Who we are:  Hudson Valley Actors & Film Creatives (we are a collection of people who work in the Film Industry in NYC and the Hudson Valley of NY). 

Thank you for visiting us to learn more about our efforts to coordinate the Protective Mask Making Initiative in the Hudson Valley Region of NY during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

At this point, we have initiated this effort and have started to reach out to the hospitals located in the Hudson Valley Region and make connections with them. 

Our Priorities

• We want to ensure that the masks can be delivered directly to those who are most in need, working within clinical settings. 
• Explore how to disseminate additional masks to our essential infrastructure workers.
• Work towards the "Providence Hospital Model." (They are handing out pre-cut kits made by the hospital to specifically chosen seamstresses).

Safety and Guidelines
We want to address any concerns people have about safety and share that this page reflects the collection of general guidance from several medical entities to which we provide direct links. 
We will continue to provide updates on this page as information is released.

What we do Know

• The CDC has asked that medical workers wear homemade masks in a clinical setting as a "last resort" safety measure due to national shortages. 
• Masks are also needed to protect other essential infrastructure workers, such as grocers, mail carriers, delivery workers, etc.
• Face shields are also needed. If you have resources to help fabricate those, please click here.

Guidelines and Resources for Mask Makers

1. If you are not feeling well, suspect exposure, or are a carrier, please do not participate in mask making.
2. Machine wash and dry the fabric BEFORE cutting it (if you are using cotton but not if you are making them from filters).
2. Clean/sanitize your sewing machine, ironing board and iron before sewing the masks.
3. Clean/sanitize your sewing area before sewing the masks.
4. Not a bad idea to wear a mask and gloves while you sew as an extra precaution.

Mask Making Tutorials/Patterns
(From Select Health Systems and Others)

Fabrics

Deaconess Hospital in Indiana (pdf, video)

Forbes Instructions (article, pdf)

Makers Habitat  (video)

Dr Chen Guanting's Fabric Masks (article, photos)

Other Materials

Providence Health System (video)

HEPA filter type, most like N95 masks (article, photos)

If you would like to join our efforts and help in some way click the link!
LINK

 
Hello!
Thank you for coming here to read about our efforts to coordinate the Protective Mask Making Initiatives  in the Hudson Valley Region of NY during our COVID-19 Pandemic.

There are MANY patterns and videos and we will put them here below... AT THIS TIME we have initiated an effort to reach out to All the hospitals in the area and make connections with them so that the masks can be delivered directly to who can use them.  
We have not yet received one medical entity in the region standardizing the process... this is our goal to make this happen. 

We do know that with this recent effort to keep everyone home except ESSENTIAL WORKERS that 
these essential workers could benefit from having the masks.  Think of your local grocer, and take out restaurant workers, laundromats, mail and delivery workers, etc... they really could use the protection.
​

There are MANY patterns and videos and we list them here below... 

General Guidance (These are merely common sense thoughts and not mandated by any entity)

1. Machine wash and dry the fabric BEFORE cutting it (if you are using cotton but not if you are making them from filters).
2. Clean/sanitize  your sewing machine, ironing board and iron before sewing the masks.
3. Clean/ sanitize your sewing area before sewing the masks.
4. Not a bad idea to wear a mask on your own face and gloves while you sew (no one knows for sure if they are carrying Covid-19 or not... IF YOU HAVE IT DON'T SEW THEM and if you aren't feeling well DON'T do it)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Best UNIFIED  Model we are hoping to coordinate something similar to this: 

 Providence  Hospital. Their model is to hand out kits to specifically chosen seamstresses with a certain level of skill... and the kits are pre cut by the hospital.

 This is selected text from their Resources for hospitals, clinics and health systems section:

We have received many requests from our health-care colleagues across the country about the steps we have taken to make our own face shields.
Here is the step by step guide we have used.

How to make our face masks
This video tutorial is intended for volunteers who have been selected to help us make masks. Our product uses medical grade material that is not available commercially. We are supplying volunteers with this specific material. Masks created with alternative materials may not have the same effectiveness.

Here is their whole page:
https://www.providence.org/lp/100m-masks?fbclid=IwAR3rJSC36sVF9FziPV556ho-pbccBF3s3JTb3zvjIA_kMlzRgnEmCbOPEjI
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From Deaconess Hospital in Indiana
https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask?fbclid=IwAR3pTjsSzw6HxpInePqYj_pbv1XAxw45NgOAMN3zGdhO2KC3epQu76Oq_yw

From FORBES
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2020/03/20/calling-all-people-who-sew-and-make-you-can-help-solve-2020-n95-type-mask-shortage/?fbclid=IwAR3uThCdnSPKrT2Aau6CYvEwmx3osk4LXC66qt76UWZC8N9_osWBDTZJadA#cdc2bf64e41d

Makers Habitat 
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2504854873098703
This tutorial is inspired by Dr Chen Guanting's post on fabric masks: https://health.gvm.com.tw/article.html?id=70825

HEPA filter type that are most like N95 masks
https://www.facebook.com/julie.kraynov/posts/10219297206713233

ALMOST MADE
SAG-AFTRA NEW MEDIA PILOT
$125 per day (union or non MFN)
Producers: Alain Bacerra Calderon, James Glorioso Jr., Catherine Johnson-Tully, Tom Parker, Roger Tully, Lydia Tully-Coe
Director: Roger Tully
Writers: Jim Glorioso, Renaldo Mancini
Casting Directors: Amy Hutchings and Heidi Eklund

FILMING LOCATION: Hudson Valley/Capital Regions, NY  filming in April/May
PLEASE ONLY LOCAL HIRES

SEEKING STRONG, EXPERIENCED, COMEDIC ACTORS:

1) SQUEAKS M 40s Short thin mousy appearance- size makes him the typical punching bag of jokes and he's seen as more of a sidekick. Always with Carmine. Not the sharpest tool in the shed. 

2) SOPHIA F 50s A confident Italian woman with a stern look like she would take a dough roller to your ass. 

3) JOE THE PLUMBER M 40s, 50s African American. Slender with the appearance of the neighborhood blue collar tradesman, big smile and needs to have eyes that can look extremely large. 

4) JIMMY THE WOOD: Cast: Jim Glorioso

5) SAX M 50s Tall (over 6'1"). Confident and has a distinguished look to him. He gives off the feeling of a failed stock broker, who just lost his job and money at the stock exchange.

6) MIKE THE IRISHMAN M 50s Ideally 5'5" to 5'8". He looks like a mix of the character on the box of Lucky Charms and Rudy from the famous Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. His dopey approach to everything makes him frustrating to deal with.

7) MOUTH M 50s Reminds you of a stand up comic with a car salesman look. His very expressive face and voice over-exaggerates his already boisterous actions.

8) The BANK MANAGER  M 40s to 50s Nerdy but confident and cocky, glasses, salt and pepper hair. 

9) SAX's WIFE (ANGELA) F 50s Seductive, playful, big smile and personality. Sexual Situations, NO NUDITY

10) OFFICER MUNCH  M 50s A well built, confident but friendly middle aged cop

11) OFFICER SCHMIDT  F 40s
Female, seductive, voluptuous, has a sexy dirty side to her strict police officer look. NO NUDITY

12) CARMINE : Cast - Renaldo Mancini

13) LOUIE THE WRENCH: Cast- Paul Borghese

14) WAITRESS   F   30s   Sarcastic and frustrated, tired of rude customers.

15) ALADINO: Cast-  Alain Baccera Calderon

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXPERIENCED ACTORS:
This will be posted on Actors Access on Feb 18 or 19

SEND US YOUR AA link:
Please be sure to learn how to properly share your link:
https://blog.breakdownservices.com/actors-access-share-your-custom-link/

SIGN UP FOR A FREE ACTOR'S ACCESS ACCOUNT AND SEND YOUR LINK TO:

AmyHeidiCasting Associates@gmail.com  SUBJECT: YOUR NAME, ROLE, ALMOST MADE
In your email, please also have your home base location and your contact information: Name and Phone along with a headshot. 

Be sure you have your photos up and some resume credits up on your AA page.
https://actorsaccess.com/

Please be sure to learn how to properly share your link:
https://blog.breakdownservices.com/actors-access-share-your-custom-link/
​

OLD BAGGAGE

Written by Lisa Thomas
Directed by Lisa Thomas
Casting: Heidi Eklund
Filming Dates: 4/18, 4/19/2020 (you must be available for these dates)
SAG-AFTRA student film agreement (pending) Rate $125 per day, self-report
Filming in Catskill, NY (self-report, local hire)
ROLES CAST:  JULIA and NATE

STORYLINE: After losing Nicky, her partner of many years to cancer, Julia a woman in her early 40’s goes to a gay bar in an attempt to start dating again and start her life over. 

We are still accepting submissions for:

Nicky: Is Julia’s former spouse who we see on her death bed after a three-year battle with cancer. Even in her condition it’s clear how much she cares for Julia, her partner she is leaving behind. She is in her early 40’s and had a successful career as a fine artist. Despite being in the last days of her life she’s still put together with a great hair cut. Nicky still has a lot to give.

Genevieve: Is a striking gay woman with many tattoos in her mid to late 30’s. She is into BDSM and most recently has become obsessed with suspension. She is the type who goes through many people never staying in any one relationship too long. She is a thrill seeker who has issues with long term intimacy and frankly seems a bit dangerous.


To submit: sign up for a FREE actor's access account and send your link to: 
HudsonValleyFilmCasting@gmail.com
In your email, please also have your home base location and your contact information: Name and Phone along with a headshot.

Be sure you have your photos up and some resume credits up on your AA page.

https://actorsaccess.com/

Please be sure to learn how to properly share your link:
https://blog.breakdownservices.com/actors-access-share-your-custom-link/

 Greetings ALL... Heidi Eklund here owner of Hudson Valley Casting

It is always my intention to blog as a CD.  I almost never have time to do so.  There is so much to do and there is so much that actors need to know.  Many know lots about acting, and the business side of acting, and other's have just begun.  I am going to try to blog regularly from now on, so that those who are just getting started can have a reference to check on while they are growing in this career.

This blog post is focused on a brief pep talk about getting inspired to practice the art of acting ON YOUR OWN and eventually creating useful clips to show what you are able to do as an actor.

WHY?   Here's WHY!!! There are so many actors...some who are doing a lot of theater (almost NO theater clip is useful to see if someone can act on camera), some who finally decides that they are going to pursue their dream, others  who start off doing background work and then realize that they want to do speaking roles.  No matter what your path it all leads to the same place ... WHERE/HOW do I get to the place where I can compete for, book and sucessfully act in a speaking role  in a film or commercial?  

Sometimes it occurs easily and naturally for actors... others have to practice... yes PRACTICE...   The best way to practice is by DOING.  HOW DO WE DO?  Get out there and DO... grab your smart phone and some text or dialogue and WORK on it... do it... memorize those lines and work on it until you believe yourself, until the words seem like you are saying them for the first time.... try  it , and work on it over and over... just like you would a song on the ukulele or piano or driving a stick shift or typing ... you practice... once again PRACTICE!

 THERE IS SO MUCH COMPETITION FOR SPEAKING ROLES.  We as casting directors receive THOUSANDS of submissions and we as CDs are looking for a way to winnow down the masses of people who submit.  So... we look at clips and reels to see if this actor could fit into our project... We can't really tell that from a photo, so we have to dig deeper, see the person actually acting... so... getting at least one clip you can confidently share with others to show what you can do can really help you get more speaking roles.

Doing your own mini movies  or scenes  is so helpful  because it can be focused on you, and it gives you the opportunity to star in something and shine in that starring role created just for you. AND you WILL learn even if you fail in getting it accomplished. And if you do end up failing, like with anything else, if you stick with it, you will eventually get it and accomplish it if you want it badly enough.

So with all that said here are a few things I personally learned when creating our own scenes with family and friends:

THE BASICS, You need:

1. A GOOD SCRIPT  with at least  YOU and one other person.  For the first one... keep it short, be sure there is conflict.  WRITE your own script with a character YOU can play. A character that challenges you and inspires you... write it and then share it with others ... read it aloud so you can make it better and better.  BE HONEST with yourself... is it good? does it work? you can do a little research about writing a good scene ... with the internet you can find lots of resources to help you.

2. A person who knows how to work a video camera well. HINT... your smart phone is a video camera and it has become easier than ever before for you to video yourself with some simple tools.

3.  A single location that can be dedicated to your filming without interruption.

4. TIME:  with the right team, a single scene can be filmed in one day if you stay focused and keep it simple.

5. Lighting: hint... outdoor lighting is easiest and free... the sun, some shade on a sunny day... play with it and figure it out
***remember... you have a smart phone and you can test everything right then and there... if it doesn't work... adjust and try again... benefit is that you LEARN about making film by doing it... and therefore become better at the WHOLE process.  There are also very inexpensive lighting kits you can get online if you do some research.

6. A DIRECTOR 
So... this can be ... you... or someone with experience, or your camera operator... an audience of one who helps you make adjustments so the whole project has what it needs to tell the story.
If you are just starting out I recommend finding someone to help you who has experience.   Here in the Hudson Valley we have several colleges where students are studying filmmaking... SUNY NEW PALTZ, SUNY DUTCHESS, ALL THE SUNY's, VASSAR, MARIST and there are programs for high schoolers like THE ART EFFECT https://feelthearteffect.org that show these kids how to make film and video... find them... they are eager to help you and they are good at what they do.  It is a win win for both sides.

7. A way of cutting the material together ... this is a decent computer with some kind of editing software.  That filmmaker student will likely have access to this... and be able to do it.  I have edited on an IPAD or even my iPhone... with IMOVIE  though I don't recommend working on a small device.


We do a lot of research before doing the work so we can learn more and more...and get better at the whole  filmmaking process... 

Menja and Bjorn in the Wylde Woods
https://youtu.be/GNh8srOlkRc


This is an experiment with two child actors we did with friends early Summer 2019 with no budget and a bunch of eager participants.  The goal was to gain clips for the young actors and give them the equivalent of an on set experience in leading roles.

ON THE RUN           
youtu.be/is7q84aThTg

This was a family effort that was completed from concept, to script, to production and launching on YouTube all in ONE DAY.  Less than 12 hours was spent on this and the kids had a huge input to the process. It was a blast and we all learned a lot!

Rob Figueroa and his two daughters did this one... 

​ALONE

https://youtu.be/hW-3ZGm4abE



"So, I showed my girls the movie Paranormal Activity. They were scared and thought it was real. The three of us made this movie 4 yrs ago. Still good today. Only iPhone and iPhone headsets used. Check it out. It’s short."  -Rob Figueroa

​***If you have a scene that you filmed on our own or produced with friends or family that  you would like to have considered to be an addition to this blog, please send  a public link  along with a still photo from the scene to hudsonvalleyfilmcasting@gmail.com subject: self produced scene... please note that not every scene that is sent in  will be featured.***

​
This is a SAG-AFTRA short
Shooting in: Eldred, NY
Day Rates: Speaking is $125 per day 
Writer, Director: Matt Sukkar
Producers:  Miranda Kahn, Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman
Dates Aug 5th and 7th, 2019
Casting: Samantha Basso 

LOCAL HIRE AND SELF-REPORT

SPEAKING $125 for 8 hours (SAG-AFTRA Please)
LILA (middle aged, Curvy or Plump, Caucasian, smoker's voice, lots of makeup, 80s hair) 
SIMON (any race, late 20s, early 30s, Church-goer, sweet but creepy vibes, think young Crispin Glover)
DOCTOR (all genders and ethnicities, interesting look with an authoritative vibe)

Non-Speaking $75 for 6 hours
BG WAITRESS (middle aged, Caucasian) 
BG BURLY MAN    
BG FAMILY (3) (Woman, Daughter, Dad) ALL MUST BE OVER 18 years
daughter preferred to be over 18 to play 12-17years
BG STRANGE/UNIQUE (Doctor’s office) (very unique or strange looking! Male or female)


TO HAVE YOUR SUBMISSION CONSIDERED
IMMEDIATELY send to Samantha Basso  hudsonvalleyextrascasting@gmail.com
INCLUDE IN THE BODY OF YOUR EMAIL:
Name
Phone #
Email
Height 
Sizes/ Measurements
UNION STATUS  
ROLE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN:
Location where you reside and receive mail
Attach the following: full length and close up photos (labeled with your name) and
Resume and Reel (we need a clip or reel for the speaking roles)