Actors – Logan Sekulow

The Greatest Films Of Great Actor Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro has been appearing in films since the 1960’s, and many of these are considered classics. While, it’s a difficult task to pick out the best films from an actor who has appeared in so many terrific ones, it’s also an enjoyable one. From oldest to most recent, here are the finest (arguably) Robert De Niro movies!

The Godfather: Part II (1974)

Although critics at the time this film came out thought that the story line featuring Robert De Niro, who played godfather Vito Corleone in his youth, slowed down the main plot featuring Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, over the years this film has come to be recognized as one of the best films in American cinema history. It also firmly established the powerful on-screen chemistry of De Niro and Pacino.

Taxi Driver (1976)

In Taxi Driver, De Niro plays a character who goes from slightly eccentric to full-blown violent. As with other characters, he gains sympathy even as he repulses, and his dark deeds become understandable. It’s hard to imagine many actors other than De Niro who would be able to play an individual who becomes an assassin for no good reason and still be able to portray him sympathetically.

The Deer Hunter (1978)

Released at a time when America was just beginning to try and process its national experience in Vietnam. The viewer sees De Niro’s character in his normal and happy youth, and then they see what happens to him as a result of serving in Vietnam. The before and after is a metaphor for the entire nation, and audiences felt like they were watching a real person who they knew in De Niro’s character.

Raging Bull (1980)

Filmed in black and white, this film is haunting. De Niro plays an aging boxer who becomes a comedian after he has been beaten to the pulp in the ring too many times. While his character is not likable, he earns the viewer’s respect for his perseverance.

The King of Comedy (1982)

This film explores the relationship between fans and celebrities, and it looks at the warped perceptions ordinary people often have of the famous. De Niro plays a part where he drifts to the wrong side of the line between being a fan and being a stalker, and he does it in his own inimitable way.

The Untouchables (1987)

Robert De Niro plays Al Capone in this film, and he even gained weight for the picture so that he could look even more intimidating. Even as his character is pursued by good cops played by Kevin Costner and Sean Connery, it’s De Niro’s performance, especially in the infamous baseball-bat scene, that stays with the viewer.

Goodfellas (1990)

This film is one of several where the combination of Martin Scorcese’s direction and De Niro’s acting, combined with a mafia-related script, yields an awesome film. The fast-pace and violence of this film captivates the viewer, and it’s impossible to look away from the first scene to the last. Although Ray Liotta’s character is the protagonist in this picture, De Niro’s performance is at its heart.

Cape Fear (1991)

In this film, De Niro plays a deranged ex-convict bent on getting revenge on the lawman who put him in jail. De Niro takes creepiness to another level in his portrayal of a bad guy who is persistent, cunning and obsessed. He’ll even go after his enemy’s teenage daughter.

Heat (1995)

With Al Pacino’s cop to De Niro’s robber, this film has two very strong leads. Even as De Niro plots bank robberies, you gain sympathy for him as you see him struggling with the challenges of running his crew and trying to have a relationship. This film also has one of the best gunfight scenes in film history.

Casino (1995)

As in Goodfellas, this film has De Niro and Joe Pesci playing gangsters who work together. In Goodfellas, however, the relationship is more volatile, and casino-manager De Niro is sometimes repelled by the disregard Pesci’s character shows for the boundaries. Set in 1970’s Las Vegas, this film sparkles.

10 Podcasts You Should Be Listening to as an Actor

As podcasts continue to skyrocket in popularity, more and more of these listening entertainment options are hitting the market space each month. The challenging part now is deciding which podcasts are worth the time and effort investment. As a busy actor, you might often feel pressed for time. Here are ten podcasts that actors should check out for both entertainment and informational purposes:

BROADWAY’S BACKBONE

Host Brad Bradley delves deep into the unsung heroes of any Broadway production by interviewing the ensemble cast, chorus members, and dancers that give life to any show.

HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE

With a purpose of inspiring its listeners, this podcast brings the struggles of those in the industry into focus through a series of interviews with those on their way up the career ladder.

THE YOUNG ACTOR’S GUIDE

Hosted by casting director and mom Dana Bowling, this informative podcast is ideal for parents and young kids looking for advice on navigating this often overwhelming yet exciting journey.

HOLLYWOOD CLOSE-UP

This empowering podcast focuses on providing practical advice and inspiration for creating your own career path in this complicated industry.

THEATER PEOPLE

Host Patrick Hinds uses his extensive podcast work experience to bring to light the extraordinary lives of Broadway performers. This show boasts a myriad of full-length interviews with a host of theater legends and Tony Award winners.

IN THE ENVELOPE

Focused on both the big screen and the Broadway stage, this podcast delivers a variety of interviews of some of the most famous names in the business. The inspirational edge will leave listeners feeling like they are not in this alone.

SOUND ADVICE

Hands-down the best podcast for those looking to break into the voiceover market, this show focuses on the current trends and instructional advice for the industry and how you can make the most of any opportunity.

LIVING THE DREAM

Tony-nominated actor Rory O’Malley hosts this light-hearted and funny show about how to keep your cool in this field. O’Malley brings in his acting industry friends to share insights and stories guaranteed to make you smile.

CINEMA AFTER DARK

With a focus on the independent film industry, this podcast looks at this often ignored subset of the field. Host Max Cole uses his expertise in independent filmmaking to bring to light stories from the industry in a way that connects with listeners.

THAT ONE AUDITION WITH ALYSHIA OCHSE

Producer and actress Alyshia Ochse interviews a bevy of Hollywood insiders who reveal their real-life audition stories. This candid and humorous podcast can be counted on to make you laugh while also giving you practical advice about making the most of any audition opportunity.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

15 Famous Actors Who Turned Down Superhero Roles

1. Jon Hamm as Green Lantern

Jon Hamm is a huge fan of superhero movies but bluntly passed on the opportunity to portray Green Lantern in the 2011 film, because he was disappointed with the direction in which the studios were taking them.

2. Tom Cruise as Iron Man

Tom Cruise has praised Robert Downey Jr’s portrayal of Iron Man, saying he was the perfect match for the role of Tony Stark and despite persistent rumors, he was never close to obtaining the part.

3. Matt Damon as Daredevil

Childhood pals Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were both eager for a shot at the main role in “Daredevil.” Damon ultimately ended up passing after getting a look at the subpar script.

4. Kate Beckinsale as Wonder Woman

Although Beckinsale was considered for the role of Diana Prince in “Wonder Woman,” she ultimately declined. She delicately implied the script was lacking and stated her days of wearing skin tight costumes are at an end.

5. Pierce Brosnan as Batman

Before he was enjoying a shaken martini as Bond, Brosnan was offered the role of Batman in the Tim Burton franchise. He mistakenly thought the movie would be a cheesy superhero flick and wanted to take on more serious films.

6. Emily Blunt as Black Widow

This British star regrets having to turn down the part of Black Widow in 2009. She had already committed to “Gulliver’s Travels” with Jack Black.

7. Josh Hartnett as Spider-Man

Early in his career, Hartnett was offered the role of Spider-man. He turned it down due to fear that he would be typecast as a superhero character.

8. Amandla Stenberg as Shuri

Shuri, Princess of Wakanda is a prime role from “Black Panther” turned down by Stenberg after much thought. She felt her skin was too light for the role, and it would detract from the film.

9. Brie Larson as Captain Marvel

Not eager for the limelight this role would bring, Larson turned down the offer to be Captain Marvel in the 2015 film “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” She later had a change of heart and will play the part in 2019.

10. Paul Newman as Lex Luthor

Newman was in good company when he refused a four million dollar offer to play Lex Luthor in the 1978 “Superman” film. Al Pacino, Burt Reynolds and Robert Redford also declined to be in the film.

11. Leonardo DiCaprio as Spider-Man

While DiCaprio does not think the part of Spider-Man would have impacted the trajectory of his career, he felt he was not yet ready to take on the role when it was offered to him by James Cameron.

12. Jessica Chastain as The Wasp

Chastain was very interested in becoming part of a superhero franchise, but when she was offered the role of The Wasp, the amount of screen time was not enough for her.

13. Heath Ledger as Batman

Though Ledger did appear as The Joker in the “Batman” sequel, he originally was not compelled enough by the series to accept the role of Batman.

14. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Star-Lord

Gordon-Levitt would later regret turning down the part of Star-Lord to appear in the unsuccessful “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.”

15. Will Smith as Superman

The 2006 film, “Superman Returns” almost featured Smith in the starring role. He turned it down because he feared fans would be upset at a Superman with darker skin.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

7 Must-Read Books For Actors

Whether you are already an established actor, an actor looking to make a name for themselves in the industry, or just interested in the opinion of other actors, there are several books out there that would behoove you to read. The backgrounds of these books are varied and range in various aspects so there is sure to be something out there for anyone searching. From director to actor, and playwright to teacher, these are books that are sure to have something for everyone looking to hone in on their craft.

1. A Life in Parts

This autobiography by Bryan Cranston essentially acts as a muse and inspiration for the reader. If you are looking to build your career, gain skills to becoming a better actor, and understand the all-around works of acting in general, than this book is for you.

2. An Actor Prepares

This popular book by Constantin Stanislavski is one of the best, known training books for an actor in the world. This is a book published in the mid-1930s that helps lay the groundwork and fundamentals of acting from every standpoint. You are taught the ways of giving a performance that comes off as real and authentic while also understanding how to prepare for the acting world. It is not enough to just act but to also have the mindset of acting. An Actor Prepares helps with that and so much more.

3. The Actor and the Target

This guide by Declan Donnellan speaks from the perspective of a director. It has a sense of practicality and authenticity not normally found from the director’s perspective so it would definitely behoove someone wanting to see that perspective.

4. The Golden Rules of Acting

This book by Andy Nyman conveys a tale of an actor trying to make it in the world and how to best accomplish that. It is about being successful and working hard to attain that dream by any means necessary.

5. Audition

What is interesting about this book is it is by a casting director, Michael Shurtleff Michael Shurtleff has worked on many different plays that most of us have heard of and talks of the atmosphere between his role and that of the actors. It is an interesting spin that many will find interesting and useful.

6. Respect for Acting

This book is a classic that has been around for over 40 years. Written by Uta Hagen, this book gives the perspective of an acting teacher who helps actors develop their craft and understand what is expected of them in the industry.

7. Actions: the Ator’s Thesaurus

This is an interesting book on the rehearsal by Marina Caldarone that goes into the science and technique of what is expected when rehearsing for a role. You are given action words and other verbiage to help with the layout of a rehearsal room and how to nail it the first time around.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

Why It’s Important For Actors to Think On Their Feet

Why It's Important For Actors to Think On Their Feet

“I got your back.”

This phrase has been repeated for years before scenes begin, curtains rise, and audiences hush. It’s a reminder that no matter what happens, even if there’s jitters or someone forgets a line, others will do their best to help keep the story on track.

That’s the power of thinking on your feet or improvisation.

To many actors, this is a powerful creative tool. A way to add personal elements to a story that would otherwise be unseen. Elements that simply cannot be communicated in a script in every detail. In other words, it adds a more imperfect, human touch.

This is why improvisation is so vital to a performance, or to any piece of art. Mistakes will no doubt be made, but if you have a good actor or team, they can literally think their way out of it in real time. They can save the show.

The secret is not to move forward, but backward.

Instead of trying to decide all these details in your head and create a whole world around yourself, start small. Who are you, and who is she? Where are we? What are we trying to accomplish? By asking little questions and playing off of the responses to these questions, actors can create worlds they never knew existed.

In fact, you may be surprised how many famous scenes in movies were actually improvised. Take a look at the sword vs. gun scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Initially, that scene was supposed to be an elaborate sword and whip fight, but due to Harrison Ford getting food poisoning, he quickly pulled his revolver on the villain instead. Some believe this made Indy even more of a rebel than he was before and benefited the scene.

Or the classic line “You talkin’ to me?,” found in Robert De Niro’s performance in Taxi Driver. So memorable and iconic, and very much improvised.

That’s not to say that it’s without effort. While a majority of acting requires the memorization of lines to tell a story, improvisation requires something different: adaptability, creativity, and steady nerves. This is the case whether the actor is working on a blockbuster movie scene with endless retakes or a stage play in front of a crowd of people. This is because directors don’t always stick to the script.

“There are certain times when a whole scene could get added,” says RJ Cyler who co-stars in White Boy Rick alongside Matthew McConaughey. “You need to know it in 30 minutes as if you’ve been rehearsing it for 2 years.”

If this sounds like a challenge, you’d be right.

It goes beyond that though, it’s a war. A battle to meet together and perform a clear vision of the story, true to its original form and spirit. All are fighting to bring their art to life.

This is because, as with any piece of art, the beauty lies in the imperfections.

Logan Sekulow is a successful producer and director. He is known for relaunching the popular studio known as Laugh-O-Gram studios.

7 Must Read Books For All Actors

Becoming a successful actor requires total commitment to your craft. There’s no such thing as a day off when you’re memorizing scripts, scouring the web for auditions and rehearsing lines on a loop.

When it’s time to sit back and unwind, you can still learn a thing or two about how to improve your acting, land better gigs and find the type of roles you long to perform.

These seven books are essential reading material for the aspiring and professional actor alike.

1. “Audition” By Michael Shurtleff

Written by the director of legendary shows like “Chicago” and “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Audition” offers actors detailed advice on how to develop their own unique acting style and tailor their performances to specific roles and auditions.

Although the book was written in 1987 and is dated in some aspects, it still offers plenty of sound suggestions worth learning today.

2. “The Actor and the Target” By Declan Donnellan

Actors like Alan Rickman and Peter Brook praised Donnellan’s work, which provides a guide to acting from a director’s perspective. Directing, like acting, is subjective, but you can gain a lot of valuable insight by learning about acting from the other side of the camera.

3. “True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor” By David Mamet

Mamet is an award-winning director who has earned a Pulitzer Prize and Tony nominations for his plays like “Glengarry Glen Ross” and “Speed-the-Plow”. In his book, Mamet gives aspiring actors tips on how to approach agents, evaluate a role and work one-on-one with a playwright to bring out the best performance possible.

4. “Respect for Acting” By Uta Hagen

The Hagen acting method encourages actors to “become” their character. Uta Hagen also came up with the idea of “substitution” in acting, in which actors replace fictional events in a character’s life with real events from their own to draw out more authentic emotion.

“Respect for Acting” outlines Hagen’s teachings in her own words and is still widely endorsed over 40 years after its publication.

5. “In-Depth Acting” By Dee Cannon

Acclaimed acting coach Dee Cannon’s book is a practical guide to Stanislavski’s system. The Stanislavski method of acting helps actors develop their characters in stages. There are seven questions an actor should ask themselves when constructing their character’s persona:

Who am I?
Where am I?
When is it?
What do I want?
Why do I want it?
How will I get it?
What do I need to overcome?

6. “An Actor Prepares” By Constantin Stanislavski

While Cannon’s book offers an explanation of the Stanislavski method from a contemporary coach’s perspective, “An Actor Prepares” is written by Stanislavski himself. The book examines the internal evaluation and preparation the author believes an actor should undergo in preparation of any role.

“An Actor Prepares” is Stanislavski’s first book and one of the most famous acting books in print.

7. “Actions: The Actor’s Thesaurus” By Marina Caldarone

Scripts can be daunting for many actors. The lines aren’t just words on a page but your character’s voice. All of their actions are embedded in their speech, so as an actor, learning how to evaluate dialogue, draw actions from a script and implement them into your performance is crucial to success.

Caldarone’s book offers lists of verbs and their synonyms that actors can use when making notes on their scripts.

Improve Your Acting By Reading

Books can make you a better actor. Everyone learns differently, and sometimes, taking our eyes off the screen and shifting them onto the page can put things into a better perspective and help us grow.

What are some of your favorite acting books?

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

5 Directing Tips for Actors

Though they love performing, plenty of actors dream about getting a chance to call the shots. The idea of directing appeals to actors who want to use their talents to guide and inspire either. Having the motivation to direct isn’t enough, however. You need to understand what it takes to be a quality director. Here are five directing tips for actors.

Learn To Lead

On a set, directors can be considered leaders. While collaboration is a must for a production to run smoothly, there needs to be proper delegation. As a director, you need to know how to guide your team. Make a clear outline of things like the schedule and other requirements for the production. Explain to your cast and crew the importance of each element. There will be more confidence in the production if you show you can be a valuable captain.

Be Polite

Directors need to display authority, but they also need to demonstrate humility. Nobody is a fan of the director who is constantly barking orders, and doing so will only spoil your relationships. You should be firm but also respectful. If someone does something well, they should be complimented. If they’re doing something poorly, they should be corrected but not reprimanded. You want your set to be an environment in which people feel encouraged, not discouraged.

Be Clear About Your Goals

Your cast can have trouble if you aren’t being specific. As an actor, you’ve been guided by the strength of your director. Now, it’s your turn to do the same. Let your cast know exactly what you want from them. Don’t close yourself off to suggestions from them, but do give them something to work with early on. The best directors are ones who understand the importance of a vision.

Communicate With Your Cast

If a cast member is having trouble with a certain part or scene, learn to better understand their frustration. Sit down with each of them and discuss what kinds of issues they’ve been having. You’ll hopefully better understand through these one-on-one chats. This is your opportunity to be a mentor for your cast. They’ll realize how much potential is inside them, and you’ll realize how much you have to offer as a teacher.

Observe Other Directors

Observation is at the heart of learning any skill. You might like to think of yourself as a complete self-starter. However, we all need a bit of help to become great. Before you start directing, watch others direct. Notice how they command a set and gain respect through their professionalism. Do your best to emulate this.

By taking these directing tips to heart, you can make the experience so much better for your cast and crew. It can take some time to get used to, but just like with acting, you’ll improve with practice. Have faith in your abilities and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You have too much creativity to let any of it go to waste.

Logan Sekulow is a producer and director who’s known for relaunching Laugh-O-Gram studios.

7 Must Read Books For Aspiring Actors

If you are an aspiring actor, but are unable to take training lessons, reading about the art form is a great alternative. There are many books currently available to help aspiring actors develop their craft. Here is a look at several books that can help aspiring actors achieve their dreams.

Respect For Acting (Uta Hagen)

For many years, Uta Hagen was asked if she would be interested in writing a book. When the time was right, Hagen accepted and the result is Respect for Acting. In the book, Hagen talks about her struggles with different acting techniques. The book has been used as a textbook for many acting classes. Hagen uses examples to help guide readers through different acting scenarios such as talking to the audience and continuing to find passion in their work. Hagen relies on using substitution to help shape the actions of the character that the actor is portraying.

An Actor Prepares (Constantin Stanislavski)

An Actor Prepares is one of the most famous acting training books of all time. The book stimulates the diary of a student named Kostya during their training in Stanislavski’s famous system. Kostya has no experience in acting. Stanislavski teaches both the reader and Kostya the system through different examples. Stanislavski’s system strives to help actors master their craft while finding their creativity and imagination. Readers will learn about emotion memory, the subconscious mind, and the unbroken line, among other acting skills.

Audition (Michael Shurtleff)

Michael Shurtleff is a famous casting director who helped cast for The Sound of Music, Chicago, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Audition offers insight into how an audition is evaluated. Actors can learn important information about how to deal with the audition site, room relationships, and their peers.

The Actor And The Target (Declan Donnellan)

Declan Donnellan says that acting is a mechanism for development and survival. The Actor and The Target is unique because it is written from a director’s perspective. Actors can learn how to deal with their fears and show the World their talent. The book has been publicly endorsed by Alan Rickman and Joseph Fiennes.

A Life In Parts (Bryan Cranston)

A Life In Parts is the autobiography of Emmy and Tony award winning actor Bryan Cranston. Cranston re-tales the story of his troubled childhood and how he lost, then re-found his love of acting.

In-Depth Acting (Dee Cannon)

Dee Cannon is a full time freelance acting coach. In-Depth Acting helps guide readers through the Stanislavski technique. Cannon helps readers learn about rehearsal guidelines, how to prepare for different auditions, and how to develop a multi-dimensional character. Cannon also provides actors with different preparation exercises.

True And False: Heresy And Common Sense For The Actor (David Mamet)

Pulitzer prize winning playwright and director David Mamet helps actors learn how to judge a role and figure out if its the right fit for them. Mamet advises actors to focus on a few basic principles.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

3 Social Media Tips For Aspiring Actors

Social media comes with its own set of rules. Engage, don’t sell. Be present, but not too present. Interact, but don’t complain or get too political. This doesn’t scratch the surface of where to be present or when either. While this article discusses actors, keep in mind these tips can help anyone attempting to market themselves, reach fans, and maintain a positive social media presence.

The Famous 80/20 Rule

For actors, especially aspiring actors, social media is about fan connections and professional networking more than shouting the loudest about your new movie, role, audition, or show. The 80/20 rule puts emphasis on forming relationships, sharing interesting ideas, and actively communicating 80% of the time. This includes responding to others.

Why Only 20% Promotion?

Imagine your followers. Now imagine you’re one of them and following yourself. Would you want to see promotion all day? After a while, wouldn’t it become white noise amid all the other uproar? Would you unfollow or silence yourself?

Switch gears now. Instead of constantly promoting, ask your followers questions or share relative information that doesn’t scream “Buy me.” Do you notice a difference?

By keeping promotion limited, your posts will no longer seem like white noise or be lost in the folds of other promoters. You’ll also leave a better lasting impression on your fans so that when the time comes for you to promote they might be more receptive to purchasing, viewing, or celebrating your success.

Be Respectful, Always

Whether it is another celebrity or a fan, please remember your manners. You are a professional. While you should be yourself online, you should be your best self with your best manners. It’s easy these days to be swept up in debates, flame wars, and to call people out for XYZ. You are an actor. You are not a keyboard warrior, hiding behind a screen, hammering your device and saying things you would never say to a person’s face. The other person who is egging you on is still a human, even if their behavior is trolling you.

Keep Dirty Laundry Where it Belongs

You wouldn’t attend a dinner party and scream at the host or guests because they were too slow with your food. So your manners should extend to more than your career and social media. Respond to negativity with grace or silence, and if laws have been broken, take the information to the proper authorities. Don’t plaster it on your social media accounts. This applies to pictures and screenshots meant to hurt or disarm others too.

One final tip is to be reachable. The more you’re actively engaging fans about their lives and non-promotional topics, the more fans you will gather. Talk about your passions, hobbies, and the smallest details that will make followers want to speak with you. Respond to your fans when you can and make them a priority. Build relationships online, and when it comes time to promote, your campaigns can be more successful.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director known for relaunching the popular studio known as Laugh-O-Gram studios.