Acting out Islam: Independent Full Length Feature Film Movie Production. Part 6.

Even though Texas is Not the Mecca of the Film industry, there are always people putting together projects. Especially if you are in a city other than New York or Los Angeles, it is easy to get into the market and figure out all the players in your local area. The nature of the business is such that if you start to go out and get exposure, you will become well known very quickly, or at least get to the point where you will know everyone else.

In Texas there is a lot of effort to get producers to make independent films here. All the states are always encouraging business to their communities. In Texas, the state has made certain tax advantages for the production of films or even TV shows and serials. I believe you can get 100% deductions for your investment in the production of films or TV that is made in the state. There are certain requirements but if you meet them, then investors can finance the film production cost and get a tax rite off on the expenses. It is a way to encourage the production in the state. In Texas the current amount is a tax rite off up to one Million, for the production of independent films. The same 1 million tax exemption applies to TV shows or serials. When talking about TV episodes the tax exemption is for I million per episode. Not bad if you are thinking of producing TV episodes.

This is a copy of the casting call for an original Independent Film being produced in Houston Texas. The Company is called Original Seed Filmz and they are producing a modern day gangster movie. The director is Chigozie Nwokeafor.

It was interesting for me because I have been contemplating the idea of how Muslims will make positive changes and develop better public relations in the United States. One of the areas of focus has to be the production of film and radio content. In the African American community you can see great examples of people developing their own content. Whether in the entertainment industry with Music, Rap, Swinger, Songwriters, or in the independent film industry, the African American community is taking aggressive steps to get involved. The same needs to be done with the Muslim community in America. Using community experience in all areas, from on screen talent, to the crew and technical professionals behind the screen.

Here is a copy of the casting call from the film “THE SIT DOWN”

Cast Call: Original Seed Filmz, LLC; in association with ATO Productions, LLC; is casting for a feature length modern day mob epic. The Sit Down is poised to be one of the most controversial films ever to be made. Auditions will be held at The University of Houston (4800 Calhoun Rd), on the second floor of the University Center (Rio Grande Room) on August 25, 2007 from 12pm - 6pm. Please submit resumes and headshots to contact@osfilmz.com. Log onto the website for a full list of character descriptions and synopsis of the film. (www.osfilmz.com) All filming will take place on the weekends. Production is scheduled to begin mid - late September, 2007.

This film is about drugs and gangsters in Houston Texas. I play a detective in the crime division.

Here is a list of the character breakdowns.

Lt. Block - early 40's, white male, drug enforcement agent

Det. Julian - late 20's, black female, drug enforcement agent

Det. Combs - late 20's / early 30's, black male, drug enforcement agent

Det. Bowie - late 20's, black male, drug enforcement agent

Det. Massie - late 20's, white or hispanic male, drug enforcement agent

Det. Paul - late 20's, white male, drug enforcement agent

Det. Brooklyn - late 20's, black female, drug enforcement agent

Det. Staples - early 20's, white male, drug enforcement agent

Only for the cops in the film. As you can see the character description is very basic. So if you are looking to land a part, don’t eliminate parts because you don’t fit the profile exactly. I ended up playing the part of Detective Massie. As you can see the part calls for a white or Hispanic late 20’s. That does not necessarily describe me, but I still got the part! Dont count yourself out of a possible role before you go to the audition.

Now from an Islamic point of view I play a cop who deals with thugs all the time. So, needless to say, the language of the character is a little dramatic. As Captain Kirk says to Spock in Start Trek 4, I use a lot of “colorful metaphors”. Swearing in Islam is considered something that is not from the respected practices. The prophet Muhammad discouraged people from using fowl language. Yet when playing a character it is sometimes necessary to give a true interpretation of reality. In the real world many people use all kinds of language. This is something that did not bother me that much unlike the issues of sex or intimacy, or even dealing with the gay or homosexual issues on screen. Perhaps it is just something personal to me. Even though I may be a religious person and do often speak from the pulpit, I have been know by my close friend to occasionally use a colorful metaphor, or two!

Saleem Siddiqui

HotConflict@Gmail.com

Acting Out Islam Series

Part 1. Acting out Islam! Communication with Muslim Actors and Actresses.

Part 2. Acting out Islam: Classes, Instruction on Performance Emotion Stage Presence.

Part 3. Acting out Islam: Monologue Process, Homosexual, AIDS, Gay Sex!

Part 4. Acting out Islam: Audition, Resumes and Head Shot. How to Land a Part?

Part 5. Acting out Islam: Short Films produced by Low budget Hobbyist for Exposure.

Part 6. Acting out Islam: Independent Full Length Feature Film Movie Production.

Part 7. Acting out Islam: Web Serial TV Episodes Soap Opera Style Film Production.

Part 8. Acting out Islam: Playhouse Plays Stage Presence and Cast Crew Construction.

Please check out our other series of articles.

Alternative Careers for Muslims To Stop Terror and Win the War of Ideology in Islam

Using Technology Internet Social Networks Trends To Understand People, the World

Saleem Siddiqui is a Political Commentator, Public Speaker, Actor and Consultant. He is a trained Mediation and Conflict Resolution Specialist. He conducts sermons and training for various religious and Nonprofit organizations. Working with effort to increase Muslim and Islamic awareness in Communications, Public Relations (PR), Public Speaking, Political Strategy, Media, Marketing, and many  other fields as they relate to the integration of Muslims in the United States of America and around the world.

Saleem Siddiqui has undergrad degrees in Arabic and religion from the Middle East and attended Law School in Houston,Texas. He has consulted with the FBI and testified on behalf of the District Attorney of Virginia on cases relating to National Security and “The War on Terror”.