Film Flam
Old Murder House's dino fever, 'Do Over,' and casting calls
By Kimberley Jones, 4:29PM, Wed. Mar. 21, 2012
The dinosaurs are breeding… and they’re giving birth to the latest epic parody by the Old Murder House Theater gang.
Previously the comedy troupe has staged super low-budget, live production riffs on such Eighties classics as Back to the Future, RoboCop, and Aliens (that last one was set at an ice skating rink). Now they’re tackling their most monumental show yet – an homage to Spielberg’s much-loved dinosaur rampage they’re calling Jurassic Farce. Even more ambitious, they’re taking the show on the road, with an 11-city summer tour that starts and ends in Austin. But that kind of traveling roadshow doesn’t come cheap, and so they’ve set up a Kickstarter account to defray costs. Go here to chip in some change.
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David Fabelo has edited a good chunk of the indie films coming out of Austin – Dance With the One, The Overbrook Brothers, I’ll Come Running, and Fourplay, to name a few, but when he screens “Do Over” at the 2012 Aspen Shortsfest in early April, it’ll be as co-writer and director. The film, co-written with Taylor Allen, is described as “a romantic comedy about making the perfect first impression on the tenth try.”
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My goodness, whatever Austin’s selling, reality show casting agents are buying. No less than three shows are pooling for talent here in the next few weeks, starting tomorrow (March 22) with The X Factor Season 2 open call at the Frank Erwin Center. Details about registration can be found here.
This Saturday, March 24, NBC’s Home Builder is hosting an open casting call at Tile Works (10001 Metric Vlvd) from 10am-2pm. Note: They’re not just looking for any old Handy Dan. So sayeth the press release: “We are searching for EXPERT designers, builders, decorators & craftsmen – especially those who can do it all. We are looking for anybody who is on the brink of stardom.” Hopefuls are encouraged to email hometransformerstexas@gmail.com or just show up at this weekend’s casting call.
Finally, Ovation is launching a new docuseries called A Chance to Dance from über-producer Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol); the show will follow the national search to the formation of a new dance troupe called (wince) Ballet Boyz Dance Company. Local applicants can strut their stuff for producers on April 4 at Ballet Austin (501 W. Third St.), and again, note: auditions will be taped and potentially included in the broadcast, so waivers will need to be signed. Other caveats include wardrobe restrictions, proof of age, free agent status, etc., so do yourself a favor and read up on it all here before you put on the pointe shoes.
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Questions/comments/hot tips? Email us at filmflam@austinchronicle.com.
