Monday, November 28, 2011

Technology? I'm all for it!

No, I am not one of those people who can't wait to buy the latest gadget.  I prefer a paperback to an e-reader.  I don't play video games.  I hate it when my Word software updates and all the buttons are moved.  But this fall Apple has me swooning.  Not only did the IPhone absolutely blow me away with the voice technology, but they reworked Final Cut Pro and dropped the price into the "affordable" range.  Both are on my Christmas Wish List.

Digital technology for actors is awesome. Today we email headshots instead of handing out prints.  We audition over Skype or tape our auditions and upload for viewing.  We can email MP3 files of our voiceover demos.  And researching a role is easy.  Need an accent for a part?  Google can lead you to an example on the web.

Actress Judi Beecher pointed out some of the advantages of technology in BackStage last week and how it's changing the way actors ply their craft: "Because of the Internet, I now split my time between New York, L.A., and Paris. Most of my auditions, when I'm not in L.A., I put on tape. I booked "Warrior and Savior," which was shot in New York, while I was in Los Angeles. "Heavy Rain" I recorded in France. I've also gotten the majority of my auditions on my own. I read an article about the New York–based "Tango Shalom," by Claudio and Jos Laniado, on the Internet while I was at the Cannes Film Festival. I contacted the producer and was later cast as one of the main characters in the film. I have my own camera, microphone, and tripod, and Final Cut Pro on my computer. An actor needs to know how to do it all, as well as being a good actor. "

Too true. I'm hugely excited about learning to edit and create my own material.  I'm fascinated by the process of filmmaking, and I can really see this leading to other things.

Now I'm just waiting on Santa.


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