The Black Actor's Guide to Not Working: Journal and an Original Screenplay.

By Darrell Kiedo

"The Black Actors Guide...is the personal journey of Actor/Comedian Darrell Kiedo as recorded in his journal. The personal tale of one mans struggle to pursue his dream. It is a hard hitting look at the entertainment business from a black actors perspective, funny and poignant it will open your eyes to an industry that continues to close doors to performers of color while shouting diversity from their studio boardrooms. The book also includes the screenplay " Before The Dawn " a dynamic story of a young black gangmember struggling for a way off the streets and into a better life.
The films message of hope and opportunity despite ones circumstances is sure to inspire people around the world. Before The Dawn an original film was written by actor/comedian/writer Darrell Kiedo.

For more information:

Darrell Kiedo may be contacted at Hagan International Media Inc.: Beverly Hills, Ca. 90210. Ph. 323-451-2805

Additional Information available at www.Darrell-Kiedo.com, xlibris.com. Amazon.com, or imdb.com.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 7, 2003
• ISBN: 9781462840618

Darrell Kiedo

Darrell Kiedo - Actor/Comedian/Writer. Discovered by Writer/Director Robert Townsend who noticed him in David Austins Rainbow. He has worked with esteemed Directors such as John Singleton, Jim Casale and Nicole Bolster. Working his Stand-Up comedy routines at such places like The Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, The Comedy Act Theater, and even the Dr. Phil Show, to name a few. He has been labeled one the Hottest up and coming comedians around. Darrell began his acting career as a teen with the Blues City Theater Company where he learned to hone his skills as an actor touring and performing 200-300 shows a year at such prestigious places as the Sorbonne University in Paris France, The National Black Arts Festival: Atlanta, The National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis University, to name a few. He has also taught numerous programs on improvisation and drama for many inner city programs for teens and young adults. Darrell currently resides in Culver City California. Working with the UCLA Educational Outreach Program as a writer and performer. He recently established Kiedo Entertainment : An Urban Film Company. The company has eight independent film and television projects currently in development.

Book preview

THE BLACK

ACTOR’S GUIDE TO NOT

WORKING IN HOLLYWOOD

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Copyright © 2003 by Darrell Kiedo.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

YEAR ONE

BEFORE THE DAWN

CASTING

THE BLACK

ACTOR’S GUIDE TO NOT

WORKING IN HOLLYWOOD

Journal and an

original screenplay.

Darrell Kiedo

FOREWORD

. . . six black people in a film? Won’t sell in Germany.

Actor/Comedian Darrell Kiedo thought he heard it all as a performer, pounding the Hollywood pavement as a comedian at night and auditioning during the day. Still with few roles available for African-American performers and no high powered agent to get a foot in the door in the film biz, Darrell decided to take the road less traveled and like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, or Jon Favreau before him … he wrote his own ticket.

After working with a friend Guy Torry at the Comedy Store. Darrell Kiedo who moved to L.A. eight years ago from Memphis, came up with the idea of a twist on the Charles Dickens classic a Tale of Two Cities. The story set during the French revolution, reminded me of the cultural revolution taking place today. You have a people still today looking for an identity and in a place where the aristocracy is yelling that everything is okay. Even today people don’t want to be reminded of the ramifications of slavery or effects it continues to have on the American psyche, business, education, sports, and entertainment.

After six months of playing with the idea. Darrell, locked himself in his office and wrote the first draft of the screenplay Before the Dawn. It was the story of a young man in the South Central gangs looking for an opportunity to get out, and a young business professional who was far removed from the Urban subculture that exists today. In a twist of fate, the business man is mistaken for the gang member and killed and the main character must make a choice to either come forward with the truth or take a chance to get out and start over with a completely new life. He chose the latter. "I wrote the script with my friend (Guy) in mind for the lead and a supporting role for myself in the picture.

The idea got the attention of some more than a few Industry

Executives. Steve Choa then President at USA Networks, attorneys’ Licthman/ Grossman/ Nichols and Adler, who represented A-List writers, Quenten Tarentino and Lawrence Bender to name a few. USA Films, New Line Cinema and even Magic Johnson Entertainment all asked to take a look at the script in hopes of discovering their next big payday.

But, along with the countless number of meetings came an onslaught of rejection that the unknown actor was not prepared for. I would be in pitch meetings and hear comments like, six black people in a film, that won’t sell in Germany, or Latinos don’t buy tickets to theatres in Mexico. That along with hearing the same six names at every meeting, whom I won’t mention: actors who have earned the right to ask for a multi-million dollar fee. Even if I had access to them, I asked why ask them to do a small film with a small budget, (5 million) when the original idea and story is about opportunity. There are countless other unknown minority actors seeking an opportunity to be introduced in the international" marketplace. The friend Guy Torry was not on the studio list and had thirteen films and a series to his credit and none of the executives I met with even knew who Eddie Griffin was, and he’s been in twenty-two films.

After banging my head against a wall for more than a year I realized it was just as difficult for people with that much power and money to understand an audience for a film that takes place in a reality they have no idea about. I knew that as a market, we support our own. As African-Americans we want to see our own stories and we do have the final say as an audience in what we choose to pay our money to see. So after my last Studio meeting I decided to take all the rights and to make my own film.

Darrell Kiedo, actor/comedian found a Producer who believed in the project and the vision who decided to take on the project without a fee. Working with an entertainment attorney Tre Lovell of Mitchelson and Lovell, they put together a presentation for a few territories along with some creative financing along with hundreds of favors from a lot of very talented creative people in the entertainment industry. After a year and a half they will finally begin pre-production on the Independent Feature: Before The Dawn. The names may not be as well known but in the end the Film itself is what will determine whether people come see it or not.

Before the Dawn will begin Principal Photography September 1, 2003. For more information on available rights and territories contact Leonard Shapiro : Sales Agent, Office: 22248 Calamay Court, Calabasas CA. 91302. Ph. 818-222-7051. Legal Questions Contact : Mitchelson and Lovell, Tre Lovell at 310-275-2100 Ext. 105. Darrell Kiedo may be contacted at Hagan Intl. Media Inc: At 310860-7493. Office 310-867-5434.

Individual Rights for : Before Dawn: Making a truly independent film. The Journal with the Script—Available Through Hagan International Media Inc.

PART I

The Making of a Truly Independent Film

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YEAR ONE

MY JOURNAL

May 4, 2001

INTRODUCTION

Today is May 4th, 2001. I started writing this in hopes of having a reference of what I make of my life in the next year. I have reached a turning point in my life and I am deliberating where to go. I think it weighed heavily on me today that my failures seem to have overshadowed any faith or positive light ahead. I’ve lost a lot of hope. I decided to begin a journey today whatever it takes to find that hope again. I have decided to put my life back together and go after my dreams despite the obstacles.

So this journal is for me! One year from now I want to look back and say, I didn’t give up. If anyone else gets to read this, I hope it helps. If it’s just me, that’s okay too.

I was born in Memphis, Tennessee where I lived until most of my adult life. I am writing from the heart of Hollywood. I moved to Los Angeles in the fall of 1992 to pursue my dream of becoming an actor. One of the biggest things to hit me was the news that Robin Harris had died of a heart attack. I had recently started dabbling in standup comedy and he was about to become a major star in Hollywood. I was amazed at his talent for storytelling and his ability to make people laugh. On stage he made it seem that he was just one of the family and they seemed to overwhelmingly accept him as one of their own. I always regretted that I didn’t travel to L.A. sooner to be able to see him live onstage. Once I got here I began, and continue, to meet amazing people who are by far the most talented people I have ever met, and not just because of what they do, but because of who they are.

I was kicked out of the military at eighteen, at which point I had no idea where to take my life. The plane trip back to Memphis seemed to take days. I didn’t make it through boot camp—so went my chances of getting out of the poverty my family and I lived in. So went my dreams of going to college through the GI Bill.

After a few months of living with my aunt and working at Federal Express, a friend of the family asked me to audition for a spot in a local theatre company; the first established African- American theatre company in Memphis. I was offered a contract and have been performing ever since.

one dream that I’ve always had since deciding to become an actor is to one day be in a movie that I wrote. I once read that Spike Lee had started working on She’s Got To Have It at age 32. I had decided that by the time I am 32 I would be working on my first film or quit. I will be thirty-two in three weeks.

In exactly 12 months, I will either be begin principal photography on a movie that I wrote called Before The First Dawn, or I will be on my way back home to find a normal job. I’ve decided that every day for the next 12 months I am going to do everything I can to accomplish my dream. I am making a commitment to myself to give it my best shot. I can’t promise that the next year is going to be pretty. All I can say is that I’m going to be honest.

A lot of the people I meet and places I go are not the stuff Disney films are made of. My opinions are just that, my opinions. As a young black man in Hollywood, I am very opinionated. It’s not like I have anything to loose. The names will only be changed if I’m threatened with a lawsuit, but my friends really have nothing to worry about. This is just my life as it happens day-to-day. I don’t have any vendettas against anyone. I have decided that, I will try my best to find something positive in my circumstances and not give up no matter what. Thanks for listening.

Friday May 4, 2001

In three weeks I will be 32. My dream of being single is no longer. I got married 3 years ago. My dream of moving to Hollywood and acting in a film hasn’t come to fruition. And I think my bank account is negative $534.32. Welcome to Hollywood, only I’ve been here a while so surely I’m well on my way to becoming a star.

I had decided to keep this journal in hopes of inspiring myself to continue to pursue my dreams. I also offer it as a road map for others, sometimes we all need a little inspiration, maybe it will help you on your journey. Lord knows soo many people have helped me along the way! There was … uhm … Oh! I can’t forget … . hmnn. Chris Tucker! Well at least that’s one.

As for my life, I’m not quite sure where it’s headed. Who does, really? I’ve just finished reading an article concerning the Writers Guild strike and how the Union has yet to reach an agreement. The last strike had a crippling effect not only on the economy but also on the lives of many actors, myself included. Despite the rhetoric of diversity among the entertainment industry, the few opportunities that performers of color, such as myself, have to work were completely vanquished due to the strike, (except for the elite few celebrities who manage to sidestep the socio-economic backlash). As far as the working actor, production came to a standstill and, even today, at least half of it is in Canada. Many performers were left without work and continue struggling today.

The mortgage is due. I think my wife wants a divorce. Both shows for the UCLA Outreach program were almost cancelled. The program tours the LA school system informing teens about the requirements for college. Apparently, the Principal scheduled a dog show in the auditorium.

Life is great.

Without adversity, an actor will not be able to handle the pressures of stardom and fame. Therefore, if you aren’t currently in a relationship, start one soon. Anyone with issues will do. (Don’t forget everyone has issues.) Any new mate will do as long as he or she is not carrying a voodoo doll or has tattooed eyelids.

To do list:

1 . Find out if my wife wants a divorce.

2.   Sign autographs at Paul Revere Middle School.

3.   Read The Hollywood Reporter for free.

4.   Call Quentin Tarantino’s attorney ask them to read my script.

5.   Think good thoughts.

Saturday May 5, 2001

To keep one’s career on track, a manager is essential. A manager who works hard is rare. My manager works hard because he has to. He has absolutely no pull in Hollywood. He has a lot of talent and charisma, which gets him four stars out of five.

My manager, Robert, and i got together for lunch in Studio City. He assured me that he’d get around to reading my script, so i believed him. He recently got back from Houston screening a short film he directed at The Houston International. Film Festival. It actually won the Grand Jury Award. Now he has to expand it as a feature.

We talked some more about him. Then got on to the reason for our meeting: Him. Learning to listen to people will move your career quicker than mailings. Mailings are essential, but listening is the key.

I listened for another hour and then went home. A producer wanted me to send him a script from the idea I pitched to him over my cell phone at lunch, yesterday. I sent him the script and my reel and then headed out for the Comedy Store, one of the few comedy clubs that let me perform. I avoid the other Jim Crow comedy clubs as they only allow black comics to perform on Mondays. Hey, I’m sure those clubs will change their policies one day. It may not be in one year or even ten, but one day blacks will be allowed in all clubs. I’m sure of it. one club in Hermosa Beach, CA wouldn’t even let me in the building. I won’t mention any names. Needless to say, I will never be performing comedy or magic there. Thanks, guys.

Sunday May 6, 2001

Trying to get a film done in Hollywood without a track record is nearly impossible, but it can be done. Every person who is directing, writing or producing now, had no track record until they accomplished their first film. I think the hardest part is continuing to wake up and believe in your vision despite the six people who told you no the day before. That’s why people, myself included, have a huge amount of respect for producers.

I just mailed a copy of the Before The First Dawn script to Eric. Eric, deals with financing but is also a cinematographer, as well as producer. We talked over the phone while I was having lunch in Studio City about three weeks ago. He liked the concept and now he’ll decide if the script matches the pitch. He seems likes a guy who gets things done. He told me about some people he knows who got out of the L.A. gang life and are trying to make a contribution to society, by helping the teens still involved in the gangs. I admire people who spend time helping people they could easily avoid.

The interesting thing about having a wife as a roommate is that, at least now you’re not expecting anyone to cook for you. My wife and I are still struggling through the divorce question, at least we’re cordial for now.

I’m about to go to bed. I spent a few hours over at The Comedy Store waiting around for three minutes of stage time. Folks at the Comedy Store are really supportive of comics. I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t say they have been a driving force in Hollywood, nurturing the next generation of comics, and giving them a safe haven to explore and grow and give us their perspective of this new millennium. Why I believe any comic who says that The Comedy Store is political and exploitive, or haunted, should be thoroughly chastised before having his Star-Strip Gold card, and Cocaine Pass revoked.

Monday May 7, 2001

I’m operating on about five hours of sleep. I have a hard time sleeping beyond six hours so I consider five normal. It is very common for non-working actors to survive on five hours of sleep. once I reach celebrity status, I’ll be expected to get by on three or four, in which case you I will be supplied with an ample amount of cocaine and methamphetamines to keep me going.

I called comedian Bobby Law regarding a standup gig he wants me to do with him.,Then left a message for Phil the class administrator at Comedy Sportz. I owe a balance on the class, although they should be paying me for taking it. I can get more out of watching grass grow than I’m getting out of this improv class. I’m supposed to be receiving an award today. Only rookies go to award ceremonies unless they’re televised, and if you really feel important you can skip those. My last