Tag: New England actors

By Stephen Marchessault

“I’m not famous yet, but I’m gonna be.” says Charlie Tacker

Charlie Tacker is a nine-year-old actor from Wareham, Massachusetts, but don’t let his age fool you. He is a seasoned award-winning veteran who’s appeared in over twenty student and independent films over the past five years. Aggressive, professional, and determined to make sure that everybody knows his name, Charlie is one of the hardest working actors in New England.

On set he’s the typical, energetic boy dancing around and trying to make everybody laugh. But as soon as somebody yells, “quiet on set”, he’s all business. He gives complete attention to each take, is 100% comfortable in front of the camera, and has an uncanny ability to pick up on subtle cues and deliver exactly what the director is asking for. It’s a gift that makes him unique from most other child actors and has earned him the moniker “Two Take Charlie”.

In the 2012 Boston 48-Hour Film contest Charlie starred in YOUNG MAN, a film by Good Natured Dog Productions. For his performance as Jimmy, a boy forced to take on adult responsibilities, he won the award for Runner Up For Best Actor.

Two of his films have premiered this year and are set for festival entry. In I FELL SILENT by Omnes Productions, Charlie delivered a chilling performance as Isaac, a young boy trying to resolve issues with his family. In NICKY, by Door Eleven Productions, Charlie plays Nicky, the long lost brother to the main character. After watching him in NICKY, I personally cast him to play the lead role in my film A PREDATOR AND ITS PREY, without an audition.

In 2013 Charlie will appear in three feature films: PROVOKED, a paranormal film by Jordan Pacheco, HOPELESS, a 3D zombie movie by Hans Hartman, and HENRY AND GRETA, a modern day Hansel and Gretel story by Jenny Lim. He’s also currently working on several short films. He’s the main character in the short film FIREFLY JAR by Gary Fierro and he also plays young Tony in CHILDREN OF THE ASYLUM by Mary DeBerry and Skip Shea. He recently signed with Model Club, Inc.

Charlie has worked with the most talented filmmakers in New England and has built a reputation as an easy going, talented and hard working young actor. People are beginning to take notice of little “Prince Charles” of New England, and soon the rest of the world will too.

For more information find Charlie on IMDB, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CharlesTacker and check out his website at www.charlietacker.com and email chucketacker@ gmail.com

Stephen Marchessault is an Entertainment Producer and Casting Manager in the New England area. Stephen has produced and managed video productions, such as music videos, short films, fashion shows, film premieres, corporate videos, and behind the scenes events. Stephen worked with Charlie on the set of PREDATOR AND PREY.

By Ernest Thompson

I’ve worked with a boatload of Billys through the years, from the original Broadway production of “On Golden Pond” through the movie, the musical, the live TV version with Julie Andrews and Chris Plummer, and the all black Broadway revival with James Earl Jones. Jordan Puzzo is as good as any of them. I directed him last summer and was immediately taken with his fearlessness.

Jordan already had an impressive film resume – for a 13-year-old – but my production of “On Golden Pond” was his first time on stage. It’s not hard to look at the way Jordan carries himself and see that he’s an athlete. Hockey’s his sport and I’ve played enough myself to know the idiom, so I had my pun intended ice breaker. I frequently use sports metaphors in directing and in my classes for actors, and for writers, too – I’m a beach volleyball bum myself – so it’s helpful when someone knows what I’m talking about. Jordan Puzzo speaks the language.

There’s a focus unique to playing a sport that lends itself well to acting and I like it when I can use the analogy to help a performer, on stage or film – same attack as far as I’m concerned – find his or her discipline. I take seriously the notion that one PLAYS volleyball or PLAYS hockey, as in we’re still kids and it’s still a kid-like venture. Same with acting: we’re PLAYING Let’s Pretend. With Jordan, once we found our rhythm, the work became play and the results were amazing for everyone who saw his performance and for his cast mates as well, myself included. “On Golden Pond” works best when it’s a true ensemble of actors and Jordan learned quickly to become a reliable team player. PLAY-ER.

The other parallel between sports and acting is the age-old one: effort equals execution. Jordan’s a hard worker. He’s come to classes at Whitebridge – and will come to more, or else. At 14, he already knows the virtue in working to perfect his craft. My friend Karen Black, I tell him, with a 60-year lead on him, still takes classes in Hollywood; it’s like an athlete constantly training. It makes the PLAYING that much more gratifying. See Jordan Puzzo in FUNERAL KINGS and you’ll see a natural screen presence, but, more, you’ll see an athletic prodigy just beginning to find his game.

Ernest Thompson is the Academy Award winning actor and playright who adapted ON GOLDEN POND from his own stage play. He lives in New Hampshire at Whitebridge Farm with his wife Kerrin. He hosts writing and acting workshops there along with producing movies that provide work and experience for local filmmakers.

By C. W. Dolan

Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there. ~ Meryl Streep

Maria’s most admirable and ironic quality is her love for life despite her equal love for stories dealing with pain and trauma. Having worked with her on my own film, MOVING STONE, where she played ‘Lena’, a bowler severely challenged by assumption and insecurities associated with her lover and captain, I saw that Maria was not only dedicated, disciplined, collaborative, open-minded and friendly on set, but able to understand the highly internal nature of my story and work closely with me to externalize it’s subtleties. Her passion for stories of navigating internal pain and reservation truly echo in her own life:

Born in Moscow, Russia, Maria made her way to America at age eight. Although she already had serious aspirations to act, her shyness and reservations with entering a new country led her on a temporary tangent. Inspired by the charisma of her grandfather, who was an engineer, and by her own fascination with science and art, Maria first studied architecture at Northeastern University. With time and an ever-growing sense of confidence in herself and her surroundings, Maria decided to take a stab at her childhood dreams. Meeting and working with some truly talented actors and mentors at Carter Thor Studios East, Maria began an intensive journey of learning and refinement. Through her work on the stage (which includes her role as ‘Nina’ in Zalmen, written by Elie Wiesel and directed by Guila Clara Kessous, as part of Harvard Arts First 2011 festival) and film (which includes her role as ‘Liz’ in THE NIGHT AFTER THE COMPANY PARTY, written and directed by Emilio Mauro) Maria worked diligently to transgress her own boundaries and find her identity as an artist.

Today, Maria pushes herself to reach what she classifies as the ‘chameleon state of acting’ (more simply: being able to access a broad spectrum of characters – especially the ones she is not typically cast as). Maria’s influences include Cate Blanchette, Michael Fassbender, Michelle Williams, her loving mother, her exciting 9th grade English teacher Mrs. Day, and Eli Wiesel. She is currently involved with work on an exploitative feature titled HONKY HOLOCAUST (written and directed by Paul M. McAlarney) as well as a feature titled ONE (written by Raffaele DiBacco and directed by Kevin DiBacco). Maria is also looking forward to producing a segment on women in the industry for a local TV show called To The Edge of Media.

You can connect with Maria on IMDb at http://www.imdb. me/mnatapov, on LinkedIn, NEactor.com, and directly at Maria_Natapov@yahoo.com

C. W. Dolan is a writer, producer, and director at Redtree Productions. He is most moved by stories of intrapersonal and interpersonal growth. His short MOVING STONE will be arriving in festivals later this year.

By Lori Murphy

“Morgan Murphy is a director’s dream, in large part because he embraces the process so heartily from all sides. I’ve always believed that every actor should study writing, every writer learn about directing and every director should take an acting class. Morgan has done it all and done it well and takes it to the next level as well as being an excellent teacher.” Ernest Thompson, Oscar winner

Morgan Murphy is a vibrant combination of talent, intensity and complete and utter joy in everything he takes on. He is fearless, determined and lives for the moments in life that make great stories. One of Morgan’s best tales is how his friendship with Sanford Meisner began. Morgan was in Los Angeles for a few days auditioning for graduate schools, took a bus to Meisner’s house and knocked on his front door. He spent that day with Sandy and his friends and months later Morgan studied with Meisner at his home in the Caribbean.

Morgan not only got the best acting training possible there, but he gathered many stories about the locals and their customs, found his way onto Radio St. Vincent and Island TV and played drums with local bands. He also somehow arranged regular private lunches with the legendary Sandy to talk about…..acting.

Today, Morgan wears many hats: he is also a producer, director, teacher, and musician. As co-founder of Whitebridge Farm Productions with Academy Award winner Ernest Thompson, he has produced and acted in several films and plays, involving over 800 people. He teaches his popular Whitebridge classes, Acting For The Camera and The Artists’ Workout, and he’ll leverage any project he gets his hands on to give those students opportunities. His students can be found right now in films around the world as well as on Broadway. He has consulted with Schools from South Korea to New Orleans regarding their arts training programs and is currently helping develop film programs at Plymouth State University and St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire. The list goes on and on.

Morgan’s infectious spirit and tireless nurturing of other people’s creativity, not to mention their confidence, courage and curiosity, is more than moving; it is life-affirming.

“Morgan Murphy can teach acting to anyone at any level of experience because his own experiences are so wide and comprehensive. Best acting teacher I’ve ever had the pleasure and benefit of working under.” – Jeff Tolstad

Lori Gigliotti Murphy is a co-founder of Whitebridge Farm Productions.

By Chris Palermo

Last time I was with Edward Burns was in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. We were shooting a fun scene together (got to actually act with him) in the Katherine Heigl starrer 27 DRESSES. This time around he returned to New England to celebrate the launch of production for his next movie TURK which will chronicle the wild life and times of legendary Boston Bruins Player Derek Sanderson. Burns is a Co-Producer and leading actor in the movie.

The film is based on the book “Crossing the Line” written by Derek and Kevin Shea who is an editor for the Hockey Hall of Fame. TURK is being touted as an indie with a moderate budget. Burns is no stranger to that world as he has been very successful in the last few years producing films budgeted in the thousands rather than millions. He came to Boston in 2010 to present his film NICE GUY JOHNNY at The Boston Film Festival.

On January 9th, 2013, media, film industry folks, and hockey fans gathered at the beautiful W Hotel in Boston’s Theatre District to celebrate the launch of this film based on one of the most flamboyant hockey players The NHL has ever offered. It really was a unique event put on by Regan Communications. Boston veteran sportscaster Bob Lobel was a great casting choice to emcee the evening.

TURK Director Doug Atchison from the stage told a huge crowd that his movie “will have us flabbergasted!” He also asked if anybody was interested in being an extra in the upcoming film. A few hundred people raised their hands. I did get to speak personally with Atchison. I suggested the importance of location to him and being true to the story. Boston is a very different city than it was in the 70’s and 80’s. How will they replicate those locations? Doug told me they intend to film here and will use Hollywood magic to make that happen. We’ll also be seeing the real Derek Sanderson, Bobby Orr, Garden, etc. as they hope to blend in historic footage into the film. Producers recently reported that they have been busy casting for the lead role in Los Angeles. No start date has been set but some reports had cameras rolling this Spring.

So lace up your skates, grow out your sideburns, and get ready for some old time hockey! For updates ‘like’ my Facebook Page www.facebook.com/ massmoviemavens and follow me on Twitter: @mavensupdate.

By Michael Walsh

The medical examiner checks the body and saunters over to a detective, who is watching the last few seconds of the Super Bowl on the victim’s TV. “That’s weird,” says the examiner. “Two bullet wounds from two different guns… but no bullets, no casings…nothing.” The detective, a perfectly droll expression on his face, glances over at the victim. “Hmm, that is weird,” he says. “Listen, whether we watch the end of the game or not, he’s going to be just as dead.”

The medical examiner then joins the detective and other members of the forensic team to watch Adam Vinatieri kick the game-winning field goal for the New England Patriots’ first Super Bowl win. I’m the victim.

The detective is actor Alfred Thomas Catalfo, who also happens to be the director and screenwriter. The film is BIGHORN – a 15-minute, supernatural historical fantasy that won the 2011 Online New England Film Festival.

In a film that features a re-enactment of Custer’s Last Stand, a herd of ornery buffalo and the Super Bowl, it’s usually Alfred’s languid delivery of that line – which perfectly captures the tone of the movie – that brings down the house. A real-life trial attorney, Alfred’s varied film roles have included playing Billy Zane’s lawyer in the NBC television movie BET YOUR LIFE, a baseball team owner in WAGES OF SIN, a Las Vegas gambling addict on his wedding day in the dark comedy EAR WHACKS, and an everyman pitted against a Government assassin in the science fiction thriller THE STAG HUNT.

I think what makes Alfred such a superb actor is having a filmmaker’s understanding of what the director needs combined with an extensive knowledge of how people act and react in a wide variety of circumstances from his experience in the courtroom. In addition to being a member of SAG, he’s also one heck of a singer/songwriter and guitarist. Alfred’s a renaissance man – or at least a Swiss Army Knife – who fosters camaraderie, is a quick study and is always a blast to work with.

Michael Walsh did a stint with the U.S. Army. Upon discharge, Michael used his G.I. Bill to attend UNH, where he majored in Theatre. The rest is history…or at least a work-in-progress, until it becomes history…nevermind. He can be reached at icarus.walsh@gmail.com. Alfred Thomas Catalfo may be reached at atcatalfo@gmail.com.