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STAY AWAY FROM DAMIAN CHAPA!

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Originally posted by harlemhippo:
Now, i have quite the opposite take on this. I absolutley LOVE B-movies. They are the #1 reason I became an actor, and of the 44 movies my IMDB lists as an actor, all are low budget, and nearly all fit the "b-movie" mold. AND I ACTUALLY DID come out here with the specific intent of acting and working on SCHLOCK.

And, I have accomplished my goal in spades. I have done 6 Asylum films, 1 Full Moon and 1 Troma. Now, I do admit, The Asylum films are lacking even in this realm. They are all crap...but Asylum in particular lacks any pizaz...or originality perhaps.

But Troma is a true feather in my cap. And not only that, I am one of Troma's Goreiest Deaths of all time. Making that movie was the time of my life, and has linked me to an exclusive club. A club which does, despite popular opinion, have a number of Hollywood A Listers (James Gunn, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Vincent Denofrio, Trent Hagaa are all Troma alumni). And, even guys like James Gunn, show real LOYALTY to Troma, often casting from their pool for their projects, responding to all e-mails from the less famous alumni, participating in the online forums and doing cameos in the more resent films.

Full Moon is similar, although only has a few famous alumni and doesn't have the rampant, almost war veteran comradery Troma does. But both hold a special place in my heart, as both a fan and a participant. They both represent the time of my life.

And that, even though I have some more "legit" things on my resume on this point, is why I will always list Troma on my resume. To be 100% honest, I took it off my commercial res...but my theatrical it will always have it. Why? It ALWAYS gets a reaction. Everyone who reads that and knows what it is...always gives a 'Whoa, tell me about that one!!" And anything that sparks discussion about you is a good thing, especially since I just light up talking about it. It is a great ice breaker to say the least.

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Originally posted by workinactor:

I know I've belabored this point before..but, if you all listen to nothing else, listen to this. I did 3 of those abominations, and lost every bit of respect I ever had in this town for doing so. What you're in matters. "work is work" is a loser's mentality. Have enough respect for your work, for "the" work, to refrain from this kind of thing. You will learn NOTHING about true filmmaking, and no one respects it on your resume. quite the opposite.

Now...not to single you out, but could you elaborate? Is there a single instance where this caused your career harm? A CD saying thats why you didn't get a callback? People making fun of you in class? General disinterest from that point forward? Because my B-Movie credits have opened many doors for me. Obviously, to more b-movies...thats kind of a given...but I have gotten some darn good auditions from them, and a few cool indies and television appearences. I have seen you mention this before, and up until this point I was always sort of like "whatever". But mostly out of curiosity, I really want to know what roadblocks the b-movies have placed in your career.

I know from experience and observation of others, the main roadblock I notice is, if you make "bad movies", which can include b-movies, but also softcore porn or even mislead A-movies like "Gigli" and "Leonard Part 6"...you got to own it. If you don't want to list it on a resume, thats fine, but if it comes up, always own it. "Yeah, that was me getting disembowled in Soriety Slut Massacre 2. Glad you enjoyed it!" "I had a blast making it...who wouldn't!"

Anyway, my advice is, as far as the very low paying stuff goes: Make what you love and love what you make. I happen to be an enthusiest of schlock. If I never was in a Troma movie, I still would list Lloyd Kaufman as one of my favorite directors. And while I can't say I love all my work at The Asylum...I can say I love it IN THEORY. The concept I enjoy if that makes sense to you. And those movies get seen...I did a one liner in one, that every time it airs I get a ton of txts "Was that you in that crappy dinosaur movie?"

So, if you love what you make and make what you love, b-movies are not a hinderence. If you hate them, hate talking about them, and hate people noticing you in them, then yes, they will feel that on you. You will not have fun. You will not be proud of the schlock you have unearthed to the world. You should never be embarrassed by your own work.

Same goes for me. Unpaid I would not do a Lifetime channel style life reaffirming movie. Paid a little? Maybe. Paid a lot? You betcha. Why? I hate that material. But I would be eaten by a giant lizard for minimal pay. Because I enjoy monster movies, schlock and other "nonsense" and my passion comes through.

Same should go for you guys. When doing freebes or low paying, do the genres and styles you love. it will help brand you in the direction you want to go, all while contributing to the artform how you see fit.

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Originally posted by workinactor:

Well, of course you're singling me out(ever notice how often people start off saying "I'm not trying to"..when they proceed to do the very thing they say they're not trying to do? lol.. We're probably at different career points.This kind of work was considered a step backwards for me. this is directly from working industry people I trust. So, you may think it a "whatever", but, it isn't. Not for me. Now, If you've never done anything better than this stuff, then I suppose your perspective is different. In the circles I've been in/worked in, this kind of work is laughed at. clearly your circles and my circles are not the same. *shrug to each their own, but, generally speaking(because every situation is different) don't expect serious filmmakers to regard you as a serious actor if asylum films are on your resume. And yes, because of the level of previous films I've been in, I HAVE had people laugh in my face when I mention being in "Mega Shark" or one of the other ones I'm in.

They were not laughing WITH me. they were laughing AT me. and I can't say I blame them.

Also, as far as being ashamed of my work: I agree, and I'm not ashamed of my work.A very wise actor told me years ago to never devalue any role you get. It's the complete lack of production values the asylum films have that are my issue, which are not in my control, which DEVALUED the work I put forth. THAT'S my problem with them.Hey, It's my own fault, I could have said no. I described the series of events that led to me doing them in the first place,in other posts, I won't repeat it. but when I mention it here, I do so because I hope those who do them understand what they're getting into.

@Donquixote: You didn't go after me the way you went at truthteller, but, just so we understand each other: every post I make, or piece of advice I give, comes from work experience. I don't theorycraft. I've been around the block a time or 2. I'm not always right, but I'll always give my opinion as I see it.

From the trenches. Not from the sidelines.