Of Figments & Fairytales @mrbaradi - Tumblr Blog

Our discussion on my goals to being a voice for Asian Americans in Hollywood

Check out my interview at Filmmatic.com on pursuits on being a voice for Asian Americans in entertainment, using my platform for humanitarian efforts, and more!

#asians in media #hollywood #crazy rich asians #filmmaking #screenwriting #diversity in film

New testimonial by talent manager Ryan Thomson (manager to Finn Wolfhard)!

#filmmaking #hollywood #acting #actors #talent manager #film industry

Thanks to everyone who supported the benefit this past weekend!

#hollywood #suicide prevention #suicide prevention awareness month #casting #filmmakers #los angeles #actors

I had the great honor of learning some networking tips from one of Hollywood’s top networkers and event planners, Erman M. Baradi! Overall, Erman is one ...

Thanks to The Huffington Post for featuring me as a “top networker in Hollywood”!

Interview with composer Mac Quayle (Mr. Robot, American Horror Story)

Composer Mac Quayle could very well be the go-to musician in the television world. And perhaps the luckiest. The man behind the sonically creepy American Horror Story: Freak Show, the latest in the uber-popular anthology FX series by Ryan Murphy, has been on the hustle for decades, now comfortably planted in the entertainment industry. He’s literally everywhere without you knowing it.

Earlier this summer you couldn’t go two minutes on the USA Network without seeing a promo for its eventual success story Mr. Robot, a show with enough crimes, scandal, and an ultra-cool vibe to go around. And, if you’re hip to television, Murphy’s next endeavor Scream Queens has acquired plenty of early attention before its fall premiere, with a line-up that includes horror favorite Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Keke Palmer, Abigail Breslin, and Ariana Grande. There’s even the youngest Jonas to boot. It’s totally going to be a horror nerd’s wet dream. “Ryan Murphy was pleased with how Freak Show turned out. I’m so happy I was asked to score Scream Queens,” opens up Quayle about landing the gig. It’s certainly a patient job to have waiting for the picture to roll in as we’re still way ahead of the fall airing. As for Hotel?

“I won’t know anything until August! I know what the press knows so far,” Quayle confesses. What we do know is Lady Gaga, and that’s enough to score a whole slew of “monsters.” “Last season, creatively it was very collaborative. Ryan Murphy trusted me to create music that fit that world. You had the obvious choices of making it carnival-esque but then also trying to evoke scientific shows from the 50’s,” Quayle offers on the musical creative process. “It had a sort of early 20’s classical music kind of sound with strings and piano. Then, of course, you’d have the typical horror vibe. So, there was all these musical worlds that came together.”

The coolest job in show biz was a long time coming for the busy composer. It’s likely Quayle knows to play every instrument known to man. “My musical path started at age six at a church choir. That’s where I started first learning music, then I’d do rock band and orchestra in high school. I went to NYC as a producer and dance remixer. After many years of doing that it was time to go to LA and investigate getting into TV and film,” Quayle discloses. After 11 years in the unforsaken city, he’s been “slowly making my way to the point I’m at now. This is all I’ve done my whole life.”

On the film side of life, the Quayle-scored indie horror flick L.A. Slasher is one to consider if you’re anti-Kardashian or anti-Housewives. “It’s a satirical horror film about a guy who terrorizes LA reality stars and promotes it on social media,” laughs Quayle in a juicy way. But if you want to get your summer dose of Mac without the calories, tune into Mr. Robot every Wednesday night on USA. “It’s an exciting show - a drama about a computer hacker. The creator, Sam Esmail, has really got something interesting. He’s developed this idea of showing hacking in a very realistic way unlike on other shows. It’s not glamorous like sitting behind highly lit computers,” muses the composer. “There’s grit. It has a cool vibe with a soundtrack that’s very electronic. This came about with me and Sam, who was very specific with how he wanted the show to sound.” Trust me, it’s a treat.

Keep up with composer Mac Quayle on Twitter at @MacQuayle.

#music #mr robot #scream queens #american horror story #ahs #ryan murphy

Producer Natalie Chaidez Talks '12 Monkeys,' Women as Showrunners, and SciFi

Science fiction got a whole lot more interesting with Natalie Chaidez in the driver’s seat. Debuting January 16th on the SyFy Channel is 12 Monkeys, based on the 1995 Terry Gilliam film of the same name, in which a futuristic time traveler (Aaron Stanford) jumps back to the present day in an attempt to prevent the release of a fatal virus by the mysterious “Army of the Twelve Monkeys.” The virus has wiped out nearly ninety-three of the world’s population in 2043. Intriguing, right? Chaidez discusses the new series, nailing time travel, and what lies ahead for her career. As for more women in the showrunner role? It’s about time.

“Travis Fickett and Terry Matalas wrote a time travel pilot. It wasn’t 12 Monkeys but that pilot got developed into the 12 Monkeys,” Chaidez reveals of the show’s conception. While many consider the Gilliam flick a cult classic, showrunner Chaidez assures a weekly program opens doors to delving deeper into the vastness of these perimeters. “With the series you’re given time to explore! We glimpsed the past with the movie but there is more to this universe than what two hours could offer.”

Surely, time travel remains a theme of interest for sci-fi lovers after so many decades of taking a stab at the genre. It’s limitless. It produces many what ifs in our own minds – second chances, changing society for the better, the ability to foresee our future glories or our gloomy fates. And technically there are no rules…but make sure you stick to them if you construct them.

“No one has cracked time travel like we have,” announces Chaidez. She’s confident but far from arrogant about the proclamation. “It’s a difficult arena. People are usually scared of it, and getting the rules straight is important.” Still, for non-nerds who care not to pick it apart scientifically, there’s something for everyone. “12 Monkeys is emotionally-based, and has elements of love, honor, and courage while being a fun adventure,” Chaidez assures. “All science-fiction should be grounded in human emotion. That way no matter where you go with the story the audience will go with you.”

A few weeks away from the January SyFy premiere, Chaidez reflects on her time in the biz. Though many more women shine in the hot seat of the showrunner chair nowadays, Chaidez lived through the changes in the industry. But it’s not like she didn’t have the goods ten years ago. After all, the theme of the day is time. “I’ve spent twenty years in television, from Heroes to Sarah Connor Chronicles, but I just wasn’t ready to be a showrunner yet. I had two kids. Now my son’s off to MIT and my daughter’s in New York City. Now I’m ready. I’ve had a chance to watch and work alongside great showrunners,” recounts Chaidez. Today, women are taking the reins in the writers room. Aside from herself, “Lost Girl on SyFy is definitely an exception for the lack of female showrunners in the science fiction realm. I think women bring a new voice to the genre. We bring a sensibility, a concern to it.” With the big boys of Atlas Entertainment producing (The Dark Knight franchise), the woman in charge is definitely in good company to pull it off. “Atlas has been amazing partners in guarding the material like bulldogs for years,” opines Chaidez. Protecting “the integrity and vision” of the film that was made two decades ago, Atlas brings the experience of shooting blockbusters to the small screen.

Looking ahead, Chaidez segues into extraterrestrial territory. Don’t expect friendly, bike-riding aliens here, but that goes without saying. Look who’s along for the ride. Hint: She knows a thing or two about near-extinction. “I’m working with Gale Anne Hurd on Hunters. She’s great to work with – I fangirled over seeing her! Think of the show as Homeland with aliens. It’s dark and mysterious. I want to make aliens scary again.”

12 Monkeys premieres on January 16th only on SyFy.

Keep track of 12 Monkeys on the show’s official Twitter @12MonkeySyfy, and hashtag #12Monkeys and #UnmakeHistory.

#12 monkeys #syfy #scifi #time travel #film #television #Entertainment #apocalypse #producer

Conan O'Brien manager and Hollywood producer Gavin Polone on Breaking into the Business

“You will fail. It will happen. Prepare for it.”

These words are invaluable advice from a Hollywood maven whose producer credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Panic Room, Gilmore Girls, Secret Window, Ghost Town, Zombieland, and more. More recently, the words “Zombieland 2 news” were almost enough to break the internet. Producer Gavin Polone busies himself today putting together pilot for a pitch on Monday. It’s an endless cycle for the filmmaker who, if fate never stepped in, could be selling Hollywood offices right now instead of looking out of one. Life’s a pitch, really, and even if the show never gets picked up Polone will have plenty to do for the rest of the week. Oh yeah, and he’s Conan O’Brien’s manager.

“My advice for anyone trying to break in is this: One thing won't be your ticket in,” Polone expertly states. Polone is an interesting case – a working film and television producer in addition to managing the career of late night’s most branded personality. If there’s one thing Polone knows best it is failure-turned-success story. “I've had people sit across from me and say, ‘I'm producing this one thing right here. This will be the hugest thing ever.’ And I go, ‘Well, what else do you have?’ They'll say, ‘Nothing. Trust me, this is it.’ You have to keep yourself attached to projects because that ‘one thing’ may and probably will fail.” Constantly creating, Polone has six to seven pilots this year alone. Will they all make it to series? “I would do four pilots just for one to be picked up. That's how it happens here. Imagine having 50 pilots and only one lands a series. That's your job as producer.”

Starting off in real estate, the would-be multi-talent had a chance encounter at a party with the wife of a friend’s uncle. That friend’s uncle was a film producer and the wife an agent at ICM seeking an assistant. “If you think about it real estate is not too far from producing,” opines Polone. Though fed up as an assistant, he bit his tongue while a promotion to becoming an agent presented itself. “I didn't want to be an agent, but you don't say that because that would immediately make the company think of you a certain way. But, it's a good thing I did it. I enjoy what I'm doing today. Who knows, maybe I would've been a big time Beverly Hills real estate agent.” The career change has undoubtedly panned out for the better. Just take a glance at his track record. He runs circles around others in the game alongside entertainment’s biggest names.

“The breadth of working with Conan, that's my proudest moment. He's a remarkable person really and I'm grateful to be associated with him. I noticed early on that he was a massive talent. To see him going from a TV writer on The Simpsons to where he is now, that's what makes my career worthwhile,” Polone divulges of his work with the red-headed leader of Team Coco, which he describes as “more than some metaphysical occurrence.” It doesn’t hurt the Pariah Productions founder that he’s also been linked to the likes of Judd Apatow, David Koepp, and Larry David. “I saw Conan on a stage show in Chicago then today he has his own late night show. David Koepp is considered one of the biggest screenwriters of all time. I read some of Judd's earlier work. Larry David, I read Larry's work and had faith in him well before Seinfeld. You see these talents and that's what makes your career.” While Polone’s face may not be slapped across LA billboards – though his mug is accentuated with leading man scruff and, frankly, his appearance in Emmy Magazine reveals quite an absorbing gaze – his career is defined by who he’s elevated and not the number of personal magazine covers.

Having stopped managing clientele back in 2002, it was a pivotal year for Polone who committed to grabbing the reigns to produce projects. “I don't feel like you can be taken seriously if you're a producer who also manages talent. That's why it works so well with Conan. Imagine a producer with control of creative direction who also has own talent involved in a project. I stuck with Conan because I don't produce for him. He’s my one client,” affirms Polone. One seems to be a common theme with Polone, tackling projects a solo producer rather than with a team:

“I'm 50-years-old and unmarried. See, I do great work solo! I've never thought about how I've produced alone. But look, when you're a producer you still have to work with a big team that includes writers, directors, and actors. Working with other producers there's a shared responsibility. There are subjective perspectives. What if you work with others who get money for all the work I did and they did nothing? Even vice versa. Unless you're a poet you have to work with others regardless.”

Looking over the span of Polone’s Hollywood days, it’s easy to notice the non-linear fashion of his endeavors. He’s not really about stacking producer credit after producer credit and calling it a day. For Polone, there’s adventure in not knowing what’s around the corner. Risky? Yes. Failure? Maybe. Some projects are more appreciated than others. One day he’s a manager and the next he has one client. He directs episodes because, well, he can and he’s damn good at it. “Things evolve. You say to yourself, I want to give this a try, give that a try. When you venture off into something you originally did not intend as a direction, that's what makes life fun,” muses Polone. “I've made over 40 pilots, some I could name and others I’ve forgotten about that's not listed on IMDB. Now I'm writing for new shows because I reach for more. I'm nervous because I'm not technically a writer but that's a good thing! There's excitement in branching out of your comfort zone.”

Setting aside time to watch a taping of Conan at least once a week, Polone contributes more time to producing over managing. Not that it’s unimportant by comparison. Heck, his time in the producer’s chair has seen less hours with him in it. “I've been producing less because of focusing time on directing. I directed Jane by Design and Twisted episodes. As a producer, I'm doing less projects not because of lack of interest but I attach myself to projects I'm more deeply invested in. It's not about the money anymore. I feel like I've been brought closer to the creative aspect.” At 50-something, the thoughts of retirement are there but certainly not at the forefront of the man’s psyche.

“I could retire tomorrow and be happy! My one big dream to accomplish before I retire? I think I've done it already. Maybe direct a feature film?” Polone cites peering into the unforeseen future. It’s a fickle industry and things change (daily), but nothing is out of the producer’s radar. Additionally, Polone runs a restaurant, adding to his increasingly hectic schedule. “To look back at my career I can say I'm lucky. I can quit now yet I can also move forward because it's still fun like a hobby. I don't mean that as in I wouldn't take it seriously anymore. I mean that as in I get to work with these particular people still. There are no obligations anymore. I get to do this out of fun,” Polone beams before going off to do one of his million things, whichever it is at the moment.

Find producer and manager Gavin Polone on Twitter at @GavinPolone.

#conan o'brien #team coco #gavin polone #zombieland #zombieland 2 #hollywood #film #producer #director #television

Interview with "The Walking Dead" Villain, Andrew J. West

The world has gone to hell and it's okay to show a little diabolical side. Kind of. For actor Andrew J. West, the new resident "baddie" of The Walking Dead season five, surviving this dark, cruel, zombified world opens up a grey area of morality. You need a little "bite" to make it through. While his filmography spans a good eight years, West is taking this time to re-introduce himself to the world with his biggest gig yet. Be warned. You probably won't like him all that much.

It's been a busy but fun month of press time for the actor who's seen his share of shorts, TV movies, and series pilots. This fall, he takes center stage on - undisputedly - the most talked about show on the planet. No pressure, though. Today, he's just focused on what to wear to tomorrow's LA premiere. "I'm still trying to figure that out. I'll probably know by tonight," laughs West. He's a stark contrast to his character Gareth - more chipper, welcoming, and seemingly void of homicidal tendencies. But, ask him ten years ago and the kid wouldn't have been ready for such a grandiose role. "My early career in acting was a little convoluted. I graduated from Indiana University and participated in a few plays. Then, I moved to LA with a friend who also acts. At the time, I wasn't sure about acting but I definitely wanted to write or be in production," West reveals of his younger self. He'd go on to explore different avenues before realizing acting was a legitimate career path. "I was best suited for it. I was terrified of acting, to be in front of an audience or a camera. I forced myself to do plays in college. I think it’s important for people to discover the talents you enjoy and what you have to offer."

Apparently, West has much to offer. On the horror drama, he's not here to deliver a standard, menacing counter to Andrew Lincoln's battered and bruised, flawed yet empowering hero, Rick Grimes. Expect to do a little self-reflection, you know, in case you ever face a zombie apocalypse and death waiting at every corner. "Gareth versus Rick's tactics, that's the heart of the new season. Whose tactics are better and necessary to survive this world? Viewers will decide. Survival is a concept Gareth's given lots of thought to. We see him literally meditate on it. He's a philosopher of survival. Will his tactics jive with Rick's? Now that causes a great deal of tension between them," West enlightens. As for a real life game of Andrew vs. Andrew? "He has five years head start on me in fighting zombies!" West grins. "Maybe I could take on Andrew Lincoln circa 2008."

Gareth comes as a revelation for the drama series, which hasn't seen much of a human opposition since the death of The Governor last December. Lacking the instant likability of a Daryl or a Glenn or a Michonne, West succeeds in pulling off a not-so-trustworthy addition. Still, according to the official season five trailer, Team Gareth wants the same thing as Team Grimes: a road trip to DC. Don't anticipate much singing on the car ride, folks. "I don't read parts of the script I'm not in. I don't know much outside my character," reverts West from spilling any favorite scenes from the new season. Good call. Just know not everyone makes it...wherever it is they end up going.

Looking back at his journey so far, West could very well be the luckiest actor today, striking a cord with casting directors for a read despite past roles not even coming close to hinting at the insanity that is Gareth. "I don't think the casting directors pegged me as a comedy guy or a 'lighter fare' guy," refers West to his previous television roles, which included Privileged on The CW and Greek on ABC Family before joining the grittier, darker AMC family. "They called me in I guess because they figured I had a decent shot at 'villain.' They give you fake material to audition with and not the actual script to avoid leaks. I got the job days later, but here's the thing! They didn't tell me what or who my character was. I flew to Atlanta still trying to figure him out, even as I was trying to guess during costume fittings. A day before the season finale I was given knowledge of Gareth."

While certainly not winning over any pro-Rick and company fans early on, audiences will get a glimpse of a regular person caught in a crappy situation. A Walking Dead buff long before getting cast West has had a four season analysis of what he's facing. "I still don't like Gareth labeled as the 'villain.' Look at it this way. All of these characters are as complicated or real as you and I are. It's not interesting to say one person's a clean cut good guy or bad guy. You set goals for these characters based on the decisions they make to craft their arcs. No one's black and white. Each person comes from a place where they think this is how to best survive the apocalypse. You can agree or disagree with them," opines the actor.

The fan response, though, has been great in West's eyes. Brand new to Twitter, he is "amazed at how many people are aware of Gareth." "You only saw him in the season 4 finale. We've generated excitement all over the world. The people behind the show - the producers, directors, writers - they don't take this response for granted. The excitement shows on set." While the future (And maybe? Definitely? Imminent death) of the main antagonist has yet to be seen, West promises a study of a character that should be remembered for zombie years to come. "You'll see the evolution of a person in this new world. You're given a window to the mind of a survivalist. It was fascinating to me reading him."

And as for West's life outside of Dead? "I want to mix it up in different genres and characters...and figure out a way I could match up to Andrew Lincoln," he smirks before venturing off to figure out that damn outfit.

------------------------------

Find actor Andrew J. West on Twitter at @Andjwest.

#andrew j west #andrew lincoln #walking dead #the walking dead #robert kirkman #rick grimes #daryl dixon #gareth #zombie #walkers #zombies #terminus #michonne

Virginia-born Erman Baradi will be co-producing a panel event on the ever-changing media landscape at the Writers Guild of America East headquarters on November 6th. The Writers Guild is a labor union comprising thousands of professionals who work in television, film as well as digital media. The event called Digital Discourse – to be held at the guild office at 250 Hudson Street, Suite 700 -- will be focused on the future of media distribution and content creation. Guest panelists include executives from YouTube, Cinedigm, Seed & Spark, Bond 360, Radical Media, and Twitch TV. It will be moderated by Ryan Koo of NoFilmSchool.com who is a Webby Award-winner and one of Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Faces of Film. “The entertainment landscape is ever-changing and we hope to educate on the evolving platforms, technologies, and methods important in succeeding in the oncoming years,” Erman, 23, told The FilAm. Erman was born in Norfolk to Rubin Baradi from [...]

#media #Social media #asian #film #Entertainment #hollywood

I am currently co-producing a panel event with ScreenCraft.org to be held at the Writers Guild of America East called "Digital Discourse" on November 6th. It will be discussing the future of media distribution and content creation, with guest speakers from YouTube, Cinedigm, Seed & Spark, Bond 360, Radical Media, and Twitch TV. Moderated by Ryan Koo of NoFilmSchool.com.

Let me know if you know any NYC film school grads as we may have discount codes for them! We have limited seating!

#nyc #manhattan #film #filmmaking #film school #panel #Entertainment #cinema #movies #youtube #cinedigm #distribution #crowdfunding #future #creative #discussion

Competition to see which booth mimics the Guns N' Roses picture better. #Canter's

#canter

#tbt when I was internet famous for half a day lol

#tbt

writeforhollywood

The #iWriteForHollywood Contest on Instagram has begun!!

Create a video 15 seconds or less on Instagram video, upload it to your personal account between August 16th, 2013 – August 31st, 2013 with the hashtag #iWriteForHollywood and you are entered for a chance to win 1 hour Private Script Coaching and Final Draft software!

The top 7 videos with the most ‘likes’ along with 3 ‘wildcard’ entries will be selected for the top 10 contenders for the winning prize. The winner will be chosen based on aesthetic value and how it creatively fulfills the theme, “Why #iWriteForHollywood”.

It’s that easy! Enter as often as you like.

Stop by and Follow me on Instagram! http://instagram.com/writeforhollywood

For more details visit: http://www.writeforhollywood.com/iwriteforhollywood/

#screenwriting screenwriter writing writer film television movies contest Instagram

oceans-beyond

oceans beyond

writeforhollywood

Feeling Better About Your Screenwriting!

Read it here—> www.writeforhollywood.com/feeling-better-about-your-screenwriting/

It is a good way to measure our own progress and how far we have to go to measure up to Hollywood standards, but we’re also not always the best judge of our own work.

Do you feel like you are overly critical about your work?

Do you have someone that helps you with feedback and advice?

#film #filmmaking #hollywood #writer #screenplay #screenwriter #aspiring #television #entertainment #movies

You've dug out the trendy wardrobe, got yourself a second hand pair of Raybans dirt cheap and are sporting a trendy haircut and are ready to start faking your l

Interesting article on the future of films