So, Disney called me a few weeks ago and asked if I’d be interested in working on a new projects of theirs. Apparently, they made this film called The Cheetah Girls a few years ago and it went over pretty well with the kiddies. The soundtrack even went Double Platinum (Allmusic‘s review called the album “likeable” but also “devoid of any originality”). Anyway, they’re currently filming a sequel here in Barcelona and, since most of the actors are non-native English speakers, they were looking for a voice coach. It was a six week gig and they were offering a hefty salary. After meeting with the production team, I felt like I wanted to accept the job and they were very keen to work with me. Unfortunately… I was already booked to do a few children’s theatre gigs during the shooting of the film. I asked if I could get someone to cover for me for the few days that I would have to miss and they balked. They wanted complete exclusivity. I went home and made a few phone calls to see if I could get a last minute replacement to learn my part, but no one was available. I took it as a sign and respectfully declined the Disney job.

Not two weeks later, I get a call from a production company here in Barcelona called DrimTim (pronounced Dream Team). They’re getting ready to start production of their next film and are also looking for a voice coach! I met with the Line Producer, Albert, in their swanky office on the 18th floor of the Torre Mapfre and he explained how he had heard of me (thanks, Molly!).

He proceeded to show me the trailers of the recent films they had made in Barcelona: Face of Terror starring Rick Schroder; Crusader starring Andrew McCarthy, Michael York, and Bo Derek; Art Heist starring Ellen Pompeo and William Baldwin; and The Deal starring Penelope Ann Miller, Henry Thomas, and Dean Stockwell. They were all fast paced, mind numbing action flicks. They were also a veritable Who’s Who of “Where are they now”s. So Albert explained their next project to me: it’s called Clean Break and will be starring Tara Reid. They plan to shoot for four weeks (starting April 12) and are offering less pay than the Disney job was offering. I told them that there would be a few days that I couldn’t be there and they were very understanding and flexible. I got a very good feeling from them and, without any other major plans for the next month, I accepted the job.

If the reviews I have read on IMDB of the other four films they have produced are any indication, this should be a big pile of donkey dust. The one saving grace is that they have a different director than the same guy that did the first four films. His name is Rob. I met him today for lunch and he seems like a really good guy. A down to Earth, level headed guy with a good head on his shoulders. I like what he had to say about giving the actors freedom to interpret the part as they see fit. I try to do the same when I direct in the theatre. I find the actors who I think will bring something interesting to a part – not just be able to reproduce the preconceived notion that I’ve had in my head for the past few months. I’m looking forward to learning a lot on this job and hopefully making some good connections for the future. Who knows, maybe I’ll be fresh in their minds when they cast their next summer blockbuster!