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Plans are being made by the youth of Baltimore and the surrounding areas to attend the RFC Chess Summer Youth Chess Tournament. This “Quick Chess” event (each player having 10 minutes to complete their game) will be held on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 from 3pm to 6pm, at the Pimlico Arts & Culture Center, which is located at 4330 Pimlico Road (at West Cold Spring Lane), Baltimore, MD 21215.

Area youth have competed monthly, this past school year in “Quick Chess” tournaments at the Baltimore Freedom Academy and within the YMCA’s Afterschool Chess programs (sponsored in part by the Maryland State Department of Education). This event will help them to continue their pursuit of chess excellence by providing a summer competition –to win prizes– while they continue learning more about chess at their summer camps.

This event is being organized by “Kidz Nite Inn, Inc.” a 501c-3 organization which seeks to provide fun, safe, wholesome, leadership & character building activities for urban youth. This event has the support of the Maryland Out of School Time Network www.mdoutofschooltime.org, the David Alexander Group and the Fells Point Chess Club. Additional event sponsors are also being finalized.

For more information about this event or to help sponsor this event please e-mail: love1way@yahoo.com or call David “Pawnmaster” McDuffie at 410-499-4299. 

‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore’ – by John Ford
 …Now playing at Center Stage… www.centerstage.org…
 

The title of this play is somewhat of a misconception, I feel it unfair rests the burden of lust/love on women; after all it takes two to ‘tango’… After getting over such a revolting idea that one sleeps (has sexual relations), with one’s own sister… I adjusted to the concept of viewing this as an exploration of forbidden love. Certainly I have had desires & fantasies for another man’s wife…For instance, take Whitney Houston, in the movie ‘The Preacher’s Wife”, I could ignore/bypass husbands/suitors such as Bobby Brown, Denzel Washington, Courtney Vance & any other man to have Whitney as my to one true love! She drives me wild! Whitney, call me, I will be more than your Bodyguard! …But back to reality…

This is a raw portrayal of the downfalls of Lust as well as the Subjugation of women. There is a scene where the Husband beats his Wife because he has found out that she is pregnant with another man’s baby. Indeed, he feels his heartfelt love has been betrayed, men do love deeply, but as with Chris Brown beating Riahanna, this was a bit too graphic for me.  Women in the time of the 1600’s were frankly considered as mere property, even ‘play toys’ for men…Sometimes I think attitudes of men/society hasn’t changed much…

Director Irene Lewis is known for ‘not holding back’… It seems that Center Stage has once again produced a play that has relevance to today’s events / news headlines…

In the broader context of ‘love gone astray’, this play explores what happens when you love/lust for someone you really shouldn’t … The end is certain doom & in this play the entire family pays the ultimate price for it. Your actions today, affect a host of others that surround you and in today phenomenon of pregnant teens -‘babies having babies’ and the high rate of ‘Single Parent Households’ society pays the price… But so much for my political conservatism… And yes I do work in aftercare programs, and even serve as a mentor to youth, maybe in recognition that my prior lust driven activities had resulted in my being estranged from my son through the divorce process I experienced…

Another success for the Arts and Center Stage… The exploration of a human experience which causes one to rethink their life!

This production is offered now until April 5^th  which in a way, is a fitting time since we are in the Lenten Season – a time for reflection of our ills for which Jesus Christ came to relieve us of in hopes that we repent from our sins…Is there something you need to rethink? Is there something you need repentance for? Is it time for you to Change your ways? Come to Center Stage & be provoked into a better life… Society needs you…

Many Continued Blessings

Pawnmaster

On my most recent visit to Buffalo, NY I have been consulting with businesses, non-profits & community groups, helping them to achieve their missions. Most near & dear to my heart is the Archangel 8 Chess Academy (e-mail:arcangel8chess@yahoo.com).

Archangel Chess is a premier chess organization in Western NY, which is focused on growing the chess playing population-teaching chess in schools, libraries and even coffee shops. They are also providing top quality chess tournaments for players to compete in. In downtown Buffalo, NY, at the Main Place Mall on the 2nd floor you will find on the 3rd Saturdays of the month, chess players of all ages competing for prizes & enjoying the company of fellow chess players.

September 15th, 2007, 9am to 5:30pm,  42 players competed in the September Alliance for Quality in Educations’ Buffalo Open. A US Chess Federation Grand Prix event.

The beginners’ section, was won by 5th grader Julius Spence, while 2nd Place went to 1st grader Miles James and in 3rd place was Virginia McArthur, a 5th grader who traveled from Thorold, Canada to participate.

The beginners section was named in memory of long time chess promoter Sherman Thomas, the founder of the Inner City Chess Club. This organization nurtured the talents of youth,  helping them to attain their dreams.

I was one of those youth, but also in the ranks are college professer & National Chess Master Timothy Daniels as well as the 1st place finisher in the tournaments’ Open division National Master Lionel Davis. 2nd place in the ‘open’ was shared by chess experts Luka Glinsky an 11th grade student from Erie, PA and Tony Kimrough of Buffalo. Yes, adults and youth together, you don’t have to be over 18 to excell at chess!

Tied for 1st in the ‘adult intermediate’ division was 10th grader Evan Ashton of Clarence High School and Yakun Hu a 9th grade student at Amherst Central School. Adults John Johnson from Rochester, NY and David Biddle shared 3rd. 

Buffalo’s School Board President Mary Ruth Kapsiak sponsored the scholastic section which was won by 5th grader Ryan Madden, followed by Aaron McDuffie, 8th grade and Adam Schunk. Prize winning girls included 5th grader Bethany Cates, 8th grader Najalah Habeeb and 4th grader Dakaylah Winfield. The Greater Buffalo Savings Bank also provided ‘Buffalo Banks’ (coin banks shaped as a buffalo) which were given to all the children.  

The day before the tournament, on be half of and in conjuction with Archangel Chess, I gave a brief chess lesson and played 16 teens simultaneously at the “Kid’s Escaping Drugs” substance abuse re-hab facility in West Seneca, NY.

Good decision making skills are necessary to win at chess and also at life.

many continued blessings

pawnmaster

Had an interesting experience at a forum hosted by the Mayor of Baltimore & The Family League of Baltimore. The occasion was intended to connect ” Struggling Male - At-Risk Youth” with summer youth programs. Finally, Baltimore has a mayor who seems to care about the people & the communities moreso than ‘The Inner Harbor’  …tourist attractions and etc… Mayor Dixon seems to ‘get it’, she realizes that because of the crime rate in Baltimore, few folk want to live here, work here or even visit for fear of losing their life…Wait, pay to risk their life…humm…, that sounds like the makings of a good reality show, “Baltimore: Dead or Alive, How Long can you Survive”… pull the ‘texas hold-um’ poker shows , i’ve got something better…

It was a noble task, very much needed activity, as well as funding for more recreational & social programs especially for youth. They are our future and with the murder & crime rates rising all over the country, I  wish we had a social & political system which values people, especially our youth more.  I can understand the cries of the people, “We have wars at home to win - why are we in Iraq?” …Is anyone else listening?

Statistically speaking, according to the book “Black Son Rising”, by Michael Jones,    (e-mail:jones_michael@hotmail.com - for copy of book - highly recommended reading) there are more african-american young men: ages 15-24, in jail than in all the colleges & universities in this country. 

During the ’question & answer’ session,  one young man arose shouting - “Don’t Believe the Hype - these folk are in it just for the money”.  I imagine he was tired of the wretchedness of the past Mayor (author of ‘Believe Baltimore political slogan’) - police commissioners convicted of stealing money, schools paying for things that were never done, blatant lies it seems to the people about how he was going to help them.

At first, I was jumping out of my chair. I work on the front lines with little or no pay to provide some type of aftershcool activities for youth. How dare he say I’m in it for the money. Wish I had some, rent is due…Brother if you only knew…

Ms. Mayor nodded at me & I took that to mean ‘let him speak’ so I quenched my wrath & listened. Truth be told, the Young man had a point. We, as the older generation - their parents, their leaders, their roles models, are not on task with the business of raising them right. We choose to build prisons rather than schools, we increase funding for police rather than recreation centers. Someone commented ‘with the salary & overtime of one police officer (reported by the Baltimore newspapers to be in close to & over $100,000 in some cases)  I could run my program. We send them mixed messages - consider the law which states ‘no dirt bikes are allowed in Baltimore City, yet our official policing policy states we can’t chase down violators &  arrest them… I guess if I wanted to rob a bank, i’d use a dirt bke in Baltimore as my ‘getaway vehicle’, the police couldn’t arrest me & i’d be rich… (don’t try this…).

About a week later I myself was robbed & beaten. While waiting for my body to grow strong enough to undergo needed surgery (facial skull damage), heard of similiar beatings - seemingly random, speculated to be gang initiation rituals. I got my wake-up call…the present political ‘business as usual mindset’ will result in blood shedding on the streets our our cities- it’s not just Baltimore, examine Philly, Miami, LA,  heck even in the usually peaceful “Amish areas” of Pennsylvannia, VA Tech University…  !

If this world is to be, let it start with me… The Bible states, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Make a positive difference in your community - be it on the job, at home or just as you go about the cares of the day - Somebody is Watching!

many continued blessings

pawnmaster

Interview of Carlyn Davis, CSA of Carlyn Davis Casting
 

Who is Carlyn Davis?
 

www.carlyndaviscasting.com for complete details and I will email you my biography.

 What does “CSA” mean to the industry insiders & talent?

 www.castingsociety.com for detailed info.  In a nutshell, you have to have at least 3 years of professional casting experience with credits and have to be endorsed by 2 current C.S.A. members.  I was the first member from DC/VA to be voted in back in 2000.

Do you have any ‘Entertainment’ (singer, dancer, actor…) background?
 

 I hold a B.S. in Theatre from Radford University and have studied music and theatre my entire life.

How did you get interested in casting?

In my much younger years, I wanted to be an actress.  Moved to LA when I was 17 after high school.  Parents forced me to come home and get a degree.  (good thing!)  I began taking directing classes in theatre and truly enjoyed being the “doctor” behind the microscope as opposed to being the specimen being studied.  It was my junior year in college that I decided I wanted to be a Casting Director.  After graduation, I had planned on moving back to LA to start my career when I met my wonderful husband and was offered a casting director position in Washington, D.C.  Hence, the story begins…

What do you enjoy about your career? 

I love that every day is uniquely different than the one before.  It’s always nice to have something new to talk about every day after work.  But I’d have to say the best part of the job is to hear the excitement in the performer’s voice when you tell them they just landed a role.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

What areas of entertainment do you cast for: movies, plays, print adv…? 

Ironically, what I don’t cast for is from my origin—theatre.  And I love the theatre!!!  However, there is not a lot of time left at the end of the day to then work again at night.  I cast Features, Commercial Spots, Print, TV, etc.  We just opened up our 2^nd office in Baltimore, so we keep really busy.

What are some of the projects that you have handled?  

This past year’s released credits include “The Good Shepherd” and “Step Up.”  We also cast several America’s Most Wanted episodes last year.  Prior to that my feature credits date back to the early 90’s.  I’ve worked on over 30 features including “XXX-State of the Union”, “Tuck Everlasting”, “Forrest Gump”, “Manchurian Candidate”, etc…

Are there any interesting experiences from past projects you’d like to share with us?
 

There are so many stories I cannot even remember them all.  I use to work the set to wrangle extras in my younger years.  The days were normally 17 hours long and I have worked consecutively as long as 93 days in a row.  But I am grateful for the experience and understand what it is like to be on set.  I could write all day about stories, some of which, you wouldn’t believe.  Working in the “people” business always leaves you with something to think about later.

Casting Directors never seem to want to talk to talent. .Describe a typical day when you are working on a movie project - say from the movie “Step Up” (Music High).
 

Yeah-Music High.  That was a wonderful movie (initially) to cast.  Coming from a fine arts background, and I almost minored in dance, this was the perfect job for me.  Everyone at my office worked until we almost fell over, but I am proud to say that we cast every single dancer and Day Player here locally.  Production was quite impressed.  A typical day once production begins means getting up at 4am and getting into the office to make sure we had no cancellations and production does not need anything.  Then we keep prepping for the days to come and of course the never ending changes.  Generally, if you’re lucky, you’ll have 30 seconds to cram a bite of food in.  It’s hard work and you are constantly on the phone trying to solve that day’s newest problems.  (Actors backed out last minute—car trouble, kid sick, whatever)  Now you need an exact person, sometimes the same exact size, as the person that just backed out.  And you need them in 2 hours…

Now why do we not like to talk to talent?  My answer is—I do like to talk to talent.  My problem is then I chat all day and get no work done and there’s no time for that.  It’s flattering that folks want to talk with you, but next thing you know you have a line and you’re stuck.  I have always told everyone on my staff to treat people the way you would want to be treated.  But when you’re dealing with the masses, sometimes you run into a bad apple and they take up a lot of your “good” energy and time.  So yes-sometimes I avoid actors just so I can get my job done. But we are quite respectful as a casting team.

How does ‘Talent’ get noticed in order to get an audition for a featured roll or a main character?
 

 It truly depends on what we are working on and what the producers are looking for.  I always like to (when production gives me a lot of time) pre-read a lot of folks so that I can find a character that is truly interesting.  To get noticed, actors have to be persistent, understand how each casting director pre-views talent, and always continue to “fine tune” their instrument, per say.  I enjoy hearing stories of folks like Tom Hanks still going back to basic acting classes. That shows dedication.  If a casting director is not calling you, don’t give up. That just means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and work harder.

And make sure you have a top notch headshot from an incredible photographer like Joe Henson or someone that really knows what their doing.

Describe the audition process.

It changes with each project.  Generally, when casting commercials, you bring in a lot more choices than you would for Industrials.  And again with features, if the producers give me time, I like to do pre-reads.  A lot of time I’ll have my staff run two studios at once so that I can peek in and at the end of the day, review the tapes and get the casting assistants opinions on the day’s sessions.  Then I make my decisions for the call backs.  After the call backs, I make my final few decisions as to whom I’ll submit and recommend to the director and producers.

In 2005, you started “Extras Now”, why?

www.extrasnow.com  It took me a few years to build this site, but it is finally up.  I wanted a site that would save anyone that was interested in doing extra work time and money and give them education on the site as to what will happen if they get selected to work on a set.  It saves everyone having to spend 8 hours in line and gas money.  And many times after the open calls, we’d get back to the office and many of the photos became detached from the forms and the poor folks that waited all day for a chance, will never get one. And we’d have to sort through the hundreds of forms and with today’s technology-quite frankly that is a waste of time and you cannot do a good job for production.

So the site is a very, very powerful tool that my team uses each and everyday.  Even for Principal work on occasion.

Each member can control their own accounts and receive audition and job notices. 

And if they gain weight, change hair color, etc., they can easily change their photo at any time from the comfort of their own home. 

And each member is considered for work for an entire year, not just one project. 

It’s the fastest and easiest way to get your face not only in front of my team, but we allow producers to use the system as well.  It’s a great (and cheap) marketing device for talent.

What are the differences from Carlyn Davis Casting?
 

 www.carlyndaviscasting.com

I developed this site shortly after the internet came to be.  I’m proud to say it was one of the first sights in the nation to have a searchable, interactive database that shows actors photos, resumes, video demos, audio demos and comp cards.

We also use this site everyday for castings—primarily for Day Player castings.  We use the www.extrasnow.com for selecting background performers. 

To be considered to be added to the CDC site, you must first submit your P/R through the mail.  Then we’ll go through and find who we think might be interesting.  At that point, we contact the performer and invite them to a general open call where I require them to do a 1 minute monologue and then I give them a script to do a cold read.  I video tape everyone and have over 3,000 actors on tape, all at my own expense.  (Remember-I was a starving artist so I totally know where actors are coming from) 

With www.extrasnow.com, there is no way possible to let the entire world in for free, (and I want performers that are serious about their work) so there is a small fee to cover the maintenance of the site.  And AFTRA/SAG members get a 60% discount.  There is no fee to be on the CDC site, but you have to be darn good to get into it.  And many times, my office is so busy, we postpone open calls for months, so it can take a long time for consideration.

Describe the process to be involved in “Extras Now”.

 I think each performer should visit the site for the best explanation, but in a nutshell-once you join, you need to fill out all of the special skills that you have (it’s a searchable database so all we have to do is type in the criteria that we are looking for like runners, rollerblade, etc. and it comes right up for our team) enter a close face shot and then a body shot and you’re done.  You will instantly be added and considered.  And you do not have to have a professional headshot for extrasnow.  You simply can just use a digital photograph and you can change the photos anytime you like.

What benefits can one expect by joining ‘Extras Now”?

Well obviously if you land a part, that would be the best.  The site gives you instant exposure to local producers and our casting team.  Again, it provides training and also lists casting announcements, even on jobs that we are not working on.  It’s a great marketing tool.  And the site is designed to send out text messages so we can make you aware of any call time/location (etc.) changes to eliminate any mistakes costing performers time and money.  Pretty soon there will be a featured “member of the week” that will be posted on the front page.  This will give the performer massive exposure.  And again, Union members get a 60% discount.

Any suggestions you have for ‘aspiring talent’?
 

Get your training.  Figure out your market.  Build your resume and most importantly remember that show business IS a business.  Before you approach anyone and make yourself look totally green, prepare yourself.  You only get one chance for a first impression.  Make sure you have the training and the right headshots, etc.  No one wants to start with someone that has no idea about the business.

Assess the market for talent in the Baltimore / Washington area.
 

 I am honored to work with many of the local talent here.  This market is the 2^nd largest Equity (union for stage actors) market in the Nation.  NYC is #1, DC/Balt. #2, Chicago #3.  So there is an abundance of incredibly gifted performers here and I’m proud to know them.  The downside of this market is there are no agents.  We need really, really good franchised agents here.  Everyone is freelance so it makes my job twice as hard.  Truly as a Casting Director, I should not even have a database.  I should just be able to call managers or agents for them to submit to me.  But in a sense it’s like I’m mother to the freelance market, hence my large database.  I have come across many folks in my 14 year career that have tried to become agents or managers, but I don’t think they had any experience so they didn’t last.  Other than that, this is an excellent market for talent.  You can actually do your film/TV, whatever, during the day and do an equity show at night.  And then you can proudly say that you are an “actor” and not a waitress or something.  But nothing comes easy—you have to work hard.

How can one keep busy - as an actor, a model or just what do you suggest?

Again, always continuing the education.  I would also suggest joining Women In Film and Video (it’s for men too).  And visit your states film website to see what is going on.  Also, if you are an extrasnow member, check the casting announcements page daily to see if there is anything going on.

And I always respect stage actors.  If you have never been on stage, go get yourself in a show.  It is totally different acting than what I do with film, but it will begin teaching you the process.   

Thanks Carlyn!
Many Continued Blessings!

I watched NBC’s “Meet the Press” today (www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608) & was astonished to learn that Lebanon has been neglectful to live up to their UN agreement to disarm all local militia within their borders. The Lebanese Ambassador who was interviewed by Tim Russert, the shows host, seemed not to have good answers to Tim’s questions. It doesn’t seem realistic for there to be peace until Lebanon can run their own country and control it’s people. If the State of Texas or some of the residents decided to invade or bomb Mexico it would be up to the Federal Government of the United States to reel Texas in. If the federal Gov’t did’t step in then one could conclude that ‘the few’ are acting with the support of the Government. Why is their government allowing ‘the few - Hezbollah’ to attack Israel?

As far as a ‘Peace-Keeping’ force. I think the military force should be comprised of everyone except the USA. Maybe India or China could be the lead force since the British cite prior ‘dirty hands’ from their colonial occupation days. Wow, what a thought, mixing another religion into the region…Seems like we are viewed too much as the bully, a superpower imposing its’ will upon the world. No one seems willing to put their lives on the line or expend its assets the way the US has. We got dragged into WW1 & WW2. What happened to ‘Marshall Plan’ repayments?  Sure I would love to see us out of Iraq, the billions that we spend on that effort could be used here at home to re-build our crumbling infrastructure - people, schools, roads, mass transportation, water suppy lines.

The fact is we got attacked. ‘911′ was like Pearl Harbor, poison out of control seeping into the safety of being in another hemisphere. There is enough poison in our cities without more being brought to us from overseas. Maybe Israel should run Lebanon, then the terrorists would have to leave & go to where they came from… 

To head up the peace summit , let’s replace Condoleezza Rice with Rodney King, i’m sure he could negotiate a settlement with his ‘Can’t we all just get along’. The Washington Times (7/29/06 - Bush, Blair Call for a Halt) has reported Britian’s Tony Blair commenting on how little control outside nations have over the situation. “This can only work if Hezbollah are prepared to allow it to work. Blair added, that they will not ask the multinational force to fight its way into the areas. ”  sounds like the peace force Blair has in mind wil be soon slaughtered or run out of Lebanon and then the Hezbollah and israel can fight once again. This has been going on for centuries….well maybe the names have changed over time.

Here is a photo of a lovely garden in the Charles Village neighborhood of Baltimore, MD.