Olivia Wilde “too old” To Play Leonardo DiCaprio’s Girlfriend

olivia wilde too old to play leonardo dicaprio's girlfriends, ageism, sexism, acting, acting adviceOlivia Wilde has revealed she was “too old” for Margot Robbie’s role in “Wolf of Wall Street”
During an interview with Howard Stern the actress revealed she was “too old” for the role.  Stern had asked if she had ever not gotten a role because she was too good-looking. Wilde said:

 

“The funniest thing I heard recently was I had heard for a part that I was too sophisticated. And I was like, Oh, that sounds nice. I like that feedback. I didn’t get the part, but I’m a very sophisticated person. And then I found out later that they actually said ‘old.’ I want to make a translation sheet for Hollywood that’s all the feedback your agents give you and what it really means.” Wilde was 28 at the time.

 

Martin Scorsese did end up casting Wilde in “Vinyl,” his new HBO series. “I did not [have to audition for ‘Vinyl’] because I had auditioned unsuccessfully for ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ — that’s the one I was too old for” she clarified.

 

If you are an actor then check out How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. It is available in print and in all eBook formats on both Smashwords and Amazon.

 

 

Editor Catherine Balavage’s Radio Interview With Orla Barry

Frost editor Catherine Balavage was interviewed on The Green Room with Orla Barry. Catherine was talking about her new book How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. The interview is below and has lots of great acting advice. Have a listen and let us know what you think.

 

 

Are you an actor? If you have any acting questions then comment below and Catherine will answer them.

 

How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur is out now and available here.

 

 

Martin Scorsese To Retire?

Martin Scorsese to retireMartin Scorsese has said he wants to retire from film-making after a ‘few more films’. The legendary Oscar-winning director was speaking last weekend at the Marrakech film festival, where he was acting as jury president. He went on:

“I have the desire to make many films, but as of now, I’m 71 and there’s only a couple more left if I get to make them, I miss the time when I had the desire to experiment and try different kinds of films, I miss that time, but that’s done, it’s over. There is obligation as you get older, you have family. I’ve been very lucky in the last 10 years or so to have found projects that combine the desire, the obligation to my family and the financiers.”

Scorsese said that when he started working with Leonardo DiCaprio it was “tricky”  because the actor was so well known for Titanic. “When I did Gangs of New York and The Aviator, people kept asking me, ‘Is he an actor?'”

“I said yes. I saw What’s Eating Gilbert’s Grape, he film he did with [Robert] de Niro, This Boy’s Life before Titanic. So there’s a stigma there which people still refer to.

“But we found that he regenerated my enthusiasm for making films. Mainly because, as you get older, it gets physically difficult and also the business especially – the financial issues. You’re responsible for a lot of money, if you get it. It’s all pressure, but can you do it? His enthusiasm and excitement really kept me going, for another five pictures now.”

I had the pleasure of working on Scorsese’s Hugo and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I still feel honored. I am glad that Scorsese will at least make a few more films, his contribution to cinema is outstanding. The day he retires will be a sad one but we will still have his legacy.

 

Easy Money Film Review & Competition

EASY MONEY WILL BE RELEASED IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE 19th JULY 2013

Easy Money film

Certificate 15
Running time: 125 minutes

Director: Daniél Espinosa

Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Matias Padin Varela, Dragomir Mrsic

I saw Easy Money at The Hospital Club about a month ago and it is so good it has stayed with me. The film is presented by Martin Scorsese which may be the best stamp of approval a film can get, If anyone knows movies, it is Scorsese. But with backing like that a film really needs to live up to its promise. Easy Money does.

The film is beautifully shot. I really loved the cinematography.The characters also draw you in. Although some of them are not particularity nice people the director Daniél Espinosa shows the human side of everyone. There are no one-dimensional characters. Whether it is the hitman who is a single father or JW, who gets in with the wrong crowd to make money so he can impress a girl. Poor student by day, socialising with the Stockholm elite by night. This film shows there is no such thing as Easy Money as JW bites off more than he can chew after taking a seemingly easy job to fund his lifestyle and impress the upper class girl that he loves.

Joel Kinnaman who plays JW is a revelation. All the actors are good but Kinnaman is brilliant in the lead role and also has the face and charisma of a movie star. I predict big things.

Easy money is based on the book by Jens Lapidus for which the rights have been sold to over 20 countries. Unlike some adaptations, Easy Money is a film which manages to tell the story with both visual impact and  a great script. This cautionary tale is brilliant. Go and see it.

JW (Joel Kinnaman) is a poor student who lives a double life within the wealthy Stockholm elite. He falls in love with an upper class girl and is soon lured into a world of crime. Jorge is a fugitive on the run from the police and the Yugoslavian mafia. His plan; import a massive cargo of coke and then disappear for good. Yugoslavian hitman Mrado is trying hard to find Jorge but his criminal life takes a turn when he is forced to take care of his young daughter. While JW starts a journey into the dark world of organized crime, he brings together the fate of all to a struggle of life and death.

Frost has copies of the Easy Money book by Jens Lapidus to give away. To win just like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our newsletter then comment below saying which. Good luck!

 

Oscars 2012: Full List of Nominations

Frost always gets super-excited about the Oscars, and this year is no exception. Lots of deserving and talented people on the list. I also worked on Hugo so I want to congratulate all of the people who worked on it for their nomination. Not that I am biased….

 

Best Picture

War Horse
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Best Actress

Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Viola Davis, The Help
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

 

Best Actor

Demian Bichir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Supporting Actress

Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help

Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Best Director

Michel Hazanivicus, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life

 

Best Original Screenplay

Michel Hazanivicius, The Artist
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumulo, Bridesmaids
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
J.C. Chandor, Margin Call
Asghar Farhadi, A Separation

Best Adapted Screenplay

Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, The Descendants
John Logan, Hugo
George Clooney, Beau Willimon and Grant Heslov, The Ides of March
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, Moneyball
Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

 

Best Foreign Feature

Bullhead
Footnote
In Darkness
Monsier Lazhar
A Separation

Best Animated Feature

A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

Art Direction

The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse

Cinematography

The Artist
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Costume Design

Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.

Documentary Feature

Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated

Documentary Short Subject

The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
God Is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

Film Editing

Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Kevin Tent, The Descendants
Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Thelma Schoonmaker, Hugo
Christopher Tellefsen, Moneyball

Makeup

Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston and Matthew W. Mungle, Albert Nobbs
Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk and Yolanda Toussieng, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland, The Iron Lady

Music (Original Score)

John Williams, The Adventures of Tintin
Ludovic Bource, The Artist
Howard Shore, Hugo
Alberto Iglesias, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
John Williams, War Horse

Music (Original Song)

“Man or Muppet” from The Muppets, Bret McKenzie
“Real in Rio” from Rio, Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown and Siedah Garrett

Sound Editing

Drive
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon
War Horse

Sound Mixing

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Monyeball
Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon
War Horse

Visual Effects

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon

Short Film (Animated)

Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

Short Film (Live Action)

Pentecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic

 

 

Andrew Tiernan {Frost Interviews}

I recently had the pleasure of working with one of Britain most hard working and talented actors, Andrew Tiernan, on Jason Croot’s new film Le Fear, Le Sequel. He was kind enough to give Frost an interview, and it’s a stunner.

You are in “Prisoners Wives” the new BBC Drama, what was it like working on that?

All credit to the Production as they took a risk with me, as usually I’m the Bad guy, so this time I’m on the other side of the law playing DS Hunter who is investigating the murder that Gemma’s (Emma Rigby) husband Steve (Jonas Armstrong) has been accused of. The Directors and Producers wanted an edge to this guy and they knew I could bring that to the role, which was great for me. I had to get my head into Cop mode, as I haven’t done that for a very long time, in fact since “Prime Suspect” when I was a young copper with Helen Mirren and Tom Bell. Hopefully I’ve done a good job. But that was easy as Julie Geary’s writing is fantastic.

You played Ephialtes, in Zack Snyder’s “300”, how did you manage to put in such a good performance under all of that prosthetic?

It’s great because you don’t get recognized. I have always tried to transform myself for each role. The prosthetics was like a mask that I could manipulate with my facial muscles, but I had to exaggerate my expressions to move the inch thick prosthetic. I enjoy mask work, so that wasn’t the hardest thing for me to do. When you’re trying to transform yourself without the use of prosthetics, that is the challenge. I’ve fluctuated my weight and appearance over the years to fit the roles, I was influenced by Robert De Niro when he put a ton of weight on for “Raging Bull,” but it’s quite a dangerous thing to do and not everyone in the business appreciates it, some have thought that I’ve just let myself go, so I doubt I’ll be putting on the pounds again anytime soon, unless it is under prosthetics.

You are a successful Actor, but still do your own projects, why?

It’s all about the work. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. I wanted to have some kind of control over my work at some point. What people forget is that it’s the Writer and Producers who are in control we can only perform what is written on the page. And when we’re not doing those jobs, we’re waiting around for work, it can send most Actors insane, so I try to keep myself busy between jobs.

Tell us about the short film you’ve recently directed; “Flush”:

“Flush” came about after the writer; Kevin O’Donohoe, told me about an experience he had with some Estate Agents. One of the estate agents asked to use the toilet in his flat and was in there for an unexpectedly long time and managed to stink the place out. He thought that the guy had done it deliberately, so he decided to get his own back and came up with this very funny little script. We made it Independently, I got Shona McWilliams and Simon Balfour in to help me produce it. We’ve just finished Post-Production and we’ve entered it into some film festivals, we’re very excited about it. We’re planning to do some Feature Films later in the year with the same Production Team and a new script by Kevin called “UK18” a Political Drama set in the near future.

How did you get started as an actor?

I was into films from an early age and would visit the local cinema on my own, The Grove. I’d watch all the Ray Harryhausen adventures and then I managed to see some of Peter Bogdanovich’s films, such as “Paper Moon” and “What’s up Doc?”. So I suppose the bug started there, and eventually I decided it was something I wanted to do as a Career. I started working at the Midlands Art Centre after joining the Youth Theatre there, then ended up at the Drama Centre London.

Who/what is your inspirations?

If you’d asked me a few years ago, I would have said De Niro and Scorsese, but I think really it is people like Powell and Pressburger, Nicholas Roeg, Lindsay Anderson and Ken Russell who inspire me, and always have. I also have an admiration for Polanski’s films, one of the very first films I remember seeing was “Repulsion” when it was screened on television and it freaked me right out.

What is your favourite film?

At the moment, I would have to say it’s Ken Russell’s “The Boy Friend”. It was such a shock when he passed away, but I had managed to finally get the film on DVD the week before his passing. And it’s just as wonderfully spectacular as when I first watched it, what a genius. But there are so many films that I love, that I have a top 40 in my head every week. Though there are certain ones that always top the list and not necessarily everyone’s favourites.

How has the industry changed for Actors?

Since I joined the industry rather a lot has changed. When I first started there was a lot more opportunities and a lot more Drama was made for TV. But also there was a lot more Theatre Companies, we thought cuts were bad back then, but now it’s unbelievable. But on a positive note, technology has improved such that Artists can develop and produce their own independent work a lot easier than back then. And it’s possible for that work to be seen in different markets.

What are your opinions on reality TV?

Unfortunately, I think that it’s had a knock on effect in our industry and not just the fact that there’s not enough Drama being produced, but reality TV is very cheap for the Networks to produce and people seem to want to watch it. It’s a very sad time, as I think that when we look back at this period, we will think, where were the great British TV Drama Writers that we used to produce like Alan Bleasdale, Dennis Potter or Peter McDougall? The Networks should really pump more of the money they make from this cheap stuff into quality writing and drama, instead of squeezing the budgets. But we as Artists can’t rely on them anymore, we have to do it ourselves if we have a story to tell and find our own ways to distribute it.

What do you think of celebrity culture? What harm does it do?

Recently I was having a conversation with a Young Actor and we were chatting about the business and I mentioned that I’d worked with Simon Callow, the renowned Theatre Actor and Writer. He must have misheard me, as suddenly he shrieked in excitement “You know Simon Cowell!?!” I can forgive him for not knowing who Simon Callow is, but that reaction to the possibility that I could introduce him to Simon Cowell was deeply concerning. And I am seeing it more and more. Actors who manage to get themselves roles on Productions and the next step for them is a Celebrity Dance Show or the Jungle one. Shows where you have swallow things in order to gain more celebrity status. How ironic is that!? I think what this culture of celebrity has done has made some people very ignorant and obsessed with materialistic things. I think what will happen is when people think back to the noughties, no one will be remembered for any kind of Art or Music, the era will be remembered for the Wars that took place and the Banking Crisis. And just for the record, I don’t know Simon Cowell.

What next?

We are going to change things.

Links:

IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0862907/
Official Website: http://web.mac.com/andytiernan/Andrew_Tiernan
Flush FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/Flush2012

Photo credit; Marac Kolodzinski

Hugo {Film Review}

Martin Scorsese doesn’t shy away on his love and passion for film history and filmmaking itself. He makes subtle homages to silent era films through-out his films (especially the shot of Joe Pesci shooting a gun at the camera in the end of GoodFellas is referencing to The Great Train Robbery (1903). So viewing this film, it doesn’t come as a surprise why Scorsese wanted to make this film. It is based on a children’s book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

It tells of an orphan named Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) who lives in a train station in Paris in 1930s, he encounters George Méliès (Ben Kingsley) at a toy shop. Whilst living in the train station, Hugo is busy fixing an automaton. A mechanical man that was found by his father (Jude Law), determined to get it fixed since his father died from a fire at the museum where he worked. Constantly avoiding the station’s inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen), he also meets George’s goddaughter, Isabelle (Chloë Grace Moretz). Hugo notices a heart shaped key on Isabelle’s necklace, being a vital piece of the puzzle on fixing the automaton.

The story is a fantastical adventure and it is as exciting and magical as Pixar would make it if this was an animated film. The production design by Dante Ferreti (previous credits; Interview With The Vampire, Gangs of New York and The Aviator) continues to make some wonderful sets, especially the clock tower that Hugo often visits from time to time. It all feels authentic but also keeping with the fantasy story. Robert Richardson’s cinematography is gorgeous, making the setting of Paris as bright and glorious (which helps with the 3D). The writing from John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) is very well written, brilliant direction from Scorsese on starting the film with little to no dialogue. There was no need of an opening narration, a case and point on the meaning ‘show don’t tell’. The leading child actor, Butterfield, does hold the film on his own and makes a convincing and likable hero (“we’ll get into trouble” says Isabelle as Hugo pick locks a door “that’s how you know it’s an adventure!”) Moretz has already established from Kick-Ass how talented of an actress she already is and does the English accent spot-on! Sacha Baron Cohen (well-known as Ali G, Borat and Bruno in The Ali G Show) plays the Inspector as a comical villain and does comedy very well as he doesn’t play the character with any French stereotypical traits. His only purpose to uphold the law and capture any orphans in the station (being just as heartless as any mechanical object) but slowly showing feelings for the Lisette (Emily Mortimer)Ben Kingsley as the famous George Méliès makes one of his best performances. You feel for his sadness, that time can be a gift but also a curse. A magician on-stage and behind the camera, where he tells a young boy that this is where dreams get made! Believing there is no such thing as a happy ending. Though Hugo, as he fixes his automaton, attempts to fix George’s life. Which the film asks a question; what is our purpose in life? What happens when we’re made redundant? That’s a question Hugo constantly wants to find out and believing the automaton is the key to the memory of his father.

The thing that amazes me from this film is Scorsese’s eye on historical accuracy, not just from the setting or costumes but of film history itself. Featuring classic silent films; L’arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotat/The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station and La Sortie des usines Lumière à Lyon/Workers Leaving The Lumière Factory in Lyon by Lumière brothers (who invented the cinematograph). Seeing a reconstruction of George Méliès’ films being made honestly brought a tear to my eye, it really is a film lover’s dream. This, without a doubt, will be used as a case-study for Film Studies courses in the future.

Overall; a phenomenal piece of filmmaking! Scorsese really does delve into the fantasy of the story but also celebrating film itself. As George Méliès says at the end of the film; “let us all dream!” You have certainly delivered a wonderful dream, Mr. Scorsese!

5 out of 5!

Frost Interviews: Jason Croot.

1) How did you get into making films?

I guess it started 10 years ago I made a experimental short film then made a few more and then progressed into professional features

2) What is your background?
I started acting 10 years ago before that I have around 30 jobs I never could settle in one but I guess I use a lot of life experience in my films and acting

3) How did you get your first film off the ground?

Le Fear was a real world wind 3 weeks after coming up with the idea the film was in the can, it was a great experience and really made my love for film making grow much stronger, we were stuck in post production for a while then the film was picked up for distribution I’m awaiting the release date which will be great

4) You act, write and direct, which one is your favourite?
I really can’t pick between acting and directing, I would say acting is like my first love and will never end, film making was my bit on the side during the acting years but now has become my full time love affair

5) You will be making Le Fear, Le Sequel soon. What was the idea behind the film? I was walking to the supermarket one day and had this idea to make a film about a film, using my experiences as an actor I was on one film shoot and the sound guy was texting during a take, I put a lot of misfits together and it worked out well, Le Sequel is the follow up to the first film this time I’ve had longer to plan and develop the storyline

6) What are you up to at the moment?
I’m in the middle of co directing my fourth feature film Meeting Place the film is based in a restaurant and follows conversations of 80 different actors some of which play 2 characters it’s been a good shoot

7) Who are your favourite actors/directors?
I have so many but to narrow down some, Steve McQueen, Max Von Sydow, Peter Sellers, early De Niro,Pacino & Brando, Jean-Pierre Léaud, Gérard Depardieu and the wonderful Roberto Benigni, directors Olivier Assayas, Jim jarmusch, Ingmar Bergman, Martin Scorsese & Quentin Tarantino

8) What advice to you have to people who want to get into film?
I guess never give in no matter what and don’t rely on anyone but yourself

9) What is your favourite thing about the film industry?
Being on set as an actor or director and working it

10) And the least?
Recalls just bloody cast me ;]

Thank you for taking the time to read this find out more on me on IMDB http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2907429/