There's nothing particularly broken hearted about the grin on Billy Porter's face, that's just the title of his new film, "The Broken Hearts Club," opening Sept. 29. Charming Billy's now living in Los Angeles, and it's Broadway's loss. He's appeared in "Miss Saigon," "Grease," "Five Guys Named Moe" and "Smokey Joe's Cafe," but currently plans to stay on the left coast for the near future. Porter laughs rhetorically, "Who would ever think Billy Porter would ever move to LA, but I came out here in January and I've got the house, the car, and the phone number." He's most widely recognized for his much lauded performance as Little Richard in the CBS miniseries, "Shake, Rattle and Roll," but that should change with the release of his new film. "Oh," he laughs, "I had it all planned, I was going to be this major recording artist, I certainly never expected to be in two movies at Sundance this year, before I ever had a hit single.
"You know, I got into the business because theatre changed my life. I grew up in a poor neighborhood in Pittsburgh, and went to Carnegie Mellon for acting in '88. I used to come up to New York, while I was still in college, pick up Back Stage every Wednesday night, and audition like a fiend—even after I had an agent I'd go on open calls." He explains, " 'Broken Hearts' [which, ironically, he landed in New York] started as a low budget indie, and then after I booked it, Sony came on board. That's when [27 year old] director Greg Berlanti fought for me and pulled a 'Whoopi.' " (Whoopi Goldberg has gotten several parts originally intended for Caucasian actresses.) Taylor, described as a skinny blond, is the sartorially elegant member of a group of gay friends, who are both reluctant softball teammates and a loving supportive family to each other. Porter plays him black, bald, bold, and beautiful.
Porter says, "I've directed theatre regionally, and some cabaret [most notably an act for Stephanie Pope at Don't Tell Mama, a few years ago] and I sing, but when you do more than one thing, you confuse people. For years I tried to put myself in a box, and it frustrated me, so I had to let go and let the universe take its course." He sees TBHL as "a true testament to the way the universe provides. On the set, I was with people who had an idea, and they wrote it and they did it. My advice to anyone who wants to do this [show business], is to listen to your own inner voice and have the courage to do what you need to do. That experience gave me a sense of freedom." Now this amateur videographer has also started writing scripts, and just signed up for a year long Master's certificate program (in three 12-week segments) at U.C.L.A.'s film school. So for now, New Yorkers who miss him will just have to settle for humming, "Bill Porter won't you please come home."
Shooting Gallery Aims for Another Bullseye
In our Jan. 28 column, we posed the question: "After Sundance Where?" and mentioned the new Shooting Gallery Film Series, starting that coming February. Out of that initial international series, which included Eric Mendelsohn's "Judy Berlin," actor Peter Mullan's directorial debut, "Orphans," and Shinobu Yaguchi's "Adrenaline Drive," came the surprise hit of the Series, Mike Hodge's "Croupier." The SGFS, in conjunction with Loew's Cineplex Entertainment, was designed to help worthy, but as yet undistributed (or 'orphan'), films find theatrical release. Laurent Cantet's "Human Resources," the second film of its second series, just opened to good notices. Still to come are four more films, including actor Jason Priestley's rockumentary, "Barenaked in America" (Sept. 29-Oct. 12), and Tony Barbieri's drama, "One" (Oct. 13-26).
SGFS is the joint brainchild of Shooting Gallery Chairman/CEO Larry Meistrich, SG Films President Paul Speaker, and President of Aquisitions and Distribution, Eamonn Bowles. Bowles tells "Backlot Buzz," "We're a viable alternative to a full distribution deal and all the film reps keep calling. I'm pretty much the guy who chooses the films, from the various film festivals we attend," Bowles explains, "based on certain criteria. Each film has to have an objective [outside] recommendation, as well as critical acclaim and real audience appeal. Film festivals are very different from the real world market place, and we want to give these films a shot with the public. 'Croupier' is a perfect example of a film that had a few bad twists of fate on the festival circuit and missed getting picked up, but word of mouth during our initial screening gave it a good life. [It's still running in New York.]
"We found 'Human Resources' at Sundance [it was also part of the New Director's Fest at MoMA], and 'Time of Drunken Horses' [to screen Oct. 27-Nov. 9] came from Cannes, where it won three prizes, including the Camera D'Or. We're trying to keep this as pure as possible."
Their corporate sponsorships insure good advertising budgets—the downfall of many a small film—and there's the Premiere Club, whose membership receives exclusive preview showings, plus guest moderators. SGFS has also signed a deal insuring telecasts for all the series' films, on the Encore and Starz cable channels. CEO Meistrich concludes: "In the real world, where art needs commerce, the only way a filmmaker can have a career is to pay the bills. [SGFS] makes that possible." Amen to that. To find out more about the SGFS and/or the PC, click on movie.yahoo.com/sgfilmseries.
Currently Filming
(As always, casting directors request all contact be made only by mail. Do not phone or visit their offices unless specifically instructed to do so.)
T. S. Eliot may have christened April the cruelest month, but I hereby dub September the busiest month, at least for local filming, television shoots, and Film Fests. Herewith, info on 10 films, nine TV shows, and both the New York Film Festival and the Independent Feature Film Market, plus the usual assortment of deadlines and screenings.
August's theme was romantic comedies and September brings two more, along with a couple of Wall Streeters. Read on for family matters (mother/daughter, father/son, and the mob), and as promised, another quick update on that on-again/off-again duo we've been following. As of now, it looks like a possible November start for both No Alternative, Phylicia Rashad's directorial debut film, and Above Ground, the John Heard/Keith David action/thriller. We'll keep on keeping you posted.
And please mark your Nov. 11 calendar for our upcoming "Six in the City" panel on New York television, part of Back Stage's ActorFest at the Mariott Marquis next month.
A pair of new romantic comedies shoots in September. Wrapping Oct. 6 (Ed. Note: new date), it's Kissing Jessica Stein (didn't we all go to High School with her?), co-written by co-stars Jennifer Westfeldt (as J.S.) and Heather Juergensen, featuring Scott Cohen, Tovah Feldshuh, and Mother Nature herself, Jackie Hoffman. Principals: Susie Farris (218 E. 31 St., NYC 10016); background: Bryon Crystal (41 Union Square W., Ste. 316, NYC 10003).
Through Oct. 20, The Perfect You, co-stars Jenny McCarthy and indie stalwart Chris Eigeman, as two childhood friends, who discover (much to their surprise) that they're perfect for each other. No further principals; background: Kristine Bulakowski (P.O. Box 616, Prince St. Station, NYC 10012).
For awhile, there were two generations of Barrymores working around town. Before Danny Lerner's Big Apple wrapped on Sept. 12, Mom Jaid was kept busy co-starring with Lerner, Pat Cooper, Carlos Leon (as in Madonna), and Joe Franklin, while daughter Drew was spotted all over town, sporting dark brown pigtails, for her role in Penny Marshall's Riding in Cars with Boys. Among Drew's co-stars are Steve Zahn, Adam Garcia, Rosie Perez, and Sara Gilbert (moonlighting from her new TV series, "Welcome to N.Y."—see TV Series below.) Projected wrap date is Dec. 19, and although principals are all cast, background is being handled by Grant Wilfley Casting (60 Madison Ave., #1027, NYC 10010).
How's this for some New York action film irony? The completely cast When Tyson Met Tyra, an action/thriller, starring the WuTang Clan's Ghost Face Killah, shoots thru Oct. 15. It's described as "John Woo meets Bonnie and Clyde" and is not (repeat NOT) about boxer Mike meeting model Banks, which will no doubt amuse Ms. B., who's also in town, shooting Empire. This action film marks choregrapher Franc. Reyes' film directing debut and co-stars John Leguizamo, Sonia Braga, Delilah Cotto, and Isabella Rossellini (they have her for one whole day!). Danny Aiello III is the stunt co-ordinator for this "Wall Street meets the Drug World" drama, slated to wrap Oct. 11, with an additional two-day shoot in Miami. No further principals; background: Ulysses Terrero (53-55 W. 21 St., Ste. 2N, NYC 10010).
Intrinsic Value, also set on Wall Street, is a modern dramatic fable from first time director Thomas Halikias. But this one has built-in extra credibility, since Halikias is actually a Wall Street broker. Shooting goes to Oct. 16 (Ed. Note: new date), with co-stars Eddie Mills ("Dancer, Texas") and Elizabeth Marisol Mitchell ("Shaft"). Principals: Adrienne Stern (149 Fifth Ave., #730, NYC 10010); no further background.
Little did Franco-Algerian producer/director Rachid Bouchareb ("La Vie de Jesus") realize, when he wrapped Little Senegal back on April Fool's day, that he'd be coming back for 12 days of reshoots, through Sept. 30. Principals are all cast; background: Malika Pizzo (51 McDougal St., #334, NYC 10012).
The twist in At the End of the Day, Nevil Dwek's drama about parallel universes—another popular theme these days, think Demi Moore in "Passion in Mind" or Gwyneth Paltrow in "Sliding Doors"—is that everyone in each world has an exact physical double. Among the principal actors pulling double-acting duty on the 31-day shoot, wrapping Oct. 3, are Tony nominee Celia Weston, Tara Subkoff, Sam Trammell, and Susan May Pratt. Principal casting is complete; background: Mario Giacalone (Creative Acting Co., 122 W. 26 St., #1102, NYC 10001).
Zoolander, Ben Stiller's new comedy send-up of the male modeling industry (now there's a concept!), keeps the director, co-producer (with Scott Rudin), co-writer, and co-star (with Owen Wilson, Milla Jovovich, Will Ferrell, and dad, Jerry Stiller), in town until Nov. 8. Principals: Kathleen Chopin (c/o Delaware Blue Steel, 110 Leroy St., 5th Fl., NYC 10014); background: Sylvia Fay (71 Park Ave., NYC 10016).
Hush-hush, sweet (and low) Woody Allen's latest untitled, top secret Woody Allen Fall Project, originally skedded to begin shooting on Sept. 25, may not start until early October. But we've managed to suss out a few of the ensemble's cast members, including Helen Hunt, Dan Aykroyd, Charlize Theron, and Elizabeth Berkley. Principals: Juliet Taylor (c/o Gravier Production Inc., 140 W. 57 St., #4B, NYC 10019); background Karen Etcoff (425 Park Ave. South, #3C, NYC 10016.)
Wannabes, a "family in the mob"-style drama, definitely plans to start on Sept. 25, featuring a rogues gallery of such familiar mob movie mugs as John Palumbo ("Oz"), Joe Viterelli ("Analyze This"), Joey D'Onofrio ("A Bronx Tale"), and Ray Serra ("Manny"/"Legs Diamond").
Upcoming in October, No Casting Info Currently Available
A couple of comedy/dramas: Director Steven Landis will shoot No Money Down in Brooklyn; Cold Turkey shooting in N.Y./N.J, directed by Keith Knight, and Robert Monticello's 2 Blind Mice. Then there's Roger Rawlings' comedy, Neurotica, set to shoot on Long Island and in Manhattan, plus the romance Just Lovers, another N.Y./N.J. shoot, directed by Doug Bollinger for Feisty Films.
In November, parts of the action/comedy Rush Hour 2, starring Jackie Chan and the two Chrises—Penn and Tucker—is skedded to shoot in N.Y. and Hong Kong. Seems Tom Cruise and wifey Nicole Kidman will be gracing our fair city for at least a month. She's set to star in In the Cut, Jane Campion's latest, based on Susanna Moore's novel about a single New Yorker stalked by a serial killer. He'll be in town filming Cameron Crowe's latest, a love story, titled Vanilla Sky. (But don't tell Rosie O'Donnell!)
Wrapped or Wrapping
Sept. 2—Mr. Smith, a Mamet-esque tale of redemption between a father and son, comes from veteran producer Forrest Murray ("Five Corners," "Spitfire Grill"). Based on the Matthew Swan play of the same name, it was shot for what Murray deems a "micro-budget with macro-talent" in only 12 days on digital. His cast included Anna Thompson, Larry Pine, and J.D. Williams from "OZ."
Sept. 15—Ashley Judd, Marisa Tomei, Greg Kinnear, Ellen Barkin (the newest Mrs. Ron Perlman), and hunky X-Man, Hugh Jackman, found themselves in town for a few days longer as Tony Goldwyn's Animal Husbandry added four days to its original schedule.
Sept. 17—The Untitled Todd Solondz project (aka TS2K) managed to wrap a mere one day beyond sked, so adult stars John Goodman and Paul Giamatti and the film's younger set—Selma Blair, James Van Der Beek, Adam Hann-Byrd, and Mark Webber—were free to go. Although kept under fairly tight security, BLB learned that the film marks a return to high school, scene of the director's first big hit, "Welcome to the Doll House."
TV Series
All the new shows listed below were described in brief in our Aug. 18 column, with the exception of CBS' "Welcome to New York," from David Letterman's Worldwide Pants, filming at the Silver Cup Studios East in Astoria. Co-star Christine Baranski is also an executive producer of the show, set in the world of a morning TV news show, and her co-stars include comedian Jim Gaffigan, Rocky Carroll, and Sara Gilbert. (All shows listed are SAG, except for "100 Centre Street," which is AFTRA.)
*At present, David Black, co-executive producer of A & E's "100 Centre Street," and Todd Thaler, casting director of NBC's "Ed," have both confirmed their attendance at our "Six in the City" panel on Nov. 11 (schedules permitting).
NBC: Deadline currently shoots to Jan. 1, 2001. Principals: Lynn Kressel (Pier 62, Rm. 304, W. 23 St. & Hudson River, NYC 10011); background: Grant Wilfley Casting (see above).
Ed films through Sept. 25. Principals: Todd Thaler (130 W. 57 St., Ste. 10A, NYC, 10019); background: Sylvia Fay (see above). NOTE: Brett Goldstein was erroneously listed as casting Ed in the Aug. 18 column. Goldstein cast the pilot only. Do not send headshots to the address listed in that column, send them to Todd Thaler at the above address.
Law & Order continues to April 1, 2001. Principals: Lynn Kressel; background: Sylvia Fay (see above for both).
Law & Order: S.V.U ends on Dec. 18. Principals: Lynn Kressel; background: Grant Wilfley Casting (see above for both).
Third Watch films until May 3, 200l. Principals: Jeff Block (1325 Avenue of the Americas, 32nd Fl., NYC 10019; background: Grant Wilfley Casting (see above).
CBS: Welcome to New York wraps on Nov. 30. Principals: Mark Saks (c/o Warner Bros. Television, 1325 Avenue of the Americas, NYC 10019); background: Kee Casting (234 Fifth Ave., NYC 10001).
FOX: The Street will film up to Dec. 18. Principals: Jennifer McNamara (Pier 62, W. 23 St. & West Side Hwy, Ste. 307, NYC 10011; background: Sylvia Fay (see above).
HBO: The Sopranos shoots through Feb. 15, 2001. Principals: Georgianne Walken ("Sopranos" Casting, 1600 Broadway, Ste. 405, NYC 10036; background: Grant Wilfley Casting—see above).
A&E: 100 Centre Street will be around through mid-Dec. Principals: Lou DiGiaimo (214 Sullivan St., Ste. 2C, NYC 10012); background: Tuffy Questell (c/o T.E.C. Casting, Kaufman Astoria Studios, 34-12 36 St., Astoria, NY 11106).
Local Film Fests and Screenings
Sept. 22-Oct. 9, Lincoln Center welcomes the Queen of Film Fests, the 38th Annual New York Film Festival, and that's not just chauvinism talking! Only the best of all the other fests is ever included in this non-juried event, a mere two dozen or so films (not counting retrospectives and special presentations), compared to the hundreds that screen yearly at Sundance, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, or Sundance. This year, you can fest-feast on such Cannes Prize winners as the opening night feature, "Dancer in the Dark," a dark, postmodern musical from Lars von Trier ("Breaking the Waves"), co-starring pop singer Bjork and Catherine Denueve. (Opens theatrically Saturday, Sept. 23.) From the Toronto Fest (where "American Beauty" took top honors last year) comes both this year's Festival Centerpiece, "Pollack," Ed Harris' biopic-directorial debut about modern art's bad boy, Jackson; and the Fest's closer, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Ang ("Sense and Sensibility") Lee's prize-winning (non-English) film, starring international martial artist/actors, Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh.
And there's a quartet of films from the Venice FF (several, also seen at Toronto): "The Circle" (Iran); "Platform" (China); Raul Ruiz' "Comedy of Innocence" (France); and "Before Night Falls," Julian Schnabel's sophomore effort (USA). The NYFF is also screening Paul Robeson's 1925 film debut, "Body and Soul," in which he plays twin brothers (one good and one bad); the 1917 silent "Cenere," starring the famed Italian stage actress Eleonora Duse; and the long lost '50's western, "Seven Men from Now," from legendary film director Budd Boetticher (see AMMI listing below). For full schedules visit the Alice Tully Hall Box Office at Lincoln Center, or call (212) 875-5050.
Sept 21-22 is the tail end of the Independent Feature Film Market, and some of our actor-readers are currently appearing in these indies-seeking-distribution, in multiple daily screenings, downtown at the Angelika Film Center on Houston Street. There are also films featuring such personalities as Natasha Lyonne ("Auteur Theory," set at a Film Fest, where the directors are being murdered); James LeGros and Amber Valleta ("Drop Back Ten," about a journalist whose interview subjects really tell all); and John Ritter, Marilu Henner, and Michelle Phillips (an award winning black comedy called "Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel"). Remaining screening times available online at www.ifp.org.
On Sept. 18, the 4th Annual Gordon Parks Awards—in celebration of African American Filmmakers at the IFFM—were presented at the IFP gala 80th birthday screening of HBO's upcoming docu, "Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks." Parks and IFP Exec. Director, Michelle Byrd, presented the $10,000 cash awards to director Paul Francis (for his feature, "Malfunction," starring Ossie Davis) and to writer Rodney Evans (for his script "Brother to Brother," about a gay writer's discovery of the hidden gay legacy of the Harlem Renaissance.) (And in our October "Backlot Buzz" column, the winner(s) of the Gotham Open Palms* for first time indie film directors. See list of nominees in the Aug. 28 column—also check Sept. 28, below.)
Oct. 11-Oct. 15 marks the 8th Annual International Hampton's Film Festival, where both Polly Draper's "The Tic Code" (see "Backlot Buzz," Aug. 18), and Mike Hodges' surprise runaway hit, "Croupier," (Shooting Gallery Series, see above), had their premieres. In addition to this year's film lineup, the IHFF promises panels moderated by well-known film maven Professor Richard Brown, and The New York Times' Elvis Mitchell. Check www.hamptonsfest.org for complete programming.
Sept. 28, the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Brooklyn Independents Series offers a special 'sneak preview' of "Girlfight," directed by Open Palm* nominee Karyn Kusama (winner of the Sundance award for best direction), starring Michelle Rodriquez (winner of the Gotham's Breakthrough Actor Award), followed by a Q&A with both star and director. For schedules, and to get on the mailing list, call (718) 636-4157/www.bam.org.
Weekends through Oct. 1, The American Museum of the Moving Image presents a major Retrospective of the Works of Budd Boetticher, 84-year old godfather of the Spaghetti Western (see NYFF listing above), and the last surviving studio director. On Sunday, Oct. 1, he'll appear in person (along with screenwriter Burt Kennedy) at screenings of two of their Randolph Scott oaters: a 1957 adaptation of Elmore Leonard's "The Tall T," and "Comanche Station" (1960), the last of their western collaborations. For program info and directions, call (718) 784-0077 or go to www.ammi.org.
Daily through Oct. 5, The Screening Room in Tribeca—New York's first real movie theatre in a restaurant—is showing "The Decalogue," Krzysztof Kieslowski's masterpiece (based on the Ten Commandments), in one week installments of two episodes each. Remaining are numbers five through ten, introduced by special guests Richard Pena (Lincoln Center Film Society's Kieslowski aficionado) and Stephen Garrett (Time Out New York). Call (212) 334-2100 or visit www.thescreeningroom.com for schedule and directions.
Deadlines
Now—New York Comedy Film Festival (Nov. 8-11), download submission form at www.nycff.com.
Sept. 30—15th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (Oct. 16-Nov. 12), student deadline only. For details call (954) 760-9898 or visit website at www.fliff.com.
Oct. 1—Third Annual San Francisco Independent Film Festival (Jan. 11-21, 2001) seeks North American work of any length, format, genre. Entry forms at www.sfindie.com or call (415) 707-2876.
Oct. 13—16th Annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards, accepting submissions at least 70 minutes long for awards in 14 categories. To be eligible, films must have had at least a one-day commercial run (this year only), or have been in one of six festivals listed, along with complete requirements, at www.ifpwest.org.
Writing Contests
(Backstage is in no way involved with/or responsible for the practices and/or content of the following. Some do involve entry fees.)
Oct. 1—Fifth Annual CineStory Awards (a non-profit screenwriter's center in Chicago), seeks both feature length and short scripts. For entry form and full info: www.cinestory.com.
Oct. 31—Fifth Annual Fade In Magazine Awards, seeks both feature and short scripts in comedy, action, thriller, drama or film noir categories. Applications available online at www.fadeinmag.com.
(Got a great story about your indie film or a follow-up to a festival or contest you saw here first? Be sure to let us know at Backlot Buzz, c/o Back Stage, 770 Broadway, NYC 10003 or email us at bsblbuzz@aol.com.)