Box Office Friday – Larry Crowne

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Today’s movie, Larry Crowne, is one of my favorite KINDS of movies.  Romantic comedy, known in the industry as RomCom, is a favorite escape.  Humor, romance, some kind of silly conflict to over come, popcorn and familiar faces as I sit in a dark theater with a big screen.  (I’m not a movie-at-home/Netflix kind of gal!)

What I think I like most about this one is that it is also directed by Tom Hanks.  Now there’s an actor to admire not only because of his acting but for how he lives his life.  He’s managed to have a life and career untouched by controversy, drug or alcohol abuse, has a loving marriage…heck, he’s a GREAT guy and creates an atmosphere on his set of fun, play and ease.  He hasn’t written a tell all, produced any illegitimate children, screwed over any partners or done anything that anyone could call him a bad guy for.  I’ve seen interviews about the atmosphere he created on this movie…playful, easy, and no “struggle” allowed.  He’s loved by cast and crew alike and that translates to what we viewers see on the screen.

And that’s the point – a career filled with joy and pleasure, goodness and abundance, starts with a life that is full of the same.  Many actors seem to think that a successful career is what will have them have a happy and successful life.  I think it’s the other way around.  If  you enjoy what you’re doing in life, then that IS success.  Stop struggling (it’s optional!) and start enjoying the process.

Lighten up, have fun, and like Larry Crowne, make the best out of what some could consider a set back.  Life is what you make it and so is your career!  I’d love to hear how you are ENJOYING the process of pursuing your acting career!  Tips or hints to help other readers take the struggle away would be very much appreciated!  Lisa Gold

Gold, Dick…in the army they put his last name first on his uniform.

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And that’s how I got here! Ba-dum-bump!

My father, the comedian, passed away peacefully this week and I just wanted to share a bit with you, my community, who he was for me.

First, I want to express my AWE at the outpouring of love, condolences and just plain support I have received since letting you know of what is happening in my world. It’s very unusual that a person gets to share this experience with so many, and the lessons I have learned both about death, and about human kindness, have given me a perspective I didn’t have before.

Dad and I are a lot alike. More so than I want to admit. We both have a desire to make an impact by bringing humor to the world, but at the same time have been a little less “open” about how we feel when sharing ourselves personally. Seems easier to be authentic with a group of people than one-on-one.

We didn’t get along at times and teetered between loving adoration and stubborn righteousness. That being said, we both had feelings we could express to other people (like how proud he was of me and how much I admired him), just not each other.

Out of the experience of being with him and my family surrounding his bedside at the time he drew his last breath, I have vowed to be a little bit more vulnerable, to let people in and to serve as many people as I can by example instead of just words.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in person at my seminars and events and when we do meet, just look me in the eye so we can connect in that moment in time.  I truly love having you in my life and I hope that I can continue to make a difference in yours.

 

Lisa Gold

Box Office Friday

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Wonder why I’m calling this “Box Office Fridays”?  Well its because movies The Dilemmausually premier (with some exceptions) on a Friday AND my  company is call Act Outside the BOX.  Seemed a natural fit and I love to do things with alliteration, number sequences, colors…you know marketing CAN be creative!

One of the movies opening today is called The Dilemma, starring Kevin James, Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Connolly, Winona Ryder and Queen Latifah.  This is a comedy directed by Ron Howard and here’s my dilemma – with this cast and director how can this possibly be anything other than a great movie, right?  We’ll see.  My theory being if it’s not written well, who cares?  A GOOD or even GREAT film begins and ends with the script.  I’m gonna check it out and see if writer Allan Loeb can pull it off. Read more

5 Minute Overview Answering Many Questions

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Hi all you fabulous ACT-ion oriented actors. Take a peek at this wonderful interview I did several years ago with ForTalent.com on the Business of Show.  It stands the test of time and I look exactly the same today, LOL. Though the events mentioned at the end of the interview are no longer running, so many new things have been created since the interview first premiered and even more amazing things are ahead.

Actors have all kinds of questions and several of them are answered in this quick 5 minute overview of what the industry is REALLY looking for when seeking talent for their projects.

Get the insider scoop and return to this blog often for many tips, hints, beneficial info and how to further your BUSINESS as an actor.

If you have questions, particularly about getting an agent or manager, I’d love to have you put them in the comments below.  I’ll do my best to answer as I’m always wondering if I’m covering the bases of what you want to learn most.  Thanks!