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NEXT ACTOR FILM TO RELEASE THIS MONTH ON AMAZON PRIME

Multiple award-winning director San Banarje's LOL comedy A Curry on an American Plate is slated for release this month on Amazon Prime.

Starring NBA icon and actor Rick Fox (Greenleaf), Charlie O'Connell (Dude where's my car), Disney actress Andrea Guasch (Submergence), and our own Next Actor Alum and co-producer Bud Patel, CW39 hostess Meera Nandlal, Sean Vida, Christian Bhalla, Alexandra Goel, Ash Thapliyal, Prateek Karkal, Shrabana Nath, Juniper Jairala, Derek Gaskamp, Kellie Hay, Lara Vartivarian, Thiago Paes and many others in a variety of roles.

The film had earlier opened at a few festivals in Texas and New York to a full house. 

Don't miss.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FILM FESTIVAL EVENT FROM NEXT ACTOR STUDIO
 

Each October, Next Actor Studio organizes an annual film festival event called Niff Houston International Film Festival, to give a platform to independent American and foreign filmmakers to showcase their features, documentaries and short films and exchange dialogue with our vibrant film-loving students.

This year was no different. Next Actor Studio turned into a film festival hub for four days to welcome filmmakers from different places and enjoyed their labor of love, asked questions, learned about their next projects, and built a creative atmosphere to grow and nurture their passion for this craft.

Films from Bulgaria, China, England, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Japan, and USA were played to a full house. Award winning filmmakers of the event couldn't stop praising our alum before leaving for their respective cities.

NEXT ACTORS WORK WITH OSCAR NOMINEE ERIC ROBERTS IN NEW FILM

This year, several Next Actor Students from kids and adult classes for acting and filmmaking got a chance to work alongside Oscar Nominee and 3 times Golden Globe nominee ERIC ROBERTS in the current Next Actor feature film 6 ROUNDS OF CHLOE, starring our 11 year old alum and actress Alexandra Goel in the lead role of Chloe, and several prominent figures such as,  actress and United Nations speaker Kamala Lopez, actors Charlie O'Connell (Dude, Where's my Car), Jana Lee Hamblin (Jane the Virgin, Grimm), Elena Martinez (Genius : Picasso) among others.

Written and directed by our co-founder and Stanislavski instructor Trisha Ray, the film is about Chloe, whose life changes when her wish to meet her absent father comes true. 

While on set, Roberts shared his formula to balance both blockbusters like The Dark Knight and indies like 6 Rounds of Chloe.  For the complete interview with Eric, visit our youtube channel and instagram @nextactorstudio.

NEXT ACTOR TEEN FILMMAKERS HOLD AUDITION FOR CLASS PROJECT

Our young film students SAMI NASSAR, 16 and JAKOB TURPIN, 12 held their very first audition to make their film project for their filmmaking class in June. The duo auditioned from Stanislavski Method Actors of Intense level, and selected actresses KELLIE HAY, CINDY SERRANO and LD WILLIAMS as their lead cast for a short scene from Hannah and her Sisters that they will shoot for class.

We are so very proud of our youngsters who are passionate about this craft, and are excited about their hands on project, directing such experienced actors with confidence and courage.

Follow us on social media (@nextactorstudio) for update about their film and to watch the clips.

NEXT ACTOR ALUM EMILY RIGGS DEBUTS IN FEATURE

We are excited for our acting alum EMILY RIGGS who booked a principal role in a feature film titled Catacombs of the Mind (dir. Joseph Polk) that will start filming in Dallas in summer.

Emily plays the role of Vicki in this psychological thriller about a mental patient.

This is the first feature film role for Emily who is now ready to push forward her acting career with her new imdb credit.  

NEXT ACTOR KIDS AND ADULT STUDENTS DEBUT IN FILM

This March, several Next Actor Students from kids class got a chance to fulfil their dreams of being on a movie set when they acted in several scenes as Chloe's classmates in our current feature film 6 ROUNDS OF CHLOE, starring our 11 year old alum and actress Alexandra Goel in the lead role of Chloe.

We are so very proud of our alum Ariana Lee, Bulut Denktas, Breylenn Hayden, Camden Baker, Emiliano Del Valle,  Jakob Turpin, Nicole Montague, Poet Simmons, Riana Weck, Scott Altsuler, and Sidney Gibson who did an excellent job in their individual roles and followed direction so well, while working with adult actors on set.

Special mention to their parents who stayed all day on set and helped them with their wardrobe change for each scene to make it easy on the crew. 

Follow the film on imdb and social media (@6rocfilm) for more information.

ALUM ALEXANDRA GOEL  STARTS FILMING WITH HOLLYWOOD ACTORS

Next Actor Alum ALEXANDRA GOEL bagged the lead role of CHLOE in the current SAG-AFTRA production 6 ROUNDS OF CHLOE, in which she got a chance to play alongside Hollywood actress Kamala Lopez (24, Miami Vice, I <3 Huckabees) who came down to Houston and shot with Alex for three straight days, and rehearsed with her prior to that, so they could bond as aunt and niece in this family drama about a young girl's quest to find her father. 

Alex, who is represented by Pastorini-Bosby talents has just turned 12 but has been studying Stanislavski Method Acting at the studio with adults for a while and and has already been in two other Next Actor Productions, A Curry on an American Plate (starring Rick Fox) and Orphan Train.

You can find more information on her imdb page Alexandra Goel.

Pictured left : Kamala Lopez and Alex Goel share a joke during filming of 6 Rounds of Chloe.

NEXT ACTOR FILM STUDENTS TO SCREEN DEBUT FILM

2017 has been a creative year at Next Actor Studio. Our very talented Film students have worked extra hard to complete their film projects, notwithstanding the damages they suffered from #HurricaneHarvey.

We are so proud to announce that #2018 will push in with the FIRST CUT screenings of our student #shortfilms before they are submitted to film festivals around the globe.

Two shorts : LUCKY NOW, written and directed by screenwriting and filmmaking student DENKA WANGDI, and edited by MANNY GHIDAN will be screened alongside WHO AM I?, written, directed, shot and edited single-handedly by alum HARINATH V. 
 

NEXT ACTOR ALUM JOSH & MEERA WIN AT FILM FESTIVAL

We are beyond proud of our alum JOSH RAHMAN and MEERA NANDLAL, who won the #BestActor and #BestActress awards at the recently concluded NiFF Houston International Film Festival (www.niffhouston.org) for their excellent work in the films "The Art of War" and "A Curry on an American Plate" respectively.

Both films received a great response at this year's NIFF when they opened to an amazing audience at the Alamo Drafthouse and Match Midtown Theatres on October 25 & 26, 2017.

 

FILMING 'LUCKY NOW' IN HOUSTON
Filmmaking students DENKA WANGDI and MANNY GHIDAN are now filming their short film Lucky Now, based on a screenplay written by Denka who is also a screenwriting alum. 
 

The film stars Stanislavski Acting Students MONICA MANSY as a mother who lost her young child. She is supported by her Method Acting classmates KELLIE HARPER HAY, JOSH RAHMAN, ANDI COOK, CINDY SERRANO and SAHRISH AGHA in various important roles.

The film will be edited by Manny, an animation student who has already worked with Dreamworks in L.A. We will post the screening info once it's complete.

ALEXANDRA GOEL TO LEAD '6 ROUNDS OF CHLOE'
We are very proud of our supertalented alumna ALEXANDRA GOEL, who started with our kids classes but at age 10, she was already studying Stanislavski with adults.

Now at 11, Alex, represented by Pastorini-Bosby Agency in Houston, will star in our upcoming SAG-AFTRA feature film 6 Rounds of Chloe, opposite Kamala Lopez (24, I Heart Huckabees).

Principal photography of the film begins in December.  Alex has previously booked important roles in A Curry On An American Plate (starring Rick Fox, Charlie O'Connell) and Orphan Train (starring Mahie Gill, Disney's Andrea Guasch).

Check her out on imdb and watch below her very emotional audition video that helped her book the role as Chloe in this much anticipated feature.

 

The winning screen-test of 11 year old ALEXANDRA GOEL for the lead role in our upcoming #sag film, previously titled 6 ROUNDS OF CHLOE, written and directed by @trisharayb and starring #Hollywood director/actor Kamala Lopez Dawson from '24' and 'I Heart Huckabee'. #NextActorAlum #methodactor #methodacting #kidactors #stanislavsky #childactor #childactors #childactress #screenwriting #filmmaking #acting #editing #independentfilm #filmacting @pastorinibosby @lakecampproductions @nextactorstudio #publicsolitude #concentrationofattention

A post shared by Next Actor Studio (@nextactorstudio) on Aug 24, 2017 at 10:04pm PDT

THADA CATALON-LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS MOVIE

#NextActorAlum THADA CATALON will present her film Created Equal, starring none other than La Bamba Star Lou Diamond Phillips, at the upcoming San Antonio Film Festival on Saturday, August 5 @ 3:30 pm. Screening will be followed by Q and A.

Thada had started her acting career at Next Actor Studio in 2007 and soon moved on to screenwriting and directed her first short "An Academic Affair" which went on to screen at many film festivals. You can find more info about the short on this page by scrolling below.

Thada who was the first recipient of the inaugural Houston Filmmaker Grant, holds three academic degrees, including a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Full Sail University, a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
For info on tickets and the film, visit www.createdequalmovie.com. 

DIRECTOR-WRITER RICHARD FINGER JOINS 'ORPHAN TRAIN' AS CAST MEMBER

Huffington Post & Forbes Writer RICHARD FINGER is cast in Next Actor Studio & Boat Angel Family Films' ongoing series Orphan Train, written by Brian Stewart and directed by Trisha Ray, alongside Disney Star Andrea Guasch. Finger, seen in the picture with KISS frontman Gene Simmons during an interview, is also the writer-director-actor of the dramedy Sex, Marriage and Infidelity, starring the rockstar's wife Shannon Tweed Simmons and daughter Sophie Tweed-Simmons. Watch Sex, Marriage Infidelity on Amazon and itunes. 

STUDENT SAM HOGER WORKS IN 'JURASSIC WORLD'

Congratulations to our student SAM HOGER, who got cast in the blockbuster JURASSIC WORLD, currently playing worldwide. Sam started his career at Next Actor as a Stanislavski Method Acting student and we are proud to have him in the cast of several of our films such as Physiotherapy, The Shadow Behind You, Artisse and A Curry on an American Plate. He is also the founder of the Mixed Martial Arts Club Hoger Martial Arts in Houston. Way to go, Sam!

STUDENTS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH RICK FOX AND CHARLIE O'CONNELL

This April, some of Next Actor Students had a chance to work in scene with Hollywood actor and former NBA champ RICK FOX and former Bachelor CHARLIE O'CONNELL when they came to Houston to film San Banarje's A Curry on an American Plate. The film team celebrated Charlie's birthday on break as a surprise. Check out the videos where the actors discuss their preparation for roles and have some fun on set. 

NEXT ACTOR FILM "SEX, MARRIAGE, INFIDELITY" PREMIERES AT BARE BONES FESTIVAL WITH THREE NOMINATIONS

Next Actor Studio and Lake Camp Productions/Ariadne Films' Sex, Marriage and Infidelity, shot in Houston and New York with Hollywood Stars Charlie O'Connell, Shannon Tweed and Sophie Simmons, alongside several Next Actor Students in major roles, received three nominations for best picture (Romance), direction for alumnus Richard Finger who also writes for Huffington Post and Cinematography for San Banarje at the 2015 Bare Bones International Film Festival. 

NEXT ACTOR ALUMNUS ASH THAPLIYAL IN HOLLYWOOD MOVIE

Next Actor Alum ASH THAPLIYAL books and wraps the Hollywood movie Geostorm, with Hollywood Stars Andy Garcia (seen in Picture), Gerard Butler and Abby Cornish.
Ash plays an Indian Ambassador and exchanges a heated dialogue with Andy Garcia.
Ash has recently been in several Next Actor Films including our thriller The Shadow Behind You, the Christian film Artisse and the upcoming comedy A Curry on an American Plate (with Hollywood Stars Rick Fox and Charlie O'Connell)
 

NEXT ACTOR FILM "ARTISSE" PREMIERES IN HOUSTON  

Next Actor Studio and Boat Angel Outreach Center's Christian Film ARTISSE premiered on Saturday, Jan 17 to a full house.

Written by Brian Stewart and Directed by Trisha Ray, the film was shot by San Banarje on an Arri Alexa and starred our talented students Sean Vida, Zoie Steen, Derek Gaskamp, Gary Chisholm, Thiago Paes, Sam Hoger and Catherine Arnpriester, among others.
 

NEXT ACTOR THRILLER GETS PRIVATE SCREENING  

Next Actor Film THE SHADOW BEHIND YOU had a private press screening in September 2014 at the River Oaks Theatre.  

Directed and Shot by San Banarje, the film is a psychological thriler starring Next Actor Alumni Derek Gaskamp, Jasmine Darby, Sean Vida, Elise Martin, Thiago Paes, Andre Francios, Sebastian Gomez, Evelynn Hastings and Katia Rodriguez. It was shot in the summer of 2013 in Conroe, Galveston and Houston. Most of the lead actors debuted in the film and had a chance to build a resume by getting cast in it. The film was shot on Arri Alexa.
 

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT : JUNIPER  

Next Actor Student JUNIPER JAIRALA is cast in our Christian film ARTISSE and our psychological thriller THE SHADOW BEHIND YOU.  

A Cornell University graduate in mechanical engineering and masters of science in aerospace engineering and bio-astronautics from Colorado, Juniper currently works for NASA as an aerospace engineer by day and a professional fire-dancer at two Houston fire troupes by night.

In February, 2014, Juniper was chosen as one of the four crew members by NASA for Space Habitat Simulation Study. 

Congratulations to Juniper on juggling three passions -  aerospace engineering, firedancing and acting - simultaneously and successfully. 
 

COMEDY SHORT 'PHYSIOTHERAPY' IN 2014 GULF COAST FILM FESTIVAL  

Our short comedy Physiotherapy will screen as part of the upcoming Gulf Coast Film and Video Festival on Sept 21st. Congratulations to the entire team involved with this film. This short was made with Next Actor Students as a prelude to our feature film The Shadow Behind You that was also made entirely with Next Actor Studio Alumni. For screening info, visit http://www.gulfcoastfilmfest.com.  Physiotherapy is on imdb as well as on facebook as www.facebook.com/physiotherapy.

RICHARD FINISHES DEBUT FILM, GETS PRESS REVIEWS 

Congratulations to Next Actor Student RICHARD FINGER Congratulations to screenwriting and acting student Richard Finger, a Forbes columnist who made his debut as a writer-director in a Next Actor Comedy feature that was shot in New York and Houston in November and December.

In December, Finger interviewed KISS founder Gene Simmons for Forbes after the latter's wife and daughter finished working in the same film.

The film had a press screening recently at Soho, West Hollywood, where critics reviewed the film.  Visit the film's website at sexmarriageinfidelityfilm.com

NEXT ACTOR THRILLER 'THE SHADOW BEHIND YOU' WRAPPED 

Big congratulations to the extremely hard-working and dedicated team of our psychological thriller The Shadow Behind You that wrapped in August in Conroe, Texas. The film was shot on the brand new Arri Alexa, the coveted camera with a Super 35 sensor that also shot movies like Skyfall, Hugo and Life of Pi. Check out the images and follow the film on IMDb or Facebook by clicking here

THIAGO PAES - SPOTLIGHT' MAY - JUNE 

After being cast in the critically acclaimed, award-winning feature film The Nowhere Son and the short comedy Physiotherapy, Next Actor Alumnus Thiago Paes will be seen as one of the Lead in the upcoming horror-thriller The Shadow Behind You to be shot this summer.

This will be the third time Thiago will be directed by San Banarje, who had earlier cast him in a PSA for Cancer Awareness for the The Next Samaritan Project. To play the role of a Professor in USA in the late 70s - early 80s in The Nowhere Son, Thiago adopted the look of his own father who was at UT Austin around the same time.

Thiago holds a Master of Construction Engineering and Project Management from UT Austin and an MBA and a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Brazil.  He co-authored a research publication for TxDOT (Texas Dept. of Transportation) while working as a graduate research assistant at the Construction Engineering Department and Center for Transportation Research. He currently working full-time as a subsea engineer and marine pipeline designer.

SAM HOGER IN TWO SAG NATIONAL COMMERCIALS 

Congrats to our Stanislavski Method Actor SAM HOGER on booking three jobs at one go.

After working with Robert de Niro and Stallone in the upcoming feature Grudge Match, Sam shot the SAG national commercials of 'Sprint' for both Spanish and English market and 'Hyundai' commercial for the English market.

Earlier this month, Sam was filmed by the San Antonio Tourism Department recently and will be seen on the murals all across San Antonio airport.

GIUGI CARMINATI'S 'THE SPARCUS SERIES' NOW AVAILABLE

The Science Fiction book The Sparcus Series(Vol. I of V), authored by Next Actor Studio alumnus Giugi Carminati is now available on Amazon.com. The book is also available on Kindle and on Barnes & Noble and soon will be available on Nook. Get your copy from Amazon.com here.

'THE NOWHERE SON' IN NEW YORK FESTIVAL

Our filmmaking instructor San Banarje's Feature The Nowhere Son is now an official selection at the Hoboken International Film Festival to be held in New York from May 31 - June 6. After winning several accolades including a Gold Remi at 2013 Worldfest, being named as one of "Five Don't Miss movies at Worldfest" by eminent reporter Joe Leydon, being mentioned by Houston Film Critics Society for being one of the 'Best Pictures' and 'Best Actresses' at 2013 Worldfest, the film will screen on Tuesday, June 4 @ 12 noon at the Paramount Theatre, Middletown, New York.

Congratulations to Director-Writer San Banarje, editor Trisha Ray and Next Actor Cast Thiago Paes, Omar Scanu, Shahab Pierre, Ash Thapliyal, Chirag Patel & Ishrat Khan on this accomplishment.

CHASE COCHRAN'S DEBUT SHORT IN MARFA FEST

Next Actor alumnus CHASE COCHRAN's debut film Night Shift Locksmith is now an official selection at the Marfa Film Festival which will take place at Marfa, Texas from June 26 - 30, 2013. Check this page for screening schedule so if you are in Marfa, you can view this very funny short yourself.

Big Congrats to actor-director Chase on this accomplishment.

SAM HOGER WORKS WITH ROBERT DE NIRO, STALLONE

Stanislavski Method student Sam Hoger with the legendary icon and one of the greatest actors ever born, Mr. Robert De Niro on the sets of the boxing movie "Grudge Match" starring De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Kim Basinger and LL Cool J. Sam is currently filming in New Orleans for the past few days. Sam himself is a Mixed Martial Arts coach and this film is right up his alley. You can find info on his training center 'Hoger MMA' here.

"THIS MUST BE THE PLACE" DVD WITH GRANT GOODMAN

Don't forget to check out Next Actor Alumnus GRANT GOODMAN in This Must be the Place, out on DVD today, Tuesday, March 12. Grant plays Tommy and sings the title song with the Academy Award winner Sean Penn under the direction of Cannes Film Festival's Palm d'Or nominated Paolo Sorrentino. The movie also stars Academy Award winner Frances McDormand.  If you missed the movie at the theatres, you can now catch it on DVD and support this very young and very talented actor.

"THE NOWHERE SON" RECOGNIZED BY CRITICS

The Nowhere Son, a feature thriller written and directed by Next Actor San Banarje had its world premiere at Worldfest Houston where it picked up a Gold Remi and got mentioned for being one of the "Best Picture" and "Best Actress" by Houston Film Critics' Society. The film is named as one of "Five Don't Miss Movies at Worldfest 2013" by renowned critic Joe Leydon of Variety, Moviemaker, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle etc. 

"PHYSIOTHERAPY" WRAPPED IN HOUSTON

Next Actor Alumni San Banarje, Eddie Aguirre, Thiago Paes, Sam Hoger, Julisa Gonzales, Greg Vaynshteyn, Kristen Perry, Kelly Finnemore, Kristen Egbert, Derek Gaskamp, Shahab Pierre, Sebastian Gomez & Maria Muskus wrapped their shoot of Trisha Ray's new film "Physiotherapy" about a choreographer (Nikki) who is left wheelchair-bound after an accident. 

Congratulations to the team. We look forward to the first cut next month.

STUDENT DEBUTS ON TELEVISION FILM

Stanislavski Method Student JULISA GONZALEZ of Stanislavski session gets her television debut with "Muerte y Contrabando". This Spanish action film that she worked on, has been airing on CineMexicano (Comcast, channel 500).

Congratulations Julisa, Rock on!
 

GRANT'S THIRD RELEASE IN 2012

Next Actor Alumnus GRANT GOODMAN acted alongside Gerard Butler in  "Playing for Keeps," now playing nationwide.
Grant plays Butler and Jessica Biel's son's friend in this Hollywood flick. This is Grant's third theatrical release of 2012, earlier two being "The Campaign" and "This Must be the Place". 

Way to go Grant!

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE NOW IN THEATRES

Watch Next Actor Alumnus GRANT GOODMAN in the newly released movie "This Must be the Place," directed by Paolo Sorrentino.
Grant plays Sean Penn's son in this 2011 Cannes Film Festival winner and has also sung the title song "This Must be the Place" in the movie. It also stars Academy Award winner Frances McDormand.
The movie is playing at Edwards Grand Palace Cinema 24 in Houston. 

This is Grant's second movie that released this year.  A big congraulations to the little man.

CAMPAIGN DVD COMES OUT

Watch Next Actor Alumnus GRANT GOODMAN in "The Campaign," out on DVD everywhere.
Grant plays Zach Galifianakis' son in the movie. It also stars Will Ferrell and Dylan McDermott.
If you have missed it on the big screen, you can watch it at home now.

NEXT ACTOR STARTS PSA SERIES FOR NON-PROFIT

Next Actor Studio and Lake Camp Productions are in production of a series of PSA short films to promote awareness for health-related issues including cancer and other maladies.
The The first of the short film series is now complete and can be viewed online at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86jEIEBLPNM
The PSA is written by Trisha Ray, directed by San Banarje and stars Jennifer Rogers, Heather Williams, Thiago Paes, Brandon Pentecost, Gary Chisholm, Giugi Carminati & Brian Watson.
The PSA is made for the non-profit foundation "The Next Samaritan Project"

'PLAYING FOR KEEPS' SEES GRANT AGAIN

We are very proud of Grant Goodman who will be seen in Director Gabriele Muccino's latest movie Playing for Keeps, starring Gerard Butler, Uma Thurman, Jessica Biel, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Dennis Quaid.
The movie opens nationwide on Dec 7th, 2012.  Grant plays Billy, a friend of Butler's son.
Congrats to Grant and his parents Jason and Helen on keeping up this amazing work.
Keep checking this page for updates  or follow us on facebook.

San, Omar, Emily, Drew and Brian at the banquet

Joe Estevez with young actors after wrapping day 1 of "Inside Out"

J
Brandon being directed for his take

Joe Estevez with young actors after wrapping day 1 of "Inside Out"

"BODHISATTVA"IN OKLAHOMA

Bodhisattva is nominated for best foreign film and director San Banarje is nominated for indie auteur award at the Bare Bone Film festival in Oklahoma which is endorsed by "Moviemaker" Magazine as one of the top 10 indie festivals in the nation.

The film has earlier won the Platinum Remi at Houston Worldfest and Best Foreign Film at Alexandria Film Festival. Four Nominations and Best Supporting Actress (Miska) at Hoboken Film Festival.

Follow the film on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bodhifilm

DEMETRIA IN VH1'S 'WEDDING WARS'

Tune in to VH1's Wedding Wars  starting Monday, March 14th @ 9/8C. to catch Next Actor Demetria James and her partner battle 12 other couple for the destination wedding of a lifetime while facing challenges on a remote island that will put their relationship to the ultimate test.

View the trailer of the first episode by clicking here >>

The 87 minute thriller made in a week went on to win the "Best International Film" of the festival and director San Banarje received a plaque made by Alexandria-based artist and program director Patti North of Alexandria Film Commission.

For more info about the festival, visit www.alexandriafilm.org

GRANT SIGNS SEAN PENN MOVIE

10 year old Grant Goodman who just finished shooting the movie SUPER with Kevin Bacon, Liv Tyler and Ellen Page has now been cast in the upcoming 2011 film, This Must be the Place, starring Academy Award winners Frances McDormand and Sean Penn. This Must be the Place is filming all over the world, with Grant filming in New Mexico and Michigan. Paolo Sorrentino directs this much anticipated film about a retired rock star seeking revenge on his father's former Nazi persecutor.

According to Grant's mom Helen, "We are very excited!!! During his scene with Sean Penn he sings the title song...."this must be the place" by the Talking Heads. It is almost surreal but he is taking it all in stride (so far!!!)"

Congratulations to Grant on achieving this amazing feat and to his very supportive parents, Helen and Jason Goodman on believing in him. This Superkid is surely rocking it.

Next Actor Studio and Boat Angel Outreach Center's feature film "Federal Case" will be screening at the Christian Film Festival in Phoenix, Arizona.

Written by Brian Stewart, and directed by Trisha Ray, the film was made by a team of cast and crew comprised of Next Actors only.

The festival will be held between August 23 - 27th at Phoenix, Arizona to promote the works of Christian filmmakers

Shot in Richmond, Texas and starring Kelley Nesper, Dave Amyx, Lance Stodghill, Brandon Belknap, Joey Mahan, Mark Menn, Jordan Jaffe, Tom Combs, Aaren Wheeler and Catherine Riddel,  Federal Case is currently available on DVD through amazon.com

San Banarje's Latest Feature BODHISATTVA garners nominations for Best Screenplay, best foreign language film and best feature film and won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Hoboken Int'l Film Festival held recently in June 2010. The film had earlier won a Platinum Remi at the prestigious Worldfest International Film Festival in Houston in April 2010.
Host Jackie Martling (former Howard Stern Show) kept the audience laughing at the Awards Ceremony

GRANT GETS KEVIN BACON MOVIE
10-year old Grant Goodman recently worked in the movie uper" directed by James Gunn (Slither) starring Kevin Bacon, Liv Tyler, Ellen Page and Rainn Wilson.  Grant plays Rainn Wilson (TV'sThe Office) as a kid in flashbacks to the 80s.  According to Grant's mom Helen, he had some challenging scenes but he handled it all well and really enjoyed himself. The shoot was in Shreveport, La just before Christmas 2009.

Picture Left : Grant and Rainn Wilson during shoot.
Below : Grant getting ready for a take.

BODHISATTVA IN MAJOR FESTIVAL

This year Hoboken Film Festival has selected Next Actor Studio's feature thriller "Bodhisattva" directed by San Banarje and starring eminent international actor Soumitra Chatterjee (BAFTA nominated & NBR winner "The World Of Apu," Cannes Golden Palm nominated "The Goddess" and "Home and the World," Berlin Winner "The Lonely Wife" and Venice Winner "The Coward") who is the muse of Academy Winner Satyajit Ray.

Pictured Left : Soumitra Chatterjee and San Banarje

Kevin and San at the Awards Banquet

NEXT ACTORS WIN AT WORLDFEST

Next Actor Studio's Kevin West won the Grand Prize for his short film "Mother's Milk" at the 43rd Annual Worldfest Houston International Film Festival held from April 9 - 18th @ the AMC Studio 30. Kevin, a screenwriting student of Next Actor Studio had earlier won the Platinum Award for his screenplay "Surfside Hotel" at the same festival.

Filmmaker/Cinematographer San Banarje's first foreign film "Bodhisattva" won the Platinum Award in the feature film category at the same festival. Bodhisattva is a thriller shot in Calcutta with legendary International Actor Soumitra Chatterjee who plays the title role in this mindbender.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS IN NY FESTIVAL

Theta Catalon's debut short Academic Affairs has been officially selected for the 2009 Queens' International Film Festival to be held in New York.

This is Theta's first project as a writer, director and producer.

Written in February as a short for her screenwriting class and shot in May 2009 as a filmmaking student, Thada finished the first cut in June 2009.

The film when screened at the Next Actor First Cut stunned the viewers as it was not only brilliantly put together but Theta took on the onus of directing, producing and starring in it and churned out an entertaining and professional first film.

NEXT ACTORS RETURN FROM INDIA AFTER SUCCESSFUL SHOOT

Next Actors Sean Will, Jasmine Darby, Iheny Nieto, Cristina Aldridge and Zak Tomik as part of the cast of the feature film Sugar Baby shot in India in May 2009 pose for the Times of India during break.

To read the cast interview in the Times, please click here.

Written by Brian Stewart and directed by Trisha Ray, the film stars legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee (World of Apu) in a prominent role.

Sugar Baby is the first feature film of Next Actor Studio where the students will travel to India as cast and crew to shoot this summer. Written by Brian Stewart and directed by Trisha Ray, the film is about three singers (played by Iheny Nieto, Jasmine Darby) who get noticed by an American record producing duo (played by Sean Will and Zak Tomic) while they witness a murder by the menacing Smasher. With music by Arrested Development, Rainbow Girls, New Edition, Sugar Baby was first optioned by producer John Heyman (Passage to India, D.A.R.Y.L) in 1989.

SCREENWRITING STUDENT WINS BEST SCREENPLAY AWARD

Kevin West, a first time Screenwriting Student has won the best Dramatic Original screenplay REMI award for his debut screenplay Surfside Hotel at Houston Worldfest International Film Festival. The award ceremony will take place on April 25, 2009. Besides the REMI, Kevin's "Surfside Hotel" has also been an official selection and a finalist at the 2009 Cinema City International Film Festival, the 2009 Beverly Hills Film Festival and 2009 Bare Bones Film Festival.

Kevin is currently working on his second screenplay and has been roped in by a production executive in Hollywood to work on a TV segment.  

First Cut at the studio welcomes indie film lovers to get the first look at the latest project before it gets sent out to festivals or for acquisition. The filmmakers discuss the process which is followed by Q and A with the cast and crew.

Feature Film A FEDERAL CASE is now available on DVDs through amazon.com.

The film written by Brian Stewart and directed by Trisha Ray have already picked up some awards at film festivals as well as being shown in over five cable and satellite network.

The film deals with teen pregnancy and was shot in Texas and Mexico with Next Actors.

Anna and her husband Crichton Campbell at the screening of "The Way I See It" at Next Actor Studio on Dec 6th. 

Writer- Director and Voice Actor Anna Campbell of Next Actor finishes her next film "My Dragon" shot in Shanghai and edited in Canada. Anna is a blind person who makes visually beautiful films around the world. Her first film "The Way I See it" shot in Calgary, Canada on 16mm was well accepted in several festivals. "The Way I See it" is a narration by Juno, who is Anna's guide-dog. 

To view Anna's short film "The Way I See it", click here.  

KELLY CRABB ON CBS' AMAZING RACE 

Tune in to Season 13 of The Amazing Race this fall on CBS beginning September 28, 2008 8:00 pm et/7 central  to catch Next Actor Kelly Crabb (pictured left) and her best friend Christy Cook form the hottest and coolest team from Texas as they gather at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a race for $1,000,000 for a first-place finish.

WO NEXT ACTOR FILMS HONORED AT BAYOU CITY INSPIRATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN HOUSTON

The Feature film "A Federal Case" directed by Trisha Ray and short film "The Enemy Inside" directed by San Banarje received Honorable mention at the Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival in Houston in August. 

The film festival is dedicated to inspirational films from around the world that promote causes, spiritualism and humanity. 

ERICA MARKS WINS THE GRAND FINALE OF TALENT SHOW IN LOS ANGELES

Erica Marks is a 9-year old singer who ventured into acting this summer when she participated in the Talent Contest called Best New Talent, that spends all of spring and summer traveling to major cities all over the US and Alaska auditioning for contestants for their show. They came to Houston last April and Erica auditioned and made it. Erica started preparing with her private tutor at Next Actor, Trish, right after she got selected to be on the national show.

ERICA WON THE GRAND FINALE IN THE EVENT AMONG KIDS, TEENS AND ADULTS after making the finals in Comedic acting, Contemporary singing, and Broadway singing. Erica won the BEST OVERALL TALENT AWARD for winning the most categories and getting the highest rank score in every category including kids, teens and adults. The prizes Erica won are trophies, cash and a finder guitar. Erica's mom Sandy Marks quoted "Even more exciting than the prizes were the endless callbacks of many people wanting to represent her. People have been known to become very successful after attending this event, getting record deals, major movies etc. We are not ready to move to LA so we would like to have her represented in Houston. We thank you Next Actor/Trish for helping Erica prepare for this event. She has learned so much from you and we would love to continue being involved with Next Actor."

REBECCA ON THE PHONE ENTERS FILM FESTIVAL IN SOUTH AFRICA/SWAZILAND

Trisha Ray's Rebecca on the Phone was screened at the Golden Lion Film Festival on October 16th and after that played twice due to popular demand. The film stars Falin Proffitt, Julianne Christoffel and Amy Warren of Next Actor Studio and is written, directed and edited by Trisha Ray. The film is the first story of the feature A BLACK CHRISTMAS which deals with three people on a White Christmas.

TREVOR PARSONS' WORK REVIEWED IN HOLLYWOOD'S BACKSTAGE - WEST

Trevor Parsons garners a great review in Hollywood's Backstage West for his performance as Jesus Christ in the play "Jimmy Christ". According to the popular publication 'Backstage-West', "A wonderfully clever humor energizes Nicholas Monohan's play [Jimmy Christ] immediately picked up in two exceptional performances by Jonah Wanicur as the title character and Trevor Parsons as his future - challenged surfer-dude redeemer brother who's unsure if his personal oracle told him to "go east" or "go eat." Parsons, whose Jesus looks and sounds a bit like an early Nordic Keanu Reeves, is a master of the deadpan while tossing away Monohan's paraphrased biblical gems, wholly comfortable with lines such as, "Hey, I want to try out a new parable on you guys if that's cool with you," then following with, "There's no use cryin' over spilt milk," which he proudly admits he thought up in a trance. Trevor moved to L.A. in May 2005 and is currently making rounds as leads in both plays and films and getting noticed by several agents and casting directors. Trevor's recent screen performance includes the lead role in MTV's new pilot "Snitched."