Boasting “27 years of Hollywood full Cast & Crew Expertise”, “A1 Star Casting” has swept into New Mexico from…Hollywood apparently, asserting big claims, lofty accomplishments, and big promises.
One hopeful OHI reader came away with the following impression after attending the much hyped NM Grand Opening of A1 Star Casting earlier this month:
“A steady stream of people were coming in to have their headshots done and be put in “A-1 Casting” data base…Michael Matinez, 5x Platinum (15 weeks in a row) is a writer and producer, Wayne Kurzeja received the “Anti-piracy Award” from President Clinton, has 42 years in the “business”.
Joe Guinan is “the man”, moved here from L.A. and has many connections all over the world, [boasts an] email list of appox. 2500 names. He has Academy Award movies, worked with stars like: Tony Curtis. He has “Blue Ray” backing and his next three movies are already being backed…with games, etc…He has other financial backers, writers, film producers and distributors… He’s setting up a web site and plans to bring many of them to NM! Joe plans to try his hand at directing while Chuck Erickson takes over the casting. They have several films in the works…” -Anon
Indeed, New Mexico Business Weekly cites a body of work of over 200 productions by A1 owner, Joe Guinan (as listed on IMDb). And multiple websites list Guinan as CEO, COO, Owner, Producer, etc., all at revolving points in time, under various business names; included but not limited to the following:
Currently “New MexiCANS” are being offered grandiose looking seminars, classes, and resources, for a price, click here.
Locals hoping to make it in the film industry are being asked for cash upfront for an intangible product. In this case the product is the promise of starting your “A1 Star Casting” career.
It seems that hundreds of New Mexicans have already shelled out their five dollars to have headshots taken and posted with A1 over the course of their initial 2-day Grand Opening, which are to be published on the company’s grade F website by the 20th of May, according to the latest updates on said, sad site.
Also posted there are the new “opportunities” coming our way, including seminars for $10, $20, $40 and $50 a head.
Opportunities are our very favorite thing to present to our beloved home state, but from the get go this duck has been quacking. And not far into a few quick web searches of our own did the duck walking and squawking become more and more obvious…
First and foremost credit for looking out for our own goes to you our readers, who, like that referenced above share our passion for New Mexico film and our amazing local cast and crew talent base.
In our full May 7, 2012 write-up on this matter, one astute attendee took particular note (and photo evidence) of the interesting questionaire presented to talent that day:
“Will you do nudity?”, pays more if yes, “Do you want to become a Actor”, “Could you or someone you know fund $5K thru $500K for a TV Show or Motion Picture.”
Comments and findings from other attendees were quick to follow. A1 was not approached by our publication for a response, but we happily received one from one Chuck Erickson, a top level associate from within A1, stating in part:
“A1 Star Casting is not merely a casting service that just battles for the jobs that come here. We will be making our own product, we have our own equipment, and we have connections to other producers/directors from around the country that the other local casting people do not. We already have 3 such productions lined up for this Summer in addition to 3 of our own productions.
While it is true that these films are mostly in the lower to medium budget range and will likely not get much more than a small theatrical release at best we have the distribution channels avail that will allow us to make money with these small films which will allow us to make more. Also with the New Media Contract, we will be able to get non-union actors into SAG-AFTRA.” -Chuck Erickson
We feel it only fair and balanced to share with you, along with the boastful claims made by the company itself, the rapidly changing product information as forwarded to us by concerned readers.
Jane Doe forwarded link, after link in regards to conduct unbecoming, or at least in stark contrast to what A1 presents itself to be and what the company and its affiliates actually churn out.
The following are recent screen shots from the pages of “ALL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION”, featuring Joe Guinan and Chuck Erickson (which have now been removed), on set of their credited work now “In Post Production”:
**WARNING** **DOUBLE CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE * NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK or CHILDREN**
Sure adult porn needs distribution too, right? Just ask Kim Kardashian.
HOWEVER, buyer beware when asked for cash upfront for purported work in “film”.
Do your research and let’s continue to look out for each other!
As we’ve been following for you here, New Mexico just recently wrapped standing-in for 1960s era Las Vegas, NV, in the “Untitled Las Vegas Project” television series pilot, which has been ordered for the 2012-2013 fall season on CBS primetime!
CBS has just released this first-look at all the show’s stars in action, including the decidedly distinct look of the Southwest that NM lends to the series.
This comes hours after the casting co. which staffed the show with hundreds of local extra and background talent, released this info. on their Facebook page:
“”ULVP” (Untitled Las Vegas Project) New Mexico *UPDATE* – Afraid we have bad news for NM about this project. Rumor (from a producer on the show) is that they will be filming the series from the “Untitled Las Vegas Project” pilot shot here in NM…..in LA (not sure if he meant Los Angeles or Louisiana). Hope the “rumor” isn’t true!!” -On Location Casting
Stay tuned…
Special nod to CLB, one of our local faves for her work on the series pilot!
Today: On the Roswell, NM set of The Rambler, Dermot Mulroney getting into the swing of things, bloodied at the hands of NM’s Own Vince McDaniel.
Now in post-production this full length feature has a ready and waiting audience, built-in from the avid fans/followers of the original short by Calvin Lee Reeder.
Mañana: The fabled creature that is the impossibly perfect looking January Jones is just weeks away from co-starring with John McCain AKA the incomparable Ed Harris in this summer’s NM shoot of Sweetwater.
Yesterday: Indie dramedy, As Cool As I Am has been in the can for sometime now. The film starring Clare Danes, James Marsden, Sarah Bolger, Thomas Mann and PETER FONDA, shot in NM last summer. Here are a some stills from the Identity Films production awaiting distribution…
BETWEEN SILENCE AND RELIGION, BETWEEN HOPE AND FEAR, NO SOUL IS SAFE, FROM PARAMOUNT PICTURE’S COMES “THE DEVIL INSIDE”. THE FILM THAT THE VATICAN DIDN’T
WANT YOU TO SEE IS NOW ON BLU-RAY AND DVD. OWN IT MAY 15.
RELEASE DATE:
ON BLU-RAY ™ & DVD MAY 15 | EN BLU-RAY ™ Y DVD EL 15 DE MAYO
SYNOPSIS:
In 1989, emergency responders received a 9-1-1 call from Maria Rossi (Suzan Crowley) confessing that she had brutally killed three people. 20 years later, her daughter Isabella (Fernanda Andrade) seeks to understand the truth about what happened that night. She travels to the Centrino Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Italy where her mother has been locked away to determine if her mother is mentally ill or demonically possessed. When she recruits two young exorcists (Simon Quarterman and Evan Helmuth) to cure her mom using unconventional methods combining both science and religion, they come face-to-face with pure evil in the form of four powerful demons possessing Maria. Many have been possessed by one; only one has been possessed by many.
Here’s your shot to win your OWN NEW MEXICO!!!
We helped bring you the sneak peek at Paramount Pictures, The Devil Inside…
NOW between May 25 – If you live in New Mexico just go to our facebook page and enter “The Devil Inside” on our wall! Multiple winners will be randomly drawn on May 26 to pick-up their copy in the ABQ metro area! Enter now!
HOLD ON TIGHT EVERYONE! FROM UNIVERSAL HOME ENTERTAINMENT COMES THE GREY- ON BLU-RAY COMBO PACK AND DVD. GET READY FOR THE ACTION ADVENTURE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE! THE GREY – OWN IT ON BLU-RAY COMBO PACK AND DVD MAY 15TH.
RELEASE DATE:
ON BLU-RAY ™ & DVD MAY 15 | EN BLU-RAY ™ Y DVD EL 15 DE MAYO
SYNOPSIS: Liam Neeson stars as John Ottway, a sharpshooting wolf hunter who becomes an unlikely hero, leading a group of oilrig roughnecks on a death-defying backwoods trek through the Alaskan wilderness. When a plane transporting them to Anchorage crashes on a remote mountaintop, eight survivors must find their way back to civilization or perish in a frozen wasteland. With Ottway as their guide, the ravaged group faces hostile terrain with limited supplies. Most terrifyingly, they are stalked by a pack of fierce and cunning wolves. In order to survive, they will have to turn the tables on the ferocious predators in an unparalleled wilderness adventure.
Here’s your shot to win your OWN NEW MEXICO!!!
NOW between May 25 – If you live in New Mexico just go to our facebook page and enter “The Grey” on our wall! Multiple winners will be randomly drawn on May 26 to pick-up their copy in the ABQ metro area! Enter now!
While the TNT pilot for “Tin Star” has recently been axed by the cable network, CBS is moving forward with a 60s period, crime drama; based on real life western Sheriff, Ralph Lamb.
The “Untitled Vegas Project” pilot production just recently wrapped in northern New Mexico, with principal shooting at Santa Fe Studios and locations in and around Las Vegas, NM.
This Wednesday the so-called Tiffany network is set to announce the Quaid led series as an official part of their 2012-2013 fall line-up.
This marks the first starring television role for Quaid. The iconic Ralph Lamb was on hand for part of the pilot filming, watching the acclaimed film star portray him, and said, “I thought he did a magnificent job.”
Michael Chiklis (The Shield), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix), and Jason O’Mara (Terra Nova) also star.
The 48-year-old actor was thrown from the powerful animal while filming forthcoming Western movie ‘The Lone Ranger’ but he believes the strong bond he forged with the creature made it react instinctively to ensure his fall wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
Johnny – who plays the Lone Ranger’s Native American sidekick Tonto – said: “I’m lucky to be here. I’ve done a number of films on horseback and I’ve taken a couple of spills but this was a violent one.
“I had a good relationship with the horse, which was named Scout, and when I look at the tape I can see that Scout saved my life.
“I went down badly and I was dragged for 25 yards and in the end the horse just jumped over me and clipped me with his back legs.”
Despite being a huge star, the ‘Dark Shadows’ actor insists he isn’t a very ambitious person and doesn’t choose his roles by guessing how successful they might be.
When he embarked on his acting career, Johnny – who has children Lily-Rose, 12, and 10-year-old Jack with partner Vanessa Paradis – just wanted to be able to look back on his body of work and be proud of it.
He added in an interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I never knew where I was going to go. I never really thought about where any of it was going.
“I only knew that, regardless of success or failure, I always wanted to some day be able to look back and go, ‘I did alright. I’m proud of what I did. I didn’t sell out.’
“I’ve never felt particularly ambitious or driven, although I like to create stuff, whether it’s a little doodle, a drawing, a small painting or a movie or a piece of music, so I suppose I’m driven by that. Everything I’ve done has felt natural.”
Jump to 1:20 for the flag that New Mexico state government is flying to say, “GO AWAY” to film jobs.
In a poor state whose leader endorses corporate loopholes over local business, whose political action committee is funded primarily by another state’s special interests, the vilification of one of the most hopeful, vibrant and sustainable industries ever built here, rolls on.
It’s become standard practice for this administration to spit balk in the face of local film talent and support businesses, and now the slow bloodletting has a new face and a name.
Flying in the face of the world is, in a name, “a New Mexico film study“. A better face for the promotion and growth of the state’s economy is and always has been Mr. Bryan Cranston.
The majority of the WORLD is unaware of New Mexico and those who have heard of us think we’re part of South America; except for the several MILLION who have been exposed to our previously top ranked spot in the good ol’ U.S-of-A for film production.
Talking directly to the point of what brought just one, globally acclaimed, beloved television production into our midst and our small business, tourism, talent, education and charitable organization bank accounts is the one and only Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad.
So while our government shells out some absurd amount of time and money on a tailored hex upon our film industry, productions will continue to go away and the obvious will be stated elsewhere.
UNLESS YOU SPEAK-UP and SPEAK OUT New Mexico! Cranston & Co. can’t do it all…
As we’ve been following for you here, the AP now reports:
HOBBS, NM – A scientific ghost town in the heart of southeastern New Mexico oil and gas country will hum with the latest next-generation technology _ but no people.
A $1 billion city without residents will be developed in Lea County near Hobbs, officials said Tuesday, to help researchers test everything from intelligent traffic systems and next-generation wireless networks to automated washing machines and self-flushing toilets.
Hobbs Mayor Sam Cobb said the unique research facility that looks like an empty city will be a key for diversifying the economy of the nearby community, which after the oil bust of the 1980s saw bumper stickers asking the last person to leave to turn out the lights.
“It brings so many great opportunities and puts us on a world stage,” Cobb told The Associated Press before the announcement.
Pegasus Holdings and its New Mexico subsidiary, CITE Development, said Hobbs and Lea County beat out Las Cruces, for the Center for Innovation, Technology and Testing.
The CITE project is being billed as a first-of-its kind smart city, or ghost town of sorts, that will be developed on about 15 square miles west of Hobbs.
Bob Brumley, senior managing director of Pegasus Holdings, said the town will be modeled after the real city of Rock Hill, S.C., complete with highways, houses and commercial buildings, old and new. No one will live there, although they could as houses will include all the necessities, like appliances and plumbing.
The point of the town is to enable researchers to test new technologies on existing infrastructure without interfering in everyday life. For instance, while some researchers will be testing smart technologies on old grids, others might be using the streets to test self-driving cars.
“The only thing we won’t be doing is destructive testing, blowing things up _ I hope,” said Brumley.
Not far from the Texas border, Hobbs has seen new growth in recent years but local leaders have been pushing to expand the area’s reputation to include economic development ventures beyond the staple of oil and gas.
The investors developing CITE were looking for open spaces. Brumley said his group scoured the country for potential sites, “but we kept coming back to New Mexico. New Mexico is unique in so many ways.”
One big plus for New Mexico was its federal research facilities like White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico and Los Alamos and Sandia national labs.
Gov. Susana Martinez joined officials in announcing final site selection for the project, which she hailed as “one of the most unique and innovative” economic development projects the state has seen. She noted that no tax breaks were given for the development. “The only thing they have asked for is guidance,” she said.
Brumley said plans are to break ground on the town by June 30. The initial development cost is estimated at $400 million, although Brumley estimates the overall investment in the project to top $1 billion.
The project is expected to create 350 permanent jobs and about 3,500 indirect jobs in its design, development, construction and ongoing operational phases.
Hobbs, a community of about 43,000 people, currently has two non-stop flights from Houston each day and is working on getting daily service to Albuquerque and Denver.
The mayor said discussions for the new flights have just started but having the research center may bolster efforts to connect Hobbs to more cities.
Colorado’s 10 percent film incentive program was one of the weakest, especially when compared to 25 percent incentive programs in neighboring New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah. (New Mexico’s 25 percent incentive has lured 159 major productions in the past nine years, stirring almost $4 billion in economic impact and paying out $253 million in rebates, according to the New Mexico Film Office.)
While New Mexico’s reigning administration is angling to drag out multi-year “study” of State Film Incentives impact, today Deadline reports that a study released by Ernest & Young shows that state film incentive programs are good for local economies.
So long as this isn’t followed by a Mary Povich style, “Who’s the Daddy” segment, KOB is set to deliver on the reality TV trend with the following ingredients: beautiful women, a tease and a REVEAL!
This Sunday, Mother’s Day KOB-TV will announce which one of their own is expecting…
Nicole is the safest and most PC guess, I guess. An Antoinette offspring probably has the most ratings power, as her wedding to fellow KOB cutie, Jeremy Fine is rapidly approaching.
Well we’ll all know come Sunday…it just better not be that Stucker is getting a new dog. Whomp, whomp, whomp…
“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.” -President Barack Obama
May 9, 2012
By Robert Redford
Actor, Director, Producer
The Albuquerque Journal published a prominently placed editorial on May 1 that was based on a recent story written by a reporter who, in fairness, requested an interview, on a short deadline, which I was unable to meet as I was out of the country. This editorial portrayed me as an unethical Hollywood interloper who, by inference, had made great personal gain from taxpayer money.
Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s time to set the record straight.
In February 2008, the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs announced that it was purchasing the Los Luceros property. I was not even in the picture. Over some years prior, we had put time into requests from the Richardson administration on how our Sundance programs were conceived and run. That was the extent of it.
A year after the purchase the state requested that we explore whether or not there may be a collaborative model involving the property, which would result in providing programming with a focus on Native American and Hispanic populations in preparing them for careers in film and other aspects of the entertainment industry, which had been growing fast in New Mexico. It seemed a worthy goal, so we began meetings with the state.
Out of these meetings came a Memo of Understanding between Redford Enterprises, Cultural Affairs and the New Mexico Film Office. In May 2009, Gov. Richardson announced the collaboration.
The intent of this relationship was to create and expand training programs in film, arts and the environment at Los Luceros. This, he said, would enable Cultural Affairs to fulfill its dual mission of protecting the state’s cultural heritage, while supplying educational programs to benefit the people of New Mexico.
We began providing and collaborating on programs immediately, with most taking place at Los Luceros — writing and audition workshops, actors labs, directing, cinematography, production and economic development workshops. The highly regarded Sundance Native Program continued its labs and workshops, in New Mexico.
All of this education, job training and career building have been provided free, at no cost to any of the New Mexican participants.
These programs, agreed to in the MOU signed in February 2010, were the operating framework for the state-funded master plan and federally funded architectural designs, building renovations and new construction. The MOU provided for us a priority reservation use of Los Luceros via the Department of Cultural Affairs, and participation in a job-training program funded by the New Mexico Department of Economic Development and the New Mexico Film Office.
In late 2010, as state budget cuts appeared necessary, we were asked to amend the MOU in order to reduce the state financial commitment. We readily agreed. The use of state training dollars was dropped from the revised MOU that we, and the state, signed in December 2010.
This revised MOU became an issue when Gov. Susana Martinez took office. Mind you, it’s the MOU that drops a state funding requirement. We remained in limbo on many aspects of the relationship, and yet, we continued to provide programs at Los Luceros and at other locations.
As of today, Cultural Affairs hasn’t unequivocally said the department will honor either MOU. We were asked to obtain liability insurance, which was in process when they closed Los Luceros.
We continue offering programs in other locations and are exploring alternatives should collaborating with the state prove too political or impossible. I have a long history with the state of New Mexico and I love it here. I try to make a contribution as both a taxpayer and a citizen and will continue down that path with or without the blessing or cooperation of Martinez and her administration.
There seemed to be some promising developments between one big government office and our own International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees after the dust-up in March, wherein the NM Dept. of Tourism and New Mexico dollars went virtually ALL OUT OF STATE (save for approx. 6 actors and 2 crew members, and a 4 day local shoot).
Then IATSE 480 business agent Jon Hendry released this statement regarding the possible mends in going forward with the current administration giving NMFilm a fair shake, however…
A new row is brewing as another branch of our government too appears set to utilize out of state film resources and is requesting non-union talent to shoot state PSAs.
The latest word from Jon Hendry on the matter:
So the DOT are shooting a spot as they do regularly ( or it could be the MVD but whomever it’s your tax dollars) and from what I’m being told they’re bringing in an out-of-state Director and possibly a DP. They’re also casting only non-union actors. Now I’m finding this all a little hard to believe, as I sat in the Govenor’s office and i was personally assured, by the Deputy Chief of Staff, that every effort would be made to ensure this didn’t happen again, so for now I’m assuming it’s all a rumor.
There are some fine commercial directors here, as good as anyone that could be brought in. Even if there wasn’t, how would our people ever get better without the opportunities that in-State Government commercials allow ? I actually know of what I speak. In a previous life, when I was the Director of Marketing for then Gov. Richardson, we shot dozens of spots without ever bringing in anyone from out of State including the Directors and we somehow made the spots on budget and Union. Including the iconic ” You drink,you drive, you lose ” and the national award-winning ” You’re in the right state of mind, just the wrong State “
We viewed commercials as training grounds and showcase opportunities for New Mexico talent both in front and behind the camera. After all, if the State won’t help who will ?
Rather than just complain here’s a couple of concrete suggestions ; first here’s what I will be told ” Why do you care.? They are using your guys ? ” I care because I’m a New Mexican. Bringing in ATL is just wrong. Putting BTL locals on doesn’t make this right. As I’ve said, I will be an advocate, but the real key here is the film office. If they ask through the Governor that all departments send there RFP’s over so they can be emailed to interested New Mexicans who register with them, then at least the production community will have an opportunity to bid. They could also put on a job fair for State agencies which brings together possible clients and vendors. I used to bring in all the PIO’s from the State for a monthly meet and show them examples of New Mexican work, took them to sets, introduced them to our peeps. It worked.
Regardless if New Mexicans are not getting hired, we-the production community- need to fix this. I need to fix this. Because frankly I’m a big fan. I have had the privilege of working with many of you and with many outsiders. We take a back seat to no one.
Jon Hendry
In the meanwhile, today the Albuquerque Journal reports, “Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration is laying the groundwork for a wide-ranging study of New Mexico’s film rebates that it hopes will put to rest the debate over the program’s effectiveness.”
We have to wonder if the study will aim for a balanced look or simply take further aim at dismantling the industry which this administration has been so notorious for. Albuquerque has fallen from NUMBER ONE in the nation for film production to third and the state as a whole has fallen from third to NINTH under Martinez’s relatively short rule.
Study or target no study the numbers of productions which are fleeting and fleeing continue to mount, from Django Unchained in Louisiana, to Iron Man and Hunger Games in North Carolina, where Government offices actively work for film jobs and notoriety for their state residents.
New Mexico presently sits on the bench with infighting while neighboring states, previously daunted by the New Mexico’s top ranking in film were falling away, others are ramping-up as our reign is loosening and slipping away.
Jekyll
late 20s, tail, skinny, white, (very pale skin) Very over the top expressive face.
You know he is a nice guy, just take a look at him. You can even walk all over him. But he is a hidden
time bomb.
Jekyllʼs Co-worker #1
late 20s, under 6ʼ tall, healthy weight , black, comic, expressive face.
He is smart aleck, he is always ordering Jekyll around. Making Jekyll his slave.
Family in another car (white or Latino)
Husband – driving. White early 40s. (Latino Late 30s)
Wife – in the passenger seat – White Mid 30s. (Latino Late 20s)
child – in the back seat – 3 to 5
*Please also submit all ethnicities for all roles. Pay is $350-$400 flat for the day.
As we previously posted here, straight from the cyber pages of New Mexico Business Weekly, a new Casting Company is now open in New Mexico.
Several readers had sent in the online flyer circulating in promotion of the event and we chose to pass on publishing or social networking the news, until we read the NMBW article.
The contrast between the article and the businesses own promotion of the event were in such stark contrast our curiosity was piqued and we decided to go to post with both versions and very little comment.
In the days following the “Grand Opening”, the opportunity to compare and contrast continues as two OHI readers were kind enough to share their very different experiences/impressions of the event.
On one hand, $5 headshots? Sure. On the other, “Will you do nudity?”, pays more if yes, NOT SO MUCH. “Do you want to become a Actor”, “Could you or someone you know fund $5K thru $500K for a TV Show or Motion Picture.”
Lest this attempt at a fair and balanced look at what is reported as a new opportunity for locals interested in film and media be presented with any bias, by someone who DID NOT even attend, I will cease any further personal comment, and present two distinct impressions from two separate OHI readers who attended the “Grand Opening – Open Call”, respectively.
Reader A1′s impression from the opening weekend event:
“A steady stream of people were coming in to have their headshots done and be put in “A-1 Casting” data base…Michael Matinez, 5x Platinum (15 weeks in a row) is a writer and producer, Wayne Kurzeja received the “Anti-piracy Award” from President Clinton, has 42 years in the “business”. Joe Guinan is “the man”, moved here from L.A. and has many connections all over the world, [boasts an] email list of appox. 2500 names. He has Academy Award movies, worked with stars like: Tony Curtis. He has “Blue Ray” backing and his next three movies are already being backed…with games, etc…He has other financial backers, writers, film producers and distributors… He’s setting up a web site and plans to bring many of them to NM! Joe plans to try his hand at directing while Chuck Erickson takes over the casting. They have several films in the works. I think it will be a good thing!”
Reader A2′s impression from the opening weekend event:
“Right off the bat, the mood was very panicked and rushed. The office is quite small, and the “casting director” wanted things to move at a fast pace. He was busy taking the $5 headshots and bragging about his film industry experience. (See attached photo of the “casting director” in action.) There were 3 other employees working with him. There was a very young blonde girl, an older —- man, and a Native American woman. The older man was doing the “interview/intake,” and giving an overview of what was going on.
The older man said they were casting 3 movies. I had never heard of these movies, which were scrawled on an large ink board at the back of the studio. The older man was going on and on about how most of the movies they cast are low to medium movies, which go directly to DVD.
I asked if any of the movies were being filmed in NM, and they all started to panic a bit. I also was blatantly taking photos w/ my phone, and they didn’t like that at all. They kept trying divert me to something else, but I told them I was just there for my daughter. Every time I asked questions, they changed the subject.
We were told the $5 “headshots” were being taken for their website, but there are NO photos on the website currently. They also claimed to be a production company. There was also talk of classes being provided in acting, and production skills.
The sign-in/info form (see attached photo) was full of grammatical errors, and mentioned comfort level w/ nudity. The assistant didn’t know what to say when I asked him how much they paid the actors. The “casting agent” then got mad at him delaying the process because the battery on his camera was dying.
Me and another woman (who did some extra work for EG Casting) both bailed. It has all the hallmarks of a scam. I looked up information online about the “casting director.” He does have a Facebook page, and an IMDb page. I have never heard of a single movie that he claims to have cast on the IMDB page. They may be very low budget and off my radar, or they may be entirely fake.
I don’t know. It could be legit. I could be wrong. But I doubt it. [Joe Guinan] updated his website recently. Worth checking out. www.a1starcasting.com. Everything on it looks FAKE.”
Pobre Meow. Last month El Gato Gordito made his way onto the world’s stage (well national television), and even on to the lap of America’s greatest talk show host, Anderson Cooper.
Now the famous tabby from Santa Fe, New Mexico is no more. After the whirl-wind press tour in which Meow’s plight to beat the bulge was made public, Meow was back home in NM, where he had been turned in to the Santa Fe Humane Society by his elderly owner whom could no longer care for him.
The Humane Society immediately set about with a regimen designed to save Meow’s life by aiming to cut down his morbidly obese weight, of 39 lbs. by at least 10.
Unfortunately, Meow lost his fight against the weight over the weekend. Santa Fe Animal Shelter executive director Mary Martin released the following announcement via facebook this morning:
Dear Friends,
I am devastated to share with you that the respiratory distress that Meow was experiencing last week (the reason we did not do his weigh-in) took his life at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. The Shelter staff – along with all those who met Meow during his short time with us – mourn his passing. As many of you are aware, Meow began wheezing last Thursday in his foster home, Dr. Jen began trying to sort out the problem, at first considering the possibility of asthma associated with his weight. She started treatment immediately to ease his breathing and, when Meow didn’t improve, she sought additional help for him from our emergency specialty hospital and an additional private veterinary hospital. Although four different veterinarians worked with Meow, we were unable to stop the progression of what turned out to be pulmonary failure. Meow had been doing so well in his foster home; walking up stairs and seeking affection – that it is so very hard to believe he is gone. We will forever be grateful for the attention Meow’s size brought to pet obesity and to animal shelters across the country. We are especially grateful to all of you who fell in love with this charming cat – as we did – and were so very interested in his progress and success.
With gratitude,
Mary Martin
Sweet, furry reminder of the toll weight takes on the body. And with all due respect proof that even the healing hands of Anderson Cooper cannot save a losing battle.
Adios Meow. Rest in peace and may your story save many lives, feline and otherwise.
“Anybody want to intern for the hot mess known as “The JTD Show”? To be eligible, you have to have a pulse and be able to earn college credit for the internship. Email jackie@1003thepeak.com.” -JTD
So you won’t draw a paycheck (but who does nowadays?), YOU WILL get a line to add to your thin resume, school credit AND all you have to bring to the table is a heartbeat. Aces.
About this “hot mess”, from the Jackie Tony & Donnie Facebook Fan Page:
The three of us team up to do a morning show on Clear Channel’s KPEK-FM (100.3 The Peak) Jackie and Tony have been married for 7 years…and have 4 kids total (2 together, and they each had a child from previous relationships). After working together at 97.3 & 93.3, they joined 100.3 in 2003…where they met Donnie Chase. Donnie has worked up and down the dial at lots of stations. But it was in 2003, when he teamed up with Jackie and Tony, that he became the “shining star” he is today. Donnie is in a relationship.
Jackie is a graduate of La Cueva HS here in Albuquerque. Tony graduated from Portsmouth HS (Class of 1989) in Portsmouth, NH. Donnie is a graduate of Moriarty HS.
Over the years, the show has increased it’s listenership to 6….that’s right….6 whole listeners….
Boasting “27 years of Hollywood full Cast & Crew Expertise”, “A1 Star Casting” has swept into New Mexico from…Hollywood apparently, asserting big claims, lofty accomplishments, and big promises.
