Who can come to these mixers? Is it some fraternity of filmmakers? Or filmmakers only?
Anyone. While people interested in filmmaking and/or the Coastal Bend's filmmaking community, both professional and amateur, will be there in force, the mixers are designed to be enjoyed by anyone. In short, there will be food, music and a great group of people...it will be a fun time! People interested in filmmaking or what's going on in the Coastal Bend filmmaking world will certainly enjoy themselves. People who would like to be cast in local projects or maybe work crew on a local project should certainly attend. The general public is strongly encouraged to attend. It is not exclusive in any way.

Why do filmmakers need to email their Production Report information ahead of time of the mixer?
The main reason is to schedule the time. How many people will be talking? If there are many then we need to accomodate that and would rather know up front.

How much does it cost to get in?
Nothing.

My high school kids are interested in filmmaking. Can they come?
Yes. If a mixer is taking place in a bar/club, your kids can get in. We won't tolerate underage drinking. If a minor is drinking or attempting to they will be ejected as per TABC code.

I am interested in acting in one of the filmmakers' projects. What should I bring to the mixer?
At the May 2007 Filmmakers Expo and Casting Call, the filmmakers, while amazed at the exceptional turnout, were all surprised at how unprepared the attendees were. To answer this I asked CC's hardest working actor, Larry Cashion, to offer some advice. Here is his answer to that question:
My first casting call...

I was so freaking nervous I could have come out of my skin! I had no idea what to expect. Unless you are exposed to the Biz, it is natural to not know what to expect or what to do. Here are a few things I have learened over the years.

The Basics...

Have a Headshot- Typically an 8x10 photo (color or black and white) of your face. Not body, not a character, not with your dog or your best friend. They want to see you! Two types of headshots are a Theatrical and Commercial. Theatrical- a no teeth serious look. Used for film and television. Think drama or a series like CSI or 24. They want to see what is behind the eyes, what is going on inside of your head. Commercial- used in the print or tv commercial business. Show personality, teeth and the ability to sell a product, show personality... If you are just starting out and have not had a professional headshot session yet, that is perfectly ok. Get someone to take a few pics for you and then you do the same for them. Ya' never know, you might snap the perfect one to send you into stardome! A Polaroid or a digital 5x7 or so from your home printer is fine. Once again, you are just starting out and everyone has to start somewhere...

Have a Resume- Typically a 1 sided sheet of paper trimmed down to 8x10 and stapled to the back of your headshot. By category, list your Theater Experience, Television Experience, Film Experience, Acting classes with Instructor name, Special Skills and Abilities including sports, education, hobbies, interests, training, certifications and any othere things that you are really good at or are able to that most folks cannot normally do. That 11th toe or the ability to burp on demand might get you the gig!
Again, if you are just starting out, don't worry, ya' gotta crawl before you can run!!! On the your resume, make sure you have your name, contact phone number and email at the top and centered. If you are a minor, use your parents as a contact. Always let your parents know what you are doing. When in doubt, wait. Do not sign anything unless you get a copy, have time to read it and have your parent there to make sure it is gonna be ok that you are only getting 100 million dollars to be the next Twinkie Girl... hehehaha...

With film and Television, less is more... What you are thinking is what the camera sees. Ya' know how you can sometimes tell what a person is thinking by what they are not saying than what they do say or by the look on their face. That is TV and film for you. You are not on stage under lights in a theater filled with 10,000 people. You are standing right in front of your audience. The camera is a person or the group of folks you are talking to in that moment. Present yourself in that way, be real, be you and you will be ahead of there game.

The Audition -
Sides- This is the audition piece you will read from, usually taken from the script. Be familiar with it. It is not necessary to memorize it, just be familiar with it. It is ok to hold them in your hand while you audition, just do not let them become the actor. Keep them in front of you and reference them if and as you need.

Mark-
This is the location in front of the camera, usually a piece of tape on the floor in front of the camera. You will stand on the Mark when you audition for the director or the casting director.

Slate-
Typically, a verbal que to say your name and the part you are auditioning for. If you have an agent, you would say your name and the name of your agency. Wait for direction from the person running the audition. They may just say, "Ready when you are" or " Tell me about your dog..."

Relax and be yourself. Remember, as soon as you walk in the door you are auditioning. You would not be there if they did not want you to be there. There is nothing that the person holding the audition would like more than to have the first person in the door totally nail the part. That would make their day really short and easy to. So know that they want you to be the best you can be and are there to see that you are the one they are looking for. They may ask you to try it again in a different way. A big part of being an actor is the having ability to take direction and to LISTEN. That is always a good thing if they ask you to read again. It does not happen often though, so know that you are doing something right if that happens!!!

Most of all, Have fun, It's only a movie
Thanks, Larry! Great advice!

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