We believe you will find the following information valuable. If we have made a mistake, please hit reply and type REMOVE in the subject line. If you would like to continue receiving FREE information on upcoming industry events, FREE interviews with name producers & directors, FREE articles from Ho llywood Success Magazine including casting information before it is published, please type KEEP ME ON YOUR MAILING LIST on the subject line. Thank you! ****************************************************************************** ******************** ****************************************************************************** ******************** The following is taken from a feature article in Hollywood Success Magazine FEATURE FILM PRODUCER / DIRECTOR Bryan Michael Stoller Maximize Your Potential! by Kelly Hill Bryan Michael Stoller started in the film business at the tender age of six in Ottawa, Canada. Fascinated by the Gumby shows, he made his first film at age 10. At 12, he was the star of his own television show in Toronto called F ilm Fun, co-hosted by his sister Nancy. The show covered all the behind-the-scenes makings of a film - everything from interviewing the director to production of the soundtrack. Bryan went on to do several commercials in Canada and filmed his first TV movie, Just Like Magic, at age 17. His eleven years of experience inspired him to set his sights on Los Angeles. He applied and was accepted to attend AFI as student director. He moved to California with comedian friend Howie Mandel. Howie ended up starring in Bryan's first student film along with a cameo by George Carlin and some help from Robin Williams. Since then, Bryan has gone to work with such well-known stars as Barbra Streisand, Dan Aykroyd, and Rock Hudson. He has also helped discover unknown talent such as Paula Devica (who is now starring on Party of Five) and Brandon Adams (who then starred in Michael Jackson's video Moonwalker and has gone on to star in The Mighty Ducks I & II. Bryan has produced and directed several independent and studio projects. He directed an episode of Tales from the Darkside, which is currently running on the Science Fiction Network. The episode is The Bitterest Pill. He also directed a film for Paramount entitled Undershorts - a Brief Movie. It is a series of comedy shorts with cameo appearances by Linda Blair and comedian Gallagher. The film is awaiting release. Recently, his company produced three independent feature films. Turn of the Blade is the story of a female helicopter pilot caught in a fatal attraction. The film co-stars Julie Horvath, an APS member whom Bryan met through an APS networking function. The film has done very well overseas and will be released here very soon. His film Dragon Fury II also co-stars an APS member, Cole Andersen. Bryan's feature film The Random Factor (with Dan Aykroyd) stars Andrew Divoff (who co-stars with Harrison Ford in Air Force One), and has just been released to the home video market. Bryan's reputation for being "easy to work with and totally professional" has kept him very busy in the industry . . . and he's getting busier! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ You are a producer and a director - which do you prefer most? Director, because it is more creative. You are working with emotions and psychology. The producer is more technical. In cooking, he is the person who assembles the ingredients to prepare the food and the director is actually the chef. He brings the film to life. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you are casting, what is the most important thing you look for? Personality. I encourage actors to develop your personality first. I cast on personality first, acting second. Also when preparing for an audition, study the character as opposed to just studying the lines. If you know the character, the lines will come. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Any suggestions for the actor during an audition? If you are unclear about anything, take the time and ask. It is your audition. Also, be natural. Don't overexaggerate your movements in an audition unless it is for theatre. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- What if you have not achieved the level of success you desire as an actor? Network, Network, Network. I can't stress this enough. Develop the skill of networking. APS is a good example of an organization that can expose you to some of the people to network with. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- What are some of the mistakes that actors make? Not following up on leads or waiting 4 weeks to reply when someone gives you their business card. Be diligent about this business. Be professional. Don't lie on your resume. Use a professional photographer and always send a note with a headshot. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - I understand that you also teach. Yes, I've taught a class called The A to Z's of Film Making. It covers how to write, produce and direct a feature film. I also teach a class about the metaphysics of acting which is simple and easy to understand. It is about developing their personality and injecting it into their characters. Many of the great actors inject their personality - Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino. You see their personalities in every character. That's what I teach. I like to teach because I did not have a mentor, so it is a way of giving back, and it's a great outlet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- What is the film you are most proud of? I have several projects that I am very proud of. There is a screenplay that hasn't been produced yet called Light Years Away that I wrote. It has been optioned several times, but it hasn't gone any further yet. It is an uplifting story about making your dreams come true. Along the lines of Ghost, or Splash. It is very near and dear to me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- What is your ultimate goal in the business? I've been doing pretty much what I want to do. I would like to direct and produce larger budget films, maybe do a few studio films, but you don't always have the control I have as an independent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- What are your thoughts about the Oscars going to more independent filmmakers this year? Well, the meaning of independent is changing quite a bit. I am sort of a rebel about that word. Most of the Oscar winners were not solely independent. To me, an independent is more of a struggling filmmaker who has to raise financing from several sources - private investors, etc. He is usually not as well-connected as Miramax, who is owned by Disney. Also their budgets are usually not as high. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Do you have a personal motto you live by? Actually, I have several. If you want to get something done, do it yourself! Also, the motto I've had since I was twelve - the problems we worry about are the ones that never happen and the ones that do, we deal with right away, so why worry! Don't be obsessed with worrying. As a producer, I have one - If it's man-made, it's negotiable! My dad always says: You can't go wrong doing right and you can't go right doing wrong. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ The term producer seems to be used a lot in Hollywood. Any comments about that? Yes, make sure the producer is legitimate. You can always ask for references. If they are still securing financing on a project, don't start anything with them until they do secure financing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --- Do you accept head shots, resumes, and demo tapes? Yes. Please send them to APS. If I am interested usually I will request a demo. Be prepared - most actors don't have a demo so be a step ahead of them. Even if you have done a student film, get it on tape if you have a good role in it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- Any final suggestions to actors? Don't get co-dependent on acting classes. I see a lot of actors who aren't working get too dependent on their classes. Make sure your personality is coming through. Watch Michael Caine's tape on acting. Watch movies with the volume down. Network! Remember, this is a business. Be professional and follow-up on every lead! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------- Bryan Michael Stoller is expected to be one of six featured speakers at an upcoming BUSINESS OF ACTING seminar at the Hollywood Holiday Inn. Recorded information is available by calling (213) 980-3375. Seating will be limited to the first 75 actors who make reservations. We hope to see you there! ---- Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite http://www.sa.ua.edu/screensite