Spotlight on Georgia Talent: "Larry Crowne"

Julia Roberts is probably the biggest "star" to come out of Atlanta in the last 25 years. After graduating from Smyrna's own Campbell High School, Julia moved to New York and never looked back. After appearing in several films, her star making performance in "Pretty Woman" propelled her to A-list status. In the last ten years, Julia has let her film career take a backseat to motherhood. Fortunately for her fans, every few years she finds a great role that calls her back to the big screen. 


This weekend, she will star with Tom Hanks in the movie "Larry Crowne," which is directed and co-written by Tom. Personally, I just love Tom Hanks so I can't wait to see it.  

Casting Call: "Necessary Roughness" and "Drop Dead Diva"

The new USA Network series "Necessary Roughness" is wrapping up production on its first season but before they head back to LA they are looking for extras. Since the show is set in Long Island, they are looking for New York types. In particular, they are looking for people 35-42 years old, of Italian, Greek or Puerto Rican descent.  If you are interested, e-mail your resume, photo and contact information to roughatl@gmail.com with "NY Reunion"in the subject line.

"Drop Dead Diva" is also looking to cast a few extras for a fashion scene set in Milan. They are looking for distinguished, fashionistas to be featured in the audience at an Italian fashion show. So grab your best black dress or suit and scarf for this casting call. To apply for this casting call, complete the application on the DaveFM Casting Couch page.

Silver Screen Destinations: Tybee Island

Recently, I was flipping through the channels and the Nicholas Sparks/Miley Cyrus movie "The Last Song" was on. I won't give a review of the movie - its Nicholas Sparks and Miley Cyrus ... Anyhow, its been about 20 years since I last went to Tybee Island so I tuned in for a bit to see the sights. The movie was filmed on Tybee and at the Georgia Acquarium in Atlanta. 


If you are taking advantage of the long weekend holiday coming up for the 4th and you are headed to the beach, consider visiting Tybee Island. Tybee is highlight of Georgia's golden isles with beautiful beaches, pier and lighthouse. 


An integral part of "The Last Song" movie was a historic church. The church was built just for the movie but the city worked with the studio to keep it on the island. So after you hit the beach, fill up on great seafood, stop by the Tybee Island Wedding Chapel. 

A Summer of Crazy Characters

A few years ago, a friend of mine turned me on to USA Network's original series "Burn Notice" and ever since I've been addicted to my summer fix of Michael Weston. USA Network has taken a cue from Fox by launching new shows during the height of the summer season while everyone else is in reruns. Over the last few years, USA has produced and released a handful of quality shows featuring unique "characters." 


This summer the network is set to launch a new show that was filmed in Atlanta. "Necessary Roughness" stars Callie Thorne ("Burn Notice" fans might recognize her) as a therapist who is hired to help a pro football star get his game back on track. I don't know if the show is going to be set in Atlanta but be on the lookout for city landmarks. "Necessary Roughness" premieres on Wednesday, June 29 at 10 pm. I've already got my DVR set. 

Wanted: Families With Lots of Personality for Family Feud

The newly revamped "Family Feud" game show, hosted by Steve Harvey, is moving the production of the show to Atlanta next month.  The show is now looking for families to compete for $100,000 in prize money. They will be holding live auditions on June 26 where candidates will get to play a mock game in front of cameras. To reserve a spot, e-mail atlanta@familytryouts.com.  


Casting producer Sara Dansby shared a few tips for getting on "Family Feud" with the AJC this week. They are looking for:
- Families with lots of energy and personality so bring your A game for the tryouts. 
- Be entertaining, charming, and joke around with Steve Harvey. They really want families who can interact with the host. 
- Bring six family members, just in case you need a back-up. 


Find out more tips by checking out the article on AJC. 

Deadlines for Georgia Film Festivals

Georgia filmmakers are luck to have a several great film festivals right in their backyard. The Atlanta Film Festival occurs each April but there are several small, niche festivals in the Atlanta area throughout the year. In addition, the Savannah College of Art & Design sponsors the Savannah Film Festival and the Dixie Film Festival is held each year in Athens. 


Deadlines are fast approaching for the Savannah Film Festival and the Dixie Film Festival. You can submit your films through Withoutabox. The late deadline for Savannah is June 30 and the regular deadline for Dixie Film Festival is July 6. 


Even if you don't submit this year, make plans to attend one of these great festivals. The 14th Annual Savannah Film Festival will take place October 29 - November 5 and the 8th Annual Dixie Film Festival is September 23 - 25. 

Baby, You Should be in Pictures!

Ok, so this post doesn't have much to do with the film/tv scene in Georgia but Jodie Foster got her start as the Coppertone baby so here it goes....


There are a couple of photo contests for babies and children with deadlines this week. Parents Magazine is holding their annual cover contest. You can find out more at their web site. 


Gerber is also on the lookout for a new Gerber baby. You can find out more about the contest at their Facebook page. 


Make sure your little ones look a million bucks with in their photos. Check out the great deals Zulily has on children's clothes. 

Celebrities in the ATL

This was an exciting week for celebrity sightings in Atlanta. As usual the Buckhead Life Restaurant group ranks as the top spots for celebs to visit when they are in town. Sightings for the week include: Ryan Reynolds at Chops Lobster Bar, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were also spotted at Chops Lobster Bar this week too, and Alyson Hannigan of American Pie and "How I Met Your Mother Fame" has been seen at the Buckhead Diner. 


Personally my only celebrity sighting in Atlanta has been Tyler Perry last summer at the Flying Biscuit so good luck and keep your eyes open!

The Summer Return of the Diva

Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" is set to return to your living room this weekend. Season 3 kicks off on Sunday, June 19 with an all-star cast of guest stars including Paula Abdul, Wanda Sykes, Brandy, Kathy Griffin, Lance Bass, Clay Aiken and many more. "Drop Dead Diva" has been filming in Peachtree City since the beginning so its a great show for us to support!


Also if you are like me and are behind on your "Drop Dead Diva," you can catch up with the Season 2 Marathon on Saturday, June 18 starting at 11 a.m. 

Ready, Set, Write

Do you dream of writing Hollywood's next be hit? Is your film idol Woody Allen or John Hughes? If that's you then get out your notebook and start writing. The Atlanta Film Festival 2011 Screenplay Competition is now taking submissions. For over 40 years the Atlanta Film Festival has been discovering and nurturing new filmmaker talent. Winners of the screenplay competition have a once in a lifetime opportunity to workshop their script with other screenwriters, producers, directors and film industry professionals. 


The earlybird deadline for the competition is June 27 but don't worry if you haven't finished (or maybe haven't started) your screenplay, you can pay a little extra more for the time since the late deadline is September 19. Find out more from the Atlanta Film Festival. 

Jason Biggs Tweets Photos from "American Reunion"

Jason Biggs, known to "American Pie" fans as Jim, has been tweeting a few photos from the set. "American Reunion" the latest installment in the "American Pie" franchise has been filming in Atlanta for the past few weeks. I know of at least one spotting of Tara Reid in Midtown this past weekend. Follow Jason Biggs on  Twitter  for more good photos.  

Coming Soon: The Atlanta Black Women Film Festival

In just a few days, the Black Women Film Network is celebrating 15 years at their Black Women Film Festival. The festival kicks off Friday with a special screening of the 2011 Sundance selectee "Crime After Crime," a documentary about the legal battle of Debbie Peagler who has been in prison for over 25 years due to her connection the murder of the man who abused her. The screening will be at The Woodruff Arts Center at 6:30 p.m. 


The festival will have several great panels about filmmaking including "Reel Business of Filmmaking Workshop," "New Ways to Sell to and Distribute and Finance Your Film," and "How to Market Your Film." These panels will feature experts and filmmakers such as Steve Collins from Mobilfimworks, Jaunice Sills from BET, Saptosa Foster of 135th Street Agency, and filmmaker Nervaina Rhodes.  


I think its going to be a great weekend for filmmakers and talent to connect and network. Check it out to get more details. 

Spotlight on Georgia Talent: "Super 8"

"Super 8," the highly anticipated new movie from J.J. Abrams, hit theaters this weekend and stars a few notable actors with Georgia ties. Kyle Chandler, best known for his role on television's "Friday Night Lights," and Elle Fanning, the younger sister of Dakota Fanning and an actress in her own right. Kyle Chandler was born and raised in Monroe, Georgia and before setting his eyes on Hollywood he wore the red & black at the University of Georgia. Elle Fanning was born in Conyers, Georgia before moving with her family to Los Angeles. I'm hearing great things about this movie and I'm hoping it will top the box office this weekend. 


Check out Kyle Chandler on David Letterman talking about the movie and his days growing up in Monroe. 

Atlanta Extras Get Connected on dave fm

Atlantans can now stay on top of casting calls just by tuning into the radio. dave fm will feature the "Casting Couch" every Tuesday at 11 a.m. with casting director Bill Marinella. Bill Marinella Casting is an extra casting company for films, pilots, series and commercials. Currently Bill Marinella Casting is working with "Drop Dead Diva," "American Reunion," "Necessary Roughness," and "Single Ladies." So tune in to get connected. 

Zombies Are on The Move in Atlanta

Watch out Atlantans the zombies from AMC's hit show "The Walking Dead" are moving north. Normally,  the show films south of the city in Henry County but next week they are moving to Cobb County. The show will film on Monday, June 13 and parts of Cobb Parkway will be closed from 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.. The AJC is reporting the intersection of Cobb Parkway and Riverwood Parkway will be closed. 

Crew Call: "What to Expect When You Are Expecting"

The book "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" is the bible for today's pregnant woman and now its making its way to the big screen. Directed by Kirk Jones of "Waking Ned Devine" and "Nanny McPhee" fame is set to star Cameron Diaz. The script has been rewritten by Shauna Cross (previous credit includes "Whip It") is an ensemble romantic-comedy following four couples as they prepare to welcome their first child. 


Fortunately for Georgia, the movie will be filmed here over the summer. Right now there aren't a lot of details about the production but they are now accepting resumes for crew positions. If you are interested, send your resume to whattoexpectproduction@gmail.com. 

Casting Call: Tyler Perry's new TV show "For Better or For Worse"

Tyler Perry is at it again and is looking for extras for his new TV series pilot "Tyler Perry's For Better or For Worse." The show will film in Atlanta from June - July and they are currently looking for male and female non-speaking extras of all ethnicities. If you are interested, please send your color photo, direct phone number (do not send your agent or manager's contact info), height, weight, and city and state. If you have an actors resume, please attach it in a PDF or Word Document. You should also include the color, year, make and model of your car and use "TPS FBOW EXTRA" in the subject line of the e-mail.

Please e-mail your submissions to the e-mail address or mailing address listed below and only submit once! Thank you for your cooperation.

FEMALES please send your submissions to: FBOWEXTRAS1@gmail.com

MALES please send your submissions to: FBOWEXTRAS2@gmail.com

Mailing Address:
TPS / Extras Casting Department
Attn: TPS FBOW
Heather H. Bivens/Emily Mask
541 10th Street # 172
Atlanta, G.A. 30318

Filmed in Georgia: "X-Men: First Class"

Today, the summer blockbuster movie season starts today with the release of "X-Men: First Class." The fourth movie in the "X-Men" franchise goes back to the beginning of the creation of the X-Men group and it chronicles the early friendship of Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the movie stars James McAvoy, Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Lawrence. Parts of the movie were filmed in Brunswick and Jekyll Island.