Rex Sikes' Movie Beat

John Paul Rice producer - Mr. Rice attended Georgia State University in 1997 with a focus on Business. In 1999, while at college, Mr. Rice was given a rare opportunity to work on Jerry Bruckheimer's Remember the Titans. After working almost three months on the film, John returned to school and directed his studies toward learning the history of cinema. Mr. Rice gained hands-on production experience by working on a handful of micro-budget independent films between courses before moving to Los Angeles January 2001 to pursue a career in film production. By mid 2001, John landed a position at the Los Angeles division of the German distribution company Senator International (which later became Mandate Pictures) lead by industry veteran Joseph Drake (Juno, The Grudge, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, 30 Days of Night, American Psycho). Under Joe’s mentoring, John developed an interest and dedication to producing feature films. John left Mandate in the fall of 2005 to form No Restrictions Entertainment LLC with

Edoardo Ballerini recently completed filming the feature film “No God, No Master,” opposite Academy Award Nominee David Strathairn. Also in 2009, Edoardo was seen in “The Caller,” with Frank Langella, “Corrado” opposite Tom Sizemore, and in the ensemble “Life is Hot in Cracktown” with Kerry Washington and Illeana Douglas. Edoardo has been called “an actor to watch” (Variety), “a most promising actor” (Los Angeles Times), and a ‘heartthrob” (The Hollywood Reporter).He has appeared in over forty films and television series, including the blockbuster “Romeo Must Die,” the highly acclaimed indie “Dinner Rush,” co-starring with Danny Aiello, and in a memorable recurring turn in “The Sopranos.” Edoardo’s directorial debut "Good Night Valentino" premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and later screened at the Museum of Modern Art (New York) and the Museo Nazionale del Cinema, in Italy. He also played the title character, silent screen idol Rudolph Valentino. The short film is permanently archived at the Acade

Actor Kenneth Johnson made his feature debut in The Forbidden Dance, and then starred for five years as Detective Curtis “Lemonhead” Lemansky on the critically acclaimed FX show “The Shield”. This led to the part of spiky haired pilot Lt. Butch 'Burner' Barnes on the action/adventure series "Pensacola: Wings of Gold," and the recurring role as drug counselor Joseph on the crime drama "Cold Case." In the TNT series “Saving Grace”Kenny costars as Detective Ham Dewy opposite star Holly Hunter as Grace. He also made sitcom appearances on "Grace Under Fire," "Caroline in the City" and "Sliders" and has also guest-starred in such hit drama series as “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”, “Smallville” “Sons of Anarchy” “NCIS”and “Boomtown”. Johnson appeared in the the film “Desolation Canyon” opposite Stacy Keach. He starred in the indie thriller “Zzyzx”. Johnson also stars in the film The ‘Ungody’ with Wes Bentley. Other credits include “Blade”, opposite Wesley Snipes, and “Major League: Back the Minors”. He is cu

Eric Morris is one of the most controversial and exciting acting teachers in the history of American performance. Author of 5 best-selling books on acting, and having taught over 20,000 students in the last 40 years (including some of Hollywood's biggest stars), Eric's craft process is clear, specific and compelling. Eric goes far beyond the Method in dealing with the actor's instrument in the belief that it is virtually impossible for an actor to learn or execute a process of acting without first eliminating the blocks, tension, fears, inhibitions, and other obstacles to expression. He teaches you how to deal directly with freeing the instrument, allowing you to become a "professional experiencer." Eric Morris began his involvement in theater at Northwestern University, where he graduated with a degree in Dramatic Arts. His acting career of over one hundred Equity plays, twenty major motion pictures, fifty network television episodes, and running roles on two syndicated TV series led him on a search for new

Peter Marshall The Director's Series PT 3 - Among other important topics Peter starts to share 20 critical tips to becoming a good director. What is the groundwork you need to know to being the best you can be in this business & the nuts & bolts of directing film and television with Peter Marshall. Peter has had a 35-year career & has worked as a PA, dolly grip, electrician, assistant cameraman, commercial production manager, first assistant director, TV series creative consultant, television producer & director. He has worked on industrial films, documentaries; television commercials, music videos; Emmy Award nominated TV series & features. Peter has directed over 30 TV episodes& written, directed or produced over 50 hours of documentary/educational programs. His works have won, or been nominated for 14 International awards. He's worked for directors such as Zack Snyder, John Woo, Ed Wick, Phillip Noyce, John Balham, Roger Adam, Anne Wheeler, Bobby Roth & Kim Manners. He has wor

Julie Richardson is a producer and Managing Member of Imaginarium Entertainment Group. We discuss how to PITCH your projects - great tips for being successful and a whole lot more! She is best known for finding, developing, and producing the box office sensation COLLATERAL, starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Fox, which received two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and received the Critics Choice Award, along with twenty three other nationally or internationally sponsored honors. As of November 2008, Ms. Richardson is in post-production on the THE MIDNIGHT MAN for Dimension, the first in a 3 film horror franchise, and is producing the comedy pilot NICE GIRLS DON’T GET THE CORNER OFFICE for ABC, along with her partners at Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Television (24, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS). Ms. Richardson is also in negotiations with J2 Productions (BLONDE AMBITION) on her teen comedy COVER GIRL, fielding offers on her period cop drama HOLLOW-POINT, and out to directors on INSIDERS, a F

Nick Mancuso Pt 5 and I will continue our discussion on creativity, movies, acting and art and who knows what else will come up in this conversation. The legendary critic Walter Kerr of the New York Times called Mancuso’s performance in Merchant of Venice at Stratford Ontario one of the best interpretations of the role of Bassanio in 250 years. In the late 80’s the Los Angeles Times referred to Mancuso as "A Renaissance Man" and Kevin Thomas called his performance in "Ticket To Heaven" one of the best performances of the decade. He has garnered acting awards in Canada, the U.S.A. and in Europe. He has worked in over 10 countries and in three languages having starred opposite legendary performers such as Sophia Loren, Catherine De Neuve and Charlton Heston. In Hollywood he has been called "an actors actor" and "one of the best" by icon producer Robert Evans, producer of "Chinatown" and "Love Story". In 1983 he was invited to become an associate of the Actors Studio by co-chairman, actor, Martin Landau. During

Director Terry Green has 25 years experience in the entertainment industry, with 13 years managing a successful motion picture production company. He is an Award-winning writer & director with access to the highest levels of talent, production staff & project financing. In 1997 he founded an independent company Strata Productions, Inc. that has financed $20 million in private equity for the production of 3 feature films, amassing over 750 financial partners over the past 13 years. Garnered awards from some of the nation’s most prestigious film festivals. Worked with Academy Award caliber talent, including David Strathairn, Timothy Hutton, Virginia Madson & Lindsay Crouse, among others. Strata Productions, Inc. is in Chicago, where it was instrumentally involved in advancing local film education and awareness, offering internships to local high schools and universities. The principals of the company have worked directly with state and local film offices, including the offices of the Honorable M

Michael A. Hoffman Originally from South Florida; Michael A. Hoffman has worked in all facets of the entertainment industry. An accomplished IATSE editor (Los Angeles Local 700); his credits range from moderate independent productions to large scale features. Highlights include; the upcoming Vindicated Pictures release “Forget Me Not”, which stars Carly Schroeder (“Firewall”, “Way of the Dolphin”) and Cody Linley (“Hannah Montanah”); his directorial effort “ROT: Reunion of Terror“ (released March 9th); and the upcoming “Beware” (aka “Cuidado”). In 2008, he was appointed as the head of Bongiovi Entertainment’s HD and film department (credits include Ron Howard’s “Gung Ho”, the Johnny Depp documentary “Rock and a Hard Place: Another Night at the Agora” and Stephen King’s “Pet Semetary”) and became an accomplished editor on the Industry Experience Roster . Mr. Hoffman is also a successful Production Manager (the 2008/2009 St. Louis Cardinal’s “Play Like a Cardinal” ad campaign), producer (the upcoming "Spri

John Mendoza acts in movies & TV, he writes, & performs comedy. He has produced television shows & he tours regularly with other funny man Howie Mandel. In Part 2 we will talk more with John about his career, the structure of comedy & making things funny. In his own words: "Recently, I was told I needed a bio. I never understood the reason for it but I sat down and started to reflect on the last 40 years. There have been so many great moments. There have been moments in the last few years of traveling with Howie Mandel that have been fun, not just on stage and in concert halls but also with him as a friend. I don’t remember which made me more excited the phone call form Jim McCally or the frightening moment on the last week of the Johnny Carson show when my hands had a mind of their own. I remember the time when NBC offered me my own TV show (The Second Half). This is what I have worked so hard for and it was a lot of fun until the day it got cancelled. That stung.I remember getting a SHOWTIM

Danielle Eskinazi has been casting for twenty years. We will discuss what she looks for in an actor for a role in a film or TV versus in a commercial. When actors audition for what makes them stand out and how much preperation do they need for a part? What do directors look for? How important is a slate?Should they continually take classes does she accept postcards from actors? What do you look for in their 8x10'sand how important is the picture? How should they be in callbacks and more! She started as a casting assistant for Reesa Bramon and Billy Hopkins (At Close Range), Vickie Thomas (Syd and Nancy), and Amanda Mackey (A League of Their Own). She was later offered a film of her own called Night Train to Kathmandu, during which she discovered Milla Jovovich, who was 13 years old at the time. After that, she cast a film called Cool Blue, starring Woody Harrelson and giving Hank Azaria his first break. When HKM Productions, a commercial production company, wanted a film casting director to cast their co

Juliet Landau co-starred in Tim Burton’s ED WOOD as Loretta King and starred opposite Whoopi Goldberg in New Line Cinema’s THEODORE REX. She created the role of Drusilla on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, appearing on BUFFY and ANGEL over the course of six seasons. She just completed playing Russian villainess Nataliya Chernov in the adorable kid’s movie, MONSTER MUTT, created and produced by 4X Oscar-winning Greg Canom’s Drac Studios. Juliet directed the short documentary TAKE FLIGHT about and for Gary Oldman, co-directed/ appeared in Godhead’s HERO music video and co-wrote two issues of the ANGEL comic book about Drusilla. Lead roles in Independents include: THE YELLOW WALLPAPER, DARKNESS VISIBLE, HACK, TOOLBOX MURDERS, REPOSSESSED, CARLO’S WAKE, LIFE AMONG THE CANNIBALS, RAVAGER, DIRECT HIT, CITIZENS and a co-starring turn in Henry Jaglom’s GOING SHOPPING. TV guest appearances include: MILLENNIUM, LA FEMME NIKITA, STRONG MEDICINE, a starring role in the Lifetime movie REUNION and a project directed by Jake Scot

Gregor Collins graduated from Centreville High School in Clifton, Virginia as both a top-ranked basketball player and golfer, but he chose the smaller, whiter ball, and headed for Ohio Wesleyan University’s golf team. Later he went to Boca Raton, Florida, where he worked as a Production Assistant for a cable access show featuring Former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, called “World Business Review.” He applied to the exclusive Media Production Department at Florida State University. For the first time in his life, golf was not his obsession. His new love was entertainment. He graduated two years later with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Media Production. He then moved 3,000 miles to Hollywood. He joined Blind Date briefly as a Production Assistant and then for the next four and a half years, worked as a freelance Reality TV Producer. Besides acting he has worked as an associate producer, segment producer in television, field producer, producer and writer. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other gr

Sam Auster & Sam Witwer (the 2 SAMs) director & actor speak on the director & actor working together. Auster has written & directed 3 feature films. “THE RETURN OF JOE RICH”, (currently in post-production) is a pitch-black comedy about a young man seeking redemption by joining the Mafia starring Sam Witwer, Talia Shire & Armand Assante “THE RAPE OF EDEN”, is a futuristic action adventure, released on video by West Side Studios. His first feature, “SCREEN TEST”, a teen sex comedy, was theatrically released by CineTel & shipped a record number of units on home video through RCA/Columbia. Auster has won multiple Echo awards for his commercial work, He recently directed the national spots “Open Road” for ProtectMyID.com, “Haz-Mat” for Reynolds Aluminum, & the animated spot “Missing Something” for TurboTax. Auster has shot & directed numerous other commercials for companies such as AARP, Burger King, Skechers USA, LowerMyBills.com, & Carbite Golf. He directed “Stick Figure”,

Bob Hercules is an award-winning producer/director and co-owner of Media Process Group—a Chicago-based production company. Hercules received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University’s School of Communication in 1979 and his Master of Arts degree in Film from the University of Michigan in 1983. Hercules’ work has been seen widely on PBS, the Discovery Channel, IFC, The Learning Channel and through television syndication nationwide. His newest documentary, Radical Disciple: The Story of Father Pfleger, chronicles the iconoclastic priest, Mike Pfleger, whose confrontational methods to fight racism has put him in direct conflict with the Catholic hierarchy. Premiered at the 2009 Black Harvest Film Festival. Hercules 2007 film, Senator Obama Goes to Africa, was released on DVD by First Run Features and has run on television stations in over 100 countries. The film is a chronicle of Obama’s momentous 2006 diplomatic trip to Africa, including a stop at his late father’s homeland near Kisumu,

Peter Tolan Pt 3 is the man behind the successful FX series “Rescue Me” starring Denis Leary. He began his career writing for sitcoms “Carol & Company” & “Wish You Were Here”. He wrote & co-produced the first six episodes of Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement” & then moved to the hit series “Murphy Brown”, starring Candice Bergen. He worked the series for 3 seasons which resulted in a shared Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1992 as co-producer. Also in 1992 he began writing for Gray Shandling’s “The Larry Sanders Show” on HBO. As the co-executive producer of the series he received 3 CableACE Awards for Comedy Series and he got an Emmy for co-writing with Shandling the series finale episode "Flip".He wrote for the series “Ellen”, “Buddies” & he created the sitcoms “The George Wendt Show” & “Style and Substance”. With comedian Denis Leary Tolan co-created the ABC satiric comedy “The Job”, which also starred Leary as a tough NYPD detective. Though it was cancelled after two seasons

Daniel Noe is a screenwriter, indie film maker, and producer. As a writer he has written eight feature length, speculative screenplays, and have six more in various stages of writing. Noe started writing in 1990, under the trained hand of Esther Glazer. Esther had worked at CBS Studios with the writers block. Since, he has written following the wisdom of Lew Hunter, Professor Emeritus of UCLA’s prestigious Screenwriting 434 graduate class, through his book, and following The Colony, online, which he hosts in Superior, Nebraska. Since 1989, he has worked within the film industry, spending the majority of my experience within the Independent world of film. His on set, below the line experience covers set design/ construction, grip/ electric/ rigging, sound boom operator, props, production management and AD unit. Noe has worked in L.A., Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta. Daniel's film experience above the line is very young. Up to 2008 most of his producing work has been with SAG ultra-low budget pictures and

Ted Hope is recognized, by The Hollywood Reporter and other publications, as one of the most influential and powerful people in Independent Film. Hope is currently in pre-production on SUPER, written and to be directed by James Gunn, and starring Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page and Liv Tyler. He recently completed Greg Mottola’s ADVENTURELAND -r eleased on April 3, 2009. Hope’s 2007 production of Oscar-winner Alan Ball’s feature film directorial debut, TOWELHEAD, marked his 18th production of a first time feature film director. In addition to Ball, Hope has brought to the screen the first features of Todd Field, Michel Gondry, Hal Hartley, Nicole Holofcener, Moises Kaufman, and Bob Pulcini & Shari Berman, among others. Along with his Good Machine partner James Schamus, Hope produced Ang Lee's early films including RIDE WITH THE DEVIL (1999), THE ICE STORM (1997), EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN (1994), the Academy Award nominated THE WEDDING BANQUET (1993), and PUSHING HANDS (1992). Hope has received numerous awards and ho

Mark Stolaroff is an indie producer & a founding partner of Antic Pictures, an LA-based production company producing a slate of low budget, high quality digital features. Stolaroff produced Pig, the 4th feature from award-winning writer/director Henry Barrial (Some Body). With Ron Judkins, Stolaroff produced Barrial's 3rd feature, True Love, developed in the 2003 Sundance Screenwriters Lab & recently played the festival circuit. He also co-produced the 2005 feature documentary Paper Chasers, & was Associate Producer of The Trouble With Men & Women (2006). Stolaroff was formerly a principal of Next Wave Films, a company of The Independent Film Channel that provided finishing funds to exceptional, low budget films; & through its production arm Agenda 2000, financed & executive produced digital features. Included in Next Wave's 13 films are Christopher Nolan's (The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Memento,) first feature, Following; Joe Carnahan's (Narc, Smokin' Aces) first feature, Blood, Gut

Nick Mancuso Pt 4 and I will continue our discussion on creativity, movies, acting and art and who knows what else will come up in this conversation. The legendary critic Walter Kerr of the New York Times called Mancuso’s performance in Merchant of Venice at Stratford Ontario one of the best interpretations of the role of Bassanio in 250 years. In the late 80’s the Los Angeles Times referred to Mancuso as "A Renaissance Man" and Kevin Thomas called his performance in "Ticket To Heaven" one of the best performances of the decade. He has garnered acting awards in Canada, the U.S.A. and in Europe. He has worked in over 10 countries and in three languages having starred opposite legendary performers such as Sophia Loren, Catherine De Neuve and Charlton Heston. In Hollywood he has been called "an actors actor" and "one of the best" by icon producer Robert Evans, producer of "Chinatown" and "Love Story". In 1983 he was invited to become an associate of the Actors Studio by co-chairman, actor, Martin Landau. During