his desk clean of the scripts and papers and we embrace and act like a couple of teenagers going at it!  Totally didn't expect that! Super funny.  Really great work Dennis.  :)

COLD READING SCENES 

"Twelve Monkeys" starring Michael Beardsley and Sharon Spence.  Michael plays Cole a person in a mental institute who isn't sure what year it is. He thinks he's in the future.  He wants to get out of there badly. Sharon plays his therapist.  She was wonderfully compassionate and patient with crazy Michael who played his role perfectly, sitting on the floor and in a silent panic state.  I loved it.

"Blue Bloods" starring Dennis Hodapp and Patrick Duncan. Patrick plays a group counselor for cops. Dennis plays Danny who arrives late with a bad attitude. He doesn't want to be there and just wants to get it over with. He'd rather be using his time to solve an important case. The banter between the cop and therapist goes on.  Both Dennis and Patrick did a stand out job with their attitudes and convictions of the characters.  I'd love this piece to be worked on. I love the writing.  Great job guys!

"Kate & Ben" starring Patrick Duncan, Andy Wasif and Dennis Hodapp. This was a very funny scene where Patrick plays a Teacher who is trying to plan out the School Prom. Andy who plays Ben in this scene volunteers to make the Prom the best one ever. The only problem...they need more money. Patrick says he can get about $25 more dollars.  Andy is excited because he thinks that means $2500. Wrong! LOL! Dennis played Andy's friend in the scene. They did a really great job.  Patrick and Andy have the most wonderful comedy chops! Great work!

"Kidnapped" written by Kelly Mullis, starring Dennis Hodapp, Michael Beardsley and Kelly Mullis.  This is a scene that I wrote with hopes of shooting for my demo reel. Michael plays a bad guy who as kidnapped me and taunts me in the creepiest way possible.  I have my hands restrained and recoil his advances towards me. He tries to kiss me and I bite his lip, then he slaps me. At that moment Dennis comes in and yells at Michael for being inappropriate with me.  He apologizes to me and explains that there's been a mistake and that he would like to compensate me for my troubles. I loved acting out this scene with Dennis and Michael. They both did stellar jobs as their characters. I was really impressed with both men.  I felt that I did my role pretty good as well. You'd have to ask the audience for sure though!  So fun! 

"Vegas Baby" starring Andy Wasif and Michael Beardsley. Michael and Andy are in Las Vegas! Michael is ready to have a wild time at the strip clubs.  Andy promised his girl friend that he'd not go to any strip clubs.  Michael gives Andy a shot of booze to loosen him up.  Turns out that Andy starts acting really weird and saying strange stuff because what Michael did was accidentally gave Andy a hit of acid. Hilarity ensues. Great work guys! ;) Funny stuff.

"Austin & Alley" starring Sharon Spence, Kelly Mullis, and Andy Wasif. Kelly plays a young singing sensation who is supposed to be meeting a new Producer at a coffee shop.  Sharon is my manager and when Andy comes in to the coffee shop, she waves him over to me.  I am hyper and overly excited when I meet Andy and I hug him and explain that I'm excited to meet him. Then we go into the studio and I start playing some of my original songs on the keyboard for him and singing my very cheesy lyric, only to find out that he's the wrong guy. He was only there to interview for a job at the Coffee Shop. Cute scene.  I think it went very well.  My co-stars were wonderful! 

"The Glades" starring Patrick Duncan, Kelly Mullis, Andy Wasif and Dennis Hodapp. Andy and Dennis play a couple of guys at a bar where Kelly is a 'shot girl'. Andy wants to meet the girl on cardboard cutout.  Kelly is pretty bitchy and says that the girl on the cutout only goes out with rich guys with fast cars. Andy shows Kelly his keys proving he has a Beamer and she takes the keys away from him saying they've had enough to drink.  Patrick plays the detective that comes to question Kelly about what she knows about the 'missing girl' from the cardboard cutout.  Turns out that Kelly's been cashing her dad's pension checks even though he's been dead for quiet some time. Kelly and the missing girl have some kind of secret business they are in. Kelly gets busted by Patrick for Fraud. Yes! Good scene. Great writing. Great characters! I want to do that scene again and get off book on it. It could be super good!

"The Marriage Lists" starring Sharon Spence, Dennis Hodapp and Kelly Mullis. Last scene of the night. Kelly and Dennis play a unhappy married couple.  Sharon is our marriage counselor! She gave us homework to make lists of the things that we don't like about each other.  Impatient Dennis wants to go first and rattles off his list of Kelly's annoying traits.  Sharon asks me if I would like to defend what he said.  I tell her, "No, that list is completely right."  Then she asks me to read off my list, but I panic when I realize that I'm missing pages 23 & 24.  Clearly my list is really long!! I ask to go to the car to see if they fell out in the back seat and Sharon asks Dennis, would he like to add a few more things to his list.  Very cute scene.  Very fun to act out with Sharon and Dennis. Loved it.  Thanks guys.

That concludes yet another fabulous Hollywood Players Actor's Group Workshop!
You never know what fun things will occur at this workshop!

If you'd like to join us for the next workshop on Sunday,  February 10th 3-6 PM, please send me an email to kellyart@pacbell.net or call 323.428.3739 to get on the list for next Sunday!

Thanks for reading!

See you on the Stage,

Kelly Mullis, Artistic Director
Hollywood Players Actor's Group

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!!!