75th anniversary of Screen Actors Guild (SAG) – “THE ANATOMY OF A MOTION PICTURE” re: continuing with my movie making related posts it seems this week
The film office sent me the press release on this event a few weeks ago, I was a bit bummed as I was in NYC that week to cover the myriad of events which I already wrote about on this blog. I changed my schedule and literally came back to Philly in the middle of the night to attend this free seminar at the Philadelphia Library, not only because of the interesting subject, but because of the connections that I always need to make to make Philly Chit Chat the blog to turn to for social news, event coverage, celebrity sightings and well everything Philly. What I got also was a better understanding of Philadelphia’s film community, and how each speaker really aspired to achieve something greater for each other and for the Philly film community. Even though I was sleep deprived, more than usual, I was very glad I caught this seminar. 
Diane Heery, Heery Casting believes an actor should do their homework, read variety, and create your Iactor (iActor puts SAG members at the fingertips of casting professionals, and is the only online casting directory that exclusively features SAG members and automated Station 12 cast clearance. ) (a lot of the photos seem to be dark, but that’s because I didn’t always use a flash, and the lighting in the Montgomery Auditorium is non existant.)
One of the speakers was a cinematographer who’s name I missed. He says it’s important to frame the shot and capture the story with it. He may have a stadium full of extras, but only need to focus on the principles, its still important to have the stadium full, or at least shoot it in a way that it looks like the stadium is full. As a photographer his segment was very interesting to me and I hung on every word which screwed up my notes as I didn’t take any!
John Rusk, First Assistant Director, The HappeningMissy Moyer, Production Manager, The Woodsman
Mark Rosenthal, Screenwriter, Mona Lisa Smile
Jeffrey Cox, Special Effects, Unbreakable
Matt Shapiro, Film Editor, Old Days
Diane Heery, Heery Casting
Michael Lemon, Mike Lemon Casting
Jesse Cute, Publicity & Promotions, Terry Hines & Associates
Jesse Cute, Publicity & Promotions, Terry Hines & Associates. I liked what he had to say. His business is to promote the film, promote the actors, promote Philly. “Philly is my Passion” My mantra exactly. (I would love to cover events for them)
Michael Lemon, Mike Lemon Casting wants you to know your character, relax, know your lines, the scene, be present in the moment, bring a headshot, research the director. For me it was great to finally put a face to the names that I had heard over the years, either via quotes in the media or through friends who may have been gotten parts through their agencies
At one point there was a fashion show, it was kinda strange, although the fashions were of local designers who may have dressed various celebrities. I just couldn’t wrap my head around that subject.
The panalists who gave up their Saturday to give us an informative chat about the film industry in Philadelphia
GPFO’s Joan Bressler who helped put this event together chats with Mark Rosenthal, Screenwriter, Mona Lisa Smile and other guests
Actress/Producer/Screenwriter Kamilah Boyete who has just completed a script about a young girl who comes of age in Philadelphia. She will be filming it this summer, and hopefully we can all see it in April at the Philadelphia Film Festival or at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival that STARTS TONIGHT — YIPPEE. In fact with Kamilah is a screener from the PIFF, Keith Cohen. 
Entertainment attorney Christopher Cabott (http://www.lzremick.com/ )greets Philadelphia actor John Wooten, who can be seen in the upcoming “Dream of the Romans” and “Tenure” 
Missy Moyer, Production Manager, The Woodsman said it best when she said, and I paraphrase: Movies are made by individuals, not equiptment, and it comes down to the passion of the person to get the job done. Breaking News: after 6 years without a Philadelphia SAG office, news was broken at the event that this will all end in the next 3 months as a new Philly SAG office will be opening. To me it’s just a testament of all the hard work Sharon Pinkenson, Joan Bressler, the Greater Philadelphia Film Office and the talent pool in Philadelphia has done to probe that we are Phillywood and movies, TV and other types of media can rely that their project will be in good hands.
