Have you ever thought about being a short form filmmaker?

Christine Griswold Beyond, Career Advice, Directing, Film, Getting Started, Performing Arts, Production

by Christine Griswold

A few moments with R&D’s Raquel Elfassi

“Somebody who’s passionate about what they’re doing gets my passion going. So I love to help them find their dream.”

Raquel Elfassi works with short form filmmakers and directors.

As the morning fog gives way to another golden day in Southern California, Raquel Elfassi enters the room with casual hipness and charm. After having worked with numerous production companies and ad agencies; representing filmmakers such as David Fincher, Mike Romanek and Michael Bay at Propaganda in the 90s; helping Roman Coppola and Mike Mills launch The Directors Bureau; and co-founding Resource LA (which expanded into Resource Paris); she now finds herself at the helm of her newest adventure, the LA-based international consultancy firm, R&D. They make the connections between production companies seeking out directors, and directors in search of those companies.Read More

Want to Get a Life in the Arts? 7 Things You Need Now

Marshall Ayers Career Advice, Getting Started, High School, Performing Arts, Performing Arts, Sponsors, Student Resources, Tips, Visual Arts, Visual Arts

The Armory Relaunches Get a Life in the Arts

by Janine Christiano

Every artist has particular tools they use to create their art and express themselves…pencils, brushes, a laptop, pedals, bows, etc. There are also personal, behavioral tools that every young artist should start to acquire if they want a successful career in the arts. Here they are in no particular order, they are ALL important.Read More

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 - Craig Kellman - Character Designer

Emmy and Annie Award Nominee Craig Kellman, Character Designer

Christine Griswold Animation, Artist Profiles, Career Advice, Film, Television, Visual Arts

by Christine Griswold

“Draw all the time. Draw constantly.” Craig Kellman

POOPDECK LINEUP

If you’ve been watching animated movies, TV shows or music videos over the past 25 years, chances are pretty high that you’ve seen some of Craig Kellman’s work. He doesn’t have a blog or a website (although his work can be found on others’); much of his work never makes it to a screen near you (it’s stuck in development in various places across town and beyond); and yet he’s been nominated for multiple Emmys and Annies (the American animation award presented by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association which is equivalent to the Oscars and Emmys combined), and has been able to carve out a nice career in animation (and feed his family as a result).Read More

Top 12 Music Venues for ArtNight Pasadena!

Steve O'Bryan Events, Music, Opportunities, Performing Arts

The Artzray staff pick 12 of our favorite musical performances for the upcoming ArtNight Pasadena.

ArtNight Pasadena

ArtNight Pasadena is a great example of how one city can get behind it’s cultural and artistic roots to make a special evening for the whole community. While many of the cultural organizations involved will host art exhibits (and they really are fantastic!) the Artzray staff chose to spotlight some of the cool musical acts that will be happening throughout the evening.Read More

6 Reasons to Take an Improv Class

Samantha Jacobs Acting, College, High School, Performing Arts, Performing Arts, Student Resources

Do you have an extra two units in your class schedule? How about a few extra hours after school or work, or even on the weekends? If you’re looking for a way to fill some time while acquiring new skills and having a great time, look no further. Take an improv class! Improv comedy is a form of live theater that has you think on your feet and create unrehearsed scenes out of wildly different situations. And it’s a blast for participants and audience members alike.Read More

True Confessions of an Opera Lover

Marshall Ayers Artist Profiles, Career Advice, Performing Arts

By Emily Mahon

Got Grit?

Years before I even knew what opera was, my 4th grade teacher, Miss Smith gave me the “True Grit Award.” I’m not sure if it was because I was caught punching a girl in the locker room for insulting my less than popular friend, or whether it was because I led a mini-feminist revolution in my gym class against my openly misogynistic gym teacher who insisted that during Thursday free-play girls HAD to sit on the bleachers and play with their dolls while the boys got to play basketball. “No exceptions, Emily. It’s not ladylike to play with the boys.” I revolted and forced him to open free play time up for girls too.Read More

PATRICK TOBIN – ITS A PIECE OF CAKE

Marshall Ayers Artist Profiles, Career Advice, Film, Performing Arts, Screenwriting, Screenwriting, Writing

by Andrea Davis

Jennifer Aniston in the movie Cake.

It all started with a 6th grade writing contest back in Montana. Patrick Tobin entered his short story and it took second place. He says of the experience: “I loved it. I discovered this writing thing is FUN.” Today Patrick is an award-winning fiction writer and is the screenwriter of Cake, which he adapted from his own short story of the same title. The film opened January 23rd, is in theaters now and stars Jennifer Aniston in the role of Claire Bennett, a difficult woman who suffers chronic pain.Read More