Browbeating, Lies, Exaggeration, Misinforming...The Union's scare tactics.

This has been on my mind for a while now and I've been going back and forth on whether or not to post it.  I probably should have stood up that night and grabbed the microphone and spoke up, but I felt I was in a room of witch hunters and any thought to the contrary would be ignited.

I recently went to one of the entertainment Unions' membership meetings.  (If you're quick, you can figure out which one, but I wont name it here.)  It was long.  Boring.  Full of information that did not pertain to me and uninformed people asking questions like..."I heard from a friend that such and such.."  Which were all shot down as untuths.  I mean, we all know that rumors are usually not true.  And in this case none of them were.  Mostly rumors pertaining the the merging of two of the biggest entertainment unions in the country.

Oh we had some laughs though.  A Mr. Calamari...that's his real name, rambled on for quite some time unintelligibly until the moderator smiled and said, "thank you."  Because what else can you do when a crazy person drones on for a while without a real question or ending in site.  And old, from what I can tell..Willie Nelson impersonator, would yell from time to time, "Speak into the mic!" To which one time he got the reply, "If I was any closer it would be down my throat."  Thanks for the mental image old guy.  Thanks.

One of the major topics was online piracy.  Oh online piracy. I don't think I've ever been more ashamed of intelligent adults in my life.  At least in the month of November.

The person leading the meeting, the vice president apparently, shouted at all of us a slew of distorted facts and just flat out lies.  We were told that our work, as film and tv actors, is being downloaded by people all over the world.  And when we go online and download movies, tv shows, the sites make money off of this, can capture our information and sell it on the black market. What the hell is wrong with you buddy.  No offense, but the mean age of the population of the meeting was over 60.  If not then some people my age have not aged well.  So an older population who probably don't spend as much time online as the rest of us, nor are as savvy as the rest of us with the onlining and the interwebs and the facebooking.  So you've just scared your first group of people into believing what you say.  First of all, no one bit torrents anymore.  (what he was alluding to about the downloading.)  Almost all media is streamed right to your lap top or whatever device you have.  So no.  You're not downloading anything.  No one is getting your information.  You're watching something on a pirated site.  Ok, so, that's bad.  But you're safe from attackers.

(Talking to my grandparents, it seams that most of the older generation is afraid of the internet because of identity theft and hacking accounts.  Basically privacy and security.  So of course this guy hit home with his fer mongering.)

Next, said sites make money. Sure.  Adsense by Google is amazing.  It's on this blog as a matter of fact.  I've made....nothing with it, but who really visits this blog? The VP made it out that Adsense is an evil company.  Well...It's Google. So take that as you will.  (He made it seam like they were 2 different companies)  He then proceeded to vilify Google for placing adds on these pirate sites.  Well.  No. You can't do that.  Google doesn't care what's on your site so much.  There is an agreement you sign, but they're hands off.  Ads are just put up by the site owner.  Not google.  So now a whole room full of people hate Google and think that people in Russia have their SS#'s and bank accounts.  True story.

Then he lays into Netflix.  Saying how it's also doing the same thing and people are downloading (again...wrong) our work as actors and we're not seeing money for it.  Well.  I hate to tell you this, but those contracts you negotiate for us? Yeah, we sign away our work to the studio, producer, who ever owns the piece.  So they can do whatever they want with it.  And if they want Netflix to stream it to the world well then there it is.  You've already been compensated.  Stop whining.

People were complaining about Netflix and you tube and hulu.  How their work, shows and films they've been in are online for people to see and they don't see any money.  Of course not.  You've already seen that money.  The people who own the films are displaying it just like they're allowed according to the contracts. Be happy people are watching your work.

So to sum it up.  A room full of approx 250 people hate Google, hate adsense (that weird ad company that they don't know is Google), hate Netflix and youtube and hulu, and think Russion computer geniuses are going to sell their info on the black market.  You know, in the booth next to where they sell babies.


On top of that...yes it gets worse..his ranting had a positive side.  He made almost a room full of people FOR  the PROTECT IP Act in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House of Representatives.  He said how good thes legislature are.  THESE ARE BAD pieces of legislature.  The best explanation I've found is here down below.  Watch it.  be educated and spread the word.

Best Breakdown Ever

Saw this in one of the breakdowns for a project.  Just had to share.  


Character description:


you´re a classical gangster who hides a REAL mermaid in your apt. she only use you for become famous. you know the "real" world and want to save her from the wrong guys outside. at the end you will not reach your goal and die.


And no..I did not submit myself for it.

A Slice of Life

I have been SO slack in keeping up with this little blog. My apologies dear (non)readers. I have been busy though. I assure you. This has been a good month for auditions and projects on the Horizon.

Getting Even With Shakespeare is underway and I'm awaiting re-writes. We go back into rehearsals within the month and it should be one hell of a time. The official blurb for the NY Fringe: "Five tragic heroes walk into a bar...and they're pissed. When not dying nightly, Macbeth plays paintball, Juliet deals ecstasy and Lear (unsuccessfully) avoids storms. Enter a lawyer who proves the play is the thing to catch the Playwright King."

Most recently though A Slice of Life is finally finished and the final copy is in my greedy little hands. It's a cute short (20 minutes) about love and pizza. Filmed for NYFA by Louis Levy. Overall I'm really proud of my work in it. Although you can see some moments of me "acting." And I invite you all to point and laugh with me. But it's a really cute little story and great fodder for my reel.

The short took about a week to film with a few extra days for reshoots. We filmed in Oct and to be honest, I'm impressed with this turn around. Usually we're left waiting forever for copy, if we even receive one at all. So thank you Mr. Levy.

So I wont ramble too much, I know you're all anxiously anticipating. So here ya go...Enjoy!

A Slice of Life from Patrick Pizzolorusso on Vimeo.

Starring:
Patrick Pizzolorusso
Michele McNally
Massimo Di Giovanna
Neil Levin

Directed by Louis Levy

A story about Love and Pizza.

A slice of Life Filming

So filming has begun. Actually began on Tuesday, but I'm too tired when I get home to talk about it and somehow it's suddenly Thursday night. It's a great crew with some fun characters, but everyone seems to know what they're doing. My fellow actors also are right on the ball. Should look great when it's all done. Also...Red Camera. Yeah. Cool.

So here are some pictures. This is the outside of the Pizza place where my character works. Located down in the west village on Bank and 11th.

My beautiful co-actor Michele McNally's character, Lisa, lives here in this amazing Soho loft. Oh how I want to be rich and trendy sometimes. Lisa is the character that mine, Alex, is infatuated with. But the poor guy can only bring himself to smile when he sees her.

Here are some members of the crew shootin' the shit, waiting. So much light. And an odd amount of fedoras hanging randomly around the apartment.

So 3 days down 4 more to go. And then some fillers. I think we made some great headway today, so hopefully the next few days will fly by.

In other news, I'm part of a new Shakespeare company called BoAr. But something tells me it is not going to last long. I've already missed the first rehearsal and will be missing the second (this sunday). This was also the company that during my audition the guy in charge told me "Never look us in the eye. It's distracting." Excuse me? Never? Thats a bit rash, don't you think? Never? I am proud to say i flat out said, "well, its all preference really, and besides, you're my audience. Of course I'm going to look at you." They cast me anyway. Be even though I have yet to attend a rehearsal, I'm still on the fence. I'll let you know.

I much prefer Shakespeare Anywhere.....

House Broken Student Film

We all do so many side projects here and there. And I think the bane of all actor's lives is trying to wrestle a copy of the finished product out of the hands of young student film makers. At any one time i'm sure you can ask any struggling actor and they'll tell you they're waiting on at least 5. As am I right now. Give or take. It is very rare to receive these films quickly and without bugging the director for them. We can, if we want, invoke the power of the Professor, or even Dean of their college. Students cannot graduate without giving the actors in their projects their copy. But really, who wants to be that evil.

It is with a smile on my face that I inform you all that a film I worked on in April is in my hands, ripped, and online for your viewing pleasure. Its not that great, but its not that bad either. Its a student film.

The story is about a couple who are robbing the female character's (played by Luara Riley) parents house. Yours truly is the happy-to-go-along friend. While knocking over her parents house the two are forced to flee at the approach of her little brother. Like I said, student film. But it was an easy shoot and fun to do. Very organized.

So have a look for yourself. Enjoy. More to come eventually.

Officially In talks...

So there is OH so much going on. The past few weeks have seen me sleeping little and waking up way too early. No one likes this, but I'm thankful and fortunate for work. Who wouldn't be? And some of this work is good news and potentially big news.

So here is a quick run down. I managed to snag 2 student films (think they may be for the same class, which will be interesting). One was oh so so-so, but the most recent was filmed in and around Union Sq./NYU property. The actresses who were cast with me were amazingly talented and fun to work with. This comes in handy when having to awkwardly kiss a stranger. I'm eagerly looking forward to the finished products. The one I'm most interested in seeing is a short suspense piece which was written really well. My only gripe is that everything was one take. There were no two takes of any shots. Lots of rehearsals though. So hopefully we got something good. Fingers are crossed for sure.

The film noir piece I'm in is still not done filming. These guys have a great crew and a great idea. Whatever comes of it will surely be attached to my reel, however they just can't seem to get things together to finish up these last few shots. We've rescheduled I don't know how many times. We finally managed to get a good chunk of filming done about 3 weeks ago, but now with my schedule rapidly filling up :), and trying to coordinate a cast of working actors, these poor guys are running out of time.

How available can I keep myself, for how long, you know? They aren't overly organized so its a little annoying to schedule with them. The last shoot I got a call the day before from the director wanting to go over "the details of tomorrow's shoot." Bear in mind I had no idea i had agreed to shoot that day. No one had contacted me...and I found out NO ONE was contacted about it prior to that evening. I know film is stressful for everyone, but its nice to be in the loop, you know? Fortunately I had off from work and could be there.

So that is still floating out there and I'm waiting patiently for an email or two.

And now on to shows:

"Uncle Bruce Says its Cool"
presented by MariaColacoDance

An evening of dance works by MariaColacoDance exploring the concepts of loneliness, acceptance and trying really hard to make a friend.
Combining in-your-face dance with causal on-stage banter and video imagery in an updated Vertovian style, this is a modern dance concert in the tradition of an indie rock show.
You should come!
Uncle Bruce says it's cool.

We're performing as part of the 'boogie down in the Bronx' series at BAAD.
Performances are 5/21 and 5/21 @ 8 p.m.

Lots of energy, lots of movement, and lots of pain. I'm soo very sore from rehearsals and not looking forward to this weekends round of rehearsals. But Its that good type of sore, right? Anyway...come out!

"The Tempest"
presented by Hudsonwarehouse

I've been cast as Sebastian in the Hudson Warehouse's June Production of the Tempest By William Shakespeare. The show runs weekends in June at about 8 pm. The park we're using is 86th and riverside drive I believe. As i get closer to the run I'll post more information. its good to be working on Shakespeare again, and outdoor summer Shakespeare..there really isn't anything better.

A quick little mention of A World of her PWN. Its going well and this weekend is the filming of Ep 5. i am not in 5, BUT it should be fun and a very good episode from what I hear. Updates to follow..

So the BIG news......

I'm currently in talks for something really big, I don't want to say more. I know that's really vague, but I don't want to jinx it. I just more so want positive energy sent my way. I've had an initial meeting which could not have gone better despite my nerves. This past week I had a one on one workshop/audition which could have gone better. But lets face it, they always can.
The project this is for is currently running and I've been invited to see this year's show and meet the artistic director. I think that is a good sign. So many things are up in the air and it is a total crap shoot. And its one of those things that I wasn't expecting, but popped up out of nowhere.

And now...of course...I want it soo bad. Isn't that always the way?

So this is me for now and I'll update as I hear and post projects as I get them.

March Acting Madness

It's March 1st and as I sit here typing this it is snowing up a storm outside.  They are estimating anywhere from 6-12 inches.  I highly doubt 12 but secretly wish for it.

Snow Day!

This coming month will see several projects coming to fruition and the end of a long running serial.  

A world of her Pwn is slowly gaining momentum and episode 3 should be up for the world to see tomorrow morning.  Hooray!   After a little bit of a set back editing wise, I think it came out damn good.

Penny dreadful's last episode airs/performs the end of this month and I'm sadly looking forward to it.  Houdini has managed to hang on to a spot on the cast somehow and miraculously has not died yet.  Of course, Ep 12 will be a bear and full of lots of death a blood and magic I'm sure.

This Saturday I will be filming a short for a friend's student project.  Written by her and produced and directed by her class mates.  The script is great and I look forward to working with this whole crew.

And the noir piece i have been waiting to hear about it finally being filmed in the wee hours of 3/7.  Somewhere.  Waiting for more info.  But this was a piece I auditioned for the week i returned from Florida back in Nov.  About time, right?

And lastly.  

whew.

My web design side business.  I am in the planning stages of 2 sites right now for friends, both of which i hope will be very different, but very exciting.  A page on my website is now dedicated to web design and as i get more under my belt, I'll update this.  For now, it makes me laugh.

Starving Artist Designs.

**and just a little side note, all of these projects will be fully detailed in later posts.  for now..this is a "what to look for in March of '09"**