The InstantCast Blog » Daily Advice http://blog.instantcast.com Your Source for Casting Calls, Tips, and Gossip Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:08:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Film Genre of the Day: Teen movie http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/18/film-genre-of-the-day-teen-movie/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/18/film-genre-of-the-day-teen-movie/#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:02:00 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3924 TEEN MOVIE – A movie targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers. Some of these include coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst and alienation. Common themes include high school, sexuality, and crude humor. They rose to popularity in the 90s, and High School Musical is one of the most popular teen flicks today. This genre was also spoofed in 2001’s Not Another Teen Movie!

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/18/film-genre-of-the-day-teen-movie/feed/ 4 Film Genre of the Day: Swashbuckler http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/17/film-genre-of-the-day-swashbuckler/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/17/film-genre-of-the-day-swashbuckler/#comments Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:29:46 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3887 SWASHBUCKLER – An action-adventure film characterized by swordfighting and adventurous heroic characters. Morality is often clear-cut, heroic characters are clearly heroic and even villains tend to have a code of honor. There is often a damsel in distress, a romantic element, lavish costumes, and a thrilling musical score. Examples include the many film adaptations of The Three Musketeers and the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/17/film-genre-of-the-day-swashbuckler/feed/ 4 Film Genre of the Day: Slasher film http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/16/film-genre-of-the-day-slasher-film/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/16/film-genre-of-the-day-slasher-film/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:23:05 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3870 SLAPSTICK – A sub-genre of the horror film typically involving a psychopathic killer stalking and killing a sequence of victims in a graphically violent manner. Slasher films have their own set of characteristics which set them apart from other horror movies. The victims are teenagers or young adults who are far away from help and the killer is usually “pure evil” and shows no remorse. Iconic slasher films include Texas Chainsaw Massacre and My Bloody Valentine.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/16/film-genre-of-the-day-slasher-film/feed/ 4 Film Genre of the Day: Slapstick http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/13/film-genre-of-the-day-slapstick/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/13/film-genre-of-the-day-slapstick/#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:20:16 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3840 SLAPSTICK – a type of comedy involving exaggerated extreme physical violence or activities which exceed the boundaries of common sense. A character may be hit in the face with a heavy frying pan or running into a brick wall, as often seen in children’s cartoons (think Tom and Jerry or the Road Runner). Charlie Chaplin is possibly most famous for his real-life slapstick performances, which required exquisite timing and skillful execution.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/13/film-genre-of-the-day-slapstick/feed/ 5 Film Genre of the Day: Screwball comedy http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/12/film-genre-of-the-day-screwball-comedy/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/12/film-genre-of-the-day-screwball-comedy/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:00:37 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3829 SCREWBALL COMEDY – A film which features farcical situations, a combination of slapstick with fast-paced repartee, and a plot involving courtship and marriage or remarriage. This genre rose to popularity in the 30s with films like It Happened One Night, but is still popular among romantic comedies like Intolerable Cruelty. They can be traced back to stage plays like Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/12/film-genre-of-the-day-screwball-comedy/feed/ 6 Film Genre of the Day: Road film http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/11/film-genre-of-the-day-road-film/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/11/film-genre-of-the-day-road-film/#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:35:39 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3806 ROAD FILM – A film in which the plot takes place during a journey. This is a standard plot often employed by screenwriters in which the hero changes, grows or improves over the course of the story. The genre has its roots in spoken and written tales of epic journeys, such as the Odyssey and the Aeneid. Road films also cross with many other genres. They maybe be serious dramas like Apocalypse Now or quirky comedies like Little Miss Sunshine!

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/11/film-genre-of-the-day-road-film/feed/ 2 Film Genre of the Day: Reality film http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/10/film-genre-of-the-day-reality-film/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/10/film-genre-of-the-day-reality-film/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:12:48 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3782 REALITY FILM - A movie in which a pre-determined situation is staged or created, often with the use of non-professional actors, and then the “reality” of what happens is filmed. One of the first reality films was The Real Cancun, MTV’s film version of The Real World. MTV later brought their hit show Jackass to the big screen as well. The low budget of reality films in an era of skyrocketing marketing and production costs has made them an attractive option for studios.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/10/film-genre-of-the-day-reality-film/feed/ 2 Film Genre of the Day: Psychological horror http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/09/film-genre-of-the-day-psychological-horror/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/09/film-genre-of-the-day-psychological-horror/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:23:53 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3767 PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR - A subgenre of horror fiction that relies on character fears, guilt, beliefs, and emotional instability to build tension and further the plot. Psychological horror creates discomfort in the viewer by exposing common or universal psychological vulnerabilities and fears, most notably the shadowy parts of the self most people repress or deny. Popular examples of psychological horror films include The Sixth Sense and The Blair Witch Project.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/09/film-genre-of-the-day-psychological-horror/feed/ 4 Film Genres of the Day: New Hollywood http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/06/film-genres-of-the-day-new-hollywood/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/06/film-genres-of-the-day-new-hollywood/#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:12:56 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3684 NEW HOLLYWOOD - A film movement from the 60s to the 80s when young filmmakers came to prominence in America. They drastically changed the kinds of films produced in Hollywood films and the way they were marketed. 1967’s Bonnie & Clyde, with its a mix of graphic violence, sex, humor, and its theme of glamorous disaffected youth was a hit. The Graduate, Easy Rider, and the Academy Award-winning Midnight Cowboy followed in quick succession.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/06/film-genres-of-the-day-new-hollywood/feed/ 3 Film Genre of the Day: Musical http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/05/film-genre-of-the-day-musical/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/05/film-genre-of-the-day-musical/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:12:04 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3666 MUSICAL - A film in which several songs sung by the characters are woven into the narrative to advance the plot or develop the characters. Musical films use lavish background scenery that are impractical in a theater, but they contain theatrical elements, and actors perform their numbers as if there is a live audience watching. Recent musical films include original productions like Across the Universe and remakes of Broadway shows like Mamma Mia!

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/05/film-genre-of-the-day-musical/feed/ 4 Film Genre of the Day: Mockumentary http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/04/film-genre-of-the-day-mockumentary/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/04/film-genre-of-the-day-mockumentary/#comments Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:27:20 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3640 MOCKUMENTARY - A film which is presented as a documentary recording real life, but is actually fictional. It is a commonly used medium for parody and satire, often to analyze current events by using a fictional setting.  Director Rob Reiner is said to have coined the term in the 80s when describing This Is Spinal Tap. Mockumentaries, especially comedies, are often partly or wholly improvised, as an unscripted style of acting helps to maintain the pretense of reality.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/04/film-genre-of-the-day-mockumentary/feed/ 1 Film Genre of the Day: Mafia comedy http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/03/film-genre-of-the-day-mafia-comedy/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/03/film-genre-of-the-day-mafia-comedy/#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:32:57 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3582 MAFIA COMEDY - Comedic films which revolve around a complicated situation, often an extended chase or manhunt, involving the mafia. The humor often is based on the portrayal of gangsters as ordinary people. Rather than being tough, serious, or even evil, they are normal and flawed. Witty exchanges are essential – think Goodfellas or the classic film Some Like It Hot. Other examples include The Whole Nine Yards, Analyze This, and 2009 Oscar nominee In Bruges.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

]]> http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/03/film-genre-of-the-day-mafia-comedy/feed/ 4 InstantCast – Twitter Updates for 2009-03-02 http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/02/instantcast-twitter-updates-for-2009-03-02/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/02/instantcast-twitter-updates-for-2009-03-02/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:38:00 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/02/instantcast-twitter-updates-for-2009-03-02/
  • Wondering what the chemistry between Angelina Jolie & Liev Schreiber will be like on the set of Salt. Thoughts? Call here: http://is.gd/lqSB #
    • ]]>     http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/03/02/instantcast-twitter-updates-for-2009-03-02/feed/ 1     Film Genre of the Day: Indie http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/27/film-genre-of-the-day-indie/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/27/film-genre-of-the-day-indie/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:29:43 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3546 INDIE (or INDEPENDENT) FILM - A film that is traditionally produced outside of the “Big Six” Hollywood studios. The “Big Six” includes Warner Bros., Paramount, Columbia, Universal, 20th Century Fox, and Walt Disney Pictures. However, because indie films have risen in popularity in the last two decades, most of the major studios have also created divisions specifically for financing indie films. For example, Fox Searchlight has backed many indie hits including Little Miss Sunshine, Juno, and Slumdog Millionaire!

    By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

    ]]>     http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/27/film-genre-of-the-day-indie/feed/ 3     Film Genre of the Day: Hip hop http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/26/film-genre-of-the-day-hip-hop/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/26/film-genre-of-the-day-hip-hop/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:18:19 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3537 HIP HOP FILM - A movie that displays the culture of hip hop, use hip hop as the musical soundtrack, and/or cast hip hop artists as main characters. Hip hop movies cover a wide range of genres and themes, but 1982’s Wild Style is considered one of the first true hip hop films. Set in the South Bronx, the birthplace of the musical genre, it incorporates all the elements of hip hop including DJing, breaking, MCing, and graffiti art. Hip hop films are also often biographical – think 8 Mile, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, or the recent film Notorious.

    By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

    ]]>     http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/26/film-genre-of-the-day-hip-hop/feed/ 1     Film Genre of the Day: Guy-cry http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/25/film-genre-of-the-day-guy-cry/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/25/film-genre-of-the-day-guy-cry/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:17:10 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3504 GUY-CRY - Films that address a male audience, but have strong emotional material. Guy-cry films can be thought of as the “masculine” version of the chick flick. Important themes to the guy-cry genre are concepts of brotherhood, sacrifice, loyalty, and family. Sports films make up a large part of the guy-cry genre, such as Field of Dreams, Jerry Maguire, and The Wrestler. Guy-cry films, which date back to the 70s, often do well financially and critically – think Saving Private Ryan, Good Will Hunting, and The Shawshank Redemption!

    By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

    ]]>     http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/25/film-genre-of-the-day-guy-cry/feed/ 1     Film Genre of the Day: Gross out http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/24/film-genre-of-the-day-gross-out/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/24/film-genre-of-the-day-gross-out/#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:59:04 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3489 GROSS OUT - A film, often comic, which aims to shock the audience with controversial material such as toilet humor or nudity. The MTV show Jackass is one of the pioneers of gross out television, and hit shows like South Park brought the genre to small screen animation. But gross out humor isn’t always lowbrow or lighthearted – the critically acclaimed movie Trainspotting, directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), is considered a gross out film too.

    By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

    ]]>     http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/24/film-genre-of-the-day-gross-out/feed/ 1     Film Genre of the Day: Film noir http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/23/film-genre-of-the-day-film-noir/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/23/film-genre-of-the-day-film-noir/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:49:43 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3464 FILM NOIR - Stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly ones that portray moral ambiguity and sexual motivation. Hollywood’s classic film noir period stretched from the early 40s to the late 50s. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style. They combine with many different genres, from the gangster film to the police procedural. The private eye and the femme fatale are character types conventionally identified with noir – think Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor in The Maltese Falcon!

    By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

    ]]>     http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/23/film-genre-of-the-day-film-noir/feed/ 0     How to Become Famous http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/19/how-to-become-famous/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/19/how-to-become-famous/#comments Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:35:54 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3426 You’ve made the first step towards fame by deciding “I want to become famous.” So, now what? Do you need to take acting classes to become famous? What does it take to walk down the red carpet and reach celebrity status? Read about eight actor must-haves that will help you get started on you path to fame.

    Click here for more advice on how to become famous.

    By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

    ]]>     http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/19/how-to-become-famous/feed/ 3     Take this Acting Test http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/18/take-this-acting-test/ http://blog.instantcast.com/2009/02/18/take-this-acting-test/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:56:43 +0000 InstantCast http://blog.instantcast.com/?p=3401 Have you ever asked yourself “Am I destined to be a full-time actor”? As you embark on your acting career, it’s difficult to know whether you’re ready to pursue it full-time, or if you should keep your day job. There is no exact answer since it all depends on how serious you are about acting.

    No matter what the case, you should always remain realistic. If you decide to pursue acting as your full-time career, take classes and commit yourself to your work 100%. If you love acting, but have other passions elsewhere, realize that you can do both. Even if acting doesn’t end up being your full-time career, it may always be a fulfilling addition to–and perhaps even a release from–your everyday life.

    Click here to see if you have what it takes to be a full-time actor

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