AAG Featured Talent, FRANK JAMES BAILEY dishes on Farting Donkey's, Metallica and Being Prepared

                                                

AAG: What/Whom is your inspiration for VO/acting? 

FJB: My biggest voice acting inspirations have been a few people. Ben Patrick Johnson. He does mostly movie trailers and promo work for TV networks. Frank Welker who has voiced more than 1,100 cartoon / animated voices! And finally, Jon Bailey. (no, he’s not related to me) who has had NO voice acting training. He does a lot of voice matching and movie trailers. A forklift driver turned professional voice actor! Now that’s a Cinderella story! 

AAG: What has been your favorite project to date? Why? 

FJB: My favorite project I ever did, I did in 2013. I was hired to be the voice of a farting, burping, and laughing stuffed toy Donkey. It’s NOT in the US otherwise I would have bought one!

AAG: What is your dream role? Why? 

FJB: I would love to be the voice of a major cartoon! Something my kids can see on PBS, Cartoon Network, or Nick! Why? Simple. Who doesn’t love cartoons? 

AAG: Who would you like to perform with in a film/on stage? Why? 

FJB: I would love to be in the same room with great voice actors like Tara Strong (Timmy Turner on Fairly Odd Parents), Frank Welker, or John DiMaggio. (Bender from Futurama) Even though a lot of voice actors go into a room alone and voice their parts, sometimes they get all the voice actors in the same room at the same time. It makes for a better flow. Imagine a table read of a movie or a play only all the actors are JUST using their voice. You can work off of each other. I believe that is when the “magic” happens. 

AAG: Tell us something about you that nobody knows? 

FJB: My profession is voice acting. But something you might not expect is I also know some sign language. 

AAG: Have you ever been starstruck? 

FJB: Once when I was 20 something. I met the rock group Metallica after a concert in Cleveland. Even though I worked in radio at the time, I was a little starstruck that these guys were talking to me! Today…I’m rarely star struck. No matter how big the star, actors are doing a job. It’s fun to work with all kinds of actors (stage, movie or voice actors) no matter how big or small they are. 

AAG: What advice can you offer to a new actor regarding “the audition process”? 

FJB: BE PREPAIRED! If the role calls for a blonde cowgirl, but you’re an Indian girl, you better get a blonde wig and lose any accents you might have. Keep the audition simple too. And don’t audition for what you can’t do. If you don’t know Spanish, don’t audition for Spanish speaking rolls just because you want the part. When I audition for voice acting jobs I usually give the client two takes of a few lines from the script. Most clients want to hear what YOU sound like reading there words, but you don’t need to read the whole script

AAG: What’s next for (Your Name Here)? 

FJB: 2013 was a year of growth for me. Currently I am voicing 3 roles on a Kim Possible fan site called Project Possible. (I think of it as Community Theater for voice actors) I am voicing Doctor Drakken, Kim Possible’s Dad (Dr. P) and Duff Killigan. Voicing these iconic characters on this fan site has inspired me to audition for more character roles for clients. I am very happy to be represented by Active Artists Group. I’m hoping for more voice acting roles in 2014. From commercials to movie trailers and book trailers and voicing animation, I love being a voice actor!  The next big thing I would love to voice is to be the character in a video game! 

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ABOUT Frank James Bailey: Frank has over 25 years of experience voicing radio and TV commercials, explainer videos, book trailers, radio imaging, TV promos and characters. He lives in the Lima, OH area with his wife and 2 kids. You can check out Frank James Bailey's profile on the AAG website -------> HERE

AAG Featured Talent ELENA MONIGOLD dishes on Mary, Benicio, Viggo and Cowboys

AAG Featured Talent, ELENA MONIGOLD dishes on Mary, Benicio, Viggo and Cowboys

AAG: What/Whom is your inspiration for acting/theatre? 

ELENA: I’m a huge fan of Joan Cusack for comedy and Meryl Streep for drama.

AAG: What has been your favorite project to date? Why?

ELENA: Probably Cincinnati Playwright’s Initiative 2012 winner, The Best Intentions at the Aronoff 5/3 Theatre. I played Rose, an active alcoholic in Act 1, a recovering alcoholic in Act 2, and then practicing again by show’s end. Such an intense roller coaster. Challenging, in that in drama you MUST find the comical lining/relief, or you’ll exhaust both yourself and the audience.

AAG: What is your dream role? Why?

ELENA: Mary Magdalene in a One Person Show that I’m currently writing. I love characters that deal with Spiritual messiness. They make a lot of mistakes but they never give up on their Faith or Hope.

AAG: Who would you like to perform with in a film/on stage? Why? 

ELENA: Morgan Freeman for his generosity and grace; Joan Cusack for her quirkiness; Philip Seymour Hoffman for his brilliance and true talent; Melissa McCarthy for her genuineness and fearlessness.

AAG: Tell us something about you that nobody knows?

ELENA: Uh oh, crazy time. Well, I still wish on stars & feel blessed when I see a Red Tailed Hawk (my totem), and pray that I’ll retire out West on a Ranch with a cowboy. Is that enough?

AAG: Have you ever been starstruck?

ELENA: No, not really. But I do have a thing for both Benicio Del Torro and Viggo Mortensen. If I met either, I know we would end up dating! (Did you see that shooting star?)

AAG: What advice can you offer to a new actor?

ELENA: Be YOU. There is no other you. And enjoy the unpredictability of it; don’t take it too seriously.

AAG: What is next for Elena?

ELENA: Finishing writing my OPS and renting a space to perform it in with a selected audience for feedback.

Want more Elena? Check her out here -----> ELENA M

AAG Featured Talent, JASON PODPLESKY chats Shawshank, Tarantino and Snakes

AAG caught up with featured talent JASON PODPLESKY

AAG: What/Whom is your inspiration for acting/theatre?

JASON: I had a great drama teacher in high school named Shirley Custer.  She really took me under wing and became like a 2^nd mother to me.  She ran a successful theater in Pittsburgh and the opportunities this provided to me where extremely influential.  I ended up getting an acting scholarship to college, unfortunately, Shirley passed away before I graduated.  She is definitely the reason I do what I do.

AAG: What has been your favorite project to date? Why?  

JASON: I did an original Off-Broadway play called Emancipation with The Classical Theatre of Harlem while I was living and working in New York City.  It was a daring and controversial piece of theatre about the Nate Turner slave uprising.  It got some good critical acclaim and was probably the best thing I did in the city.  I was also an extra in The Shawshank Redemption which was a long, long, time ago and I had a very small extra part but people still get excited when I mention it. 

AAG: What is your dream role? Why?  

JASON: I would love to play Titus Andronicus in the play of the same name by Shakespeare.  If you read it, you’ll understand the attraction.  It’s simply an amazing role.  

AAG: Who would you like to perform with in a film/on stage? Why? 

JASON: My dream is to be in a Quentin Tarantino film.  He is one of my favorite film directors, as his works always seem to become iconic.  As Tarantino always plays a small part in his films, I guess my uber-dream would be to be in a scene with Quentin Tarantino in a Quentin Tarantino movie.  

AAG: Tell us something about you that no one knows?  

JASON: At Christmas time I volunteer to play Santa at Petsmar

t to raise money for the not-for-profit Greyhound Adoption Agency I am involved with called GAGC.  I absolutely love to do it unless people bring in their pet snakes and lizards to have their pictures taken with Santa.  I know it sounds crazy but it happens more than you’d think.

AAG: Have you ever been starstruck? 

JASON: I used to work for Sigourney Weaver’s husband.  He is the Artistic Director of The Flea Theatre in New York and he gave me my first big break when I moved to the city.  Needless to say, the first time I met “Siggy” I was a bit terrified.  However, she is so down to earth and so unassuming that you forget she is “famous” within ten seconds of talking to her.  She really is a special person.

AAG: What advice can you offer to a new actor regarding “the audition process”? 

JASON: Don’t equate success or failure with whether or not you get the gig.  You’ll burn out if you do.  I try to use each audition as an opportunity to get better.  I look at them as a chance to act and apply my craft.  My goal is to feel good about the work and to get better with each audition.  I try equating my success or failures in those terms, focusing on the process rather than the product.

AAG: What’s next for Jason Podplesky?  

JASON: I’m an adjunct professor at Wittenberg University and am currently overseeing their One-Act Play Festival, which is essentially eight days of plays, directed and acted by the Wittenberg students.  I teach directing and therefore am in charge of the festival.  

You can check out JASON on the Active Artists Group website ----->  AAG Talent JASON

AAG caught up with writer/directer J.B. Miller to discuss Influences, The Future and The Early Patrons

AAG recently caught up with writer/directer J.B. Miller, to discuss his latest project, The Early Patrons

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. We’re crazy excited for your new project, THE EARLY PATRONS. 

AAG: So, what influenced this story and what compelled you to move forward with the project?

J.B: I wrote The Early Patrons coming from two points of approach.  The first is; I do have a connection to the story on a personal level, the best writing comes from taking a fictional story and peppering it with real life.  The second is I thought about what I had available for locations, people and props.  That is the challenge, writing within a set confine of resources.  Making it happen didn't come to fruition until I put The Early Patrons in the hands of the talented Mark Stacey White, after reading it, he helped me gather the people and make my vision come to life.

AAG: Tell us about the talent involved with your film.

J.B: The start of it all is my partner Mark Burris, our skills sets are a perfect match when it comes to the ins and outs of seeing through a project.  Mark Stacey White is a talented actor, who brought on two equally talented actors; James McClure and Bryan Kruse.  I was one actor short until luck put me in touch with Active Artist Group.  After a brief description of my needs I was put in touch with JoAnna Lloyd, and she was perfect.  On top of all that I had my young crew made up of Clarissa Miller, Nick Mifflin, and Ben Zemba to help make sure it all ran smoothly. I can't gush enough about how wonderful everybody was; no egos, just real artist dedicated to making something special.

AAG: What are your plans for THE EARLY PATRONS?

J.B: Next for The Early Patrons is getting edited, and then seen.  We plan to do some fundraising so that we can get it shown at as many festivals as possible, showing the fruit of our collaboration and gain support to continue.  Look for The Early Patrons on the internet and on the circuit.

AAG: Whats next for you?

J.B: I have a handful of shorts that I’m going to produce, all to build a reputation. These are all stepping stones to get my two feature screenplays produced.  I can't see myself doing anything else; I was meant to be making films and I will charge head long into the fray without a doubt. I don't have a giant ego, I just love film.  I will do anything; know anybody who needs help with a project?

Drop in on the happenings of The Early Patrons on their FB page at: THE EARLY PATRONS

J.B Miller discusses the next scene with talent Mark Stacey White and Bryan Kruse.

The Lovely JoAnna Lloyd is all smiles on the set. 

As a special treat, Active Artists Group was able to chat with some of the talented individuals who were a part of this wonderful film. And they gave us the lowdown on what it was like to work with J.B. Miller.

Mark Stacey White - "Steve"

"Working with J.B. was energizing for me. He truly has a passion for it.  I love when a director has that fire inside. It lets me know that he's going to do whatever it takes to make his project the absolute best it can be."

JoAnna Lloyd - “Lori, the Bartender”

I was really blown away by everyone. I'm new to acting and I really learned so much about technique today from the guys! And J.B. was great.

Bryan Kruse - “Ray”

The movie should appeal to the core values in all of us.  It asks you to examine what you might be capable of in a circumstance as tragic and heartbreaking as what we are presenting. My character, Ray has some great moments that I enjoyed bringing to life for such a friendly crew.  Mark, James and JoAnna are all tremendous talents and our director, J.B. Miller has a clear vision of both the movie and the realities of production.

Drop by AAG to learn more about Mark Stacey White, JoAnna Lloyd and Bryan Kruse.

AAG Featured Talent, DEONA BETHART gives us the scoop on knowing the story and the appeal of Wonder Woman

DEONA BETHART gives us the scoop on knowing the story and the appeal of Wonder Woman!

AAG: What/Whom is your inspiration for acting/theatre?

DEONA: I’m not sure that there was any one person who really inspired my passion for acting; I think it was a multitude of people. I love stories; life makes sense to me in stories. As I watched these amazing stories play out over the years - on stage, on the screen - I knew that I wanted to be a part of them. I felt a connection to the actors, to the characters and the way they relate to each other and to their respective audiences. It’s a powerful sense of being in community and I knew I had to be a part of it somehow.

AAG: What has been your favorite project to date? Why?

DEONA: Last year I shot a short film, He Said Through Text, and it was a beautiful experience for me. It required a lot of me as an actor. Heavy emotion, but also, it required that I be silent throughout much of the film. That presented me with a challenge (which I love) to communicate without using words. I’m not sure if I pulled it off but it was an excellent learning experience and I look forward to tackling that challenge again.

AAG: What is your dream role? Why?

DEONA: I don’t know if my dream role has been written, yet. I definitely like playing strong, archetypal alpha females, but I also enjoy playing women who are a little bit of a mess, just trying to figure out life and how they fit into it. I think my ideal role would be a combination of drama, comedy, and quirk. Or Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman sounds appealing.

AAG: Who would you like to perform with, in a film/on stage? Why?

DEONA: I would love the opportunity to get in the ring with Tom Hanks. He understands the subtleties of comedy and drama, which is a fine line to walk. In fact, I can’t think of anyone who understands the craft of film acting better, and I would like the chance to study with a master. Also, Jack Lemmon, if he were still alive. He was another one who understood perfectly each role he was playing. He could throw away a line better than anyone else and, still, you’d never forget it.

AAG: Tell us something about you that nobody knows?

DEONA: I think a few people may know this, but most people don’t. My only paid acting gig (at this point) has been as a ring-girl for an amateur wrestling group. It was honestly quite fun and even cathartic - yelling, screaming, pounding the mat. It’s good to let your “id” out once in a while. And much cheaper than therapy.

AAG: Have you ever been starstruck?

DEONA: I don’t know that I’ve ever been starstruck. I do remember being extremely impressed, however, when I got to participate in an acting workshop with Lynn Redgrave many years ago. She could change the entire flavor of a scene just by changing the inflection of one word in one line. She knew how to add “business” to a scene that would bring out the subtext that was brewing. To watch her work was a transforming experience.

AAG: What advice can you offer to a new actor regarding “the audition process”?

DEONA: The piece of advice I would offer to the new actor regarding the “audition process” would be this: know the story. You may only have four lines in the audition sides, but every character has a story. Figure out what it is from those four line. It will bring a fullness to what you are doing and give you the opportunity to create something that none of the other actors auditioning would have thought about. Every other actor is going to worry about the lines; you worry about the story. If you can go in the audition room and tell a story, you’ll give the casting directors something to engage with, maybe even entertain them, and hopefully cement yourself in the forefront of their minds.

AAG: What’s next for Deona? 

DEONA: At this point, I don’t know what’s next. There are wonderful things brewing out on the horizon. I can’t see them yet, but I’m confident that right project is coming my way and I’ll be ready for it when it gets here.

Check out Deona's Profile on the AAG website: DEONA B

AAG Featured Talent, MARK WHITE gets straight to the point about Idols, Ides of March and Indies

AAG Featured Talent, MARK WHITE gets straight to the point about Idols, Ides of March and Indies

AAG: What/Whom is your inspiration for acting/theatre?

MARK: Wow. That's a deep question. In short, River Phoenix. He was my idol growing up since he was an actor/musician. Also Sylvester Stallone. Not for his acting but for his DRIVE when pitching the movie Rocky (movie of the year when I was born in 1976.) United Artists wanted the script he wrote but didn't see him as Rocky Balboa. He stood his ground and made his dream come to fruition. When I'm down about something, I watch Rocky.

AAG: What has been your favorite project to date? Why?

MARK: The Ides of March. Simply because it was my first major feature film. 

I was the only local actor officially cast in Cincinnati, Ohio with speaking lines and got to work opposite Ryan Gosling.

Hanging with Paul Giamati, Ryan Gosling and George Clooney was just awesome, just normal people with a bit of a jump on what I wanna do. 

AAG: What is your dream role?

MARK: Portraying Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon in a film about his life. 

AAG: Who would you like to perform with, in a film/on stage? Why?

MARK: Jack Nicholson. Simply because he's Jack Nicholson. 

AAG: Tell us something about you that nobody knows?

MARK: I am a huge Jim Varney fan. I own all of the Ernest P. Worrel movies!

AAG: Have you ever been starstruck?

MARK: Only once when I met Tom Savini. When I was young, I wanted to be an F/X artist like him and Kevin Yeager. 

AAG: What advice can you offer to a new actor regarding “the audition process”?

MARK: Auditions are always hard. However, if you don't go to them, it's a "no" no matter what. If you never knew about the audition, it's a "no." At least you have a chance if you audition. The worst thing they could say is... YES!  If you want a pizza, they won't call you. 

AAG: What’s next for Mark White?

MARK: I'm currently working locally with a few filmmakers on some shorts in roles I've never ventured before. Joe Kid's Undying Love, William Miller's 'The Early Patrons' Jim Rollo's 'Lucky Me' and a Christian film titled 'Foster Home.'

Click HERE to learn more about Mark White and to check out his profile on the Active Artists Group Website!

AAG Talent, MONICA TENHOVER opens up about her Cinderella Crush, Starstruck moments and life long aspirations!

Active Artists Group Talent, MONICA TENHOVER opens up about her Cinderella Crush, Starstruck moments and life long aspirations.

AAG: What/Whom is your inspiration for acting/theatre? 

MONICA: Since I began playing classical guitar at 5 years old, I knew I loved performing and felt comfortable on stage under the bright lights. I soon became involved in acting, singing, and dancing at CCM prep. Throughout my childhood and once high school hit, a professor at CCM, Bob Allen, was the one who lit the fire in me. With hard work, dedication, and perseverance I had all the tools I needed to make a successful career. When I’m performing, I feel at home; it’s catharsis for the audience as well as for myself.

AAG: What has been your favorite project to date? Why? 

MONICA: I have loved every opportunity and project I have worked with. Every new project brings new faces, new creativity, and new growth into my life. My favorite experience would have to be my senior year at Northern Kentucky University where I played the title role (Jo March) in Little Women the Musical. I received my BFA in acting from NKU, but have always had a passion for singing and always enjoyed performing in musicals. This musical was an extremely challenging roller coaster: vocally, emotionally, and physically. It was also my Senior Thesis Project so the role tore me down and built me back up. I love overcoming challenges and in those accomplishments I discover more about myself as an actor, and as a universal student, always willing to learn and challenge myself more.

AAG: What is your dream role? Why?

MONICA: I have a lot in mind regarding dream roles on the stage, such as Kathy in the Last Five Years, Petra in A Little Night Music, and The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. Ultimately my dream career would consist of a happy medium of the life on stage as well as on screen. Film work has and always will be my dream realm to work in. Ever since I studied a summer semester at the Stella Adler Conservatory in NYC, I fell in love with the process and art of film work. 

AAG: Who would you like to perform with and Why?

MONICA: I would love an opportunity to perform comedy: especially with the likes of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Kristin Wiig. That would be a great challenge and an all around fun time along side those ladies! But if I could co-star with Alexander Skarsgard on True Blood, I would be really fine with that, and possibly a little in love! 

AAG: Tell us something about you that nobody knows? 

MONICA: I am a very bubbly, happy person who is good at performing that initial perception. Deep down I thirst for a deep and darker text to perform. I really want to break free from the shell of my innocence and take on a project that showcases my skill with dramatic work.

AAG: Have you ever been star struck?

MONICA: Yes! I haven’t been to the west coast (LA celebrities) yet, but I did live in New York for a summer and ran into lots of stars. Paul Giamatti, Norbert Leo Butz, Adam Levine, Bernadette Peters, among some other big names. But my favorite star struck moment in NYC was with Paolo Montalbon. I was in love with the Cinderella movie featuring Brandy growing up, and meeting the Prince Charming in real life (at a Broadway revival for the King and I reunion party) was crazy! The little girl in me could barely speak to him, as he is/always my Prince Charming in my book. 

AAG: What advice can you offer to a new actor regarding “the audition process”?

MONICA: It all starts with breathing. Conquering that and believing in your self as a person, not only an actor, are two keys. With every audition you take, you are presenting another director with an opportunity to work with you. If you believe in your talent, believe in you and believe in the positivity of the industry; your positivity and light with shine through! It starts with breathing, starts with a smile, and announcing your name as if that is all it takes to captivate the room. Its great prep for an audition. 

AAG: What’s next for Monica Tenhover? 

MONICA: I'm excited to have signed with AAG. I'm ready to work on the film/commercial/print side of my resume and experience. I'm thrilled to have signed with an agent that cares this much about her cliental and can’t wait for the opportunities to gain work!

Check out Monica's profile on the Active Artists Group website --->  MONICA