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   Now in our sixth calendar year
    PCR #298  (Vol. 6, No. 49)  This edition is for the week of December 5--11, 2005.

LA FLORIDIANA
Reflections on a Florida Vacation (and Other Assorted Items)
 by Will Moriaty

THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW
"Syriana"
 by Mike Smith

MY MIDDLE TOE
Welcome
 by Mark Terry

MIKE'S RANT
Blade....Frasier's Mutant Side....Passing On....Imagine....Eddie's Piece....Jaws: The Story, Part 46
 by Mike Smith

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My Second Toe Is Longer Than Yours

Welcome  

Let me welcome to you to the newest column on Crazedfanboy.com. A column I like to call "My Middle Toe is Longer Than Yours." Some of you may know me from the Tampa film community or the rants that I put from time to time on the message board.

I wanted to start the column off this week talking a little bit about who I am and what I will be talking about in the up coming months.

Writing for Nolan's site is something I have been thinking about doing for a long time. I have known Nolan for a few years now. The first time I actually met Nolan in person was when he came and covered the shooting of our short film Night Demons in November, 2004.

The reason for wanting to write here is I think in all my years in Florida this site is one of the only common denominators for film makers, a great place for everyone to keep in touch, and entertained by the variety of articles.

As far as who I am? My name is Mark Terry your new party host and the man you will either love or hate at times.

I grew up playing sports and watching movies. Growing up in the 80s has certainly warped my mind as far as what's cool over the years. Looking back at it though I wouldn't change it for anything. Well, maybe growing up in the 60s would have been cooler, but then again I wouldn't want to be 47 right now. So I digress.

I am a graduate of St. Leo University with a double major in theater and writing. Hey Mom I am finally using my writing degree. Getting involved with the Florida film community at first was a struggle. I can actually remember sending head shots to Rick Danford for "Web of Darkness" wishing I could get one line in the movie. Boy have times changed in 6 years.

Florida is a great place to get your feet wet and start your love for film making or entertainment. Some of the folks I have met in Florida through out the years are really talented and love what they are doing.

I started out as an actor doing local indie films and commercials. I was the Amscot guy for a while believe it or not. Some of the local indie films were not getting completed to their fullest potential I felt. And if they did get completed I never saw a copy which by the way is my biggest pet peeve in the world. So I decided to learn how to produce films on my own. That's when the local door swung open and I met the friends I have in Florida now.

After making a somewhat successful micro budget feature my partner, Vito Trabucco, and I created two gritty short films. The last being "Night Demons" where I met Nolan in person.

In August, 2004 I officially sold out and drove across the country with Vito to Hollywood, CA where I have been ever since. It actually wasn't a bad idea because a week or two before we left 4 hurricanes hit Florida.

Getting sick on the Warner Brothers lot (set of Gilmore Girls)
I joke about selling out but sometimes I wonder and compare Florida vs Hollywood. People ask me all the time about it too. The easiest way to explain it is Hollywood film industry is such a business people take it for granted, but its the best place to build a career in movies. I just about puked when I worked "Gilmore Girls" and that little girl on the show, Glory, Rory, or Gorrie or whatever her name was, took 35 takes to get something right. Florida's high spot is as I explained it before. The people there wouldn't get into it if they didn't love it. That's why a lot of actor's I know would drive to Orlando from Tampa to audition for a movie for free. The bad part is its very difficult to build a career as an actor. And yes I know you can make film anywhere, but it sure helps to sell a car working at the car lot instead of on the phone. Or at least that's how I looked at it. So it's really a double-edged sword.

In the upcoming weeks I hope to talk about entertainment, politics, religion, or any other rants I need to get off my chest at the time.

Next week (speaking about loving what you are doing), I am going to do a write-up on my experience on Rocky 6 and feelings about Sylvester Stallone over the years. Now, I am not too keen on doing extra work or non-paying extra work or, to make it even worse, driving 4 hours to Vegas to do extra work, but dammit, I gotta see this. I said if it ever happened I would. One of my teachers once told me if you love what you do eventually money will follow. So here I come Las Vegas and my 25 dollar room at the Lady Luck down town. Hope you enjoy my column as we are off to the races.


To find out more about Mark Terry and production company Other Side Cinema please visit the web sites below:
www.othersidecinema.com
www.nowcasting.com/markterry (Demo reel is courtesy of the very talented Florida film maker Chris Woods)


"My Middle Toe Is Longer Than Yours" is ©2005 by Mark Terry.  Webpage design and all graphics herein (except where otherwise noted) are creations of Nolan B. Canova.  All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2005 by Nolan B. Canova.