Today marks the beginning of Year #2 for the Bit Part Actors Blog. I started my blog last May 10th in an attempt to retain my sanity and channel some creative thoughts to a place that may bring some entertainment to anyone who cares. I hope it worked! It has certainly been a learning experience.
I also wanted to bring more recognition to the people (and animals...and I did a robot once!) who play a smaller part in the movies and TV shows that we love. These small parts are very important to the production, and can dramatically change the feel and quality of a story.
From my early days at the
Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA, to my last Sons of the Desert meeting, I have always enjoyed movies, and after meeting several stars from the old days, I thought it would be good to share my experience and opinions. The Internet is an easy way to make opinions and information public. If everyone can share their own, first hand stories of the famous and less than famous, we will get a better picture of how Hollywood works.
My blog is not really a place for movie fans, but rather for buffs. Buffs study and try to understand the movie in its entirety, rather than just watch it on the surface for entertainment. I won't be talking about the latest
Leonardo DiCaprio film (
Inception 2010), but rather I may talk about
Talulah Riley (b. 1985) who played 'The Blond' in that movie, and who previously worked with
Keira Knightley in
Pride and Prejudice in 2005.
I also look for connections in productions and careers, rather than simple collaborations. An example of a connection would be the wonderful career of
Michael Douglas, who is the son of
Kirk Douglas, who worked with
Burt Lancaster and
John Wayne, among others. There is influence there. The elder Douglas learned a lot and I am sure he passed it along. Now Michael has children, and I'll be watching if they take the acting plunge.
Cameron Douglas (b. 1978) already has five acting credits on IMDb. Dylan (b. 2000) and Carys (b. 2003) may not be far behind.
Since I started this Blog, I have also gotten onto Facebook. I have befriended many celebrities, who don't really know me. It is interesting to see what they publish on Facebook, plus there are some great pics available. But don't just latch onto big stars.
Angelina Jolie isn't going to read her Facebook page every day and respond to your questions or comments. You can get much closer to Bit Actors though.
I have among my FB Friends,
Johnny Crawford who played young Mark McCain on "The Rifleman." And also
Chuck McCann who has quite a few roles on IMDb, and used to be the very best
Oliver Hardy impersonator. You can get much closer to these guys. Crawford sends notices of where he is appearing from time to time.
And I am making money!!! As you may know, the ads on a web site are there to rake in the money from the advertisers every time you click on a link. In just one year, I have made a total of $8.00 from Google's ad program. When I reach TEN BUCKS they will send me a check. I hope it's before Christmas. ;-)
I have been featured on the
MovieFanFare blog on the
Movies Unlimited site. I joined the
Classic Movie Blog Association, and I now have quite a few friends in the blogosphere. I hate that word, but I am thankful for the interaction we all share.
In closing, and to paraphrase
Steve Martin in
L.A. Story (1991), I hope you have enjoyed the interesting word usement I structure. I will continue to write until we run out of Bit Actors and Actresses to talk about. (That may take quite a while.) I am very thankful for the nice comments I have received, both in the blog and in my e-mails. Please feel free to contact me either way. I will always reply.
