Post by Sky on Dec 20, 2005 2:25:59 GMT 7
Julia’s youth, Asian look get judges’ nod
(Malaya, November 26, 2005)
JULIA Clarete was hailed “Hollywood Dream’s” ultimate champion after a close fight with contender Raymond Bagatsing last Sunday, November 20 over ABC. The event, taped as live an hour before its broadcast, caps ABC and Next Generation Productions’ six-month reality search.
Julia won by a single vote, earning four nods from the seven Hollywood judges. All seven casting directors and producers agree Raymond and Julia performed excellently during the auditions. The decision went down to marketability and Julia’s distinct Asian look (even compared to Zhang Ziyi) plus her relative youth gave her the title. The other three who picked Raymond were impressed by his confidence and ease in assuming different characters. They were also quick to tell Raymond was the more seasoned actor based on a few minutes worth of auditions alone.
"They would just sit and watch silently, as if peeling us!" Julia comments on the scrutiny they received from these Hollywood professionals.
"Their (the judges’) bodies of work are broader and they are more keen and meticulous in judging talents. It’s scary," Raymond adds.
The panel of judges was composed of Mike Fenton, film and TV casting director ("ET," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and "Back to the Future"); Teri Berland, TV and commercial casting director (over 300 commercial credits in the US including Pepsi, Sony, Visa, and Jaguar); Henry Capanna, film producer (has worked with Dylann McDermott and Gladys Knight in the movie "Unbeatable Harold"); Bryan Brucks, film producer ("Chasing Ghost" starring Michael Madsen and Meat Loaf); Scott Karp, talent agent and manager with the world famous William Morris Agency; Jeff Rice, film producer ("Watcher," starring Keannu Reeves and "Two Weeks" with Oscar winner Sally Field); and Paul Emami, TV and film director (over 250 credits including Nokia and McDonalds and the movie "Lost" starring Dean Cain).
"My ‘Hollywood Dream’ experience has been beautiful. It has brought me from being utterly helpless to ecstatic. I also learned a lot—professionalism and interacting with different actors. And I never had so many friends in the business since ‘Hollywood Dream’ came along. It was a major turning point in my life," Julia enthuses during the show.
Raymond also shared how the experience has provided him a family. "I never stayed in one school growing up so I never really kept a certain bunch of friends. I think this (pointing to fellow finalists) will last me a lifetime."
Raymond, who is now under a new manager, June Rufino, still has his eyes on Hollywood. "I’ll also be flying back to L.A. early next year. I am fixing my papers. I’ve hooked up with Filipino communities there and I’d be doing a series of concerts and a play (Rizal), while auditioning on the side."
He is also part of the film "What a Wonderful Place," Israel’s official entry in the Oscars.
"Hollywood Dream" producer Romeo Joven was also glad with the outcome of his first Filipino TV project. "Its great. It’s been a learning experience for all of us. It was also tough, but fun nevertheless."
He shares that both Raymond and Julia have huge chances of making it big in Hollywood. "Even the judges agree that both will make it there (Hollywood). It’s just a matter of exposure." He also mentioned that plans for a second season are being discussed.
Julia flies back to L.A. and New York on January to enjoy her "Hollywood Dream" loot which includes roles in two Hollywood motion pictures and in CBS’s soap "As the World Turns," a SAG Card, and more meetings with Hollywood agents, directors and producers. Romeo also shares that "Wrinkles," one of the two movies Julia will participate in, is now in its pre-production stage. Shooting will start February at Universal Studios.
The other finalists who were also present during the finale vowed to still pursue their "Hollywood Dream" all the way to LA. The group has become so close that before the announcement, they insisted that whoever wins will bring the rest to Hollywood, a remark which Julia welcomed with cheers.
Meanwhile, starting November 27 to December 5, ABC programming (excluding newscasts) will be temporarily suspended to give way for the live broadcast of the 2005 SEA Games. Regular programming resumes on December 6.