Rex Sikes' Movie Beat

Kim Swanson, casting director, had her first two casting projects won Emmy Awards.  The St. Louis Production community took notice of her unique ability to locate and spot true talent. She became the first Casting Director in Missouri to become a member of the Casting Society of America, and one of the few outside of Los Angeles or New York to be accepted as a member.  She has been responsible for International Feature Film Projects, music videos, national television commercials and print advertisements, having completed casting for more than 500 projects .Hanson Entertainment Industries, Inc., currently maintains a database list of more than 7,000 talent, and continues to search out new and fresh faces so we are able to quickly and efficiently meet our clients needs in providing talent of all types.  Also believing it is important to continue to learn and grow professionally, Kim Swanson regularly attends training opportunities through CSA, master acting classes and dance classes.  She has been an instrument

Nicholas Tabarrok, producer, is a prolific film and television producer whose company, Darius Films, has offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. Since 1998, he has produced over a dozen features that have received both commercial and critical success. Many of them have premiered at the world’s top film festivals: THE LIFE AND HARD TIMES OF GUY TERRIFICO (Toronto International Film Festival, SXSW 2005), HANK AND MIKE (Karlovy Vary 2007), SURVIING CROOKED LAKE (Slamdance 2008), WEIRDSVILLE (Toronto International Film Festival and opening night gala of the 2007 Slamdance and Raindance Film Festivals), COOPERS’ CHRISTMAS (Toronto International Film Festival 2008), and DEFENDOR (Toronto International Film Festival 2009). Nicholas’ most recent completed film, A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO ENDINGS starring Harvey Keitel, Scott Caan and JK Simmons, will be released in summer 2012. THE BLACK MARKS, starring Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, Jay Baruchel and Terence Stamp is currently in post-production and will be distributed by Dimensi

Sam Christensen, (PT 3) Image Expert, began his 35-year career as a concert promoter then worked as the company manager of the longest running musical of all time, THE FANTASTICKS. Later Sam served as a executive assistant to renowned playwright/screenwriter/director Arthur Laurents. CBS and MTM Productions brought Sam to Hollywood as an independent casting director. Among his many TV and feature film casting credits was the most popular small screen series of all time, M*A*S*H. Sam was the first person to ever be accorded front title billing on a major Hollywood release for his casting work on the MGM film, "Coma".  Pictures like "The Champ" and "The Clash Of The Titans" followed.  Sam continued to cast Broadway tours, television series and pilots and acclaimed mini-series, like the Emmy-winning "Jonestown, The Guyana Tragedy".  He retired from active casting in 1982 to become a personal manager and guided the careers of many important actors, including Rita Wilson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Patricia Elliott an

Gordon Firemark began his career working behind the scenes in film, television and theatre.  Now, as an entertainment lawyer, that's still what he does.  As an attorney whose practice is devoted to the representation of clients in film, television and theatre, he helps producers, directors, writers, actors and other industry professionals make deals that make sense, and that get their productions developed, financed, produced and distributed.   His practice also covers intellectual property, cyberspace, new media, business, and corporate matters for clients in the entertainment industry. As the producer and host of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast, he provides a monthly roundup of news and commentary about the field of entertainment law for artists and professionals in the industry.  He also teaches producers, business people and lawyers about entertainment legal issues at Loyola Marymount University, Southwestern Law School and  the Theatre Producer Academy. Mr. Firemark holds a B.A. in Radio, Television

Rex Piano, director, PT 3 Upon graduating NYU School of the Arts , Rex worked as a 1st A.D. on dozens of commercials and films until he took a full time position at a NY Commercial Production Company. In 1985 Rex as Head of Production for O’Quinn Productions. he produced numerous videos for Fangoria Magazine. In 1987 Rex became Head of Production for Associated Television International.  Rex wrote, produced and/or directed several TV specials and numerous travel videos. Rex also co-wrote and line produced the feature film “Chill Factor,” starring Paul Williams, Patrick Macnee and Andrew Prine. Rex line produced “Severed Ties” in 1991 for Fangoria Films. In 1995 he produced the syndicated TV show “High Tide,” starring Rick Springfield. Rex became one of the series’ rotating directors. Some of the episodic shows Rex has directed  “Mike Hammer, Private Eye”, “Silk Stalkings”, “Born Free”, “Air America” and “Nightman.” In 2000 Rex produced and directed the multi-award winning romantic comedy  feature film “The Mo

John Savage, actor, made his debut in the 1978 Oscar-winning Best Picture film, The Deer Hunter, which gained him international attention for his work. In1979 he had leads in two more big pictures, Milos Forman's musical Hair and Joseph Wambaugh's The Onion Field followed by Richard Donner's Inside Moves and The Amateur for which he was nominated for Best Actor-Foreign. He then co-starred in Maria's Lovers with Nastassja Kinsk and Robert Mitchum. He landed several TV series regular roles and movies  his first being "Jim Malloy" on NBC's "Gibbsville". During the late 80s through mid 90s, Savage threw his star power behind the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa working alongside Nelson Mandela.As a result he worked as the assistant production manager on Spike Lee's film Malcolm X. Savage previously worked with Lee as co-producer and one of the stars of Do the Right Thing, and later showed up again in Lee's Summer of Sam (1999) as well as his Showtime TV movie Sucker Free City. Since his return back to LA,

Gordon Firemark began his career working behind the scenes in film, television and theatre.  Now, as an entertainment lawyer, that's still what he does.  As an attorney whose practice is devoted to the representation of clients in film, television and theatre, he helps producers, directors, writers, actors and other industry professionals make deals that make sense, and that get their productions developed, financed, produced and distributed.   His practice also covers intellectual property, cyberspace, new media, business, and corporate matters for clients in the entertainment industry. As the producer and host of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast, he provides a monthly roundup of news and commentary about the field of entertainment law for artists and professionals in the industry.  He also teaches producers, business people and lawyers about entertainment legal issues at Loyola Marymount University, Southwestern Law School and  the Theatre Producer Academy. Mr. Firemark holds a B.A. in Radio, Television

Sam Christensen, (PT 2) Image Expert, began his 35-year career as a concert promoter then worked as the company manager of the longest running musical of all time, THE FANTASTICKS. Later Sam served as a executive assistant to renowned playwright/screenwriter/director Arthur Laurents. CBS and MTM Productions brought Sam to Hollywood as an independent casting director. Among his many TV and feature film casting credits was the most popular small screen series of all time, M*A*S*H. Sam was the first person to ever be accorded front title billing on a major Hollywood release for his casting work on the MGM film, "Coma".  Pictures like "The Champ" and "The Clash Of The Titans" followed.  Sam continued to cast Broadway tours, television series and pilots and acclaimed mini-series, like the Emmy-winning "Jonestown, The Guyana Tragedy".  He retired from active casting in 1982 to become a personal manager and guided the careers of many important actors, including Rita Wilson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Patricia Elliott an

Nick Mancuso Pt 6 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 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 that period he was submitted for a Golden Globe and Oscar consideration. He starred in Tri-Star’s first motion picture "Blame it On the Night" executive producer, Sydney Pollock and in the late 80's worke

Ken Mora, producer/animator, is best known for creating the computer-animated short films Magnum Farce: A Shot in the Park (2009) and Magnum Farce: Along Came a Sniper (2011). His company, Bella Fe Films, is currently producing the feature film Magnum Farce with an expected release date of 2013. Ken is executive producer of Adventures In Plymptoons the biographical documentary of animator Bill Plympton by produced and directed by Alexia Anastasio in 2009. He is a relative newcomer to film, having established a career in Art Direction, then E-Commerce. In 2003 he completed his first feature-length screenplay won several script competition awards, and gained him representation and an option. The following year, Ken left his career and established Bella Fe Films. Ken completed two more scripts by the time his first option expired. Magnum Farce, his second script, won multiple awards so Ken then proceeded to adapt a short from his script, and by degrees built the infrastructure for self-production using the examp

Peter Marshall Pt 18 The Director's Series - The nuts & bolts of directing film and television with Peter Marshall. Peter has had a 35-year career and has worked as a PA, dolly grip, electrician, assistant cameraman, commercial production manager, first assistant director, TV series creative consultant, television producer and director. He has worked on industrial films, documentaries; television commercials, music videos; Emmy Award nominated TV series and features. Peter has directed over 30 TV episodes and 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 worked with actors including Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, John Travolta, Mel Gibson, Kathy Bates, Adam Sandler and Peter O'Toole. Other credits inclurde scores of television series

Frank Hannah, screenwriter, - his  first produced film was The Cooler, a gritty crime drama inspired by his years of gambling in the rundown casino halls of Las Vegas’ Fremont Street. He is credited with coining the phrase “cooler” as a person with infectious bad luck. The film starred William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Maria Bello and was directed by Wayne Kramer.  Since then, he has written for film and television including two films for ex-wrestler Steve Austin – Damage starring Stev Austin and Walton Goggins and Hunt to Kill  staring Austin and Eric Roberts, and another TV movie Crash and Burn starring Michael Madsen.  Currently, he is working on several film and tv projects.  He is also writing a seven-issue comic book mini-series about a nefarious Cult Deprogrammer trying to save the daughter of a wealthy family from the clutches of a dangerous religious cult in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  He also writes a daily blog called Ironiclast.com, a satirical look at the ironically iconic.  Frank lives and works

Sam Christensen, Image Expert, began his 35-year career as a concert promoter then worked as the company manager of the longest running musical of all time, THE FANTASTICKS. Later Sam served as a executive assistant to renowned playwright/screenwriter/director Arthur Laurents. CBS and MTM Productions brought Sam to Hollywood as an independent casting director. Among his many TV and feature film casting credits was the most popular small screen series of all time, M*A*S*H. Sam was the first person to ever be accorded front title billing on a major Hollywood release for his casting work on the MGM film, "Coma".  Pictures like "The Champ" and "The Clash Of The Titans" followed.  Sam continued to cast Broadway tours, television series and pilots and acclaimed mini-series, like the Emmy-winning "Jonestown, The Guyana Tragedy".  He retired from active casting in 1982 to become a personal manager and guided the careers of many important actors, including Rita Wilson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Patricia Elliott and Jean-

Director Terry Green PT 4 has over 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 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. In 2007, the company relocated its headquarters to Los Angeles, California, where it has operated successfully for the last three years. The co

LaQuanda Plantt, Casting Director, a graduate of The Art Institute of Atlanta, began Scriptwriting and Casting while obtaining her degree, equally sharing a passion for both skills. After graduation in 2008, LaQuanda obtained an Internship with Atlanta Talent Network. During her time with Last Looks Inc (casting director George Pierre's company), she had the opportunity to work with Rainforest Films on a “Tyler Perry Meet the Brown” Promo that aired on TBS.  LaQuanda was an Assistant with Last Looks Inc for nine months before starting her own company. LaQuanda founded ElleQ Casting.  Since its launch, LaQuanda has cast numerous projects, that include SAG, as well as, non union independent features, short films, music videos, and television pilots.  A few of her projects include “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”, which is now available on DVD, a television pilot entitled “A.T.L.: Above The Law”, “Probable Cause” (a feature film currently in post production), and “Osiris the Series” a web series which she also serves

Jeff Rector, director, wrote, directed,  produced the feature film “Revamped” currently distributed worldwide - available on Netflix, Blockbuster Video and iTunes. Revamped is a feature version of his short film  “Fatal Kiss”. “Fatal Kiss” was one of the first short films ever acquired by HBO for worldwide broadcast.  "Pray Another Day" , Jeff’s second film as writer, director and producer, won awards for  “Best Director” and  “Best Music”. His next project is “SnowBunnies”. As an actor, Jeff has appeared in over 30 feature films, most recently Syfys’ “Dinocroc vs Supergator” (David Carradine’s last film), ”Alone in the Woods” (with Michael Madsen) for HBO Family, “Winged Creatures” (with Kate Beckinsale) for Sony Pictures and the detective thriller “Dark World” (with Michael Pare’ and Theresa Russell). Other notable features include the action/thriller “Trapped” for Lifetime, the Sci-fi/action film “Solar Flare” and the Lions Gate supernatural thriller “The Black Gate”.  On television, Jeff’s credits include

Doug Richardson’s screenwriting credits include “Die Hard 2,” “Bad Boys,” “Money Train,” and “Hostage.” He also co-produced “Welcome to Mooseport.” Doug has also authored three novels, “Dark Horse,” “True Believers,” and his latest, “The Safety Expert.” He was born in Arcadia, California. The son of a career politician, Doug grew up outside Sacramento and inside the state Capitol. He used to talk his way into then-Governor Ronald Reagan's office, just to get a handful of jellybeans. Doug left Northern California for Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California's School of Cinema. For as long as he could remember, Doug had wanted to be a movie director. But in pursuing his goal he discovered how movies are really made: in the writing. After finishing college, he signed a two-year contract with Warner Brothers. In 1989 he garnered national attention when his spec screenplay was the first in Hollywood to sell for a million dollars. Doug's first feature film, the sequel to “Die Hard: Die Harder,” w

Peter Marshall Pt 17 The Director's Series - The nuts & bolts of directing film and television with Peter Marshall. Peter has had a 35-year career and has worked as a PA, dolly grip, electrician, assistant cameraman, commercial production manager, first assistant director, TV series creative consultant, television producer and director. He has worked on industrial films, documentaries; television commercials, music videos; Emmy Award nominated TV series and features. Peter has directed over 30 TV episodes and 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 worked with actors including Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, John Travolta, Mel Gibson, Kathy Bates, Adam Sandler and Peter O'Toole. Other credits inclurde scores of television series

Patrick Breen, actor, is a founding member of the Naked Angels Theater company and a member of MCC Theater.  As a writer, he is most well known for "Just A Kiss" a movie directed by Fisher Stevens released in 2002, starring Kyra Sedgwick, Marisa Tomei, Taye Diggs, Ron Eldard, and Marley Shelton. HIs Broadway credits include "The Normal Heart", "Brighton Beach Memoirs", and "The Big River". Off Broadway includes; "Fuddy Meers", "The Substance Of Fire", "Celebration/The Room", "View Of The Dome", "Baby Anger", "The Hothouse", and "Life And Limb". His films include roles in "Men in Black", "Get Shorty", "Cirque Du freak", "Radio:, "One True Thing", "Christmas With The Kranks", "Just A Kiss", and "The Bleeding House". Television roles include: "The Good Wife", "Nurse Jackie", "Kevin Hill", "Sex And The City", "Law and Order", "Will And Grace", "CSI", "Frasier"and "21 Jump Street. Mr. Breen’s Los Angeles art gallery is depicted in the web series "Whole Day Down". Patrick was born in Brooklyn, but raised in Staten

Brad Bell is a fresh face in TV, currently working as a Consulting Producer for VH1's Pop Up Video. Bell has crafted the online persona of "Cheeks" for years and built a preexisting fan base that he brings to his projects. In addition to short form comedic videos on You Tube, "Cheeks" has also released three albums on iTunes, all of which debuted in the Top Ten Electronic charts. Bell is Executive Producer, co-writer, and star of Husbands the Series, a marriage equality comedy that has become an online sensation and garnered positive notices from The Atlantic, USA Today, and The Advocate. The New Yorker hailed Bell as "the standout" in a rave review -- the only one that publication has ever given to a web series. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com