The Weekend Take: Recent Episodes
Shawn Schaffer
Breaking down the weekend box office results, but also looking beyond the numbers with artist spotlights and discussing the current trends and topics of the film industry.
On this Quick Take Episode, we are joined by Cinematographer and Digital Image Technician, Sam Gove ( http://www.samuelgove.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/samuelwilliamgove/ ) as we clear the air on some misconceptions of what a Digital Image Technician does and also discuss the medium of film, it's benefits from an image and archival standpoint, but also it's image integrity in a world progressing towards exclusively digital acquisition.
We also discuss Sam's current work in furthering the projection and exhibition of media alongside Douglas Trumbull, the man responsible for the visual effects in such classics as Stanley Kubrick's Magnum Opus "2001: A Space Odyssey" and Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner".
Aside from the film vs digital discussion, we also discuss Sam's upbringing in the world of film and why a film school curriculum was not in the cards for him.
This and so much more on this episode of The Weekend Take!
On this Quick Take episode of The Weekend Take, I am joined by Producer and Director Norman Berns ( https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0076967 and https://www.facebook.com/ncberns ) as we discuss his journey in the film industry leading up to his current project, the feature length documentary "A Place to Dance" about Builder, Philanthropist, and driving force behind bringing the arts to the Capital Region of New York, Lewis A. Swyer.
We discuss Norman's beginnings in the industry and how some peer pressure to day play on some passion projects got him hooked on working in film.
We also discuss Norman's journey in the documentary world from his tenure with New York Metropolitan Opera (which includes a funny story about sending an Opera legend out to get coffee), to creating documentaries for PBS including "The Human Language" and "The Writing Code" looking at the origins of our spoken and written languages, and also his work in narrative feature films, including a stint under Martin Scorsese and an eye-opening opportunity working on 1971's "The Hospital" under Arthur Hiller and alongside the likes of Patty Chayefsky (who become Norman's kindred pipe smoking spirit), George C. Scott, Diana Rigg, and more.
A major point of conversation also tackles the production of "A Place to Dance", exploring and digging to find the story, allowing it to become more than a job and become a personal passion project, and learning all there is to be learned about the pillar of the arts and humanities that was Lewis A. Swyer.
All this and more on this episode of The Weekend Take!
On this episode of The Weekend Take, we sit down with Creature Actor for Film and Television, Performer, and Contortionist as seen on America's Got Talent, Troy James (https://www.instagram.com/twistytroy).
You may recognize Troy from his audition and performances on Season 13 of America's Got Talent (as well as his appearances on France's Got Talent, Italy's Got Talent, Australia's Got Talent, World's Got Talent, and others), but this once mild-mannered Human Resources employee is also the man beneath the mask of a number of your favorite Horror or Comic Book characters.
Troy is also known for portraying Pretzel Jack on Season 4 of SyFy's "Channel Zero" Anthology Series, as well as Baba Yaga in 2019's "Hellboy", Ragdoll on CW's "The Flash", and The Jangly Man in 2019's "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark", among other roles.
We talk with Troy about his childhood and not knowing his talent made him different from the other kids, how their reaction would cause Troy to hide his ability until High School, and how a simple cell phone video with co-workers after clocking out going viral would send him on a whirlwind adventure that would take him all the world and make him a figure in the public eye.
Stemming from his work as a Creature Actor in Film and Television, Troy would branch out into live performance and with his equally flexible performing partner Ess, would perform at the world famous Moulin Rouge and earn themselves the Golden Buzzer on France's Got Talent.
We also chat about the public figure of Troy James mashing up with his creature work and being a Super Villain in the DC Universe as he begins to get invites to both Horror and Comic Conventions and what that sense of "celebrity" feels like to Troy.
All this and more on this episode of The Weekend Take!
In this second part of a special two-part episode, we sit down with Actor, Writer, and Director Billy Kay (www.billykay.com) to discuss his near 35 year career in the industry, which is exceptional given that Billy is only nearly 35 years old himself.
We continue Billy's journey now with his Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for his role in "L.I.E" and moving out to Los Angeles on his own at the age of 16. We talk about Billy's roles on television during his time on the West Coast, including an interesting story of guest starring on CSI: Miami as a serial killer fanatic who collects famous crime scene memorabilia, but ultimately meets his demise by the business end of Lizzie Borden's Axe and how a certain sunglasses wearing (and constantly removing) star made the character's death a bit more uncomfortable.
We also discuss Billy's love of the stage as well as the screen and the differences between the two and which he prefers.
Most prevalent in our discussion is Billy's decision to step away from acting and return to Long Island to pursue music, writing, and directing, which would lead him to pairing with Lauren Terilli to create the film "Swiped" and what he learned from being on the other side of the camera (and the casting table) for the first time and adding that to his toolbox when he returns to the acting world.
All this and so much more on this episode of The Weekend Take!
On this Quick Take episode of The Weekend Take, I am joined by Box Office Analyst and Creator of the Animated Series "A-Men" Jake Karnas ( www.instagram.com/karnas/ and facebook.com/amentheseries ) to discuss what a Box Office Analyst is and does and what it's impact is on the film industry.
We discuss Jake's early musings as a child to be an animator for Disney and how that all may come full circle with his animated series "A-Men" which is currently finishing up developing it's pilot episode and being pitched to Adult Swim. We will also look at Hollywood and Disney's fascination with adaptations, remakes, and franchises and how 18 year old Jake would not like what current day Jake is doing with regards to the perpetuation of these rehashings of existing properties.
Lastly, we also discuss the roundabout way Jake fell into being a Box Office Analyst as a measure of collateral damage following being scammed by people who over-promised and under-delivered as it pertains to "Goodman", a film Jake was looking to bring to the screen.
All this and more on this episode of The Weekend Take.
In this first part of a special two-part episode, we sit down with Actor, Writer, and Director Billy Kay (www.billykay.com) to discuss his near 35 year career in the industry, which is exceptional given that Billy is only nearly 35 years old himself.
Starting at six weeks old after being discovered at a grocery store with his mother in Long Island by an agent, Billy has amassed an incredible resume spanning three decades that not only includes a number of major musical theater productions, but thousands of print ads, hundreds of national commercials, and an onscreen acting resume with dozens of films and television programs, including Billy's three year stint on veteran soap opera "Guiding Light".
That resume also includes a Best Supporting Actor Nomination at the Film Independent Spirit Awards for his work in the 2001 Sundance Film Festival darling "L.I.E" starring Paul Dano, Bruce Altman, Brian Cox, and more.
Growing up in a much different time in the film industry pre-smart phones, pre-social media, pre-#metoo, and more, Billy found himself at the age of 16 thrust into the spotlight with his work in "L.I.E" and in the mix of all that the film industry had to offer, both good and bad.
From the increased demand to audition and perform to the parties and temptations that Billy weathered and survived, while watching some friends and colleagues succumb to them, like Brad Renfro and more, Billy was living on his own in Los Angeles experiencing it all at just 16 years old.
We discuss everything from being "Tonka Truck Tough" and questioning if Dave Thomas stole Billy's chicken nuggets to how cruel school age children can be in the face of their peers succeeding and having opportunities. We also discuss introducing Hayden Panettiere to Eminem's music, stage moms, an actor's life being 99.9% rejection, the actor's mindset performing on film versus digital, as well life lessons learned, living without regrets, and more about what it was like growing up on celluloid on this episode of The Weekend Take.
In this special episode, I sit down with Writer, Director, Producer, Entertainment Attorney, and Columnist for Script Magazine Christopher Schiller (https://scriptmag.com/author/chrisschiller) and Director and Producer of the Medical Documentary "FLOXED" (https://floxeddoc.com/) and Producer of the upcoming Medical Documentary "COVID POV" (https://www.swirl-studios.com/) Michelle Polacinski to discuss the impact the novel virus COVID-19, otherwise known as Coronavirus is having on the film industry and beyond.
From films having their release dates pushed indefinitely, to the shutdown of productions around the world leaving hundreds of thousands of independent contractors without a safety net or options, to the shuttering of movie theaters across the country, some never to likely open their doors again, causing a paradigm shift in future exhibition options for films, to the loss of security in our every day lives and the now complicated nature of setting out to do simple or second nature tasks like empathy and giving physical reassurance to our friends and family at a time they need it most.
We discuss this and so much more on this special episode of The Weekend Take. For all our listeners, please be safe and be responsible. Do your part to slow the spread of this pandemic to allow medical professionals to do their best and not become overwhelmed. Wash your hands, practice social distancing, stay home. Thank you.