Hollywood East Connection, New England Movie, Television News, and Career Resources

Our Sponsors


Posts Tagged ‘Mystic River’

Why So Many Fake Boston Accents?

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Nothing is more agonizing than watching actors butcher a Boston accent and, unfortunately, there are more than a few actors that fall “victim” to this act. Take legendary actor Jack Nicholson and co-star Vera Famiga from The Departed, for example. Did anyone really believe that Nicholson had a native Boston accent or that Famiga was a professional psychiatrist? How about Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting? Williams may have won an Oscar for his role as Sean but his accent was certainly not award winning. Other victims of the Boston accent curse include George Clooney in The Perfect Storm as well as Sean Penn and Tim Robbins in Mystic River, all of whom struggled to portray a convincing Beantown accents. Luckily for these A-listers, the accent botch hasn’t affected their careers or stopped revenue from their big blockbuster hits, but it has brought to question how people in the industry prepare for Boston-based roles. Actors can’t just acquire Mark Walberg’s or Matt Damon’s hometown accent from a speech coach; although some of them seem to be under that impression.

For anyone aspiring to act in a film where your local accents are a key part of your role, do read on. A Boston accent isn’t just about mastering the term, “wicked pissah,” dropping your r’s or learning the cliché “pahk the ka in Ha-vud yahd” throwback. Though these may help you sound like you’re from Beantown, you need to determine which Boston accent you are shooting for before you start dropping your r’s. Do you want to sound like a Kennedy, a fisherman from Gloucester, or like you drink “be-ahz” at Murphy’s Law in Southie? If you think you can master Affleck’s, Damon’s or Walberg’s homegrown native tongue, you’re probably giving yourself too much credit. There are so many different ways to sound like a Bostonian, and it’s disturbing that these “victims” couldn’t figure one out. Watch this clip with Ben Affleck teaching Jimmy Kimmel about the many different Boston Accents.

There are ways to fake a Boston accent but the best Boston accent is the homegrown kind. Three films – The Fighter, Grownups and The Town are in production right now in our own backyards. All have native tongues aboard such as Walberg and Affleck, who have posted casting calls stating “looking for authentic Boston accents”. We can’t say whether or not there will be more victims of a bad fake Boston accent, but we hope to see local actors get their “Wicked Pissah” voices heard. Tell us what you think about local Boston accents on the big screen.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Celebs, MA News, Movie News | No Comments »

Milton Actor Makes It

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

For anyone who leaves their small town beginnings to set out on their own and “make it“ in Hollywood, the path is difficult at best. For one Milton, MA actor, however, it seems that the fabled pilgrimage didn’t take him any further than his own backyard. Tom Kemp’s professional resume includes credits in films like Oliver Stone’s W., Shuttle, and Hard Luck, as well as locally shot features like The Departed, Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River, and the upcoming Scorsese endeavor, Shutter Island. More recently, on the set of 2009’s Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, actress Jennifer Garner found herself desperate to place his face. Turned out, Kemp’s role in her husband, Ben Affleck’s film, Gone Baby Gone, though minimal, was enough for Garner to recognize him.

Kemp’s even accumulated credits on the small screen as well, with roles on locally based shows such as “Ally McBeal”, “The Practice”, and “Boston Legal”. As a Northeastern University graduate, Kemp appreciates using what’s available in his own backyard. The Milton man recently wrapped shooting on The Company Men, during which the Long Island born thespian was able to walk to work.

As a character actor, Kemp knows where his value lies. Past gigs have included parts as a priest, police detective, business man, and a judge. As the Boston area movie business booms, he hopes to find even more work right in his own neighborhood.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Celebs, MA News, Movie News | No Comments »

HEC Profiles: Actor/Voice Talent/Host/Model Bradley J. Van Dussen

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Working as an actor, professional speaker, voice over artist, host, team building facilitator and print model, it seems as if there is nothing that Bradley J. Van Dussen cannot do when it comes to the world of entertainment. He had a feature role in Empire Falls as well as background roles in State and Main, Mystic River, The Invention of Lying, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, The Proposal, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, The Maiden Heist, The Box, Pink Panther 2, and Bride Wars. Van Dussen was also a background actor in the upcoming films Furry Vengeance, Grown Ups, and The Company Men, which are all currently in production in various locations around New England.

Bradley J. Van Dussen

Bradley J. Van Dussen

Born and raised in Pittsford, New York, Van Dussen relocated to Massachusetts in 1984 and has remained there ever since. In addition to his numerous on-screen appearances, Dussen is involved in CustomersFirst.com Corporation, a consulting company that offers free, fast and reliable customer feedback to other organizations. He is also the creator of www.NewEnglandActor.com, a networking website designed specifically for actors to promote their talent.

HEC: How did you get started in your career as an actor?

My first experience in the entertainment industry happened when I was cutting lawns for summer work in 1981. While I was cutting a lawn, the owner came out and asked if I wanted to be in a TV commercial for Sherkston Beach Amusement Park in Ontario Canada. Clueless to why someone would want to hire a grass-stained, smells-like-gasoline lawn cutter, I said, “Yes.”

While that experience was wonderful, I did not pursue any other entertainment work until 1988 when my girlfriend said, “You should be a model.” Wasn’t that the line I should’ve been using? My first modeling agent wanted me to file my teeth…next! I soon found a photographer who created the first headshot that got me a few auditions, which landed me three SAG TV commercials in only a few years; two of which were national spots.

HEC: How has your education/training helped you?

My gifts from God and life experiences are the best training I’ve had for preparation in this industry. I used to be an announcer at beach volleyball tournaments and was told that I had a great voice and should do something with it. Next thing I knew, I had a voice over demo reel and started getting auditions and gigs, including announcing the Massachusetts Lottery live for four years at WCVB-TV 5.

My formal class training comes from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, Rex Trailer, CP Casting and VO coaching from Jordan Rich of Chart Productions. Keeping oneself trained and educated is just like any other career: necessary. However, unlike employees of companies, we have to front the cost of classes, etc. and the opportunity cost must be weighed-in. For example, when does shelling out up to $350 for a voice over class make sense? When it brings the artist auditions and jobs! Yet, what is the guarantee this happens?

My most recent class was an acting class from CP Casting and taught by “A” list actor Bates Wilder. Did it help? I think so. I was challenged, prodded, whipped and stretched to extend my abilities. In my humble opinion, and it is humble, practice is the most important training an actor can get.

HEC: What is it like as an Actor/Voice Talent/ Host /Model?

Imagine going to over 30 job interviews per year and getting denied most of the time. Actors need to develop that proverbial “thick skin” to continue up this career path. It’s not easy; anyone telling you it is, is either lying or has plenty of income coming from another source!

An actor, voice talent, etc. is his or her own promotional department. We must continually promote our work and skills as well as seek employment opportunities. This costs time and money. One should decide if this work is to be a full time or part time job; either choice needs an investment of time and money-just in varying degrees. It’s hectic and can be stressful at times, but it’s a wild, fun ride!

HEC: What are the best & worst parts of being an Actor/ Voice Talent/ Host /Model?

The worst? Getting a shot at a national commercial and not getting it, especially when one needs the income for SAG health and pension benefits! The best? Doing something different each time I get hired. Whether it’s hosting a team building event in front of 250 people or alone in a sound-proof recording studio, it’s always something different where I can take the gifts God gave me and hone them with practice.

HEC: Any advice for people just entering this industry?

Practice your craft; if it’s acting join and participate in the Cold Reading Group by Thomas Benton. This group helps actors prepare and be prepared for auditions. Take acting or voice classes at CP Casting, Boston Casting and Maura Tighe Casting or LDI Casting in RI. They have the best actors teaching and they get a chance to see your talents; plus they remember who you are. Please note: just because they may remember you, does not mean they’ll call you. With auditions, they call in actors with the talent and the look their client needs.

Be professional; get a quality head shot or 8 x 10. No amateur snapshots! Professional shots cost money, but then again, who has more of an opportunity to get hired, an actor with a professional 8 x 10 or one with a snapshot of him/her in their kitchen? If you’re thinking about print modeling, the first thing one should do is send the best photos you have to the print agents. They’ll be brutally honest about whether you should continue pursuing a career in modeling.

Once you’re serious about pursing acting, being a voice-over artist and/or print modeling, join www.NewEnglandActor.com. This social platform helps to promote professional actors from New England by posting headshots, resumes, voice & video demos, actor slates and more. It’s free and casting agents, companies and photographers have used it to hire talent.

HEC: What has been your most memorable work experience thus far?

For movies, it was my role in Empire Falls (Fred Schepisi, Director) as the guy who tries to pick-up Robin Wright’s character on the beach. She has cute toes. For TV Shows, it was as a bar patron lip-syncing “New York, New York” in Empire State. For TV Commercials and print, it was for CVS/pharmacy. It simply was the gift that kept on giving.

Lately, my most memorable work experiences have been for other actors via New England Actor.com. I love it when an actor gets hired from their profile page by a casting agent, company, photographer, director or producer after reviewing his or her profile on NewEnglandActor.com. It truly is a blessing and I am thrilled. Creating and maintaining www.NewEnglandActor.com takes a lot of work and time, but I think it serves the acting community well. It’s an outlet for actors to promote themselves and for casting agents, photographers, companies and directors to easily search and review talent.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in CT News, MA News, Movers and Shakers | No Comments »

HEC Profiles: Bob Tella, Background Actor in The Company Men

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Actor/Singer Bob Tella has been entertaining New England audiences ever since he was in high school. While still studying at Berklee College of Music, he performed with the local Touch of Broadway singers, performing at business functions, restaurants, and holiday events throughout the Bay State.

Actor/Singer Bob Tella

Actor/Singer Bob Tella

He has appeared in several independent and feature films, including the Academy Award winning Mystic River, The Proposal, and Mall Cop. Tella has guest starred with the Saugus Players, won Best Musical Direction for Stop the World I Want To Get Off for the EMACT Festival, and played dual roles in Grease as both Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine. He can also be seen as Colonel William Kabrich in the PBS special, The Living Weapon. He is currently a background actor in The Company Men, which is filming now, in and around Boston.

Bob Tella in PBS's The Living Weapon

Bob Tella in PBS's The Living Weapon

HEC: How did you get started in your career as a performing artist?

I was always singing as a kid so I knew that I wanted to perform. It felt like a natural thing for me to do. I always thought everyone could sing but in junior high school, where I did my first play, Dr. Doolittle, I found out that singing was something that I could do and other people had a hard time doing.

HEC: How has your degree from Berklee helped you?

Berklee College of Music has taught me discipline. The teachers that I had were tough but without them, I wouldn’t have been hard on myself to always reach for more. My voice teacher at Berklee with whom I still study, Mili Bermejo, never lets me become lazy where I am vocally. She always tells me to never be complacent about it. Always strive to get better. Bring the acting into the singing. Don’t get a big head and think “Okay, I don’t need lessons anymore because I’m great!” Always keep learning. So that’s how I live my life and career.

HEC: What has it been like as an extra on The Company Men?

It was fun. There were around 30 background actors that got called and we all got to participate in the scenes. The assistant director sets you up on where to stand and what to do. My friend Polly and I got to be in the shot with Ben Affleck. We were told to react to him in a certain way. People think you don’t have to act as an extra but you do. That’s why I prefer to be called a background actor because you still have to be knowledgeable and know your craft. People can always tell when you’re just standing there like a statue in the scene with nothing going on inside your head.

HEC: What are the best/worst parts of your job as a background actor?

The worst part of the job is the sitting around for long hours. You have to be there at an early call time and sometimes they don’t need to use you right away. You may have to just sit there for four hours or more. Sometimes, if they have to set up the scene for a different angle, you have to go back to the holding area and just sit and wait. Always bring something to do. Read, knit, play cards, use a laptop; it helps pass the time. The best part of this job is working with great actors and directors. You can see them work at their craft once you are on the set. It’s like going to school: you watch and learn. On my last one, The Company Man, there were Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, and Tommy Lee Jones. All of these Oscar winning actors. Kevin Costner had finished his shooting because he was done with his scenes. Watching them work was priceless. When we all had lunch, you would look over your shoulder and you see Ben Affleck and Chris Cooper or Clint Eastwood sitting there eating along with everyone else. That’s cool.

HEC: Any advice for new graduates (perhaps something that you wish someone had told you before you got started)?

It seems cliché but really, you need to keep the balance in your life. This is a small part of it. Enjoy your family and friends and don’t let striving for success consume you. Also, be professional on the set. I’ve seen quite a few people misbehave in one manner or another. They were asked to leave the set and the casting office was told to never send over those actors again. People will remember.

HEC: Most memorable job experience thus far (any job you have had in film)?

There were two memorable experiences and they both involved Clint Eastwood during the filming of Mystic River. I arrived for the shoot early, put on my state trooper uniform and was looking for the catering truck for breakfast. When I found it, Clint Eastwood was standing there drinking his coffee. I didn’t want to disturb him so I started to go back when he called me over and said “Oh, here is one of my police officers. Good Morning.” I spoke with him briefly before he left to get his morning started. Most of the actors keep to themselves but he took the time to speak to me and that made me feel great for the rest of the day.

The other memorable experience was also during the filming of Mystic River. Clint Eastwood doesn’t say action or cut as most directors say when he or she wants to begin and end the scene. He spoke very quietly and said “go” or “okay” when he wanted the actor or actors to start. When he wanted them to stop he would say something like “okay, that’s good”. I didn’t know why at the time he did that but sometime later he explained on “Inside the Actors Studio” that when he was in the position of being an actor, when the director would shout “action” or “cut”, it would jar him and the other actors. He now speaks to them in his own manner so the actor will be comfortable. That’s why he is so well respected. You don’t have to throw a tantrum on the set to get respect. He’s a very considerate director and person.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in MA News, Movers and Shakers, Movie News | 4 Comments »

Author Dennis Lehane Speaks at Emmanuel College Commencement

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Author Dennis Lehane and Emmanuel College President Sister Janet Eisner, SND

Author Dennis Lehane and Emmanuel College President Sister Janet Eisner, SND

“Advance preparation is not my strong suit, making stuff up is, that’s why I’m a writer.” Dorchester’s own Dennis Lehane explained at Emmanuel College’s 87th commencement exercises on May 9th. Lehane, whose most well-known works include Mystic River and Gone, Baby, Gone has yet another silver-screen adaptation of his work arriving this fall with the Martin Scorsese directed “Shutter Island”.

As the keynote speaker and honorary recipient of a doctor of humane letters degree by the college, Lehane spoke practically to the class of 2009. “I’m glad we are no longer at a time in this country where we are saying ‘yes, you can drive us off the cliff, as long as you take the scenic route’. That we are no longer being told ‘mission accomplished’ when it is not. We are being talked to like adults. We are being told, ‘no, everything is not ok’. Isn’t that great to hear?” he remarked, to a certain amount of applause. His outlook–”If things are bad, for God sakes, don’t give up. If you believe it can’t get any worse, God help you. If you believe it can’t get any better, you’re wrong.”

Lehane, who at one time worked as a bookstore manager and even a parking attendant before his writing career took off, maintained his life’s purpose has always been clear.  Ever the smart-mouthed Boston-blood, Lehane quipped on the flip side of fame. “We live in a world where we are forced to know who Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan are. Its an ugly world.”

Dennis Lehane poses with Emmanuel College graduates

Dennis Lehane poses with Emmanuel College graduates

Lehane turned sentimental before the Catholic college crowd when recalling past events of his own life, and related the lessons he learned. “You don’t have to believe in God to believe in miracles. If you believe it can’t get any worse, God help you. If you believe it can’t get any better, you’re wrong.” Lehane was one of a number of famous names in the Boston area to deliver commencement speeches. Smokey Robinson spoke at Berklee College of Music on May 9th, filmmaker Ken Burns will be at BC on May 18th, and Steven Spielberg will be receiving an honorary degree from BU on May 17th.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Celebs, MA News | 1 Comment »

©2009 Hollywood East Connection®. All Rights Reserved.
Contact us to learn about advertising opportunities: info@hollywoodeastconnection.com.
Website designed and developed by Sperling Interactive.