FREAKY DEAKY starts shooting in Detroit

Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser, and Craig Robinson are in talks to star in Freaky Deaky, the Charlie Matthau-directed adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel. Shooting starts June 27 in Detroit. The novel has caught the eye of numerous filmmakers over the years including Quentin Tarantino, but the premise -- about 60s radicals who try to use their bomb-making skills to become capitalists in the 70s -- was a bit of a problem because the book was set in the late 80s. Matthau wrote the script, and had a breakthrough when Leonard suggested setting it right at the time the bombers decided to turn their skills to make money, which meant putting the drama in 1974. Dillon plays Chris Mankowski, a Vietnam vet who is on the Detroit police bomb squad; Fraser plays Skip, the former 60s radical who becomes a Hollywood demolition guy; and Robinson plays a former Black Panther also looking to cash in.

"Gossip Girl" Katie Cassidy is in negotiations to play the female lead in Charlie Matthau's adaptation of Elmore Leonard's crime novel "Freaky Deaky."

Cassidy will play Robin Abbot, one of the ex-hippies who went to jail for blowing up a police car. After being released, she starts a career as an historical romance novelist and reconnects with Brendan Fraser's character in order to plot her revenge.

Saturdays, beginning September 17 - November 5, 2011 2:00pm-4:00pm $250

Here is your chance to see yourself on the big screen! An intensive on-camera workshop to prepare the teen actor for working on a film or television set. Students will concentrate on the development of acting skills through working on a film based on 12 ANGRY MEN, a 1957 film directed by Sidney Lumet.

Our modern adaptation, of this film, will allow each student to be cast in a substantial role. This class will guide the student, step by step, from the audition process, through preparation and rehearsal to actually filming on a set. In addition, students will also learn industry etiquette and terminology.

Students, friends and family members are invited to attend the WRAP PARTY and SCREENING of the film at theGateway Film Center. Students will receive a DVD of the film.

The Student's film will also be screened for regional Casting Directors, Agents and Filmmakers.

WEDNESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 14 - NOVEMBER 2, 2011 7:00pm-9:30pm $200

MONDAYS, SEPTEMBER 19 - NOVEMBER 7, 2011 7-9:30PM $250

An intensive workshop to prepare the actor for working on a film or television set and to produce a clip for their demo reel. Students will concentrate on the development of acting skills through working on a film based on 12 ANGRY MEN, a 1957 film directed by Sidney Lumet. Our modern adaptation of this film will allow each student to be cast in a substantial role.

This class will guide the student, step by step, from the audition process, through preparation and rehearsal to actually filming on a set. In addition, students will also learn industry etiquette and terminology. We will be shooting with two cameras and a film crew to produce a product worthy for the actors' demo reels.

Students, friends and family members are invited to attend the WRAP PARTY and SCREENING of the film at the GATEWAY FILM CENTER. Students will receive a DVD of the film and a individual clip for their demo reels.

The film will also be screened for regional Casting Directors, Agents and Filmmakers.

THURSDAYS, BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 22 - NOVEMBER 10, 2011 7-9:30PM $200

Whether you’re an acting enthusiast who is ready to jump into the action or a professional looking to liven up their next performance or audition, this is the right course for you! It’s a Scene Study class – with a difference. Everyone in class works on scenes from the same author. The plays (or screenplays) are chosen for their complexity, challenge, depth, and for containing the great roles that actors dream of playing. Another difference is that scenes are usually double-cast.

At the root is my deeply held philosophy that each actor can bring something unique to each role. Seeing others bring the same role to life, with completely different choices, gives you confidence that you can trust your own ideas and follow your own instincts. It also helps you give up the notion of “doing it right.” There is no “right and wrong” to creativity. In addition, being able to watch each other work on difficult material that you yourself are grappling with intimately, affords invaluable inspiration.

Each student will also have the chance to work on two monologues during this eight-week workshop. We will help you choose the best material to showcase your talents or you may work on material already in your repertoire.