List of 84th Academy Award winners “The Artist” earns best picture, lead actor

The Oscars have come and gone.  Here are a list of the 84th Annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday:

1. Best Picture: “The Artist.”

2. Actor: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist.”

3. Actress: Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady.”

4. Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners.”

5. Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, “The Help.”

6. Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist.”

7. Foreign Language Film: “A Separation,” Iran.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, “The Descendants.”

9. Original Screenplay: Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris.”

10. Animated Feature Film: “Rango.”

11. Art Direction: “Hugo.”

12. Cinematography: “Hugo.”

13. Sound Mixing: “Hugo.”

14. Sound Editing: “Hugo.”

15. Original Score: “The Artist.”

16. Original Song: “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets.”

17. Costume Design: “The Artist.”

18. Documentary Feature: “Undefeated.”

19. Documentary Short: “Saving Face.”

20. Film Editing: “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”

21. Makeup: “The Iron Lady.”

22. Animated Short Film: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.”

23. Live Action Short Film: “The Shore.”

24. Visual Effects: “Hugo.”

Ready to create some of your own winning performances? Check out our upcoming acting classes in New York by clicking on the Classes tab at the top of this page.

Talking Commercials with Barry Shapiro, Casting Director, Herman & Lipson Casting

On-camera commercials are always changing in style.  What’s fresh and new one year is outdated the next.  Today we’re speaking with casting director Barry Shapiro on what he sees are trends in commercials and some of his pet peeves on auditioning for them.

“The trends I see today in on-camera commercials are less copy, more improv,  as well as non-speaking commercials.  It used to be where we saw one person speaking for 30 seconds, now we’re seeing the one-liner or short scenario come into play.  Actors MUST be able to improvise and their facial expressions have become more important.”

“My pet peeves for actors auditioning for commercials are lateness, sitting in the wait room texting, speaking on the cell or having conversations with other actors when the actor should be preparing for their audition.  In the audition room, my pet peeves are actors not listening to the direction given.  You have to be ready to let go what you planned on doing and be able to make adjustments.  Your goal is to make strong choices and fully commit to them.  Better a bad choice, than no choice at all.”

Barry Shapiro
As Vice President and Casting Director at Herman & Lipson for 30 years, Barry Shapiro attends theatre productions & comedy showcases in New York City and around the country discovering new talent for their clients. Prior to being a Casting Director, Barry was a Producer for a top fashion commercial director, working with every top model in the industry. He also managed rehearsal studios for Broadway Shows. Barry also conducts acting workshops, directs comedy showcases, and attends model/talent conventions. Barry is one of the most sought after New York commercial class instructors.  Barry is a regular teacher at Actors Connection and you can view his upcoming classes and intensives here.

New NY Agencies and updates

If you’re acting in New York City, here are some updates for those looking for legit commercial representation.

Funny Face Today has just opened an on-camera division for film, TV and commercials called FFTV.  Marion Falk who was previously at Frontier Booking International for 7 years is heading the new office.

Christopher Freer has recently left Clear Talent and has opened up CMF Talent with business partners Joel Carlton and Michael Goddard.  This new office is representing actors for theater, musical theater, film and TV.

Plaza 7 has recently opened a NY office.  Francesca Francois-Grimaldi is heading that office that works in all areas.

David Cash has left Henderson-Hogan Talent Agency and is now at Nicolosi & Co. working in all legit areas.

2012 is starting off strong and the upcoming possible SAG-AFTRA merger will definitely define the year for actors if it goes through.  Whether you are a member of either union, both or non-union, if you perform in NYC it’s important that you know the facts and how it will affect you.

Click here to view the Merger Agreement.
Check out this story on Backstage as well for a full analysis.