lucastalent.com

October 18, 2008

REPORT FROM LA

Ben Levine is a manager with top LA management firm Kritzer Levine Wilkins who has worked with Lucas Talent agents and clients for almost 10 years.

GREETINGS FROM LA…
So far the new fall television season still seems to be a bit nebulous. Because of the condensed pilot season and writer’s strike last year it seems that everyone was trying to cram things, and they didn’t have the proper time to develop their shows. What we got was a lot of shows that are either retreads like KNIGHT RIDER or 90210 or remakes of shows shot in other countries like THE EX LIST and KATH & KIM. It is estimated that the writer’s strike lost the networks 33% of their business and this is pertaining to the juggernaut shows like: GREY’S ANATOMY and CSI. Yet the television season is business as usual, even though studio feature production is at a stand still. We can thank SAG for that. (click ‘more’ tab to continue reading)

Which leads me to the latest on the SAG/producers standstill…The reason television is still up and running is because the producers and studios don’t want to lose more of their audience share. They are adhering to the collective bargaining agreement that expired in June. Hey, if actors don’t care and still want to work then they will let them on the lot. On the other hand, studio feature production is dormant. This is because the bonding companies wont bond the features so they in effect can’t shoot anything until it is all resolved. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel as the Membership First regime that basically botched all of this in the first place just lost its power yesterday to Unite For Strength. This is a dissident group that will now get an agreement ratified (or so we hope). I have good feelings though and there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.

As far as this new season goes, there are a few shows that I am really looking forward to: THE EX LIST for CBS because I loved the script and thought it was fresh and fun, even though it is a remake of an Israeli show. I loved FRINGE, which is the new JJ Abrams show on FBC. It started off slow as Prison Break was its lead in and it did a 9 share which was a huge disappointment. However, once they gave it HOUSE as a lead in for the second week, it then got the 13 share it deserved. I also am looking forward to ROBINSON CARUSOE because I love that story and KATH & KIM because I hear it is hilarious and Selma Blair is amazing. Both of those are for NBC. I also love TRUE BLOOD for HBO. It is original and the characters are fantastic (but then again Alan Ball does little wrong),

I love working with Canadian clients as not only do I find them the most talented but I find them the most professional and nice. I think the biggest challenge is quite frankly getting the actors into town more often. I think that laying down tape is effective but there is still nothing like being in the room. I think if you have a good agent or manager then they can set up a number of things for you to make your trip fruitful. Therefore, you are not just flying down for an audition and flying back. A great agent like Richard Lucas is great at communicating and working in tandem with the client and manager. Therefore, we all can game plan on when the best time to fly down may be. Post the current SAG situation would be a great idea!

It is funny…People ask me all the time, “What kind of clients are you looking for,” and my answer is always, “I just want to work with talented people.” And I truly mean that. I love the craft of acting and appreciate the hard work and desire that goes into it. We represent all shapes and sizes but the one thing that they all have in common is, unbelievable talent and a very tough skin. None of them are here on a five year plan, as they are here indefinitely. This is what makes them happy and if they are not doing this then they are not living. It is very important not to get discouraged and to follow you heart and then everything else will suddenly become very clear.

Remember always have fun whatever you do…Best…Ben Levine