Heaven Help the Hollywood Hopefuls! #atozchallenge #IndieFilm

l-r: Skyy John with models Raychel Gregg, Keziah Okonkwo and Kristina from the YouTube show 'Tipsy Bartender.'After meeting various actors, directors, film students and producers over the years, I get the impression that some people who make movies are not so much trying to create motion pictures as much as they are reaching for a place in Hollywood -- and all its trimmings – to call their own. By this, I am not exactly referring to fame, but rather, one’s attempts at being associated with the scene.

It’s also common to find someone in the independent film community who wants those perks without him or her actually doing anything substantial that warrants such an entry pass into all that glitters. “That’s unlikely to happen,” says Skyy John, an actor based in Los Angeles who hosts a widely popular webseries called TIPSY BARTENDER on YouTube.

Having appeared in films and Emmy-winning CBS shows including “COLD CASE” and “THE YOUNG and THE RESTLESS,” Skyy John’s advice for filmmakers who dream of sipping martinis by the pool with George Clooney and hobnobbing with the Olsen Twins, offers a healthy dose of reality for such a pursuit. ”That’s unlikely to happen. It’s possible but that’s not the way most filmmakers live,” he says and continues “Being good at what you do usually requires a lot of work, so stars that are talented ain’t sittin’ by the pool – they’re working!"

l-r: Rapper/Comedian Timothy DeLaGhetto and model BOBBi Dean with Skyy John on the set of 'Tipsy Bartender.'Have you ever spotted a filmmaker who constantly longs to hang out with superstars like Brad Pitt, indulge in orgies with Charlie Sheen, have personal assistants at their beck and call, and party all night with Lindsay Lohan? Although there’s nothing wrong with these interests, if they’re the main reason why someone would make a film, then there’s no point in even bothering with all the obstacles popping up during development all the way through the distribution stages of projects.

Folks who are chasing after Hollywood use films as a pawn to get an in to all of the (seemingly) cool spots and crowds, providing them with a pass to feel proud of being affiliated with the good life. I don't know about anyone else, but the mere thought of having to keep that up is exhausting!

Unfortunately for us, many producers fall into the category of Hollywood hopefuls, as do groupies, fanboys (and fangirls) who just want to be in a position where they can say "me too" to be granted an invitation to the party. Oh, and let’s not forget the money-hungry leeches who like to claim that they contributed more to a project than they actually did. Hollywood is not the problem. Making movies for the purpose of living out one's false perceptions of making it – whatever that looks like -- is a cause for concern. It also seems like a hell of a lot to go through just for a home in the hills. 

If YOU were given 24 hours to sip martinis by the pool with any Hollywood star (actor or director) of your choosing, who would it be and what would you drink with him or her?

SkyyJohn’s new book Tipsy Bartender "I'm having a girl over" is available now!

Also, be sure to read yesterday's post about the Gratification of a Few Good Men, in case you missed it!

'Prometheus' Actor Idris Elba on Popularity, Power and Prince's Trust

Idris Elba accepts the 2012 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV movie for his performance in "Luther"

“It’s important to know who you are as an actor or you’re bound for failure. In Hollywood, power is when someone does not have to green-light your projects. I have popularity but not so much power.” - Idris Elba

For all of the power Idris Elba says he lacks in Hollywood, this British actor surely makes up for it by having major influence -- which he uses for good, in underserved communities throughout England.

Elba is currently an anti-crime ambassador for Prince’s Trust, a U.K. based organization that provides career training, employment, mentoring and personal development skills to at-risk, disadvantaged and offending or ex-offending young people aged 14-30.

Idris Elba supports the programs at Prince’s Trust through various activities including round-table discussions, film events and fundraising efforts -- as a way to give back to the very people who believed in his potential as an actor; and to inspire young people to believe in themselves.

When Idris Elba was a teenager, he won a place in the National Youth Musical Theatre (NYMT) based in London. A $1,500 grant from Prince’s Trust helped him further develop his acting skills at NYMT. It is at the National Youth Musical Theatre that Elba began to take acting seriously with regards to a career pursuit.

After successfully landing acting roles in his hometown, Elba saved up some money from working at his other job -- as a wedding DJ -- and moved to the United States. He struggled to find work here in the U.S. for three years, particularly the kind of roles that he wanted to play. So, Elba supported himself financially by working nights as a DJ in New York.

Even now as he sports accolades for stellar acting performances in major primetime crime dramas such as HBO’s “The Wire” and BBC’s “Luther,” Idris Elba still maintains a love for music -- DJing celebrity parties and releasing R&B/Soul/Pop albums under the name Driis. He also co-produced and performed on the into to rapper Jay-Z’s “American Gangster” album.

All music and acting aside, Idris Elba changes lives by being someone who leads by example -- going after his dreams full-force rather than wondering what-could-have-been while botching Ford Fiestas during a night shift at an auto manufacturing plant. His confidence is powerful enough to show young people the possibilities of what happens when you believe in yourself, and no green light in Hollywood can make or break that -- it comes from within -- although, a little nudge from community-centered organizations like Prince’s Trust doesn’t hurt either!

Do YOU think Idris Elba would play a convincing James Bond?

What were YOUR favorite fields of study during your teenage years?

Film Director Darnell Martin will Go Broke Before Sacrificing Her Vision #IWD #womensday #womeninfilm #indiefilm

In honor of International Women's Day, join me in celebrating contributions that one woman has made to the film industry -- Darnell Martin. Today's post may also serve as a starting point for subsequent features on women in film, in celebration of Women's History Month. That is still yet to be determined. Enjoy!

About 30 days ago, I had no idea who Darnell Martin was until reading a slideshow on people who are viewed as game changers in Hollywood. How could I not know about “Cadillac Records,” starring Adrien Brody, Beyonce and Jeffrey Wright but not be familiar with the woman who directed this film? Then again, all I knew about “Cadillac Records” was that it is a movie where Beyonce plays the legendary blues singer, Etta James. I've never been a fan of Etta James’ music and had no interest in watching this movie.

It does not take long to understand, however, why Darnell Martin is a force to be reckoned with for at the very least, her way of doing business and making films. While working in film labs as a technician and at camera rental companies the 80s, she applied for film school and was rejected -- three times.

The third rejection from NYU came while Martin happened to be working as an assistant cameraman on “Do the Right Thing,” directed by Spike Lee. She was later accepted into NYU’s graduate film program after Spike Lee made a call to the school, on her behalf. Martin’s short film “Suspect” also granted her directing fellowship at the Sundance Institute and she wrote a feature length script that received a $2 million dollar offer from New Line Cinema during the early 90s.

As lucrative as the offer may seem to any first-time writer or director, however, Darnell Martin turned it down because she believe this deal did not provide adequate an time frame for her to make a good film. All the while, Martin was facing eviction and had no food in her apartment. Still, she refused $2 million from a well known movie studio, just like she once refused someone’s suggestion to change the characters in her script from Latino to Black.

Martin later accepted an offer of $5.5 million with a longer production schedule from Columbia Pictures, for her script, which became the 1994 romantic comedy, “I Like It Like That,” starring Lauren Vélez (from “Dexter” on Showtime) and John Seda (“Selena”; “Gladiator”). The film is about a woman who suddenly has to figure out how to support her family after the breadwinner of their household is arrested for looting during a blackout. “I Like It Like That” was well received, garnering Martin an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Feature.

Darnell Martin, who has since directed the 2001 drama “Prison Song,” the 2005 TV movie "Their Eyes Were Watching God," starring Halle Berry and continues to direct television episodes for dozens of TV shows including “Grimm” on NBC and “The Mentalist” on CBS, will not compromise any aspect of her work for anyone.

“I'll take my name off my films before I let people change them.”-- Darnell Martin in the L.A. Times

Can YOU name any Female movie directors?

Seriously, off of the top of your head. No Cheating Allowed!

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