UCAN!
volume one issue FIVE
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HARVEST TIME Christina Tyler, Paula Pati単o and Natasa Warasch Actresses Doing Their Thing! Authors Marc Brissett and Rossana del Zio Give Great Reads Ocktoberfest Fifth Anniversary Be A Part of Something Great Emmanuella Young Showing Us The Other Side
Layon Gray
Making Things Happen!
www.ocktobermusicfilmfest.com
http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi3574573337/
FROM THE EDITOR
UCAN! M
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OCTOBER 2013
VOLUME ONE ISSUE FIVE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
STAR DAVIS CREATIVE
Star Davis
SIMPLY Knowing the Rules DON’T MEAN JACK IF YOU NEVER Get in the Game! In February 2012, I had the pleasure of meeting Layon Gray for the first time. Besides being charming and easy to look at, he was much more of an inspiration to me than he would ever know. We talked a bit and even though he didn’t know me from a hill of beans, he still seemed very interested in what I had to say. I told him I was a writer. I figured all the reports, and business plans, and everything else I’d written made me qualified to say that – even if they were always for other people. Not to mention writing having been my college major. And then the unthinkable happened. “So what have you written?” Layon asked me with genuine interest. “Nothing,” came out of my mouth before I could think of a convincing lie. That was my light bulb moment. I had to admit – out loud – that I really hadn’t written anything that exciting. I realized I was always too afraid to write a single thing for myself. There I was standing with an award-winning playwright who really wanted to hear about my creative accomplishments, and I had absolutely nothing interesting to talk about. That night during the quiet drive home, the very first idea for UCAN! Magazine was born Thank you, Layon Gray.
DIRECTOR
RANDELL PEARSON SOCIAL
MEDIA
MANAGER
JACQUELINE MARI ALVARADO CONTRIBUTING
EDITORS
DENISE THOMAS-KERSEY Emmanuella Young Jenn Lederer CHRISTOPHER GRISSOM MELISSA GOLDSTEIN editorial
production
NAIMA SOLOMON ENTERTAINMENT
DIRECTOR
KAREN Y. BROWN RESEARCH
CENTER
DEIDRE GREGORY KEIDRA CAMERON MICHELLE DUBOIS ADVERTISING
DIRECTOR
KIMBERLY ANN RICHARDS
UCAN! MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED SIX TIMES ANNUALLY IN ENGLISH. UCAN! IS REGISTERED AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK. COPYRIGHT © 2012 BY PINDARA STUDIOS LLC. COPYRIGHT UNDER UIVERSAL COPYRIGHT CONVENTION. FRONT COVER AND ENTIRE MAGAZINE DESIGN COPYRIGHT @ 2012 BY PEARSON DESIGNS, BROOKLYN NY, USA. REPRODUCTION OF ANY PARTS OF THIS PUBLICATION REQUIRES EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. UCAN! ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHY OR ARTWORK.
http://www.youtube.com/user/staceymfilms
Why Actors
MUST
Run Their Business
Like A
Bad Ass
B y J e n n L e d e r e r S h a n e M a r i t c h P h o t o g r ap h y
I have worked on both sides of the entertainment industry. I have a BA in jazz dance. I’ve also worked as a choreographer and dancer for Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Once making the move to NYC, I found myself in the usual audition circuits for dancers. As serendipity would have it, one day during my many survival jobs, I found myself being offered the opportunity to come interview for a talent manager position. I didn’t know much about what that would entail, but I did know I was ready for something different. So off I went. Five years later, I am now the president and co-owner of a talent management company. Through my years on either side of the industry I can honestly say that each side has its challenges. As a performer, you are constantly living with uncertainty. Not knowing where your next job will come from or how much that job will pay. You are never sure what they are really looking for, so all you can do is give it your all and hope for the best. I have lived through the struggles that each side must face, but there is nothing like the competition, vulnerability, and uncertainty that an actor must face every day. Actors are called upon to show up, be vulnerable, be judged, take direction, swallow criticism, and then just let it all go once they leave the audition room…never knowing what the casting directors and director were actually looking for and if they even liked what they saw. It’s easy for your friends, fellow actors, manager, agent, acting coach, and family members to stand back and say, “Come on. Let it go. You’ll get the next one.” Or “Forget what they say. They’re just jealous that you are doing what you love.” The people in your life who say these things love you, support you, and only want the best for you, but that doesn’t always make it any easier to swallow the rejection, and be expected to show up the next day to do it all again. I do believe that actors should and can learn to let go of the criticism and heartbreak they experience throughout their careers as actors. The heartbreak of being on hold for weeks, then getting a one-line email that the director has decided to go in another direction. The criticism from some know-it-all agent that told you, “It’s too late darling, I think you’ve missed the boat on this dream.” Ouch! Heartbreak and criticism are a well-known aspect of this industry, and while it may take some getting used to, most actors learn to tune it out eventually, or at least grow a thicker skin. But what happens when it becomes more than just hurtful feedback and tough rejection? What happens when the professionals of the industry start treating you with less than professional etiquette? Picture this: You have been offered a role in a film. They say that the contract is still being written up, but the role is yours. In fact, they didn’t just offer you the role, they said that you did so well in the audition that they’ve written in more lines for your character! (Awesome!!) You talk to wardrobe, you’ve had a discussion with the producer, they sent you a new version of the script, and everything seems to be right where it should be. Then one day, out of nowhere, you get an email from production that reads “We are so sorry to inform you of this, but the director has decided to offer the role to another actor. Thank you again for your hard work.” What? That’s it? After all of that…it’s just done? How about when you show up to set only to find that everything has been pushed back by at least six hours, and no one bothered to tell you? Or when you are told that you will get a copy of the project, yet you are never able to get in touch with the production company after the day of the shoot? When you begin to have one unprofessional experience after another, how do you keep your head on straight? How do you continue to be the professional actor that you are and not get caught up with the drama of unprofessional professionals? How do you keep going with your head held high and an unyielding confidence? ENTER: The Bad Ass Business Owner! (That’s you.) It’s not the negative feedback that drives actors to start acting unprofessional. I believe that most of the time they are simply mirroring how they have been treated for so long. There are unprofessional people everywhere, in every field, and in every position. Often times, actors experience unprofessionalism from the one person they thought was the actual professional. It would be a whole lot easier to just put myself first and not worry about doing the right thing all the time. Who cares if I’m ten minutes late to a meeting? Does it really matter if I don’t get back to my agent right away? If you’ve ever found yourself in this train of thought. STOP! I know it’s tempting to reflect that negative energy right back towards them and others...but that’s not going to help you in the long run. If you want to be successful in the entertainment industry, then you have to set yourself up for a marathon. You can’t bend your beliefs and values just because you are frustrated with a situation. You can’t allow yourself to listen to the negativity, and become one of the naysayers. You can’t allow someone else’s bad judgment to affect how you run your business as an actor. Yes, every actor runs their own business, and every actor has the opportunity to decide if they are going to be swayed by every and any bad egg in the bunch. Just because you are on a professional set doesn’t mean there won’t be moments of unprofessionalism that you’ll have to contend with. My advice: Don’t join in. Rise above. Be a Bad Ass Business Owner, and run your business the way you know it should be done – with dignity, grace, the courage to face uncertainty, the willingness to be vulnerable, and the strength to be professional - always. You can’t get rid of the Negative Nellys or Debbie Downers...so learn to live with them while keeping your energy right where it should be. In the light. You got this! Jenn Lederer is a Career-Coach for actors as well as the President and talent manager of Merging Artists Management.
W R I T E R ’ S
C O R N E R
Sharing Her Italian Folklore in New York ROSSANA DEL ZIO is an accomplished writer and journalist who is native to the Puglia region of southern Italy. Today she lives between Rome and New York. Her latest novel, GENTE DI PASSAGGIO (PEOPLE PASSING BY) is based on parts of her life from her sunny birthplace of Puglia (which is the southeastern region of Italy – including the heel of the boot) to her days of living in New York. o GENTE DI PASSAGGIO recounts Rosanna’s early childhood memories with her unruly curls, winning smile, and the curiosity with which she dreamed of someday going to “’Merica,” as she called it like the old immigrants who came through Ellis Island. She shares memories of her grandfather, Francesco whom she credits as the only person who would understand her desire for far off travel. “He is the only person who predicted what would have happened, and for this reason he told me much more than I could understand,” she writes. o “One night he took my hand and entreated a desire I had for some time which was [to] know the history of my family, and the history of bandits who had passed through their lives, leaving an indelible mark.” That mark would stay with Rossana during her first forty years. “That night was my first time the stories became real, they were not legends and lies. They all happened just as my grandfather had told me.” o
Italy. New York. Legends and lies? Bandits? Read GENTE DI PASSAGGIO to find out more! Available on KINDLE and amazon
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W R I T E R ’ S
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AuthorMarcBrissett F r o m S c r e e n p l ay, t o N o v e l , t o M o v i e ?
UCAN! Magazine has always respected the work and dedication exhibited by authors. So, we’ve decided to start featuring them. Without writers there would be no stories to tell. It is said that there are no truly new stories. That may be so, but a fresh new perspective can entice a reader even if the genre or subject has already been seen. Author Marc Brissett has written a unique novel entitled, INVISIBLE. It’s about two twin boys and the twists and turns of their lives. Is it true what people have said about twins? Are there similarities between them even if they don’t grow up together? Marc hopes to see his story told on the silver screen. Perhaps we will feature the movie. UCAN! When did you start to write INVISIBLE? Was it something that was always unfolding in your creative mind, or did you
just one day have a burst of motivation and decide to put “pen to paper?” MARC I think in pictures, I see everything just like a movie then I write down what I saw. Over the years I saw bits and pieces
of the story, but I don’t write anything down until the idea is complete. Until the idea has been worked out it stays in my head. Once everything has been worked out and the story is complete, then I download it from my head so to speak. UCAN! This answer can and does vary with each author. How long did it take to complete the novel? MARC Hard question to answer because I started writing then threw everything out then began to write again and completed
the book years later. 1994 to 2009 UCAN! INVISIBLE is about the story of twin boys. Do you think your imagination for this story would still be as sharp as it is,
had your mother never told you that she was born a twin? MARC Yes. I still have the same imagination I had as a kid, and you know kids can make up some stuff!
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UCAN! From where are you originally? And what influence did it have on your writing? MARC I am from Queens, New York. I grew up in Elmont and lived in Boston for a while when I was a kid. UCAN! Are you formally trained in the discipline of writing? MARC Not formally trained. I just write what pops in my head, and a lot is going on up there. So for now that’s good. UCAN! The opening scene of the book trailer was truly heart-pounding. Who created the idea of it? MARC The idea is my own, but it was shot by Manny Williams in Staten Island. UCAN! Since the book does have some period pieces to it, how much research did you have to do? Did you do it before you
started writing, or did you do it as you were writing? MARC I did research as I wrote. Whatever I was writing about I wanted to seem real, so I did research to make sure whatever
I wrote could have or most likely did happen. UCAN! INVISIBLE has been described as a book that can’t be
put down.What do you believe is the reason for that? MARC I think the suspense of it. Reading it you always feel that
something is about to happen, so you can’t put it down until it does. Then before you know it you’re at the end. UCAN! How much actual WORK is it to promote your book?
What is the discipline that an aspiring novelist would have to have to be successful? MARC Wow, great question! UCAN! Thank you. MARC Promoting is everything! You could have the best book
ever written but if no one knows about it they will never read it. Promoting is hard. You get a lot of unreturned phone calls and emails. If you are unknown, nobody wants to talk to you. It’s a mess. So I would tell an aspiring novelist to keep that in mind but never let it get to you. Believe in what you wrote and no matter what don’t let the word “NO” stop you. UCAN! To whom are you targeting this book? MARC I know I should have, but I didn’t give that much thought.
I just had what I felt was a great story and wrote it down. Originally the idea was for a movie and not a book. I wrote the screenplay first. I figured if I liked it, there would be others that liked it also. But who those others were I never thought about. UCAN! What do you want readers to walk away with after they
read INVISIBLE? MARC I would hope that it touches the reader in a way that they would take a look at their own life and reevaluate some
things. Remember what is truly important in life. UCAN! What other works have you written? MARC My second book, LOTTERY PICK about a basketball player is complete, I’m just deciding on what publisher to use for this
one. But I have seven or eight more books in my head. UCAN! What do you have to say to encourage others who may have an untold story in their creative minds? MARC I initially talked myself out of writing invisible thinking that I was wasting my time because I didn’t know what I
was doing. I would say, get out of your own way. Don’t stop yourself from doing great things.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=invisible+marc+brissett
GRAY
C O V E R
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LAYON GRAY R e ap i n g t h e
B e n e f i t s o f
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Layon Gray is a producer, writer, actor and director. The term “quadruple threat” is not used very often, but it would certainly
be fitting to apply it to him. The idea to create the stage play, BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE came to Layon around 2007. He was watching television, flipping through channels until something caught his attention. “There were these gentlemen in their eighties and nineties walking up onstage to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Bush,” Layon says in his authentic Louisiana drawl. “And then I saw that it was the Tuskegee Airmen. I was so moved by these gentlemen…their energy and still so full of that fire.” Right then and there Layon knew he wanted to write a play based on the men he had just seen. He remembered the 1995 movie starring Laurence Fishburne, but he’d never heard of a theatrical production having been created about these historic pilots. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. During World War II, they formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Corps. During the 1940s, African Americans were still living under the Jim Crow laws (the allowing of racism, degradation, and discrimination – that was actually written into laws). As such, the American military was racially segregated, with blacks always getting the inferior treatment. These men were subjected to racial discrimination, both within and outside the army. The 99th Pursuit Squadron was the first black flying squadron, and the first to deploy overseas - to North Africa in April 1943, and later to Italy and Sicily. The 332nd Fighter Group was the first flying group. They deployed to Italy in early 1944 and began flying bomber escort missions that June. (ABOVE) A casual look for the creator of an Audelco Award-winning play (BELOW) Poster @ http://www.blackangelsovertuskegee.com/
Layon with cast members Ananias Dixon, David Roberts and Melvin Huffnagle during a moving scene
As fate would have it, Layon’s best friend knew a Tuskegee Airman who just happened to live around the corner. “So I had the opportunity to sit and talk with this gentleman. I got to hear about all the good times he had back in Tuskegee,” Gray says. The first performance of BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE was in Los Angeles in 2008. It was an instant hit. Sell- out crowds. While the theaters were small at first, they were continuously filled with people wanting the Black Angels experience. With L.A. being a film town, live shows don’t usually run continuously the way they do in New York. “Yeah, we’d put up the show to sell-out crowds for two months, then we’d shut it down for a month. Then we’d put it back up again,” Layon laughs while he explains. After eighteen successful months in L.A., Layon decided to roll the dice and open the play in New York City. The original plan was for a two-week run. BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE has been running in New York for four years. “And still going strong,” he adds. One thing Layon mentioned was that the elderly airman mostly reflected on the brotherhood. Not the Jim Crow laws, or how they negatively affected black soldiers. His main memory was the brotherhood. That effect is apparent throughout the entire play. BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE is the embodiment of brotherhood. Not just in the story it tells, but the fluidity with which the cast members relate to one another while telling it. As an actress myself, I have heard many horror stories of how painful it is to work with a play that’s being directed by the playwright. Melvin Huffnagle (who plays the role of Jeremiah Jones to absolute perfection) admits to having had similar experiences. Other cast members agreed. Interestingly enough, their dealings with Layon and BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE could not be more different. “I have to say as an actor, this is the first time I’ve ever worked with a writer who’s an actor and director who actually gives you the freedom to bring whatever you could to the play,” Melvin commented. In fact, cast members often joke around that Layon is so open to new ideas that he’ll steal a few and later take credit for having
(THIS PAGE) VARIOUS SCENES FROM THE STAGE PERFORMANCE (OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT) Discussing his work with iconic producer George Lucas (OPPOSITE PAGE TOP RIGHT) Cast members getting love from a real life Tuskegee pilot (OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM) After a special performance for the NEW YORK Jets
thought of them himself. They also admit that if a suggestion is too far out there, that Layon will pull it back in to keep the flow steady and smooth. “As for rehearsals,” Melvin adds. “We all had, probably what..two rehearsals before we went up onstage. So we had those two rehearsals to get it right, and then we were thrown to the wolves. Immediately. Everyone.” As it turns out, that’s the first test to see if a new cast member can handle what it takes to do the show. The chemistry with the cast is strong. Not too many are allowed in the tight knit circle. (During this time cast members David Roberts, Craig Colasanti, and Lamar K. Cheston are steady snickering like they remember all too well their own specific “trials by fire.”) For a writer, to create a good story is a lot of work. It takes continuous effort for an actor to develop his or her character and deliver a believable portrayal. The director must take note of all angles to put forth the overall vision. A producer, however, does not have any of those self serving luxuries. Unlike all the creative aspects of a production, a producer must put everyone’s needs before his or her own and deal with the logistics – while keeping up morale, negotiating the contracts, and paying the bills. Layon Gray makes all of that look easy. “People don’t know how difficult it is to keep a play running,” Layon points out. I know that to be true. While you can make a profit off of people watching a movie or television show at two o’clock in the morning; in their underwear; lying in bed eating bonbons; such is not the case with a theatrical production. People have to literally get out there to see it. Time for travel has to be planned. And ticket prices can be expensive, certainly more than the month long free promotions given by some cable providers. The four-year run of BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE is testimony to its excellence. So why does he continue to do it? Why does Layon Gray continue the very hard work of writing, directing, acting in, and producing stage plays? “To touch people,” he answers. Point blank and period. His stage play, BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE does just that. Not only does it touch audiences all over the country (and in other parts of the world), it provokes deep thought and educates. People from all backgrounds and socio-economic levels can appreciate and relate to the stories this play tells. As an audience member, I felt each character’s pain and experienced each of their overcomings and victories. UCAN! Magazine is very happy to recommend that everyone go see this play.
www.ocktobermusicfilmfest.com
Feature Films Short Films Documentaries Children’s Films Christian Films Latino Films New Media Music Videos Late Deadline September 30, 2013
Actors Contest! Deadline for contest entry September 20, 2013
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CHRISTINA TYLER is a native New Yorker with a Sephardic background – by way of Puerto Rico. She made her debut on the show everyone is buzzing about NetFlix’s ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. At present, Christina is on location working on a television pilot. She plans on taking Hollywood by storm. http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/christinatyler http://www.castingnetworks.com/christinatyler2
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PAULA PATIñO is currently working on a web-series/mini-series titled SNA/THE SUPERNATURAL ASSOCIATION. She describes it as a mix between the TV shows of Charmed and Supernatural. It is written, produced and directed by a fellow Latina, director Maria Palacio who is a graduate student at LIU Brooklyn. Paula will be playing the part of the Head Witch of the Council.
NATASA WARASCH is an actress who believes the stage is the only place where she can follow her impulses without any consequence, and find the freedom to really live in the moment. That is something very special to her. In 2000, Natasa came to NYC with a one-way ticket from Slovenia and a determination to succeed as an actress. Early on she learned the importance and power that comes with producing along with continuing to perfect her craft of acting. Lucky for her, she was able to team up with her creative partner John Nizzari. Together they co-wrote and produced the short film WEIGHT which was screened at the short film corner at the Cannes Film Festival, and the feature GRAND SLAMMED which will be released by the end of the year. They currently have a sitcom, and an off-beat romantic comedy feature in development. Natasa is convinced that it is important to follow her dreams and not deny what she feels she is meant to do in life.
While looking in the mirror I asked myself, “What am I afraid of?” The response I gave myself was “Failure!” Lord, I am so sick and tired of being afraid! Have you ever been so afraid of failing at something that you decided not to try it at all? Has a fear of failure caused you to subconsciously sabotage your own efforts to avoid the possibility of a larger defeat? Are you frustrated because you feel that life is passing you by while everyone else is moving forward with their goals, dreams, and careers? The crazy thing is that although you know you have all this potential and treasure within you, you are too afraid to go on the hunt to discover all that God has put inside of you. Thomas Edison said it like this; “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Fear can be immobilizing. If allowed, fear can stop your forward progress in life and make you more likely to miss out on great opportunities along the way. It will cause you to procrastinate, be excessively anxious or unable to follow through with goals; or be such a perfectionist that you are only willing to try those things that you know you’ll finish with perfect success. When I was doing the first season of the CHOSEN GENERATION television show I was scared out of my mind, literally to the point of tears. Thoughts like: Nobody’s even going to watch or You don’t have enough experience played over and over in my mind. These and other negative thoughts almost paralyzed me. With strength from God and the help of my husband, pastors, family and close friends, I was able to overcome my fears and step out in faith. You’ll never know all the jewels and riches you have on the inside of you until you go on a treasure hunt to discover them, and that takes courage. People can encourage and support you, but they cannot be your crutch. You must conquer your own fear. After all, it is your fear. You cannot depend on others to propel you to move forward.
DISCOVERING WHAT’S ON THE
OTHER SIDE Ov e r c o m i n g t h e F e a r o f Fa i lu r e B Y E M M A N U E L L A YO U NG W W W . E M M A N U E L L A YO U NG . CO M W W W . L IFE Z ONET V . CO M
My husband is my greatest supporter under God, but he has recently undergone a procedure. I am about to begin the third season of my television show and am also extending the reach of my radio show. Now ask me, “Is this scary?” The answer is, “Yes!” While my husband recovers, he will be unable to be there for me as he has been. Fear is a natural part of life, but we don’t have to let fear lead our lives. Don’t get it twisted. Every time I get ready to record a show, interview a guest, sit down with potential sponsors or have contracts proposed to me, fear whispers to me, “What are you doing? You can’t do this, this is too big for you.” I remind myself, For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. I am no longer afraid to fail. I’ve learned that successful people have learned to do what doesn’t come naturally. They are willing to confront fear, discomfort, distractions and doubt, and act in spite of them. R. H. Macy, founder of Macy’s department stores, failed at five different professions (whaler, retailer, gold miner, stockbroker, and real estate broker) before he finally succeeded. When asked what sustained him through failure after failure he replied, “Purpose and persistence.” That’s what separates those who achieve from those who merely dream! You are stepping out, and that is more than what many others are doing. Now is the time to discover what is on the other side. Start today to set goals and take practical steps toward them. You can’t do everything all at once. Just pace yourself and begin. Again, you do not need to be perfect. Push past your fears of “I can’t,” and know that you can. On the other side of your fear lies your success, whether it is in your career, school, family or health. Go out and discover your treasure! Remember, you’ve been called to stand out! You’re CHOSEN!
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www.ocktobermusicfilmfest.com
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