Checkout the new series from AMC! You might see someone you recognize!
It’s finally here!!! Very excited for the release of Better Living Through Chemistry. Directed by Geoff Moore and David Posamentier and starring Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan, Jane Fonda and Ray Liotta.
“A straight-laced pharmacist’s uneventful life spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a trophy wife customer who takes him on a joyride involving sex, drugs and possibly murder.”
I was fortunate enough to have the role of Ed in the film who is the jerk friend of Doug’s(Rockwell) wife(Monaghan). I get to mess with Doug a bit and help push him to doing some things he wouldn’t normally do. It’s a fun film with a great script, cast and crew.
It was one of the most fun sets I’ve been on and working with Sam and Michelle was an experience I will never forget.
My sister Betty even got in on the action and was brought in to play the girlfriend of the high school principal.
When it hits theaters in June go out and see it! It will be a blast!!!
Ed getting ready for the big race!
A great little short film that was a heck of a lot of fun to make.
A risky gamble by a secret agent leaves his fate hanging in the air. With the clock ticking our hero must overcome the insurmountable odds.
Winner Best Short Short AUFF
Selected by Sonoma FF, Maryland FF, and Hollyshorts
Directed by Matthew Riggieri And Nicholas Kovacic
Produced by Digital Cave
This past Saturday I went to Eastpoint theater in Baltimore for a cast and crew screening of the upcoming indie film, “Jamesy Boy.” It was directed by Trevor White and stars Spencer LoFranco, Taissa Farmiga, James Woods, Mary-Louise Parker and Ving Rhames. Oh, and me. Most of the local folks who worked on the film were in attendance as well as folks from NY and LA. Spencer and Taissa both made the trip. It was nice to see all the hard work that was put into to the film from everyone. What dedication and commitment from all departments. The crew did a phenomenal job. The film looked outstanding. The acting was fantastic. It is a great vehicle for for young Spencer to make his mark and show what he can do. Taissa also put in great work. She is already well on her way to stardom aided by this film and of course “American Horror Story: Coven.” The local actors who worked on the film showed that our area has many talented actors who can portray a wide variety of roles. I played the part of a corrections officer and worked with the stunt team.
What a fun experience with the guys from LA and NY who were on the stunt team lead by John C. Meier.
The film will be released in January. Make sure you go to their website and follow their facebook page for updates on screenings in theaters and for VOD release.
The film centers on a young gang member who turns his life around in prison, thanks to the friendship he forms with a convicted murderer who becomes his mentor. This film is based on the true story of James Burns who was also in attendance at the screening. He is an inspiration to all trouble young people that it is possible to rise above the issues they face and that there is hope for a better life without violence and crime.
The film is also the calling card for up and coming director Trevor White. An Annapolis native, Trevor now lives in LA doing what he loves. Making films. I expect much bigger things for Trevor as he showed he can helm a film and tell a great story!
So congratulations to all who were involved in making Jamesy Boy a must see Indie in 2014. Spread the word. Get out to see it. Support indie film!
You can check out their IMDb page here: Jamesy Boy
Wow! What a great weekend for me. Just returned from a job in Louisville, Kentucky. The experience was fantastic all the way around. The production was awesome, cast and crew were top notch, and the city of Louisville was the perfect backdrop for this film.
The production was the feature film, “Produce.” You can check out their website here: www:iamproduce.com
You can also check out their imdb page here: Produce
The synopsis:
In St. Matthews, Kentucky, Calvin, a professional baseball player sent to an early retirement due to his panic attacks at the plate is struggling with the curveball life has thrown him. With his two best friends, he simply sleepwalks through his days and the challenge of raising his teenager daughter. His life is awakened and invigorated by the most unlikely person – a kid with Down syndrome named Produce that works at the local grocery store.
Calvin slowly loses the chip on his shoulder as he begins to see the world through Produce’s eyes. Family, faith and purpose work their way back into Calvin’s life as their friendship develops. The unlikely pair becomes intertwined in a way that gives Calvin meaning and purpose, but ultimately leads to tragedy due to single decision echoed from Calvin’s past.
Produce is a story of finding redemption through faith, hope and love.
I play Steve Bookerson, Assistant GM for the Louisville Bats, who encounters Steve and is not sure what to make out of this former baseball star.
Steve Bookerson, Asst. GM.
I’m proud to have been selected to work on this heart warming film that champions a great cause. And you know it was right up my alley with baseball as a back drop.
With the star of the film, David DeSanctis-“Produce”
With Producer Milan Chakraborty and star of the film, Kristoffer Polaha.
And here are a few more stills from the set. A great night in Louisville!
I will put up more updates as the film nears completion about the premiere and where it will screen.
Thanks for checking this out. Click on the website and sign up for their mailing list to receive direct updates on the film. www:iamproduce.com
Ken
We are go for Launch!!! We have locked in our shoot dates and are ready to shoot the teaser/trailer for The Night Watchmen. I am extremely excited about this project as we have put together a team of incredibly talented people behind the camera and in front. It is going to be fun! Just working to get to this point has been a blast. I can’t wait for the everyone to see what we create!
So I think I’m past the whole being sorry thing. I truly am not sorry.
Just wanted to update everyone on what I’ve been up to. Earlier this summer I was fortunate enough to have booked a principal role in a commercial for Gander Mountain. If you do not know about this store check it out here: http://www.gandermountain.com.
It’s pretty awesome! If you happen to see the spot please let me know! A friend of mine from college said he saw it while in Pennsylvania this past weekend. I’m huge in PA. 😉
The picture attached to this post is me on the set of a certain large corporation’s print shoot for a brochure for their new product. Unfortunately I can’t say more than that as I signed an NDA. The location was in the Blue Ridge Mountains. What a beautiful area! We had no cell-no internet. It was amazing. I forgot how relaxing it was to not want to check my cell, or email or facebook. It was so peaceful. I am now looking into buying property out in the region. That’s how great an effect it had on me.
I can see myself driving down this road in my pickup.
As fall approaches many cool things are on the horizon. I am looking forward to the new workshops starting at my studio. It’s always great to welcome new actors and returning actors who are committed to improving on their craft. It’s a inspiration to keep growing as an artist.
We have many photo shoots lined up and are gearing up to shoot our trailer for “The Night Watchmen.”
I will also spend a good portion of the fall writing. I have a few new story ideas that I think folks might enjoy.
On top of all this I have been spending quite a bit of time in NY as my new commercial agency is keeping me busy auditioning. Lots of time in the car. That’s where many of my ideas come into play. Now to get them down on paper.
So I’m getting some comments from a few filmmakers who apparently don’t like my Post. Here’s the deal. Actors don’t ask for much. I would work on a project as long as it was under an indie Union contract and compensated the minimum. If you don’t know what that is…look it up. But that would require work. You might have to fill out some paperwork and send that off to the union. Whew. That would be tough. And from the filmmakers who don’t want to do that. Good luck with your project. You want the best DP, editor, sound mixer, gaffer etc. but when it comes to actors, the face of your film, you always seem to cut corners. And if you sold your project and it actually made some money, you wouldn’t even think twice about compensating the face of your film. The actors. Don’t get me wrong. I believe all crew and cast should be compensated for their time and effort. Not just the actors. I also get that you want to get out and make films. To get the experience. My point is this. Don’t be upset when you ask someone who has worked in the field for almost 2 decades and done some decent work to just jump on board. There are plenty of actors out there that will work on your next blockbuster. For Free. I get it. I just don’t want to do that anymore. And if you feel that I am holier than thou: so be it. Let me know when you’re next masterpiece hits theaters so I can go to the theater and cry in my popcorn for not working on the film.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry that I am an actor.
I’m sorry that I have a mortgage, a car payment, electric bill, cable bill, and health care expenses.
I’m sorry I have 5 kids who are hungry, cold, and need an education.
I’m sorry I have spent the better part of the past 17 years working on my acting craft. Driving thousands upon thousands of miles to get to auditions, classes, workshops, and callbacks never making one penny. Usually putting out a few.
I’m sorry that when doing these things I am away from my family.
I’m sorry that I believe in Union work and pay.
I’m sorry that I have a wife who does not want me to work on projects for FREE.
I’m sorry that ten years ago I would have done it.
I’m sorry I cannot spend the next thirty days or my weekends or even one workday working on your film for FREE.
I’m sorry. Your film will probably be awesome.
I’m sorry I will miss out on that.
I’m sorry if you think I do not love what I do.
Again.
I’m sorry.
Respectfully,
Ken
Ken gives awesome tips on what makes a great headshot and gets you in the Casting Director’s door!
Ken Arnold 